India
By Amit Saran
President, Indian Golf Teachers Federation

On March 22-24, the Indian Golf Teachers Federation conducted its first Level-IV Master Examiner Training Course in India in association with the USGTF. The three-day program was organized at the Eagleton Golf Resort, Bangalore. Bert Boyce of the USGTF was the course instructor. This was Bert’s second voyage to India. Five IGTF members made full use of the opportunity to become the first Level-IV certified teaching professionals in the country, thereby making them eligible for becoming future IGTF examiners. The participants went through all aspects of the master’s level course including a written thesis covering a wide range of topics. Each master’s candidate had to defend his thesis in front of the other participants. 

The fifth IGTF Certification Course preceded the Master Examiner Course. The IGTF Certification Course was held from March 14-20 with eight participants being certified. The participants spent the week honing the skills and techniques required to become an IGTF golf teaching professional. On completion of the course all participants agreed that the certification course improved their teaching skills and their own golf game. The number of IGTF members now stands at 49. The IGTF is pleased to announce its own training facility for the development of future golfers in India. The SPT Sports Academy is India’s first private sports academy with a golf driving range. The IGTF along with the WGTF provided valuable suggestions regarding the development of this pioneering concept. Details about the IGTF and the Academy can be viewed on www.sptindia.com. 

Brazil
By Luiz Martins
Brazilian Golf Teachers Federation Member

The Brazil GTF has developed a strong partnership for events in Brazil. Our major partner and sponsor is Unibanco AIG Insurance. Along with our certification courses, they help sponsor events such as junior golf clinics, Brazil GTF tour events and corporate outings.

Unibanco AIG and the Brazil GTF teamed together to sponsor and organize our latest event. The outing took place at the Golf Center Interlagos this past January. Students from the Universidade USP (a university in Sao Paulo) where brought together with Brazil GTF professionals. These students are studying sports and kinesiology. For many, this was their first experience with the game of golf.

Unibanco AIG looks to be the host and sponsor of the next World Golf Teachers Cup in Brazil. 

The Brazil GTF and the South American GTF are working hard to continue the growth and development of golf in South America.

Taiwan
By Motoko Lin
President, Taiwan GTF

The Taiwan GTF will be organizing an amateur tournament at Palm Lake Golf Resort sponsored by the government of Chia Yi City. This year the city government is holding “300th Anniversary of Zu-Rou City.” (Zu-Rou is the ancient name of Chia Yi). The city government has sponsored three sports events including golf, baseball and basketball as part of the 300th anniversary activities. Palm Lake is the only golf course in Chia Yi. We have prior experience in holding two certification courses in Palm Lake Golf Resort and we believe it is the best golf course to organize a golf tournament in Taiwan. The tournament will be held during mid September. We will have golf lessons and lectures during the tournament days at the driving range. This will be a great opportunity to promote our organization to more golfers in Chia Yi and also will be a good experience for our instructors to be involved in planning an amateur tournament.

Mexico
By Rafael Conde
President, Mexican Golf Teachers Federation

I am very proud of having achieved my USGTF Level IV Master Golf Teaching Professional certification last November. I am, in fact, the only golfer in Mexico who has acquired this level of expertise.

Golf is becoming more popular here in Mexico. Teaching professionals appreciate having their own Mexican federation. More importantly however, they appreciate being part of the World Golf Teachers Federation. Many of the great articles in Golf Teaching Pro magazine are translated and anxiously read by all members.

For more information on the Mexican Golf Teachers Federation please email me at Rcondej@aol.com.

Back to Main Articles

Copyright © 2011 United States Golf Teachers Federation, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this article in any kind is strictly prohibited.