USGTF CELEBRATES

Think back to early 1989. The golf teaching profession was complacent, with the one organization having a virtual monopoly on the training and certification of golf professionals. If someone merely wanted to teach the game as a certified teacher, such specific training was not available. 

The prospective teacher had to learn about many different aspects of the golf business, such as running a pro shop, agronomy, cart repair, merchandising, etc. This left little time or energy to focus on the true essence of what a golf professional should be: a teacher.

Former ski teaching professional Geoff Bryant, who operated the nation’s largest chain of golf schools, realized a need for qualified, personable golf teaching professionals who focused strictly on the golf teaching profession itself. Realizing that sports like skiing and tennis certified their teachers after a one-week training seminar, Bryant knew that such a paradigm shift would work for golf, too.

“Looking back, since our inception in 1989, it’s hard to believe that we now have 15,000 members worldwide,” said Bryant, “and have, in fact, changed the entire structure of the golf teaching profession.”

Indeed, other countries soon noticed the success of the USGTF and clamored for their own teaching federations, as well. In 1995, the World Golf Teachers Federation was formed with alliances with several European nations. The WGTF now encompasses over 35 member nations that all adhere to a universal standard of teacher training and certification.

USGTF National Coordinator, Bob Wyatt, has been with the organization since its inception. “I’ve been privileged to witness the quality of growth of the USGTF over the past 15 years,” said Wyatt. “What I’ve been most impressed with, since our inception, is the entrepreneurial and people skills that all of our members have in common.”

These qualities have certainly accounted for the fact that most USGTF members either find or create employment. “It is not unusual for the participants at any given certification course to form business partnerships as a result from meeting at the course,” stated Wyatt. 

Along with the growth, demand for opportunities to meet other members outside their certification courses brought rise to the various tournaments conducted by the USGTF and WGTF. The United States Golf Teachers Cup (USGTC) was first played in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1996, with the World Golf Teachers Cup (WGTC) inaugural event held a year later in Naples, Florida. The popularity of these tournaments is such that at the last USGTC, held in Las Vegas, participation was sold out for the first time. The most recent WGTC utilized two golf courses, had 188 participants, and 25 major industry partners were present to help support the event. The stature of this event is now apparent, as final round highlights of the individual championship were nationally televised.

In 1989, the USGTF took its first steps, holding just four courses. This quartlerly pattern continued until 1993, when demand called for one class to be held each month. Also in 1993, classes were held all across the country for the first time. The number of classes held per year gradually increased until 2002, when demand became so great that a USGTF certification class is now held virtually every week, sometimes with two or even three classes held simultaneously in various national locations.

At first, the USGTF had just two member classifications, associate and fully-certified. This worked well for a number of years, but as the growth of the game increased, the USGTF felt that there were certain members and prospective members that needed to be served with additional classifications. In 1993, the Master Teaching Professional certification was first offered. This allowed those who wanted to take their teaching and expertise to the highest level to achieve their goal.

In 2002, a fourth level of certification was introduced, affiliate member, and brought about new classifications of membership levels: (Level I – affiliate; Level II – associate; Level III – fully-certified; and Level IV – Master Teaching Professional). An examiner training program was also introduced for those Level IV members who wish to share their knowledge with those wanting to become USGTF members.

Remarkably, even though many people felt it could never be done, the golf teaching industry has changed dramatically over the past 15 years due to the success of the USGTF. The inclusion of those not previously given the opportunity to simply teach the game, without concerning themselves with all the traditional peripheral aspects of the golf business, has fueled this change. 

The USGTF has also made it much easier for those who are no longer kids to teach the game. Prior to 1989, already-successful people wishing to get into the golf teaching industry as a credentialed teacher had to work 60-80 hours a week at minimum wage, just like everyone else wanting to go that route. While that may be fine for the person right out of high school or college, an established, successful businessperson would, of course, find this route very difficult. And, by not including this particular cross-section of people in the golf teaching industry, a vast wealth of experience was lost forever.

With its convenient, yet challenging certification process, the USGTF allows these people to enter the golf teaching business with the credentials they need. Since USGTF certification is recognized worldwide, many people have gone on to enjoy tremendous success in their second careers, “sharing their passion.”

The growth of the game is in the hands of its teachers, and the USGTF has changed forever the face of the golf teaching industry. While no one knows for certain what the next 15 years will bring, we can safely say the USGTF’s influence will only continue to enhance the growth and popularity of the game.

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