FST is proud to become a sponsor of the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).
The GCAA is a professional association of collegiate men’s golf coaches, high school coaches, PGA of America and LPGA professionals. Established in 1958, this non-profit organization of over 700 members is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing both its members and the student-athlete participants in collegiate golf at all levels. Through its established events and programs, the GCAA increases awareness and furthers the status of the men’s golf.
Over the years, the GCAA has developed an awards program to promote the sport and reward deserving student-athletes. The program began with the naming of All-America teams in its first year of existence (names like Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Fred Couples, David Duval and Tiger Woods all appear on All-America plaques presented by the GCAA). Since then, the program has grown to include accolades for All-America Scholar, All-Region and All-America teams, Regional Champions, Regional Medalists, Jan Strickland Assistant Coach of the Year, Dave Williams National and Regional Coaches of the Year, Arnold Palmer Award (individual national champion), Jack Nicklaus Award (player of the year – college season), Byron Nelson Award (scholar-athlete of the year), Phil Mickelson Award (freshman of the year), Ben Hogan Award (top men’s NCAA Division I, II or III or NAIA golfer, taking into account all collegiate and amateur competitions during the last 12 months) and the GCAA Hall of Fame. And in January 2002, the coaches association introduced the new Lifetime Achievement Award to honor special individuals who have made outstanding contributions to collegiate golf and its student-athletes.
In addition to the awards program, the GCAA is committed to education of its members. Each January, member coaches gather for the GCAA National Coaches Convention, a week of educational seminars and discussions on the college game. Furthermore, the GCAA has also expanded it relationship with its sister organizations, the National Golf Coaches Association and the PGA of America and LPGA.
With scores of awards, educational programs and GCAA sponsored international teams (Palmer Cup, USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship and World Junior Team Cup); the association depends on the support of over 40 corporate partners. The GCAA Corporate Partners provide the association with the resources necessary to continue to benefit college golf.
As the first shaft company to become a corporate sponsor since 2000, FST is as pleased to collaborate with the GCAA as the GCAA is to have FST come aboard. The GCAA believes that for many years, shaft companies have been missing a great opportunity to be in front of their coaches. In most cases, club manufacturers dictate the knowledge coaches have regarding the technological aspects of the shaft. With shaft technology moving so quickly, the educating of GCAA members (and thus their student-athletes) needs to come from both the club and shaft manufacturer to be most effective. With information from both sides, coaches can better understand how the correct marriage of shaft, grip and club head can improve players’ games and teams’ standings.
"The GCAA is very pleased that FST has joined the growing list of companies who support college golf and its thousands of student athletes across the country, "said GCAA Executive Director Gregg Grost. "As our newest Corporate Partner, their involvement will provide a valuable source of equipment as well as shaft technology education to our members’ schools."
The GCAA’s national office is located in Norman, Okla. For more information on the Golf Coaches Association of America, visit www.collegiategolf.com.
FEMCO Steel Technology (FST) is a subsidiary of The Far East Machinery Company, one of the largest steel manufacturers in the world. FST has been in operation since 1993, and has become the second largest steel golf shaft manufacturer in the world through our work with OEM’s around the globe. We are now building strong brand awareness among golf professionals and the core golfer consumer segment. For more information about FST’s line of premium steel shafts, please visit www.fstshafts.com.
Contact:
Natalie Robinson
FEMCO Steel Technology
E-Mail: cs@fstshafts.com
