NORCROSS, Ga. – Seeking to provide expert golf instruction to youth throughout its country, the Costa Rican Golf Federation hosted a U.S. Kids Golf Certified Instructor Seminar for golf professionals in December 2013. Held at Cariari Country Club in San Jose, Costa Rica, the Seminar was attended by 37 golf professionals and coaches.
“The U.S. Kids Golf Certified Instructor Program perfectly aligns with our goals of growing the game using every tool available and making junior programs fun, effective, and successful,” said Alejandro Duque, Junior Golf National Director of the Costa Rican Golf Federation. “We hope to use golf to teach kids life values and life lessons and to unite families in a healthy and fun environment.”
A U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Teacher in 2013, Duque said the Seminar was a chance to give participants access to a program that has proven results. Following the Seminar, he said his goals include installing Forward Tees at all courses in Costa Rica and increasing participation in tournaments.
“I’d like to take the steps necessary to turn our local ranking tour into a U.S. Kids Local Tour, and then organize a big international event in Costa Rica so all our kids have an event to look forward to throughout the year,” Duque said. “I see great commitment to youth golf from a lot of people, so I see great results coming soon.”
The U.S. Kids Golf Certified Instructor program is led by John Godwin, PGA Master Professional and 2004 PGA of America National Junior Golf Leader, and John Bryan, Vice President of the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation and former Executive Director of the Georgia PGA. During the seminars, Bryan and Godwin focus on best practices that help develop junior golfers, such as an introduction to game-based teaching, the importance of properly fitted equipment, and how to scale the game for the beginning golfer.
“The Seminar in Costa Rica was so successful because of the enthusiasm and passion shared by everyone who participated,” Bryan said. “I am excited to continue working with the Costa Rican Golf Federation and other international partners as we work to build better junior golf programs worldwide. We believe what was accomplished in Costa Rica serves as a tremendous model from which we can build and serve youth in other nations.”
Both PGA of America and LPGA Professionals earn continuing education credits for their participation. Additional credits may be earned by completing the Positive Coaching Alliance test, which is a follow-up component of the Seminar. Since March 2012, more than 1,000 PGA and LPGA professionals have participated in a U.S. Kids Golf Certified Instructor Seminar.
For more information about Certified Instructor Seminars, email the Play and Learn division (playandlearn@uskidsgolf.com), or visit www.uskidsgolf.com/play-and-learn.
About U.S. Kids Golf
The mission of U.S. Kids Golf is to help kids have fun learning the lifelong game of golf and to encourage family interaction that builds lasting memories.
The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation is a Georgia non-profit recognized as a 501(c)(3) charity and was created in 2001. The Foundation provides services that support the vision of providing kids and their families the opportunity participate in the game of golf through competition and instruction. The U.S. Kids Golf Tournament Players Association operates more than 750 tournaments for boys and girls, ages 5-18, ranging from one-day Local Tour events to multi-day Major Championships. The Play and Learn division of the Foundation provides all the resources a parent needs to introduce the game to the beginning golfer, and its Certified Instructor program and Family Course setup are specifically tailored to benefit young golfers.
U.S. Kids Golf, LLC is based in Atlanta and manufactures equipment and related golf products designed for kids. It was created in 1997 when Founder/CEO Dan Van Horn found that his children were losing interest in golf due to not having the proper equipment. U.S. Kids Golf products are available in more 75 countries and more than 4,000 golf shops and retail locations in the United States.
Connect with U.S. Kids Golf
Website: www.uskidsgolf.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USKidsGolf
Twitter: @USKidsGolfFDN
Instagram: @USKidsGolfFDN
Blog: www.uskidsgolf.wordpress.com
Contact:
Chris Richards, U.S. Kids Golf
crichards@uskidsgolf.com, 770-441-3077, ext. 642
