IJGA Director of Golf Jonathan Yarwood Named to Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers
It takes blood, sweat and tees to become a Top 100 Teacher, one of the most coveted titles in golf instruction. Per GOLF Magazine, “Each of these slice-busting, swing-fixing pros have the right stuff.”
The International Junior Golf Academy (IJGA), the oldest, independent junior golf academy in the nation, is proud to announce Director of Golf & Instruction, Jonathan Yarwood, has been named to GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers in America, the longest-running list of elite teachers (25 years and counting.)
Yarwood is one of 16 new members on the elite list this year. Since its inception in 1991, GOLF Magazine’s Top Teachers in America ranking has become the industry standard for teaching excellence. Four different committees comprised of peer review, World Golf Teacher Hall of Fame members, established Top 100 teachers and alumni and GOLF Magazine, judge candidates on 15 baseline criteria.
Yarwood, a British PGA Master Professional, has a long-standing career that speaks for itself. He has trained a U.S. Open winner, two U.S. Amateur winners, two U.S. Girls’ winners, three AJGA Players of the Year, four #1 juniors, a collegiate #1 and winners on the PGA, LPGA, European, Challenge, Asian and Australasian tours. He has been recognized for his contribution to the game by being the youngest person to be made a British PGA Master Professional in 2011. He was also voted a “Top 20 Teacher under 40” by Golf Digest, and “Best Teachers in State Rankings” for over a decade. He has trained student-athletes of 11 years of age until they ultimately reached the tour. He is proud to be a part of the world-class team at IJGA and to bring his experience to a new generation of junior players.
”I have never really converted titles nor acknowledgement in my career, preferring to get my head down in the trenches and make a contribution that satisfied my curiosity,” said Yarwood. “Having said that, it is always a nice feeling to know that your work has been noted and appreciated by a peer group whom I highly respect. I’m both humbled and honored to receive this award and will continue to strive to improve and make a difference in the lives of others through the coaching skills I’ve developed.”
“Jonathan is perhaps the most accomplished golf coach in junior golf, with a decade coaching the elite group of players at IMG, followed by many years on the professional tour with players such as Michael Campbell, who went head to head with Tiger Woods at his peak to win the 2007 US Open, and now five years with our International Junior Golf Academy (“IJGA”) and partner Bishops Gate Golf Academy (“BGGA”),” said Andrew Summers, IJGA and BGGA CEO. “Since taking on the challenge of restoring the IJGA brand as the leading junior golf academy, Jonathan has done an immense job in building a disciplined golf program, with a mixture of artistry and use of the most modern technical aids, and it is inspiring to see the pride with which his students perform in practice and in tournaments. Jonathan is quite rightly recognized as a Top 100 Instructor and we are fortunate at IJGA to have him lead our golf program.”
With Yarwood at the helm, for our student-athletes, success in golf and life is just a school year (or two) away!
About IJGA
The International Junior Golf Academy (IJGA) was founded in 1995 on Hilton Head Island, SC as a home for elite juniors from around the world looking to earn college golf scholarships in the United States. Since 1995, IJGA has achieved nearly 100% college placement and graduates have earned over $52 million in college golf scholarships. IJGA continues to develop the character and skill of junior golfers, while helping them achieve their goals.
Media Contacts:
Beth Patton
International Junior Golf Academy
bethp@ijsa.com
843.686.1500
