Update: See 2022 Top 50 Kids Coaches list here.
Peachtree Corners, Ga. – U.S. Kids Golf is proud to announce the recipients of its Top 50 Kids Coaches Award, and 15 new Master Kids Coaches, the premier recognitions for the world’s most outstanding youth golf instructors. The 2019 list of recipients represents 25 different states and 8 countries.
“We recognize these coaches for their excellence in bringing youth in, developing their skills, and fostering their love of the game”, explained Dan Van Horn, the President and Founder of U.S. Kids Golf. “If kids are enjoying what they do, they will continue to learn and play. That’s what a great coach does, they make learning exciting and fun. And these coaches do it the best.”
Since 2004, U.S. Kids Golf has recognized golf’s top kids coaches with this award. Applicants complete an online survey and winners are selected by a committee from among the Certified Coach candidates based on a variety of factors. These include innovation, creativity, communication, parental engagement, organization, experience, and the ability to instill a passion for the game in young golfers. Coaches who are named as a Top 50 for the third time are deemed Master Kids Coaches.
“This is the highest distinction for kids coaches,” noted Van Horn. “These are the professionals that have dedicated a career to youth golf and families, and truly embody the spirit of the U.S. Kids Golf mission.”
All awards will be presented on Wednesday, January 22 during a special presentation at the PGA Show in Orlando. The awards ceremony will be streamed via Facebook Live on the U.S. Kids Golf Facebook page.
2019 Honorees:
Top 50 Kids Coaches – Class of 2019
Jeff Allen… Lake Merced G.C… Daly City, Calif.
Leslie Andrews… Nehoiden G.C… Wellesley, Mass.
Tim Bakker… King Ranch G.C… Frenchtown, Mont.
Jean Paul Bedard… Niagara Falls C.C… Lewiston, N.Y.
Jennifer Bermingham… Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club… Coto de Caza, Calif.
Kerry Bower-Herr… Victoria Hills G.C… DeLand, Fla.
Christine Brembs… Mt. Freedom Golf… Randolph, N.J.
Jon Bullas… Laurel Oak C.C… Sarasota, Fla.
Emily Burns… Cantigny Youth Links… Wheaton, Ill.
Linda Campbell… The Peninsula Club… Cornelius, N.C.
Marianna Causin… Golf della Montecchia… Padua, Italy
Frankie Chan… Tuen Mun Golf Centre… Hong Kong
Barry Churchill… Stonebridge G.C… Monroe, N.C.
Lucas Cohen… New York Golf Park… Hudson, N.Y.
Alfredo Da Corte… Campodoglio G.C… Chiari, Italy
Nix Duncan… Cherokee Town and C.C… Atlanta, Ga.
Leon Faulkner… Golf Rocks Kids Academy… Sydney, Australia
Lauren Gates… Summit Golf School… Spring, Texas
Mariana Gottret… Riviera C.C… Coral Gables, Fla.
Chip Inks… Park Ridge G.C… Lake Worth, Fla.
Dorothy Kasper… The Golf Dome… Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Jan Kleiman… Ironwood G.C… Fishers, Ind.
Jason Kuiper… Bobby Jones G.C… Atlanta, Ga.
Brad Lawrence… Brad Lawrence Golf Academy… Brampton, Ont.
Andy Little… Little Golfers… Esher, United Kingdom
Travis Lynch… The Trails of Frisco… Frisco, Texas
Dave Malone… Pine Lake Golf and Tennis… Lincoln, Neb.
Bryan McManis… Lakewood Ranch Golf and C.C… Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
Chris Meade… Lady Bird Johnson G.C… Fredericksburg, Texas
Brian Moose… RiverCrest G.C.… Phoenixville, Pa.
Janean Murphy… Oakhurst G.C… Porter, Texas
Daniel Neben… T.P.C. Potomac… Potomac, Md.
Ed Oldham… The Ranch C.C… Westminster, Colo.
Michael Phillips… Los Alamos G.C… Los Alamos, N.M
Kathleen Robinson… Sky West G.C.… Hayward, Calif.
Jane Rosenberg… Black Gold G.C… Yorba Linda, Calif.
Evan Sales… Angel Fire Resort… Angel Fire, N.M.
Daniel Shea… Michelle Holmes School of Golf… Norfolk, Va.
David Sherman… The Villages Golf Academy… The Villages, Fla.
Kevin Shoults… Crown Hill G.C… Williamsport, Ohio
Julieta Stack… Pine Ridge G.C… Lutherville, Md.
Shelby Thibodeaux… WindRose G.C… Spring, Texas
Monique Thoresz… The Apawamis Club… Rye, N.Y.
Laura Tyler… Frosty Valley Resort… Danville, Pa.
Bob Usher… Grey Oaks C.C… Naples, Fla.
John Wainwright… Longleaf Golf and Family Club… Southern Pines, N.C.
Thomas Watkins… Whisper Lake C.C… Pearl, Miss.
Brody Whetham… Sawmill G.C… Fenwick, Ont.
Gavin Witzer… Henry Brunton Golf Academy… Irvine, Calif.
Nicholas Zurowski… Dona Lerner Golf Academy… Raleigh, N.C.
Master Kids Coaches – Class of 2019
Zoe Allen… Lurgan G.C… Lurgan, Northern Ireland
Mark Caldwell… Canyon Springs G.C… San Antonio, Texas
Kandi Comer… Kandi Comer Golf… Crozet, Va.
Carlton Dove… Wichita C.C… Wichita, Kan.
Brian Fallon… Westchester C.C… Rye, N.Y.
Christine Felton… Sea Island Golf Performance Center … St. Simons Island, Ga.
Suzie Fisher… The G.C. of Oklahoma… Broken Arrow, Okla.
Michael Gervais… Bridgeport C.C… Bridgeport, W. Va.
Marshall Hoiness… The Minikahda Club… Minneapolis, Minn.
Mary Beth Kohberger… Black Bear G.C… Franklin, N.J.
Sheryl Maize… Crystal Lake G.C… Lakeville, Minn.
Boykin Powers… City of Charleston Municipal G.C… Charleston, S.C.
Susie Redman… The Woodlands C.C… The Woodlands, Texas
Martin Rentenberger… Junior Golf World … Vienna, Austria
Rico Riciputi… Wentworth By The Sea C.C… Rye, N.H.
About U.S. Kids Golf
U.S. Kids Golf is the world’s leading organization for growing, promoting and enhancing golf among youth and families. Founded in 1997, U.S. Kids Golf offers three distinct lines of clubs in up to nine sizes, hosts more than 1500 tournaments – including the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship held annually in Pinehurst, NC, and has over 1600 members as part of its Coaches Institute. Additionally, the organization is active in several projects and campaigns designed to grow the sport among important demographics. In 2018, U.S. Kids Golf was recognized by the National Golf Foundation as one of the “Top 100 Businesses in Golf” based on influence, innovation, and social good among other criteria.
