Peachtree Corners, Ga. – U.S. Kids Golf is proud to announce the recipients of its Top 50 Kids Coaches Award, and 12 new Master Kids Coaches, the premier recognitions for the world’s most outstanding youth golf instructors. Coaches from 30 U.S. states and five countries are a part of the current class.
“We are proud to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of these coaches,” says Dan Van Horn, President and Founder of U.S. Kids Golf. “Their dedication and commitment to the game, and more importantly, their students, is a great benefit to the facilities they represent, the families they serve, and especially, the young players who are starting this lifetime journey of golf.”
Since 2004, the U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Coach award, is widely recognized as the pinnacle achievement for junior golf coaches worldwide. A selection committee evaluates candidates from among the Certified Coach nominees based on various factors, including innovation, creativity, retention, communications, parental engagement, organization, and the ability to instill a passion for the game in young golfers. Coaches named a Top 50 for a third time earn the title of Master Kids Coach.
“Becoming a Master Kids Coach is the highest distinction for kids coaches,” noted Van Horn. “These are the professionals that have dedicated a career to youth golf and families, consistent excellence, which is not easy, and truly embody the spirit of the U.S. Kids Golf mission.”
All awards will be presented on Wednesday, January 26, during a special presentation at the PGA Show in Orlando.
2021 Honorees:
Top 50 Kids Coaches – Class of 2021O.J. Amaya… Chula Vista Muni G.C.… Bonita, Calif.
Allie Andersen… Summit Golf School – Gleannloch… Spring, Texas
Christopher Armanini… Kaʻanapali Golf Courses… Lahaina, Hawaii
Cole Baker… Golf Etc… Bismarck, N.D.
Drew Belt… Tupelo C.C.… Beldon, Miss.
Jonathan Botelho… Paradise Family Golf… Middleton, Mass.
Lee Bromley… Cardiff Golf Centre… Cardiff, U.K.
Brian Burgwyn… Prestonwood C.C.… Cary, N.C.
Gavin Burns… Man O’ War Golf… Lexington, Ky.
Daniel Byrd… Tanglewood Park G.C.… Clemmons, N.C.
John Byrne… Royal Tara G.C.… Navan, Ireland
Evie Carter… The Golf Centre… Leicester, U.K.
Matt Clinger… Harpeth Valley Golf… Nashville, Tenn.
Brock Elder… Forest Oaks C.C.… Greensboro, N.C.
Jamie Engelkemier-Lovato… Henry Brunton Golf Acad.… Irvine, Calif.
Carly England… Merry-Hill G.C.… Breslau, Ont.
Matt Eschenburg… Summit Golf School – Augusta Pines… Spring, Texas
Adam Fangman… Lassing Pointe G.C.… Union, Ky.
Brittany Ferrante… The Village Club of Sands Point… Sands Point, N.Y.
Neil Gowan… Legend Oaks G.C.… Summerville, S.C.
Michelle Grafos… Esmeralda G.C.… Spokane, Wash.
James Hanson… Huntmore G.C.… Brighton, Mich.
Laura Holmes-Landon… Michelle Holmes School of Golf… Virginia Beach, Va.
Blake Isakson… Moon Valley C.C.… Phoenix, Ariz.
Preston Johnson… Charleston Muni G.C.… Charleston, S.C.
Denise Kafferly… Eglin G.C.… Niceville, Fla.
Timmy King Jr… RTJ – Highland Oaks… Dothan, Ala.
Aaron Koerner… Crane Creek C.C.… Boise, Idaho
Don Kueper… Carlyle Lake G.C.… Carlyle, Ill.
Taylor Lambertsen… Exmoor C.C.… Highland Park, Ill.
Bradley Lawrence… Hamilton G&C.C.… Ancaster, Ont.
Kenneth Leech… Don Law Golf Acad.… Boca Raton, Fla.
Eugene Marais… Els Perf. Golf… Ecopark, Vietnam
Justin Martin… Bobby Jones G.C.… Atlanta, Ga.
Paul Maurer… Troy G.C.… Elkridge, Md.
Brent McGrew… Quail Run & Van Berg G.C.… Columbus, Neb.
James McIntosh… Riviera C.C.… Coral Gables, Fla.
Jimmy McMullen… Salem Glen C.C.… Clemmons, N.C.
Joe McNeil… Golf Club of Texas… San Antonio, Texas
Tara Morris… C.C. at Castle Pines… Castle Rock, Colo.
Miriam Piland-Rice… Mike Bender Golf Acad.… Lake Mary, Fla.
Andrew Pratt… Moore’s Mill Club… Auburn, Ala.
Juli Roberts… Twin Rivers G.C.… Oviedo, Fla.
John Rudolph… Fieldstone G.C.… Greenville, Del.
Suzy Smith… Diamondhead C.C.… Diamondhead, Miss.
Andrew Spaulding… Broadlands G.C.… North Prairie, Wis.
Evan Teplitsky… Evan Teplitsky Perf. Acad.… Klagenfurt, Austria
Kyley Tetley… The Club at Indian Springs… Broken Arrow, Okla.
Shelby Thibodeaux… WindRose G.C.… Spring, Texas
Chris Yoder… Scioto C.C.… Columbus, Ohio
Master Kids Coaches – Class of 2021
JP Bedard… Niagara Falls C.C.… Lewiston, N.Y.
Jonathan Bullas… Laurel Oak C.C.… Sarasota, Fla.
Barry Churchill… Stonebridge G.C.… Monroe, N.C.
Alfredo Da Corte… Campodoglio Golf… Chiari, Italy
Janis Kleiman… Ironwood G.C.… Fishers, Ind.
Dave Malone… Pine Lake G.C.… Lincoln, Neb.
Tom Reid… Sunningdale Heath G.C.… Sunningdale, U.K.
Kathleen Robinson… KMR Golf Acad.… Oakland, Calif.
Laura Tyler-Cook… Frosty Valley Resort… Danville, Pa.
Bob Usher Jr… Grey Oaks C.C.… Naples, Fla.
John Wainwright… Longleaf G&FC… Southern Pines, N.C.
Thomas Watkins… Whisper Lake C.C.… Madison, Miss.
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. U.S. Kids Golf is 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.
Connect with U.S. Kids Golf
Website: www.uskidsgolf.com
Coach Website: www.uskidsgolfcoach.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USKidsGolf
Twitter: www.twitter.com/USKidsGolfFDN
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/USKidsGolfFDN
