U.S. Kids Golf Announces 2018 Top 50 Kids Coaches of the Year, Master Kids Coaches
Peachtree Corners, Ga. – U.S. Kids Golf has announced the recipients of the Top 50 Kids Coaches Award which annually recognizes the world’s most outstanding youth golf instructors. The newest list of recipients represent 28 different states and 9 countries.
“These coaches are honored as more than teachers of the game,” explained Dan Van Horn, the President and Founder of U.S. Kids Golf. “They create outstanding opportunities for young golfers to learn in a fun and rewarding environment that instills a love for the game and engages the entire family. Their ability to connect with students and fully engage them in the learning process sets them apart.”
Since 2004, U.S. Kids Golf has recognized golf’s best 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 receive this recognition a third time are awarded as Master Kids Coaches. Since these awards were introduced in 2008, 167 coaches have earned this elite status, including an additional 12 in 2018.
“This is the highest distinction we have,” noted Van Horn. “These are the professionals that have dedicated a career to youth golf and truly embody the spirit of the U.S. Kids Golf mission.”
All awards will be presented on Wednesday, January 23 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. For more information, please contact U.S. Kids Golf at coach@uskidsgolf.com
2018 Honorees:
Top 50 Kids Coaches – Class of 2018
Zoe Allen… Lurgan G.C… Lurgan, Northern Ireland
Leslie Andrews… Nehoiden G.C… Wellesley, Mass.
JP Bedard… Niagara Falls C.C… Lewiston, N.Y.
John Bierkan… Aronimink G.C… Newtown Square, Pa.
Tasha Bohlig… El Caballero C.C… Tarzana, Calif.
Kerry Bower-Herr… Victoria Hills G.C… DeLand, Fla.
Christine Brembs… Mt. Freedom G.C… Randolph, N.J.
Richard Brown… Richard Brown School of Golf… Missouri City, Texas
Emily Burns… Cantigny Youth Links … Wheaton, Ill.
Mark Caldwell… Canyon Springs G.C… San Antonio, Texas
Linda Campbell… The Peninsula Club… Cornelius, N.C.
Frankie Chan… Tuen Mun Golf Centre… Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
Anna Diletta Daffan… G.C. Ca’ Daffan… Arzignano, Italy
Deac Dawson… Cabarrus C.C… Concord, N.C.
Richard Degree… Royster Memorial G.C… Shelby, N.C.
Leon Faulkner… Golf Rocks Kids Academy… Sydney, Australia
Christine Felton… Sea Island Golf Performance Center … St. Simons Island, Ga.
Suzie Fisher… The G.C. of Oklahoma… Broken Arrow, Okla.
Lauren Gates… Summit Golf School… Spring, Texas
Michael Gervais… Bridgeport C.C… Bridgeport, W. Va.
Andy Griffiths… M.I.G.A… Shanghai, China
Katie Hanneman… Pioneer Creek G.C… Maple Plain, Minn.
Billy Hoffman… Westwood C.C… Vienna, Va.
Paul Kaster… Paul Kaster Golf Coaching… Little Silver, N.J.
Josh Kendall… Lomas Santa Fe C.C… Solana Beach, Calif.
Susie Kirk… The Woodlands C.C… The Woodlands, Texas
Justin Klemballa… Paradise Valley C.C… Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Travis Lynch… The Trails of Frisco… Frisco, Texas
Mackenzie Mack… Rogers Park G.C… Tampa, Fla.
Jordan McKelvy… Rolling Hills C.C… Wichita, Kan.
Cameron Milton… Polson Bay G.C… Polson, Mont.
Brian Moose… RiverCrest G.C. & Preserve… Phoenixville, Pa.
Janean Murphy… Oakhurst G.C… Porter, Texas
Daniel Neben… T.P.C. Potomac at Avenel Farm… Potomac, Md.
Ed Oldham… The Ranch C.C… Westminster, Colo.
Michael Phillips… Los Alamos G.C… Los Alamos, N.M.
David Pocock… Bryn Meadows… Ystrad Mynach, United Kingdom
Boykin Powers… City of Charleston Municipal G.C… Charleston, S.C.
Chip Ranco… Haworth C.C… Haworth, N.J.
Martin Rentenberger… G.C Marco Polo… Vienna, Austria
Rico Riciputi… Wentworth By The Sea C.C… Rye, N.H.
Kathleen Robinson… Skywest G.C… Hayward, Calif.
Jane Rosenberg… Black Gold G.C… Yorba Linda, Calif.
Evan Sales… Angel Fire Resort… Angel Fire, N.M.
Abigale Schepperle… Fox Creek G.C… Marietta, Ga.
Dan Shea… Michelle Holmes School of Golf… Norfolk, Va.
Hoppy Smith… Diamondhead C.C… Diamondhead, Miss.
Andrew Spaulding… Broadlands G.C… North Prairie, Wis.
Bob Usher… Grey Oaks C.C… Naples, Fla.
Brody Whetham… Academy at Sawmill G.C… Fenwick, Ont.
Master Kids Coaches – Class of 2018
Matt Barton… Oakhurst G.&C.C… Clarkston, Mich.
Todd Casabella… Barrington G.C… Aurora, Ohio
Alex Fisher… Wildfire G.C… Phoenix, Ariz.
Mary Hafeman… Missing Links G.C… Mequon, Wis.
Jim Hardy… Longleaf G.&F.C… Southern Pines, N.C.
Michael Herzog… Hawktree G.C… Bismarck, N.D.
Jeffrey Hirose… Jucchou Golf… Chino Hills, Calif.
Blake Jirges… Henry Brunton Golf Academy… Irvine, Calif.
Wade Martin… The Villages Golf Academy… The Villages, Fla.
Maria Palozola… Big Bend Golf Center… Valley Park, Mo.
Ryan Smith… Marc Lapointe Golf Academy… Fort Mill, S.C.
Tina Tombs… The Arizona Biltmore G.C… Phoenix, Ariz.
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 1400 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.
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
