U.S. Kids Golf has announced the recipients of the Top 50 Kids Teachers Award, which annually recognizes the world’s most outstanding youth golf instructors.
The newest list of recipients represent 26 states as well as Canada, England and Kenya.
“These coaches are honored as more than instructors,” 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 teachers with the Top 50 Kids Teacher Award. Applicants complete an online survey are winners are chosen based on a variety of factors that grade their contribution to youth golf. Considerations include, but are not limited to, experience, innovation, creativity, communication, parental engagement, organization, devotion and growing the game.
Teachers who receive this recognition three times are then awarded a Master Kids Teacher Award. Since these awards were introduced in 2008, 134 coaches have earned this elite status, including an additional nine in 2016.
“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.”
The Top 50 Kids Teachers and Master Kids Teachers will be celebrated Thursday, January 26th with a special presentation during the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida. For more information, please contact U.S. Kids Golf at playandlearn@uskidsgolf.com
The 2016 Top 50 Kids Teachers:
Roger Adams… Highfields G.&C.C… Grafton, Mass.
Leighann Albaugh… Magnolia Green G.C… Moseley, Va.
Ryan Anderson… The Glencoe G.&C.C… Calgary, Alta.
Peter Bakker… Mike Bender Golf Academy… Lake Mary, Fla.
Matt Barton… The Wyndgate… Rochester Hills, Mich.
Paul Belongie… RiverPines G.C… Johns Creek, Ga.
Kathy Bounds… Dona Lerner Golf Academy… Raleigh, N.C.
Zachary Bowcut… Nibley Park G.C… Salt Lake City, Utah
John Brown… High Point C.C… High Point, N.C.
Allen Burton… Lake Hickory C.C… Hickory, N.C.
Todd Casabella… Barrington G.C… Aurora, Ohio
Eva Chaffin… Santa Maria Golf Course… Baton Rouge, La.
Matthew Clay… Del Mar Golf Center… Del Mar, Calif.
Kelli Corlett… Haggin Oaks Golf Complex… Sacramento, Calif.
Maeve Cromwell… Braelinn G.C… Peachtree City, Ga.
Susan Crowley… Blackhawk C.C… Danville, Calif.
Benjamin Debski… The Springhaven Club… Wallingford, Pa.
Carlton Dove… Wichita C.C… Wichita, Kan.
Alexander Fisher… The Glacier Club… Durango, Colo.
Daniel Gaucher… Lyman Orchards G.C… Middlefield, Conn.
Roman Greer… Cranberry Valley G.C… Harwich, Mass.
Mary Hafeman… Missing Links… Mequon, Wis.
Jim Hardy… Longleaf G.&F.C… Southern Pines, N.C.
Bryan Heim… Columbine C.C… Columbine Valley, Colo.
Michael Herzog… Golf Etc… Bismarck, N.D.
Jeffrey Hirose… Palm Lake G.C… Pomona, Calif.
Michelle Holmes… Cahoon Plantation G.C… Chesapeake, Va.
Blake Jirges… Henry Brunton Golf Academy… Irvine, Calif.
Emanuel Kasio… Golf For Kids… Kiserian, Kenya
Susie Kirk… The Woodlands C.C… The Woodlands, Texas
Mary Beth Kohberger… Newton C.C… Newton, N.J.
Sally Krystyn… Shadow Glen The G.C… Olathe, Kan.
Sheryl Maize… Crystal Lake G.C… Lakeville, Minn.
Wade Martin… The Villages Golf Academy… The Villages, Fla.
Kelli McKandless… Brookhaven C.C… Dallas, Texas
Cindy Miller… The Wehrle Golf Dome… Williamsville, N.Y.
Oliver Oliquiano… Island Pacific Golf Academy… Kapolei, Hawaii
Maria Palozola… Big Bend Golf Center… Valley Park, Mo.
Gene Powell… Four Bridges C.C… Liberty Township, Ohio
Tom Reid… Wentworth Club… Surrey, England
Eddie Roethlisberger… Ponca City C.C… Ponca City, Okla.
Tom Shea… Eagles G.C… Tampa, Fla.
Ryan Smith… Rick Murphy Golf Academy… Greensboro, N.C.
Jim Sykes… The Landings Club… Savannah, Ga.
Tina Tombs… Arizona Biltmore G.C. & Resort… Phoenix, Ariz.
Tim Wagner… Timber Trails G.C… Pocono Pines, Pa.
Matt Walter… Vanderbilt Legends Club… Franklin, Tenn.
Adam Williamson… Rumson C.C… Rumson, N.J.
Tyler Wong… Tualatin C.C… Tualatin, Ore.
Phillip Yudys… Glen Oak C.C… Glen Ellyn, Ill.
The 2016 Master Kids Teachers:
Fred Bond… Stonebridge G.C… Monroe, S.C.
David Branstad… Oak Ridge C.C… Hopkins, Minn.
Michael Dickson… Congressional C.C… Bethesda, Md.
Linda Gaudi… C.C. of Fairfax… Fairfax, Va.
Mark Krizic… Ridge C.C… Chicago, Ill.
Christy Longfield… Spanish Oaks G.C… Bee Cave, Texas
Jonathan Mielke… Oak Hills C.C… Omaha, Neb.
Andy Miller… Ledge Rock G.C… Mohnton, Pa.
Maggie Simons… Carmel C.C… Charlotte, N.C.
