|
GOLF
TEACHING PRO®
USGTF Professional Awards Announced
One of the
strengths of the USGTF over the years has been the diversity of its
membership. Because most members come from other business
backgrounds before getting into the golf business, a wealth of ideas
and experience comes from all walks of life.
Congratulations to the following USGTF members:
 EXAMINER
OF THE YEAR
CRAIG WOLFE, NEWARK, DELAWARE
Craig is the director of Golf at Town & Country Golf Links in
Woodstown, New Jersey, a privately owned four star course. He is
also the director of instruction of the Island Green Golf Academy,
and manages a staff of five USGTF professionals.
In addition to
giving lessons and clinics, Craig has implemented successful junior
camps and after-school programs. He also serves as the head golf
coach at Salem Community College, where he coached the number one
player on the team to the NJCAA national finals in Phoenix, Arizona
– the first time in school history a player has qualified for the
national finals.
Recognizing that
competitive golf is an important outlet for high schools and
colleges, Craig makes the Town & Country course available to four
high school and two college teams. Craig is also very committed to
his staff of professionals and the USGTF.
 PROFESSIONAL
OF THE YEAR
MIKE PEREZ, LAKE VILLA, ILLINOIS
Mike has been a longtime fixture at the annual United States Golf
Teachers Cup, and has participated in several World Golf Teachers
Cups as well. His story is a lesson in perseverance and how the
human spirit cannot be extinguished.
Originally from
Havana, Cuba, Mike served time as a political prisoner there under
Fidel Castro’s reign. After being released, he eventually made his
way to Miami, and then Chicago. He worked his way up the ranks at
the Zenith Electronics Corporation, retiring after holding the
position of plant operations manager.
Mike might have
retired from Zenith, but he didn’t retire from work. Earning his
USGTF certification in 1995, he became a Master Teaching
Professional® in 1999. He is currently the assistant manager of the
Renwood Golf Course and also its teaching professional. He conducts
all the junior clinics for the Round Lake Area Park District, and
conducts clinics for the Illinois Cadillac Series.
 HUMANITARIAN
OF THE YEAR
RICKY CAMPBELL, TRINCITY, TRINIDAD
Coming from a country where golf is now just getting on the radar in
a major way, Ricky doesn’t mind lending a helping hand. Each week at
the Millennium Golf & Country Club in Trincity, he hosts free
clinics that regularly draw over 100 people.
Giving his
expertise away is nothing new for Ricky, who started his career by
teaching golf for free at Queen’s Park in Port of Spain, the capital
city. He soon met Anthony Benny, a USGTF professional at St.
Andrew’s Golf Club in Trinidad. Benny urged Campbell to get
certified through the USGTF, which he did. Ricky and Anthony were
part of the winning Team Caribbean (representing Trinidad & Tobago),
which won the team portion of the 2007 World Golf Teachers Cup.
Ricky currently
serves as the teaching professional at Millennium Lakes, which,
along with St. Andrew’s, is one of the top courses in the Caribbean.
 PLAYER
OF THE YEAR
JAMES DOURIS, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
Becoming only the second person to repeat as the United States Golf
Teachers Cup champion in 2007 James has emerged as one of the finest
players in USGTF history. His two-round total of 4-under par 140 at
Boulder Creek Golf Club and Boulder City Golf Course in Boulder
City, Nevada, established a new tournament record. James is no
stranger to American golf, having played collegiate golf at
Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida.
James currently
teaches golf in Australia, and also finds time to compete
occasionally in his homeland.
Back
to Main Articles
Copyright © 2011 United States Golf Teachers Federation, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this article in any kind is strictly prohibited.
|
