PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE   By Geoff Bryant USGTF President and C.E.O.

Golf Teaching Pro magazine is a unique publication. As all members know, it’s the official publication of the World Golf Teachers Federation. The articles and input, therefore, are designed to keep teaching professionals throughout the world informed on the latest in golf teaching methodology, international events specific to the teaching industry, and membership news. And recently, with the advent of the United States Golf Managers Association, you will find educational articles pertinent to golf club management, as well.

Many people from my era have informed me that when they first started teaching golf they would have loved a publication like this; something they could have read that focused specifically on golf teaching and golf management-related articles. Even today, every time this magazine goes to print, I liken it somewhat to history in the making, because historically, for teaching pros and golf club managers, information and articles like this were never before shared or made available.

Back in the late 60s and early 70s, I taught skiing at Mount Snow in Vermont. At that time, Mount Snow had a huge international ski school, so I worked closely with Germans, French, Swiss, Austrians, Canadians, New Zealanders, and Australians. That experience of camaraderie, competition, and the sharing of teaching methodology with other professionals from around the world provided me the rare opportunity back then, at a young age, to understand the unique advantages of thinking globally. And, I realize now that particular experience was the precursor to the establishment of the World Golf Teachers Federation. Globalization has torn down barriers that formally existed, and today there is an interdependence among golfing nations. Now, all 22,000 members can share the same common bond and the unique advantages that a world family of teaching professionals can provide.

This year, we have created a couple of new USGTF affiliates. One is the American Disabled Golfers Association. Many of our members have already been teaching the disabled, so part of our mission is to share this information with teaching professionals who may tend to shy away from this particular segment of golfers. We also want to help educate golf course owners and managers to be more accommodating to those with disabilities, and at the same time, provide hope and encouragement to the disabled through the introduction of golf as a form of recreation. Please visit www.DisabledGolfersAssociation.com.

We have also established two new golf tours. The Professional Golf Tour USA, and The Senior Golf Tour USA. Our purpose here is to fill a niche in providing affordable professional events throughout the country for those aspiring to take their games to a higher level. These events will be especially advantageous for teaching professionals, because nothing tends to sharpen our playing skills or motivate us to improve our ballstriking than competition. Please log on to www.TheProfessionalGolfTour.com for more information.

From all of us here at the USGTF National Office…Happy Teaching!