U.S. Kids Golf Recognizes 2008 Class of Top 50 Teachers…
18 Earn Master Instructor Designation for Longtime Achievement
ATLANTA, GA (Jan. 29, 2009) – Eighteen golf professionals have been named Master Kids Teachers by U.S. Kids Golf. The designation recognizes professionals who have been selected to the U.S. Kids Golf list of America’s Top 50 Kids Teachers three or more times since 2004.
The Master teachers will be recognized along with the 2008 class of Top 50 Kids Teachers in a ceremony on Jan. 30 at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. This is the fifth year that U.S. Kids Golf has selected the nation’s leading junior teachers.
“The Master teachers represent a group of professionals who are dedicated to helping kids develop their skills and their love of the game,” said Dan Van Horn, founder and president of U.S. Kids Golf. “We’re pleased to recognize their talents and their commitment.”
Master teachers include Brian Bain of Brookline, MA; Kent Chase of Phoenix , AZ; Michele Drinkard of Bessemer, AL; Ann Marie Gildersleeve of Austin, TX; Chris Haarlow of Greensboro, NC; Rob Hary of Bloomington, MN; Don Law of Boca Raton, FL; Roger Lundy of Franklin, IN; Eric MacCluen of Avondale, PA; Frank Mantua of Olney, MD; Stacy Miller-Arndt of Bethesda, MD; John Pillar of Hawley, PA; Mike Raschko of Murrieta, CA; Will Reilly of Dresher, PA; Bud Robison of West Point, GA; Chris Smeal of San Diego, CA; Kris Smith of San Diego, CA; and Vikki Vanderpool of Franklin, TN.
Teachers joining the Top 50 list for the first time include Ty Andersen of Dothan, AL; Jackie Cannizzo of Roswell, GA; Nancy Dunn-Kato of Los Alamitos, CA; Richard Marik of San Francisco, CA; Charles Scoggins of Dacula, GA; Bryan Skavnak of Plymouth, MN; and Kevin Weeks of Lemont, IL.
Golf professionals who focus much of their time and energy on developing young golfers in their communities are eligible for U.S. Kids Golf’s America’s Top 50 Kids Teachers designation. The 2008 list of teachers was compiled from nominations from golf professionals and others in the golf industry. The teachers are judged according to 16 criteria, including percentage of time devoted to kids programs, creativity, communication and efforts to grow the game. The 2008 Top 50 list includes teachers who work at public, private, resort and municipal courses.
About U.S. Kids Golf
U.S. Kids Golf, LLC is based in Norcross, Ga., and manufactures equipment and related golf products made especially for kids. In addition to more than 4,000 golf shops and retail locations in the U.S., the company’s products also are available in over 50 countries worldwide.
The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, a Georgia non-profit recognized as a 501 c (3) charity, was created in 2001 and provides services that include competition and instruction. The Foundation organizes more than 400 golf tournaments for kids each year, including more than 60 Local Tours, three Regional Championships, a European Championship and the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship and Teen World Championship, which are held each year in Pinehurst, N.C.
In partnership with the PGA of America, the Foundation also supports the U.S. Kids Golf Family Course program, which provides guidelines that help courses make the game easier to learn and more fun for kids and their families.
For more information, call 1-888-3 US KIDS or visit www.uskidsgolf.com.
Congrats Chris! You have earned it.
Our son is now amoung the top four players in his High School team. Would not have happened without you.
Congratulations!
Great job Chris and well deserved. Your work and dedication with all the kids at Precision shows in their contuined success on and off the course. Congratulations!
Good Job Chris. The Robbins family os proud of you.