PGA AGREES TO CEASE TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT
After being notified by the United States Golf Teachers Federation’s legal department that the phrase “Share Your Passion” is a registered trademark of the USGTF, the PGA of America agreed to cease all use of the phrase “Share the Passion.” Several PGA promotional advertisements featured that phrase during the PGA championship last August.

“I was surprised that the PGA would deliberately use a slightly altered version of a United States federally-registered trademark” stated USGTF president Geoff Bryant. “Furthermore, it took three certified letters before the PGA responded to the USGTF legal department, which would give anyone the impression of a holier-than-thou attitude. This is unfortunate, because I do not believe this attitude reflects the majority of the rank-and-file of the PGA membership.”

The letter from the PGA legal department stated that it has removed all references to “Share the Passion” from its public service announcements. “As a result,” said Bryant, “at this point in time we consider the matter closed, and trust that the PGA will comply with federal law concerning registered trademarks in the future.”

USGTF GROUP RATE MEDICAL INSURANCES OFFERED
Susie Kates, owner of Hood and Company in Hot Springs, Arkansas (and wife of USGTF examiner Booth Kates) is proud to offer medical benefits to qualified USGTF members at group rates through Life Insurance Company of Alabama. LICOA is a multi-million dollar financial institution that has paid hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits to its policyholders since its organization in 1952.

The following plans are available for personal and family protection: cancer insurance, major expense plan, accident insurance, disability insurance, inpatient & outpatient medical indemnity insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and life insurance.

These protections pay in addition to any other insurance, including worker’s compensation. Coverage on most plans is available for all family members and the benefits are paid directly to you. Currently, some geographical restrictions apply, and some coverages require minimum participation. For more information, please call Susie at Hood and Company at (501) 622-3131, or e-mail her at susie@hoodcompany.com.

USGTF REGIONAL DIRECTORS NAMED
In the Fall 2006 issue of Golf Teaching Pro, we put out the call for members to serve as new USGTF regional directors. We are pleased to announce that all five director positions have been filled:

NORTHEAST REGION
Bert Boyce, bboynortheast@msn.com, (203) 788-6136
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio.

SOUTHEAST REGION
Mike Stevens, ams1127@msn.com, (813) 251-2157
Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina

CENTRAL
Charlie Henry, clh3@avci.net, (989) 856-7227
Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota.

SOUTHWEST
Bruce Sims, bsimspro@hotmail.com, (214) 475-5168
Southern California, Hawaii, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma

NORTHWEST
Danny Lopez, lfflopes@aol.com, (702) 454-6696
Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Nevada, Northern California

Many of our members have asked for a way to network with other members in their areas, and becoming active in your region is a great way to do so. Members who wish to become active in their regions need to contact their regional directors. As there are no dues and no requirements, regional directors will not be provided a list of members.

Regional activities may include region or state championships, seminars, and meetings. The director will also serve as a liaison for the region members and the national office. Directors may also submit material for publication in Golf Teaching Pro concerning upcoming tournaments, meetings, or seminars.

We wish to thank those members who expressed an interest in becoming regional directors.

USGTF OFFERS ONLINE SWING ANALYSES FOR MEMBERS
“Adoctor is his own worst patient,” or so the old saying goes. There is some truth to the matter, though, when it comes to golf.

It’s no accident that professional golfers seek out a “swing doctor” when things are off. Although they are the best practitioners of their craft, most of them do not attempt to correct their own games without some outside help.

When it comes to golf teaching professionals, we have the training and knowledge to be able to find remedies for others’ games. But, just like in the medical community where doctors don’t treat themselves, it’s often helpful when we seek out the advice of other teachers.

Perhaps you would like a separate set of eyes to look at your personal swing, or you would like to get a second opinion for one of your students. In conjunction with SwingView Pro, the USGTF is offering its members the opportunity to upload a video of theirs or their students’ swings, and have a Level IV member of the USGTF examining staff take a look and give and assessment. There will be a small service fee involved.

KING PAR-ORLIMAR ON BOARD WITH USGTF
We are pleased to announce that King Par Corporation, manufacturer of Orlimar golf equipment, is now associated with the USGTF as an industry partner. USGTF members may purchase one set of Orlimar golf clubs per year at a personal use discount of 40 percent off of the standard wholesale price.

In addition, members who own a store or pro shop will be able to sell Orlimar merchandise with maximum discounts, lower minimums, dating programs, and demo programs. Members who do not own a store or pro shop can still earn a 30 percent referral fee of the retail price for having the customer order the product from Orlimar. This allows the independent teacher to sell the product without any outlay and purchase demos to help sell the product. Orlimar sales reps will be willing to provide demo-day assitance to all members.An online catalogue can be viewed at www.orlimar.com.

Members who wish to utilize this new program may do so by contacting the USGTF National Office at (888) 346-3290. Welcome aboard, Orlimar!

WORLD JUNIOR GOLF SERIES
The World Junior Golf Series is a junior tour and international ranking system that we are developing with WJGS to offer opportunities to our membership. Members that are interested in building a junior program for their business will conduct a tournament schedule in their area that will act as qualifiers leading to state and national championships for the participating juniors, to be set up by the WJGS office.

A tournament schedule of three qualifiers and a state tournament are set up and ready to go in Los Angeles, Houston, Baton Rouge, Sarasota, Atlanta, Washington DC., and New Jersey. We are looking for individuals to take these programs and oversee them. The entire USA and foreign sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for those individuals that would like to take advantage of this opportunity to administer the existing programs mentioned, or set up their own in their local area. Any assistance in accomplishing this is offered by the WJGS. We do most everything for you, including the negotiations with the local golf facilities to provide your program with tee times and prices.

This is a marketing opportunity and great way to network with potential clients. The WJGS is designed to serve 5.3 million junior golfers who do not have the access or the wealth necessary to play in restrictive elite junior programs. If you are interested or have any questions please, contact Bill Bartolino at bill@worldjuniorgolfseries.com, or (407) 710-3366.

USGTF CLUBFITTING SEMINAR WELL RECEIVED
The Professional Golf Clubfitting Association held its first seminar this past January 26 in Kissimmee, Florida. Presented by Jeff Jackson, one of the nation’s foremost experts on golf equipment and clubfitting, the seminar proved popular with the USGTF members in attendance.

Besides the basics of length, loft, and lie, Jackson went further to explain some of the key, most up-to-date facets of clubfitting to which teaching professionals should be privy. For the intermediate or better-than-average player who is looking to add a few yards or shave a few strokes off their games, the right equipment often means the difference between night and day.

The course ran for six hours, providing attendees with the in-depth knowledge they need to be able to help their students from a clubfitting per spective. Two more classes will be held this year, July 14 and October 6, both in Columbus, Ohio. For more information or to register, please visit the USGTF National Office or visit www.GolfTeachingPro.com.

USGTF WELCOMES MIZUNO AS INDUSTRY PARTNER
Mizuno, long a leader in the category of iron usage on pro golf tours worldwide, has joined the USGTF as an industry partner in 2007. In addition to irons, Mizuno also has made available woods, wedges, golf bags, and apparel.

USGTF members may purchase one set of golf clubs per calendar year at 25 percent off the listed wholesale price. The same discount also applies to golf bags and Mizuno apparel.

Those who wish to take advantage of this new member benefit may do so by contacting Robert Kleabir in Membership Services at (888) 346-3290. We welcome Mizuno on board, and look for a long mutually beneficial relationship with one of the industry’s leading golf companies.

HENRY-GRIFFITTS TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO USGTF MEMBERS
Henry-Griffitts, a pioneer and leader in custom clubfitting and clubmaking since 1983, announces a proposal to partner
with USGTF members. Specif ically, HG will provide 10 fitting carts at no charge (normally a $5,000 fee applies) to interested USGTF members.

Benefits of using the HG system include increased revenue generation, a bonus program available for all accounts based on monthly sales, clubs discounted for personal use, being certified with the number one clubfitting system in the in dustry, and annual training available from HG.

USGTF members who wish to take part must pay $120 for the shipping cost of the cart to their site and must complete a three-day training course at a designated site, sign an annual license agreement, and pay a $500 annual license fee. These 10 carts will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis. An additional 20 carts will be made available to USGTF members at a cost of $2,500, plus the additional costs outlined above.

As “leaders in the field of golf instruction,” we are pleased to have the “leaders in the field” of custom clubfitting on board with us, as teaching and custom clubfitting go hand-in-hand. Members interested in taking part in this program should contact either Jennifer Conrad or Robert Kleabir in USGTF membership services.

USGTF TEACHERS TOUR TEAM MICHIGAN RECLAIMS KELLY CUP
Golf teachers from Michigan won a closely contested series of “Ryder Cuplike” matches with neighboring Ontario golf teachers last fall at Gateway Golf Club in suburban Detroit.

Team Ontario took the coveted “Thomas Kelly Memorial Cup” back to Canada in 2005, but were unsuccessful in defending their title in 2006. The 4th annual Kelly Cup will again be held at Gateway GC next September in honor of USGTF golf teacher Thomas Kelly, who died suddenly in 2003.

The 2006 matches were very close going into the second and final day of competition, with the six-man team from Michigan holding a slim 3 - 2 lead. First day matches consisted of three 9-hole four-ball (better-ball) matches, followed by three 9-hole foursome (alternate shot) matches.

Team Michigan pulled away on the second day, but not without a struggle in nearly every match. Michigan won the six 9-hole individual matches 4 - 1 , and then held off the Canadians in the final six individual stroke play matches. Many matches again came down to the last hole. The final tally was Michigan 12, Ontario 6.

“Keith Geiling and Dean Parker were our top point guys,” said Charlie Henry, Michigan’s captain. “Both won three points in the four matches they played.” Pete Willems was the top point-getter for Ontario with 2 points.

The Michigan team included Henry, Parker, Mark Smith, Keith Geiling, Dave McKneelen, Jack Black, and Bob Hoffman. Team Ontario was captained by Paul Kelly (no relation to Thomas), Willems, John Morache, Bill Green, Kristian Kasemets, Carl Abel, and Ron Christner. Many team members and spouses hosted Barbara Kelly, sons Thomas Jr. and Edward, and their families at Sunday evening’s traditional contestant dinner at a local restaurant.

Next summer, the Michigan/Ontario Golf Teachers Tour plans to assist the Gateway Golf Club staff to introduce a junior golf camp for underprivileged area kids in Thomas Kelly’s honor.

The 2007 Kelly Cup will be held Sunday, September 9, and Monday, September 10, at Gateway GC, the home course of Thomas Kelly and his widow Barbara. The teams will be captained by Jack Black (Michigan) and Pete Willems (Ontario). The squads can be up to 20 players per side. Contestants must play in at least one regular season Michigan/Ontario Golf Teachers Tour event held during the year. The tour, in its 8th season, draws between 15-25 players from the upper Midwest and Canada. For more information, please contact Carl Abel, Ontario Tour Director (cabelusgtf@auracom.com) or Charlie Henry, Michigan Tour Director (clh3@avci.net).

2007 TOUR SCHEDULE
Mon May 14….12 Noon..... Fore Lakes GC, Kimball, Michigan (Port Huron/Sarnia)
Sun June 3…….12 Noon….Bay Valley GC, Bay City, Michigan
Sun June 24. ….12 Noon... .St. Clair Parkway, Mooretown, Ontario (Sarnia area)
Sun July 15……12 Noon….Rattle Run GC, St. Clair, Michigan (Port Huron area)
Sun Aug 12….. 12 Noon… Kingsville G & CC, Kingsville, Ontario
Sun Aug 26 …...12 Noon…Cattails GC, South Lyon, Michigan
Sun & Mon Sept 9 & 10…..Thomas Kelly Cup…Gateway GC, Romulus, Michigan

USGTF MEMBER MAKES BUSINESS CARDS AVAILABLE
Nothing says professionalism the way a handsome business card does. USGTF member Eddie Gutierrez, owner of a printing business, is offering his services to his fellow members.

“I specialize in designing full color custom business cards as well as other marketing products like post cards, fliers, rack cards, etc.,” said Gutierrez. “I offer full color business cards at $49.95 for 500 cards, which is pretty competitive in the market. Of course, I will take care of all the design costs associated with any custom design and I already have the USGTF logo on file. We also have an on-line reordering system that makes it easy to reorder cards in the future.”

Those interested should contact Eddie Gutierrez at thegolfershub@aol.com, 408-705-0464.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Two future golf professionals recently entered the world! Both Gabriel and Chrys are fortunate to live in a warmer climate, which should give them a head start in their careers.

Gabriel Augustin Wartelle, son of WGTF director Thomas T. Wartelle and his wife Sylvie, was born November 24, 2005.
By the looks of it, he already knows how to handle a golf club!

Chrysogonus William Michael Harman, son of USGTF national course director Mark Harman and his wife Coyne LaMoreaux, was born February 23, 2007.

USGTF UPDATES STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
In order to make sure candidates who attend USGTF certification courses receive the most relevant and up-to-date information, the USGTF Standard Operating Procedure has been updated and sent to every USGTF examiner.

Examiners will still be free to pass on their own valuable teaching experiences, but core concepts will be covered at each class. Also, examiners are expected to be familiar with the teachings of current and past prominent instructors and their methodologies.

The updated Standard Operating Procedure will ensure that all candidates will receive the same training at all certification courses, regardless of location.

LADIES NATIONAL GOLF TOUR
The Ladies National Golf Tour (LNGT) is a golf tour for the professional, collegiate amateur, or scratch golfer that is looking to compete, win money or prizes, improve their game, gain recognition, and perhaps move onto the LPGA Tour. The LNGT is looking to expand, and needs series directors who will run their own tour series/state.

With the support of the LNGT national office and a soon-to-be nationally recognized ladies golf tour, as director you will benefit in many ways. The director position consists of scheduling and running the events (1-2 events per month on Mondays), gaining sponsorships and affiliations, and marketing your tour to the players. A franchise fee applies. The website is www.ladiesngt.com. The LNGT is not affiliated with the USGTF.

For more information, please contact Lesley Manuel, president of the LNGT, at 817-235-4278, or e-mail at lesley@ladiesngt.com.

USGTF TRAVEL DOT COM
As a service to our members, the USGTF has recently acquired its own internal travel site. Through this site, all members and their families can book airline, rental cars, hotels, and all-inclusive vacation packages. In fact, by making
www.USGTFTravel.com your official travel service, you will not only be privy to the most reasonable travel rates available, but you will also be supporting the USGTF.

Please log onto www.USGTFTravel.com to view all of the benefits and opportunities available to you in this regard. Please note that all fees and taxes are included with the rates quoted.

This is an especially great opportunity for all those traveling to the upcoming biennial World Golf Teachers Cup, scheduled October 23rd – October 26th, 2007.

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