New York, NY – GOLF Magazine has announced its Top 100 Teachers in America, continuing its legacy of leadership in highlighting America’s most innovative, committed and accomplished teachers.
First introduced in 1991, GOLF’s biennial ranking of the nation’s top golf instructors maintains the highest standards in the industry. In order to be considered by GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers Credentials Committee, applicants must have dedicated a minimum of 1,500 hours per year teaching and taking part in lesson related activities. Each candidate’s worthiness is also determined by how they have helped grow the game,through efforts like published articles and videos, research conducted or the development of new training aids. Evidence of student success and references from students or fellow instructors are all taken into consideration. Finally, every applicant must provide a letter of recommendation from a student, mentor or employer.“
With recreational golf participation at an all-time high, finding the right instructor is as important as ever,” said Hoyt McGarity, President of 8AM Golf, GOLF’s parent company. “We believe that GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers in America list is the best source for finding quality golf instruction anywhere in the country and we’re proud to provide that information to our readers.”“I am truly honored and feel a tremendous amount of pride in being named to this prestigious list,” said Kellie Stenzel, Advisor to 8AM Golf and a Top 100 teacher herself. “I’m well aware of just how discerning a compilation it is and that I would not be a part of it were it not for the support and votes of confidence from my students.”
Newcomers Making An Impact
This year’s edition of the Top 100 Teachers includes 15 new inductees who share some of their best tips that have helped shape their teaching philosophies. Those instructors are:
- Rob Akins – The Madison Club, La Quinta, CA / Tributary, Driggs, ID
- Jason Birnbaum – Manhattan Woods GC, West Nyack, NY
- Shawn Callahan – Monroe GC, Pittsford, NY / Abacoa GC, Jupiter, FL
- Mike Dickson – Little Bennett GC, Clarksburg, MD / Congressional CC, Bethesda, MD
- Erika Larkin – The Club at Creighton Farms, Aldie, VA
- Mike Malizia – The Club at Admirals Cove, Jupiter, FL
- Liam Mucklow – The Golf Lab, Baton Rouge, LA / The Golf Lab, King City, Ontario
- Ed Oldham, The Ranch CC, Westminster, CO• John Scott Rattan – Congressional CC, Bethesda, MD / Bethesda CC, Bethesda, MD
- Sarah Stone – Chevy Chase Club, Chevy Chase, MD / The Bear’s Club, Jupiter, FL
- Stephen Sweeney – Stephen Sweeney Putting Studio, Palm Beach Gardens, FL / Reunion Resort, Kissimmee, FL
- Stan Utley – Grayhawk GC, Scottsdale, AZ / Maroon Creek Club, Aspen, CO
- Trent Wearner – Trent Wearner Golf Academy, Denver, CO
- David Woods –The Vintage Club, Indian Wells, CA / Indian Ridge CC, Palm Desert, CA
- Joey Wuertemberger – Texas Rangers GC at The Crown Golf, Arlington, TX
The Top 100 ranking also includes a list of those instructors who have been designated with Lifetime Achievement status, as well as Hall of Famers, Alumni Members and a group of innovative rising stars regarded as “Teachers to Watch”.More information and a full listing of GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers in America can be found here.
