CHARLES HUNTER – USGTF
Charles Hunter has been a Level III USGTF member for the past 18 years. He is the head teaching professional at the Fort Washington Driving Range in Maryland. Hunter has a staggering 800 clients that he teaches, which keeps him busy seven days a week.

According to Hunter, his database of clients grew over the years simply by word of mouth. Hunter believes that the best advertising possible is a well-conducted lesson on the driving range. He said, “You would be surprised how golfers watch, listen and observe from a distance. Many times, this provides them the confidence they need in approaching me for a lesson of their own.”

Hunter attributes his success to his personal love of the game, his honesty with clients, and his strong determination to assist anyone with a desire to hit a golf ball.

BRAD WEAKE – CANADIAN GTF
My golf career started when I was still in high school working as a sales representative for Pro Golf in Oakville. I quickly realized at that time that this was an industry that I would love to pursue as a full-time career. In 1986, I went off to college and graduated with a diploma in Business Administration. Shortly after graduating, I decided it was time to become certified in the golf industry. I traveled off to Florida and attended the certification course at Lehigh Resort in Ft. Myers, Florida.

After working in the golf industry for several years prior to becoming certified, I was amazed to find out how little I really knew about the golf industry. The week in Florida was truly an eye-opener for me, filled with great information and wonderful networking.

After receiving my certification, I was hired as a golf shop consultant with the City of Burlington’s Tyandaga Golf Course. I worked for two years in the golf shop before being promoted to golf shop coordinator. After two years, I was promoted to head golf professional where I have continued in this position for the past eight years.

ANTONY MOLLER – SOUTH AFRICAN GTF
Antony Moller is head golf coach of the 1st to 18 Junior Golf Academy – www.1218golf.com - in Durban, South Africa. He qualified as a Level IV instructor in 2005 and served on the Royal Durban Golf Club Junior Committee, and also on the club’s main committee from 2004 to 2007.

Moller coaches juniors between the ages of 6 and 12 at Royal Durban. All aspects of the game are taught, starting on the putting green and going on to chipping, pitching, and hitting irons and woods. The youngsters are split into groups according to ability, and the more advanced youngsters are also taught bunker play and are taken out on the golf course. Etiquette, the rules of golf, and life skills are also taught, as well as the importance of safety and stretching. Moller monitors each youngster’s progress, and when he feels a youngster is ready to join the golf club’s junior section, he encourages them to do so.

Moller has also written children’s storybooks, as well as a DVD for junior golf. His books are published by Osborne Porter Literary Agents – www.osborne-porter.com – and are available for purchase on the web.

ANDREW CARTLEDGE – AUSTRALIAN GTF
MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
After being introduced to golf by my father at the age of 10, I rapidly grew to love the game, and spent every spare minute working how to be good at it. At age 15 I won the Ballarat District open championship and represented the state of Victoria, playing in representative matches and was playing from a three handicap.

Years later, Drummond Golf, a large retail golf chain, offered a manager’s position at their Ballarat store and I was lucky enough to gain the position due to my strong retail background and golf skills. From there I learned the basics of teaching golf and it gave me the desire one day to find a way to do it professionally.

I completed the AGTF certification course in 2001 and have never looked back! From teaching privately at golf clubs and driving ranges very successfully, I received an opportunity to be an instructor to run a certification course for the AGTF. Since then I have conducted numerous certification courses as chief instructor for the AGTF.

CRAIG ROBERTS – AUSTRALIAN GTF
MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
Since being awarded WGTF Top 60 status in 2006, I have continued to learn and improve my coaching skills in a number of different ways. After receiving my Level IV status here in Australia, I began another course to obtain a GEGAS accreditation. GEGAS stands for Gary Edwin Golf Accreditation System. Gary has been teaching the game since 1961 and is recognised as Australia’s most prominent golf coach, with some of his past students being Rod Pampling, Peter Lonard, Gavin Coles, and Ian Baker-Finch.

I am currently teaching at a number of venues in Australia and occasionally in Japan. My future goal is to set up a teaching business in Japan. I believe that to succeed in this industry you have to keep learning and be open-minded about new ideas. It is also important to accept constructive criticism from mentors and other coaches as all part of the learning process.

CRAIG WOLFE – USGTF
Craig Wolfe obtained his USGTF certification so that he would be better equipped to accept a position coaching golf at William Penn High School in New Castle, Delaware. Since then, he has gone on to coach golf at a collegiate level. And, because of his success as a teaching professional, he was offered a position as director of instruction at the Golf Academy of Delaware.

Wolfe’s passion for golf and enjoyment for helping students learn led him to obtain his USGTF Level IV Master Golf Teaching certification. After two years at the Golf Academy, Craig was named director of golf at the four-star rated Town & Country Golf Links in Woodstown, New Jersey.

DAVID VAUGHT – USGTF
I joined the USGTF in 1992 and I am forever grateful for the opportunities to meet, work with, and learn from some great instructors. My motivation for wanting to be the best teacher that I possibly could was simple: fear of failure. I never wanted to give a poor lesson. I was so afraid of not giving someone the right information and help that I became obsessed with learning all that I could.

No one gets anywhere by themselves. It takes watching other teachers, picking their brains, and thousands of hours on the range. I have so much gratitude for the many great teachers that I know, among them Dave Shaver, Mark Harman, Jim Perez, Marty Delohery, Mike Levine, and so many more.

For the past fifteen years, I have been the head teaching professional at the San Luis Rey Downs Golf Resort in Bonsall, California. After all these years of teaching golf, I am still learning and continue to have a strong passion for sharing my knowledge with others.

DES HEFFERNAN – AUSTRALIAN GTF
Des Heffernan started playing golf at the age of 30 after a successful amateur sporting career playing and coaching Australian Rules Football. Since his early youth he has always had an interest in any sporting endeavour, with a particularly keen eye for technique.

Heffernan has worked in the finance industry since the 1970’s, involved in sales, servicing, training, and senior management. When he wanted to start coaching golf, he found the traditional club professional route didn’t make sense for someone of his age. He qualified through USGTF-Singapore, and since that time he has taught at various driving ranges, courses, and also at the Sea Temple five-star resort in Queensland.

“It was a fantastic experience, one I’ll never forget,” says Heffernan. “I am very privileged to teach golf, and really get a buzz when my students get it.”

DETLEF LUNDIUS – GERMAN GTF
LEVEL IV MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL®
Detlef Lundius started in the golf business in 1998 with duties such as marshal and course director, and has qualifications in special education and certification for teaching youth. A few years later, Lundius received his Level III certification from the GGTF and in 2004 became a Master Golf Teaching Professional®.

In 2005, he started an indoor training golf academy in Berlin, teaching with a golf simulator and all the features that come with it. Lundius says that working with the simulator gave him valuable experience in analysis and teaching, and it has also trained his teaching eye to a very high degree. In addition to teaching in this environment, he also finds it valuable to engage the student in a playing lesson to integrate what happens on the lesson tee with what happens on the golf course. As golf is a sport in high demand in Germany, Lundius says the German GTF has the highest degree of competence to best serve the sport and the people who play it.

FUN YAU TECK – USGTF-PHILIPPINES
I obtained my Level III golf teaching professional certification through USGTF-Philippines in 2009 in Manila. Since then, my life has changed from hopeful to reality, becoming a fully committed person teaching and developing the game of golf.

With all the knowledge I have learned from the USGTF, it has given me great confidence to teach golf in the more technical manner, and interact and communicate more effectively with all levels of golf enthusiasts.

I have been playing golf competitively, socially, for health and fun for the last 15 years, and recently I’ve started a company to do inbound golf tourism and provide golf lessons for tourists and local residents. Therefore, I travel a lot on golf adventures to play with tourists and have made many friends from different nationalities.

GARY YU – USGTF-CHINA
I started as a greenskeeper at Tianma Golf and Country Club, Shanghai, China, in 2002 at the age of 18. Due to my diligence and passion in golf, soon after the club management gave me the opportunity to service members at the driving range and to learn golf at the same time from the head coach.

By 2005, I was an assistant to the head coach and started teaching juniors. In 2006, I was selected by the China Olympic Committee as coach of the Shanghai Special Olympics golf team. I took the USGTF Level III training and certification course in 2008, and got certified. Since certification, I started to also teach adults at different skill levels, not just juniors. I found the lessons learned from the USGTF to be the starting point for all my success in China.

GERDUS BARNARD – SOUTH AFRICAN GTF
I am a Level III teaching professional who has qualified through the South African Golf Teachers Federation (SAGTF). I joined the federation in August of 2007.

I have been teaching golf for the past three years and started a junior golf academy at Hillside Golf club in Pretoria. Furthermore, I teach golf to juniors at nine schools through a company called Sports Zone. We arrange and host inter-school golf competitions for these children on a quarterly basis, where we also hand out medals for the top four students and certificates to all the students who participate in the competition. I have also compiled a teaching manual for junior golf, and the manual has been approved and endorsed by the SAGTF.

Golf is my passion, my way of life, and I enjoy every moment of teaching this wonderful game to anyone who is eager to learn. Observing other teachers and sharing knowledge is a great way to enhance one’s skills, and I am always grateful for the opportunity to observe and learn from a wonderful mentor and teacher, Neville Schmulian.

HERBIE SCHRALE – AUSTRALIAN GTF
MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL®
I was born in Zimbabwe and have been involved in sport and coaching all my life. As a youngster, I was very fortunate to be able to play a lot of golf and be involved in a very successful junior development program. From this program emerged some well-known and respected Zimbabwean golfers such as Nicky Price, Mark McNulty, Tony Johnstone, and David Leadbetter.

I worked in various careers such as hospitality and farming, but the political situation forced a career change. I was accepted into the South African Golf Teachers Federation in 2002 and this was the beginning of a new career path. I emigrated to Australia in 2004 and became a member of the AGTF.

During my first two years in Australia I became the golf operations manager at The Cut Golf Course, a stunning links-style course south of Perth. I then moved to a hidden gem called Whaleback Golf Course in Perth. My teaching business is called Golf Concepts and I believe in a holistic approach to helping all golfers attain their goals.

IAN ROBERTSON – AUSTRALIAN GTF
LEVEL IV MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL®
I have been involved with this wonderful game since childhood. I was the teaching professional at Tanawha Valley Golf Course on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast for the past 10 years, and am currently the teaching pro at Glenview Golf Course on the Sunshine Coast.

In my time at Tanawha and Glenview, I’ve built up a large client base, consisting of adults and children from all over the coast. I give lessons to golfers of all ages and standards, and have built a good reputation as a top-level instructor in my field.

One of my proudest achievements has been the implementation of a structured junior golf program. It now attracts 60+ kids of all ages and has produced several potential stars of the future.

Being part of such a great organization such as the WGTF has changed my life and given me great opportunities to create long-lasting friendships and has brought out the best in me. I feel truly lucky to be able to do what I love every day.

IN JUN LEE – USGTF-KOREA
In Jun (Chris) Lee is a member of USGTF-Korea. Since turning professional in 2000, Lee has developed his skills as a coaching professional concurrently participating in
tournaments. Lee trained and studied in Australia, earning a degree in business, along with sports and golf management at Griffith University. He has worked with many elite players and specializes in high-performance coaching, teaching athletes of all levels.

Lee coached the youngest player to participate in a professional event and be ranked number one in Australia’s amateur rankings in 2006. Lee truly enjoys working with and helping young golfers reach their utmost potential, and finds his role as a coach very fulfilling.

JIM PEREZ – USGTF
In 1995, after receiving his USGTF certification in Las Vegas, teaching golf became Jim Perez’s full-time career. One year later, he completed the Level IV Masters course at San Luis Rey Downs Resort in San Diego.

At his golf school in Fresno, California, Perez has given over 50,000 lessons. He won the Mexican-American Golf Association club championship and the Sanger Golf Association club championship. He represented Team USA at the World Golf Teachers Cup in Brazil in 2005, and won the United States Golf Teachers Cup Senior Division championship in 2008.

Perez also coaches school teams. As a result of his teaching ability, his junior high and high school accolades include a record 12 state titles. He is a contributing writer for ESPN Magazine and has completed a book called Kindergarten Golf. Perez also hosted ESPN Radio’s Golf Talk Live on Saturday mornings.

JOSEPH LEE – USGTF
Joseph Lee was born in Korea but is now a US citizen residing in Orange, California. He has been a USGTF Level IV Master Golf Teaching Professional since 2005, and conducts certification courses for the Korean-speaking American citizens.

Lee also has a Master’s degree in business, and while living in Korea he taught as a professor at Seoul University. As a USGTF advisory board member, Lee brings a unique perspective on teaching golf that contributes greatly to the World Golf Teachers Federation.

KARL BUCKL – GERMAN GTF
LEVEL IV MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
Karl Buckl started playing golf at the age of 9, and became quite proficient, being part of the winning team of the 1983 Bavarian Youth Team Championship.

Years later, in 2002, he entered the education program with the DGV (German Golf Association) to become qualified as a C-grade teacher. From there, he developed and ran the youth training program at GC Stenz in Bavaria. In 2004, he earned his GGTF Level III certification, and in 2007 became a WGTF Level IV member.

He currently works as a teaching professional at GC Stenz. In 2010 he founded the Academy of Golf Auerbergland, where he stays busy teaching 7 days a week.

KEVIN O’NEILL – AUSTRALIAN GTF
MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
Kevin O’Neill is a full-time specialist putting coach in Australia. He is an active member of the AGTF and an instructor for Level III courses. He has a reputation for innovative teaching practices, coupled with a passion for best-learning practices. He has spent countless hours researching putting.

“Evidence-based theory using the world’s best technology had to be the direction of my research,” O’Neill states. “And now, while the journey will never cease, I continue to increase my knowledge and understanding of putting. Now, my clients are reaping the benefits of this research and the advanced teaching strategies.”

’Neill has also designed a putter, and after 12 prototypes, he was granted patents for his design, which has won approval from both the R&A and USGA for tournament play.

LILLIAN WING ON LEE – GTF
Lillian Wing On Lee has been a member of the Australian Golf Teachers Federation since 2004, after obtaining a Master’s degree in Golf Management in 2003 and receiving fulltime golf teaching training in Melbourne.

Since obtaining her teaching qualification, Lee became in charge of the junior golf programs at the Melton Golf Range in Melbourne. She went back to her hometown, Hong Kong, in 2006 and devoted herself to setting up a professional golf academy based on the USGTF teaching method, and it has been a great success with more than 700 students every week. Her knowledge in understanding the limitations between genders and physical abilities allow her to provide quality lessons for both adults and juniors.

She is also the first author invited to write a golf column for the Metro Daily, which has a circulation of more than 1 million per day. In 2009, she had published her first junior Chinese golf manual, in order to introduce proper golf knowledge to the Chinese public.

MOHAMMED RAFI – INDIA GTF
Mohammed Rafi first completed the Level III certification course with the India Golf Teachers Fedeation in 2002. An Indian national, Rafi started working at Riyadh Golf Course, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, back in 1987 full-time, and was managing the maintenance of the golf course.

He went through the certification process upon first hearing about the teacher training courses given by the IGTF, and in 2008 he repeated the course to gain further knowledge about new teaching techniques. Rafi is now director of golf at the club, teaching golfers from all around the globe.

NATTHANON LERKKUMSUP – USGFT-THAILAND

Lerkkumsup’s success with teaching golf comes from a personalized golf fitness program, combined with proper swing technique and pertinent mental state. This way, every student has a customized lesson plan designed to improve their ball striking abilities.

PETRA MÜLLER – GERMAN GTF
LEVEL IV MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
Petra Müller earned her Master Golf Teaching Professional certification in 2004, and has additional qualifications such as referee, competition director, and special youth teacher. In fact, she works frequently with kids, not only concerning golf but also with life skills.

She is a strong believer that golf should be taught through the ball flight laws. She believes there is no need to re-invent the golf swing, but there definitely is an art to teaching the game to each individual student.

She says to not forget that golf is a game and to have fun with it. Instruction should be kept simple, on the same level as the student’s learning ability.

RENE WITTEVEEN – DUTCH GTF
On my sixth birthday in 1979, my family left for Oman for eight years, and there I came in contact with the game of golf. There, golf consisted of a 9-hole desert course with the greens being a mixture of sand and oil, and you played your full shots off a mat. I strove to improve my game. In time, my father got transferred to the golf mecca that is Scotland, and in two years I got my handicap index down to a 1.2. Could I become good enough for the European Tour if I practiced hard enough? Later, I even got to play with Paul Lawrie, the 1999 Open champion.

I came in contact with the Dutch Golf Teachers Federation, and I attended the Level III class in Portugal. Since January 2009 I have been at a four-hectare golf range at the very beautiful location of McGregor. I hope to compete well in the upcoming European Golf Teachers Cup in Portugal, and am busy now practicing for the event. I have enjoyed every minute of my time in golf.

ROGER PODMORE – AUSTRALIAN GTF
I was introduced to golf at age 9 working in my father’s golf shop at Woollahra Golf Course every afternoon after school. I worked on my golf swing and made the state team finals, but several months later I had a major car crash. It stopped me from playing golf for several years, and I have been playing in pain ever since this accident.

But, that didn’t stop me from teaching golf. My father was respected as one of the best teachers in Australia and passed his wealth of knowledge on to me. I have studied and worked with golf biomechanics for many years and specialize in teaching amputees, disabled and blind golfers.

Last year I decided to teach full-time, assisting the AGTF with their golf academy courses. I teach Shane Luke, who has won many Australia Amputee Championships, and I also look after several long drive champions who I hope will go to the USA this year and win the USA championships.

RONALD HENG – SINGAPORE GTF
Ronald Heng, a member of the USGTF-Singapore, is a USGTF Master level teacher and was selected to be a course examiner for USGTF-Singapore in 2008. He has been a key player in ensuring the quality of new USGTF-Singapore members remains superior.

Heng has helped countless beginners embrace the passion of learning golf since 2000. He has also assisted golfers of all levels in achieving a higher standard of playability through his professional coaching methods. He delves deeply into the fundamentals of golf using simple yet effective tools to help students understand the principles of golf.

Heng helps build a player’s strengths by improving what they are doing right and diminishes their weaknesses by demonstrating how mistakes can be avoided.

SCOTT RAIL – CANADIAN GTF
At around the age of 5, I hit my first golf ball, along with the other children in my neighbourhood. We were on the golf course like children attending a children’s playground.

At the age of 7, I became a part of the golf school in my area, and I took my first group lesson. It is at this time that I began my quest for my first handicap. While practicing other sports (hockey, tennis, and martial arts), I continued to play golf and gradually improved my level of play.

As a Certified Golf Teaching Professional in Canada and in the United States, I strive to exceed expectations by providing quality products, and personalized services for my students. I drive immediate results and future success through continuous innovation and commitment with the most enthusiastic team. Today I run a complete golf program with professionals who, like me, are passionate about finding ways to help the player reach his or her fullest potential as easily and effortlessly as possible.

SHIGERU ITABASHI – USGTF-JAPAN
Shigeru Itabashi, a senior examiner and a Level III member of USGTF-Japan, studied and received his Masters degree in Golf Biomechanics at Nihon Sports Science University. He was a college player in the 1990s. His teaching career of over 20 years includes stints as university golf coach, golf instructor at Hills Academy in Australia, and currently owner of Gold One Golf School in Gold Coast, Australia.

He has been living in Australia since 1995 with his lovely wife and son. At Hills Academy, he is busy teaching golf students at the junior and senior high school levels.  The school team has won several tournaments in Japan and in Australia. While he was at A Game International, he managed to arrange young and ambitious players playing with tour professionals.

His students are all from Japan, living or visiting Australia, and range from beginners to tour pros. He has provided coaching to thirteen Japanese tour players the past eight years.

SIMON DENNIS – INDIAN GTF
Golf was always my passion from my childhood, and became a reality when I completed my certification course in the year 2002 with the IGTF. Since then I have improved my teaching skills significantly.

I started my teaching career in East Point Golf Club in Vishakhapatnam, India, where I taught golf to more than 500 club members. I am proud to say that four of my students are now playing at national levels.

Many other club level players who I have taught are now playing below a 10 handicap. My teaching skills have also assisted me and my students to play the All-India National Games in Delhi, where we achieved third place out of 22 states. I then moved to Hyderabad Golf Association, Hyderabad, and also conducted five very successful summer camps for children, in addition to imparting lessons to those interested in enjoying the game. To date I have trained more than 4,000 people.

I am very thankful to the Indian Golf Teachers Federation for providing me with my profession in golf.

STEVE OOSTROM – CANADIAN GTF
Steve Ooostrom’s teaching philosophy is, “To make the learning experience as productive and enjoyable as possible with a main focus of keeping good fundamentals – a sure way to improve your game!” For beginners and children, he always teaches the basics first. In doing so, he never changes a student’s entire swing, as their swing is unique to them and defines that person as a golfer

From the age of 8, Oostrom knew golf was his destiny, joining his father golfing at every opportunity. At 12 he was working his home course back shop, cleaning clubs and carts and learning to grip clubs. Playing 36-54 holes of golf in a day wasn’t new to him. At 16 he became the club’s youngest dual open senior and junior club champion. In college, he was voted MVP of his golf team and selected to the OCAA All-Ontario Golf Team.

After years of proving himself on the playing field, winning many prestigious tournaments, Ooostrom turned his focus to teaching, becoming one of the youngest golf teaching professionals and course examiners of the CGTF and USGTF, and being voted one of the WGTF’s Top 60 Teachers.

TED WILLIAMS – CANADIAN GTF
During my life I have been a leader, as a Chief of my First Nation, councillor, manager, addiction worker, and developer of Casino Rama. I have had the opportunity to learn and impart many of life’s lessons. I am a role model, mentor, and big believer that you can be, have, and do anything you want – you just have to decide how badly you want it. I am also a professional speaker. My talks are educational, motivational, and inspirational.

In my younger years I was a baseball player, and in fact was named after the great Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox. I took up golf at age 27 and played with a large slice. Eventually I improved dramatically and went on to win 10 club championships.

As a member of the CGTF since 2007, it has given me the opportunity to teach others what I know about the great game of golf. My certification has validated my expertise with the game of golf. I love golf and am thankful for the CGTF which gives me the opportunity to meet with others to compete and discuss our shared passion for the game.

WOLFGANG FRIEDEL – GERMAN GTF
LEVEL IV MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
Crossing over from the soccer profession, Wolfgang Friedel became a golf teaching professional in 1997 at GC Zollmühle under Dieter Lang, president of the German Golf Teachers Federation. In 2003, Friedel became a member of the GGTF and eventually earned his Master Golf Teaching Professional certification, now serving on the staff of the GGTF as examiner and education coordinator.

While at GC Zollmühle, Friedel, along with Lang, built a very successful junior program, with some youngsters qualifying for the Bavarian Golf Team and one qualifying for the German National Golf Team. His philosophy is to continually develop your teaching skills and to do the best for your students, to have fun and to make learning a team effort with your students.

Y.C. LAW – SINGAPORE GTF
Y.C. Law began his golfing career competing in local and regional tournaments in Asia. He joined the USGTF in 2003, was certified as a Master golf teaching professional in 2005, and appointed the USGTF-Singapore certification course lecturer and examiner in 2008. He enjoys instructing golfers of all levels, in addition to certifying new teaching professionals in Singapore. As golf is his passion, he is grateful to be making a living doing what he loves. He believes a great teacher should have a “never stop learning” attitude; therefore, he is constantly upgrading himself by reading books about golf.

He feels golf should be taught in an enjoyable fashion instead of providing too much technicality. He has an amazing ability to teach, and most importantly, does so in a friendly manner.

YEON TAEK JANG – USGTF-KOREA
Yeon Taek Jang is a longstanding member of USGTF-Korea, certified as a Level IV Master Teaching Professional. He successfully participated in USGTF-Korea’s first certification course in 1996.

For Thai Green Valley and St. Andrews Country Clubs, Jang is CEO and president of the division responsible for the tremendous population of Korean golfers traveling to Thailand during Korea’s cold winter season. He is well-known in this community and has built a respectable reputation. When USGTF-Korea members travel to Thailand, he is involved in welcoming, assisting with their golfing needs, and helping them enjoy their stay. In addition, he has over fifteen years of golf teaching experience and instructing students of all levels.

He generously devotes his time to continue to strengthen USGTF-Korea, working alongside USGTF-Korea president Sammy Oh.

YUKIHISA NISHIMURA – USGTF-JAPAN
Yukihisa Nishimura was well-known among junior players, and became a member of a leading college golf team in Japan. After graduating from college, he aimed to be a teaching professional, and started to receive coaching from Toshimitsu Izawa, a two-time leading money winner on the Japan Golf Tour.

Nishimura joined GTF Japan in 2003. He started teaching golf to all levels of students, from junior golfers to tour professionals. One of the tour pros Nishimura taught was Tomohiro Kondo, who won the Chunichi Crowns tournament in 2009. Nishimura was named a tour coach by the Japan Golf Tour.

Currently Nishimura writes articles for Golf Digest and Golf Waggle magazines. He serves on a golf clinic demonstration staff at the Golf Merchandise Show in Japan and is on the advisory staff of Honma Golf.

JOS & ANDREA DEN HARTOG – DUTCH GTF

During the harsh Dutch winter of 2009-10, with approximately three months of snow, no golf, no lessons and no income, we decided to rent an apartment in the Portuguese Algarve. In February, Andrea took the certification course, and in April we moved 3,000 kilometers away. In May, we found a golf course to work on and we are developing our new golf school. The Algarve, with nearly 40 golf courses, provides 11 months of good-to-perfect golf weather a year and it never snows! But, most importantly, instead of dreaming our lives, we live our dream! Our website is www.golfschoolupanddown.com.

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