Norcross, Ga. – Mary Hafeman, from Missing Links, has been named to U.S. Kids Golf’s annual list of Top 50 Kids Teachers. The Award recognizes the world’s most outstanding youth golf instructors, and Hafeman is part of a select group that earned Top 50 accolades among nearly 350 applicants.
Since 2004, U.S. Kids Golf has honored the best youth golf teachers with the Top 50 Kids Teacher Award. Applicants complete an online survey and winners are chosen based on their contributions to youth golf, such as: experience young golfers; time devoted to teaching youth; innovation, creativity and fun in their programs; communication; parental involvement; use of a well-organized instruction program and overall effort to grow the game.
The Top 50 Kids Teachers of 2016 includes golf professionals from 26 states, Canada, England and Kenya. Each year, award recipients include teachers who work at public, private, resort and municipal courses.
“These coaches are honored as more than instructors,” explained Dan Van Horn, the President and Founder of U.S. Kids Golf. “They create outstanding opportunities for young golfers to learn in a fun and rewarding environment that instills a love for the game and engages the entire family. Their ability to connect with students and fully engage them in the learning process sets them apart.”
The Top 50 Kids Teacher Award is administered by the U.S. Kids Golf Coaches Institute, a division of the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation. For more information about the Top 50 Kids Teacher Award, please contact U.S. Kids Golf at coaches@uskidsgolf.com.
Top 50 Kids Teachers – Class of 2016
Roger Adams… Highfields G.&C.C… Grafton, Mass.
Leighann Albaugh… Magnolia Green G.C… Moseley, Va.
Ryan Anderson… The Glencoe G.&C.C… Calgary, Alta.
Peter Bakker… Mike Bender Golf Academy… Lake Mary, Fla.
Matt Barton… The Wyndgate… Rochester Hills, Mich.
Paul Belongie… RiverPines G.C… Johns Creek, Ga.
Kathy Bounds… Dona Lerner Golf Academy… Raleigh, N.C.
Zachary Bowcut… Nibley Park G.C… Salt Lake City, Utah
John Brown… High Point C.C… High Point, N.C.
Allen Burton… Lake Hickory C.C… Hickory, N.C.
Todd Casabella… Barrington G.C… Aurora, Ohio
Eva Chaffin… Santa Maria Golf Course… Baton Rouge, La.
Matthew Clay… Del Mar Golf Center… Del Mar, Calif.
Kelli Corlett… Haggin Oaks Golf Complex… Sacramento, Calif.
Maeve Cromwell… Braelinn G.C… Peachtree City, Ga.
Susan Crowley… Blackhawk C.C… Danville, Calif.
Benjamin Debski… The Springhaven Club… Wallingford, Pa.
Carlton Dove… Wichita C.C… Wichita, Kan.
Alexander Fisher… The Glacier Club… Durango, Colo.
Daniel Gaucher… Lyman Orchards G.C… Middlefield, Conn.
Roman Greer… Cranberry Valley G.C… Harwich, Mass.
Mary Hafeman… Missing Links… Mequon, Wis.
Jim Hardy… Longleaf G.&F.C… Southern Pines, N.C.
Bryan Heim… Columbine C.C… Columbine Valley, Colo.
Michael Herzog… Golf Etc… Bismarck, N.D.
Jeffrey Hirose… Palm Lake G.C… Pomona, Calif.
Michelle Holmes… Cahoon Plantation G.C… Chesapeake, Va.
Blake Jirges… Henry Brunton Golf Academy… Irvine, Calif.
Emanuel Kasio… Golf For Kids… Kiserian, Kenya
Susie Kirk… The Woodlands C.C… The Woodlands, Texas
Mary Beth Kohberger… Newton C.C… Newton, N.J.
Sally Krystyn… Shadow Glen The G.C… Olathe, Kan.
Sheryl Maize… Crystal Lake G.C… Lakeville, Minn.
Wade Martin… The Villages Golf Academy… The Villages, Fla.
Kelli McKandless… Brookhaven C.C… Dallas, Texas
Cindy Miller… The Wehrle Golf Dome… Williamsville, N.Y.
Oliver Oliquiano… Island Pacific Golf Academy… Kapolei, Hawaii
Maria Palozola… Big Bend Golf Center… Valley Park, Mo.
Gene Powell… Four Bridges C.C… Liberty Township, Ohio
Tom Reid… Wentworth Club… Surrey, England
Eddie Roethlisberger… Ponca City C.C… Ponca City, Okla.
Tom Shea… Eagles G.C… Tampa, Fla.
Ryan Smith… Rick Murphy Golf Academy… Greensboro, N.C.
Jim Sykes… The Landings Club… Savannah, Ga.
Tina Tombs… Arizona Biltmore G.C. & Resort… Phoenix, Ariz.
Tim Wagner… Timber Trails G.C… Pocono Pines, Pa.
Matt Walter… Vanderbilt Legends Club… Franklin, Tenn.
Adam Williamson… Rumson C.C… Rumson, N.J.
Tyler Wong… Tualatin C.C… Tualatin, Ore.
Phillip Yudys… Glen Oak C.C… Glen Ellyn, Ill.
About U.S. Kids Golf
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 over 800 tournaments each year for more than 10,000 players, ages 5-18. These tournaments include Local Tours in more than 50 cities, eight Regional Championships, the European Championship, and the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship and Teen World Championship, which are held each year in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
The vision of the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation is to provide kids and their families the opportunity participate in the game of golf through instruction and competition. With the belief that family interaction is critical in the development of young golfers, parents are encouraged to serve as caddies for their kids during tournaments and to develop positive coaching techniques.
U.S. Kids Golf, LLC is based in Atlanta and manufactures equipment and related golf products designed for kids. It was created in 1997 when Founder/CEO Dan Van Horn found that his children were losing their interest in golf due to not having the proper equipment. In addition to more than 4,000 golf shops and retail locations in the United States, the company’s products also are available in more than 75 countries worldwide.
Courtesy U.S. Kids Golf.