PEACHTREE CORNERS, Georgia (Jan. 15, 2021) – U.S. Kids Golf is proud to announce the recipients of its Top 50 Kids Coaches Award, and 15 new Master Kids Coaches, the premier recognitions for the world’s most outstanding youth golf instructors. The 2020 list of recipients represents 26 different states and seven countries.
“A good coach teaches golf. A great coach instills a love of golf. These are great coaches, the best.” explains Dan Van Horn, the President and Founder of U.S. Kids Golf. “To make learning exciting and fun is a gift, and we’re excited to honor these coaches as the best of the best in bringing young players into the game.”
Presented since 2004, the U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Coach award, is widely recognized as the pinnacle achievement for junior golf coaches worldwide. Candidates are evaluated by a selection committee from among the Certified Coach candidates based on a variety of factors.
These include innovation, creativity, retention, communications, parental engagement, organization, and the ability to instill a passion for the game in young golfers. Coaches who are named as a Top 50 for a third time earn the title of Master Kids Coach.
“Becoming a Master Kids Coach is the highest distinction for kids coaches,” noted Van Horn. “These are the professionals that have dedicated a career to youth golf and families, consistent excellence, which is not easy, and truly embody the spirit of the U.S. Kids Golf mission.”
This year, the award recipients will be recognized in a digital and social media campaign leading into the golf season.
2020 Honorees: Top 50 Kids Coaches – Class of 2020
Bridget Ackley… Osprey Point G.C.… Boca Raton, Fla.
Jeff Allen… Lake Merced G.C.… Daly City, Calif.
O.J. Amaya… Chula Vista G.C.… Bonita, Calif.
Christopher Armanini… Ka’anapali G.C.… Lahaina, Hawaii
Cole Baker… Golf Etc. Bismarck… Bismarck, N.D.
Jennifer Bermingham… Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club… Coto de Caza, Calif.
Thomas Bishop… Lakewood Ranch Golf & C.C.… Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
Alice Brown… Ace Golf Learning Center… Riverview, Fla.
Jonathan Bullas… Laurel Oak C.C.… Sarasota, Fla.
Barry Churchill… Stonebridge G.C. … Monroe, N.C.
Matt Clinger… Harpeth Valley Golf Center… Nashville, Tenn.
Rachel Clopton… Bobby Jones G.C.… Atlanta, Ga.
Alfredo Da Corte… Campodoglio G.C.… Paderno Franciacorta, Italy
Richard Degree… Sugar Creek Golf & Tennis Center… Atlanta, Ga.
John Dipollina… Lyman Orchards Golf Center… Middlefield, Conn.
Nix Duncan… Cherokee Town & C.C.… Atlanta, Ga.
Jamie Engelkemier… Strawberry Farms G.C.… Irvine, Calif.
David Esch… Pecan Grove C.C.… Richmond, Texas
Matt Eschenburg… Gleannloch Pines G.C.… Spring, Texas
Adam Fangman… Lassing Pointe G.C.… Union, Ky.
Brittany Ferrante… The Village Club of Sands Point… Sands Point, N.Y.
John Galyean… Hasentree C.C.… Wake Forest, N.C.
Glenn Garnett… Man O War Golf… Lexington, Ky.
Neil Gowan… Legend Oaks G.C. … Summerville, S.C.
Bill Hall… The Legends at Parris Island… Beaufort, S.C.
Noah Horstman… Southern Oregon Golf Academy… Medford, Ore.
Blake Isakson… Moon Valley C.C.… Phoenix, Ariz.
Preston Johnson… Charleston Municipal G.C.… Charleston, S.C.
Denise Kafferly… Eglin G.C.… Niceville, Fla.
Dorothy Kasper… The Golf Dome… Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Janis Kleiman… Ironwood G.C.… Fishers, Ind.
Don Kueper… Carlyle Lake G.C.… Carlyle, Ill.
Ryan Macey… Bradenton C.C.… Bradenton, Fla.
Rafael Machado… Golfers Inc.… Panama City, Panama
Dave Malone… Pine Lake Junior Golf Academy… Lincoln, N.E.
Brent McGrew… Quail Run & VanBerg G.C.… Columbus, N.E.
Jimmy McMullen… The Golf Academy at Salem Glen… Clemmons, N.C.
Tara Morris… The C.C. at Castle Pines… Castle Rock, Colo.
Carly Peister… Merry-Hill G.C.… Breslau, Ontario
Miriam Piland-Rice… Mike Bender Golf Academy… Lake Mary, Fla.
John Rudolph… Fieldstone G.C.… Greenville, Del.
Pamela Saladino… The Beloit Club… Beloit, Wis.
Daniel Shelden… Ruth Lake C.C.… Hinsdale, Ill.
Trent Siever… The Foothills G.C.… Phoenix, Ariz.
Hoppy Smith… Diamondhead C.C.… Diamondhead, Miss.
Laura Tyler… Frosty Valley Resort… Danville, Pa.
Stephen Ventre… Paradise Family Golf Driving Range… Middleton, Mass.
John Wainwright… Longleaf Golf & Family Club… Southern Pines, N.C.
Thomas Watkins… Whisper Lake C.C.… Madison, Miss.
Nick Wiseman… Jane Frost Golf Performance Center… East Sandwich, Mass.
Master Kids Coaches – Class of 2020
Kerry Bower-Herr… Victoria Hills G.C.… DeLand, Fla.
Emily Burns… Cantigny Golf Links… Wheaton, Ill.
Linda Campbell… The Peninsula Club… Cornelius, N.C.
Frankie Chan… Tai Po Nine Eagle Golf Park… Hong Kong,
Leon Faulkner… Bayview G.C.… Sydney, Australia
Lauren Gates… Augusta Pines G.C.… Spring, Texas
Andy Little… Little Golfers… Surbiton, United Kingdom
Travis Lynch… The Trails of Frisco… Frisco, Texas
Brian Moose… RiverCrest G.C. and Preserve… Phoenixville, Pa.
Oliver Oliquiano… Island Pacific Golf Academy… Kapolei, Hawaii
Michael Phillips… Los Alamos G.C.… Los Alamos, N.M.
Jane Rosenberg… Black Gold G.C.… Yorba Linda, Calif.
Evan Sales… Angel Fire Resort… Angel Fire, N.M.
Daniel Shea… Michelle Holmes School of Golf… Norfolk, Va.
Brody Whetham… Sawmill G.C.… Fenwick, Ontario
About U.S. Kids Golf
U.S. Kids Golf is the world’s leading organization for growing, promoting and enhancing golf among youth and families. Founded in 1997, U.S. Kids Golf offers three distinct lines of clubs in up to nine sizes, hosts more than 1500 tournaments – including the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship held annually in Pinehurst, NC, and has over 1600 members as part of its Coaches Institute.
Additionally, the organization is active in several projects and campaigns designed to grow the sport among important demographics. U.S. Kids Golf is recognized by the National Golf Foundation as one of the “Top 100 Businesses in Golf” based on influence, innovation, and social good among other criteria.
