The 1st Americas Golf Coach Tournament took place on May 5th, 2013, at the Classic Club in Palm Desert . This teaching competition delivered some fantastic results on a tough golf course. 64 PGA Members showed up and went to work. Hoping to take home $4,600 first prize and be crowned the first Americas Golf Coach.
To see 64 of the best teaching pros in the country on the range teaching was a sight to see. This was the first event of its kind, and again, it was historic. Reading the testimonies from the participants this event delivered on so many levels. The PGA is committed to excellence and growing the game. This teaching competition will only get better.
It’s common to hear that people have a driving range swing, a golf course swing and tournament swing. They’re all totally different. Having coaches with the participants every step of the way allowed students to bring their driving range swing to the course. We witnessed people playing golf better than they ever thought possible.
The Classic Club is a PGA Tour facility and was a difficult test of golf. The weather was perfect at 82 degrees, with a slight breeze from the left. In the end, it was Matt Newby, from GolfTec in El Segundo, that walked away as the winning coach. His student, Richard Mills fired a 42 gross, 32 net to win by 2 shots over 3 other students.
Everything from the Classic Club, the brunch and Troon Golf did not disappoint us. The students loved the event so much they requested a reunion for the same time next year. It was really great to be a part of such a historic teaching event and meet so many great individuals.
I hope you can join us for our next day of fun and learning. Trust in your PGA Professionals and let him/her show you the way.
AGC Golf Tournament Results
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PGA/LPGA Pro
- 1) Matt Newby GolfTec $4,600
- 2) Michael McFaul Riviera CC $1665
- 2) Mike Ellis Faldo Institute $1665
- 2) Jeff Kopchia Roger Dunn SA $1665
- 5) Jack Crosley Vintage Club  $800
- 5) Jack Gibson La Quinta CC $800
- 5) Bob Shirey Hunter Ranch $800
- 5) Kurt Donahou Titleist $800
- 5) Patrick Shaw Bajamar $800
- 5) Tim Skophammer Empire Lakes $800
- 11) Gary Gentile Teaching Pro $250
- 11) Lani MacKay Mountain Gate CC $250
- 11) Lee Sanudo El Camino CC $250
- 11) Adam Farino Tin Cup Center $250
- 15) Sean Lani Black Gold GC $100
- 15) Robb Nunn Lake Forest $100
- 15) Randy Reznicek Twin Oaks $100
- 15) David Sanges Teaching Pro $100
- 15) Dale Shaw Teaching Pro $100
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Student
- Richard Mills Net score 32 $500
- Miguel Ortiz Net score 34
- Gil Armour Net score 34
- Glenn Humphyreys Net score 34
- Gerald Lawton Net score 35
- James Van Houten Net score 35
- Herb Simon Net score 35
- Ed Adair Net score 35
- Jim Digrado Net score 35
- Bart Dixon Net Score 35
- Duff Danials Net Score 36
- Al Regnier Net Score 36
- John LoGiudice Net Score 36
- Thomas Iniquez Net Score 36
- Ron Lalonde Net Score 37
- Scott Aguilar Net score 37
- Tony Martinouvich Net Score 37
- George Gallegos Net Score 37
- Student Joe Sanders Net Score 37
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