Congratulations James Sieckmann, PGA NEW YORK, N.Y.—January TK, 2013 Golf Magazine has released its biennial list of America’s Top 100 Teachers in America for 2013-2014. New members will be introduced at the PGA of America’s Teaching & Coaching Summit at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., on January TK, 2013. The complete Top 100 Teachers list will appear in the March 2013 print and digital issues of the magazine, available nationwide February 10, 2013. Since its inception in 1996, GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers in America list has become the industry standard for teaching excellence, not only because it was the first such list ever created, but because of the diligent selection process that GOLF Magazine employs to assemble the list. Every other year, the magazine starts from scratch to determine the best one hundred teachers in the nation. Candidates for GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers in America list are selected from nominees submitted by the PGA, LPGA, United States Golf Teachers Federation, top industry executives and GOLF Magazine readers. More than 250 nominations on average are accepted from the country’s 25,000 instruction professionals. Each nominee must complete a thorough questionnaire developed in conjunction with Dr. Robert Christina, professor emeritus of the University of North Carolina—Greensboro School of Health and Human Performance. The applications are screened against fifteen baseline criteria recommended by the Top 100 Teachers Credentials Committee: 1) Number of years teaching, 2) annual hours instructing on the lesson tee, 3) annual hours engaged in teaching-related activities, 4) letters of recommendation, 5) employment history, 6) reference lists, 7) impact on instruction community, 8) teaching scholarship, 9) teaching awards, 10) student portfolio, 11) student ratings, 12) peer ratings, 13) growth of the game, 14) volunteerism, and 15) student results. The applications are then examined and ranked by a group
comprised of 15 active and former Top 100 Teachers. Final recommendations are then made by a separate Selection Committee, comprised of GOLF Magazine's instruction editors, established Top 100 Teachers and alumni, and invited World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame members. (Recommendations are based upon an in-depth review of the fifteen baseline criteria with an emphasis on the following: swing knowledge, communications skills, innovative teaching ideas, flexibility in teaching different learning types, proven success, willingness to share knowledge with peers, longevity, success with wellknown golfers, industry awards and number of nominations, recommendations and presentations.) The recommendations of the Selection Committee are submitted to GOLF Magazine for the final decision. The Top 100 list is the only national golf instructor roster that combines outside academic and PGA Professional peer review. In addition, candidates are judged on their willingness to give back to the game and to the PGA and LPGA through one of the following: apprentice education, member continued education, research or lesson programs. “Every two years the Credential and Selection committees dedicate a lot of time and research to recognize the golf industry’s best teachers by naming them to our Top 100 list,” said David DeNunzio, Managing Editor for Instruction for GOLF Magazine. “These individuals have been selected because of their commitment to broaden the appeal of golf by helping their students understand and enjoy the game.” Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers in America further distinguishes itself from other rankings in that it is structured more as an organization than a simple listing. Its members interact to improve upon player education, instruction techniques, public outreach and research on the way the game is taught and played. These programs are managed under the leadership of top 100 Program Director, PGA Professional, Dr. T.J. Tomasi (Port St. Lucie, Fla.). Continued on next page
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