BC's Kathy Gook Among Inaugural List Of 50 Best LPGA Teachers
Quesnel, BC's Kathy Gook Was One Of The Top Instructors Recognized From More Than 1,700 LPGA Certified Professionals Worldwide - BC Golf Image
Via Press Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., August 28, 2017 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) membership announced today the launch of an annual recognition of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional’s Top 50 LPGA Teachers, presented in partnership with Women’s Golf Journal.
This new initiative will identify and recognize the best LPGA instructors from more than 1,700 LPGA certified professionals worldwide.
All LPGA Class A Members in good standing who meet the eligibility requirements were invited to apply. An independent golf industry selection committee reviewed eligible applications and identified the LPGA Top 50 Teachers, utilizing a weighted points formula.
One of those recognized was Quesnel, British Columbia's own Kathy Gook who moved to Phoenix in 1985 after graduating from Simon Fraser University to pursue a career in golf.
She began playing golf at the age of 23, after a successful college and semi-pro career in Basketball. After playing golf professionally for 4 years on the European, Asian and Mini-Tours within the United States, she found her passion in Teaching Golf.
A member of the LPGA T&CP since 1992, Kathy achieved her Class A status and has taught extensively throughout the United States and Canada with much of that time spent working with British Columbia Golf and programs such as Playground to Fairway (P2F), among a number of other initiatives she's been involved with to bring golf to children, including SOAR and The First Tee Greater of Vancouver. (www.kathygookgolf.com)
Kathy was also the BC Summer Games coach for 2010, 2012 and 2014 for Zone 8 (Cariboo) for the Games as well as BC's provincial coach for 2015 for Canadian Junior Girls Interprovincial Team. She coached the 2011 Girls Junior America’s Cup Team, 2012 Canadian Junior Girls Team and in 2013 co-coached the North Pacific Junior Ladies Team Matches squad.
"The LPGA is excited to partner with Women’s Golf Journal on this annual recognition," said LPGA Chief Teaching Officer, Nancy Henderson. "More than 70 percent of our members teach the game of golf for a living and they are dedicated to the advancement of golf through teaching golfers of all ages and abilities to enjoy the game of golf."
LPGA professionals are uniquely trained to teach the game of golf through a holistic approach to learning golf and performing on the golf course. This people-centered approach emphasizes the communication skills that allow the teacher/coach to develop relationships built on respect and relevance.
The heart of the LPGA curriculum for its members is the LPGA Integrated Performance System. This framework for the teacher and golfer addresses the physical characteristics of golfers, their motivation and goals for their game, their equipment and motor learning and control concepts.
Women's Golf Journal is an American national magazine dedicated to celebrating the lifestyle of golfing women everywhere. "The depth of teaching expertise in the LPGA is astounding," said Women’s Golf Journal Publisher Matthew Squire.
"We’re honored to celebrate the teaching expertise of these coaches in Women’s Golf Journal, and are delighted that these incredible women are finally beginning to receive the recognition and the credit they so richly deserve."
2017-2018 LPGA Top 50 Teacher List Presented by Women’s Golf Journal
