AMERICAN DISABLED GOLFERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA

For the answer to these questions, I asked Geoff Bryant, president of the United States Golf Teachers Federation, based in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. According to Mr. Bryant, “As a USGTF member it is important to understand the history and evolution of the organization and what prompted its founding. Our story is about taking the golf teaching profession and for the first time in history making it a separate entity unto itself. It is about providing opportunity, offering inclusion and demystifying the golf teaching profession. Having a history is what sets us apart and our story has proven ever relevant to over 25,000 golf teaching professionals around the world.” Mr. Bryant knew twenty years ago there was a market for personable, qualified golf teaching professionals. Bryant, a former ski racer and teacher, knew that some of the best ski instructors in the world attended six-day certification courses. If it worked so well for skiing, Bryant was sure it would work for golf. He was right. Prior to the existence of the USGTF, candidates with a desire to teach golf had to attend a three to four year apprenticeship program governed by the PGA. Ironically, these individuals did very little teaching. That’s still the case today. Most apprentices work for minimum wage and spend most of their time selling merchandise, cleaning clubs, or taking charge of tee times. But the story does not end there. There’s a global twist to all of this. In 1989, Bryant noticed an incredible number of foreigners traveling here to the United States to get certified. Their sentiments were always the same: they wanted to teach, not work as apprentices. Their own countries were not established to provide certification. Hence, the birth of the “World Golf Teachers Federation.” Established in 1991, the WGTF is now the world’s largest organization of golf teaching professionals. It boasts over 22,000 members and is comprised of 35 member nation federations. Because of help initially from USGTF examiners, all member nations are now conducting their own golf teaching certification courses. “All member nation federations adhere to the WGTF charter of bylaws, that has established a standard of uniformity and quality of golf instruction throughout the world. These bylaws were established to protect the rights of teaching professionals, and to provide certain obligations and benefits to each member nation. Furthermore, the WGTF is responsible for administering the biennial World Golf Teachers Cup. This is a six-day event held alternately in the United States and abroad. It brings together golf teaching professionals from all over the world, plus provides the opportunity to compete, exchange ideas, and foster life-long friendships.” “While we are on the subject of the WGTF, I might add that our organization has always been diverse in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, and age. From the very beginning, the USGTF has been an organization of inclusion. This is one of our strengths that has had far reaching implications as we continue to grow worldwide.” “We are very proud for instance of USGTF members such as the late Julius Richardson, the first African American to be officially designated by Golf Magazine as one of the top 100 teaching professionals in the United States. By 81, Mr. Richardson continued to teach six hours per day year round, with a lesson agenda booked well in advance. He thanked the USGTF repeatedly for recognizing his lifelong accomplishments as a golf teaching professional and giving him the opportunity to belong to an organization of his peers. Unfortunately, this opportunity never presented itself to Julius in his younger years, simply because of the color of his skin. He has had an impact on the game that will be remembered indefinately. Our Mission Statement The United States Golf Teachers Federation, through innovative, effective swing mechanics and teaching methodology, establishes a national and international standard in training and certification for professional golf teachers. In addition, the USGTF provides services for its members and promotes the organization and the golf teaching profession. American Disabled Golfers Association Welcome to The American Disabled Golfers Association. The ADGA is a non profit 501c corporation created with the intent to help all disabled golfers who elect to play the game. We know golf is a game enjoyed around the world that should never be limited to only non disabled individuals. With this being said, the ADGA is doing its part to help educate golf club owners, managers, teaching professionals, club manufacturers and industry partners regarding the importance of the needs of disabled golfers. The ADGA has partnered with many golf courses throughout the nation. And with the help from WGTF and PGA professionals, golf course managers and golf course owners, we continue our quest of making golf accessible to everyone. The American Disabled Golfers Association provides opportunities for disabled golfers. We do this not only with the help of our sponsors but also by conducting nationwide events that raise money for this cause. If you would like to conduct an annual tournament event at your facility to help promote the American Disabled Golfers Association, please contact us at