Teaching Professionals, 2008

The conference will host some of the most renowned golf teachers in the world and provide them a forum to present their knowledge and latest research. Many of these teachers have been recognized among Golf Digest’s 50 Greatest Teachers and GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Greatest Teachers, and all have contributed significantly to the game of golf.

This partial list of presenters includes (click on name for bio):


Eric Alpenfels
Eric Alpenfels currently serves as the Director of Golf Instruction / Golf Advantage School at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.

A Class A PGA professional, Eric has been a part of the Pinehurst family since 1985. Eric is involved in the daily instruction at Pinehurst with both amateur and professional golfers. His skill and professionalism have earned him recognition from Golf Magazine as one of the "Top 100 Teachers in America" and Golf Digest as one of "America's 50 Greatest Teachers."

Eric's activities beyond the fairways of Pinehurst are extensive and include speaking engagements, contributions to industry publications, involvement as an Adjunct Faculty Member in the Professional Golf Management training for the PGA of America and production of several videos. Under his leadership, the Golf Advantage School is conducting research to pioneer the development of new practice techniques and innovative drills as well as partnering with The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in the development of a Golf Fitness Lab. Research of this kind is not taking place at any other school and is already being featured in several national magazines, including Golf Magazine.
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Henry Brunton

Henry Brunton is one of the world’s leading golf coaches and educators. In 2005 he became the first Canadian recognized by GOLF Magazine as a “Top 100Teacher,” the publication’s biennial survey of teaching excellence.  GOLF Magazine also recently named Brunton to the “Top100” list for 2007-2008.

The 41-year-old resident of Stouffville, Ontario is a 23-year member of the Canadian PGA and was named as the fourth Most Influential Person in Canadian Golf in 2004 by Canada’s National Post.

Brunton has a passion for developing elite junior golfers and has been Canada’s National Coach since the Royal Canadian Golf Association established its Player Development Program in 1999. Teams led by Brunton won the 2001Four Nations Cup Championship and the 2003 Americas Cup and have competed for Canada around the globe. Brunton coached the Canadian National Men’s Team to a Silver Medal finish at the 2006 World Amateur Championship in South Africa.

Brunton has authored the RCGA Achievement Guide, a comprehensive manual for high performance players and coaches. As well, in 1999, he was hired by the Canadian PGA to design and develop a national teacher and coach education program. The result was the highly acclaimed Teaching and Coaching Certification Program (TCCP). The TCCP is a mandatory training program for all CPGA Professionals. Brunton has received considerable professional training from many of the foremost golf educators in the world. He has studied and participated in select programs in Scotland, Spain, Sweden, the United States and Canada. In 2004, Dr. Deborah Graham and Jon Stabler of SportPsych in Boerne, Texas certified Henry as a GolfPsych Master Instructor. He is one of three golf professionals to date to earn this distinction.

In addition to his work with the Canadian Men’s and Junior Boys National Teams, Brunton also leads “Strive for Excellence”, a comprehensive year-round coaching and training program for aspiring high-level junior and collegiate golfers.
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Bob Christina

Dr. Christina is an internationally recognized scholar in the learning and performance of movement skills such as those found in sport.  His research for over 35 years has focused on (a) understanding the underlying processes by which people come to learn and perform skilled movements, and (b) determining the most effective conditions for learning and performing movement skills.  He has authored or co-authored over 106 scientific and professional publications, and three books, and edited seven books.  He has given more than 174 scientific and professional presentations (154 of which were invited) throughout the United States and in Canada, Northern Ireland, Germany, Greece, Scotland, England, Portugal, South Korea, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and France.  In 1986 he and his co-author (Dr. Debra Rose) received the Outstanding Research Award from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).  One of his recent articles in Golf Magazine received the prestigious 2006 The National Magazine Award in the category of Leisure Interests from the American Society of Magazine Editors.  He has served on the Editorial Boards of the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport and the Journal of Human Performance and has been a consulting editor for the Journal of Motor Behavior,  and a reviewer for numerous journals such as the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, and Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance.  By invitation in 1990-92 he served on a twelve-member committee of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.

     His applied work has concentrated on (a) conducting research on variables that influence the learning and performance of sport skills; (b) disseminating information from basic motor learning research to sport coaches and teachers; and (c) developing educational training programs for coaches of various youth sports.  Much of his work has focused on enhancing the instructional techniques and training conditions used by youth sport teachers/coaches, Olympic development coaches, Olympic Coaches, public school and college teachers/coaches and professional sport coaches.  The organizations for whom he has worked/consulted include U.S. Ski Coaches Association, Little League Baseball of America, U. S. Equestrian Team, U.S.A. Wrestling, U.S. Diving Association, U.S. Rowing Association, U.S. Field Hockey Association, U.S. Shooting Team, U.S. Organization for Disabled Athletes, the Athletics Congress, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Pinehurst Golf Advantage School, Professional Golfers of America (PGA), Royal Canadian Golf Association,  Swedish Golf Federation, Dana Rader Golf School, Precision Golf School and the Ladies Professional Golfers Association (LPGA) of America.  He has also consulted for Acushnet Golf Company, numerous publishing companies and law firms, Golf Magazine, Wilson Sporting Goods Company-Golf Division, Laser Track Incorporated-Great Golf Learning Centers, Frankly Consulting-Golf Division, and Carol Mann Incorporated.
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Oswald Drawdy

Oswald Drawdy is co developer of Accelerized Golfs Hotlines Technology.  As well as instructing, he is the CEO of Accelerized Golf.  He has worked with a number of tour players and collegiate golfers.  Oswald is currently working with PGA Tour player Charles Howell III. He was a three time All-American and Academic All-American while majoring in Electrical Engineering at Clemson University.  His professional playing career includes competing in several PGA tour and Nike (now Nationwide) tour events including the 1993 US Open
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Paul Hurrion

Dr Paul Hurrion was a keen sportsman in his younger days playing a wide variety of sports from decathlon, rugby, football to cricket.  This led to his study of Sports Science and a PhD in Sports Biomechanics (Lower Back Injuries), University College Chichester (1997).

He has focused on the back injuries of cricket's fast bowlers and has developed a strong relationship with the UKA (UK Athletics) & ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board).

Later Dr Hurrion moved into Sports Biomechanics Consultancy, by starting Quintic Consultancy Limited (1997), a company providing top-level performance biomechanical video analysis software and consultancy. Using coaching knowledge gained with working with elite sports people, in conjunction with the power of high-speed video camera. Quintic provides 2D biomechanical analysis tools, along with the feedback and implementation of the results.
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James Leitz

James Leitz has been the director of golf at Pinewood Country Club in Slidell, Louisiana for over 20 years. He has been recognized as Golf Professional of the year in Louisiana and by Golf Digest as a top teacher in the state. He has been heavily involved with the Louisiana PGA section throughout his career and has served as chapter president.

Leitz is an expert in club fitting and is one of only six certified club fitting instructors certified by the PGA. He has instructed at many workshops throughout the nation on club fitting and has performed club fitting for many tour players throughout the world.
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Don Lifke

Don is a Senior Member of Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He is a Black Belt in the corporate Lean Six Sigma organization, where he teaches and mentors staff on Six Sigma statistical techniques.  Don has 23 years of experience in quality and manufacturing.  He received his BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering from the University of New Mexico.  His experience includes employers such as Allied-Signal, US Department of Energy, Medtronic, Emcore, and Sandia National Laboratories.  Don also teaches business statistics at University of Phoenix.
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Rick Martino

RICK MARTINO is The PGA of America's director of instruction. He is one of a few dozen PGA professionals who holds a certification in teaching—the organization's highest level of achievement for instruction. Martino created the curriculum for the PGA's first learning and development facility. Before becoming the PGA's Director of Instruction, Martino was the Director at Oakmont Country Club. He is also the former director of University of Pittsburgh's Golf Swing Research Laboratory and has headed several teaching and playing workshops across the country.

Martino has been recognized among Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers as well as Golf Digest's Top 50 Teachers. He also has enjoyed commentating on television since 1998.
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Mike Malaska

Mike Malaska’s knowledge of the golf swing, as well as his philosophy and expertise at incorporating physical fitness and nutrition into his instruction programs, has made him one of the most sought after instructors in the game today.

He is currently listed among the Top 30 Greatest Teachers in America by Golf Digest and has been among GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers since 1996. As Director of Instruction for the Jack Nicklaus Golf Center in Japan from 1992-1995, Mike was nominated for Japan’s “1993 Teacher of the Year". In 2000, Golf World Business Magazine also named Mike in a national poll of “Who’s Who of the Future in Golf Instruction.”

Mike worked alongside World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame member Jim Flick at the Nicklaus/Flick Golf Schools from 1991 through 2002. In 2003 he was the lead instructor with the TaylorMade/ESPN and Jim Flick Golf Schools. Now Mike has taken teaching to another level with his own company, Malaska International Golf, originally organized in 1995 to cater to Japanese Golf Students.

In addition to his position as Director of Instruction for The Lyle Anderson Company at his home base at Superstition Mountain Golf and C.C. in Arizona, Mike is the Worldwide Director of Instruction Nicklaus Academies. He is responsible for developing the comprehensive teaching curriculum and training methods for all the instructors at more than 30 Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf facilities around the world. Mike also serves as a consultant for TaylorMade-adidas Golf worldwide and to Stryker Physical Therapy as their Golf Consultant for programs throughout the United States.

In 1991 Mike was awarded the Horton Smith Award by the Utah PGA Section for contributions to educating his fellow professionals. In 1996 he was named Utah PGA Section Teacher of the Year.

Mike has been a guest lecturer for corporate functions throughout the U.S. as well for the PGA’s National Teaching and Coaching Summit and at PGA Section events around the country. He has appeared a number of times on The Golf Channel as a guest instructor and is featured with Jim Flick on the Golf Channel Academy home video Vision, Feel, Rhythm.  In 2004, Mike completed a year-long production effort and produced his own DVD, You Are Your Own Swing, featuring 2½ hours of golf and fitness instruction.

Mike’s knowledge of the game has been featured in numerous publications. His articles have been Cover Stories for GOLF Magazine several times including “How Good Can You Get” (January 1999), “Find Your Hidden Power” (August 2000) and “Max Out Your power" (August 2002).  He is currently a Contributing Teacher for GOLF Magazine.

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David Orr

David Orr, a native of Pulaski, New York, played collegiate golf at Bridgewater College where he received numerous awards including the National Golf Coaches Association, All Southeast District Team -1987, Virginia Intercollegiate All-State 1989. Turning professional his senior year, David competed in several events on the various Mini-Tours around the country including; The T.C. Jordan Tour, The Powerbilt Tour, and The Ben Hogan Tour, to name just a few.

As a Teaching Professional David worked at Cheviot hills for four years, before becoming the Teaching Professional at North Ridge COuntry Club in Raleigh. He made the move to Pine Needles in SOuthern Pines, NC, in the winter of 2000, sight of the 1996, 2001, & 2007 US Women's Open Championship. There he was named the Head of Golf Instruction for the Learning Centers and Golfari's. His peers nominated him for the Palmer Maples Teacher of the Year Award of the Carolinas P.G.A. Section for the year 2000. David currently conducts seminars for his fellow P.G.A. professionals or those seeking to improve their ability to teach or play the great game of golf.
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David Ostrow

David is the President and CEO of Body Balance for Performance, Inc. He is a Pennsyvania licensed physical therapist since 1987. He has worked in outpatient orthopedics for 18 years and in golf performance training for 11 years. Mr. Ostrow was initially a Body Balance for Performance franchisee. He was the third franchisee for Body Balance for Performance in the United States. David was named National Clinical Training Director for Body Balance for Performance in 2000. With partner Neil Chasan, Ostrow purchased Body Balance for Performance from the Founder, Paul Callaway in 2003.
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Dan Parks

Dan Parks is President and owner of 3D Golf Labs Inc. in Victor, New York, about twenty minutes outside of Rochester. 3D Golf Labs is a year round facility specializing in comprehensive golf performance and improvement using multi-camera 2d video, 3d motion analysis, force plate balance evaluation, and Titleist Performance Institute(TPI) designed golf fitness and exercise programs. He is a Class A PGA member and TPI certified in advanced golf fitness. He is also affiliated with Ravenwood Golf Club in Vctor, NY where he conducts seasonal outdoor training with his clients.

He is a published writer and speaks frequently for various groups and organizations in the Rochester area. He holds several degrees, is a NYS certified teacher, and has traveled extensively throughout the world. He has worked at semi-private, resort, and private courses and has taught over 10,000 students. He recently founded the online publication, "The Journal of Golf Biomechanics," for which he is editor and publisher. It will begin publication in 2008.

Over twenty years of teaching experience is combined with a keen research interest: his current pursuits include lower body mechanics and the kinetic link, visual eye-tracking in putting and the full swing, and the potential use of granular synthesis in the sonification of 3D motion data. In these pursuits he uses several different 3D systems: ICLUB's BMS, Polhemus' Liberty, and the optically-based and markerless Zenolink system.

Dan has been applying technology in his instructional programs since the late eighties when he first used biofeedback motion sensors and a metronome in the the teaching of blind and visually impaired students. From this early use of biofeedback he gravitated to the Sports Sense system of Mike McTeigue. Also in the early nineties he carried out research with members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra into the use and application of music and gesture notation to better teach the elusive concepts of golf's fourth dimension--rhythm and tempo. To this day he continues to use biofeedback in his teaching, and believes that the golf motion can be successfully approached more like learning to play a musical instrument than just another stick and ball sport.
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Ben Shear

Ben Shear is director of Golf Performance at Golfer’s Edge, a facility which has become one of the nation’s top spots for technologically-advanced teaching, testing, and conditioning. He has been working with golfers for 10 years, including players from the PGA and European Tours, Numerous PGA Teaching Professionals, and recreational and competitive amateurs of all levels. He specializes in using various Neuromuscular Reactivation Techniques and 3-D Biomechanics. He is a Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certified Biomechanist and Level 3 Fitness Instructor, as well an Advanced Metabolic Typing Advisor.  In addition, he has lectured to trainers from around the country on golf fitness, has been featured in The Met Golfer Magazine and the New Jersey State Golf Association Magazine, and has presented on swing mechanics and performance training to the New Jersey State PGA.  Shear is also fitness expert for njgolflinks.com and is a contributing writer for NJ Golfer Magazine. His facility is ranked as one of the Top Six Strength and Conditioning Destinations in the Country by Rodale Press the Publishers of Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Runner’s World, and Bicycle Magazines.
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Jim Suttie
Dr. Suttie was named to Golf Magazine's Top 100 Instructors in America, received 3 Teacher of the Year awards from Illinois PGA and was listed in Golf Digest Magazine as one of the top 50 golf instructors in the USA. Through years of studying biomechanics and its applications in the golf swing, including a doctorate with his dissertation entitled A Biomechanical Comparison Between a Conventional Golf Swing Learning Technique, Dr. Suttie has created a "framework" for teaching that optimizes the relationship between the different body types of various people with the swing elements that match these body types. The result is a proven teaching technique which is simple, yet highly effective. Dr. Suttie co-authored the book "The LAWS of the Golf Swing", which provides in depth discussion of various body builds and exercises and drills for a particular swing. His new book, "Your Perfect Swing", is now available. Dr. Suttie travels to Europe, working with the NGF(Dutch Golf Federation) and speaking in the UK, giving seminars and conducting clinics for golf instructors.

He has been Director of Instruction at Medinah C.C. outside of Chicago, established the Suttie Golf Academy at Cog Hill from 1995-2002. Presently, he conducts private lessons and Training Sessions at the Suttie Golf Academy at Cog Hill, Lemont, IL, and The Club at Twin Eagles in Naples, Florida.

Having previously coached at Eastern Kentucky University, Brevard Community College and Northwestern University, Dr. Suttie now coaches for Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers, Florida.

Some of the following Touring Professionals are working with or have consulted with Dr. Suttie: Steve Flesch, Loren Roberts, Carin Koche, Vickie Goetz-Ackerman, Paul Azinger,, Mark Wilson., and Mark Lye.
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TJ Tomasi

TJ Tomasi is Golf's most published instructor in the world with 13 golf books including: International Bestseller "Play Better Golf", and the weekly feature "Insider Golf" from Universal Press Syndicate (UPS is the name behind Dear Abby, William Buckley & NASCAR online). He is one of the co-founders of the LAWs of the Golf Swing. TJ appears in over 100 newspapers and numerous websites, reaching 2.5 million homes per week. No other instructor has ever reached this broad an audience on a sustained weekly basis. He is the Senior Editor of Golf Instruction Annual, The Very Best of Golf Tips Magazine and is a Class-A PGA teaching professional, and was chosen by Golf Magazine out of 25,000 pros to be a member of the elite Top 100 Teachers. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, and 50,000 hours of instructional lessons, he has taught players of all levels, from beginners to PGA and LPGA professionals.

Mr. Tomasi has also served as chief instructional editor for Golf Illustrated and Golfing Magazine, as well as contributing editor to Golf Tips and Golf Magazine. He was recently featured on the cover of the March 2004 issue of Golf Tips magazine and is currently on the cover of Golf Instructional 2006. TJ is a frequent contributor to Sports Illustrated and has also appeared regularly on CNN as a co-host on their golf segments, which appear on Sunday morning TV and on airport televisions as well as in-flight video for numerous worldwide airlines.
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Deb Vangellow
Deb Vangellow, a LPGA Class A member, holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science Degree in Health/Physical Education/ Educational Leadership and Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa and Miami (Ohio) University respectively. A multi sport athlete who was a scholarship recipient, captain, and letter winner in soccer and track, Deb chose to devote her career path to develop into a top golf educator. Her experiences reflect this endeavor. 

After holding numerous positions in Higher Education (academic advisor, resident director in facility housing undergraduate men, health and physical education instructor),  she coached Division I collegiate golf at UNI and led the American Junior Golf Team that traveled to Europe in 1996 as part of the International Sport for Understanding Program. She has worked with the Japanese corporate sponsored "Superlady" project/Kathy Whitworth Golf Academy (TX), the Heritage School of Golf at Old Orchard Golf Club (TX), the NIKE Junior Golf Camp at Pebble Beach (CA), Pine Forest Country Club (TX), Camp Olympia Junior Golf Academy (TX),  and at Rice University (TX) teaching golf classes.

Deb now writes regularly for Houston Links and Tee Time magazines, and has contributed to Golf Digest, Golf World, Golf Illustrated, Gulf Coast Golfer, Junior Golfer and Corporate Golfer magazines.  She is the female online “Professor” for Golf Illustrated Magazine “University.  Deb is one of GOLF Magazine’s “Top Teachers”, Golf Digest Magazine’s “Top Regional Teachers” and is listed as one of the “Top 50 Teachers” by Golf For Women Magazine.  She is a contributing author to the “Chicken Soup For The Woman Golfer’s Soul” and Donald Trump’s “The Best Golf Advice I ever Received” top selling golf books.  In 1997, Deb was honored as a recipient of the "Young Alumni Award" at the University of Northern Iowa and then was named the LPGA’s Central Section Teacher of the Year in 2002.  Continually learning, Deb studied with the late PGA Long Drive Champion and kinesiologist Mike Austin in Los Angeles, CA and has been implementing Golf Conditioning and Educational Kinesiology into her instruction programs. She credits much of her education in golf to invaluable experiences with instructors Betsy Cullen, Charlie Epps, Mark Steinbauer, Jackson Bradley, Craig Harmon, and LPGA Hall of Famer Kathy Whitworth. 

In addition to teaching men, women, senior and junior golfers of all skill levels individually and in groups, Deb is also on the renowned faculty for the LPGA National Education Program, the leading golf instruction training program for golf professionals.  A busy golf educator who gives 2000+ lessons each year, Deb believes in teaching the whole game to the whole person.  Her philosophy of teaching is wellness based and she offers instruction, clubfitting (Titleist/Cobra), peak performance training (GolfPsych), and health/fitness programming as part of her “Balanced Golf” curriculum.

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David Wright

Dr. David Wright, has been a golf teaching professional for over 25 years. He has received numerous accolades for excellence as a golf instructor, including:

  • Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor
  • Golf Magazine Top 25 Golf School
  • Southern California PGA Teacher of the Year (2 times)
  • Horton Smith Trophy for excellence in education for his PGA peers 
  • Board of Directors, Dr. Frank Jobe Biomechanics Laboratory at Centinela Hospital in Los Angeles, CA
  • Director of Research, Wright Balance Research Institute

Dr. Wright is in his eighth year as an Assistant Coach to the University of Southern California Men's and Women's Golf Teams. During his tenure, the Men's and Women's teams have combined to win 3 conference championships, two NCAA Regional Championships, an NCAA National Championship, four Top 10 five finishes in the NCAA National Championship Tournaments and three Individual National Champions. 
Prior to becoming a golf professional he earned two doctorates, both in Psychology. His areas of specialization are the Psychology of Learning and Psychophysiology with emphasis upon both research and clinical psychology. He was a full time member of the faculty of the University of Southern California School Of Medicine for 4 years. He has remained a member of the clinical faculty of the School of Medicine for 28 years. 


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