PGA TEACHING & COACHING SUMMIT REVIEW

Coaching Challenges, Technology,Debate Take Center Stage .~;:;.

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12th PGA Teaching & Coaching Summitmarks sellout in first visit to Orlando

By Bob Denney

Emboldened by a fast-paced, two-day format that guided many ofthe game's premier teaching minds outside the tee box, the 12thPGA Teaching & Coaching Summit made a successful Orlando

debut onJan. 24-25.Eighteen captivating presentations, wrapped

around the theme of "Getting Results," presented asellout audience of more than 550 representing 47states and 12 countries more than a notebookfull of impressions at the Faldo Golf Institute byMarriott. The PGA ofAmerica's largest educationalevent, the first staged prior to a PGAMerchandiseShow,was supported by Golf Magazine, Golf Pride,GoIITEC, SkyCaddie and TaylorMade."You represent some of the most important

caretakers of the game," said PGA President AllenWronowski in his welcoming remarks. "By your

Supporting Sponsors

GOLF Golf PrideG RIP S........go~

SkyCaddie@

Attendees watchMark Sweeneydemonstrategreen-readingmethods during abreakout session.

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presence today, you follow in the footsteps of thosegenerations of professionals before you whobelieved that those who dare to teach must nevercease to learn."This was a PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit

that picked up from the momentum of its prede-cessors in the tradition of offering asmuch spice andingredients as a fine Italian sauce. The 21-memberPGA Instruction Committee, the Summit "designteam," offered a schedule of topics that motivatedbeyond the event; "breakout sessions" that engagedattendees with the presenters at stations through-out the property; and sought instant feedback fromthe grandstands bye-mailing questions and com-ments to a central web address.On opening day at the main stage, Charlie King

of Greensboro, Ga., outlined the "New Rules ofGolf Instruction;" followed byLynn Blake ofAtlanta,the founder of Lynn Blake Golf, who opened hispresentation, ''Alignments Are Forever" with thedeclaration, "This is our time for renewal. We teacheach other what we want to learn."''A system of alignments frees me from the

netherworld of position golf and the tyranny of themethod of the day," said Blake. ''Alignments solveproblems that students bring to every single lesson.Your students will enjoy their greatest successes ifthey follow those alignments. Methods come andgo, but alignments are forever."Blake gave College Football Hall of Fame Coach

Lou Holtz a golf lesson before the coach delivered a41-minute, compelling address (see related story on