AUSSIE NAMED AS TOP 50 KIDS COACH

Sydney PGA Professional Leon Faulkner has been named among the best junior golf instructors in the world.

Faulkner, who is based at the Golf Rocks Kids Academy at Bayview Golf Club on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, was recently named to U.S. Kids Golf’s annual list of Top-50 Kids Coaches at a presentation during the PGA Merchandise Show held in Florida. The award recognises the world’s best junior golf instructors.

Beginning in 2004, the award honours golf coaches specialising in junior development who are chosen after completing an online survey, with winners selected based on their overall contributions to kids golf as well as how they structure and run their programs and attempt to grow the game.

The Top-50 Kids Coaches of 2018 includes golf professionals from 28 American states, and nine countries, with Faulkner the first ever Australian-based coach to earn the honour, joining Oklahoma-based Suzie Fisher, a two-time recipient, as just the second Aussie to earn the award.

“It was a memorable week receiving my Top-50 Kids Teacher award in America,” Faulkner told GolfAustralia of the honour. “It’s fantastic after 18 years of teaching children, to be recognised in this way – a worldwide award administered by the largest junior golf company in the world. Of course, without the families and children I teach, this would not have been possible and I thank them for their support.”

“Golf Rocks Kids Academy has found a fantastic home at Bayview Golf Club, their support of junior golf is phenomenal. Together, we’ll make Bayview Golf Club one of the most reputable venues for junior development in Australia.”