It ' s really an honor to be recognized by Golf Digest as one of the best teachers in the state of Florida .
BGGA ’ s Kevin Smeltz named one of Golf Digest ’ s Best Teachers in Florida
Bishops Gate Golf Academy ( BGGA ) Director of Instruction Kevin Smeltz has been named to Golf Digest ’ s annual list of The Best Teachers in Your State ( 2017-18 ) for the state of Florida . Smeltz is ranked No . 24 in Florida out of 52 teachers on the list .
“ We are fortunate to have Kevin Smeltz as our Director of Instruction , rightly included in Golf Digest ’ s Best Teachers in Florida ,” said BGGA CEO Andrew Summers . “ He is an outstanding instructor , coach and role model for our students and staff .”
Smeltz joined BGGA early in 2015 to oversee the academy ’ s golf program . Smeltz has a passion for training and developing junior golfers and enjoys the long-term development opportunity that a year-round boarding academy provides .
“ It ’ s really an honor to be recognized by Golf Digest as one of the best teachers in the state of Florida ,” said Smeltz . “ Florida is a very competitive state , which is why the list includes 52 people . To be ranked by your peers as one of the best coaches
It ' s really an honor to be recognized by Golf Digest as one of the best teachers in the state of Florida .
is pretty incredible and that they think that highly of you .”
Candidates are voted on by their peers .
While under his instruction , Smeltz ’ s players have won 21 tournaments on the PGA Tour , Champions Tour and LPGA Tour . His players also won multiple professional tournaments in Europe and Asia . Under his tutelage , five of Smeltz ’ s students achieved PGA Tour status for the first time , and six of his students achieved Web . com Tour status . Four of his players were ranked in the top 10 in the world while working with him , both on the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour . Smeltz taught two U . S . Walker Cup team members , two No . 1-ranked college players , a No . 2-ranked college player and many top-ranked juniors .
Smeltz currently works with several professional tour players , many of whom train at Bishops Gate Golf Academy .
Past and present students include : Chie Arimura – LPGA Tour Andy Bean – Champions Tour Na Yeon Choi – LPGA Tour Charles Howell III – PGA Tour Roope Kakko – European Tour Song-Hee Kim – LPGA Tour Sue Kim – LPGA Tour Jee Young Lee – LPGA Tour Will Mackenzie – PGA Tour D . A . Points – PGA Tour Nick Price – PGA Tour Sarah Jane Smith – LPGA Tour Jennifer Song – LPGA Tour Yani Tseng – LPGA Tour Camilo Villegas – PGA Tour Manuel Villegas – Web . com Tour Bank Vongvanij – Asian Tour Amy Yang – LPGA Tour