National PGA Teacher of the Year is headliner at 2015
West Mich. Golf Show
(Grand Rapids, Mich.) Like her beloved Seattle Seahawks in
the NFC Championship game this Sunday, Spokane’s Kathy Gildersleeve-Jensen is
on a roll. The PGA director of instruction and owner of KGJ Golf at Indian
Canyon GC in Spokane, Washington, Gildersleeve-Jensen is the reigning 2014
National PGA Teacher of Year, receiving her award last November in
Indianapolis. Next week in Orlando, she’ll be a presenter at the 14th PGA
Teaching & Coaching Summit. And next month, Gildersleeve-Jensen—the
first woman professional to earn the prestigious national honor—will be a
headliner at the 27th annual West Michigan Golf Show set for Feb. 13-15 at
DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.
“Looking at the impressive roster of past headliners at the
West Michigan Golf Show, I’m both thrilled and honored to be part of the 2015
show,” said Gildersleeve-Jensen, who started playing golf at age nine and was
inspired by her parents, both accomplished players. “I have a passion for
teaching golf that includes swing fundamentals, video analysis and properly
fitted equipment. In Grand Rapids, I’ll be touching on those lessons as
well as encouraging audience feedback.”
The PGA of America recognized Gildersleeve-Jensen, the 2012
Pacific Northwest PGA Teacher of Year, for her effective use of technology and
media in reaching golfers, both new and seasoned. In addition to social media,
she’s written an e-book—“How to Play Golf…Inside 50 Yards”—and has written
countless magazine articles on the game. Guiding more than 100 students to collegiate
success, Gildersleeve-Jensen was cited in 2013 by Golf Digest as No. 4 in its
“Best Teachers in State” roster for Washington and was among the 2013 Golf
Range Association of America “Top 50 Teachers Growth of the Game” list.
West Michigan Golf Show’s Senior Manager Carolyn Alt said
Gildersleeve-Jensen embodies all the qualities of an outstanding teacher and
presenter. “Kathy is a superb communicator, keenly knowledgeable about the game
and loves what she does. That’s apparent in her everyday lessons, her
well-written articles and even her YouTube sessions.” Alt also cited
Gildersleeve-Jensen as the 12th nationally honored teacher by the PGA or LPGA
to appear at the West Michigan Golf Show in the past 27 years. Previous
award-winning headliners have included Rockford (MI) native Todd Anderson, Mike
Bender, Jim Flick, Hank Haney, Mike Hebron, Kay McMahon (LPGA), DeDe Owens
(LPGA), Bill Strausbaugh, Charlie Sorrell, and Gary Wiren.
Held continuously since 1989, the West Michigan Golf Show is
sponsored by Treetops Resort, Golf Association of Michigan, Boyne Resorts, and
the Michigan PGA. As always, several charities will benefit from the Show,
including Patriot Golf Day, Racing Awareness and the Helen DeVos Children’s
Hospital.
Produced by ShowSpan Inc. and held at DeVos Place, the West
Michigan Golf Show’s hours are 2:00 pm-9:00 pm, Friday; 10:00 am-7:00 pm,
Saturday; and 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults, $4 for
children ages 6-14, and children 5 and under are free. Tickets will be
available at the door and online at www.westmichigangolfshow.com
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Contact:
Carolyn Alt, ShowSpan, at 616-447-2860
Terry Moore, Sportserv Ltd., 616-490-0433, [email protected]
