Alex Iguchi

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
PGA Section Teacher of the Year, Other (Indicate specific awards below in 3-a)

Other awards won:
United States Army Civilian Service Award

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 400
Female: 200
Junior: 60

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
130

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
Junior Golf has expanded from its initial once-a-week offering for children aged 7-16 to now include children aged 5-17, with classes conducted three times a week. The training sessions occur twice a week and last for 90 minutes each, while the weekly game involves a 2-hour session with an additional 1-hour warm-up. This comprehensive program now totals 6 hours per week, and there are plans to extend the program further, beginning with children as young as 3 years old.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
PGA HOPE offers 18 weeks of complimentary golf classes to veterans, coupled with free access to the practice facility and monthly outings with complimentary refreshments. Veterans can also avail themselves of discounted paid clinics and individual lessons/fittings. The program, born from my experience as a US Army casualty notification and assistance officer, prioritizes camaraderie, friendship, quality instruction, and positive mental health. Every week, the program emphasizes the importance of mutual support, utilizing a structured approach that encourages group bonding activities. While the majority of sessions involve partner-based skill practice, one out of six classes allows for brief individual practice. Additionally, the program operates year-round on profitable Saturday mornings, facilitated by donations that now enable compensation for professionals. This program represents a comprehensive and highly engaging initiative, creating positive transformations for each participating veteran.
The PGA HOPE initiative that I have created stands as a testament to the transformative power of community, camaraderie, and quality instruction, all centered around the positive mental health and well-being of veterans. Our efforts to build a sustained and year-round program, rather than just a one-time event, have clearly paid off, as evidenced by the significant improvements observed among the participating veterans and the increase in financial donations to support our program.
The fact that I have integrated group bonding activities with skills-based training and limited individualistic sessions creates a sense of togetherness and support and demonstrates a holistic approach to fostering positive change. Additionally, the provision of complimentary access to practice facilities, monthly outings with free food and drinks, and discounted rates for clinics and individual lessons/fittings further enrich the experience for the veterans involved.
Moreover, the financial sustainability of the program, as seen through increased donations and the ability to compensate each professional, in the range of $300 – $600 every Saturday morning, not only highlights the program’s success, but also ensures only the finest and most motivated instructors are responsible for the continued growth. The potential expansion of the program to include the sponsorship of a service dog exemplifies a commitment to addressing the diverse needs of veterans and underscores the program’s commitment to meet or exceed the needs of our veterans.
Overall, my dedication and commitment to creating a program that goes beyond mere instruction stands as a model for other initiatives looking to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of veterans.