Billy Sampson

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
PGA Section Teacher of the Year, GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, Golf Digest Best in State

Other awards won:
Awards • Named GRAA growth of the game top 100 – 2022 & 2023 • Low Country Golf Hall of Fame – 2022 • Received the Carolinas Section Teacher of the Year – 2016 • Named Titleist Difference Maker – 2016 • HHIPGA Teacher of the Year – 2015 • Voted #6 teacher in South Carolina by Golf Digest – 2013 and 2014 • HHIPGA Golf Professional of the year – 2007, 2010 & 2013 • Elizabethton High School Sports Hall of Fame – 2012 • Voted #8 teacher in South Carolina by Golf Digest – 2011 and 2012 • Received the Carolinas Section Golf Professional of the Year – 2011 • Received the Carolinas Section President’s Plaque – 2010 • Received the Carolinas Section Bill Strausbaugh Award – 2007 • Voted #2 teacher in South Carolina by Golf Digest – 2007and 2008

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 550
Female: 630
Junior: 120

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
24

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
I have created a few different teaching programs that have been implemented. I began a personal exercise program to increase my own strength and flexibility. My newfound passion spread quickly to many of my students. My journey has led me from working out solely for myself to training with the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) where I have learned to provide the ultimate golf experience. Having completed TPI levels 1, 2 & 3, I now assess the whole golfer, from their equipment to their swing to their own body mechanics. I believe that by helping the golfer stay healthy and active in their own fitness will lead to an extended golfing life for them. As our membership ages, it is my intent to keep them constantly progressing with their game. Instead of watching their abilities lessen, it is my goal to them gain or maintain their distance and accuracy while remaining confident in their game even as they age. I have formed a weekly TPI work out class to assist those members in the program as well as those interested in learning more about the work outs. These exercise regimens differ from regular work outs because of the focus of golf particular stretches and strength. To gather the Members in a group setting and work together I have found that they are more likely to stay with the program and are seeing wonderful results, physically and on the golf course. Two of the best result stories are that one gentleman due to increased range of motion and flexibility has quickly gone from a 21 handicap down to a 9, and the other gentleman has gone from being an accomplished club player to becoming #1 Ranked Super Senior in the country.
I offer a free kids camp the first week of July. For the free kids camp I have created a game called golf /baseball. We have players in the infield and outfield to keep everyone involved. Using a tennis ball and a snag wedge each team gets 3 outs. This allows the kids to work on their golf swing and fitness while having fun.
I have also started two new programs, “Practice with the Pros” and “Play with the Pros”. Practice with the Pros is conducted on the range. Our members can come out for two hours on a set day of the week to learn how to practice – at no charge. The members are of all playing abilities and as they practice my staff and I wander amongst them giving helpful hints. It is also a chance for the members to watch myself and golf staff as we practice too. They enjoy watching and emulating our swings and finding out how we prepare mentally and physically for tournaments, etc. This non-structured event has created a relaxed and amiable atmosphere for Members and staff. Playing with the Pros is a weekly event where they can sign up to be part of a three-some to play with me or one of the Pros. Again, it is a relaxed playing environment where they can learn everything from on-course techniques and strategies, to going head to head. As a teacher I can see how their swings change from the practice tee to taking it on to the course.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
One way that I stay in touch with my students is through video assessment. I will regularly receive a call from one of our members while they are away from Spring Island, saying that they are playing terribly and need help right away! I will ask them to go out and video themselves on the range and email it to me so that I can see exactly what is going on with their posture/stance/swing. It has been a great tool for staying in touch while the members are away for the season or a confidence booster if they are playing in a tournament. I can give them a few tips to get them back in line and everyone is happy. I provide this teaching tool free of charge and they are always so thankful and continue to book lessons when back on Island.