Chris Smeal

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, Golf Digest Best in State, Other (Indicate specific awards below in 3-a)

Other awards won:
2025 – GRAA Growth of the Game Teaching Professional Elite Member Status 2024 – GRAA Growth of the Game Teaching Professional Elite Member Status 2023 – GRAA Growth of the Game Teaching Professional Elite Member Status 2023 – Golf Magazine Teachers to Watch Award 2022 – Golf Digest Best Teacher in CA Award 2022 – Golf Range Top 50 Elite Master Status Award 2021 – Golf Digest Best Teacher in CA Award 2020 – SCPGA Youth Player Development Award 2020 – Golf Range Top 50 Elite Master Status Award 2019-2013 – Golf Digest Best Teachers in California 2019 Golf Digest Top Teacher Under 40 Award 2019 Southern California PGA Player Development Award 2019 Golf Range Top 50 Elite Master Status Award 2019-2013- Golf Range Top 50 Growth of the Game Instructors 2013 SDPGA Junior Golf Leader 2011 SCPGA Junior Golf Leader 2005 SDPGA Junior Golf Leader 2004 SDPGA Apprentice of the Year 2004 – 2009 recognized as one of the Top 50 Kids Teachers in America 2009 Named Top 50 Master US Kids Golf Instructor

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 600
Female: 200
Junior: 1500

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
0

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
Over the past year, we have continued to expand our Growth of the Game initiatives through both the Chris Smeal Golf Academy and Future Champions Golf, with a focus on introducing more young players to golf, creating opportunities for players of all skill levels, and developing pathways from beginner golf all the way to college and professional competition.
One of our biggest initiatives has been expanding the FCG tournament platform, which now features more than 200 events annually, including our Kids Tour, National Tour, World Series, and international qualifying events. Our goal is to make competitive golf accessible to more juniors while giving them something exciting to work toward.
We have also launched our FCG Academy Program, partnering with golf instructors and facilities to introduce more juniors to the game and provide a clear development pathway. This includes beginner instruction, player development programs, competitive opportunities, and access to our larger championship events.
Another major initiative has been the launch of Campus, our college golf recruiting platform, designed to make the recruiting process more accessible and affordable for junior golfers and their families.
Internationally, we have significantly expanded our partnerships with junior golf organizations around the world, creating new qualifying opportunities and connecting young golfers from more than 40 countries.
Ultimately, our mission is to get more kids playing golf, keep them excited about improving, and provide opportunities for them to stay involved in the game for a lifetime.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
I only do private coaching on the teaching side but on the tournament side we operate events for every level of junior and college golfer. We now have a weekly podcast to provide more content and value. Our website has an up to date blog too.