Maria Palozola

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

Other awards won (if provided):
LPGA Top 50 Teacher since 2008, 6-Time LPGA Midwest Section Teacher of the Year, Golf Digest Best Teacher in State since 2015 and in Illinois 2007/8, Golf Magazine 2008 Top Teachers in the Midwest, 3 – Time U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Teacher and Now Top 50 Master Kids Teacher

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 300
Female: 200
Junior: 100

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
300+

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
Through my foundation Forces on the Fairways we offer beginner, intermediate and advanced clinics for veterans and partner with PGA Reach for the beginner clinics. We run LPGA 101 classes throughout 8 months. I also manage 6 PGA Junior League teams and we have an LPGA USGA Girls Golf Program. I teach clinics for the St. Louis Women's Business Association, the LPGA Amateur Association along with many industry women's groups (women in metals, women in lighting, women's attorneys, etc. )

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
We established a women's golf league that plays at 2 locations around town through the summer and fall with over 50 ladies. Our couples' programs ran on Friday evenings and catered towards beginner golfers to get them comfortable on the course. Our High School League fluctuates from 10-20 players and affords high school golfers that are not members at private clubs the opportunity to play during the summer socially with other kids their age. Our 6 PGA Junior league teams play within our own pod and is a great avenue for beginner and non-competitive kids to learn to compete and play in a fun, social environment. Currently my veterans league through my foundation has 275 veterans playing at 11 locations throughout the St. Louis area.