Noah Horstman

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

Other awards won (if provided):
Operation 36 Top 50 Coach, US Kids Top 50 Kids Coach, Callaway Staff Hall of Fame

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 500
Female: 400
Junior: 1,000

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
100-150

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
Growth of the Game – Golf Feeder System:
To ensure the success of our junior golfers at West Coast Golf Academy (WCGA), I’ve consistently prioritized youth player development over my nearly 20 years in the industry. I’ve continually adapted and improved our junior player development programming. Recently, I’ve introduced “defined standards” for all our programs aimed at leveling up. These standards not only emphasize golfing proficiency but also instill character by incorporating community service as a key component.

Little LinkStars (Ages 3-6):
This program holds immense potential, catering to parents seeking sports activities for their young children. To create a secure and enjoyable learning environment for these “Little LinkStars,” I’ve collaborated with a PGA associate possessing expertise in early childhood development. We actively encourage parental involvement in this class, often led by mothers, and have observed its positive influence on building participation in our adult and family programs. This weekly program runs throughout the year, maintaining a low student-to-teacher ratio of no more than 5:1.

Through partnerships with local school districts, private schools, and community organizations like the YMCA, I’ve witnessed the remarkable impact of the Golf in the Schools/ Golf in the Parks program on all aspects of Youth Player Development and growth. Having introduced golf to over 8,000 children throughout my career, this program plays a pivotal role in providing opportunities for youngsters who may not have otherwise experienced the sport due to various commitments and limitations.

Golf in the Schools/Golf in the Parks has been meticulously designed to introduce the game of golf in school environments and other community organizations equipped with gymnasiums or outdoor fields. Beginning in the gym, this program employs SNAG (Starting New At Golf) equipment, creating a high-energy atmosphere that fosters both fun and fundamental learning, enabling children to experience success in the sport.

The Stair Step Approach:

Step 1: In my initial visit to a new school, I actively engage with each grade level during their PE class, conducting games and introducing the kids to the world of golf. Many of these children have never even held a golf club, and witnessing their joy as they see the ball take flight is truly heartwarming. It is crucial at this stage that each child recognizes themselves as “golfers” and their homework is to proudly inform their parents of this newfound identity.

Step 2: Following the introductory golf class at a school, I tailor additional programs to suit the unique needs and preferences of each institution. These programs can take various forms, including:

Four-week classes: Providing golf instruction for four consecutive weeks during PE classes. This model boasts the highest success rate in converting young golfers to on-course play.

Monthly classes: Conducting PE classes every quarter. While effective, conversion to on-course play typically occurs between weeks 3 and 6.

Quarterly classes: Teaching PE classes or organizing field days involving multiple grades. This approach initially has a lower conversion rate, but it’s remarkable how many calls we receive from students even a year later.

Step 3: Recognizing that many families lack the time and resources to bring their children to a golf course, I bring the golf course to them through after-school programs. These programs establish golfing environments at schools, allowing kids to continue their development and learn life skills that extend far beyond the golf course.

Step 4: The next phase involves on-course programs, often in the form of field trips to West Coast Golf Academy. Here, young golfers can participate in complimentary clinics or play days on the golf course. The conversion rate to dedicated golfers significantly increases when these youngsters complete their first nine holes on the course. The course setup is designed for their abilities, and they may walk the course while focusing on putting and learning essential rules and etiquette.

Step 5: Young golfers are invited to join our entry-level programs, including but not limited to PGA Junior League, PGA Sports Camp, Drive Chip and Putt, Junior FUNdamentals of Golf, USGA/ LPGA Girls Golf, Little Linkstars, and Operation 36.

Step 6: Building strong relationships with the entire family is paramount. While it is essential to support and nurture the young golfer, fostering a positive relationship with the entire family is equally critical. Often, what begins as a child’s introduction to golf evolves into a family-wide involvement within a matter of weeks, highlighting the transformative power of Golf in the Schools.

The new partnership with the Ashland, OR YMCA is going to stimulate growth of the game to over 8,500 adults and junior golfers. Many who do not already play the game.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
With over 1,000 different player development programs created in my career and over 150 programs at West Coast Golf Academy in the past 18 months alone I have a plethora of knowledge when it comes to designing and implementing programs that breed results. I have also consulted for other clubs and professionals to help them build and design programs at their facilities.

FEEDER SYSTEM- Creating a stair step approach to learning the game. Starting with and moving into the following classes (the following is not a comprehensive list but a great example):

FUNdamentals of Golf
Golf 101
Golf 201
Golf 301
Golf 401
Get Golf Ready
Get Golf Ready 2
Ladies Links and Drinks
Operation 36
Operation 36 Couples
Advanced Classes

WCGA offers Golf Schools and other themed clinics to spark interest in different categories.

THEMED CLASSES (This is not a comprehensive list but a great example):

Advanced Shortgame Class
Blast Motion Class
Bunker Class
Cleveland Wedge Fitting Class
Course Management Class
Find the Fairway Class
Fitness and Golf
Green Reading Class
Mental Boot Camp
Nutrition
Pilates Pinot and Putting
Putting School
Scoring School
Senior Speed Training
Speed Training
Supervised Practice
Summer Saturdays
Simulator Leagues
Rose Club (Ladies Group Lunch Class)
Whiskey Wine and Wedges

Player Development Program Definitions
Private Coaching Is 1-on-1 student to teacher ratio that will have a focus for players who need or are looking for individual attention.
Evaluations Each new student looking to better their game will be required to have an evaluation with one of WCGA’s expert coaches. It is 90 minutes and will cover; short game, full swing, and a brief physical screening.
Club Fitting From a single club to a full bag fit. WCGA will offer all of the top name brands in the industry.

West Coast Junior Golf Academy Offering Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter memberships. This is the best instruction offering for youth golfers looking to get to the highest level. We have a feeder system below starting with SNAG (Starting New At Golf), Academy, up to the Elite Junior Academy.
Elite Academy (8 Kids x 2 wk * 12 weeks)
Intermediate (8 Kids x 2 wk x 12 weeks)
PGA Jr League (12 Kids x 1 wk x 8 weeks)
Operation 36 (10 Kids x 1 wk x 30) 
SNAG Golf Academy (5 Kids x 2 wk x 6 weeks)

Adult Classes These are group classes that have a low student to teacher ratio and each has a unique name and focus. There will be Men’s, Women’s and Couples Classes ranging from brand new golfer to tour level programs.

Class Name (students x number of sessions)
Bunker (4 x 4 times)
Course Mngmt. (3 x 10times)
Find the Fairway (8 x 3 times)
Fitness and Golf (8 x 16 times)
*Golf 101 (6 x 4 times x 2 classes)
*Get Golf Ready (6 x 5wks x 2 classes)
*Get Golf Ready 2 (6 x 5wks x 2 classes)
Golf School (4 x 2 times)
Green Reading (4 x 6 wks)
*Links and Drinks (8 x 16wks)
Mental Boot Camp (12 x 2 times)
Nutrition (4 x 1 time)
*Operation 36 (8 Adults x 1 wk x 30)
*Pilates Pinot Putting (8 x 8 wks)
Putting Schools (4 x 4 time)
Short Game School (8 x 4 times)
Speed Training (6 x 50 wks)
Supervised Practice (6 x 50 wks)
Summer Saturdays (4 x 4 times)
*Whiskey, Wine, & 
Wedges (8 x 2 times)

*Will have a ladies only class available and will engage in the beginner golfer.

Golf In Schools As specified above golf in the schools will have an important role in building other WCGA programs which will ideally lead to more revenue to facilities in membership, F&B and all top line growth across the board.
Colleges (30 x 9 wks)
High Schools (70 x 26 wks)
Middle Schools (60 x 26 wks)
Elementary Schools (100 x 8 wks x 2 times)

Junior Golf Other junior golf programs offer unique elements including the creation of a local junior golf tour. There will be classes that focus on tournament preparation, summer camps with larger groups and different age and ability levels along with higher impact training such as combines for national competitions like Drive Chip and Putt and College golf.

US Kids Tour (QP) (40 x 8 Tourn.)
Jr Golf Open House (100 x 1 day)
Weekend Warriors (4 x 50 wks)
Summer Camps (30 x 3 days)
Sports Camp (10 x 2 days)
Spring Break Camp (8 x 4 days)
College Recruiting (10 x 1 day x 4 times)
Drive Chip Putt Prac. (8 x 26 wks)

Technology Practice – It is what it sounds like, a coach will set up parameters on the latest and greatest golf technology to help a players success rate under pressure go up. This is a great opportunity for resort guests and WCGA will be the place to train which means more revenue to each facility.

Launch Monitor (10 x 50)
K-Player (10 x 50)
Tough Lie 360 (10 x 50)

Club Fitting Clinics- These clinics have some of the highest success rates for multiple club sales as the person that comes to the clinic is already paying for a club or merchandise in the entry fee. It is a unique way to make sure the student improves with the use of proper club fitting methods.

Wedge Fitting (8 x 1 x 2 times)
Putter Fitting (8 x 1 x 4 times)
Blast Motion (12 x 1day)
Driver Fitting (8 x 1 x 2 times)
Fairway Fitting (8 x 1 x 2 times)
Hybrid Fitting (8 x 1 x 2 times)
Iron Fitting (4 x 1 x 2 times)
Orange Whip Fitting (6 x 1 x 2 times)

Corporate Clinics/ Group Outings Let’s face it corporate outings are still a great opportunity for an organization to give back to its employees or to have a fundraiser, or training session. As a golf professional we are in the entertainment business. Teaching a large group how to hit a golf shot that could save them a few strokes during a round is priceless on the business end and great for WCGA. Corporate outings create more exposure in these large group environments and an opportunity for cross selling. We will work with the professional staff at each facility to promote corporate clinics and allow them to up-sell a clinic to a tournament coordinator during their initial meeting.

Corporate (12 x 4 clinics)
Group Outings (50 x 4 clinics)

Other
The grand opening is one of the most crucial elements for WCGA, sets up the season by filling player development programs. WCGA will offer a day with complimentary clinics, games and have every program available for registration.
Grand Opening (1 Day x 150 players)