Zach Abels

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
PGA Section Teacher of the Year, Golf Digest Best in State

Other awards won:
Section Professional of the Year, Player Development, Junior Golf Development

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 100
Female: 75
Junior: 200

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
12

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
PGA Jr League feature a 13U and 17U program. For the last 2 seasons Canyon Springs has been recognized with the Game Changer award for having the largest participation in the section.
PGA HOPE has been offered over the last 5 seasons. This active and veteran program holds a special place at Canyon Springs and has lead to many new players, and more importantly a place for military members to have as an extension of home!

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
Zach designs junior programs based on skill levels of participants and adjusts program curriculum accordingly. He oversees every program and utilizes his advanced junior players as mentors for beginning and advanced beginning juniors in CSGC junior programs. Each mentor accompanies a group of league players each week providing them with encouragement and help with basic skills. Following play, each mentor provides feedback which gives Abels the opportunity to work with individual program participants, not only on skills but also course etiquette and management. In addition, the program helps with the development of leadership skills in the mentors.

Drop in ladies clinics have been added with the intention of providing simple instruction for women. Clinics are offered an hour before the start of ladies league with the intention of the women staying for 10 minutes at a time. After the quick tip the women can stay around to interact with other participants or go on their way to prepare for play.