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JOE
BERNAT
USGTF Level IV Member, Surfside Beach, South Carolina
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My golfing interest
began at the age of eight on a ball field in Stafford Springs,
Connecticut. A family friend would take his hour-long work break
from the local post office at 10:00 am every day. One day he
asked me if I would like to give golf a try. His reaction: “You
are a natural.”
I would meet Harry
every day during my summer break and hit balls all day long.
Since my parents did not play, he gave me a couple of
hand-me-down clubs. From that point on, golf was my fascination.
In 1983, I relocated
my family to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to start a golf
package and rental business. I was familiar with the business,
since I would travel to Myrtle Beach a couple of times a year to
play golf with friends. I was fortunate to meet some golf
professionals – one in particular, Don Barnes, who at the time
was head professional at Colonial Charters Country Club. He is
also the owner of the Sunbelt Senior Golf Tour.
Knowing my love for
the game, he offered me a position as a cart attendant. From
there, I worked my way up to his first assistant. He saw my
potential and desire to someday earn my Senior PGA Tour card.
Being unsuccessful on four occasions, I began the “Monday Senior
PGA Qualifying Tour.” I did manage to qualify for four events,
along with qualifying for the 1994 US Senior Open. I also
qualified for the mini-tour series called the Senior Series
Tour. My lowest competitive round there was a 65 at Lagoon Park
in Montgomery, Alabama. I started the final round tied for 35th
and finished 2nd.
I am now the
Director of Instruction at Wachesaw Plantation East Country Club
in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. It is located just south of
Myrtle Beach. I currently have three full-time instructors on my
staff and am proud to say they all are USGTF graduates. I was
previously Director of Instruction at Bay Tree Plantation in
Myrtle Beach for nine years.
In November 2003, I
received my Level III certification, and this past October 2006,
I received my Master Golf Teaching Professional® status through
the USGTF. This past December, I had the privilege to assist Bob
Wyatt, USGTF Course Directtor, with a Level III certification
class.
In closing, I would
like to thank the entire staff at the USGTF for their support
and dedication to this wonderful world of golf.
Editor’s note:
Joe is also the defending Super Senior champion of the 2006
United States Golf Teachers Cup.
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