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Nor Cal PGA Names Eric Jones the Teacher of the Year

VACAVILLE, Calif. — The Northern California Section of the PGA is pleased to announce that Eric Jones, PGA Teaching Professional and founder of the Eric Jones Golf Academy has been named the 2014 NCPGA Teacher of the Year. Jones is being honored for his contributions to golf instruction for players and professionals at the facility, PGA Section, and National level. People of all ages and playing levels can take advantage of the resources at their local facility. There are PGA Golf Instructors there who can help them learn or improve their golf skills.

2014 PGA Teacher of the Year

Jones is a graduate of Stanford University where he played collegiate golf and also served as the Junior Varsity/Assistant Coach. He is one of only a few PGA Professionals who holds a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology. An accomplished competitive golfer, Jones has been playing golf for more than 45 years. He won the 2003 World Long Drive Championship title and captured his 2nd Long Drive Championship title in 2012.

“I am passionate about the art and science of teaching golf. I feel strongly that the future of golf instruction lies not just in improving the swing nor in enhancing mental skills, but in the intersection of both disciplines, where the mind and the mechanics work together to maximize performance,” said Jones.

Jones is the author of more than 100 articles on golf, an expert consultant to the PGA, featured keynote speaker at major golf shows, founder of the Eric Jones Golf Academy, and author of numerous golf books including “The 5 Keys to Distance”, “The A-Game Cheat Sheet”, and “How To Practice Your Golf Swing Like The Pros”. His innovative books, videos and seminars have helped countless golfers elevate their performance.

His teaching practice extends well beyond the traditional one-on-one sessions to include clinics, workshops, seminars, monthly training programs, online instruction, a radar-based training program and a new junior golf academy. By structuring a teaching practice with multiple forms of student engagement, Jones is able to provide the equivalent of more than 1,800 lessons per year and a variety of structured improvement programs that make instruction accessible to all levels of players at affordable price points.

“Eric brings a combination of physical, mental and technological skill sets to teaching,” said NCPGA Awards Chairman Mark Naylor, PGA. “What’s more, his students have fun learning from him and enjoy his sense of humor.”

Jones is among 19 recipients of the NCPGA’s 2014 Annual Section Awards. Section awards are given to PGA Professionals and industry leaders who have excelled in the game and business of golf. The NCPGA will recognize its 2014 Annual Section Award winners on Sunday, December 7 at the NCPGA Special Awards Ceremony & President’s Dinner at Silver Creek Valley Country Club in San Jose, California. This event, a highlight for the year, will be held the evening prior to the NCPGA Annual Meeting. There are more than 200 golf professionals and industry leaders expected to attend. E-Z-Go Textron is a presenting partner and PGA Resort & Spa and Bluebird Wines are supporting partners of the Awards Ceremony.

About the Northern California Section of the PGA of America (NCPGA)

Organized in 1920 to promote interest in the game of golf, the birth of this association was heralded as an important step to the advancement of the game in this district. The Northern California Section is one of the forty-one designated Sections of the PGA of America, the world’s largest working sports organization. With over 1,100 dedicated PGA Professionals and apprentices at over 500 golf facilities in Northern California and Northwestern Nevada, the association continues to have a positive impact on the game of golf and communities both regionally and nationally. For more information, please visit www.ncpga.com.