CHAD JOHANSEN HONORED AS A TOP 50 KIDS COACH OF 2024 BY U.S. KIDS GOLF!
Chad Johansen Honored as Top 50 Kids Coach by U.S. Kids Golf
Peachtree Corners, GA. Chad Johansen, founder of Chad Johansen Golf Academy in Bristol, Illinois has been named one of the Top 50 Kids Coaches of 2024 by U.S. Kids Golf, the world’s foremost organization dedicated to nurturing young golfers. This prestigious recognition highlights coaches who excel in developing players, creating a positive environment, and utilizing the best resources to support their students’ growth.
The 2024 list features golf professionals from 24 U.S. states and 10 countries worldwide. “We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable coaches,” says Dan Van Horn, President and Founder of U.S. Kids Golf. “Their unwavering dedication to the game—and to their students—is an invaluable asset to the facilities they serve, the families they support, and especially the young golfers beginning their lifelong journey in the sport.”
Since its inception in 2004, the U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Coach award has become the gold standard for junior golf coaching globally. Coaches are evaluated based on factors such as innovation, creativity, player retention, communication skills, parental involvement, organizational ability, and their passion for inspiring young golfers.
“I’m truly humbled and honored to be named a Top 50 U.S. Kids Golf Coach,” said Chad Johansen. “Being able to teach and shape young golfers has been the driving force of my career, and I feel incredibly fortunate to pursue my passion. There’s nothing more rewarding than making a positive impact in a child’s life.”
Johansen and his fellow awardees will be formally recognized at a special ceremony during the PGA Show in Orlando on January 22.
PREVIOUS AWARDS
Youth Player Development Award
GOLF, Ill. – January 19, 2024 – “Chad Johansen of Blackberry Oaks Golf Club is the recipient of the 2023 Illinois PGA Player Development Award. The Illinois PGA Player Development Award is designed to recognize a PGA Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of player development. This award considers the PGA Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment at the Section and National levels and the impact made at his or her facility.
Johansen has been a PGA Member since 2006, spending his entire career at Blackberry Oaks. He founded his golf academy in 2005, only starting with eight kids in the program. Since then, Johansen has worked tirelessly promoting the game of golf. He now has a year-round operation that includes an indoor golf facility for the winter. His programs include junior leagues, coaching programs, junior golf camps, and junior/parent golf tournaments. Johansen was just shy of 700 total juniors in the academy for the year of 2023.
In addition, Johansen has been a huge supporter of the Illinois Junior Golf Association for the past 22 years. Blackberry Oaks has been a staple on the IJGA’s schedule thanks to the support of Johansen. Blackberry Oaks has hosted many regional tournaments as well as one-day events, and Johansen pushes all the juniors in his academy to participate in IJGA events.
This marks the first career special award honor for Johansen.”
CONGRATULATIONS CHAD FROM THE IL PGA!!
“I am very honored to receive the 2023 Illinois PGA Player Development Award. The opportunity to instruct and mold young golfers has been the guiding force of my career, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to follow my passion. Nothing beats making a difference in a kid’s life!”
-Chad Johansen
ILLINOIS PGA ANNOUNCES CHAD JOHANSEN AS THE YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD WINNER!
SEE SOME OF THE FUN THAT MAKES CHAD AN AWARD-WINNING PROGRAM DIRECTOR!
CALLAWAY GOLF ANNOUNCES CHAD JOHANSEN AS STAFF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR IN THE MIDWEST REGION
CARLSBAD, Calif., October 20, 2023 – Today Callaway Golf (NYSE: ELY), an unrivaled tech-enabled golf company delivering leading golf equipment, apparel, and entertainment, officially announced PGA Professional Chad Johansen as the Staff Professional of the Year in the Midwest Region.
Johansen, 44, turned professional in 2001, and became the head golf professional at Blackberry Oaks Golf Course in Bristol, Ill. in 2003. After earning his PGA membership credentials in 2006, he founded the Chad Johansen Golf Academy. The program began with just seven junior golfers and now boasts over 600 students a year, drawing from 17 cities from around the Chicago area.
“I am truly honored to be recognized as the 2023 Callaway Golf Staff Professional of the Year.” expresses Johansen. “Representing Callaway Golf is an incredible opportunity for which I am tremendously fortunate and grateful. This award stands as the biggest accomplishment of my career.”
“We are thrilled to announce Chad as our staff professional of the year in the Midwest region,” said Chip Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Callaway Golf. “Chad is very deserving of this award and we are extremely fortunate to have him on our team.”
