National PGA Teacher of the Year is headliner at 2015 West Michigan Golf Show

For me, the annual West Michigan Golf Show and the Michigan Golf Show in Novi signal the beginning of the end of winter.  After being shut in under snow for weeks on end, it’s great to head to a convention center and take in acres of golf equipment, apparel, gadgets, travel exhibits, and instruction. There’s always a buzz in the air.

This year, the West Michigan Golf Show will feature national PGA Teacher of the Year Kathy Gildersleeve-Jensen as the headliner. Goldersleeve-Jensen, the first woman to win the honor, is the owner and director of instruction at KGJ Golf at Indian Canyon GC in Spokane Washington.

Previous show headliners have included: Rockford (MI) native Todd Anderson, Mike Bender, Jim Flick, Hank Haney, Mike Hebron, Kay McMahon (LPGA), DeDe Owens (LPGA), Bill Strausbaugh, Charlie Sorrell, and Gary Wiren.

“Looking at the impressive roster of past headliners at the West Michigan Golf Show, I’m both thrilled and honored to be part of the 2015 show,” said Gildersleeve-Jensen, who started playing golf at age nine and was inspired by her parents, both accomplished players. “I have a passion for teaching golf that includes swing fundamentals, video analysis and properly fitted equipment.  In Grand Rapids, I’ll be touching on those lessons as well as encouraging audience feedback.”

The show’s hours are Friday, February 13 from 2 – 9 pm; Saturday, February 14 from 10 am – 7 pm and; Sunday, February 15 from 10 am – 5 pm.

Complete press release follows:

National PGA Teacher of the Year is headliner at 2015 West Mich. Golf Show

(Grand Rapids, Mich.) Like her beloved Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game this Sunday, Spokane’s Kathy Gildersleeve-Jensen is on a roll. The PGA director of instruction and owner of KGJ Golf at Indian Canyon GC in Spokane, Washington, Gildersleeve-Jensen is the reigning 2014 National PGA Teacher of Year, receiving her award last November in Indianapolis. Next week in Orlando, she’ll be a presenter at the 14th PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit. And next month,  Gildersleeve-Jensen—the first woman professional to earn the prestigious national honor—will be a headliner at the 27th annual West Michigan Golf Show set for Feb. 13-15 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.

“Looking at the impressive roster of past headliners at the West Michigan Golf Show, I’m both thrilled and honored to be part of the 2015 show,” said Gildersleeve-Jensen, who started playing golf at age nine and was inspired by her parents, both accomplished players. “I have a passion for teaching golf that includes swing fundamentals, video analysis and properly fitted equipment.  In Grand Rapids, I’ll be touching on those lessons as well as encouraging audience feedback.”

The PGA of America recognized Gildersleeve-Jensen, the 2012 Pacific Northwest PGA Teacher of Year, for her effective use of technology and media in reaching golfers, both new and seasoned. In addition to social media, she’s written an e-book—“How to Play Golf…Inside 50 Yards”—and has written countless magazine articles on the game. Guiding more than 100 students to collegiate success, Gildersleeve-Jensen was cited in 2013 by Golf Digest as No. 4 in its “Best Teachers in State” roster for Washington and was among the 2013 Golf Range Association of America “Top 50 Teachers Growth of the Game” list.

West Michigan Golf Show’s Senior Manager Carolyn Alt said Gildersleeve-Jensen embodies all the qualities of an outstanding teacher and presenter. “Kathy is a superb communicator, keenly knowledgeable about the game and loves what she does. That’s apparent in her everyday lessons, her well-written articles and even her YouTube sessions.” Alt also cited Gildersleeve-Jensen as the 12th nationally honored teacher by the PGA or LPGA to appear at the West Michigan Golf Show in the past 27 years. Previous award-winning headliners have included Rockford (MI) native Todd Anderson, Mike Bender, Jim Flick, Hank Haney, Mike Hebron, Kay McMahon (LPGA), DeDe Owens (LPGA), Bill Strausbaugh, Charlie Sorrell, and Gary Wiren.

Held continuously since 1989, the West Michigan Golf Show is sponsored by Treetops Resort, Golf Association of Michigan, Boyne Resorts, and the Michigan PGA. As always, several charities will benefit from the Show, including Patriot Golf Day, Racing Awareness and the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

Produced by ShowSpan Inc. and held at DeVos Place, the West Michigan Golf Show’s hours are 2:00 pm-9:00 pm, Friday; 10:00 am-7:00 pm, Saturday; and 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-14, and children 5 and under are free. Tickets will be available at the door and online at http://www.westmichigangolfshow.com