Coloradans Hardy, Clearwater among Golf Digest’s ’50 Best Teachers in America’
By Gary Baines – 12/9/2019
Two instructors who reside in Colorado at least part of the year were recently included among the 2019-20 “50 Best Teachers In America”, published by Golf Digest.
Making the grade were Jim Hardy, who lives part of the year in the Gunnison area, and Nick Clearwater, the Englewood-based vice president of instruction for GolfTEC. Hardy was ranked No. 14 out of the top 50, while Clearwater was tied for 33rd.
Hardy, husband of noted women’s senior amateur Marilyn Hardy, has been inducted into the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame.
Clearwater (pictured) was previously named one of the “Best Young Teachers in America 2016-17”, also published by Golf Digest.
Golf Digest has compiled biennial rankings of instructors for 20 years, based on peer evaluation “from hundreds of elite teachers across the country.” More than 1,500 teachers voted on national and regional surveys this time around.
Butch Harmon, based at Rio Secco in Henderson, Nev., continues to lead the way in Golf Digest’s rankings.
For the entire list of the 50 Best Teachers In America, CLICK HERE.
Golf Digest also published the “Best Teachers in Your State” for 2019-20 — also as ranked by their peers. Here are the picks for Colorado:
1.) Nick Clearwater, GolfTEC Headquarters, Englewood
2.) Patrick Nuber, GolfTEC Headquarters, Englewood
3.) Trent Wearner, Trent Wearner Golf Academy, Englewood
4.) Don Hurter, Castle Pines GC, Castle Rock
5.) Ed Oldham, The Ranch CC, Westminster
6.) Brad Skupaka, GolfTEC Headquarters, Englewood
7.) Ty Walker, GolfTEC DTC, Denver
8.) Nathan Morris, GolfTEC Westminster
9.) Steve Atherton, Eagle Springs GC, Wolcott
10.) Chad Miller, GolfTEC Chapel Hills, Colorado Springs
11.) Jerred McKinney, GolfTEC Centennial
12.) Dan Sniffin, Omni Interlocken GC, Broomfield
13.) Zach Lambeck, GolfTEC Headquarters, Englewood
14.) Elena King, ExperienceGolf at CommonGround GC, Aurora
15.) Vincent Downie, GolfTEC Park Meadows, Englewood
16.) Stan Sayers, Colorado GC, Parker