In the wake of the new year, Bobby Jones Golf Course is proud to celebrate four accolades that have been awarded to Bobby Jones Golf Course and its staff members: Top 50 Kids Coach by U.S. Kids Golf and three recognitions from Golf Range Association of America for Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional and Top 50 Public Range.
Rachel Clopton, a lead instructor at Bobby Jones Golf Course, has been recognized as a Top 50 Kids Coach by U.S. Kids Golf. The award honors professionals who have dedicated themselves to coaching junior golf and excelled in helping younger players learn the fundamentals of golf. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Clopton earned her Class A PGA professional status by graduating from the PGM Program at Mississippi State University in 2018. Prior to joining Bobby Jones Golf Course, she served as an instructor at a Junior Golf Academy in Buckhead, Georgia. She has been recognized for her excellence in developing players, fostering a positive environment and using the best available resources to help advance her students.
“I am truly honored by this award,” said Rachel Clopton, lead instructor. “I have always focused on developing instructional programs catered to each player, and I love watching my students grow and achieve their full potential as we work together.”
Also earning recognition are Jason Kuiper and Justin Martin, who have both been awarded the title of GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional. Kuiper, Director of Instruction at Bobby Jones Golf Course, has led the Grand Slam Golf Academy since its inception in 2018. Like Clopton, Kuiper has achieved a Class A PGA membership. In addition to his most recent accolade from GRAA, Kuiper has been recognized as a North Florida PGA Section Assistant Golf Professional, received a US Kids Golf Top 50 Teacher Award and was awarded the title of 2020 Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year in December of 2020. Martin, a lead instructor, is an Atlanta native and strong golf player who has qualified for and competed in the 2017 and 2018 PGA Professional National Championships and is the 2018 Georgia PGA Match Champion. He was also the recipient of the 2016 Georgia PGA North Chapter Youth Player Development Award.
“I am humbled by the honors I have received this past year, and it’s great to be recognized by GRAA alongside Justin, a truly talented instructor and player,” said Jason Kuiper, Director of Instruction. “I am fortunate to get to spend my life doing something I love. I get to teach others the joy of golf, and that motivates me every day.”
Bobby Jones Golf Course has also been recognized as a Top 50 Public Range by GRAA for the second year in a row. This GRAA award recognizes public facilities that have introduced the game of golf to new golfers while retaining and inspiring current golfers. Bobby Jones Golf Course staff members have done this through their player development programming, customer engagement and their commitment to community outreach.
For more information on Bobby Jones Golf Course, Rachel Clopton, Jason Kuiper and Justin Martin please visit www.bobbyjonesgc.com.
About Bobby Jones Golf Course
Bobby Jones Golf Course opened as Atlanta’s first public golf course in 1932. In recent years the Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation, Inc. was formed by a group of citizens passionate about the historic golf course. The Foundation has raised more than $33 million to support a redevelopment project aimed at creating an extraordinary golf entertainment experience and enhancing the course’s involvement with the local Atlanta community. The new Bobby Jones Golf Course is a unique reversible course that opened to the public in November of 2018. Bobby Jones is managed by Bobby Jones Links, based in Alpharetta, Georgia. For additional information on Bobby Jones Golf Course, please visit www.bobbyjonesgc.com.
About Bobby Jones Links
Bobby Jones Links is an Atlanta-based club management company. Bobby Jones Links’ partners and principles have broad experience building, owning, and operating more than 200 clubs worldwide. Bobby Jones Links’ expertise goes beyond just golf and country clubs with work on additional projects and amenities such as lodging, spas, marinas, property owner associations, and real estate developments. Visit www.bobbyjoneslinks.com to get to know how Bobby Jones Links makes a difference for their clients and associates.
