The Hits just keep on coming...Kevin Shileds wins PGA TriState Teacher of the Year!

[Brian Manzella]

I remember when he called me in December of 2006 looking for some help with his game. He was thinking about getting out of the golf business altogether, and had gone inactive in the PGA Apprentice program. He knew he had enough talent to give playing one more shot, and I was his one more shot. Dozens of lessons, and a few hundred phone calls later, the now full PGA Member, Brian Manzella Master Instructor, winner of quite of few big tournaments, and successful instructor at three facilities, Pittsburgh's Kevin Shields has been named the 2012 PGA Tri-State Section Teacher of the Year.

It was the second win in as many weeks for a Brian Manzella Academy Instructor, with Michael Jacobs winning the Met Section PGA Teacher of the Year award last week.

A baseball player at Indiana University at Pennsylvania and a member of the golf team at The Ohio State University, Shields played the mini-tours and worked with many instructors he credits, including Dennis Clark and Mike Hebron. Kevin is currently the Director of Instruction at two Pittsburgh area clubs, Sewickley Heights Golf Club, and The Club at Nevillewood.
​

"Teaching golf requires a lot of core knowledge and communication skills, but one of the things that separate the good from the great teachers is their ability to understand and deduct the relationships that occur from one element of a pattern to another. Kevin is one of the best I have ever seen or talked to at that important skill. I couldn't be any prouder of my great friend winning this award." --- Brian Manzella​

​

 

[Rick Dandy]

Quietly, someone stands up in the room and cut's to the chase.

Golf is a match for Kevin, and Kevin is a match for golf.

He is not interested in second place and has a fire in his belly.

Congratulations Kevin!

Your Friend,

Rick

 

[jimmyt]

Congrats, Kevin

Well deserved

 

[Bigwill]

Congratulations, Mr. Shields

 

[Matt Bryda]

Way to go Kevin!!

 

[Matt 4-L]

Congrats, nice job!

 

[Shot Limit]

Congrats Kevin.

 

[Steve Greffen]

Very deserved Kevin! Congratulations and thanks for your continued contributions here, you have extolled much wisdom to all of us.

Regards,

Steve Greffen

 

[SteveT]

Sooo, kev.... will you still give BM forum regulars a 100% discount on lessons... or will you hike your rates now that you have achieved such fame ... with fortune to inevitably follow ....??!!!

Now you must make a career decision... avidly pursue a tour career.. or.. dig further into the science and find your fame teaching! Which path to take...

Congratulations on your hard-earned recognition by your peers...

 

[ZAP]

Can i say I knew you when? Congrats! You deserve it for sure.

 

[bryan@nobackswing.com]

hell yes! way to go kevin.

 

[Michael Jacobs]

What to go Kevin... {Was your daddy a golf teacher?}

 

[drewyallop]

I find Kevin's posts here consistently helpful. Concise and thoughtful. A light bulb teacher. You will be on the range or course and suddenly you get it and then remember, hey, that is what Kevin was talking about.

Good on you Kevin.

 

[Burner]

Well done Kevin.

 

[ekennedy]

Way to go bud. Proud to know you.

That being said, Penguins suck.

 

[KGlennCole]

Yes!!!

Kevin - CONGRATULATIONS!!! Well-deserved!!!

You have been a HUGE help to me. I value your professional instruction and your friendship outside the Instructor/Student setting. [Also, had I not worked with you I would never had the opportunity to meet, much less work with, the BMan himself. /shameless groveling and bowing at feet of both ]

 

[KGlennCole]

Discount??? Heck, I'm trying just to get back on his schedule now that I was medically cleared this week to play (the 'ole February neck surgery thingy)!!! Discount???

Sooo, kev.... will you still give BM forum regulars a discount on lessons... or will you hike your rates now that you have achieved such fame ... with fortune to inevitably follow ....??!!!

Now you must make a career decision... avidly pursue a tour career.. or.. dig further into the science and find your fame teaching! Which path to take...

Congratulations on your hard-earned recognition by your peers...

 

[ZAP]

I find Kevin's posts here consistently helpful. Concise and thoughtful. A light bulb teacher. You will be on the range or course and suddenly you get it and then remember, hey, that is what Kevin was talking about.

Good on you Kevin.

Exactly!

 

[OLIVER1]

Mr. Kevin Shields negotiating his updated lesson rate with new clients....

"I want the hector two roof lights, with the discover cushions and the matching side stripe caravan.
And I'm terribly partial to the periwinkle blue. Have I made myself clear, lads?"

Congratulations, Kevin. Well deserved

 

[DCgolf]

Congratulations Kevin on your well deserved award. I have watched your growth as a teacher over the past 10 years, and I commend your efforts and continued passion for the craft. Like many of us you came to instruction through an innate curiosity about your own game, but quickly realized that teaching offered new and unique challenges. Those of us who teach should never cease to learn, and you have continued to seek answers from those who had them. Your future is bright and remember what I passed on to you from my mentor: "the person you are teaching is far more important than whatever you're teaching them". Great job Kevin. DC