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5 Questions with Tom Lehman

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Jeff Coston and Tom Lehman (R) – the early years

Jeff Coston interviews PGA Tour Player Tom Lehman

Q1) Describe what happened in you to go from mini-tour player to British Open Champion and PGA Tour Player of the Year!

Tom: The only thing that changed from the mini tour days to the successful pgatour days was belief. Once I truly believed that I was capable and could do it, then the results became what I thought they could be.

Q2) What makes you an amazing ball striker?

Tom: I hit the center of the club face nearly every time that I swing a club, which I believe is the most important part of hitting good golf shots. Combine that with a shallow approach and very little club face rotation and you get the ability to control trajectory and distance. The repeatability of that combination of things, along with a few others, creates a situation where I can trust my swing under all circumstances.

Q3) Give us 3 qualities of a champion golfer.

Tom: There are more than three qualities that all champions golfers share in common, but I believe the three most significant are confidence, perseverance and commitment.

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Tiger Woods, Tom Lehman, Jim Furyk

Q4) You have been a Ryder Cup Player, Captain (in my mind a super captain) and this year assisting Davis Love in this year’s Ryder Cup. What needs to take place for the U.S. Team to play to their potential?

Tom: The US Team will play to their potential if they simply commit to be themselves and play like they normally play. The more we worry about how a mistake affects others on the team, the more pressure we apply to ourselves. We simply need to do our job, which is to execute the way we normally execute. We don’t need to push to be more than we are.

Q5) Give us 3 things you would like people to know about you as a man.

Tom: I would like for people to know that I make more than my share of mistakes. I would like for them to know that I live and breath and function because of Gods grace and mercy on me. I would for them to know that I love them.

Q6) You have know Jeff Coston for over 35 years; give us a few Coston insights.

Tom: Jeff Coston is a natural leader. He is introspective as well as socially outgoing. He deeply loves his wife and kids. He cares about the world around him and has spent his life making a difference. He is gifted at what he does and in the things he pursues and constantly strives to become more excellent. He loves God with all of his heart, mind and soul and loves his neighbors as himself. When his time on earth is over, he will hear God say, “well done thy good and faithful servant.”

 

Burly Hildreth Wins Western Washington Open at Gold Mountain GC

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Burly Hildreth (age 12) won the Western Washington Open, hosted by the Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour, for both the 11-12 and 13-14 age divisions. Hildreth played from the blue tees and outscored his competition by one stroke. Given his age, the tournament representatives originally questioned Burly’s desire to play from the much harder back tees. At the end of the first day, all doubts were put to rest as he led both age divisions in scoring. When asked about playing from the back tees, Hildreth commented that he had a lot of fun crushing the ball with his driver and fairway woods. Hildreth gave a shout out to his coach, Jeff Coston, for encouraging him to continually “smoke” the golf ball. Burly couldn’t wait to get back home and tell the gang at the Orcas Island Golf Course.

5 Questions with Kenny Perry

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Jeff Coston interviews Kenny Perry, PGA Tour and Champions Tour player.

Q 1) You have had an amazing golf career. 14 PGA Tour wins, 8 Champions Tour wins (and counting) Ryder Cup; did you ever think as a high school or college player your career would flourish to this degree? What catapulted you to this level?

Kenny: Never, I had an average college career. Turned pro out of college with just a DREAM. I told my dad at age 7 all I wanted to do is play the tour. I think what got me over the hump was a great support group (God and family) and a never-give-up attitude.

Read more“5 Questions with Kenny Perry”

Coston’s Student, Burly Hildreth Wins Bellingham Junior Open

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Burly Hildreth wins the Bellingham Junior Open with his strongest finish yet. Burly’s three birdies today helped him secure his second win of the season by a whopping 11 strokes. With his win today, Burly qualifies for the year-end Rocky Mountain Tournament of Champions later this December. Congratulations Burly!

Coston interviews his student about the victory:

Read more“Coston’s Student, Burly Hildreth Wins Bellingham Junior Open”

Coston Completes 19th Year of Teaching Golf Schools With Mike Bender

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Mike Bender and Zach Johnson

I just finished doing my 19th year of golf schools with 2015 British Open Champion Zach Johnson’s Coach, Mike Bender.  Mike and I have done 117 golf schools together!  Mike comes up from his academy outside Orlando to my spot here at Semiahmoo.  We have a fabulous time working with golfers from all over the Pacific Northwest.  We do one, two and sometimes three day schools the latter part of June through the beginning of July.  We do our regular school and we also have a “tournament players” school for high school, college and professional golfers.

Mike and I met on the “mini tours” in 1980.  Quite sometime ago!  We played the PGA Tour together and we are definitely brothers in golf.  Mike Bender has had a major influence in my game and my teaching.  No question!  I learn each year and each time we are together.

Following are some quotes from this year’s schools.  I look forward to year 20 in 2017.

Read more“Coston Completes 19th Year of Teaching Golf Schools With Mike Bender”

Jeff Coston Competes in Senior PGA Championship

BENTON HARBOR, MI - MAY 28: Senior PGA Club Professional, Jeff Coston hits his tee shot on the 15th hole during the third round for the 77th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid held at Harbor Shores Golf Club on May 28, 2016 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America)
BENTON HARBOR, MI – MAY 28: Senior PGA Club Professional, Jeff Coston hits his tee shot on the 15th hole during the third round for the 77th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid held at Harbor Shores Golf Club on May 28, 2016 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America)

Coston won this year’s Washington Open with a birdie on the final hole. He went on to play the Senior PGA Championship 6 days later in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Next week, Jeff will defend his 8-time title at the Washington Senior Open. Then he will be back teaching at his golf academy at the beautiful Semiahmoo Resort-Golf-Spa.

Will Tindle Wins His First Tournament

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Will Tindle

Will Tindle, 14 years old, won his fist golf tournament on May 8, 2016. Jeff interviews his student in five questions.

1. You just won your first tournament, what did you do well today?

Will: I Stuck to my routine and was target focused the whole day. I also played smart golf coming in.

2. You began the day a shot back, what was your mindset?

Will: Put pressure on the leader by hitting fairways and greens. Play steady golf.

3. What are the 3 biggest differences in you as a tournament player compared to last year?

Will: I make better sounds, roll my ball letting the hole get in the way, and swing freely without fear.

4. How long have you been coming to Jeff Coston for coaching? How has he helped you?

Will: I have been seeing Jeff for a little over a year and he has really helped me with my mental game, course management, and swing mechanics. I now play with more confidence and have trust in my game. I am more aware of my swing. When I hit a good shot, I know what I’m doing right. When I hit a poor shot, I’m aware of what I need to do differently.

5. How are you better for this experience today?

Will: I proved to myself that I have the ability to play under pressure.

Congratulations, Wil!