This is a letter of recommendation supporting Chris Smeal as he strives to be one of the best junior golf instructors in the country. My son Connor Howell, age 9, has been working with Chris for a year. Connor receives private lessons and attends group classes given by Chris. As Connor's father, I also regularly interact with Chris and I will base my recommendation on this interaction and the instruction my son receives.

We met Chris at a golf tournament that he put together at Presidio Hills in San Diego . Chris was extremely friendly and based on our conversation; I could tell that he enjoyed working with kids. After meeting Chris, I began taking Connor to the Future Champions Golf Academy that he developed. From the classes he attended, I immediately began seeing fantastic results in Connor's game. Connor then began seeing Chris one-on-one.

Connor chose Chris as his golf instructor simply because he felt at ease around him. I have taken Connor to see other instructors and most of them he didn't want to see again. He was afraid to ask questions because he felt intimidated by the instructor. What makes Chris stand-out is that he's extremely approachable. Chris doesn't make him feel like he's asking “stupid” questions. Chris is also extremely patient and makes golf practice fun. Chris makes an effort to get to know Connor as a person. He regularly asks Connor about school and his other activities. Chris is not only his golf instructor but his friend.

I chose Chris as his golf instructor because the results in Connor's game were phenomenal. Before seeing Chris, Connor was very inconsistent with the full-swing and putting. Connor played in numerous tournaments and he was frustrated because he never placed high enough to receive an award. After Connor began attending Chris's golf classes, Connor won his first tournament, placed 4 th in a junior world qualifier and placed 5 th at the state Championship.

Chris puts together tournaments once a month at different golf courses around San Diego . They are getting more popular because it's the only junior tournament locally were every kid gets something for participating. It's also the only tournament were the parents get to follow their child and watch them play. The atmosphere of the tournaments that he puts together is just simply fun.

Connor is currently working with Chris weekly to prepare for next year's Junior World Championship. We explained to Chris Connor's goals and he said he would do everything he could to help him achieve them. He gave us his cell phone number and told us to call him any time if we had questions. It is obvious that Chris really cares about the game of golf and the kids that he works with.