Alumni Spotlight - Virgil Herring
By JEFF ADKERSON
Mississippi State University-Professional Golf Management-Alumni Update Newsletter-August 2004

As a young golfer, everyone dreams of playing in The Masters. You spend countless hours making fictitious five-foot putts to break Jack Nicklaus and win the green jacket. Now, as a golf professional and instructor, you dream of taking a student to the next level…maybe even to play in The Masters. For Virgil Herring, the latter of these dreams has come true.

In April 2004, Herring spent the first full week in April walking the hallowed grounds of the Augusta National Golf Club. He spent numerous hours on the practice tee, the short game area, the putting green, and on the course observing every detail. All of this preparation was necessary to help prepare his student, Brandt Snedeker, for a Thursday morning tee time in The Masters tournament.

Virgil Herring, a 1997 PGM graduate from Littlestown, Pa., is the founder and owner of the Higher Performance Golf Academy, and the Director of Instruction at Gaylord's Springhouse Links. Based out of Nashville, Virgil has developed a client base consisting of 50 Division-1 college players in Tennessee, and many strong amateur players.

Herring began his teaching career through an internship at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga. His love for teaching the game of golf developed during this time. While many instructors have influenced Herring's teaching philosophy, he credits Mr. Bill Straughsbaugh as his mentor. He was first introduced to Straughsbaugh during a teaching clinic conducted on campus during Herring's college career. Over the years, Herring kept in touch with Straughsbaugh asking questions, observing lessons when possible, and reading Straughsbaugh's literature.

It was at Through the Green in Franklin, Tenn., that Herring accepted his first full time teaching position. Shortly thereafter, Herring founded the Higher Performance Golf Academy and moved his operation to Hermitage Golf Course, northeast of Nashville. In April 2000, Herring began working with Brandt Snedeker, a member of the Vanderbilt University golf team. They began a relationship that, through hard work and dedication by both parties, helped Snedeker win the 2003 U.S. Public Links Championship. This qualified him for the 2004 Masters Tournament. Naturally, Herring was the obvious choice to provide guidance during this prestigious event.

Attending The Masters as an instructor was not the first tour event for Herring. He works with several tour players and has attended events with these players, but no event comparable to The Masters. Snedeker turned professional shortly after The Masters Tournament and requires Herring's presence at tour events. One event Herring attended was Jack's tournament, The Memorial.

Despite a busy schedule, Virgil has found time to produce an instructional CD-Higher Performance Golf, as well as his own web site, www.virgilherring.com. Herring is also extremely supportive of the PGM Program. Just last fall, Herring visited the campus offering two teaching clinics and a presentation to the students. During his presentation, he credited the PGM Program with the foundation to succeed in the golf industry and achieve your dreams. It is up to each individual to make them come true. Through hard work, knowledge, experience, and persistence anything is possible. For Virgil Herring, 2003 Tennessee Section PGA Teacher of the Year, his dreams are coming true.

• Fine tune your game with Virgil Herring's golf instruction video.
• If you have a question concerning an area of the golf swing or the short game, click here to email Higher Performance Golf Academy.