It is no surprise that Hank Johnson, 2004 PGA Teacher of the Year, has a booming School of Golf. After all, he taught a Major Championship winner in 2006 with Sherri Steinhauer, his student Steve Lowery had a big year on the PGA Tour, and student Lee Williams was the US Pro Golf Tour’s Player of the Year. Likewise it should be of no surprise that he is mentoring two of the brightest up and coming teachers in the game Wayne Flint and Tony Ruggiero.
          The Hank Johnson School of Golf has locations in Birmingham, Alabama and at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin Florida. Four members of the Golf Digest Top 50 Instructors list have been mentored by Hank Johnson, Todd Anderson, Mark Wood, Tom Ness and Tim Mahoney. All of them found early help and guidance under Johnson.
          The Hank Johnson School of Golf has a goal to not only give the highest quality instruction which could be found anywhere in the country but also to provide a training ground for the brightest and most eager of young teachers. Johnson states, “The rapid growth of our organization and the accelerated progress of our students results from an instructional concept that is based upon research validated fundamentals.”
          Why the rapid growth of the Hank Johnson School of Golf, and what is making these two young teachers gain so much notoriety and exposure? Hank feels it is because “We deliver our instructional programs in a manner that is consistent with proven motor skill learning principles. Instructors Wayne and Tony have stayed totally committed to this approach. While their personalities are quite different, both have had significant success as golf teachers.”
          Wayne Flint is the head instructor for The Hank Johnson School of Golf at Sandestin. He has spent over 20 years perfecting his craft along side Hank Johnson. He has grown into one of the most popular and respected teachers in the country. When Flint went out on his own he stated, “I didn’t want to wash out like I had seen so many. I needed a base, and with Hank’s help I had a simple method of how the club, body and ball work. As I progressed, my knowledge increased and my business continued to grow as my students continued to improve.” Wayne has built an outstanding reputation as a developer of young junior golfers. The list of names that he has worked with is like reading a “Who’s Who” list of Alabama junior golfers. Names such as PGA Tour star and University of Florida standout Brian Gay worked with Flint from his early junior days through his Walker Cup and NCAA success. Auburn University and PGA Tour standout Jason Duffner worked tirelessly through college with Flint. Auburn University and Nationwide Tour star Iain Steel also works with Flint. Now Wayne takes on an additional role to his already busy teaching schedule in Birmingham as the Head Instructor for the Hank Johnson School of Golf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
          And now one of Wayne’s best pupil’s has joined him at Sandestin. “When I had the chance to mentor Tony, a longtime friend of mine, the process of Hank Johnson’s teachings proved to be timeless. Tony’s understanding of the methods we teach was as quick, if not quicker than mine.”

(Pictured at left) Tony Ruggiero, shown here, teaching at Hank Johnson School of Golf at Sandestin, is also Host of the Golf Talk Radio Show “The Dewsweepers”.
          Tony Ruggiero, instructor at the Hank Johnson School of Golf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, has become one of the most popular and sought after golf instructors along the Gulf Coast. Ruggiero says he certainly owes most of his success to both Hank and Wayne. “I rely so much on their help and insight. Both of them are so generous with their time and knowledge of the golf swing.”
          This past year saw Tony help one of the game’s greats, Tom Kite, during the 2006 Boeing Championship at Sandestin. “Tom was very generous with his time. I am certain I learned more from him that week that he did from me.” Tony also launched a popular golf-talk radio show called, “The Dew Sweepers”. “The Dew Sweepers has become a sort of phenomena and has cult status among its legions of loyal listeners in the southeast. The show, which airs from 7-8 a.m. central time, tries to be different than other golf talk shows around the country. “The Dew Sweepers” not only keeps the golfers up to date on the golf world, but it also gives quality instructional advice to its listeners.

At left, Tony with Ben Crenshaw and Scott Mckinney. Below, Tony Ruggiero, live on the syndicated raidio talk show, “The Dewsweepers”.

          Tony says, “Our listeners love to get information on how to play better. The advice we give out isn’t complicated, we don’t reinvent the wheel. We give out information and tips to help people play better. People don’t want a pretty swing as much as they want to play better. I bring on guests that help them do that and keep it fun and lively.” Tony often has Hank and Wayne on the show as well. It is easy to hear the respect he has for both of his mentors. Tony says, “I enjoy the Dew Sweepers radio show because it’s just like sitting and talking golf with Hank and Wayne as we have done for so many years. The only difference is that on Saturday mornings there is a microphone in front of us.”
          There are hundreds of golf schools around the state of Florida, but none are more dedicated to helping their students play better golf than the Hank Johnson School of Golf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. It is easy to see the love these guys have for golf, instruction and the mutual respect they have for each other and the success of their students.