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STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
CANADA
NEWS FROM CANADA JULY 2020
many areas throughout the country.
Golf is now open in every province, and it is
much different than ever before. Our members
face new realities in teaching the game. Some
of them are unable to perform lessons as the
By Marc Ray facilities have limited access to the practice
President CGTF areas. Other members cannot keep up with the
he 2020 golf season has been one crazy demand for instruction, as golf is booming like it
Trollercoaster ride for the CGTF. We were is 1997. Our certification schedule is currently on
feeling an all-time high after delivering 400-plus hold, but we anticipate the first school will take
lessons at the Toronto Golf and Travel Show, place in August. The outlook is very positive for
the largest golf show in Canada. We felt that the future of golf in Canada as other activities
2020 would be a banner golf year until things are on hold while golf is open for business and
changed in mid-March. thriving.
COVID-19 created new priorities for Please be safe and best wishes from
Canadians, and the golf season was delayed in Canada!
THE BEST JOB IN GOLF INSTRUCTION
evening orientation to kick off one of the
By Bill Bath, CGTF Master Teaching Professional
and Course Examiner greatest weeks of my life. I was totally blown
away with the professionalism that I was
tanding with a group of friends over 20 years greeted with that evening, and the entire week,
Sago, I was asked the question, “How’s work for that matter. My future was uncertain, but
going?” Without much of a pause, I said, “I I managed to get through the PAT portion,
hate my job!” The person who asked me that which was not my greatest concern. I only
question was a good amateur player in her gave tips to friends and never taught much. It
time, a very successful businessperson, and the was the verbal teaching test that scared me.
daughter of a well-respected club professional I thought I came unprepared, cramming and
in my community. Her response was, “Quit only reading a dozen instruction books before
your job, then, and do something you like.” attending the certification course at Hidden
Gratefully, this conversation is what lead me to Lake Golf Club. Passing the verbal portion of
golf as a profession. the week was a relief. I was now ready to start
One day I am reading the classifieds in Golf my teaching business. I had already secured
Digest and the headline of one ad two driving ranges to teach out of. Now, its time
really caught my attention: “Learn to tell the world I am a Certified Golf Teaching
to Teach Golf.” I called the number Professional.
and was directed to Bob Bryant, the For a couple summers and one long winter,
Canadian Golf Teachers Federation I managed to build up a decent client list. It was
president, and he sold me on the clear I might have been the only teacher in the
opportunities that were out there. area that had a marketing plan in those days.
That August, I went to the traditional Sunday That’s what the CGTF course suggested to its
“Sharing Our Passion Around The World!”
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SUMMER 2020 Golf Teaching Pro ®
