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STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
participants. high school drama teacher again.
So many experiences that I had with each And lastly, the friendships I have with
student were starting to shape my own methods members and examiners. Spending time with
for teaching, but it wasn’t until the phone rang guys like Peter Jacklic, David Reid, Greg Salazar,
one afternoon that I was forced to be a better Jeff Howe and Yves Therrien, just to name a
communicator. Bob Bryant called to ask if I handful of people I call friends and will always
would be interested in being a course examiner. be grateful to for the laughs and rounds of
Thankfully, I accepted. I was about to realize I golf we played. I have always looked forward
had the best job in golf instruction. to seeing new and long-time members at
Over the next dozen years, I would meet tournaments or golf shows.
some very special people and have some very I am anticipating the change in status from
special moments, memories and experiences. professional back to amateur in August. Playing
The CGTF made me who I am today. I’m a in provincial tournaments will be fun and force
passionate entrepreneur with an incredible me to play more golf to prepare for events. My
love for my community. I’ll be forever indebted 14-year-old son is playing competitive golf now,
to Geoff Bryant, Bob Bryant and Marc Ray for and playing golf with him is and has been a
including me as part of an organization that tremendous way to spend time together. He’s
gets it. There is a new era starting for the U.S. beating me, which isn’t that difficult, but still hard
and Canadian federations. Let’s allow the new to take as I expected he’d beat me at maybe
dynamic leaders to take our product to new 16, not 14!
heights and continue to help thousands of I hope golf instruction continues to improve.
golfers enjoy the greatest game in the world not I wished I had an iPhone when I did playing
played on ice. lessons in the beginning, or YouTube channels
I’d like to share a few memorable moments for information. I would have helped people
from my time certifying great people to quicker. Golf’s future is in good hands, but if I
become great golf instructors. Firstly, I enjoyed could give a freshly certified member tips, this
the travel. I went basically coast-to-coast would be my list:
and spent a week at a time in areas such as 1. Teach the actions; know the reactions in a
the Laurentians in Quebec; Kelowna, British golf swing.
Columbia, and Calgary – travel destinations
to most people that I was lucky enough to be 2. Be personable and listen.
working in. Traveling as far as Brazil to learn and 3. Represent yourself and organization as you
play with my fellow members from the World should because you’ll be judged, as you are
Golf Teachers Federation. held to a high standard.
Secondly, our courses had participants 4. I’m still realizing where I could have been
that were so diverse in culture, professions and better, so never cease to learn and improve
ability. But they all wanted to leave at the end as a teacher.
of the week with more knowledge and passion
for helping others. Notable participants were
family members of golf Hall of Famers that
looked no further than the CGTF to prepare Bill Bath caddies for
people they cared about to get started in the longtime friend Mackenzie
golf industry. I enjoyed meeting professional Hughes at the 2017 RBC
athletes, Olympians, TV personalities and my Canadian Open.
“Sharing Our Passion Around The World!”
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SUMMER 2020 Golf Teaching Pro ®
