FEBRUARY 12, 2019
TSAWWASSEN, BC (PGA of British Columbia) -- Golf Professionals from across the province were treated to two outstanding days of education during the 2019 PGA of BC Spring Education Seminar presented by PXG, which wrapped up Tuesday after six great presentations from some of the top minds in the industry.
Despite huge accumulations of snow in the Lower Mainland during and prior to the seminar, approximately 180 Association members and guests were on hand to further their professional development at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course.
The program kicked off Monday morning with a talk delivered by Dr. Stuart Love, whose insights derived from treating a number of top players on the PGA Tour left attendees thinking about changes they can make to their students' and their own wellness routines to the benefit of their games.
Monday also featured an illuminating talk from Tom Mayenknecht of Vancouver-based brand-builders Emblematica, who focused on the building blocks of branding for golf facilities and individuals.
The first day concluded with acclaimed instructor Gabriel Hjertstedt, the two-time PGA Tour winner now known for his expertise as a short-game coach. His three-hour presentation took attendees through a series of videos examining the short-game habits of various players, from top touring pros right down to high-handicappers. He also brought a number of PGA of BC members on stage to help them make adjustments on the spot.
"I think it's amazing," Hjertstedt said of addressing such a large group of Golf Professionals. "(Their club's) members should be very happy that their pros are out here trying to educate themselves in their spare time.
"It was a really engaging audience and just good people.”
The seminar program resumed Tuesday morning with a timely presentation from Adam Helmer, Director of Rules, Competitions & Amateur Status for Golf Canada. Helmer's overview of rules modernization and new details for Golf Professionals to keep in mind for club competitions were a helpful refresher with another golf season underway in British Columbia.
Also Tuesday, attendees heard a presentation on The Evolution of Great Golf Clubs from a father-son duo that knows a thing or two about premier facilities: longtime Royal Montreal Golf Club General Manager Denzil Palmer and Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club Head Professional Alan Palmer. The co-presenters drew on their experiences leading and working at prestigious clubs to provide takeaways for all Golf Professionals.
Closing out the schedule was renowned instructor Joseph Mayo. The Director of Instruction at TPC Summerlin known to many as the "Trackman Maestro" took a thorough look at the wrist angles of elite players in transition, distilling it all into info that coaches can deliver to their students on the lesson tee right away.
"When they walk out of this room, I hope that they believe they’re better," said Mayo. "We can agree on things and we can disagree on things –- no one knows it all. But hopefully I made them think, challenged them to open their mind, and hopefully they’re better because of it.”
The PGA of BC would like to thank host Head Professional Danny Long and the entire team at Tsawwassen Springs for once again providing a fantastic setting for the Spring Education Seminar. The Association also extends its appreciation to presenting sponsor PXG for its generous support of our signature education event.
Members are reminded that more opportunities for professional development exist in the months ahead with three more Education Series events presented by Foresight Sports Canada yet to come before the end of April. Visit our Schedule of Events to see the remaining lineup and to register.