For the third straight year, Crown Isle's Robert Ratcliffe was named PGA of BC Coach of the Year.
Ratcliffe, who was unable to attend the October Awards Reception because he was in Houston, Texas for Golf Canada duties, did send a note of thanks that was read at the reception held at the River Rock Casino.
What makes Ratcliffe such an honoured golf coach? Well, let's let one of his fellow coaches, Todd Deters, tell you why:
The difference between being a golf coach vs. being a golf instructor can be summed up very quickly by observing Robert Ratcliffe's daily activities. He represents all that a Golf ‘Coach’ should be. He has been recognized for his expertise at a Provincial and National level by serving as the Alberta Provincial Coach from 2004-2006, the Assistant National Coach for Golf Canada from 2007 to present, and served in 2013 as the Team B.C. Canada Games Coach. During this time, the players that Robert has worked with have enjoyed phenomenal results. These accomplishments would be too numerous to list.
In 2014, Robert will take on the role of Men's National Development Team Coach with Team Canada (a recent promotion). This is a full time role that will see Robert work with Canada's best junior golfers as they prepare for International competition, Collegiate golf, and chase spots on our National Amateur Team.
In 2013, Robert won the Gold Medal at the Copas de las America's Tournament at Doral in Miami, and also led Team B.C. to all 4 available Gold Medals at the 2013 Canada Summer Games.
At the local level, Robert runs a unique Junior Academy at the Crown Isle Resort, and has recently expanded to open a second location at Duncan Meadows Golf and Country Club. The Academy has enjoyed some remarkable results. In 2013 alone, he had one athlete make a National Team, another win the Prairie Future Links Championship, another the Zone Order of Merit, and another win a scholarship to the University of Victoria. Robert and his coaching staff of Todd Deters and Matt Cella (whom Robert trains frequently) currently have 18 full time juniors in the Academy that receive year round periodized coaching. This is the only program Robert is involved with locally, and he commits all his time into these 18 students. As a true "Coach" of these athletes, Robert won't just be found on the driving range. He will be in the gym, on the course, at Tournaments and in the lives of his athletes, fulfilling his role as a true player development coach.
Robert was the first PGA of Canada Coach to go through the Certification process for CPGA Coach Development Competitor (CDC). In 2012, Robert was recognized by the PGA of Great Britain & Northern Ireland for his efforts in pursuing education by being awarded the status of Class 'AA'. His portfolio of accomplishments is currently under review by the British PGA towards the possibility of being awarded a category of "PGA Advanced Professional" or "PGA Fellow Professional".
Congratulations to Robert on his Three-peat.
(The picture is from Ratcliffe's 2012 win as Coach of the Year)