Ex-UBC Golf Coach Chris Macdonald - Image Credit Bob Frid/UBC
Chris Macdonald, who guided the UBC golf teams to multiple national championships in Canada and the United States in his nearly 25 years as head coach, has parted ways with the university.
The move comes just days before the golf program’s annual fund-raising tournament at University Golf Club in Vancouver and just weeks before the men’s and women’s teams begin their fall seasons.
“I’d like thank Chris for his contributions during his time with UBC Athletics and Recreation and acknowledge the successes of the golf program under his guidance,” Kavie Toor, managing director of UBC Athletics and Recreation, said in a statement released by the university. “We wish Chris all the best in his future endeavors.”
Macdonald began coaching UBC’s women’s team in 2001 and became men’s coach in 2004. His teams amassed an impressive collection of titles during his tenure. The UBC women won seven NAIA titles under Macdonald, including the 2025 championship this past spring.
The women won 18 Canadian University/College Championships under Macdonald, who was named NAIA coach of the year nine times. The UBC men won two NAIA titles under Macdonald and nine Canadian University/College Championships.
A successor has not been named, but it is expected that current assistants Keir Smith and Jeff Buder will guide the teams on an interim basis until a replacement is hired.
Prominent Vancouver businessman Marty Zlotnik, a former UBC player who founded the Thunderbird Golf Society more than 40 years ago, said he was shocked by the decision to not retain Macdonald.
“From the Thunderbird Golf Society’s perspective, this is a terrible blow and it is going to make it very difficult for us in the short term to do the fund-raising we need to do to support the program,” Zlotnik said.
“It is hard now to even want to support the program. I’m so so upset with the university. It is totally unfair. The first thing they should have done is call Chris in to have a meeting and discuss things. There should have been some kind of mediation. They never talked to him once.”
Zlotnik said Macdonald’s record speaks for itself. “He was doing a great job. I went to the (Canadian) nationals up in Kamloops this spring with the team, watched them play, had dinner with them and I know all the kids. It was great to watch them play and great to watch them win.
"I have been to a couple of the NAIA tournaments that they have won. It’s disappointing. I wish there was some way I could convince the university to change their mind.”
Macdonald declined an interview request.