2012 Coaches Profiles
Coaches Week
September 17-22nd, 2012 is officially “British Columbia Coaches Week”, an initiative by Coaches British Columbia that focusses on the recruitment, development and celebration of coaches across our province.
British Columbia Golf has long been a supporter of coach development for golf. Investing both financial and human resources to assist in coach development is something we feel benefits the game of golf not only today but for years to come. It is through the dedication of our coaches that many of our initiatives and programs are able to prosper and achieve sustainability.
We would like to highlight our coaches who remain dedicated to the sport in B.C.
Keri Moffat
Keri Moffat, the Director of Instruction at GBC Academy (Mayfair Lakes G&CC) and the Women’s Assistant Golf Coach at UBC, has been a valuable and experienced asset for British Columbia Golf. This past summer, Keri was involved in the 2013 Canada Summer Games Identification Camp and was the Zone 4 Coach at the BC Summer Games.
British Columbia Golf caught up with Keri to ask her about her role as a coach in the province and what that involvement means to her.
Keri, how long have you been a golf coach?
15 years
Why did you originally get into coaching?
I love teaching golf and I wanted to learn how to help players perform better on the golf course. Coaching was the next natural step for me in achieving that goal. I wanted to challenge myself and learn more about teaching golf from a holistic approach. To compete in golf you have to look at everything that is going on, not just the golf swing so I set out to learn more about the “other” side of the game
What past roles have you held as a coach with British Columbia Golf?
Provincial Coach for Team BC at Canadian Junior Girls Championship, 2011
Coach for Spring Training Camps and High Performance Training Camps for British Columbia Golf 2010 – present
How has British Columbia Golf assisted your coaching career?
Debbie Pyne and the staff at British Columbia Golf have provided me with many opportunities to learn and grow as a coach. I have been able to meet other golf professionals and coaches from across Canada and the USA. I have been able to learn from some of the best people in golf industry and apply what I have learned into developing camps for BC Golf
To be coaching for 15 years, you must find joys in the game. Can you describe some of these?
I love being able to work with an athlete through the learning and practicing stages and help in the transition to a competitive environment. It’s so important to train these golfers in a way that gets them to perform better on the golf course
What are some of your accomplishments as a coach:
2011 PGA of BC Teacher of the Year
UBC Women’s’ Golf Team winning 2010 and 2012 NAIA Championships
UBC Women’s Golf Team winning Golf Canada University/College Championships 2009-2012
What constitutes success for you as a coach?
For me success isn’t just simply about score, it’s about growth. The more you learn about yourself, the better you can guide yourself as an athlete and stay true to your own intentions. In my experience, staying grounded through it all can help these kids find better results on the golf course and in their lives
What constitutes failure?
I don’t believe in failure, I believe that we can always learn from our experiences and gain something in return
How would you describe the importance of a coach on youth golf development?
A coach is an important figure in a kid’s life. You aren’t just teaching golf, you are teaching life skills
Who was your favorite coach growing up and why?
My dad. He was a great teacher, coach and mentor. He was a amazing technician of the golf swing but he also had an uncanny ability to say the right thing when you needed it
What do you think are the best qualities to have as a golf coach?
I think you need to be able to look at performance from a complete approach. You need to be aware that there is more going on than golf in these athlete’s lives, and that outside influences can have an impact on their performance. Identifying these elements is important to improving their games. I also think you need to be able to have fun with your students because this is important for managing pressure
Lastly, where do you see the role of a coach going in the future?
Coaching has gained momentum in the last few years in Canada. The new PGA of Canada PACE program has recognized coaching as a separate skill set than teaching and as a result has created a new coaching stream of education. As well, with golf being an official sport in the 2016 Summer Olympics there is more and more push to have our coaches at the top of their game
James Presnail
James Presnail, the Head Professional at Gleneagles GC in West Vancouver, is a 9-year coaching veteran in various capacities including the PGA of Canada, The First Tee and Playground to Fairway (P2F).
British Columbia Golf caught up with James to talk about his coaching career and some of his highlights along the journey.
First off, what coaching responsibilities did you have with British Columbia Golf for 2012?
Playground to Fairway (P2F) and The First Tee of Greater Vancouver YMCA
Why did you originally get into coaching?
Honestly, it was just part of the gig. Becoming a PGA of Canada professional was synonymous with coaching, so I jumped on board. I will never look back, because the future is so exciting when immersed in youth golf coaching
How did you get interested in coaching children golf?
I got interested in coaching kids because I found out how much fun I could have. I get to play just as much as they do (I’m still a kid at heart)
Speaking of being a kid, who was your favourite coach growing up and why?
Lynn Nichols, a computer teacher from my middle school, because she genuinely cared about me, and accepted me for who I was.
How would you describe the importance of a coach on youth golf development?
It is no different than a parent is to their kids. A coach is a role model. Children need lots of them to pick and choose how they would like to be as a person when they grow, and I’m proud to be able to be one for many youth
How has British Columbia Golf assisted your coaching career?
British Columbia Golf has given me deeper access and interest into the world of physical literacy and LTAD model. British Columbia golf is great at setting up golf courses around Vancouver, and I have been fortunate enough to coach some of them
What is your fondest memory of being a coach for BC Golf?
Being asked to present the life skills component of the first tee to the P2F training program last year put on by BC Golf
What do you think are the best qualities to have as a golf coach?
The ability to listen with out judgment.
Being comfortable with silence
Asking questions rather than telling answers
“Knowing that you don’t know what you don’t know” in other words being open minded to possibilities that I can’t even fathom
What do you regard as your accomplishments as a coach?
The only accomplishments I think are worth mentioning is when our coaching efforts lead to kids learning something new. It is amazing to watch when a kid starts demonstrating greater respect for a classmate just because the class is always talking about respect at home/school/in golf
What do you classify as a coaching failure?
The word failure doesn’t exist to me in the world of coaching
Where do you see the role of a coach going in the future?
I think the role of a coach has always and will always be the same. Different than an instructor, a coach provides a safe space for fun learning within certain rules and boundaries. The learner then can explore however they want inside this safe space. The possibilities for learning are endless if we don’t set the limit
Lastly, what are your career aspirations as a coach?
To have a kid in 30 years realize that I really cared about them, how Lynn Nichols did for me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UapUF_f9m7U
Jody Jackson
Jody Jackson has had a coaching career that has featured ice hockey, volleyball, basketball, track and field and golf over a 23-year span. Her most recent involvement with British Columbia Golf has been as a Provincial Coach, covering a variety of job duties.
British Columbia Golf caught up with Jody to talk about her coaching career and some of her highlights along the journey.
Please describe your extensive coaching story to shed some light on your expertise.
I started coaching in 1988, where I coached women’s ice hockey during my course work in the Faculty of Physical Education, specializing in Coaching. In 1991, I started my career as a Physical Education teacher, therefore I coached a variety of sports like Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, etc. for the next 6 years. Thereafter, I steered my career into the realm of golf and began teaching/coaching officially in 1999.
What coaching responsibilities did you have with British Columbia Golf for 2012?
I had three different responsibilities this year:
Team BC Provincial Coach – Canadian Jr. Boys Championship
Regional Training Camp Coordinator – oversee all 3 training camps
Vancouver Island Regional Training Camp – Head Coach
What have you done for British Columbia Golf in the past as a Coach?
2011 Western Canada Summer Games (Team BC swept all medals)
2011 Canadian Junior Girls Championship (Team BC captures title; BC players capture both Junior and Juvenile titles)
2011 Canadian Junior Boys (BC players capture both Junior and Juvenile titles)
Team Canada at North Pacific Junior Girls Team Matches (Champions)
Team Canada at 2010 R&A Junior Open
2010 Canadian Junior Girls’ (Team BC runner-up)
Team BC at 2009 Canada Summer Games (4 Golds, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze)
2009 Canadian Women’s Amateur (Team BC Third Place)
2008 Canadian Junior Girls’ (Team BC Champions)
Coordinated and presented a number of SNAG Certification Seminars, High Performance Training Camps, Vision 54 Seminars and other golf education seminars
Why did you originally get into coaching?
I started playing golf when I was 11 years old. By my mid-teens, I began assisting my mom in improving her game and she really enjoyed the experience with great results. I remember her encouraging me to be a teacher or coach. Sport came easy to me and I always felt grateful for that, so I wanted to give others the same experience, if they so desired
Having had numerous coaching roles with British Columbia Golf, what has been a career coaching highlight for you?
There are so many, however I will choose one that came very early in my career with BC Golf. It happened at the 2008 BC Summer Games, my first time assisting in the process of getting approximately 60 kids from across the province registered, organized and dressed for the occasion!
The time schedule is always problematic for golf, in that we never have enough time to get the kids a full practice round. On this occasion, we had the entire field in a room where local rules officials/golf organizers were going through the course hole-by-hole, after the kids played only 9 of 18. At the end of it, one of the organizers closed with… “Good luck, for your information the men’s course record is ____”. At that moment, one of our junior girls asked “what about the women’s course record?” I believe the answer was unknown at that moment; it was awkward.
The next day, in Round One, 16-year-old Christine Wong broke the course record, having only played 9 of 18 holes, with a round of 64. That was one of the most beautiful rounds I have ever witnessed! I believe she took it from both A.J. Eathorne and Jackie Little
How has British Columbia Golf assisted you in becoming a better coach?
Achieving the full-time position as Technical Director and Head Provincial Coach with BC Golf was a wonderful opportunity in growing my coaching career, without a doubt. I was exposed to all the facets of growing the game from the grassroots level to the high-performance competitive pathway. I was supported in engaging in further professional development via the BC Coaches Association, PGA of BC, National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), Golf Canada, Vision54 and more. I was able to connect with many “movers & shakers”, i.e. stakeholders, from the local club level all the way to international arenas. I truly believe the provincial golf associations are key in leading the growth of golf coaches in this country and without these initial opportunities to coach that they provide, we will see limited motivation for golf professionals to develop into coaches
In your eyes, what constitutes a coaching failure? what about a coaching success?
Knowing that I did all I could do is a success. As coaches, we can only control those things under our control, so if I feel that I put in 100% effort with prep work, was present and in a good state as a coach during the delivery and followed-up appropriately, then I feel success.
Essentially the opposite would be a failure. If I take too much on or feel “spread too thin” where I cannot fully commit all my resources to the given assignment, then I really feel that it is difficult to achieve success
Being a past Technical Director with British Columbia Golf and an avid Coach with our organization, what are your feelings on coaching being integral towards youth development?
Absolutely necessary! Ideally there are different levels of coach, starting with the Community Leader or volunteer-type stakeholder that wants to give back to the game they love. Once again, I have experienced our national sport bodies lagging behind on this project of getting volunteers trained to support local golf coaches reach greater numbers with a team approach. I have also witnessed some of my colleagues, i.e. golf professionals, “hold onto the purse-strings/wallets” a tad too tight on this front. This is an outdated mentality that no longer serves growing this game. One coach can only reach so many, grow the numbers of coaches and you grow the ability to reach more kids
Branching off of this, where do you see the role of the Coach going in the future?
It seems that most other sports get that the role of coach is absolutely key in the development of their sport. However, golf seems to be lagging behind. Some say this “takes time”, but golf is running out of time, as we lose more and more of the younger generation to new sports. So, I see the role of a coach in the future as absolutely necessary to engage our kids in this game and keep them for a lifetime. Regarding the competitive pathway, I believe the lack of Canadians on the major tours (PGA or LPGA) speaks for itself. We need to reduce the “red-tape” and get more coaches coaching and developing competitive players
Lastly, what are your personal goals as a Coach going forward?
Simply put… to make a difference. If I can reach a six year old while demonstrating SNAGology, breakdown the self-put-down many of our recreational golfers display, be a part of a competitive players success as both an athlete and person… well, goal accomplished.
Next on my radar is to go to the level where I feel I can make the most difference in growing the game and developing future players and good people. I believe this is in the school system, so I am in the works on developing another school golf academy
Thank you for being so enthusiastic about Coaching in British Columbia Jody, your dedication speaks to the true nature of what Coaching is!
Kathy Gook
Kathy Gook, a 21-year veteran coach, has had a career that took her from Europe, Asia and the United States as a player and more recently, across British Columbia as a Playground to Fairway (P2F) School Golf Coach.
British Columbia Golf caught up with Kathy to talk about her coaching career and some of her highlights along the journey.
What coaching responsibilities did you have with British Columbia Golf for 2012?
P2F School Golf Coach, Regional Camp Coach in April, BC Summer Games Zone 8 Coach in July and the BC Junior Girls’ Coach while attending the Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls’ Championship in August
Why did you originally get into coaching?
After playing professionally for 5 years on European, Asian, US mini tours, and attending LPGA Qualifying school, I reached a point where I wanted to give back to the game. At a young age, I always knew I’d be a teacher, and when I saw that the LPGA provided an excellent education for those choosing to be a teacher/coach, it was an easy transition
Having had numerous coaching roles with British Columbia Golf, what has been a career coaching highlight for you?
This year at the 2012 BC Summer Games in Surrey. Coaching athletes from Zone 8 who have not experienced many tournament opportunities and to observe their excitement and opportunities to learn.
How has British Columbia Golf assisted you in becoming a better coach?
Working with BC Golf has allowed me wonderful opportunities to meet with some of the top junior golfers in the province and to meet other top golf coaches. Each of these golfers have their own personal coach who have provided exceptional guidance and technical information for them to excel. Seeing all coaches work together to provide every opportunity for these athletes to excel is great. BC Golf has also allowed me to participate in coaching sessions, such as Vision54 workshops, and NCCP coaching classes.
In your eyes, what constitutes a coaching failure? what about a coaching success?
Not being able to recognize what communication would work best for a student can be seen as a learning opportunity for me, not a failure. It is a teachable moment for me to understand that I need to be adaptable for each particular student. As for a success, it goes back to communication. When I am able to communicate with my student in a way that is best for them and they understand and are able to achieve what they want to achieve!
Being the Director of School Golf for British Columbia Golf, you must have feelings on the importance of coaching for youth development. Can you shed some light on your feelings of its importance?
It is VERY important! When I think back to my own golf and semi-professional basketball career, it was always the relationship with coaches & assistant coaches that I remember. Those that challenged my thinking, and challenged me to be my best are the ones that stand out
What are your goals for your coaching career?
To always stay curious!; To always be learning; to be open to new information; to continually study how students learn best
Who was your favourite coach growing up and why?
I was fortunate to have 9 older brothers and sisters while growing up, so I was continually trying to keep up with them in sports. My oldest sister was a great coach because she introduced me to a number of different activities. My high school coach, Joanne Francis was also great as she taught me a lot not only about sports, yet about who I was while playing these sports
Where do you see the role of a coach going in the future?
I see that the holistic approach will continue, where a coach is educated not only in the technical aspect of the game, yet on the physical, mental, emotional side is just as important. ‘Global’ coaching, where a student may have more than one coach based on that coach’s expertise, and coaches all working together sharing information that again will be best for the student. I also see allowing for that student to become their own best coach will be important. With this, more of a team approach to coaching athletes will be the norm
Lastly, why did you want to become a coach?
I wanted to make a difference
Kathy Gook Qualifications/Awards:
US Kids Golf Top 50 Junior Golf Instructor (2011)
Golf Digest 50 Best Women Teachers in America (2010)
LPGA Top 50 Golf Instructor (2008-2009)
Golf Digest Top Instructors in Arizona (2005-2009)
LPGA Class A
TPI Level 3 Golf Fitness
TPI Level 3 Junior Golf
TPI Level 2 Biomechanics
K-Vest Level 2
HeartMath Provider
Vision 54
NCCP Level I & II