Balancing Golf And Life With James Harper
November 17, 2014
by Alfie Lau, Inside Golf
He comes from one of British Columbia’s most renowned golfing families, but James Harper has carved his own story in the world of local golf by doing a little bit of everything.
He started the year in Portugal, trying to qualify for the European Senior Tour. While he didn’t succeed in the tournament that started on his 50th birthday – Harper had to be the youngest senior playing that Q-School – he also didn’t fret too much over the disappointment, as he was able to enjoy everything that a warm January and February in the Iberian Peninsula offers.
In fact, Harper and his wife, Josephine Mirandolle, used the time to explore the area before Harper’s better half had one more responsibility.
"She's a good caddie because she helps me out with so many things," said Harper. "She caddied for me in Portugal and I'm very lucky to have her with me."
Harper then came back to his normal job at McCleery Golf Course, where he teaches a growing stable of developing golfers. “You know what I love about teaching and playing? Playing keeps me engaged and it definitely helps my teaching,” said Harper.
“I don’t think I could quit playing because then I’d have to quit teaching. Golf isn’t something I think I can ever give up.” Not hard to understand that sentiment, as James, along with his brothers Sandy, Ian and Bruce, have combined to win numerous British Columbia Golf championships.
As a junior, James won both the B.C. Junior and the B.C. Amateur in the same year, as well as representing Canada on the Junior World Cup Team.
While Sandy has been inducted into the British Columbia Golf Hall of Fame and remains one of the province’s most successful amateurs, James took a different path, compiling a sterling college golf resume at Brigham Young University before becoming a PGA of Canada Professional in 1987.
In the 27 years since, James has combined teaching and working at some of the Lower Mainland’s best facilities with his golf travels, where he has competed on the Canadian, Asian and Australian Professional Golf Tours.
James Harper Combines His Love Of Playing With Teaching Out Of McCleery Golf Course - Image Credit Alfie Lau
His commitment to playing at the highest levels is evidenced by his string of victories over a long period of time. Four of his biggest victories have come in the last decade, including the 2005 B.C. Match Play Championship, the 2005 Chilliwack Open, the 2011 Chilliwack Open and the 2014 PGA of B.C. Seniors’ Championship.
In his most recent victory, Harper held off Dean Claggett, who had made a frantic back-9 run to tie Harper before Harper’s clutch play on the final two holes gave him a two-stroke victory.
"I think this is the first PGA of BC title I've won since winning a Pro-Assistant with Tim Tait (of Marine Drive)," said Harper. "What makes it great for me is that I was playing solidly, Dean was playing solid and we were having a great time out there."
As nice as it was to win a trophy after turning 50, what Harper takes the most pride in these days is the work he’s doing at McCleery. Along with teaching professionals Mike Vanderwolf and Dan Axford, Harper gives golf lessons and breakfast to 32 kids from the Downtown Eastside. It’s just one of the ways Harper gives back to the game that has given him so much.
On the teaching tee, Harper can’t stop enthusing about one of his 12-year-old students, Song Bai, who recently earned his junior membership at neighbouring Marine Drive Golf Club. “This kid hits it so beautifully and I’m so happy he’s been able to earn his way into being a member of a private club,” said Harper.
“We have so many things here at McCleery, with the driving range and the putting greens, but the golf course is pretty popular. Over at Marine Drive, Song will have the chance to play as much as he can so that he can work on his game.”
Growing the game in these small increments is what Harper is all about. He would like to see more high school PE students utilize the course and he’d also like to see more courses champion the use of caddies.
“I started as a caddy at Royal Montreal and that’s where I learned about the game,” said Harper. “Sure, I carried the bags of a lot of good golfers, but I also learned from the golfers who weren’t as good. From them, you learn about life and these are some of the great lessons you take from the game.”
As for getting high school students more into the game, Harper laughs at what he sees as the biggest problem. “So many students are doing so much on social media,” said Harper.
“What happened to just going outside and hitting the ball? I know that in my teaching, I’m trying to incorporate different outdoor activities and sports into my lessons. I’ll have them throwing a football or baseball to show them how that is related to your movements in golf.”
Even as Harper is saying this, he has to catch himself, as he realizes he is becoming the caricature of the figurative old man (at 50), shaking his cane at the youngsters nipping at his heels.
“I still love the game so much,” said Harper. “I know there’s an over-48 tour in (the British Isles) that I could have played this year if I had met the deadline, but I’ll look at playing it next year. I looked at playing the Canadian Seniors this year but it was just so busy here that I couldn’t get away from my teaching.”
And with that, Harper’s next student awaits him and he’s off to impart the wisdom of five decades spent in the great game of golf.