The Women in Coaching Program is a joint initiative by Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada that strives to achieve stronger gender balance among high-performance coaches in Canada. Now entering its sixth year, the program provides in-depth career development opportunities for women coaches working along the competitive pathway.

“The Women in Coaching Program plays a critical role in strengthening Canada’s high performance coaching system by ensuring more women are supported, developed, and retained along the competitive pathway,” said Emily Phoenix, Golf Canada’s Director of High Performance.

“The introduction of the advanced cohort in 2026 reflects both the maturity of the program and the growing depth of experienced women coaches across the country. We are proud to deliver this program alongside the PGA of Canada and thankful for the ongoing support from Own the Podium and the Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund, whose commitment continues to move the needle for women in high-performance sport,” said Phoenix. 

For 2026, the program will offer a unique intake through the Women in Coaching – Advanced Cohort.

This cohort is designed for coaches with greater coaching experience who are already working with competitive or high-performance athletes and are seeking to further refine their coaching practice, expand their leadership capacity, and deepen their impact within the high-performance system.

The Advanced Cohort will continue to focus on the program’s four core pillars:

• Individualized learning plans
   
• Regular check-ins with a coach developer
   
• Virtual and in-person coaching education
   
• Hands-on training experiences alongside experienced coaches and top players

In this advanced intake, emphasis will be placed on peer learning, applied leadership, and the sharing of lived coaching experiences, with participants expected to contribute meaningfully to the development of the cohort as a whole.

The goal of the application process is to identify coaches who would benefit from this advanced learning environment and who are motivated to both learn from and contribute to a group of experienced peers. Applicants should have demonstrated experience coaching athletes on the competitive pathway and a clear interest in continued growth within high-performance coaching.

For example, coaches currently working within Provincial Golf Association programs, coaching university or college teams, or otherwise supporting advanced competitive athletes are encouraged to apply.

Application deadline:  Monday, February 9^th at 12:00pm (noon)

To apply, click here 

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact:
Bella Veloso (iveloso@golfcanada.ca)

Orlando, Fla. – Golf Canada’s Derek Ingram and Tristan Mullally were presented with their 2025 PGA of Canada National Awards during Canada Night on Wednesday during the PGA Show in Orlando, Fla.

Ingram of Winnipeg, Man. was awarded the Ben Kern Coach of the Year Award, marking the third time he’s earned the prestigious honour and his sixth career National PGA of Canada Award.

“I am both honoured and thrilled to win the PGA of Canada’s Ben Kern Coach of the Year Award. Ben was a legend playing and coaching in Canada and it is a privilege to win the award with his namesake,” said Ingram.

Ingram’s contributions to both the amateur and professional game make him one of Canada’s most distinguished coaches. Ingram has coached Team Canada at three Olympic Games including Rio 2016, Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 and serves as full-time PGA TOUR coach to Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith. He also coached Sudarshan Yellamaraju through the Team Canada program; Yellamaraju recently earned his PGA TOUR card for 2026. Ingram also serves as coach to Aaron Cockerill and Myles Creighton.

Along with his work in the professional game, Ingram has coached Team Canada at eight World Junior Team Championships, and six World Amateur Team Championships, earning a silver medal in Japan in 2014. A longtime contributor to Golf Canada’s High Performance Program, Ingram is also the head coach of Team Canada’s Men’s National Team.

“There is very little more gratifying than being recognized by your peers and the PGA of Canada for the work I have done this year and past years. One simple goal, to help Canadians players achieve their goal of playing on the PGA Tour. Huge thank you to the players and Golf Canada for putting their trust in me. Excited for the future,” added Ingram.

Mullally of Dundas, Ont. was named the Tex Noble Professional Development Award winner in recognition of his contributions to coach education, mentorship and the advancement of professional development in Canada.

“To be recognized by my peers in developing coaches is a truly humbling honour,” said Mullally. “So many mentors had had a significant influence on my career, and it’s been so great to fulfill that role for others on behalf of Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada.”

Mullally works as Golf Canada’s Head of National Talent Identification, overseeing the national talent identification system that was established in 2022. In this role, Mullally provides support to a promising group of young junior golfers and their existing coaching teams to grow the pool of future Team Canada prospects. In 2026, six players have transitioned from Talent ID to Team Canada – NextGen.

Golf Canada congratulates all the 2025 PGA of Canada National Award winners and extends a heartfelt thank you for their continued support and advancement of our sport across the country.

For the full list of award winners and more information on each recipient, please click here.

ENFIELD, N.S. – Something special was bound to happen with seven players within two strokes of the lead entering Thursday’s final round of the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada at Oakfield Golf & Country Club.

That moment came from Ashburn Golf Club professional Josh Landine, who chipped in on the 18th hole to force a playoff with Yohann Benson, sending the gallery into a roar.

“The chip came out exactly how I wanted it to,” said Landine, who carded rounds of 68-69-70 on the week. “It looked like it might hang on the lip, but it had just enough to drop.”

Both Landine and Benson held the lead at different points in the afternoon. Benson made three straight birdies from Nos. 4 to 6 to open a three-shot advantage, while Landine responded with birdies at 8, 9, 11 and 12 to pull ahead by two.

A double bogey on the par-3 13th brought Landine back into a tie with Benson, with Wes Heffernan and James Swan close behind. Bogeys at 17 for Heffernan and Swan left the final hole to the two leaders.

Benson rolled a 40-foot putt to tap-in range, setting the stage for Landine’s must-make chip from 20 feet. He delivered.

Earlier in the round, Landine cracked the sole of his driver. While he was able to use it during regulation, rules required him to replace it in the playoff.

“Oddly, I was calm going in,” said Landine, whose wife was on the bag. “We joke that she’s undefeated in playoffs. That gave me some confidence.”

In the playoff, Landine hit his approach to 15 feet while Benson, playing from a tough downslope in the rough, saw his shot bounce over the green. Unable to get up-and-down, Benson watched as Landine two-putted for the victory.

“It was a crazy day,” said Landine with a laugh.

Heffernan finished third, while Maxwell Cohen fired a final-round 65 – the tournament’s low score – to tie for fourth with Swan, Khan Lee and Mitchell Fox.

Full leaderboard

Caledon, Ont. – Between Wednesday and Friday at The Pulpit Club, the PGA of Canada claimed all three of their possible ‘Match Points’ at the Four Nation’s Cup, beating New Zealand on Wednesday, South Africa on Thursday and Australia on Friday to claim the championship for the second time in as many efforts. 

Canada’s team consisted of Kevin Stinson (BC), Yohann Benson (Quebec), Craig Stefureak (ONT – Ottawa), and Mitchell Fox (Alberta), and were led by PGA of Canada staffer Matt Mueller. 

Stinson and Benson were undefeated in the competition, with Benson winning five matches and halving one, and Stinson winning four matches and halving two. 

Stinson, PGA of Canada’s Captain and the only player in history to win the PGA of Canada Championship, Assistants’ Championship and Head Pro Championship, was also on the team that won in South Africa in 2022 – as was Mueller. 

Overall Standings: 

• Canada: 3 Match Points (13 Game Points)
• New Zealand: 2 Match Points (10.5 Game Points)
• South Africa: 1 Match Point (7.5 Game Points)
• Australia 0 Match Points (5 Game Points) 

Canada’s overall point leaders (Benson/Stinson, Stefureak/Fox were partners in Fourball each morning. All players competed in Singles each afternoon): 

• Yohann Benson: 5.5 points (5-0-1)
• Kevin Stinson: 5 points (4-0-2)
• Craig Stefureak: 4 points (4-2-0)
• Mitchell Fox: 2 points (2-4-0)
  

Full results

The PGA of Canada and Golf Canada are delighted to announce the eight talented coaches selected for the 2025 Women in Coaching program. This initiative, now in its fifth year, is dedicated to increasing the representation of female high-performance coaches to better reflect the diversity of the Canadian golf community.

The 2025 participants are:​

• Jennifer MacKinnon – Earl Grey Golf Club, Senior Associate Golf Professional
• Katie White – Fox Meadow Golf Course, Head Teaching Professional and PEI Provincial Golf Coach
• Elizabeth Stewart – Edmonton Petroleum Club, Associate Golf Professional and Pandas Women’s Golf Coach at the University of Alberta
• Morgan Matchett – Miramichi Golf and Country Club, Assistant Professional
• Katy Rutherford – Silver Springs Golf & Country Club, Manager of Player Development
• Naixin (Sophia) Li – So Golf Academy Inc., Principal & Head Pro
• Kayla Burke – Lambton Golf & Country Club, Assistant Golf Professional
• Anne Balser – Oakfield Golf & Country Club, Associate Golf Professional

“I am truly thrilled to be part of this year’s Women in Coaching program,” said Sophia Li. “Over the years, I have gained invaluable teaching experience through continuous learning and the accumulation of knowledge, which has given me the opportunity to further my studies with national-level coaches. Every effort and dedication along the way has been immensely rewarding. I look forward to elevating my coaching to new heights and sharing the insights I gain with my students, both now and in the future.”

“It’s an honour to be part of this year’s Women in Coaching program. I’ve heard nothing but great things from past participants, and I’m excited for the opportunity to learn from not only the top women in the industry, but some of the best coaches in the country,” said Anne Balser. “I’m looking forward to catching up with two of my Atlantic Zone colleagues and collaborating with all the talented women, from across the country, who will be attending. This will be an invaluable experience, both personally and professionally.”

Each participant will engage in a comprehensive year-long program that includes:​

• Personalized learning plans with guidance from Master Coach Developer Beth Barz.​
• Coach shadowing opportunities with esteemed professionals, including Golf Canada national team coaches Salimah Mussani and Jennifer Greggain.​
• Virtual learning sessions tailored to developing a community of practice for women coaches.
• In-person technical development sessions designed to enhance coaching skills.​

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Jocelyn Bourassa Legacy Fund (JBLF), which is committed to shaping the future of women in golf by creating strong leaders and role models.  

Past participants have praised the program’s impact on their careers. Kat Kennedy, a 2023 participant, remarked, “The Women in Coaching Program has significantly boosted both my confidence and hands-on experience as a coach. Through specialized coaching education, leadership training, and personalized mentorship, I’ve been able to refine my skills, gain valuable insights from other experienced Canadian women coaches, and build a stronger belief in my abilities as a coach.”​

The 2025 program will commence with an in-person session in late March at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta., followed by another in November, where participants will have the opportunity to shadow national team coaches and participate in hands-on technical development sessions.

For more information about the Women in Coaching program, please click here.  

Are you ready to take your coaching career to the next level? The PGA of Canada and Golf Canada are thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 Women in Coaching Program—and this year marks the program’s fifth anniversary!

This groundbreaking initiative is dedicated to increasing the representation of female high-performance coaches, reflecting the diversity of the Canadian golfing community. Since its launch, the program has empowered 32 coaches, and we’re eager to support even more in 2025!

Participants in this year-long program will benefit from:

• Virtual learning sessions tailored to your growth.
• Individualized learning plans with expert guidance from Master Coach Developer Beth Barz.
• Coach shadowing opportunities with top-tier professionals including Golf Canada national team coaches Salimah Mussani and Jennifer Greggain
• An in-person technical development session designed to elevate your skills.

Thanks to the generous support of the Jocelyn Bourassa Legacy Fund (JBLF), this program is shaping the future of women in golf, creating strong leaders and role models who inspire the next generation. To learn more about how the JBLF is positively impacting women’s golf or to make a contribution to the fund, please click here.

Hear from past participants:

The Women in Coaching Program has significantly boosted both my confidence and hands-on experience as a coach. Through specialized coaching education, leadership training, and personalized mentorship, I’ve been able to refine my skills, gain valuable insights from other experienced Canadian women coaches, and built a stronger belief in my abilities as a coach. I now feel equipped to take on greater responsibilities, advocate for change, and pave the way for future generations of women in coaching. – Kristi Roach, 2024 program participant

“The Women in Coaching Program has accelerated the development of my coaching skills by providing valuable knowledge and offering high-level coaching experiences.  Thanks to the incredible support I received from Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada, Team Canada coaches and the women’s golf professional community, the program has significantly boosted my confidence in coaching.”  – Kat Kennedy, 2023 program participant

The 2025 program will launch with an in-person session in March and another in November, location TBD, where participants will shadow national team coaches and take part in dynamic technical development sessions.

Applications close on Monday, February 5, 2025, at 11:00 p.m. ET.

Don’t miss your chance to join this transformative program. Apply Now!

For questions or more information, contact Emily Phoenix at ephoenix@golfcanada.ca.

Let’s shape the future of coaching—together!

Golf Canada’s Amaya Athill recognized among the group of
12 distinguished honourees

Golf Canada is pleased to congratulate the group of 12 distinguished recipients recognized with the PGA of Canada’s 2024 National Awards. 

Each year, a National Selection Committee for the PGA of Canada evaluates nominations from golf professionals across Canada.

The 2024 PGA of Canada Award Winners Include:

Murray Tucker Club Professional of the Year – Dennis Firth, The Royal Montreal Golf Club

Dick Munn Executive Professional of the Year – Ted Stonehouse, Cabot Cape Breton

George Knudson Teacher of the Year – Gord Burns, Gord Burns Golf School

Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year – Matt Seifert, GolfFuture

Ben Kern Coach of the Year – Jean-Francois Richard, Louis Melanson Golf Academy

Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year – Andrew Szewczuk, Banff Springs Golf Club

Moe Norman Apprentice Professional of the Year – Ethan Hunt, Whistle Bear Golf Club

Stan Leonard Class ‘A’ Assistant Professional of the Year – Anne Balser, Oakfield Golf & Country Club

Warren Crosbie Community Leader of the Year – Amaya Athill, Golf Canada

Tex Noble Professional Development Award – Sean Murray, St. Charles Country Club

Brooke Henderson Female Player of the Year – Casey MacNeil, Timberwolf Golf Academy

Mike Weir Male Player of the Year – Wes Heffernan, Dynamic Motion Golf Performance Centre

For the full list of award descriptions and winners, please click here.

The winners will be celebrated later this month during Canada Night at the PGA Show in Orlando on January 22, 2025.

In one of the hardest-conditioned days in PGA of Canada Championship history, with winds at 40 KM/h, gusting up to 60 KM/h, Mitchell Fox somehow carded a bogey-free 70.  

Playing in the 8^th last group of the day, he finished at -1 for the championship. 21 players were still on the course, all beginning their day with a better score than him – including Nigel Sinnott, who began leading at -7.  

All of those players, apart from Yohann Benson, finished worse than -1.

Benson, one of the few survivors of the Rockyview winds, carded an even-par 72 – one of only four players to do so during the final round.

Benson and Fox watched on as Sang Lee had a 25-foot birdie putt on 18, needing a two-putt to win the title. Lee left his birdie try five-feet below the hole and, as many did throughout the day, fell victim to the difficult Mickelson National greens, missing two more to fall one-stroke shy of a playoff.

In the playoff, Fox left his approach short of the green and made bogey, while Benson nestled his 30-foot birdie try next to the hole, earning the 2024 PGA Championship of Canada title and $13,000 first-place cheque.

“It feels awesome because I really had no clue until I signed my scorecard that I had a chance,” said Benson, who also won the 2023 PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf. “I said, ‘see you guys in Vancouver’ when I signed my card [to the scoring staff] and they said, ‘hang on a minute, you might want to hang around’. I was very happily surprised and went to the playoff and pulled it off.”

With a tight leaderboard that saw 10 players within two strokes of the lead on the back nine, Benson made back-to-back birdies on holes 10 and 11, and held on through the rest of the day as many of the remaining hole were straight into the strong wind.

“What a golf course this is, it was quite the test all three days,” said Benson, who teaches out of Le Mirage (Club de Golf). “When you look at the names on the trophy it is really an honour to put my name next to the greats that have won the PGA Championship of Canada.”

Arriving on Sunday, the opening round was the first time Benson saw the golf course.  

“I played it blind during the first round, but the conditions were nice, so I thought it was a scorable course,” said Benson, who carded a first-round 70. “Yesterday, I didn’t complete round two, so I came back at 6:15 AM to play three holes and I didn’t finish well. I made bogey on the last two holes, and I plotted along this afternoon.”

“Thank God it is a wide golf course, so hitting the ball in play off the tee wasn’t so difficult, but hitting the right areas on the greens that were running fast was a grind. I did my best, and I generally have a good attitude. I don’t get to play competitive golf much, so I truly enjoyed it.”

All three players who finished in a tie for third, as well as runner-up Mitchell Fox, have roots in Calgary. Wes Heffernan and Chris Horton both call Calgary home, while Lee grew up in the city, learning under Randy Robb at Edge High School.

One of the activations taking place during the week was the E-Z-GO “It’s Good to Go” hole of the week. The three players who made eagle on the drivable par-4 were Ben Boudreau, Katy Rutherford and Steven Lecuyer.

All three were put into a draw for a $250 cash prize. After the random draw, Rutherford earned the bonus.

A huge thank you to local partner Flint Energy, who offered meals to players each of the first two rounds, Stony for supplying staff clothing, Golf Avenue for supporting the full championship schedule, Golf Away Tours for their support of our championship previews, National Partner Wesko Locks and local partner Harmony Developments.

Also special shoutout to Miles Motensen and the entire Mickelson National Golf Club team – what a host venue! 

Full leaderboard can be found here.

Acton, ON – The PGA of Canada is seeking nominations for two at-large positions on its Board of Directors. A historic moment in the organization’s history, the volunteer positions are open to both members and non-members. This change to the PGA of Canada National Board composition is a cutting-edge governance practice and achieves a key objective in the organization’s strategic plan, to diversify the leadership

The addition of these two at-large members is the result of the PGA of Canada’s Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce Report, as the association strives to create an inclusive and representative Board that reflects the diversity of Canada. The elected individuals, who will serve a three-year term as full voting members on the Board, will be essential in the governance of the organization, ensuring the implementation of the organization’s strategic plan and that the needs of the 3,800 PGA of Canada members across Canada are at the forefront of conversation and decision making. 

Recently, the PGA of Canada’s Board of Directors completed a skills and competency matrix to identify the needs for the two new positions based on the current composition of the Board. Based on the outcomes of this exercise and the need to diversify the perspectives and personnel on the Board to ensure that equity, diversity, and inclusion is at the forefront of the governance of the organization, the nominating committee is looking to solicit gender balance and/or traditionally underrepresented groups who have experience, skills and expertise in one or more of the following areas: 

• Environment, social responsibility, governance
• Nonprofit governance experience
• Risk management
• Legal
• Regulatory (fiscal, governmental, funding, legal regulatory)

Nomination application deadline – September 1, 2023

More information can be found on the nomination form, which can be found here. 

The nominating committee will review all submissions and by September 11, an email will be sent to all Class ‘A’ members with the committee’s recommendation, but Class “A” voting members may vote for any two candidates they choose if an election is necessary. A bio will be provided for each candidate before the September 11-15, 2023 election. 

The elected candidates will be responsible for attending one in-person meeting each year, as well as one virtual meeting each quarter. Depending on circumstances, there may be other virtual meetings called throughout the year, and the opportunity to join various committees may arise.  

The strength of the PGA of Canada comes from the expertise of those trusted with seats at the decision-making table. As a board member, the elected candidates will be trusted to use their knowledge and passion to help lead important discussions and make decisions that will drive the industry forward for both colleagues and future generations.

NOMINATION FORM

(Kingsville, ON) – Golf is well known for its adages/figures of speech/euphemisms/cliches – whatever you want to call them.
 
While some (or many) of them would induce groans from even the most esteemed khaki-bearing New Balance-wearing dads, the phrase about having to keep your foot on the peddle when you have the lead in a golf tournament rings true. That is exactly what Alena Sharp did out of the gate today at the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.
 
Entering the final round three strokes ahead of Min-G Kim, the now four-time champion made five birdies in her first seven holes to extend her lead to five at Kingsville Golf & Country Club. She never looked back, firing 69 to finish five ahead of runner-up, amateur Laren Zaretsky.
 
“This is an amazing feeling, coming here and playing Kingsville again after so long and having such a good two days,” said Sharp, who has found her form this year, currently sitting within the top-10 of the Epson Tour’s Player Rankings. “I had a good warmup; I feel like my win a month ago helped me be more relaxed coming into today.”
 
The win gives her the second-most ORORO PGA Women’s Championship titles in history. Lorie Kane, who the tournament trophy is named after, has won five times.
 
“Lorie (Kane) was an inspiration to all of us and it’s great to hold a trophy with her name on it,” said Sharp, who shot 66-69 to finish at 9-under par. “I still have a couple more years of playing full on, so if in the future there is an off week and I can make it, I would definitely love to come back and compete in this tournament again.”
 
Receiving an exemption into the LPGA Tour’s CPKC Women’s Open thanks to the win, Sharp will head to Vancouver August 24-27 following a stretch of four Epson Tour events.
 
Playing alongside Sharp was Caroline Ciot, the low PGA of Canada professional from 2022. Though a double bogey on the final hole took her out of sole possession of that spot this year, her rounds of 71-74 were good enough to give her co low PGA professional honours alongside Silver Springs Golf & Country Club Class “A” Professional Katy Rutherford.
 
“I know how hard it can be for PGA of Canada Professionals because a lot of their job (in the summer) is to teach or run a golf club and you rarely get to play, so it was awesome to see so many PGA pros play at a high level,” said Sharp. “It was nice to play with Caroline (Ciot), she has a good game and a great future so it’s great that she can (play and teach) at such a high level.”

Throughout the week, players raved about the course conditioning and how welcoming the golf course staff and members made everyone feel. The volunteers at the event were truly next level.
 
“Everybody here was so welcoming,” said Sharp, who picked up $7000 with the victory.” A lot of volunteers helped get this tournament off the ground and they were out watching, and it was so delightful. We can’t have tournaments without volunteers, so I’m thankful they showed up and helped Kingsville Golf and Country Club and the PGA of Canada.
 
“I love coming back home, everyone is so kind, so it was nice to be here,” she said.
 
ORORO Heated Apparel was a tremendous supporter of the event, giving away heated vests and jackets to top finishers of the championship.
 
Each day, a hole was deemed the NoSweat Hardest Hole of the Day, with the player who made the low score winning $150 courtesy of NoSweat. The 13^th hole was the hardest hole on Wednesday, where three players managed to make birdie: Belinda Lin, Diana McDonald and Casey MacNeil.
 
After a random draw, Diana McDonald joined Valerie Tanguay as our NoSweat champions of the week.
 
Huge thank you to PGA of Canada professionals Katy Rutherford and Emma de Groot for being featured on our On The Bag content segments this week.
 
Photos from the tournament can be found on our Flickr page here.  
 
Content from the event can be found on our Instagram page, here.