Canadian PGA Announces NIKE Golf as Major Partner in National Education Program

Canadian PGA Announces NIKE Golf as Major Partner in National Education Program

Canadian PGA Announces NIKE Golf as Major Partner in National Education Program

ACTON, ON (October 20, 2008) - The Canadian PGA is pleased to announce a revolutionary partnership with NIKE Golf Canada as the Association’s first major sponsor in the Canadian PGA National Education Program.

NIKE Golf is now the presenting sponsor of the Instructor Beginner context in the Canadian PGA Teaching and Coaching Certification Program (TCCP) where the comprehensive club fitting component is introduced to all new Canadian PGA Apprentices. NIKE Golf will also be the recognized club fitting provider for all new Canadian PGA Elite Apprentices.

“The Canadian PGA’s mission statement is to develop, promote and support professionals in the game and business of golf” stated Canadian PGA Executive Director Steve Carroll. “We believe this new education partnership generously supported by NIKE Golf Canada will greatly enhance the Association’s ability to deliver on this value proposition for the Canadian golf industry.”

The Canadian PGA Teaching and Coaching Certification Program (TCCP) is an intensive training program designed to provide Canadian PGA Members with an opportunity to develop teaching and coaching skills toward professional recognized accreditation. The TCCP program is exclusive to Canadian PGA Members and is based on scientific research and the latest teaching and coaching techniques in golf. The TCCP Instructor Beginner Golfers workshop presented by NIKE GOLF is a three day mandatory session where all new Apprentice members of the Association are introduced to the basics of teaching and coaching. Canadian PGA Apprentices must obtain trained status in the TCCP Instructor Beginner Golfers context presented by NIKE Golf in order to teach at any Canadian PGA facility in addition to receiving Class ‘A’ status in the Canadian PGA.

“NIKE Golf is extremely pleased to enter into this exciting and historic partnership with the Canadian PGA and become the recognized club fitting provider for Canadian PGA Elite Apprentices,” said John Sibley, General Manager of NIKE Golf Canada. “We are tremendously proud to be the first golf manufacturer to provide the equipment and expertise for club fitting - a core skill that is one of the foundations upon which golf professionals build their careers.”

For the first time in history, the Canadian PGA will partner with one manufacturer to deliver the club fitting component of the TCCP Instructor Beginner workshop to all new Canadian PGA Members, thereby exclusively offering Members a club fitting experience with NIKE Golf and standardizing the learning outcomes for each Apprentice. Facilitated by NIKE Golf club fitting specialists and the NIKE Golf 360 Fitting System, this opportunity will provide Members with the ability to maximize client performance on the course by equipping consumers with every club in their bag ranging from the driver to lob wedge. When coupled with the proprietary Nike IFS (Intelligent Fitting System) software and launch monitor, the 360 Fitting System will provide Members with a tour-level fitting experience.

Club fitting workshops will be held at various locations across Canada in every Canadian PGA Zone beginning in March of 2009. Canadian PGA Apprentices will enjoy a full day workshop on the driving range with NIKE Golf club fitting experts & product specialists. In addition to the education component, Canadian PGA Apprentices will also receive NIKE Golf products.

Additional learning opportunities will be available for Canadian PGA Members to attend the NIKE Research and Development /Fitting Headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas to test out NIKE's latest products on the same launch monitor that Tiger Woods uses.

Known as “The Oven,” NIKE Golf’s state-of-the-art R&D facility is where the company’s staff of engineers and technicians develop, research and test the innovative technology that has helped NIKE Golf become one of the fastest growing companies in the golf industry. The facility is also vital for NIKE Golf tour staff members who are custom-fitted at the facility and assist in the design and testing of new NIKE Golf products. “The Oven” is equipped with everything from the latest computer technology to grinding equipment operated by skilled NIKE Golf craftsmen. NIKE Golf has been the winningest brand on the PGA Tour the last three years, leading in driver, iron, wedge, fairway wood and apparel wins.

About the Canadian PGA

Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com.  

About NIKE Golf Canada

Based in Thornhill, Ontario, NIKE Golf Canada markets, sells and distributes industry leading NIKE Golf golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories throughout Canada. NIKE Golf is passionately dedicated to honouring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game. For more information on NIKE Golf Canada, visit www.nikegolf.ca.  Editors and journalists seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit www.nikegolf.com/presscenter

For more information:

Vitalis Gomes
Director of Marketing
NIKE Golf Canada
vitalis.gomes@nike.com  
905.771.2058

Jeff Dykeman
Manager of Business Development
Canadian PGA
jeff@cpga.com  
800.782.5764 (x232)

Gary Bernard
Director of Education
Canadian PGA
gary@cpga.com  
800.782.5764 (x221)