Canadian PGA Announces 2010 National Award Winners & Tex Noble Winner
(ACTON, ONTARIO) February 16, 2011: Canadian PGA has announced the 2010 winners of its prestigious National Awards for exceptional and dedicated service as Canadian golf professionals.
The 2010 winners are:
• Club Professional of the Year: Alan Carter, Executive Professional at Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club, Alberta
• Teacher of the Year: Jason Helman, Teaching Professional at Wyndance Golf Club, Ontario
• Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year: Jeff Chambers, Head Professional at Elmwood Golf and Country Club, Saskatchewan
• Merchandiser of the Year: Tom Greiner, Head Professional at Calgary Golf and Country Club, Alberta
• Tex Noble Winners: Lindsay Robson, Professional at Beach Grove Golf & Country Club, Ontario and Brad Friesner, Head Professional at The Highlands Golf Club, Ontario
Each year, a National Selection committee evaluates nominations from more than 3,700 Canadian PGA Members coast-to-coast and recognizes winners in each of the five categories. The winners will receive their award at the 2011 Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship in November.
“We are proud of each of our 3,700 members, but at this time of year, we are privileged to recognize a small group of members who inspire not only the golfers they meet every day but their fellow professionals. It goes without saying that these six members have elevated themselves within the Canadian PGA and the entire golf industry,” said Glenn Cundari, President of the PGA. “On behalf of the entire National Board of Directors and the entire membership, congratulations to each of our award winners.”
Club Professional of the Year: Mr. Alan Carter
Alan Carter, Executive Professional at Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club in Alberta is the recipient of the Canadian PGA Club Professional of the Year award.
“I am honored to be recognized by my peers as the Club Professional of the Year. It is humbling to receive this National Award, it is truly a testament to the people I have had the opportunity to work with throughout my career”, said Carter upon learning of the award. “I owe this award to many, however, my wife and best-friend Susan and my son Noah are my biggest supporters. They bring understanding and balance to my life and have helped me to become a better leader.”
“I’d also like to thank Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. They have provided me with many amazing opportunities to learn and grow professionally over the last 17 years. In addition, I would also like to thank my staff at Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club, both past and present” added Carter.
Throughout his 27 years as a golf professional, Alan credits his mentor Mr. Irving Lightstone, former Head Professional at Maple Downs Golf & Country Club in Ontario and a past Canadian PGA Club Professional of the Year, for playing an important role in his career development and having inspired him to achieve his goals.
“Irving’s dedication to the sport has influenced me greatly and has truly inspired my success”.
Alan is a firm believer in the importance of giving back to his association. Over the last several years he has been involved with the PGA of Alberta in a number of roles, and most recently has been elected to the position of President of the PGA of Alberta. Alan will assume this role at the Annual General Meeting in March of 2011.
Other roles include:
• PGA of Alberta, Vice President - 2008 to present
• PGA of Alberta, Buying Show & Finance Chairman– 2004 to present
• PGA of Alberta Board of Directors - 2004 - to present
Teacher of the Year – Mr. Jason Helman
Jason Helman, Director of Instruction at Wyndance Golf Club in Uxbridge, Ontario, is the 2010 recipient of the Canadian PGA Teacher of the Year Award.
Jason grew up in Westport, Ontario and was inspired to pursue a career in golf after reading an advertisement for a school in Golf Digest. After graduating in 1993 from the San Diego Golf Academy (Orlando campus) Jason moved to Germany on a contract to instruct at a series of academies in Europe. One year later, he returned to Canada and joined the Canadian PGA.
Jason set his goals in March of 2010, one of them was to attain the Ontario PGA Teacher of the Year Award which he received in October, then only a few months later, learned that he was also to be awarded the Canadian PGA Teacher of the Year.
“I’m very thankful to have received this award and would like to thank those people that have provided support and encouragement along the way including my parents, Charlie King, Scott Reid (Callaway), Dustin Kerr-Taylor, ClubLink Corp., friends and colleagues.” Said Helman.
Jason’s teaching philosophy is based primarily on biomechanics or efficient body motion and proper sequence, based on a student’s assessment of their physical and athletic abilities. Jason has worked with players on the Canadian, Nationwide and Duramed Futures Tours along with National Amateurs.
Jason has been featured in SCORE Golf Magazine on numerous occasions along with Golf Pops a Korean Golf Newspaper, ClubLink Life Magazine, GolfScene Magazine, and several other local newspapers and online.
Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year – Mr. Jeff Chambers
Jeff Chambers, Head Professional at Elmwood Golf and Country Club in Swift Current, Saskatchewan is the recipient of the 2010 Canadian PGA Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year.
The desire to work with young people started in high school for Jeff Chambers and has continued over the last 15 years. Jeff has a passion for working with young golfers on all levels from his early days as the Saskatchewan Golf Association’s Provincial Coach. He taught the CN Future Links program throughout the Province, and still runs the Maple Leaf Junior Tour in Saskatchewan.
In 2008, Jeff was hired as the Head Professional of The Elmwood Golf & Country Club, and he has made it his mission to grow the junior program into one of the largest in Canada. Jeff was awarded the Provincial Junior Promoter of the year in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010. In addition to his duties as Head Professional, Jeff continues to coach the Maple Leaf Junior Teams at International events and the Saskatchewan Provincial Teams at National Championships.
2010 Merchandiser of the Year – Mr. Tom Greiner
“It is a great honor to be recognized by my peers as the 2010 Canadian PGA Merchandiser of the Year. The award means that the tremendous effort our staff provides to our members and guests is being recognized. Every member of the Golf Shop team should be proud of receiving this award,” said Greiner upon learning of the award.
Tom Greiner and his team at The Calgary Golf and Country Club believe that every customer that visits the Shop should get a warm smile and friendly welcome. “Getting to know each and every member by name helps make our guests feel right at home. This is the atmosphere we have tried to create in our shop. We encourage our guests to mingle and walk around the shop and soak up the atmosphere. Our club, established in 1897, has a long and rich history which we incorporate into the look of the Golf Shop featuring vintage clubs and bags throughout, along with a picture of the original clubhouse which was built in 1911 on our merchandise bags”, said Greiner
Tom's merchandising philosophy is two-fold. The first is to introduce unique product lines to the golf shop and the second is to build strong relationships with like-minded suppliers. “Partnering with suppliers that value our relationship and provide excellent customer service is very important”, said Tom. “In addition, we have also found success in introducing many popular retail clothing lines normally found in traditional men's wear stores such as Lipson shirts, Klaus Boehler, Horst and Toscano Our members have been pleasantly surprised to see these lines and the quality of their product.”
Our staff plays a tremendously important role in the merchandising experience. We impress upon them the importance of providing exceptional service in a personalized manner with attention to detail.
A special thank you goes to Pam Noble who has been part of our team for 20 years. Pam does an exceptional job in creating the look and feel of the shop, she has a passion for her job and works incredibly hard to “bring the shop to life”.
Tex Noble Award – Ms. Lindsay Robson and Mr. Brad Friesner
The Canadian PGA’s Tex Noble Award represents the Association’s commitment to recognizing a high standard of achievement among Canadian PGA Apprentice Professionals”, stated Gary Bernard , Executive Director of the Canadian PGA. Both Lindsay and Brad scored an impressive 97% on their Class “A” Examinations.
Ms. Lindsay Robson
Lindsay grew up in Bayfield, Ontario and at age 10 she started playing golf at Seaforth Golf and Country Club and Bluewater Golf Course with her parents and brothers. Lindsay played junior golf in the Owen Sound District, with an Optimist World Junior appearance in West Palm Beach at PGA National Golf Club ranking in the top 35. She won the Tyson Tour Girls Division in 2000, and played Provincial events through the former Ontario Ladies Golf Association (OLGA), and National events with the former Canadian Ladies Golf Association (CLGA), she also played NCAA Division I College Golf at Eastern Michigan University, graduated with a Degree in Psychology and was Captain for two years.
Graduating from the Professional Golf Management Program at the Chatham Campus in 2009, Lindsay was then mentored by fellow CPGA member Kevin Corriveau at St. Clair College and Glenn Cundari, CPGA member and National Board President as a facilitator of the TCCP workshops and in preparing for the Class “A” Exam. Lindsay is currently an Associate Professional at Beach Grove Golf and Country Club in Windsor, Ontario under the direction of Ryan Hughes, Director of Golf.
Mr. Brad Friesner
Brad Friesner discovered golf at an early age in the junior golf program at The Highlands Golf Club in Bradford, Ontario. He refined his competitive skills in the local B.A.G.S Junior Tour that circled throughout Barrie and surrounding area.
In 2004, Brad successfully completed his Playing Ability Test (PAT) the first major step in PACE to become an Apprentice Professional. Brad then began to focus on teaching and business skills under the guidance of his long-time Head Professional and mentor, Glenn Garratt.
Brad worked under Glenn from 2003 to 2008 gaining experience with corporate events, membership sales, food and beverage management and golf instruction. Brad went on to enroll in the Professional Golf Management program at Georgian College and graduated on the Dean’s list in 2009. Brad was promoted to Golf Operations Manager in early 2008 and held this title until he successfully completed his Class “A” Exam. In 2010, Brad accepted the position of Head Professional at The Highlands Golf Club.
“These last few years have been a wonderful learning experience. I have been given many amazing opportunities and I am grateful to be the Head Professional of The Highlands Golf Club, a course that I grew up on and now have the opportunity to lead into the future .” said Friesner.
About the CPGA
About the Canadian PGA: Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,700 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 .
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For more information contact:
Kelly Dixon
Director of Communications & Marketing
Canadian PGA
kelly@cpga.com
800.782.5764 ext 234