LTPD: Provides Detailed Structure for Development

Whether you’re traveling in a car or trying to plot a country’s future in golf, you won’t get where you want to go without a really good map.

In January 2007, RCGA in partnership with the Canadian PGA announced the map for the development of golfers in Canada: the Long Term Player Development Guide. A number of Canadian PGA Members were instrumental in the development of the Guide.

The aim of LTPD is to develop a long-range and systematic approach to growing golf in Canada. This includes not only the proliferation of recreational golfers but also the identification, coaching and support of elite amateurs and professionals.

At its essence, the RCGA will oversee the player development part of the program, while the Canadian PGA will oversee the coaching and instruction component through the National Coaching Certification Program.

“The association now has access to some of the world’s best sport science available today and millions of dollars spent by the federal government in this area with the CPGA being the beneficiary at no cost to the Member,” said Gary Bernard, Director of Education, who also serviced on the LTPD Steering Committee. “This would not be possible without our direct partnership with the RCGA and Sport Canada and Coaching Association of Canada.”

The LTPD provides clear guidelines for coaches and teachers that include practice schedules and realistic goals for playing and competition for all age groups. The program has other benefits for golfers and Canadian golf professionals:

  • It provides a clear pathway for success—where to play, when to play, what to learn/teach
  • The instructor/coach now has a structure to work from based on golf expertise, as well as growth, maturation, motor skills skill learning, and sport science
  • There are no more anecdotal benchmarks—LTPD provides measurable milestones that can be used to track participants/athletes
  • LTPD removes age group success as an important factor in measuring development; LTPD consultant Steve Norris notes: “I don’t care who wins when you’re 14 years old because 90 per cent of age group winners do not win at the senior level.”
  • Coach/instructors and students can be matched up in specific ways to ensure a good fit
  • Members can use the Guide as a tool to market themselves in a various coaching and instruction areas
  • It will allow NCCP-certified CPGA Members to coach in the 2009 Canada Games, and potentially in future Commonwealth and Olympic Games
“The implementation of this program marks a watershed moment in Canadian golf,” said Warren Crosbie, President of the Canadian PGA. “I’d like to thank the RCGA for their leadership on this important Guide and our Members who served on the task force, including Henry Brunton, Anne Carroll, Glenn Cundari, Bari Gourley, Lee Ann Jeffcock, Daniel Langevin, Chris MacDonald, Cathy Sherk, Dean Spriddle, Dave Woods and Sam Young.”