During a virtual award ceremony held Thursday evening, the PGA of Canada recognized its newest class of Hall of Fame inductees, as well as recipients for annual awards.
“We are blessed to have a family of over 3,600 professionals who proudly share their passion and expertise with golfers from coast-to-coast,” said Teejay Alderdice, the association’s president. “On behalf of the PGA of Canada, I would like to congratulate all nominees and finalists for their outstanding accomplishments this year”
Award recipients are as follows:
Moe Norman Apprentice Professional of the Year
Winner: Bri-Ann Tokariwski
Bri-ann Tokariwski’s overall performance can be summed up by three things: ‘ambition’, ‘hard work’ and ‘can-do attitude.’ No matter the day, she greets members and guests with a smile on her face and is always looking for ways to help the other staff at the club. Developing herself professionally each day through various programs, seminars and podcasts, she puts the information into practice with all the programs she runs and participates in, making every professional around her strive to do better.
Tokariwski has completely revamped the junior program at Elmhurst, consistently bringing new, fun programming, working to grow the game at the grassroots level. Over 500 hours of Tokariwski’s season is spent teaching and coaching, with more than half of those hours going towards women and juniors. She stops at nothing to help her students reach their goals.
Outside of her work at the club, Tokariwski’s focus in 2021 was taking over the Provincial Junior Girls Development Team as Head Coach. She put together a program that focused on developing skills, the mental game, nutrition, conditioning, and confidence. Two provincial champions ended up coming from Tokariwski’s program, and eight girls competed in the National Junior Championship.
Tokariwski motivates and inspires those around her by leading by example and showing what can be accomplished through hard work. Through her work in the shop at Elmhurst, her work with juniors, both at the competitive and grass roots levels, and her leadership, she is succeeding in growing the game.
Finalists:
Dominik Boucher, GreyHawk Golf Club, Ottawa Zone
Chris Carlaw, The Links at Brunello, Atlantic Zone
Matt Gillett, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, British Columbia Zone
Natalie Gleadall, Whistle Bear Golf Club, Ontario Zone
Sarah-Andréa Landry, Club De Golf Pinegrove, Quebec Zone
Bri-ann Tokariwski, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club, Manitoba Zone
Rachel Wiebe, Windermere Golf & Country Club, Alberta Zone
Ben Kern Coach of the Year
Winner: Mike Martz
Despite already being one of Canada’s most educated coaches, Mike Martz, Teaching Professional at the Ontario Golf Academy, never stops his pursuit of learning to grow even stronger in his craft. While Martz has coached a long list of professionals and amateurs alike, many of whom are NCAA champions, it’s his work towards making the game more inclusive that truly makes him a role model.
For 12 years, Martz spearheaded the Golfers with Disabilities program, each summer introducing 20 children and young adults with mental or physical challenges to golf. Martz also coached Natasha Stasiuk to victory at the first Ontario Disability Golf Championship. His students know him as a harder worker, a mentor and a leader who always puts his students first and is passionate about their success. Finally, Martz has never failed to share his knowledge with others, giving his time to various podcasts, golf magazines and fellow professionals looking for mentorship from one of the country’s best.
Finalists:
Derek Ingram, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club, Manitoba Zone
Conner Kozak, Okanagan Golf Club, British Columbia Zone
Mike Martz, The Ontario Golf Academy, Ontario Zone
Louis Melanson, Louis Melanson Golf Academy, Atlantic Zone
Jamie Reimer, Golfuture, Alberta Zone
Jason Schneider, Wildwood Golf Course, Saskatchewan Zone
Antoine St-Jean, Génération Golf, Quebec Zone
Tex Noble Professional Development Award
Winner: Anne Rogerson
Whether it’s by organizing Home and Home women’s events for clubs around Quebec, working with her many students to help them excel, mentoring other staff at Hillsdale, continuously learning through educational opportunities or volunteering her time and sharing her ideas on the PGA of Quebec Board of Directors, Anne Rogerson excels in everything she does, and does so with a smile and kindness that is infectious.
Though she has only been at Hillsdale Golf Club for a year, the members already refer to her as “our Anne” because of her tireless work throughout the season and her constant positive energy. Her mantra is “get 1% better every single day and never stop learning”, which she has demonstrated throughout her entire career and continued through the 2021 season.
Rogerson is known by her peers as responsible, organized and dedicated, with a business sense and a straightforwardness that is appreciated by all. Entrusted with the development of a beginner program, she thrived and the renewal rate for next season is 95%. Her tangible presence among the leaders of our industry shows her constant desire to grow the game of golf collectively. Her extensive knowledge is noticeable, and her ideas are always genuine and administratively logical. Although her resume already testifies to her vastly sharpened business skills, it is her emotional intelligence that stands out the most.
Finalists:
Dennis Bradley, Copper Point Golf Club, British Columbia Zone
Tyler Cameron, Credit Valley Golf & Country Club, Ontario Zone
Anne Rogerson, Hillsdale Golf Inc., Quebec Zone
Chris Ward, Edmonton Petroleum Golf & C.C., Alberta Zone
Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year
Winner: Stephanie Lam
Through her leadership, values and work effort, Stephanie Lam’s professionalism has rubbed off on everyone around her at The Pulpit Club. Lam excels in all aspects as a golf professional, in particular her outstanding service to customers, her eye for detail and her ability to lead by example and mentorship. Those who have been around her have greatly benefitted from her leadership and many have advanced their own careers thanks to her. Lam works to make the industry better through collaboration and an inclusive mindset.
Despite a heavy workload, she still finds time to teach students from the Pulpit Club, and her former club, Beacon Hall, and she approaches each lesson with an outstanding amount of preparation. In addition, she was central to the success of multiple philanthropic events – the Southlake Regional Health Center Golf Tournament and a local Soldier On golf event for veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces. The dedication Lam brings to the sport and the Pulpit Club make her the deserving recipient of the Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year award.
Finalists:
Shawn Banfield, Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club Ltd., Ottawa Zone
Travis Carr, Belvedere Golf Club Inc., Atlantic Zone
Brent Eikelenboom, The Legends Golf Club, Saskatchewan Zone
Jeremy Gallant, St. Charles Country Club, Manitoba Zone
Stephanie Lam, The Pulpit Club – Pulpit, Ontario Zone
Alexandre Ouellette, Club De Golf Le Blainvillier, Quebec Zone
Gord Scutt, Victoria Golf Club, British Columbia Zone
Chris Ward, Edmonton Petroleum Golf & C.C., Alberta Zone
George Knudson Teacher of the Year
Winner: Tim Wilson
Since joining Shaughnessy in 2017, Wilson has increased his lesson revenue each year and has helped the club increase their lesson revenue in total by 30% in 2021. In addition to Wilson’s work at the club, he is the swing coach for both the UBC men’s and women’s golf teams, and St George’s Academy team.
Wilson worked with over 150 different players in 2021, including the club’s men’s, women’s and junior club champions, the men’s club captain and the runner-up at the 2021 BC Men’s Amateur Championship. Wilson also pitches in 24-30 hours per week in the golf shop, supporting the golf professionals and the active membership at Shaughnessy.
After being named Lead Teaching Professional this past season, Wilson took it upon himself to create a welcoming lineup of instruction and courses after being unable to due to Covid in 2020. In total, Wilson created seven new programs and camps for members at the club, in addition to his regularly scheduled lessons.
Finalists:
Josh Fleming, GOLFTEC (Calgary Beacon Heights), Alberta Zone
Derrik Goodwin, St. Charles Country Club in 2021, Manitoba Zone
Patricia Jonas, Saskatoon Golf & Country Club, Saskatchewan Zone
Derek MacDonald, Royal Ottawa Golf Club, Ottawa Zone
Jeff MacDonald, Ashburn Golf Club, Atlantic Zone
Sylvie Schetagne, Golf-Tonus PTMT, Quebec Zone
Casey Ward, Credit Valley Golf & Country Club, Ontario Zone
Tim Wilson, Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club, British Columbia Zone
Mike Weir Male Player of the Year
Winner: Mike Flemming
Fleming managed to pick up what he called “the biggest win of (my) career” this past summer at the BetRegal PGA Championship of Canada – and he did it in record breaking fashion. In the history of the event, won in the past by the likes of Arnold Palmer, Moe Norman and Lee Trevino, nobody has gone as low as Fleming, who shot 66-63-68-66 to win by three strokes at Parcours du Vieux Village in Bromont, Quebec.
In addition, Fleming managed to battle back from an opening round 74 at the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada with rounds of 66 and 69 to place in a tie for third.
A month before his triumph at the National Championship, Fleming won the PGA of Alberta’s Cobra Puma Golf Assistants’ Championship in a playoff over Grant Numrich, firing 64-71 at the two-day event.
Finalists:
Marc-Etienne Bussieres, Golf et Académie Longchamp, Quebec Zone
Riley Fleming, Lynx Ridge Golf Club, Alberta Zone
Danny King, The Performance Academy at Magna, Ontario Zone
Alan McLean, Echo Valley Golf Club, Ontario Zone
Kevin Stinson, Cheam Mountain Golf Course, British Columbia Zone
Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year
Winner: Chris Dickenson
Chris Dickenson, the Head Teaching Professional at the Ontario Golf Academy at Whistle Bear Golf Club, has done a tremendous job growing the game for juniors at the club, both at the grassroots level and for competitive players at the club. In total, over 450 juniors were put through various programming in 2021, including a girls and boys club, a “Toonie Tuesday” junior league (Dickenson worked with the club to secure 10 tee times every Tuesday morning during the summer for the juniors) and a competitive players team. Dickenson coached the competitive players to 47 wins at various tournaments throughout the country in 2021.
In addition, Dickenson was imperative in the creation of the Michael Gligic Scholarship, with support from Titleist and Levelwear, which provided the recipient with a golf membership, as well as a year-long coaching package, clothing, and golf clubs. Dickenson also helped many of the juniors who were feeling down during the pandemic with a “Let Us Play” campaign and helped them send over 250 letters to members of parliament, paving the way for the re-opening of golf in the province last Spring.
Finalists:
Elizabeth Asselin, Club De Golf Royal Quebec, Quebec Zone
Travis Carr, Belvedere Golf Club Inc., Atlantic Zone
Chris Dickenson, The Ontario Golf Academy, Ontario Zone
Derrik Goodwin, St. Charles Country Club in 2021, Manitoba Zone
Paul Schatz, Joanne Goulet Golf Course, Saskatchewan Zone
Dale Trafford, Canadian Golf & Country Club, Ottawa Zone
Stephanie Wong, Point Grey Golf & Country Club, British Columbia Zone
Stephen Yanitski, Valley Ridge Golf Club, Alberta Zone
Warren Crosbie Community Leader of the Year
Winner: Todd Keirstead
Todd Keirstead has dedicated his life to philanthropic purposes. To Keirstead, golf is more than a game, golf has the power to open the mind to what is possible. Formerly a successful trick shot artist who has helped raise millions of dollars for numerous charities and beneficiaries in his career, Keirstead now works steadfast with ParaGolf Canada, an organization he founded that empowers, challenges and inspires individuals to strive to achieve their own goals and live life to the fullest regardless of their disability.
Keirstead currently serves on multiple boards and has spoken to various organizations on the importance of the involvement of individuals of all abilities to the game of golf. ParaGolf Canada serves individuals with physical disabilities and sensory disabilities, including vision impairment, plus those with spinal cord injuries, wounded veterans and first responders. Keirstead looks to continue making positive change in the golf industry, striving to make the game more inclusive every day.
Finalists:
Michael Feyko, Soldier On Canada, Atlantic Zone
Todd Keirstead, Paragolf Canada, Ontario Zone
Naixin Li, So Golf Academy, Ontario Zone
Jacklynn Miller, South Muskoka Curling and Golf Club, Ontario Zone
James Steep, Southwood Golf & Country Club, Manitoba Zone
Dick Munn Executive Professional of the Year
Winner: Alan Scott
Alan Scott lends his expertise to all 10 of Lakeland Golf Management’s facilities and is heavily involved in the management of its five Manitoba Courses. In the past, Scott has served on the Board of Directors for both the PGA of Canada, which he was president of in 2004 and 2005, and the Manitoba Zone, which he was president of in 1995 and 1996. Scott leads by example and is well respected by not only the golf professionals and departments heads at Lakeland, but professionals throughout the zone and country. Scott encourages everyone to come in and discuss anything, including suggestions that may improve the overall operation of the business.
Scott’s passion for junior golf has always burned bright. Scott played a large role in the creation of the “Future Links” junior program and the courses he oversees take part in the NGCOA’s “Kids Play Free” program. Scott’s hard work and professionalism led to his induction into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame in 2018.
Finalists:
Chris Barber, The Landings Golf Course and Teaching Centre, Ottawa Zone
Adam Chamberlain, Gowan Brae Golf Club, Atlantic Zone
Patrick Coli, Carnmoney Golf Club, Alberta Zone
Russ Latimer, Black Mountain Golf Club, British Columbia Zone
Chris Neale, Summit Golf & Country Club, Ontario Zone
Andre Raymond, Club de Golf La Tempete, Quebec Zone
Alan Scott, Lakeland Group of Companies – Falcon Lake Golf Course, Manitoba Zone
McLaren Taylor, Saskatoon Golf & Country Club, Saskatchewan Zone
Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year
Winner: Dennis Firth
For the first time in its 147-year history, Royal Montreal transitioned to a club-owned merchandise concession starting with the 2020 golf season. The shift in business philosophy has resulted in a rewarding and highly successful partnership between the golf club and its professional staff. The member shopping experience was elevated while also engaging and retaining shop employees.
Prior to last season, Firth built out a full 12-month marketing campaign to empower and engage the team at Royal Montreal during the busy summer months. Because the club has 45 holes and 50 staff members, including nine PGA of Canada professionals, much of the day-to-day goes toward member services, so this plan was imperative to the merchandising success of the club in 2021.
Daily and weekly checklists were created for the shop. Everything from uniform schedule to proper spacing of the hangers was considered to provide an exceptional retail environment for members. Inventory was also changed out four times, exceeding their goal of three, in 2021, to account for a spring, summer, fall and holiday season.
The dedication that Firth and the entire staff at Royal Montreal demonstrated to make these changeovers happen in the shop was exemplary – with everything from displays to a “feature wall” being taken care of with exceptional attention to detail. This was key to the club having their most successful retail season ever, registering a gross revenue increase of 48% compared to 2020 and 94% from 2019, making Firth a worthy recipient of the Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year Award.
Finalists:
Rob Anderson, Kelowna Golf & Country Club, British Columbia Zone
Kyle Corriveau, Fort McMurray Golf Club, Alberta Zone
Kris Ehnes, Breezy Bend Country Club, Manitoba Zone
Dennis Firth, The Royal Montreal Golf Club, Quebec Zone
Brennen Gee, Saskatoon Golf & Country Club, Saskatchewan Zone
Bryan Mackasey, Summit Golf & Country Club, Ontario Zone
Danielle Nadon, Loch March Golf Club, Ottawa Zone
Chad Townsend, Gowan Brae Golf Club, Atlantic Zone
Brooke Henderson Female Player of the Year
Winner: Christine Wong
Christine Wong dominated the field this year at the DCM PGA Women’s Championship of Canada, shooting 70-69, winning by five strokes to claim the newly named Lorie Kane Trophy. Just a few short weeks later, she competed in the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada, making the cut, and placing in a tie for 32nd.
The tremendous performance on the course came after she took a two-year hiatus from golf following a year on the Symetra Tour.
“I found a new outlook in life that helped me as an individual – balance. I learned that I needed balance in my life, and I was going to find out how,” says Wong. “I would have never found this balance if I didn’t take a step back from the game. It was suddenly one day, I thought to myself, I think I want to get back into golf.”
Wong fully committed to teaching and playing in July of this past year, and the balance has paid off for her in her life. Wong is more than worthy of being the inaugural recipient of the Brooke Henderson Female Player of the Year Award.
Finalists:
Emma de Groot, Modern Golf (Oakville), Ontario Zone
Katy Rutherford, Silver Springs Golf & Country Club, Alberta Zone
Grace St-Germain, Cedar Brae Golf Club, Ontario Zone
Casey Ward, Credit Valley Golf & Country Club, Ontario Zone
Christine Wong, University Golf Club, British Columbia Zone
Murray Tucker Golf Professional of the Year
Winner: Danielle Nadon
In 11 years as the Head Professional at Loch March, Danielle Nadon has done a fantastic job improving the club’s visibility through creativity and work ethic, proven by the number of rounds played per year increasing from 10,000 to 26,000 in her time at the club.
Just this past year, Nadon launched a “Girls Night Out” class, which included four one-hour lessons, four glasses of wine and two nine hole playing passes per person – the initiative turned out to be an incredible success, with 119 registrants.
In addition to her 12-years spent on the Ottawa Board of Directors, two of those years spent as President, Nadon spends much of her time giving back to the community. At the local YMCA, Nadon has given kids free lessons as part of their “Tee it up For Kids” program. Nadon also helped in establishing the Jeanne Fuller Red Dress event in the community, which raises funds in support of the Ottawa Heart Institute. The event has raised $1.5 million in its 13-year history.
Mentored by the likes of Ray Haines, Richard McBrearty and Murray Tucker himself, Nadon lives by their mantra: “persevere and always try, never say no.” She now mentors those around her, inspiring young men and women to pursue their career by spending time with them, teaching them, giving them responsibilities, showing them great work ethic and rewarding them for their achievements.
Finalists:
James Chapman, Glendale Country Club, Manitoba Zone
Marc Hurtubise, Club de golf le Parcours du Vieux Village, Quebec Zone
Jeremy Johnson, British Columbia Zone
Phil Kavanagh, Islington Golf Club, Ontario Zone
Jamie Moran, Belvedere Golf Club Inc., Atlantic Zone
Danielle Nadon, Loch March Golf Club, Ottawa Zone
Chris Schatzmann, Stewart Creek Golf Resort, Alberta Zone
George Cumming Distinguish Service
One of the most revered and recognized female golfers in Canada and around the world, Marlene Stewart Streit personifies the dedication and determination of Canadian golfers. Streit is the only player to have won the Canadian, U.S., British and Australian Amateur Championships. She is an inspiration to many of Canada’s top young female amateur golfers.
In total, Marlene has won 30 national or international amateur championships, with at least one championship in six different decades between 1951-2003.
In addition to her unmatched playing pedigree, Streit went on to establish the Marlene Streit Awards Fund to support promising young golfers, and in 2004, she became Canada’s first member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Streit is also a Member of the Order of Canada, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. Streit is also one of seven PGA of Canada Honorary Life Members.
Hall of Fame Inductees
Harry Brotchie
Harry is a respected long-standing member of the PGA of Canada, current President of the NGCOA, Past PGA of Canada President (1993-1994), Past PGA of Manitoba Zone President (1985-1986), and has earned the PGA of Canada Master Professional designation (2003).
Harry is the President and sole owner of Lakeland Golf Management Inc. which operates 5 golf courses in Manitoba, 4 facilities in Saskatchewan, and recently added a golf course in Alberta.
Warren Crosbie
Warren is a respected 50-year member of the PGA of Canada, Past PGA of Canada President, worked as head professional at Bayview Golf & Country Club for 33 years, and is an extremely involved PGA of Canada Member at both the National & Zone Levels.
Though currently retired, he remains actively involved in several association affairs and is widely regarded as a benevolent and visionary leader. He was also inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame (Builder category) in 2018 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the game.
Gar Hamilton
Gar’s amateur and professional achievements span much of his lifetime. He has excelled in provincial, national and international play throughout his career. His most coveted wins were his four PGA of Canada Club Professional Championships (1997, 1992, 1990 & 1987) against his Canadian peers, qualifying him as one of the very best playing club professionals in Canada. He also triumphed by winning the 2002 PGA of Canada Seniors Championship and the Super Senior Championship in both 2014 & 2017.
Possibly his greatest achievements have come as Director of Golf at Mississauga Golf and Country Club – for 23 years he has directed all aspects of the Club. Gar is an excellent teacher to his members and tutored many young professionals. Gar was able to serve in his capacity as Director of Golf while still maintaining his own game at the highest level.
Stanley Horne (posthumous)
Stan was considered by many as a pioneer in the world of golf in Canada and Quebec. He was an exceptional player, with a unique talent who played in both PGA of Canada and PGA TOUR events, winning three successive PGA of Canada Championships (1936, 1937 and 1938) and finishing as runner-up in 1939 and 1941. He also claimed the 1962 PGA of Canada Seniors Championship. In addition, he also received two invitations to play the Masters – with his best finish in the form of a 15th place showing in 1938.
Don Price
Don’s accomplishments speak for themselves. Whether it was his five PGA of Alberta Club Professional of the Year awards in a row, (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 & 1980) the PGA of Canada Club Professional of the Year (1983), or the two PGA of Alberta’s Lifetime Achievement Awards. Countless hours of Association work on behalf of both the PGA of Alberta and PGA of Canada were done with the sole intent of advancing the standing and reputations of both in the community.
Don was the President of the PGA of Alberta from 1976 to 1980 and was a very involved PGA of Alberta Advisor who mentored many professionals from 1989 to his retirement in 1998.
Jim Rutledge
Jim has been successful throughout his entire lengthy career, from his win at the Canadian Juvenile Championship to his time on the PGA Tour Champions. In between, he has taken his talents to the four corners of the world, eschewing the traditional path of staying in North America. He has also represented Canada on numerous occasions in both the World Cup and the Dunhill Cup.
Jim has been a long time Tournament Professional with the PGA of Canada, winning the PGA of Canada Seniors Championship 6 times (2019, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2012 & 2010), and he also won the PGA of Canada Championship in 1984.
Nicol Thompson (posthumous)
From 1923 to 1926, he served as the President of the PGA of Canada. Nicol won the PGA of Canada Championship in 1922 and was runner up in both 1919 and 1924. He also finished tied for second in the 1913 Canadian Open. In the 1930 Canadian Open, he led after two rounds, but was eventually defeated by Tommy Armour.
Nicol Thompson was the older brother of Stanley Thompson, who is credited with being Canada’s greatest golf course architect. When Stanley Thompson returned from the First World War, he created a design firm alongside Nicol and George Cumming.
Nicol is credited with designing much of Brantford, the original nine holes at Owen Sound, nine holes at Royal Muskoka, the original layout at Summit, the Windermere club (along with Cumming) and nine holes at Midland. He also worked with Stanley on both courses at Chedoke in Hamilton. Following his retirement from Hamilton G&CC, he worked with Stanley at Whirlpool, Niagara Parks in Niagara Falls, where he became that club’s first Pro/manager.
Click here for more information on the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame.