Coach Development
The landscape of amateur golf has changed dramatically since the sport of golf obtained official sport status by Sport Canada in 2005. On a provincial level the sport of golf has also been transformed by becoming a part of the Canada Summer Games in 2009 and the Ontario Summer Games in 2010. This has resulted in much more funding available for the development of our Ontario athletes. It is the goal of the GAO to assist in the development of our athletes and aid them to become among the best players both nationally and internationally. As a result of the changes to the landscape of amateur golf, the role of the golf coach has been transformed as well. A coach teaches much more than just the mechanics of the golf swing. Coaching now focuses on the development of all aspects of the athlete and includes such things as sports psychology, fitness training and nutrition. In conjunction with the Ontario PGA, CPGA and RCGA the GAO is embarking on the process of establishing a coaching certification program for all golf instructors in the province.
The GAO currently has one Head Provincial Coach and five Regional High Performance Coaches that are associated with our High Performance Team Ontario Programs:
GAO Provincial Head Coach
Jon
Roy- Goodwood,
ON
Jon Roy has been named as the
GAO’s new Provincial Head Coach. In this newly created position, Roy will oversee the delivery of all of the
GAO’s high performance initiatives for athletes and coaches. Jon joins the GAO after seven years as a teacher
at Henry Brunton Golf, where he has been responsible for the development and maintenance of all junior golf
programs as well as the day to day operations of the academy. Named the Ontario PGA Teacher of the Year for
Juniors in 2007, Roy has worked with more than 200 families each year to ensure that junior players of all
ages are offered opportunities for development through golf. The CPGA Class A professional is also a
professor at Georgian College in Barrie, where he has taught in both the degree and diploma Professional Golf
Management programs.
GAO Regional High Performance Coaches
Ralph Bauer- Simcoe, ON
Ralph is a Class A CPGA
Professional and was named the 2007 Ontario PGA Teacher of the Year. Students of Ralph’s have won many high
profile events including an NCAA Division 1 Men’s Individual Championship, 11 GAO Provincial Championships
and 4 National Championships. Ralph attended the University of Charleston in West Virginia and the University
of Texas at El Paso where he was a member of the men’s golf teams. Ralph has been a GAO High Performance
Coach since 2002.
Ann Carroll- Mississauga, ON
Ann Carroll Golf Academy is where Ann concentrates most of her time and efforts. Ann is a former LPGA and
Future Tour player and was the number one ranked amateur in Canada competing at the World Amateur and British
Amateur. Ann is a graduate of Florida State University where she played on the women's golf team. Ann has
been a GAO High Performance Coach since 2007
Cathy Sherk- Belleville, ON
Cathy has an unbelievable passion for teaching which lead to her being voted Ontario P.G.A. Teaching
Professional of the Year in 2002. Following her victory in the 1978 US Women’s Amateur Cathy played as a
professional on the LPGA Tour for 5 years. Cathy is a member of both the Canadian and Ontario Golf Hall of
Fame. Cathy is currently the Director of the Skills Development Center at Black Bear Ridge Golf Course in
Belleville. This will be the first year for Cathy in the role of a GAO High Performance Coach.
Dave Woods- Markham, ON
Dave is the Director of Instruction at the Angus Glen Golf Academy and is the Head Men’s and Women’s Golf
Coach at the University of Toronto. Dave was the 2006 Ontario PGA and Canadian PGA Teacher of the Year and
coaches PGA Tour player Jon Mills. Dave has been a GAO High Performance Coach since 2000.
Sam Young- Shelburne, ON
Sam has been the owner and operator of Shelburne Golf and Country Club since 1986. Sam has been a member of
the CPGA for over 45 years and is a former board member and past-president of both the Canadian and Ontario
PGA. Sam runs one of the finest junior golf programs in the province and has received many honors including
the2002 and 2003 Ontario PGA Teacher of the Year Award for Junior Golfers and the 2002 CPGA Canadian Junior
Leader of the Year Award. This will be the first year for Sam in the role of a GAO High Performance
Coach.
Additional Coaching Information
