News Release
January 22, 2003
Acton, ON (January 22, 2003) The Canadian PGA today proudly unveiled its list of national award recipients for the year 2002 with the honour roll stretching from Kelowna, BC to Baddeck, Nova Scotia.
Each year, the Canadian PGA invites nominations from its 3,000 members across the country and recognizes winners in four categories, Club Professional, Teaching Professional, Merchandiser and Junior Leader. The awards will be officially presented at ceremonies later this year.
"These awards exemplify the qualities and innovation golf professionals aspire to from coast to coast," said Danielle O'Rourke, Executive Director of the Canadian PGA. "The quality of candidates made for some difficult choices and all nominees should be proud of their achievements."
Club Professional Award
Ted Stonehouse, Head Professional and General Manager at the Bell Bay Golf Club in Baddeck, Nova Scotia is the winner of the Canadian PGA Club Professional Award.
"I'm absolutely blown away," said Stonehouse. "This has got to be the biggest honour I've ever experienced."
Club Professional nominees are judged on a wide array of criteria ranging from business operation at their own golf club to promotion of the game and playing ability.
Stonehouse credits his emphasis on customer service and professionalism as cornerstones to his success.
"Ensuring the highest quality customer service to make sure your guests enjoy themselves is everything," said Stonehouse. Myself and my staff are very mindful that we are representing our course or our Association so we always look
and act as professionally as possible."
Growing up in Ontario, Stonehouse took up the game at 11 years of age and worked under several top professionals like Tom Aird (Maples of Ballantrae), Bob Kennedy (Sleepy Hollow), and Leon Decaire (Spring Lakes) before taking signing on to a golf scholarship at Southern Wesleyan University in central South Carolina.
Stonehouse joined the Canadian PGA in 1994 and worked at Granite Springs and Ashburn Golf Clubs in Nova Scotia before joining Bell Bay in 1999. Under his leadership, Bell Bay has hosted numerous high profile golf events, like the Wayne Gretzky and Friends event, and has prospered through key community partnerships established by Stonehouse.
"The financial turnaround of the club is one of the biggest things I'm proud of," explained Stonehouse. "We are a substantial course in a small community."
Teaching Professional of the Year
Dean Spriddle, Head Professional at the Evergreen Golf Centre in Lethbridge, AB is the Canadian PGA Teaching Professional of the Year.
"This is icing on the cake for someone in my profession," said Spriddle. "I take what I do very seriously so this is quite an honour."
Teaching Professional nominees are judged on a wide array of criteria ranging from innovative teaching techniques to instructional articles, videos or promotions.
Spriddle provided more than 500 lessons to over 250 clients in 2002. He is a contributing writer to the Lethbridge Herald and maintains a strong playing ability as witnessed by his 8th place finish at the 2002 Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship.
Spriddle was born in England but grew up in and around the birthplace of golf, St. Andrews, Scotland. He is a three-time winner of the Alberta PGA Teaching Professional of the Year Award and serves as the National Coach to the Canadian Ladies Golf Association. He is a graduate of the University of British Columbia where he earned a Masters of Physical Education and majored in Coaching Science.
He joined the Canadian PGA in 1993 as a Tournament Professional and then moved on to jobs at the Henderson Lake Golf Club and Evergreen Golf Centre, both located in Lethbridge.
"I was the leading money spender on the Canadian Tour," Spriddle explained about his decision to concentrate on teaching golf rather than staying on Tour.
His teaching philosophy is a mixture of styles and information he has absorbed from other teachers.
"I find something good in everybody, from David Leadbetter for his ability to communicate to our local guys," said Spriddle.
"I live vicariously through the success of my students nowadays," explained Spriddle. One of my first students, Mike Mezei of Lethbridge is currently one of the the top ranked amateurs in Canada.
Merchandiser of the Year
Peter Hopley, Head Professional at Gallaghers Canyon Golf & Country Club in Kelowna, BC is the Canadian PGA Merchandiser of the Year.
" - insert quote - " explained Hopley. " - quote -."
Merchandiser nominees are judged on a wide array of criteria ranging from merchandising philosophy to Pro Shop layout and display techniques.
Hopley's merchandising philosophy...
It's the third year in a row that the nominee from British Columbia has won the Merchandiser of the Year Award. Marc McAndrews, Head Professional at the Mount Brenton Golf Club on Vancouver Island was the 2000 recipient while Dave Hodgson, then Executive Professional at Chateau Whistler Golf Club in Whistler, B.C. captured the honour in 2001.
Junior Leader of the Year
Sam Young, Head Professional at the Shelburne Golf Club in Shelburne, Ontario is the Canadian PGA Junior Leader of the Year.
" - insert quote -," said Young, a Past President of the Canadian PGA.
Junior Leader nominees are judged on a wide array of criteria ranging from contributions to the development of junior golf to leadership, inspiration and promotion of the game.
Young joined the Canadian PGA in 19??
The Canadian Professional Golfers' Association is a non-profit Association comprised of approximately 3,000 golf professionals across the country.
For more information, contact
Terry Dyni
Director of Communications
Canadian PGA
(519) 853-5450, ext. 230
terry@canadianpga.org
