FEBRUARY 6, 2019
RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) – The 2019 PGA of BC Spring Education Seminar presented by PXG is shaping up to be another record-setting event next week, when Golf Professionals from all corners of the province will descend upon Tsawwassen Springs for two great days of professional development.
It’s believed that last year’s turnout of 170 attendees represented the largest-ever gathering of members for a PGA of BC elective education event. But this year’s seminar, which runs Monday and Tuesday, looks to have achieved a new high watermark with more than 180 Association members and guests registered to attend.
The seminar will feature a variety of great presentations over the relevant to all Golf Professionals, with each day concluding with a headlining talk from world-class instructors Gabriel Hjertstedt and Joseph Mayo.
Of the two, Hjertstedt is up first, closing out Monday’s schedule by delivering a three-hour session focused on his transition from PGA Tour pro to renowned coach, and with further emphasis on short-game and scoring aspects.
Hjertstedt, an ambassador for presenting sponsor PXG who was the first Swedish-born player to earn multiple PGA Tour victories, has become known as a short-game guru who has worked with the likes of Kevin Kisner, Graham DeLaet, Kevin Chappell, Lydia Ko, Danielle Kang and more. He’s looking forward to sharing his knowledge around the topic with PGA of BC members.
“It’s something that every single tour player has – they can’t stick around if they can’t chip and putt,” said Hjertstedt, noting his plans to highlight how he’s helped golfers from around the world who have sought his guidance to cure the dreaded yips.
Though Hjertstedt plans to spend some time discussing his career arc, he said his presentation will place less of an emphasis on his own journey and more on what he can pass along to members in the audience.
“I want it to be about the Golf Professionals sitting in the room and to share as much knowledge as I can,” he said. “It’ll be very interactive … I want them to feel free to ask questions about anything.”
Mayo, the Director of Instruction at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, is known to many as the “Trackman Maestro,” after rising to prominence through his work on social media. He has instructed dozens of top-tier professional players, currently working with PGA Tour winners such as Brian Gay, Tom Pernice, Jr., and Tommy Armour III. He loves connecting with fellow golf coaches and instructors, especially ones eager to add to their teaching arsenal.
“If people are willing to take time out of their schedules to be there … then that means they are willing to listen, learn and share,” said Mayo. “That’s a thrill for me. I’ve done a lot of lectures over the past seven or eight years and I really enjoy doing it.”
Though he’s famous for his ability to interpret the new data being made available by launch monitors and other technology, Mayo said his time on stage will be tailored to all instructors.
“It does no good for me to stand there and lecture about fancy 3-D technology and all that stuff when most people in the room don’t have 3-D measurement tools,” said Mayo. “If you lecture on something that doesn’t make you a better instructor in five minutes, then it’s no good.”
Mayo has spent a significant amount of time analyzing how the wrist angles of great players move during the moment of transition, which he calls a “tangible, measureable differentiator in skill level.” His presentation will take a deep dive into the effect of those wrist angles, and how they can positively impact the shaft’s movement in transition as well.
“It’s something that these instructors can use in their tool box tomorrow morning and the results that they’re going to see are literally going to be life-changing,” said Mayo.
The seminar will open with what’s sure to be a revealing talk from Dr. Stuart Love, a Victoria-based chiropractor and health-care practitioner who spends much of his year travelling to work with clients on the PGA Tour. In between tour stops at Pebble Beach and Riviera Country Club this week and next, Love is making a quick stop back in his home province to speak to seminar attendees about the work he does with his high-profile clients – who include multiple major champions – and examine some of the details addressed with elite players throughout the season to keep them performing their best.
Seminar delegates will also hear from Tom Mayenknecht, a principal with Vancouver-based brand development company Emblematica, on Monday morning. Mayenknecht, well known as founder and host of the nationally-syndicated TSN Radio show The Sport Market, brings extensive experience in brand management, communications and sports media. His interactive presentation will address the building blocks of your facility’s branding, and using them to achieve gains in marketing, communications and sales.
When the seminar reconvenes Tuesday morning, Adam Helmer will be on hand to discuss changes to the Rules of Golf that took effect last month. Golf Canada’s Director of Rules, Competitions & Amateur Status, Helmer has an impressive résumé as a Rules Official that has seen him work prestigious events like the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, The PLAYERS Championship and many others. This timely presentation will touch on the implications for course marking and conducting events at your facility, and how Golf Professionals can help their patrons get a grasp of the new regulations.
Helmer will be followed by the father-and-son duo of Denzil and Alan Palmer, whose experiences in the golf industry make them authorities on their topic: The Evolution of Great Golf Clubs. Denzil spent more than 25 years as General Manager of The Royal Montreal Golf Club, while Alan is in his eighth season as Head Professional of Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club, following stints at premier facilities such as Augusta National Golf Club and The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. They’ll be illustrating how history, traditions, vision and leadership all contribute to both growing the game and a sustainable future for golf facilities, their members and staff.
In recognition of its generous support of this year’s seminar, the PGA of BC will proudly be showcasing PXG equipment as part of the event. This will include a demo opportunity for Association members on the driving range at Tsawwassen Springs following Tuesday’s presentations.
The Association would like to thank host Head Professional Danny Long and the entire team at Tsawwassen Springs for welcoming the Spring Education Seminar back to their facilities this year. Tsawwassen Springs has been an outstanding setting each time it has hosted this event and is one of few PGA of BC facilities able to accommodate the seminar's year-to-year growth in terms of attendance, so the Association is pleased to return to the venue for 2019.
See our event page for more detailed information about each speaker, a full seminar itinerary and more important event info.
Attendees are reminded that a Business Formal dress code will be in effect for the Spring Education Seminar. Click here for a description of acceptable attire.
Please note that the PGA of BC Annual General Meeting will also take place Monday following the conclusion of the day’s scheduled presentations.