Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce that Golf Canada has provided a $3,000 Coaching Grant to the association for 2011. Golf Canada is working cooperatively with provincial golf associations (PGA’s) across the country and the grant is designed to assist the PGA’s in offsetting coaching expenses within their province.

The vision is to have a High Performance coach who is active in the field working with players; this will lead to more high performance players coming up through the various programs within Manitoba and North Western Ontario. Golf Manitoba understands and believes in a strong player/coach relationship. Golf Manitoba will encourage the coach to work closely with the players to acquire their trust and confidence that will lead to an open and continued dialogue with the players.

The provincial coach is Garth Goodbrandson, Director of Player Development for Golf Manitoba. Garth is a Class “A” Professionals and has achieved the Level IV Teaching & Coaching Certification Program for the CPGA.

Objectives of the Program:

• To have a strong system for player and program development with strong coaches in place to support the Canadian Sport Policy of enhanced participation, excellence, capacity and interaction
• To develop golf within the province against each of these four goals
• To address physical fitness and health for the population under the umbrella of the Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) philosophy
• To optimize talent identification and athlete preparation for individuals wishing to participate at the highest level
• To develop our youth to be physically literate, active for life or to reach the podium
• To make a more focused approach to all areas within the Player Development Program, specifically with respect to the High Performance programs for adults and juniors (women and men)
• To review the high performance development across the province and across all demographic segments
• To identify specific needs in specific areas of the region covered by Golf Manitoba
• To train the girls and boys as potential competitors for the 2011 Western Canada Games and accompany the team for competition in 2011
• To train the girls and boys as potential competitors for the 2012 Manitoba Summer Games
• To utilize educational materials provided by Golf Canada and to promote the source of this material
• To increase the time players spend with the coaches in competitive and non competitive environment
• To involve the players in structured preparation camps lead by the coaches and the Sport Science consultants
• To increase the time players spend with the Sport Science consultants to develop positive habits – physically, mentally, bio-mechanically, and strategically