Our Coaching Philosophy
Our passion is developing confident, lifelong golf enthusiasts. The PGA of Canada certified coaches at Fraserview Golf Academy help students improve their golf skills and enjoy each learning experience.
We Listen.
Coaches listen carefully and work collaboratively with students to identify goals and create achievable skill development plans. We use a broad-based approach, using technology, tools, and techniques, to customize the best plan for each student, drawing upon and enhancing their natural skill.
We Teach.
Students learn the complexity of the golf swing in simple terms and develop solid fundamentals in order to advance to mastery. From fundamentals, to club control and ball control, we support each student in growing their physical, technical and mental golf skills.
We Share Expertise.
Our PGA of Canada certified instructors are accomplished players, passionate learners and skilled communicators who have coached hundreds to thousands of students. Collectively, our team has more than 60 years of experience in helping players - from first-time beginners, to elite-level amateurs and tour-playing professionals. Read what students say about us here.
Our greatest satisfaction is seeing students improve their skills while enjoying the many social connections and positive health benefits golf brings.
We Listen.
Coaches listen carefully and work collaboratively with students to identify goals and create achievable skill development plans. We use a broad-based approach, using technology, tools, and techniques, to customize the best plan for each student, drawing upon and enhancing their natural skill.
We Teach.
Students learn the complexity of the golf swing in simple terms and develop solid fundamentals in order to advance to mastery. From fundamentals, to club control and ball control, we support each student in growing their physical, technical and mental golf skills.
We Share Expertise.
Our PGA of Canada certified instructors are accomplished players, passionate learners and skilled communicators who have coached hundreds to thousands of students. Collectively, our team has more than 60 years of experience in helping players - from first-time beginners, to elite-level amateurs and tour-playing professionals. Read what students say about us here.
Our greatest satisfaction is seeing students improve their skills while enjoying the many social connections and positive health benefits golf brings.
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Derek Thornley - Director of Instruction
Derek is a Class ‘A’ Level 5 Teaching Professional with more than 30 years of experience in teaching, coaching, managing golf operations and competing professionally. He is a long-time student of the game, receiving much of his guidance from PGA of Canada Hall of Fame members Alvin Thompson and Stan Leonard, and PGA of America member Stan Utley. He recently served as the technical swing coach for the UBC Men’s and Women's Golf Teams and has coached players on the RCGA National Junior Team and National Women’s Team. He has participated as an assistant coach at the RCGA Western Canada Player Development Camp and currently works with several university level team members. As a player, Derek competed on the Canadian PGA Tour and the Australia / New Zealand PGA Tour. He has also played in Canadian Open qualifying events and reached second stage qualifying for the U.S. Open. Before turning professional, Derek competed in the U.S. Amateur (Chicago, Illinois), several Canadian and BC Amateur Championships and finished 7th in the Canadian Junior Championship. A graduate of Oral Roberts University (Tulsa, Oklahoma), and member of the ORU NCAA Golf Team, Derek has coached more than two dozen students that have gone on to receive university scholarships for golf. |
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Ye Rin Suh - FGA Coach
Ye Rin is an LPGA Class “A” Professional and a Class "A" Professional with the PGA of Canada; she's also earned her Teaching Class "A" specialization. A native of South Korea, she's lived and worked in Canada for the past 15 years. She was previously a Head Korean Coach specializing in high-level junior performance and preparation for university golf programs at a local facility. A certified Opti Brain Performance Optimization Professional, Ye Rin combines psychology and Opti Brain science in her coaching to help students better understand the mental-physical relationship of swing performance. Her class “A” status with the LPGA (United States) includes completion of all three levels of coaching certification. Ye Rin is an experienced player and a graduate of the Australia and Korean Junior Golf Academy (Brisbane), and the David Leadbetter Academy (Florida). She has competed in Australia, Canada, United States and Korea. As a junior, she placed 5th in the 2011 B.C. Juvenile Girls Championship and won several championships in Australia including the Greg Norman Point Challenge and Ian Baker-Finch Classic. Following junior golf, Ye Rin competed professionally on the Korean Ladies PGA Tour (KLPGA) for one year. Ye Rin has a deep passion for helping every level of golfer enjoy their game and is committed to a student-centred approach to coaching. |
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Blake Ceron - FGA Coach
Blake is a graduate of the Business of Golf and Resort Management Continuing Education program at McMaster University (Hamilton, ON) and has a Certificate of Recognition in Golf Management from the Golf Management Institute of Canada (Waterloo, ON). Blake also has a Diploma in Human Kinetics from Capilano University (BC) and is trained and certified as a NCCP Instructor of Beginner Golfers. Additionally Blake is a licensed coach with Canada Soccer. Blake implements a holistic approach with his coaching which includes swing and short game technique, mental preparation and course management. For his juniors, he focuses on developing essential life skills and instilling confidence in every one of his students. He thoroughly enjoys working with all ages and skill levels –and seeing his students improve first hand. |
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Sergio Barba Moreno - FGA Coach
Sergio Barba Moreno is an Apprentice Professional with the PGA of Canada. In 2018, he moved to Canada from his native Spain and draws on 15 years of experience in professional and amateur golf as a teacher/coach for students of all backgrounds, ages and abilities. Sergio understands the mindset and aspirations of a competitive golfer. As one of the top junior players in Spain, he ranked second nationally (2006) and won the Valencia Provincial Championship (2008). After turning professional with the PGA of Spain in 2009, he went on to win the Levante Cup and the Federacion Valenciana (2016) to name a few. He continues to hone his skills as a competitor on local tours such as the Canada Life Series Mackenzie Tour and the Vancouver Golf Tour. Sergio’s brings his playing experience and teaching skills to his students and strives to help them learn what they need to take their golf game to the next level. |
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Katrina Johnson - Administrative Assistant
Katrina is the Administrative Assistant for the Academy. Her background in the golf industry began in Edmonton (AB) as Food & Beverage Manager, then later as the Director of Golf at the Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club in Vernon (BC). In addition to working with the Fraserview Golf Academy team, Katrina volunteers with the food programme at her children’s school and operates a Bed & Breakfast in Vernon. |
