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Derek Thornley - Director of Instruction
Derek is a Class ‘A’ Level 5 Teaching Professional with more than 25 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 a 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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Josh Kujundzic - FGA Coach
Josh Kujundzic is a Vancouver–born Golf Professional who began his golf career at the age of 12. He attended the Selkirk Saints Golf Development Program in Castlegar, BC from 2005 -2010 where he learned the fundamentals of golf. His opportunities to pursue collegiate golf were stalled by a serious mountain biking accident in 2011. After a long recovery, he had to re-learn the fundamentals of his swing and eventually was able to get back out on the tracks and pursue his goal of playing professional golf. He was Junior Ambassador at the Quilchena Golf & Country Club for several years, representing the Club in internal and external events. Josh's understanding of golf fundamentals combined with his instructional skills have resulted in his students’ success on the course over the years. One of his students is a former Team Canada member and successful professional on the Symetra tour. He enjoys helping players of all levels improve their game. |
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Eva Li - Administrative Assistant & Youth Coach
Eva is the Administrative Assistant and Youth Coach for the Academy. She recently graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Science degree in the School of Interactive Art and Technology with a concentration in User Experience and User Interface. She is passionate about coaching and enjoys her role as assistant coach for the Junior Programs. |
