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. 
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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.
Derek Thornley - Director of Instruction​
  • Class "A" PGA of Canada | TCCP Level 5 | Titleist TPI Certified
  • (604) 619-8174
  • [email protected]
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​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.
Ye Rin Suh - FGA Coach
  • LPGA Class "A" ​Professional | Opti Brain Performance Optimization Professional 
  • Member of the LPGA Global Education Team
  • Class "A" PGA of Canada Professional
  • (778) 689 - 2510
  • [email protected]

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.
Blake Ceron - FGA Coach ​​Blake is a Class ‘A’ professional with the PGA of Canada and has been with the Fraserview Golf Academy since 2015.  He teaches at all levels of the Junior Development program, the adult Get Golf Ready program and the adult Get Golf Ready Mini program. Blake also coaches private and group lessons for both adults and juniors.

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. 
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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.
Marty Therkelsen - FGA Coach ​​
Marty Therkelsen is a long-time Golf Instructor and past competitive player in BC. During his years working at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club (Vancouver, BC), he facilitated and taught the Junior Program and Clinics in addition to managing the Men's Night and Ladies' Day clubs. He has extensive experience with group and private lessons for men, women and juniors. Marty has played in numerous Assistant-Pro tour events throughout the province and is currently a member at Beach Grove Golf Club (Delta, BC). 
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Marty is excited to share his coaching skills and playing experience with students of all skill levels. 
Richard Zhou - FGA Coach ​
Richard is a Golf Instructor and competitive player who immigrated from China to Canada at 8 years old. His passion for golf began at 15 under the influence of his father and since then, he has received instruction from noteworthy PGA coaches during his time as an amateur in California. Richard has been competing since 2020 and has participated in dozens of local and provincial tournaments, including a win at the 2021 Northview Open in Surrey, BC. He previously worked as a Golf Instructor at an indoor golf facility and has his PGA of Canada certification as a Coach of Beginner Players.

Richard's teaching style emphasizes good swing fundamentals, self awareness, mental strategy, and a solid short game. With juniors, Richard focuses on fostering respect, growing passion, and developing friendships through the game of golf. Richard is bilingual in English and Mandarin. 2024 will be Richard’s first year with the Fraserview Golf Academy, and he looks forward to helping students improve and create a lifelong love for the game.
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.
7800 Vivian Dr. Vancouver, BC V5S 2V8
[email protected]
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