GOLF GURU Casey Johnson after accepting his award for Teacher of the Year from the PGA BC on October 14th. Photo submitted
By Breanne Massey
Pioneer Staff
The leadership and charisma of a Columbia Valley golfer has paid off among his peers.
Casey Johnson was recently selected as the 2015 Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of BC as Teacher of the Year at the River Rock Casino in Richmond on Wednesday, October 14th.
It was a great (gesture) to be nominated, said Mr. Johnson, who is 29. But I wasnt really ready with a speech (at the time of the award) because the quality of people that youre up against, and being such a young professional, my reaction was to be quite speechless. There are so many people who help you get to where you are and all of the information you learn over the years for some reason, I seemed to draw a blank when push comes to shove.
After serving as a teacher at Copper Point Golf Club for three years and Windermere Valley Golf Club for four years, Mr. Johnson was honoured and surprised by his recognition.
Its a peer nomination from members of the PGA BC so originally, it was nominations from other golfers in our zone and then through the selection process, theres four zones in B.C., he explained. Four people are nominated for each award and they have a panel to decide its great to be recognized for something thats not just about myself, but that all PGA members are super passionate about. Our slogan is: Golf is our game, its our passion and that just really shows through as an instructor with the clientele who continue to come back.
He added its important for everybody to make progress no matter what level their game is at.
I grew up in the valley and worked, scrubbing hooks and golf clubs at the Radium Springs Golf Course for years and years as a kid, he added, noting it takes time to improve. Its a really cool thing to be recognized for and it shows the market that we have. You know, we have really top notch instruction available in the valley with all of the amenities available with all the different golf courses as well thats a really good thing.
In addition, Mike Van Horne received the Distinguished Service Award for his efforts at the Fernie Golf Club from the PGA BC. Mr. Van Horne works in the Columbia Valley at Pharmasave during the winter.
For more information about the awards, visit www.pgabc.org.
