Come Play on our Team! Volunteer for the 2009 Canada Games
Venez jouer sur notre équipe! Devenez bénévole pour les Jeux du Canada 2009

A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR OUR GOLF TEAM

As unbelievable as it sounds, the sport of golf was recognized as an “official” sport in Canada just a couple of years ago, joining 65 other disciplines. Golf will make its debut at the 2009 Canada Games held here on PEI. The golf competition will take place at the beautiful Brudenell River G.C. Our athlete golfers will “write” the first page of hopefully a long chapter of golf history at the Canada Games. This is a pretty big deal for our team!

THE JOURNEY

For our athletes the “road to the Games” started 3 years ago. The selection process, which ended in September ’08, took them through numerous steps: spring selection camps, series of provincial competition (Pepsi Junior Order of Merit tour), weekly coaching sessions, training in nutrition, mental preparation, fitness, the rules of golf etc… So far it has required hours and hours of training and discipline and it will only intensity as the games approach.

TEAM MEMBERS

- Thomas Speare                                      - Katie White
- Ryan Chapman                                       - Michaela Misener
- Greg MacAulay                                       - Erin Brown
- Chance MacIntyre                                  - Molly Molyneaux

TRAINING PROGRAM FROM NOVEMBER ’08 UNTIL THE GAMES
Provincial Team Coach: Anne Chouinard, CPGA class A
Assistant Coach: Dave Bowlan, CPGA class A
Team Manager: Martin Elsinga

Physical training:

• November 1st: physical assessment (TPI) and start of a specific training program under supervision. Athletes will be reassessed in January and the program will be adjusted at regular intervals until the Games
• Time in gym per week: 6 to 10 hours
• The strength training program will be in 3 phases: phase 1 will establish proper connection; phase 2 will build strength and phase 3 will be focused on speed strength. At each phase proper warm up and stretching are emphasized as well

Sport science experts:

Colin Moore, Bsc. PT Physiotherapist, Sports Center Physiotherapy. TPI assessment
Steve Mallet, certified personal trainer, Spa Total Fitness Center

Mental training:

• End of ’08 season: assessment
• December ’08 until the games: training mental skills (Focus and refocus plan, Breathing, Visualization, self-awareness, goal setting)

Delivered by Team Coach

Nutrition:

• January until the games: assessment and nutrition plan design. This plan will be adjusted based on training schedule and tasks.

Nutrition expert:
Nancy Fong, nutritionist

Technical training:

• January to April: assessment with video analysis and refinement of technique for accuracy and power. Indoor practice sessions
• April (3rd week): spring camp south of the border. Training and on course coaching
• Throughout summer: weekly coaching session involving all aspects of preparation

Technical experts:
Provincial Coach and Assistant Coach

Tactical training:

• April until the Games: refining tactical skills: decision making, mapping a course, designing a game plan appropriate to one’s skills

Delivered by Team coach and Assistant Coach

Equipment evaluation and fitting:

• Early April: clubfitting each athlete in need of equipment at the Canadian Golf Academy

Technical experts:
Provincial coaches and CGA staff

Spring camp south of the border:

• Presently planning a trip south for one week in April to kick start our outdoor season.
• Training for the week will include all aspects of the game

Fundraising efforts:

• So far (up to February 28) athletes and parents have put a lot of time and efforts in raising money to allow athletes to benefit from optimum training activities.
• Prize Bingo: this activity took place on February 24th and was very successful as 171 participants came to play in support of our golf team.
• Ad sale: the team athletes and their parents are currently working on a few different projects to raise more funds.

Anyone interested in supporting our team can reach coach Anne Chouinard at achouinard@canadiangolfacademy.ca or Martin Elsinga at melsinga@pei.sympatico.ca