Golf

The Parkland Golf Academy (PGA) is an exciting skill development program open to students of all genders from Grades 6 through 9. Under the guidance of qualified CPGA Golf Professionals, students will be working on all aspects of the game and the rules of golf. Parkland Golf Academy will provide a rigorous, relevant, academic and comprehensive golf program designed to meet each individual student's needs, and is committed to improving each student athlete's confidence, individual playing skills and overall athletic development. Students will be on the driving range, putting green or golf course two times per week on average. In addition, our athletes will receive golf-specific physical training throughout the semester by certified trainers.

As part of their development program, PGA students will train at a virtual golf facility in Spruce Grove once a week during February, March and possibly April.

Parkland Golf Academy - Craig Kibblewhite & Jason Fischer (Program Directors)

Craig Kibblewhite and Jason Fischer started Parkland Hockey Group seven years ago to service Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and Parkland County. Since then, they have expanded their practice out across Alberta to teach numerous coach clinics, perform player evaluations and complete countless player clinics. Parkland Hockey Group has successfully run a Golf and Hockey Camp for multiple summers in the Parkland area. Last year, Craig and Jason founded the Parkland Hockey Academy as part of the Parkland Student Athlete Academy.

Craig Kibblewhite was a CPGA Golf Professional for 18 years: he attended school in San Diego, where he became a member of the PGA of America and received his playing status for both the United States and Canada. Jason Fischer is an avid golfer who enjoys the game. Both Craig and Jason are excited to bring this program to the students of Parkland School Division.

PGA of Canada - Vee Thephasouvanh (Head Golf Professional)

Vee is a fully-certified Class A PGA of Canada golf instructor and a graduate of Grant MacEwan University’s Professional Golf Management Program. His extensive background and experience as both a player and instructor helps make  his students' instruction time rewarding, enjoyable and memorable. Vee enjoys meeting new people every day, and takes great pride in coaching individuals at a wide variety of skill levels by tailoring programs to suit their needs. 

While Vee is always pushing his students to succeed and enjoy the game, it is his great patience and teaching philosophy that make him unique. His love of the game and positive attitude are a great match for newcomers and experienced golfers alike.

The Links At Spruce Grove - Ryan McDermott (Golf Professional)

Ryan McDermott has been an Assistant Golf Professional in the Canadian Professional Golf Association for over five years, and has worked with the Links at Spruce Grove for the past ten golf seasons. During this time, Ryan has led several youth golf camps, while also administering individual golf lessons to students of all ages and skill levels. In his recent partnership with Alberta Golf, Ryan has co-led Junior Development Camps, focusing on furthering youth development within the game of golf.

As a professional, instructor and leader within the golf industry, Ryan has displayed his commitment and passion to golf in continuing to grow the game for young athletes. Ryan brings an exciting and technical outlook to the game of golf that challenges and advances young golfers to the next level.

Breakthrough Sports Performance - Richelle Cygan (Strength Coach)

Richelle Cygan is an honours graduate of the NAIT Personal Fitness Trainer diploma program, and an accredited Personal Trainer with the prestigious Canadian Society of Exercise Physiologists, who was mentored by Simon Bennett (Head Strength and conditioning coach for the Edmonton Oilers) and his colleagues for 100 hours where she learned about program design and implementation for athletes at AAA, WHL and NHL levels, and gained valuable insight to a variety of sports programming.  

Richelle has been personal training since 1998, specializing in youth athletics for the last eight years. She is headed into her third year with the Alberta Junior Hockey League where she is a consultant for the Spruce Grove Saints, and is working towards a Physiotherapy Assistant diploma from Medicine Hat College. Richelle is also Precision Nutrition Level 1 certified and is proud to help with general nutrition.