05 GOLF GUIDE 2020 M A N I T O B A
Over the past 20 years, Garth Goodbrandson has set the gold standard for coaching not just in Manitoba, but in Canada. SUBMITTED PHOTO
to. I thought coaching was neat, so it was a natural fit for me.” Over the past 20 years, Goodbrandson has set the gold standard for coaching not just in Manitoba, but in Canada, says Ingram, his former junior development partner at Golf Manitoba. “He may not take credit for or know how significant his contributions were to the game of golf in Canada, never mind Manitoba,” Ingram explains. “He’s done so much for the game locally, and nationally.” In his low-key, determined way, Good- brandson worked tirelessly to make the province and nation a better breeding ground for young golfers. He got scholarships for players attending Canadian universities, spearheaded the Manitoba, Western Canada and Canada Games programs and lobbied success- fully to get two junior teams into the local Mundie Putter League to help juniors gain competitive experience against older players. Little wonder, then, that Goodbrandson was inducted into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame as a builder in 2016. His record speaks for itself: a nomination as one of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 teach- ers, the National Post’s Top 50 Teachers in Canada and countless national and re- gional awards (2014 Canadian University Men’s Golf Coach of the Year, 2012-13 University of Manitoba Coach of the Year and Manitoba PGA Leader of the year in 1999 and 2000). Most recently, he was Manitoba PGA Teacher of the Year from 2017 to 2019. And while he received more than his share of national recognition, Goodbrandson’s focus was always set squarely on growing the game in Manitoba, particularly on the junior side. Ingram – who co-founded the University of Manitoba’s golf program with Goodbrand- son in 1999/2000 – says his friend’s influ - ence on player development in Manitoba has been huge. “I feel that Garth might go down as the
best coach in Manitoba golf history,” he says. “Very few professionals here have had such a positive impact on so many of the province’s top players.” For his part, Goodbrandson says he did – and still does – what comes naturally. “I’ve always seen it as my job to prepare players by helping them with their attitude, mental preparation and game plan,” he says. “Every player is different. I just try to do what’s best for them to make them the best they can be.” Golf Manitoba’s executive director, Jared Ladobruk – who played for Goodbrandson at the U of M in the late ’90s – says his former teacher and mentor is the quintes- sential golf coach. “He truly is a great coach. With his holistic approach, he breaks down the game and identifies what you do well, and what you need to work on. Most importantly, he not only wants to make great golfers, but great people.” Now, after 38 years, Garth is winding down his career. Though it’s chock full of highlights, two stand out – the 2014 Canadian University Championship and a fifth-place finish at the tournament in 2018. “We won the 2014 Canadian University Championship with hard work, a great at- titude and great preparation,” he says. “In 2018, we came third with five new players. They were great people, had a great atti- tude and worked really hard.” More than anything, Goodbrandson values the relationships he’s forged over nearly four decades in golf. “When I look at it now, I just see all the great relationships I’ve gotten out of golf, with players and families. When they see me, they want to come up and talk with me – that’s a great feeling. It’s gratifying to have the respect of others.” He adds that while he may be hanging up his shingle at Golf Manitoba, he won’t stray far from the game.
GIVING HIS ALL TO THE GAME Goodbrandson has played pivotal role in developing young golfers
Then, he signed on with Golf Manitoba (then the Manitoba Golf Association) as director of player development in the fall of 1997. “When I joined the MGA, I also started with the Royal Canadian Golf Association’s national coaching team with (Toronto’s) Henry Brunton and Derek Ingram,” recalls Goodbrandson. I learned a ton from Henry and Derek, and from guest coaches like (Sweden’s) Pia Nilsson. That’s where my passion for coaching really started.” Turns out, that passion for coaching came naturally. “My dad (Siggi) inspired me to be a coach,” he says. “He was a high-level hockey coach. I’d seen all the preparation he put in, and how well he treated people. As a role model, he was great to look up
BY TODD LEWYS Sometimes, it takes time to find your true calling. Take Golf Manitoba’s director of player development, Garth Goodbrandson, for example. For the first 18 years of his career, he plied his trade as a teaching professional, gaining experience at Tuxedo Golf Club, Halcrow Lake Golf and Country Club in the Pas, Breezy Bend Country Club and finally at Minnewasta Golf & Country Club in Morden. During that time span, he learned from gifted teachers such as John Isaac (Tux- edo), Sandy Paterson (Breezy Bend) and many others.
Powered by FlippingBook