Stephen Ross (Owner-Operator)
I am pleased to once again operate the Ross Golf Academy at the Oak Gables Golf Club for 2010.
With 18 years experience as Executive Director of the Royal Canadian Golf Association and a strong background in amateur golf worldwide, I have a wealth of experience to offer every level of golfer. As well, I am the proud father of champion golfers, including my oldest son Andrew who is the Director of Golf at Oak Gables Golf Club and lead instructor at the Ross Golf Academy. The Ross Golf Academy is pleased to include my middle son, Christopher, who will contribute to our camps and clinics this coming summer.
My personal goal for 2010 is that the Ross Golf Academy quickly becomes known as the best junior introductory and developmental program in the region. The introductory clinics offered this year for boys and girls from ages 6-10 is designed to introduce young people to the game following the Future Links Level One Instructional Guidelines. We will work with these young juniors over the next two to three years as we follow the Future Links Guidelines Levels 2 & 3 to develop their skill and passion for the game. We will offer advanced clinics for the experienced juniors as well.
Hall of Fame Announcement Below.
Andrew Ross (Director of Golf)
I am proud to be back for my 3rd year as the head instructor of the Ross Golf Academy for 2011. After a successful 2010, we have made improvements. 2011 will be even better for all participants. I have a great deal of experience teaching all levels of golfers and also the competitive experience that I believe can help including:
- Member of the CPGA
- 4-year golf scholarship, Arkansas State University
- Victories at the junior, collegiate, & amateur level
- Member of Canada’s National Junior team (2001) and National Amateur Team (2007)
See you on the range!
 Patrick O'Neill (Assistant Teaching Professional)
Patrick was first exposed to golf as a caddy at the renowned Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Patrick developed into competitive junior player competing in local, regional, provincial, national, and international junior events. In 1998 he was selected by the RCGA to represent Canada in Manchester England at the Junior Open Championship. His junior success led him to play Division 1 college golf for the Temple Owls. Individually he was fortunate to have won the 2004 Scotty Duncan Invitational hosted by the University of Delaware. Patrick graduated from Temple in 2005 with a BA in Marketing.
In 2006 Patrick joined the CPGA and was employed at Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club. With a strong desire to learn as much about teaching and coaching as possible Patrick completed all 5 levels of the CPGA Teaching and Coaching Certification Program. This led Patrick to a full time coaching position with Henry Brunton Golf. Patrick coached a wide variety of players with Henry Brunton (RCGA Men’s National Team Coach) at Eagles Nest golf club from 2007 to 2009. In 2010 Patrick worked as an Associate Golf Professional at Brampton Golf Club developing world-class teaching and coaching programs in the private club setting.
Patrick is also involved with the McMaster University Men’s and Women’s Golf Programs. He is excited to be back in his hometown and he looks forward to helping all golfers improve their golf skills. Patrick really enjoys playing golf and encourages golfers of all abilities to contact him for a game.
STEPHEN ROSS AND RICHARD ZOKOL NAMED FOR INDUCTION INTO CANADIAN GOLF HALL OF FAME
- Ross inducted for achievements as a golf administrator; Zokol inducted for playing accomplishments -
Oakville, Ont. (Golf Canada) – The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Golf Canada are proud to announce that Richard Zokol of Vancouver and Stephen Ross of Dundas, Ont. have been elected as the 2011 inductees into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
Ross is the former longtime Executive Director of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (Golf Canada) while Zokol spent 23 years as a member of the PGA TOUR in a career that included a pair of PGA TOUR victories.
Zokol is being inducted in the player category while Ross will be inducted as a builder. With their inductions, Ross and Zokol become the 68th and 69th honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
“It is an honour to be nominated and elected into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. I have worked in golf my entire adult life and it is very rewarding to have my life’s work recognized in this way,” said Ross. “Congratulations to Richard Zokol and his entire family for his election. I accept my election to the Hall on behalf of my family and all those employees who worked with me over the years and helped make this announcement possible.”
“Being inducted into our country’s Golf Hall of Fame is an immeasurable honour considering the past contributions of Canadian legends of the game beforehand,” said Zokol. “The feeling of gratitude of just being considered is overwhelming."
“The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame seeks to recognize excellence as golfers, contributors and supporters of the game,” said David Shaw, Chair of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee. “Stephen Ross and Richard Zokol have each amassed their own unique golf-related legacies and are fine examples of what makes golf such a great sport. Each of our 2011 inductees made tremendous contributions to the game and it is only fitting that as such, they are recognized for their accomplishments.”
Zokol will be formally inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame this summer at a ceremony in Vancouver while details of Ross’ induction will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
STEPHEN ROSS
Over the course of a 30-year career with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), Stephen Douglas Ross built a legacy as one of Canadian golf’s most prominent administrators. Born on June 22, 1954 (56) in Newmarket, Ont., Ross is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, Richard Ivey School of Business. He joined the RCGA as Assistant Amateur Tournament Director in 1977 and served as Director of Amateur Tournaments from 1980-1988. In 1989, he was named Executive Director of the RCGA, a position he would hold for 18 years before stepping down in 2007. During his tenure, the RCGA experienced significant growth and introduced a number of programs and initiatives including the Future Links junior golf program and the RCGA Foundation University/College Grant Program as well as the creation and expansion of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum.
He led the RCGA through some of the most significant moments in its storied history including the sale of Glen Abbey Golf Club to ClubLink in 1999 and amalgamation with the Canadian Ladies Golf Association (CLGA) in 2005. He also led the centennial celebrations for both the RCGA and the Canadian Open; conserved the Canadian Women’s Open and Canadian Women’s Tour; started the Canadian Senior Open; negotiated sponsorships for the Canadian Open, Canadian Women’s Open and Canadian Senior Open; re-introduced Golf Canada magazine; orchestrated the purchase of the RCGA Golf Centre in Calgary; organized the Four Nations Cup (Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand); and introduced the RCGA Distinguished Service Award.
Renowned as one of the world’s most respected authorities on the Rules of Golf, he served on the Joint Rules Committee (with R&A and USGA) and officiated at countless national, international and professional championships (British Open, The Masters, US Open, World Match Play, The Players Championship, The President’s Cup, Australian Open and the Canadian Open). During his tenure, he created the RCGA’s Rules of Golf certification program; introduced the USGA ‘slope’ handicapping system in Canada; led the bid and organized the 1992 World Amateur Team Championship and also served on the World Golf Hall of Fame election panel. Ross is currently the Managing Partner at Oak Gable Golf Club and Learning Centre near Hamilton, Ont.
RICHARD ZOKOL
Born August 21, 1958 (52) in Kitimat, B.C., Richard Zokol’s playing career is highlighted by success in amateur, collegiate and professional golf. As an amateur, he was a member of Canada’s 1980 World Amateur Team and won the 1981 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. In 1981, he helped Brigham Young University win the 1981 NCAA Team Championship.
Zokol would later turn professional in 1981, with his first professional victory coming at the 1984 Utah Open. Zokol spent 23 years competing on the PGA TOUR and has two career victories – the 1992 Greater Milwaukee Open and 1992 Deposit Guarantee Classic. He is also a two-time winner on the Canadian Tour having won the 2001 B.C. Open as well as the 2001 Canadian PGA Championship. He also represented Canada at the World Cup (1992 and 1993) and was a member of the Dunhill Cup Team (1985-1987 and 1992-1993).
He is a former host of Acura World of Golf; a published author (Swing Free: 3 Simple Steps to Better Golf) and was named Canadian Playing Professional Golfer of the Year in both 1992 and 1993. In 2009, he was inducted into both the Brigham Young University Hall of Fame and the British Columbia Golf Hall of Fame. His is an honorary member of Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver as well as a developer and partner with the acclaimed Sagebrush Golf and Sporting Club.
ABOUT THE CANADIAN GOLF HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM
The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame celebrates the outstanding individuals of Canadian golf from players, both amateur and professional, to the builders, architects and others who have been fundamental to the evolution of the game in this country. Operated by Golf Canada, the Hall of Fame, museum and library are open to visitors to discover more about the game and the inductees. For more information please visit www.cghf.org.
GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada – a member-based organization governed by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) – is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing close to 350,000 members at almost 1,500 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, Golf Canada is responsible for promoting participation in and a passion for the game of golf in Canada.
Golf Canada actively conducts championships, programs and services to help shape the present and future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, National Golf in Schools, Golf Fore the Cure, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum and CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. As the authority for golf in Canada, the association also administers the Rules of Golf, amateur status and handicapping and course rating under the respected RCGA brand.
In addition, Golf Canada conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships provide world class competitive opportunities for Canada’s top golfers to showcase their talents.
For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit us online at www.golfcanada.ca.
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