Canadian PGA Atlantic Celebrates Its Centennial
The Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association turned 100 years old on 12 July this year. There was a national celebration, on that day, in Ottawa where the Association was established. As well, there have been local celebrations in the various zones across the country.
On Wednesday 20 July it was the Atlantic Zone’s turn to honour their history and accomplishments and toast the future for the Canadian PGA members here. Joining the golf professionals in this celebration were industry partners and guests who enjoyed a social evening at Kingswood Golf Club in Fredericton, NB. The event was held in conjunction with the Atlantic Zone Championship. Along with reacquainting friendships and enjoying the good natured camaraderie were reminiscences of the past, present and plans for the future of the Canadian PGA and the Atlantic Zone. Speakers for the evening were Ed Ryan, past president of the Atlantic Zone; Jim Connolly and Lindon Garron, who are both past president’s of the Canadian PGA and Pat DeCoste, our current Atlantic Zone president.
Some notable facts about the Canadian PGA Atlantic Zone include:
The Atlantic Zone was established in 1966, with about 40 members. In prior years, most professionals in our region were members of the Maritime PGA. The first female member in our Zone joined in the mid 1970’s. Currently we have 185 members and apprentices.
Memorable teachers would include:
John Gaudet – 1969 until early 1990’s - when he moved to the Saskatchewan Zone.
Anne Chouinard – 2000-present
Ed Hanczaryk – 1997 – present
Louis Melanson – 2000 - present
For many years we held an annual Education Seminar in conjunction with our spring members’ meeting. Recently we have partnered with the Atlantic Golf Symposium, at Holland College in Charlottetown to provide this education component for our membership.
In 1982 a golf merchandise buying group was established for the benefit of our members and the facilities where they were employed. This program extends the benefit of extended dating and shared rebates to the participants.
In 2001 we started the CPGA Atlantic Tour, which now encompasses eight events during the golf season.
The more successful players who have emerged from the Atlantic Zone include:
John Munroe – 1966 – late 1970’s
Kevin Dugas – 1985 - present
Gordie Smith – 1995 – present
Stu Musgrave – 1995 - 2009
John Irwin - 2000 - 2010
Two Atlantic Zone members have served as President of the Canadian PGA - Jim Connolly and Lindon Garron.
Three Atlantic Zone members have had the distinction of being chosen Canadian PGA Club Professional of the Year - Boyd Lockhart, Ted Stonehouse and Jim Connolly.
Kevin Dugas, who has won our Atlantic Zone Championship on fourteen occasions, is also a two time Canadian PGA Assistant Professionals’ Champion.
Some notable facts about the Canadian PGA include:
The Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association was organized on 11 July 1911, making it the second oldest PGA in the world.
From the early beginnings in 1911, when a group of thirty-five professionals met at Royal Ottawa Golf Club to organize the first Canadian Professional Golfers’Association, to a diverse non-profit Association comprised of over 3,700 golf professionals across the country, the founding purposes are constant.
The Association’s objectives included the promotion of interest in the game of golf and protecting the mutual interests of members, as well as, holding meetings and tournaments periodically for the encouragement of the younger members and assisting all professionals to obtain employment. These objectives continue as cornerstones of the Association today.
Canadian PGA members are also vital to the golf industry, which contributes over $400 million annually to charities and 11.4 billion dollars to the Canadian GDP.
