PGA of Canada Announces Workshops Alongside Special Olympics Canada
The PGA of Canada, in partnership with Special Olympics Canada, is proud to announce two new community stream coaching workshops.
The Foundations of Coaching Golf in Special Olympics course was successfully piloted on March 20 and will officially launch at the end of April, 2025. This virtual, three-hour course replaces the previous Special Olympics Golf Coach training and serves as an introduction to coaching golf in Special Olympics. Built on competency-based education principles, the workshop focuses on experiential learning, allowing coaches to develop and refine their skills through hands-on application, reflection, and situational learning.
This new online workshop will be a prerequisite for the upcoming Applied Coaching for Special Olympics Golf Training, an in-person course designed to provide coaches with practical, on-course experience. The Applied Coaching for Special Olympics Golf Training workshop will be piloted in Fall 2025 and is set to launch in early 2026. Together, these courses will create a structured pathway for Special Olympics golf coaches, ensuring they have the tools to deliver safe, inclusive, and high-quality programs for athletes across Canada.
"Special Olympics Canada is excited to build on the longstanding partnership with the PGA of Canada to launch the Foundations of Coaching Golf in Special Olympics coach education course in a virtual format," said Danielle Emmons, Associate Director, Athlete & Coach Development at Special Olympics Canada. "We strongly believe that this workshop will provide our coaches with the foundational knowledge they need to deliver safe, inclusive, and fun golf programs across the country. In addition, we are excited to build on this knowledge with an applied workshop coming this fall, in which coaches will expand their technical knowledge and skills. The strong partnership with the PGA of Canada allows Special Olympics golf coaches from across the country to come together to learn to create a quality sport experience for all involved."
The PGA of Canada is committed to fostering inclusivity in golf, ensuring that coaches are well-equipped to support athletes of all abilities.
"Golf is a sport for everyone, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Special Olympics Canada to provide coaches with the education and hands-on experience they need to create meaningful learning environments," said Stephanie Cleary, Managing Director of Education at the PGA of Canada. "By introducing a structured pathway for Special Olympics golf coaches, we are ensuring that athletes across the country have access to knowledgeable, skilled coaches who can help them reach their full potential on and off the course."
About Special Olympics Canada
Special Olympics Canada is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with intellectual and developmental disabilities through sport. It is a national, not-for-profit grassroots organization that provides sport training and competition opportunities to more than 40,000 athletes of all ages and abilities through local sports clubs. It also benefits from an extensive network of more than 16,000 volunteers, including 13,000 trained coaches. For more information, please visit www.specialolympics.ca.
About the PGA of Canada
Established in 1911, the PGA of Canada is the second-oldest and third-largest professional golf association in the world. With over 4,000 members nationwide, the PGA of Canada is committed to developing, promoting, and supporting golf professionals while growing participation, excellence, and passion for the game. The association consists of a national office located in Acton, Ontario, and nine Zone Offices across the country. Learn more at www.pgaofcanada.com.
The Foundations of Coaching Golf in Special Olympics course was successfully piloted on March 20 and will officially launch at the end of April, 2025. This virtual, three-hour course replaces the previous Special Olympics Golf Coach training and serves as an introduction to coaching golf in Special Olympics. Built on competency-based education principles, the workshop focuses on experiential learning, allowing coaches to develop and refine their skills through hands-on application, reflection, and situational learning.
This new online workshop will be a prerequisite for the upcoming Applied Coaching for Special Olympics Golf Training, an in-person course designed to provide coaches with practical, on-course experience. The Applied Coaching for Special Olympics Golf Training workshop will be piloted in Fall 2025 and is set to launch in early 2026. Together, these courses will create a structured pathway for Special Olympics golf coaches, ensuring they have the tools to deliver safe, inclusive, and high-quality programs for athletes across Canada.
"Special Olympics Canada is excited to build on the longstanding partnership with the PGA of Canada to launch the Foundations of Coaching Golf in Special Olympics coach education course in a virtual format," said Danielle Emmons, Associate Director, Athlete & Coach Development at Special Olympics Canada. "We strongly believe that this workshop will provide our coaches with the foundational knowledge they need to deliver safe, inclusive, and fun golf programs across the country. In addition, we are excited to build on this knowledge with an applied workshop coming this fall, in which coaches will expand their technical knowledge and skills. The strong partnership with the PGA of Canada allows Special Olympics golf coaches from across the country to come together to learn to create a quality sport experience for all involved."
The PGA of Canada is committed to fostering inclusivity in golf, ensuring that coaches are well-equipped to support athletes of all abilities.
"Golf is a sport for everyone, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Special Olympics Canada to provide coaches with the education and hands-on experience they need to create meaningful learning environments," said Stephanie Cleary, Managing Director of Education at the PGA of Canada. "By introducing a structured pathway for Special Olympics golf coaches, we are ensuring that athletes across the country have access to knowledgeable, skilled coaches who can help them reach their full potential on and off the course."
About Special Olympics Canada
Special Olympics Canada is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with intellectual and developmental disabilities through sport. It is a national, not-for-profit grassroots organization that provides sport training and competition opportunities to more than 40,000 athletes of all ages and abilities through local sports clubs. It also benefits from an extensive network of more than 16,000 volunteers, including 13,000 trained coaches. For more information, please visit www.specialolympics.ca.
About the PGA of Canada
Established in 1911, the PGA of Canada is the second-oldest and third-largest professional golf association in the world. With over 4,000 members nationwide, the PGA of Canada is committed to developing, promoting, and supporting golf professionals while growing participation, excellence, and passion for the game. The association consists of a national office located in Acton, Ontario, and nine Zone Offices across the country. Learn more at www.pgaofcanada.com.