It always takes me two shots to get out of the sand. Please help!

Gord Melissa, Director of Golf, Pheasant Glen Golf Resort As the Junior Girls' Chair for Zone 6, I wanted to create a program that would encourage girls to come out and participate among their peers and receive instruction at the same time. I thought an ongoing Coaching Program would be the most effective method to accomplish that goal. Over the last 4 weeks I have seen a steady increase in participation and, with the help of Brent Morrison, participants have seen a marked improvement in their golfing skills as well as enjoying the cameraderie of an all-girls environment. Overall I have collected 24 different names and e-mail addresses of girls from Zone 6 who have participated at some level of the Program. This is extremely encouraging as at this time last year there were 6 participants! Due to the level of commitment and keen interest by the girls to date, Brent and I will be extending this program through the summer months. I would also like to see the girls have an opportunity to play in a few casual 9 hole events in addition to receiving instruction.

Date	Type	Time
July 16th July 23rd July 30th August 6th August 13th August 20th August 27th	Coaching session Coaching session 9 hole fun tourney Coaching session Coaching session Coaching session 9 hole fun tourney	2-4pm 2-4pm t-times starting at 2:00pm 2-4pm 2-4pm 2-4pm t-times starting at 2:00pm

There will be a charge of $10.00 plus gst for the fun tourney’s. All girls wishing to participate in these events must call the Golf Shop to sign up.

Graham Wallace Brent asked if I would share a few words about his exciting new online project. This was a project developed between Brent and my company Wallace i Media. Our company is about bringing technology to business but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun or cool. We introduced the world of blogging and podcasting to Brent and his team a few months ago and it has been an exciting and informative journey. What are these tools, might you ask? Blogging is a method of keeping a journal online, commonly called a ‘blog’. It’s excellent for presenting short, timely articles, in this case allowing Brent to talk about the latest developments and create a closer connection between himself and visitors. It also allows communication the other way via visitor comments on individual posts. So keep checking back to see what’s happening at the Academy and for tips on how to improve your golf game. Make sure your leave a comment and say hi!

The blog is the foundation most exciting part of this addition, the podcast. Podcasting is a new technology allowing a listener to subscribe to audio shows on the Internet that they wish to receive. These shows are received free of charge. Think of it as radio, except it’s played when you want, and where you want, with an MP3 player. The “pod” comes from the Apple iPod, but a podcast can be listened to on any MP3 play or even your computer! For more specific information on podcasting click here.

Brent’s podcast, called “Golf Gets Personal with Brent Morrison”, is a 10 to 15 minute program about his philosophy on golf. He will pull together his team of sports psychologists, fitness instructors, kinesiologists, students, and Golf Professionals in future podcasts to address all the aspects of your golf game.

The reason why these two additions work so well for the Academy is because of how personal Brent and the academy staff are. If you have not checked out Brent’s podcast please visit golfradio.ca.

We have been privileged to work with Brent on this project and we look forward to working with him to develop this into the worldwide success it deserves to be!

Graham Wallace is the owner of Wallace i Media, a website design firm. Call Graham at (250) 287-7977, or email info@wallaceimedia.com

Fit for Golf, Fit at Home Tanja Grad - BSc Kinesiology - BMGA Program Leader - Fitness As a golfer, fitness training should be an essential part of your life. Not only does physical activity improve your overall health, it improves your golf game! The inconvenience of getting to a gym may prevent many golfers from partaking in regular strength training. Fortunately, an effective strength program can be done in the comfort and convenience of your own home. By using your own body weight, a few hand held weights (weighted milk containers or soup cans work well) and some creativity, you can create a golf-strengthening program to do at home.

Every strength workout should begin with a warm up. Depending on your fitness level, five to ten minutes of walking or climbing stairs may be adequate to increase blood flow to the muscles.

The strength workout should consist of 8-10 exercises that target the entire body. Exercises such as walking lunges, step-ups and wall sits are excellent for strengthening the lower body. For an extra challenge, do the lunges while wearing a weighted backpack or carrying weights. A strong lower body helps to keep you stable and strong during your swing! Push-ups, dumbbell bicep curls and rowing all increase upper body strength. Back extensions and abdominal crunches work to increase core strength, the foundation of your golf swing. Start with 2 sets of 10 of each exercise. You can accelerate your program by increasing the number of sets or repetitions, or increasing the difficulty of the exercise.

Each strength session should end with 10 minutes of stretching to improve flexibility. Stretching helps to keep muscles supple and limber, and promotes fluidity in your swing. Trunk rotations are an excellent stretch for the trunk and lower body. Other muscles that should be stretched include the hamstrings, muscles surrounding the hips, pectorals, and back muscles. Each stretch should be held for 20 to 30 seconds.

If you need extra help getting started on an exercise program, whether it is at home or at a gym, contact a fitness professional at your local gym. There are many personal training options at fitness facilities, such as the Golf Fitness program offered at Oceanside Physiotherapy & Work Conditioning Centre.

Exercise	Target muscles	Sets	Reps	Weight
Lunges Push ups Abdominal crunches Step ups Bicep curls Back extensions Bent over rows Abdominal crunches to the side	Quadriceps, glutes, calves Pectorals, triceps, deltoids Abdominals Quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings Biceps Back, glutes, hamstrings Lats, trapezius, deltoids, biceps Abdominal obliques	2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2	10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10	Body weight Body weight Body weight Backpack Soup cans Body weight Soup cans Body weight

To learn more about Golf Fitness classes with Tanja, please call Oceanside Physiotherapy at (250) 248-9666.

Go the Healthy Way! Maureen Noble, R.D. - BMGA Program Leader - Nutrition Weight is a top nutrition concern of Canadians. The costs associated with overweight, obesity and their co-morbid conditions are staggering. The direct medical costs attributable to adult obesity in Canada are estimated to have been $1.8 billion (CN) in 1997, or 2.4% of the total health care expenditures for all diseases in Canada in that year. The Dietitians of Canada’s key messages this year are to incorporate healthy eating, active living and feeling good about one’s self. Healthy eating has been shown to be a successful approach to reducing the risk of Type II diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer and osteoporosis. Epidemiological studies suggest that physical activity can reduce the risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes by up to 50 percent. Losses of as little as 4.5 kg have been shown to increase longevity in obese individuals. The potential benefits of weight loss in relation to self-esteem and body image must be balanced by the recognition that healthy bodies come in a range of weights, shapes and sizes.

A societal fascination with thinness has led to a large diet industry in North America with estimated annual revenues of 35 to 50 billion. A 2002 review of weight loss diet product advertising by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission found that nearly 40% of ads contained claims that were almost certainly false, while and additional 55% of ads contained claims that were very likely to be false or, at the very least, lacked adequate substantiation.

So called “non-dieting” approaches to weight management, which emphasize sustained lifestyle change (e.g. healthy eating and active living) without emphasis on dieting, can produce modest benefits to health and psychological well-being while at the same time effectively minimizing the attrition or ‘drop out’ rate commonly observed in traditional weight loss programs.

Don’t let the diet industry control your life! If you need help developing a healthy approach to improved well-being and weight loss, visit a Registered Dietitian.

Here are some tips to help you “Go the Healthy Way”:

1. Surround yourself with sensible, healthy food choices, in your cupboards, refrigerator and at your work place to help you succeed in choosing wisely.
2. Drink one extra glass of water per day.
3. Keep an eye on portion sizes, for example 1 serving of grains is 1 slice of bread, 30 g cold cereal or ½ c rice or pasta, for fruit and vegetables remember 1 medium size fruit or ½ cup is a serving, 1 cup of milk or 2 ounces of cheese of dairy and 3 ounces of cooked meat is a serving. Canada’s Food Guide recommends between 5 -12 servings of grains, plus 5 – 10 servings of fruit and vegetable, 2 – 4 servings of dairy and 2 servings of meat or alternatives per day.
4. Reduce intake of pre-packaged, commercial products, instead choose more often fresh, wholesome food
5. Involve family and friends to help motivate you to stay on track. Try a “turn off the TV night” and do a fun activity you enjoy – go bowling, swimming or walk the dog.
6. Get involved with your community planners to suggest what steps your city could take to be friendlier for active living (e.g. create bike routes, sea wall walking paths etc)
7. Spend time with people who make you feel good and do things that make you feel valued.

Maureen Noble is a member of the Registered Dietitians of Canada. She offers individual consults, Shop Smart Tours, Workshops, and Seminars. Call Maureen at (250) 752-0844, or email info@brentmorrisongolf.com.

NO Surprises: Creating Competitive Stress in Practice!!! Doug. Swanson, M. Sc. - BMGA Program Leader - Human Performance Competing, for all that it is touted to be, is primarily an opportunity to bring one’s training into a “test” environment. The adage that competition builds character is a misnomer. Competition exposes character. We are, in our competitions, the character we have trained in our practice environments. If my thesis is correct, then training efforts are best when they reflect as closely as possible the nature and context of the competitive environments. The obvious first part of training is learning the mechanical or physical execution skills; putting ourselves “out-there” in the stress of physical development. We can place ourselves in very physically stressful (demanding and taxing) situations in practice, to “teach” ourselves the executions of each shot we might need to make in competition. We can even create amazingly difficult physical challenges that exceed the demands of the courses we compete on. The second part of training is creating the mental, emotional and psychological stressors that might arise in a competition. Click here to read the rest of the article » Doug. Swanson, F.I.R.S.T. Place for Human Performance, doug.swanson@rdc.ab.ca

Pre- Round Stretches Penny McGuire - BMGA Program Leader - PowerYoga Here's a few quick pre round stretches to get your mind and body ready for a great game! Stand with your feet hip width and parallel to each other. Take a club, hold each end with each hand behind your back. Positioning your hands shoulder width. Gently swing side to side, relaxing through the hips and all the way up to your shoulders and neck. Imagine all mental and physical distractions moving down your neck, shoulders and arms and leaving out through the ends of the club.

Take a deep breath and as you exhale fold forward bending at the hips, keeping the knees bent, and letting your arms, still holding your club, extend up and over. Imagine (when your shoulders are completely open and relaxed) the club and your hands would touch the floor behind your head.

This combination stretch releases the neck, shoulders, arms, lower back and hamstrings all at once. Having your head below your hips also starts to slow your thoughts and regulate your breathing so you can more easily concentrate on the current moment. On an inhale slowly come all the way back up to standing.

Step the right leg back behind you into a short lunge. Bend the back knee and press the right hip forward and you twist the upper body to the left. You can place your left hand on your lower back and right hand on your left hip to help you rotate. Hold for 3 - 5 breaths then repeat with the left leg back and twisting to the right. This stretch combines opening the hip flexors and abdominals while twisting the torso - great preparation for bringing full range of motion and strength to your swing: the results being a much longer drive!

Try these before you start and even during the round and see instant feedback and results!

For more information about Power Yoga classes with Penny, please call (250) 240-3739 or email info@brentmorrisongolf.com

Get to the Root of the Issue Brandon Guile - BMGA Senior Instructor When we discussed this “Golf Tips” section I didn’t want to talk about the typical content you see routinely. I wanted to discuss topics that would make this section unique and different. I’ve decided to address some situations I face day in and day out as a Teaching Professional. The golfing masses are inundated constantly with tips in Golf Digest and other publications, The Golf Channel, Online sources, and of course your friends who are more than happy to tell you what you need to do to improve your swing. There is loads of great information out there, often presented in unique and sometimes obscure manners. The important thing however is to be able to wade through all the great information and find out the specific tips, drills, and techniques that are right for you. There are some key things you should take into consideration before you try to incorporate any of these swing tips into your own game. Click here to read the rest of the article » To schedule a lesson with Brandon, please call the Academy office: (250) 752-8786 or email info@brentmorrisongolf.com

James Lepp (right) with the NCAA Golf Title in Owings Mill, Md.

Sucess in Tournament Golf Brent Morrison - BMGA Director of Instruction I have just arrived back in Qualicum Beach after coaching players who were competing at the B.C. Junior championship, B.C. Amateur Championship and the Ladies' Amateur Championship. Watching tournament golf is essential in the coaching progress and I learn a great deal from observing my students compete in these major tournaments. What I primarily watch for - and learn a tremendous amount about their development from - is their physiology. Players place a tremendous importance on the result of tournaments, as it is the ultimate test of their training. For many young players vying for University Scholarships, these outcomes will largely determine their collegiate paths. Training tournament golfers is much like training Olympic athletes; periodization is the key. The hours of training players spend in the entire year may be riding on one round. Break this down further and it could be one shot!. This places ultimate importance on remaining emotionally balanced throughout a round of golf. The best players in world say they typically only hit 3-5 perfect shots per round and very few games go exactly as planned.

This week at the B.C. Amateur I had the opportunity to watch one of Canada's top amateur golfers, James Lepp (Lepp just recently won the NCAA Division I Mens Golf Championship). He obviously has tremendous skill, and is one of the best players I have seen from 150 yards and in. James was playing with 4-time Canadian Amateur Champion & 13-time B.C. Amateur Champion, Doug Roxburgh. The aspect which I'm most impressed with in these players is their emotional stability (typical for top-level golfers). They prepare for each shot with consistent intensity, regardless of the level of difficulty. When they miss a shot, they are obviously disappointed. However, there are not big swings in their physiology. This balance prevents them from becoming emotionally drained and helps keep them equally emotionally prepared and ready to execute the next shot. Essentially this emotional balance is created by attaching positive emotions to all outcomes - negative or positive - and is a key factor for all players to master as they develop.

The next time you have the opportunity to watch great players, study their physiology before and following shots. You will be able to predict which player is destined to fall apart and which player will begin to bounce back.

To practice maintaining your own emotional stability on the practice tee or on the course, hit a shot and smile regardless of the outcome. Whether you think you can or can't, you're right!

My name is Janey Deimling. I am 22 years old from Nanaimo BC and am currently attending the University of Alabama in Birmingham on a golf scholarship. I have just finished my third year in Alabama and over these past three years I have had some of the best experiences in my life. Going to University on a golf scholarship is an awesome way to get an education while playing golf. I have had so much fun traveling all over the US and playing on the top courses. I have met so many different people and made so many new friends. I would fully recommend it to anyone who is thinking about trying for a scholarship.

I began working with Brent last summer and it has been a tremendous experience. I have worked with many different people all over British Columbia but I have never met anyone who has taken the time to actually make sure that I understand the golf swing and the reasons behind why we are changing things. This is particularly important for me being that I leave for eight months out of the year to go to school. I have not found anyone in Alabama that can teach the technical side of the swing like Brent.

During the school year, I video my swing and send it to Brent. He takes the time to work with me over the phone and by email. I really appreciate Brent’s dedication to me, which has greatly improved my game. Brent also has all kinds of computer programs and cameras that he can use to analyze my swing and then send me pictures back with lines drawn and even an audio section where he explains what I am doing wrong and how I can fix it. Brent has so much knowledge about the game of golf and the swing and he is continually expanding that knowledge by books and videos. I am always amazed when I ask him what is going wrong and he can tell me after one swing or one stroke of a putt.

The thing that attracted me to Brent more than his knowledge, teaching aids, and the facility was just his character. Brent has a heart of gold and truly loves what he does and it shows everyday. In the year I have been working with him I have yet to see him in a bad mood or even be negative. Brent takes the time to get to know each of his students and find out their learning styles and the best way to teach them. If one way doesn’t work he always has another one. There have been times when I have been trying to master one part of my swing and I keep working but just can’t get one move. Brent never wrote me off but kept devising new ways to get me to feel the proper positions and eventually we found one that worked.

I have seen numerous teachers who have one prize student that they devote most of their time to and give more attention to and other teachers who watch the clock and charge by the minute. I have never once seen these behaviors out of Brent. He truly cares about each of his students and never fails to spend time with each and every one of them when he is around.

I only wish that I had been involved in the golf academy when I was in high school. I think it is just an amazing opportunity for young people and would recommend it to anyone serious about getting to the next level.

Brent Morrison Director Recognized in 1998 as both British Columbia and Canadian PGA "Teacher of the Year", Brent is consistently ranked as one of Golf Magazine's "Best Golf Instructors in North America" (1999-2003). He has recently been nominated for Golf Magazine's prestigious list of "Top 100 Best Golf Teachers", "Top 25 Best Golf Schools", "Top Regional Instructor, "2005 National Post Golf Report Top golf instructors" in Canada, 2005 Forbes golf top 3 academies in Canada. Brent has been featured in Score Golf Magazine, Golf Magazine, Pacific Northwest Golfer, Inside Golf, Island Golfer and Fitness World, among other publications. Teaching private, group & corporate lessons to both amateurs and professional since 1989, Brent's broadbased holistic teaching approach to golf instruction led him to create the comprehensive Collegiate Golf Development Program, now in its fourth year. Brent oversees all golf instruction programs at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort and personally instructs students in our Collegiate Golf & Junior Tournament Preparatory Programs. Listen to Brent's podcast at www.golfradio.ca

Barrie McWha Executive Professional A member of the Canadian PGA since 1967, Barrie McWha began his apprenticeship at Southwood Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg. During the period of 1977 through 1985 he was a Member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian PGA, serving as President in 1983-84. In 1990, Barrie started Premier Golf Associates, a Golf Management Consulting Business, and in 1996 arranged the purchase of Pheasant Glen Golf Resort. Barrie has served as President of the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce, is currently a Director of the Oceanside Tourism Association and is the 2010 Olympics Community Chair for the Qualicum Beach area.

Gord Melissa Director of Golf Gord became a Class "A" Professional in 1996, and was awarded the British Columbia PGA "Assistant of the Year" designation in 2001. His desire to teach golf and manage a golf facility was realized in January 2002, when Gord became Head Professional at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort, a position which highlights his enthusiasm both for the game and for helping players fulfill their goals. In addition to his commitments as Head Professional, Gord instructs both our Collegiate Golf and Junior Tournament Preparatory programs.

Brandon Guile Teaching Professional A full time golf instructor and graduate of the Professional Golf Management program at Camosun College, Brandon has extensive teaching experience with students of all ages. Brandon instructs both our Collegiate Golf and Junior Tournament Preparatory Programs, where students enjoy his progressive instruction and dynamic teaching style. In addition to his extensive work with juniors, Brandon also instructs adult custom groups, ongoing coaching programs, individual and semi-private lessons at the Brent Morrison Golf Academy.

Jennifer Knight Teaching Professional Jen apprenticed in the CPGA program in 1999, acquiring Class A status in 2003. Her continued passion for the game is evident in Jen's teaching, where she stresses discipline, dedication and fun! A four-year Letterman at Arkansas State University, Jen honed her playing skills on a golf scholarship while attaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management - life, academic and golf experience she is pleased to share with students with goals of playing collegiate golf. Jen also specializes in ladies' programs.

John Milroy, CPGA Teaching Professional John has 12 years of experience in the golf industry and has completed levels 1-4 of the Canadian PGA Teaching & Coaching Certification Program. Passionate about supporting students as they learn their best swing based on physical abilities, learning style and personal goals, John also specializes in Club Fitting, helping students find the best equipment to suit their individual body types and swing mechanics.

Janie Rome Morrison Program Coordinator, Brent Morrison Golf Academy at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort Janie oversees all program registrations and client communications for the Brent Morrison Golf Academy. She coordinates the Homestay program for boarding students in our Collegiate Golf Prep and Summer Programs and acts as school and home liaison for our boarding students, maintaining a solid support network for our juniors living away from home. Janie also facilitates post-secondary planning workshops for our CGPP students and edits our Academy newsletter.

Diarmid "Scotty" McVicar BMGA Program Leader (Strength & Conditioning) Scotty received his Diploma from the Royal Infirmary School of Physiotherapy in Glasgow, Scotland. A former trainer to the NHL Winnipeg Jets, Scotty was also attending Physiotherapist at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, 1978 & 1982 Commonwealth Games. Scotty conducts fitness assessments for students in our Collegiate Golf Preparatory Program and develops personal training routines incorporating cardio, strength & flexibility, helping students continue to build on their strengths and improve in areas of challenge.

Doug Swanson BMGA Program Leader (Sports Psychology) Doug is a Human Performance Consultant, specializing in the areas of team and individual consultations in Sports Psychology, Managing Adversity and Lifestyle Management. He is sports psychology consultant to the Portland Winterhawks and facilitates educational and motivational programs through his company, F.I.R.S.T. Place for Human Performance. Doug is also an instructor at Red Deer College and a sessional instructor for the University of Calgary. Doug facilitates Sports Psychology workshops for students in our Collegiate Golf Preparatory Program, sharing his expertise in the field of Human Performance.

Maureen Noble-Kilback BMGA Program Leader (Nutrition) Formerly Senior Clinical Dietitian at Langley Memorial Hospital, Maureen has energetically maintained a thriving private practice in the Oceanside area, working with businesses and individuals alike. Maureen brings a strong background in Sports Nutrition and Disease Prevention & Treatment to Brent Morrison Golf Academy, where she is both a workshop facilitator and personal nutritional consultant for our students.

Penny McGuire BMGA Program Leader (PowerYoga), B.Ed, RYT For over a decade, Penny has helped many reach their physical and personal best, from Athletes to Mums to Be, to Mature Movers in both Australia and Canada. Penny regularly works with our Collegiate Golf Prep students to help them improve their core strength, flexibility and breathing techniques.

Tanja Grad BMGA Program Leader (Kinesiology) BSc. Kin Tanja received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Victoria and is also a qualified as a strength and personal training instructor through the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association. She has worked with The Velox Rugby Club, The University of Victoria Athletic Therapy Program and was a Clinic Coordinator for The Times Colonist 10K in training walk/run clinics. An avid athlete herself, Tanja competed for Canada as a Junior Modern Pentathlete in 1998. Following graduation from the University of Victoria, Tanja completed a cycling tour from Tofino, BC, to St. John, Newfoundland.