Keri Moffat will be officially recognized as B.C. PGA's Teacher of the Year in early March. However, it was a simple e-mail that she will cherish even more.
Shortly after learning of the prestigious honour, the Director of Instruction at Mayfair Lakes Golf and Country Club fired off an email to her dad John Moffat who had been such a huge influence on her golf career. A short time later, while on her honeymoon, her dad suddenly passed away.
John Moffat had worked in the golf business for over 40 years in Ontario and was the longtime professional at the Ernie Shores Golf and Country Club.
"It's such an honour to get this award and the amazing thing is he knew about it," smiled Moffat who is just the second female teaching professional to be recognized. "I basically grew up learning the game and everything about it from my dad. He was really into teaching and he promoted junior golf in a big way at his home course. That was basically the place to be if you where a kid and wanted to play golf.
"He just worked really hard at giving kids the chance to get on the golf course and play."
It was that opportunity that allowed Keri to fall in love with the game.
She became an accomplished player and began helping out with her dad's junior program. After earning an honours degree in Environment and Resource Management at the University of Western Ontario, Moffat eventually enrolled in the golf management program at Humber College.
She achieved her Class A CPGA status in 2004 and continued to work alongside her father.
It was through the encouragement of her parents to come to the West Coast where the game and opportunities would be year-round. Moffat got her first job from a former B.C. PGA Teacher of the Year - Doug Hastie - and wasted little time in making a name for herself. Now she heads the Golf B.C. Academy at Mayfair Lakes that offers programs to players of all ages and abilities.
"I really love the fact that every day is different," said the 37-year-old of her career. "Me as a coach and as a teacher, never stops learning. As much as a students learn from teachers, I'm just kind of one of those people who tries to take in as much as I can from a student too."
Given her father's impact on her career, it should come as no surprise Moffat has earned a reputation for her work with kids. She also takes great satisfaction from introducing the game to newcomers.
"It's extremely rewarding because the learning curve is so huge," she said. "I enjoy teaching all levels of golf but would have to say my passion is juniors and beginners.
"We keep our programs pretty consistent here so all of us are working with every range of player but when kids are finding some interest (in lessons), the girls seem to lean towards me."
Moffat gets her fix for the competitive side of the game by serving as an assistant coach for the women's golf team at UBC. Typically she will travel to out-of-town tournaments and her role offers a different perspective on coaching where it's not necessarily a swing or stance correction that can make the difference in a player's game at a high level.
"Sometimes good golf and bad golf isn't always a technical issue," she explained. "For them, it might be their school work or even their nerves. I love the challenge of trying to figure it out and get someone to perform at their highest level on the golf course."
Moffat has also watched her industry evolve during her eight years as a teaching professional and is constantly being educated on the newest learning methods, including a trip with the B.C. Golf Association to the world renowned Vision 54 golf school in Arizona.
"It was the best experience of my coaching career," she recalled. "Today, there is so many elements you have to look at. Ten years ago you just focused on the technical side of the game and now there is so much more. It really has opened my eyes to an amazing way to look at the game."
