CREDIT: PROVIDED BY THE CANADIAN COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
Colin Robertson won the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) golf coach of the year at an awards ceremony on Oct. 15.

Colin Robertson was named Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) golf coach of the year for his work with the Fanshawe’s men’s and women’s golf teams. Robertson bestowed the honour during the CCAA awards banquet took place on Oct.15 in Medicine Hat, Alta.

Interrobang spoke with Robertson about his golfing career and his journey to coaching.

“My family got me into golfing when I was around five years of age,” Robertson said. “I have had a passion for the game and the challenges and rewards golf offers.”

Robertson said that he started coaching when he was working at the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club. While in Alberta, Robertson became a PGA of Canada golf professional in 2007 and has been coaching golf to people of all ages and skill levels ever since.

“Coaching is more than knowledge of the game, it requires personal connection and leadership with contingency to be able to adapt to different learning styles,” Robertson said.

According to Robertson, he started the Robertson Golf Academy in January of this year with an aim to improve his client’s golf skills and help them reach their goals.

“Coaching offers so many rewards but one that stands out is getting a student’s trust and respect,” Robertson said. “It is great to see students improve their knowledge of the game, get excited about progress, and reach higher goals.”

Robertson has been the head golf coach of the Fanshawe varsity golf team for the past four years. He is a London native and graduated from business marketing and golf and club management at Fanshawe. In addition to coaching, Robertson teaches in the golf and club management program at Fanshawe.

“Each year we have built upon the last and continue to see success with this year being our most successful season,” Robertson said.

Alyssa Stoddart of the women’s varsity team won three out of four regular season tournaments, the women’s individual Ontario College Athletics Association (OCAA) championship title, and bronze at the CCAA golf championships.

The men’s team won the first event that was hosted by Fanshawe at Firerock Golf Club and won silver at the OCAA golf championships. Braydon White won the gold medal for men’s low individual and the men’s team placed fifth at the CCAA golf championships.

“I am honoured to have been selected the CCAA coach of the year. I have an incredible team of golfers who consistently show integrity and character on and off the course and an assistant coach, Joel Johnston, who is deserving of this award as well,” Robertson said. “It is great to see results for the student athletes, they will have these memories forever, we just want them to be as valuable as possible.”