by Rodney Wilson, CCAA.ca
When the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades host the 2015 PING CCAA Golf National Championships next month, they’ll have a PGA Tour Canada champion on their coaching staff.
Former CCAA student-athlete Brad Clapp is entering his third season as an assistant coach with the Cascades, alongside former two-time CCAA coach of the year Chris Bertram.
Cascades assistant golf coach Brad Clapp emerged victorious at the PGA Tour Canada’s Great Waterway Classic. (PGA Tour Canada / Michael Burns photo)
Last Sunday, Clapp eagled the 72nd hole to shoot a final round five-under 67 and cap off a win at the Great Waterway Classic, his first Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada victory. His four-stroke margin of victory was the largest on the Tour this season.
Clapp also happens to be a former CCAA medalist. At the 2007 national championships, he captured a bronze medal in the individual event and led the Camosun Chargers to a silver medal in the team event.
“With Brad now in the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour Canada, it just furthers reinforces my belief that you can play collegiate golf in Canada and go on to great things in golf,” said Chris Bertram, head coach at UFV.
“We’re so lucky out here in the Fraser Valley to have players like Brad, Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin just hanging around the course, supporting our Cascades program, and showing our players you can achieve your dreams in this game and be great people at the same time,” he said.
The power of seeing those examples first hand to the young players at UFV can’t be overstated, according to Bertram.
Clapp, along with fellow Cascades assistant coach Jennifer Greggain, works at the Chilliwack Golf Club, site of this year’s CCAA National Championships. Greggain, who played collegiate golf at the University of Washington, has LPGA Tour experience.
Clapp joined the Cascades coaching staff in 2013, the year UFV happened to win two national championships. It was no coincidence according to Bertram.
“Brad is a great coach and really relates well to the players – particularly as a former CCAA player himself,” said Bertram. “We set high goals for ourselves in our program, and Brad’s insights and experiences are very inspirational for all of our players. His impact has been huge.”
The 2015 PING CCAA Golf National Championships will be held Oct. 13-16.
2015 Conference Championships Schedule
ACAA: Oct. 3-4 at Holland College
RSEQ: Oct. 3-4 at Cégep de Sorel-Tracy
OCAA: Sept. 28-30 at Niagara College
ACAC: Oct. 3-4 at Medicine Hat College
PACWEST: Oct. 3-4 at University of the Fraser Valley
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