Doug Morgan has been involved with the Canadian P.G.A. for twenty-one years, the last fourteen as a Class “A” Member. He actively participates in the Association by attending annual education seminars, tournaments and co-facilitating the Learning Centre at the Vancouver Golf & Travel Show.
Growing up in Victoria was an idea location to work on his game. The mild winters afforded play and practice year round. After some successes at the Provincial (7th) and Canadian Junior (9th) in 1985 and his first major win at the Victoria City Amateur in 1988, Doug turned decided to become a Club Professional in 1991. “I worked at both public and semi-private facilities during my Apprenticeship and had the great opportunity to work for four great mentors.”
“I had aspirations of a Professional playing career, but made a decision that travelling and playing this game for a living was not for me. I still wanted to compete and be involved with the game but was unsure what part of the business to pursue.”
After his involvement with the R.C.G.A. Elite Player Development Program in 2001, Doug realized that he had many experiences as a player that would benefit golfers of all ages and abilities. Teaching and coaching has been his passion for the last decade.
Doug’s coaching techniques, beliefs and principles continue to evolve through reading, education seminars and attending Golf Schools during the off-season.
“The Dave Pelz 3-Day Short Game School reinforced my beliefs about putting, chipping and bunker play. One of the shots that was a weakness in my game was the less than full wedge. I learned new techniques and now have better control with my wedges from inside 80 yards. Combined with better constructive assessments of my putting, I have reduced my scoring average from 72.45 in 2005 to 71.19 in 2010.
“Attending the Vision54 Golf School - Every Coach Must Have a Purpose, has shown me that teaching golf isn’t just about swing planes and becoming more consistent. Focusing the players’ attention on their intention is a key to improvement. There are also many more disciplines that most golfers need to explore, most still believing that another series of swing lessons or the latest technology will make them a better golfer and shoot lower scores.”
Playing competitive golf is Doug’s other passion. After 32 years, he is still actively competing in local Pro-Am’s and Open’s during the season. “Thanks to my TEAM, I continue to be competitive in local Pro-Am’s and Open’s (2010 – 4 wins, 2009 - 2 wins, 2008 - 2 wins, 2007 -5 wins).”
“In 2009 and after 18-years of trying, I finally reached my goal of being a Provincial P.G.A. Champion. And then I defended my title in 2010.”
“This season I am planning to expand my competitive adventures. I competed in two Mini-Tour events (Adams Winter Pro Tour) in Houston, Texas in February and hope to use my status as the two-time and reining Provincial P.G.A. Champion to gain an exemption to one of the local stops on the Canadian Tour in June.”
Other career tournament highlights include an exemption to the inaugural Greater Vancouver Open in 1996, winning the Vancouver Island Assistants Championship a record 7-times (1991-’93 & ’95-’98), earning Medalist honours at the 1992 U.S. Open Local Qualifier in Tacoma, Washington, tying the course record with an eight (8) under par 62, at the Uplands Golf Club in Victoria during the 1993 Vancouver Island P.G.A. Championship and shooting a career best, 19 under par at a four day Pro-Am in Maui in November 2008.