As most of us were adjusting to our post-holiday routines, the athletes of Team Canada’s Amateur Team and Development Squad were sweating it out on the golf course. With their first training camp already completed in late November, Team Canada is now working on fine-tuning the weaker areas that were exposed in the initial testing from the first camp.
Each team was training out of a different facility in the United States from Jan. 2-7 – find out what they were up to below.
Men’s Amateur Team
The Men’s Amateur Team were training out of the high-end facilities at the Vintage Club in Indian Wells, Calif. over the weekend. The warm, beautiful conditions at the Vintage Club were a welcome surprise for Head Coach and Winnipeg native, Derek Ingram.
“David Woods and the members at the Vintage Club have been incredible hosts and we are very fortunate to train on their world class facilities” he said enthusiastically. “This is the best training camp we’ve ever had“.
Ingram was recently recognized as one of three Canadian coaches to be recognized on Golf Digest’s best teachers outside of the United States list.
Corey Conners, who recently turned 22, took to twitter to express the beautiful scene at The Vintage Club:
Awesome birthday in paradise! #thevintage #pictureperfect #golfcanada http://t.co/qVOuXOKGIZ
— Corey Conners (@coreconn) January 7, 2014
Garrett Rank was one of few members unable to join the team in training as he had a special opportunity to referee the World Under-17 gold medal hockey game in Sydney, N.S. Rank, 26, has been a passionate referee for Ontario Hockey League and Junior B games for many years.
Men’s Development Squad
Meanwhile, the men’s Development Squad was training out of The Raven Club at Verrado in Phoenix, Ariz., a familiar facility and friend to Team Canada. Robert Ratcliffe, Head Coach of the Development Squad, is leading the new team through their second official camp.
In case you didn’t know: Ratcliffe has assumed full responsibility as the Head Coach of the Development Squad moving forward. In the past, he worked beside Ingram as the assistant coach, addressing players on both the Amateur Team and Development Squad. His new role allows him to focus primarily on the Development Squad players and prepare them for a transition to the Amateur Team. He will continue to work closely with Ingram.
Women’s Amateur Team
On the women’s side, the National Team was at the Desert Princess in Cathedral City, Calif., under the direction of Head Coach, Tristan Mullally.
Mullally is very optimistic about the year ahead as he continues to prepare his coaching plans for the individual needs of each athlete.
“ We’ve had a lot of fun out here, we’ve used every part of the facilities and they have been super in supporting us in our training” he said. “All of the girls continue to grow with their training, for instance, Anne-Catherine (Tanguay) has made some superb changes in the past six weeks and I am very excited for what’s to come in the year ahead.”
Anne-Catherine Tanguay takes a moment to enjoy the scenery as well:
Last day in Palm Springs! Then off to Mission for a few days and back to school http://t.co/PFQqv2VodJ
— AC Tanguay (@ACTanguay) January 6, 2014
Tanguay, a Québec City native, will tee-it-up with her Oklahoma Sooner teammates again on Feb. 9 at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.
Women’s Development Squad
Lastly, the girls of the Development Squad were training at The Lodge at Ventana in Tuscon, Ariz.
The Head Coach of the girls Development Squad, Ann Carroll, couldn’t be more excited about the prospects for the athletes and what the future holds.
proud of @TheGolfCanada‘s DevTeam and their relentless efforts & hardwork this week @taylorkim94 @valtanguay @sabrinegarrison Jaclyn Naomi
— ann carroll (@AnnAnncarroll) January 6, 2014
Did you know: Ann Carroll’s role with Team Canada has also changed for the upcoming season in very similar fashion to that of Ratcliffe. Carroll will now act as the Head Coach of the girls Development Squad but will remain to work in tandem with Mullally on the development of both teams.
Ann Carroll and Tristan Mullally share a laugh
In case you missed it…
Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., ran away with the Junior Orange Bowl Championship in Coral Gables, Fla., shooting a final round 67 to win by five strokes.
Read the full story here.
Garrett Rank, an Elmira, Ont., native and member of the Men’s National Amateur Team finished T7 at the 83rd Dixie Amateur Championship at Heron Bay Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla.
Read more here.