Roy Abbenbroek

CPGA Associate Professional

Golf History

At the age of 6, I was introduced to golf through caddying for my father every weekend at the Calgary Elks Club. I started playing golf at age 11, competitively at age 12. Playing out of the Willow Park Golf Club in Calgary, competitive golf became my life as I spent all my free hours through Grade School at the golf course.

I have now been a Golf Professional for 38 years, and a Class “A” member for 33 years. My first 4 years were spent at Calgary Elks Club, followed by a ten year spell at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Calgary.  I then spent 3 years as Head Professional at Riverway Golf Course in Burnaby, before moving to Seymour in 2001.

Playing Accomplishments

• 4 Time Calgary City Junior Champion 1971 – 1974
• Alberta Junior Champion 1974
• 2 Time Willingdon Cup Team Member; youngest ever at 17
• Alberta Amateur Champion
• Calgary Amateur Champion
• 2 Time Saskatchewan Amateur Champion
• 5 Time Alberta Assistant Professional Champion
• BC Pro-Assistant Pro Champion with Stephen MacPherson
• I have held 5 course records, including a 63 at the Wailea Gold course on Maui and a 63 at Mission Golf Club.
• At the age of 55, shot 65 at Seymour Golf & Country Club.
• 5 Holes in Ones, including the most recent at Westwood Plateau in the Flora Aasen Pro Am on the 12th Hole. It was the 1st shot of the day in a shotgun tournament.
• 2013 BCPGA Senior’s Champion

Influence

I’ve been fortunate enough to have seen many of golf’s top instructors in person at various seminars, and worked with some excellent Golf Professionals. Fresh new ways of approaching student challenges come up through great conversations with colleagues as well. Gabe Hjertstedt has been a great influence on my short game strategies.

Coaching Philosophy

I am proud to say that I enjoy working with each student’s individual abilities and quirks, helping to mold them into the best player they can be.  I believe that all students have innate abilities that are inside them all, that can be brought out with the right coaching.  The challenge is to find a way to bring out those talents.

Career Goals

The friends and acquaintances that I have made over the years working in the golf industry have made the Golf Profession truly the perfect choice for me. My main career goal is to continue to make the game more enjoyable for all those around me, as I thrive on being part of the great game of golf.

Favourite Players

Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey, Max Homa, Brooke Henderson & Lydia Ko

Favourite Courses

• In Alberta – Wolf Creek, Priddis Greens, Glendale, Glencoe & Silver Springs
• In BC – Salmon Arm, Storey Creek, Point Grey, The Redwoods, & Seymour
• Overall – Sahalee in Washington, Calgary Golf & CC, The Marshes in Ottawa, The National in Toronto, Troon North in Phoenix, Wailea Gold On Maui, and Cascata in Las Vegas.

What’s in the Bag

• Ping G410 Driver 10.5 degree Regular Graphite Shaft
• Ping G410 #5 & #7 Woods, Regular Graphite Shaft
• Ping G410 Hybrids, 22, & 26 degrees, Regular Graphite Shafts
• Ping G425 irons, 6-PW, in Steel Regular CFS with Cushion
• Ping Glide 2 Stealth Wedges, 50, 54, & 58 degree
• Ping Craz E H Vault Putter