Andrew Ripley

CPGA Associate Professional

Golf History

Born and raised in North Vancouver, the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree. I was introduced to golf at the age of 7 by my Dad and grew up playing locally at Murdo Fraser, Glen Eagles and Northlands. As a teenager I was introduced to competitive golf in high school and my love for the game flourished. I began competing in Amateur tournaments across the Lower Mainland and grew a strong connection to the game. At the age of 20 I got a job here at Seymour in the Backshop.  After a short period I was managing the Backshop Operation and still do to this day, 10+ years later. At 26 I spent the winter working on my game in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, which helped push me to another level. I turned Pro the following year and have continued to work here at Seymour as a Professional. I continue to enjoy playing competitive golf and seeing the improvement in my students’ games through my coaching.

Influences

My Influences started with my Dad, playing golf almost every weekend through the summers growing up. My second main influence was Tiger Woods. Watching the electricity and excitement he brought to the game of golf pushed me to be better.  As an adult, my influences have been the great staff we have here at Seymour G&CC.  Working under our award winning Professionals I have been able to learn from each of them and apply parts of their styles to make my own. I have been fortunate enough to attend a Short Game Clinic with 2 time PGA Tour winner Gabriel Hjertstedt and Range clinics with LPGA star Lexi Thompson and Canadian Alena Sharp.

Teaching Philosophy

• Learning the Game from the Green back to the tee.
• Creating a positive and fun learning environment.
• Each person swings the golf club differently and there is no one universal way to swing the club.
• There are different ways to teach the same concept. Not all players learn the same way.
• Practice is essential to progress. You get our of it what you put in it.
• Fundamentals. A solid start position and pre-shot routine will allow for the highest level of consistency.

Most common areas for an amateur to improve

I believe there are 5 areas Amateurs must focus on to improve quickly:

1. Develop a pre-shot routine that engrains alignment, posture, and good fundamentals.
2. Short game. Amateurs spend way too much time on the range and not enough time practicing around the greens.
3. Practice with purpose. You will not improve by just going through the motions. Quality practice time trumps quantity of practice every time.
4. Course management and club selection. Most amateurs don’t have a plan on how to attack the golf course. Stay within your ability with shot selection and set yourself up for success without taking on necessary risks.
5. The mental game. Have fun and don’t get frustrated. If you hold on to that negative energy from a poor shot, it will affect the following shots too!

Most Memorable Moment

The greatest golf shot that I’ve ever hit came while playing Seymour’s 6th hole. I hit my drive into the left fairway pot bunker. The ball was buried in the front face so I could not advance the ball and had to pitch out sideways. I was left with a blind 280 yard shot over the corner to a front pin. When approaching the green I could not find the ball, I decided to check the hole for fun and it was actually sitting in there! Too bad it wasn’t for a double eagle, had to settle for an eagle.

Favorite Golf Courses

While I thoroughly enjoy many different golf courses I have a few favorites I enjoy playing outside of Seymour:

Tobiano GC in Kamloops
Big Sky GC in Pemberton
Gallaghers Canyon in Kelowna

What’s in the Bag ?

I am very proud to be a Taylor Made Staff Professional and use:

• Taylor Made SIM 2 – 9 degree Driver w/ Fujikura Pro 2.0 6x
• Taylor Made SIM 2 Max – 15 degree 3 wood w/ Fujikura Pro 2.0 6x
• Taylor Made SIM 2 Hybrid – w/ Fujikura Ventus Blue Velecore 9x
• Taylor Made P760 Irons 4-PW w/ Dynamic Gold S-400 Tour Issue
• Taylor Made Hi-Toe Wedges 60,56,50 – w/ Dynamic Gold S-400 Tour Issue
• Taylor Made Spider X – 35 inch Putter w/ Pistol Super Stroke Grip