TEEING OFF: Barnesky returns to stomping grounds as pro

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This article was published 04/05/2022 (1428 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ryon Barnesky is back where his love of golf began.

The Chater native grew up learning the ropes at Glen Lea Golf Course and worked there for four summers. Four-and-a-half years later, he’s the club’s associate professional. The 26-year-old is as excited as anyone for opening day of Glen Lea’s 40th season on Thursday.

“Growing up and being able to hit those benchmarks: break 100 for the first time, break 90, break 80, break 70 and have the opportunity to come back, this place has a special place in my heart so it’s nice to come back as a pro and help it grow even more,” Barnesky said.

He joined Glen Lea’s pro shop staff in 2014 after high school. He wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted to do but figured if he’s at the course all day anyway, why not get paid? Barnesky quickly realized it didn’t feel like work.

“If you make … your passion a job, it’s not really working,” he said.

In 2017, Barnesky headed to Fanshawe College in London, Ont., for the two-year golf and club management program. The classes are quite practical, including food and beverage, management, accounting, golf operations, golf-swing analysis and turf care.

Between the two years, students are required to complete a six-month work term at a golf course. With the help of one of his professor’s connections, Barnesky landed at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper, Alta. Golf Digest has it ranked fifth of all courses in Canada and ScoreGolf has it third.

He didn’t get to teach lessons, no, he was in the back shop scrubbing clubs and washing carts — a job that doesn’t exist at most Westman tracks.

There’s really no comparison to the stunning Stanley Thompson design in Manitoba, for a few reasons. For one, a membership at Glen Lea ($875) costs less than a foursome during peak season at Jasper Park Lodge ($250 per player). High expectations precede that kind of coin.

“A big thing with them was service levels,” Barnesky said. “It’s a luxury property so they have their standards, the Fairmont brand. It’s a lot of things I’ve slowly developed by being moulded by the Fairmont brand and take that with me.

“The high-end customer service, people are spending their hard-earned money to come play golf so giving them that little extra, anticipating their needs … it was one of the best learning experiences to pick up all that.”

Barnesky also improved his game, matching his career-low 3-under 67 at Glen Lea with a 3-under 68 at JPL, which plays about six strokes harder. He went back for the same job the following summer, then moved up to the pro shop in 2020 and went for his playing ability test (PAT) in 2021.

The PAT is the big step in a club professional’s journey. Barnesky had to pony up a few hundred bucks to apply (it’s $367 plus tax this year), then complete one of five events offered in Alberta that year. There used to be two rounds, with a maximum total of around 155, depending on the course rating. It was dropped to one round and Barnesky had to shoot the course rating plus nine, which added up to 78 on his first attempt at Calgary’s Winston Golf Club.

He was on cruise control, 1 under through eight holes when the wheels fell off. His tee shot on the par-3 ninth found a back bunker, from which he skulled a shot into the water and, sparing the details, walked way with a nine. He doubled the next hole and birdied the 11th, but stumbled down the stretch and missed the mark.

He had to drop another $170 and drive up to Stony Plain Golf Course near Edmonton for the next PAT. Barnesky jumped straight out of his car to the first tee in windy, rainy conditions, having never seen the course and didn’t have even a minute to warm up. He shot 79 and passed with no strokes to spare.

“Knowing I was on the number, yeah, (I was nervous)” Barnesky said. “I think I was 7 over through 15, so on the number, and ended up saving a couple of pars coming in and got it.”

Barnesky is nearly done with his training but still needs to complete the PGA of Canada Training Academy program. Pros need to earn 30 credits over six years, which typically costs between $5,000 and $6,000, Barnesky said. Fortunately, he was able to transfer some credits from Fanshawe and will advance from apprentice to Class “A” professional status upon completion.

In the meantime, Barnesky is eager to improve the member experience at Glen Lea by adding fun tournaments, bringing the club championship back after nine years without one and more. He’s looking forward to teaching as well.

“Directing those members and public that have had trouble with their golf game for five, 10, 20, 30 years,” he said, “maybe that little tip can change the game for them.”

Those interested in lessons can email ryon@glenleagolf.ca, call the pro shop at 204-728-9090 or connect on Instagram at @rbgolfpga.

The long, nasty winter is over and the wait ends Thursday. Barnesky couldn’t be more excited to see his club get busy.

“It’s cool, it’s full circle,” Barnesky said. “I remember taking my first tee shot on one and air-swinging, now I’m here as the pro.”

BIRDIES: Shilo Country Club opens today, while Glen Lea and Wheat City are kicking the season off Thursday and Oak Island is welcoming play on Friday … Mulligan’s Driving Range and Recreation is open starting today at noon … Clear Lake’s Monday ladies best-ball league is starting mid-June and is looking for two-person teams to join. Contact Janice Meadows at 204-596-3630 or janlmeadows@hotmail.com for more information.

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