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Nathan Leonhardt, a former pro golfer has become an award-winning golf instructor in Richmond.

Photo courtesy Nathan Leonhardt

Richmond golf instructor’s journey

By Matthew Cheung

Published 10:51 PDT, Fri April 28, 2023

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Nathan Leonhardt, a resident of Richmond attended Palmer Secondary before he transferred to Richmond High in grade 10. It was at the age of 16 that he had fallen in love with the sport of golf.

“My family and I were with my aunt and uncle in Okanagan and they asked if I wanted to play with them. I didn’t really have any interest in it, but they said I could drive the golf cart. I ended up going with them and tried playing a few holes. Surprisingly, I actually did quite well, making a par on one of the par 4’s, once we came back home, I got a junior golf membership and the rest is history” said Nathan Leonhardt, director of instruction at Tour Development Academy

From that point on, Leonhardt had become addicted to the sport, practicing daily. “I was 16 years old when I first started playing golf and I joined Mayfair Lakes Golf Course as a junior member. I played and practiced pretty much every day. Like everyone else who golfs, I was addicted” said Leonhardt.

Once he graduated from Richmond High, Nathan took two years to perfect his craft before accepting a scholarship to Northwood University in Dallas, Texas. He then transferred to Arizona State University and then transferred to Johnson & Wales University (JWU) in North Miami, Florida, where he was the captain of the men’s golf team that was continually ranked one of the top five National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) teams in the nation. He graduated from JWU with a bachelor’s in business management and was also awarded the honor of ‘Athlete of the Year’ two years in a row at JWU.

At the age of 25, Leonhardt joined the Canadian Professional Golf Tour, playing three full seasons before heading off to China to play in the PGA Tour China. During his time in Asia, Leonhardt experienced a bit of culture shock as things in China were not like they are in Canada. Despite the differences between the two locations, there was nothing but admiration for the conditions of the golf courses.

“While I was playing in China, I lived in a city called Shenzhen, I would travel to and from there to each tournament. But everything was different to what I was accustomed to here in Canada, golf wasn’t’ as accessible there as it is in Vancouver (at the time). Practicing there was very difficult, however, the golf courses that we played on in tournaments were beautiful, and in amazing condition” said Leonhardt.

After the 2015 season, Leonhardt’s playing career had to be put on hold due to a back injury, he slowly transitioned to an instructor role. He achieved over ten professional victories and holds two course records.

Using his Bachelor of Business Management, he opened Tour Development Academy in Richmond and was able to work with some of the top golfers that Richmond had to offer. Leonhardt’s change in career has not altered his goals, he now hopes to be the best golf coach in Canada.

“When I finished my playing career in 2015, I was lucky enough to start working with some very talented junior golfers. My goals now are similar to what they were when I was playing, just in a different way. I always worked hard to try and be the best golfer, and that still holds true today when it comes to being a teacher of golf” said Leonhardt.

Since beginning his coaching career in 2015, Leonhardt has grown as a coach, being awarded the 2022 Teacher of the Year by the PGA of BC and named finalist for Canadian Teacher of the Year. Despite these accolades, the coach says that he is focused on getting the best out of his students.

“I started teaching golf after I ended my professional playing career in 2015. I was lucky enough to be awarded the 2022 Teacher of the Year by the PGA of BC last fall. I may not be competing as a player anymore, but I am competing through my students, helping them become the best they can be. It’s very satisfying, just in a different way than it was before” said Leonhardt.

The Tour Development Academy, at Savage Creek Driving Range in Richmond allows its visitors to practice all year round despite weather conditions. “It’s an amazing indoor/outdoor facility which allows us to hit indoors during the cold months and out into the driving range the rest of the time, all with the push of a button to open the garage doors. It’s the vision I’ve had for myself and my business for a long time, so it’s very exciting that it’s now come to fruition” said Leonhardt.

For more information visit tdagolf.ca.