Golf Canada Should Hire Credentials Over Nationality
January 17, 2012 by Kevin Thistle
I believe that if we are to become a force in the game of golf, we have to go on credentials rather than nationality, so personally, I’m not disappointed in the hiring by Golf Canada of Tristan Mullally from Ireland to coach Team Canada women’s golf.
We have some great teachers in this country and many of them are great friends of mine, but if it’s an Australian, an American or Canadian, let’s go with the best person. We can’t settle for second-best when it comes to our national teams.
By that statement, I don’t mean that Canadians are second-best, but maybe, our best Canadian coaches weren’t available for this position for a variety of reasons, or maybe, the new coach had specific experience that caught Golf Canada’s attention.
Look how many Canadians are coaching hockey in Europe and other places around the world. You see it at the Olympics, where maybe one of another country’s coaches in a variety of sports might be a Canadian.
Those countries are hiring on the basis of experience and credentials. Just because it’s Golf Canada, it doesn’t mean it has to hire exclusively Canadians.
It’s about getting the best person who can help your team, especially at that level. Like any other coach in any other sport, that coach still has to produce once he lands the job.
Kevin Thistle is the general manager of Coppinwood in Uxbridge, Ontario and an oft-quoted media source for the game, including his regular thoughts through his GNN blog.
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Kevin, great points. There are well qualified Canadians that would be great for the position but sometimes logistics and timing play a role in the available talent pool. We should look to hiring the best possible coach to lead our young women to achieve their lofty goals and to mentor those that they follow.
The one thing that has been overlooked in this hiring is the naming of Ann Carroll as his Assistant. From personal experiences, Ann will be a great support person for Tristan. All you have to do is look at the impact she has made since returning to Ontario. The US Colleges and Universities are littered with her students and those she has worked with during her time with the GAO. Ann’s technical expertise, communication skills and passion for her students will be a positive influence on the whole program and her working under Tristan will add to her coaching resume.
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Montreal Canadians fans should listen to you too Kevin.
MM
Kevin…. have a look at my blog when you get a chance…. I’ve been known to have “issues” with political correctness!!!
I tend to agree with Kevin. Although hiring a Canadian would be great , let’s hope that the right person for the job was hired regardless of Nationality. We have some great teachers in Canada, it’s up to us to develop great coaches!
I would like to comment on Mr. Grimm receiving the George Cumming Distinguished Service Award.
Too bad that Mr. grimm can’t attend the ceremony in Orlando. It would be nice to honor him sometime this summer in Canada! (just a thought).
I had the opportunity to first meet Mr. Grimm at the Canadian Open and then work with him as a member of the Canadian Tour board where he was it’s commissionner.
The first word that comes to mind when I think of Mr. Grimm is respect. Mr. Grimm is well respected by all, the players, tournament organizers, staff and volunteers. As a player Mr. Grimm had the same attitude toward you if you shot 80 or 64. He really respected and cared about the players welfare on and off the course. Congratulations Mr. Grimm !
Rémi
This assumes golf Canada knows what Canadian coaches are doing.