GOLF INSTRUCTION
Our PGA of Canada certified teaching professionals conduct lessons to suit all levels of players and are all qualified to assist you in the pursuit of improved skills and enjoyment on the course.
Please read the bio of each individual instructor below and don’t hesitate to contact us to make a lesson booking; it’s the first step towards an improved swing and better golf score.
Duncan Savage – Head Professional
Duncan joined the PGA of Canada in 2000 working as a junior instructor for the Arnold Palmer designed Whistler Golf Club. After a few short years Duncan took over as the Head Teaching Professional working with golfers of all ages and abilities in both private and large group settings.
Duncan’s approach to teaching starts with the goal of understanding a student’s objectives, previous athletic experience and physical capabilities. After a short evaluation golfers can expect to clearly understand any challenges identified and a path to correcting them.
Duncan joined the team at Squamish Valley Golf Club in 2024 and is excited to bring his years of teaching and playing experience to the community he and his family reside in.
Yamato Chiyasu – Apprentice/Assistant Professional
Born and raised in Squamish, Yamato started playing sports at age three, picked up golf when he turned 10 and started playing competitively at age 13. Despite his young age Yamato has already been an employee of the Squamish Valley Golf Club for 15 years, having worked in various roles at the Club, including in the restaurant and various roles in the pro shop. Upon meeting the requirements to join the membership of the Canadian Professional Golf Association in 2023, he became a member of SVGC’s professional staff and is employed as an Apprentice/Assistant Professional.
Having grown up in the world of sports, Yamato knows the importance of playing sports at a young age and focuses on teaching youth the game of Golf. Yamato has been coaching for the Howe Sound Secondary School golf team and works with Cari Chow Golf, running the weekly Junior Camps.
In 2024, Yamato graduated from Capilano University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Yamato specializes in teaching beginners/intermediate adults and youth.
Chris ‘Topher’ Webster – Class A Professional
Chris grew up in Squamish, attending both Elementary and High School in town. It has always been home for him. He is the newest addition to the SVGC professional team.
Chris did not begin playing golf until the age of 19 but was quickly consumed by the sport and the culture that surrounded it. He became a member of the PGA of Canada in 2020 and has spent the last 2 years working at Capilano Golf and Country Club as the Retail Manager and Senior Assistant Professional. Before that, he worked at Whistler Golf Club with SVGC’s current Head Professional, Duncan Savage.
Chris is also a Photographer in the golf industry. Taking photos for some of the top brands, courses, and players in the world. This has allowed him to visit and play at some of North America’s most coveted golf locations.
Chris is committed to growing the game of golf. Whether it’s on the course himself, introducing new players to the game, or behind the lens, his goal is to make the game more accessible.
Cory Wilson – Apprentice/Assistant Professional
Cory first took up golfing at the age of five, right here at the Squamish Valley Golf Club. Whilst he had an early fondness for golf, it wasn’t until later in life that it became his true passion. Like many who grew up in the Sea to Sky corridor, he participated in a wide variety of sports, including soccer, hockey, and skiing, all of which he still enjoys today. Golf came to the forefront for him in high school, where he experienced his first taste of a competitive atmosphere in the sport. Cory started working for SVGC in April 2019 and became a member of the PGA of Canada in June 2024. His interest in science and technology has made him an enthusiast of equipment and custom fitting. He enjoys using golf science and physics to break down the complexities of the game into easy-to-digest information for all golfers.
Cari Chow – Class A, Teaching Professional at Cari Chow Golf
From a young age, Cari was involved in many sports and was playing competitive golf since the age of 11. She has competed in provincial and national competitions in Canada, as well as events throughout the United States.
This experience helped her prepare for her Varsity career with the University of Victoria Vikes, and allowed her to play for 4 years on a scholarship, with the last two years as captain. Cari competed in the NAIA National Championship and AII Conference Championship- both equally challenging. Many things came from playing in such intense competition, but what was most memorable were the friendships made and meeting talented golfers from around the world.
In the summer of 2016, Cari graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Cari also has 4 years of education training and will be looking to finish that degree in the future.
During the end of her last semester of university, Cari achieved her goal of becoming a PGA golf professional. She then joined Ardmore Golf Course as an Academy Instructor.
Less than a year later, she became the Assistant Professional at Ardmore Golf Course and had the opportunity to run both women and junior events & group lessons.
Towards the end of 2017, looking to continue her growth and challenge herself further she took on the role of Assistant Golf Professional at SVGC. Since 2020, Cari has been instructing full time at SVGC and now has her own business and is contracted by SVGC & Squamish Golf Simulators.
To book lessons with Cari, please do so via her website Cari Chow Golf
