Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/165357
8:40 AM Page 1 PLAYER PROFILES BY ALFIE LAU Phil Jonas Balances Teaching And Playing European Senior Tour 2012 PGA of BC Teacher of the Year Phil Jonas has a surprising admission: He may not be the best golf teacher in his own house. JONAS PLAYS IN THE 2012 SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP AT TURNBERRY "My wife Patty has been teaching for close to 30 years and I've only been teaching officially for the past 11," said Jonas. "She has a lot more experience and I learn a lot from her, including what I have to do with my game." Phil is being modest by deferring to his better half, but there's no doubt who has a better playing resume. Phil has spent much of this summer playing on the European Senior PGA Tour, where he's cashed respectable cheques – including one for more than 8,000 Euros for a T4 in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland – and he qualified for the British Seniors Open, recently concluded at Royal Birkdale. The couple, who operate The Phil Jonas Golf Academy out of Hazelmere in South Surrey, are Canada's leading husband and wife golf instructors. They offer lessons for beginners, on short game improvement, private adult lessons, private group lessons, women's group lessons and junior golf lessons. Teaching is something that Phil is particularly proud of. His philosophy is simple: "I want to work with what the student has and make them the best they can be," said Phil. "The big difference between a Tour player and an amateur is that the pro does a TRAVEL IS AGAIN A COMMON PART OF OF JONAS' LIFE better job of scoring with their short game and their course management. This is a major part of teaching, how to score." Jonas said he bases much of his teachings on having played with 30 players who've won Majors. "What I realized is that everybody swings differently and what may look like swing flaws is part of what makes these players Major winners," said Phil. "I take what a student comes in with and chip away what doesn't work as a golf swing for them. There's no such thing as a perfect golf swing." Phil, originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, said his teaching partnership with Patty helps students of all ages and abilities. "Patty is very good, much better than me, with newcomers," said Phil. "Maybe that comes with experience. "What we both believe in is we have to pay the most attention to what has to be in place before the club is ever taken back to hit a ball. Fundamentals, posture and club position are all so important that if you get those correct before you take the club back, you have a much better chance of playing better golf." Phil was brought up in a very good junior program in South Africa and uses this experience to help juniors realize their potential. He can also advise young golfers on how to obtain golf scholarships through his many contacts with university golf coaches. As for his playing career, resurrected on the European Senior Tour, Phil said it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "I'm 51, so there aren't many more chances to do this," said Phil. "Patty has been so incredibly supportive. She's been fantastic, taking care of our two kids (15 and 12), while I'm out chasing the dream. "I do try and come back as much as I can, but I feel like I have permanent jet lag," said Phil. "But it is worth it because I'm competing, I'm having fun and some of the things I've learned, I can teach my students." For more information, go to jonasgolf.com. "The big difference between a Tour player and an amateur is that the pro does a better job of scoring with their short game and their course management. This is a major part of teaching, how to score." J 2013 PGA OF BC IN REVIEW IMAGES CREDIT MICHAEL STUART / COURTESY ONTHEBAGWITHPHILJONAS.BLOGSPOT.CA 8/28/13 IMAGE COURTESY PGA OF BC iG1308--proof2