Our Team

The Academy at Predator Ridge offers professional golf instruction taught by a select team of PGA of Canada Professionals and experienced Academy instructors. 

Whether you are looking for a single or series of lessons, private or group lessons, or even our season-long player development program, our team of professionals will deliver the best instruction that will help you play better golf.

Kyla brings many layers of experience to her coaching. After graduating from UBC Vancouver where she captained the Varsity Thunderbird golf team. She played professional golf for six years in Australia and America. Kyla also worked abroad for three seasons where she studied under multiple golf coaches and instructors engaging in a deeper understanding of biomechanics and the art of coaching.

Kyla’s passion is rooted in helping golfers enjoy the game of golf. Whether that be lowering their handicap, getting them tournament ready, or introducing them to the game as a total “newbie”. She is known for her ability to tailor her coaching to the golfer in front of her, and delivering digestible information and drills. Kyla knows that every ‘body’ functions differently and is able to coach around physical limitations. She believes that given the opportunity, she can assist any level of golfer in achieving their goals.

Academy programs Kyla is involved in are: Swing Like a Girl – ladies only program, junior elite, season long game improvement programs, and golf fitness programs.

Kyla was recognized as the PGA of BC Teacher of the year (2023), PGA of BC regional teacher of the year in the Okanagan (2020, 2023). She was awarded the PGA of BC Community Leadership Award (2020) for her work in growing the Predator Ridge Swing Like a Girl Program and women’s golf community. In 2021 Kyla was a part of the inaugural Golf Canada & PGA of Canada Women in Coaching Program, Kyla also studied the PGA of Canada’s Coaching Developing Competitors training (CDC) in 2021. She has mentored under world renowned coach, Shauheen Nakhjavani. Kyla Is Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) level 2 Certified (Golf, Junior, Power, Fitness).

In addition to Ward’s Club Fitting role, he brings value to Predator Ridge as an academy instructor. His background in high performance sport and coaching is vast. Ward is a former professional BMX Racer and used to travel Western Canada putting on clinics for juniors and adults, before retiring in 2009. He is a current WHL Referee who had a short stint refereeing the AHL. Now that he is on the back nine of his officiating career, Ward is sharing his expertise and knowledge as an Officiating Coach for Kelowna Minor Hockey, and the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL), as well as a High-Performance Coach for BC Hockey and the Head Coach of the KIJHL Officiating Development Program.

He has always enjoyed playing golf with friends and the odd competitive round throughout the season.

Ward’s goal as a club fitter and instructor is to help golfers enjoy their time on the golf course by hitting better shots with more consistency and to have more fun!

passion for competing and led to his decision to turn professional and compete on the Canadian Tour. Following his playing career, he worked through various aspects of the golf industry, beginning as an Assistant Professional, before lengthy tenures as a Director of Golf and General Manager.

With an instructional background of teaching a variety of individual lessons, group classes, and clinics, Dean has developed the knowledge to help golfers of all skill sets improve their games. His teaching philosophy for students is built upon establishing solid fundamentals and understanding, which once achieved, will lead to improved ball striking and increased consistency.

Dean develops a personalized coaching plan for each student based upon swing patterns and tendencies. This practice plan will help each golfer reach their goals – whether lowering a handicap or reaching a target score, improving one’s short or long game, or finding more enjoyment while on the golf course.

Dean has been named the PGA of BC Teacher of the Year for the Interior region on three separate occasions. He also still enjoys competing in PGA of BC tournaments and on the Interior Tour. His playing accolades include winning the PGA of BC Provincial Championship three times and the PGA of Canada Club Professional Championship in 2002. He was named the 2002 PGA of BC Player of the Year and has won the Interior Tour’s season-long Order of Merit points race seven times.  

and after earning a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, played 4 years of professional golf, with status on the Epson, WAPT, and Cactus Tours. Following her transition out of professional sport, she was a full-time instructor at Predator Ridge in 2022.

After the 2022 golf season, Mackenzie pivoted and completed her Master’s in Human Kinetics (Intervention and Consultation) from the University of Ottawa. She is currently a Mental Performance Consultant (provisional)/student member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA) and is on her way to becoming a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). Mackenzie aims to help golfers of all abilities build essential sport and life skills to optimize their mental performance and overall well-being. Mackenzie is thrilled to bring mental performance to Predator Ridge through individual and group sessions, both on and off the course.

In addition to working as a Mental Performance Consultant (provisional), Mackenzie will be joining the academy team as a part-time instructor. In both roles, she aims to help golfers increase their consistency and enjoyment of the game. 

Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Health and Exercise Sciences, Rebecca blends her passion for golf with a commitment to overall wellness. She approaches coaching from a holistic perspective, emphasizing not only technical proficiency but also the importance of physical and mental well-being on and off the course.

Beyond the technical aspects, Rebecca holds a strong dedication to fostering inclusivity within the sport. With a particular focus on increasing female and youth participation in golf. Her coaching philosophy revolves around empowering every individual, regardless of background or skill level, to feel confident and capable on the golf course.

Driven by a genuine love for the game and a desire to see it thrive, Rebecca is on a mission to make golf accessible for all. Whether it’s taking your first steps into golf, refining technique, or simply reigniting the joy of the game, she is dedicated to guiding individuals along their golfing journey, one swing at a time.

He grew up in Brandon, Manitoba and spent his summers at Riding Mountain National Park. He graduated from Brandon University in 2003.

He loves being on the golf course playing with friends and family, his favorite time on the golf course is when he is with his two sons where they have also found passion for the game.

Greg’s approach to instruction is keeping the process as simple as possible. “Golf is hard, lets keep it as simple as we can, I don’t want to over complicate or overload anyone with too much information, lets have some fun and enjoy the process and if we can do that I’m confident the result of improved and more consistent golf will follow.”

He enjoys teaching people of all ages and abilities, and “I especially enjoy teaching new golfers. I believe that anyone regardless of athletic ability or age can learn to play and enjoy the amazing game we call golf.”