Congratulations to Henry Brunton on PGA of Ontario Hall of Fame Induction
We are thrilled to congratulate Henry Brunton, an esteemed member of our community, on his induction into the Professional Golfers’ Association of Ontario Hall of Fame, Class of 2024. This honour celebrates Henry’s extraordinary career and unparalleled contributions to the game of golf in Canada and internationally.
Here, Henry shares reflections on his career journey, his commitment to the sport, and what this honour means to him.
Q: How does it feel to be recognized by the PGA of Ontario Hall of Fame?
Henry: “I am honoured and humbled to receive this recognition and to be part of this incredible group of PGA Professionals.”
Q: Looking back, what first sparked your passion for golf?
Henry: “I got hooked on golf as a boy. Introduced to the game by friends in Kemptville, ON, I was inspired watching Arnold Palmer give a clinic at The Ottawa Hunt Club.”
Henry’s dedication to the sport has been a driving force behind some of Canada’s most significant golf initiatives. A pioneer in coaching education, he created the PGA of Canada Teaching and Coaching Certification Program and developed the Golf Canada Long-Term Player Development Guide.
Q: Throughout your career, you’ve been instrumental in creating programs like the PGA of Canada Teaching and Coaching Certification Program and the Golf Canada Long-Term Player Development Guide. What inspired you to take on such a leadership role in golf education?
Henry: “I want golf in Canada and the PGA to improve and evolve. This passion, my educational background, and my golf experience put me in a unique position to lead golf development. I am privileged to have had the opportunity from both Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada to contribute to advancing the sport and the PGA.”
Henry’s career has been marked by numerous accolades, including a “career grand slam” of PGA of Canada national awards, in addition to his work as Canada’s first National Men’s Coach for Golf Canada. Henry has been a mentor to players who went on to excel at the highest levels, from PGA Tour stars to NCAA champions.
Q: You’ve coached a remarkable number of players who went on to shine at the highest levels. What do you consider the most rewarding part of working with athletes at such a high level?
Henry: “It’s rewarding to play a role in igniting and inspiring high-performance players to believe in themselves and to provide them with the opportunity, training, and support necessary to eventually become world-class. It’s incredible to see their extraordinary accomplishments.”
Q: Your career includes a unique accomplishment: winning the “career grand slam” of PGA of Canada national awards. What does this achievement mean to you, and is there one award that stands out as especially significant?
Henry: “Being the first PGA Member to accomplish the ‘Grand Slam’ of National Awards makes me proud and grateful. I cherish them all equally.”
Since 1999, Henry and his wife, Rhonda Fleury, have run the Henry Brunton Golf Academy, with locations in Ontario, California, and Florida.
Q: You and your wife, run the Henry Brunton Golf Academy, with locations in Ontario, California, and Florida. What do you most enjoy about working together, and how does this dynamic shape the way you approach coaching?
Henry: “Rhonda is a fantastic person—a great coach, player, and partner. I enjoy her approach to coaching; she often has a different perspective. Rhonda challenges me and inspires me to continue to learn and innovate. We don’t always agree, although she is always right (LOL)! She guides me and challenges me to keep improving. Together, we create programs and experiences that help people play better golf and enjoy the game to the fullest.”
Q: The PGA of Ontario Hall of Fame recognizes not only your skills but also your lasting impact on the sport. What advice would you give to young coaches who hope to make a similar mark in golf?
Henry: “Love the game and do the work to be the best PGA Professional you can be—never stop continuing to learn and grow, and everything will take care of itself.”
Q: As you look to the future, what goals do you have for your career, your academy, or the sport of golf itself? Are there areas in the sport you’d still like to influence?
Henry: “I feel like I am just getting started. We want to continue to be leaders with high-performance coaching for juniors and shift to a more focused approach on providing best-in-class adult coaching programs and golf school experiences in Toronto and Florida. We want to have a positive impact on as many golfers as possible.”
Please join us in celebrating Henry Brunton’s outstanding accomplishments, his dedication to the growth of golf, and his continued contributions to the sport. We are proud to call him one of our own.