Nathan Barendregt: The Drive to Lead Wolves Golf

Nathan Barendregt is more than the head coach for Northwestern Polytechnic’s new Wolves Golf team. The PGA of Canada professional and NWP alum was also the driving force behind the reintroduction of golf as a varsity sport. He was motivated by his love of the sport, strong family ties, and the desire to give back to the Grande Prairie community. 

“I was driven by the idea of being the person you needed when you were growing up,” says Nate. 

Back when Nate was enrolled in Business Administration at NWP, he approached the Athletics department to pitch the idea of a golf team. The logistics didn’t line up to make that happen, but the seed of an idea was planted. Why weren’t there more opportunities for junior golf in the region? In the years that followed, Nate was inspired to work towards changing that.

“I made a ten-year plan to grow junior golf,” he explains. 

“I really thought a college program could happen, along with a year-round junior golf academy. I’m humble and proud to say that both are happening.”

It’s taken many hours and kilometres to get this far. Golf has been part of Nate’s life since an early age, as has grassroots time in the industry. Starting with seasonal work and stints in pro shops, Nate always made sure he was near a golf course. During a detour into oilfield finance, his encouraging boss and family suggested he pursue his dream of becoming a golf pro, and he began to seriously pursue that goal.

His first stop outside of Grande Prairie was Edmonton’s Derrick Golf and Winter Club, where in 2020 Nate turned pro, meaning he became a member of the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Canada. That was followed by time at courses in the Okanagan, Edmonton, and in a full circle moment, the Grande Prairie Golf and Country Club. Nate was a pro shop attendant there more than a decade ago, and it’s now the home base for his growing golf academy.

The drive to grow junior golf closer to home was nurtured by connections along the way. While in the Okanagan, Nate shadowed the University of British Columbia Okanagan’s head golf coach, Clay Stothers. “I got my first taste of observing a college program and saw some great coaching,” says Nate. Back in Edmonton, Nate played a role in the rebirth of the NAIT golf team, which spurred him to take another swing at bringing collegiate golf to the Peace region. 

Nate found strong interest in the idea from NWP athletic director James Phillips, president and CEO Vanessa Sheane, and the larger community (plus indispensable admin support from Barb Shmyr). It’s been a multi-year process to establish the program, get approvals, and find funding, sponsorships and facilities. The program was officially announced in May, and Nate was confirmed as head coach in late June.

Nate invites interested students to come and have a conversation. “A lot of people don’t play because they think they need to be approached. Don’t be shy! Show us you’re interested.” He says women who consistently hit under 90 and men who hit under 80 are definitely capable of playing college golf.

Another piece of Nate’s dream to build junior golf in the city is his new Wapiti Golf Academy, established in early 2024. He has about 30 golfers between the ages of 8 and 21 playing year-round. “The goal is to prepare them to take their game to the next level,” he says. “I want to give them a progression system to play collegiately. It gives them options to keep playing I didn’t have.”

Nate is grateful that his career goals have aligned to bring him back to the north and his family: “They’ve been so supportive. They’re the main reason I’m in Grande Prairie.” When he’s not making his golf dreams come true, Nate is hanging with his mom and dad, and his sisters and their families, including two nieces and two nephews.

“It should be a ton of fun,” says Nate of his coaching philosophy. “Yes, there should be focus and commitment. When it’s time to be firm, do it respectfully and politely.” As someone who lives by the words, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail,” Nate is working hard to build opportunities for junior golf at NWP. He’s determined to make this shot count.