Golf Staff


Pro Shop Staff

Name

Ian Stone

Title

Class A Head Professional

Ian was practically raised at Uplands Golf Club and was groomed under the guidance of 42-year Head Professional, Don Billsborough and 38-year professional, Bruce Rands. Ian is very proud to continue the legacy of the golf professionals he has succeeded. Beginning at the Club at the age of 16, he turned professional at 23 and completed the Professional Golf Management program in 2006.

PGA accredited in teaching, club fitting, the rules of golf, and retail, Ian brings an air of professionalism and enjoyment to daily life at Uplands. Whether he’s behind the counter or on the first tee members and guests can always expect to be welcomed with a friendly greeting and willingness to do whatever it takes to make their day, their golf and their experience at Uplands, a better one. Ian fosters a sense of fun and camaraderie and brings that mindset to the job every day.

Lessons: ianstone[at]uplandsgolfclub.com

Name

Dave Rands

Title

Class A Professional

Certified with the PGA since 1982, Dave has been a Teaching Professional at Uplands since 2007 and Lead Teaching Professional since 2014.

Dave enjoyed a successful teaching and administrative career in Alberta, holding positions as Assistant Professional, Associate Professional, Head Professional, Director of Golf, and General Manager of various Alberta golf clubs. In addition to his teaching career at Uplands, Dave is the assistant coach to the UVic Vikes’ Men’s and Women’s golf teams.

Dave has enjoyed a successful playing career and won various Championships from 1976 to 1989. Dave’s passion for the game is undeniable and his ability to convey its complexities to his students has earned him multiple nominations for and a win of the Alberta PGA Junior Teacher of the Year award; however, Dave’s major point of pride lies in the accomplishments of his students.

Lessons: david.randsgolf[at]gmail.com

Name

Ben Griffin

Title

Class A Professional

Ben grew up in Victoria and enjoyed playing a number of sports. At the age of twelve he was introduced to golf and joined Uplands, working under the auspices of former Head Professional, Don Billsborough.

After high school he was fortunate enough to receive a golf scholarship to Temple College in Texas, where his team won the NJCAA National Championship. He later transferred to Cameron College in Oklahoma on yet another golf scholarship and played out the remainder of his eligibility as a leader on the golf team.

After graduating, Ben returned to Victoria to pursue his amateur career. In the next few years, he captured two city amateur titles, two BCGA mid-amateur titles, a PNGA mid-amateur title, and one Willingdon cup team spot, as well as represent British Columbia and Canada at several national and international events including the Amateur International in Lima, Peru.

Lessons: golfingriff[at]yahoo.com

Name

Justin Clews

Title

Class A Professional

Justin began golfing at the age of ten and by twelve had joined Uplands Golf Club as a junior member.

During his playing career, Justin competed in various local junior and amateur tournaments representing Uplands Golf Club. He then went on to play for the University of Victoria Vikes from 2000-2005. After graduation, Justin became the assistant coach of the UVIC golf team for several seasons.

In 2011, he joined the PGA of Canada and returned to Uplands Golf Club as an Assistant Professional. In 2017, Justin attained his PGA of Canada Class 'A' status. Along with his position at Uplands, Justin is the Head Coach for the UVic men's and women's golf teams.

Justin has a strong passion for coaching & teaching to Uplands Golf Club members and guests. When not in the shop, or out on the course, Justin can be found enjoying time with his wife, Kim and young daughters, Adilynn & Maliyah.

Lessons: jpclews[at]gmail.com

Name

Sean Hay

Title

Assistant Professional

Born and raised in Victoria, Sean started playing golf at the age of 7 when his grandparents put him in a junior golf camp. After learning the basics from the camp instructor, Ben Griffin, he was hooked on the game. During his playing career, Sean competed in many local, provincial and national events including the BC juvenile, BC Junior, BC Amateur and Canadian Junior Championships. He was then recruited by the University of Victoria to play on the Men's Varsity Golf Team from 2012-2016. After leaving the golf industry for a few years, Sean's love for the game brought him back to Uplands as a PGA of Canada Professional He enjoys teaching all ages and skill levels and hopes to pass on his passion for the game to others. When not in the shop or on the golf course, Sean can be found enjoying time with friends and family, or perfecting his game.

Lessons: seanhaygolf[at]gmail.com

Name

Michelle McCann

Title

Class A Professional

Born in Ontario, Michelle moved out to B.C. with her family in 2006. She started golfing in 2007 with her father at Glacier Greens Golf Club in Comox then worked as part of their Pro Shop team for 4 years while in high school and university. Michelle attended Simon Fraser University for a year and played on their women’s varsity golf team; she transferred to Camosun College to pursue a career as a golf professional, graduating with an Advanced Diploma in Golf Management and Golf Operations in 2014.

Commencing work at Uplands in April 2014 she has completed her journey to becoming a Class “A” PGA of Canada Golf Professional and is currently working on completing her Coaching Specialization to create a more robust offering at Uplands. She is our junior co-ordinator, working to grow our junior program and, in the community, introduce a new generation to the game we all love.

Lessons: michelle.mccann.golf[at]gmail.com

Name

Trevor Richardson

Title

Pro Shop Assistant

A Victoria native, Trevor picked up the game of golf from his father at the age of five. Trevor was a junior member of Gorge Vale Golf Club and played recreationally for most of his childhood, but by seventeen his focus turned to competitive golf.

In 2006 Trevor began his golf career as a back-shop attendant at Gorge Vale. In 2009 he was offered the opportunity to move to Glen Meadows, with his friend and mentor Robin Hutchinson, later that season he would become a certified member of the CPGA. After ten years at Glen Meadows, Trevor was forced to look elsewhere for new opportunities, without hesitation he sought out Ian Stone and the welcoming staff and membership at Uplands.

As the owner of two rescue Pitbulls, Trevor and wife Lindsey, always find time to seek hiking spots to explore around Victoria.

Contact: proshop[at]uplandsgolfclub.com