Ed. Note: As we reported here in August, long-time Echo Valley Golf Club master professional Bruce Atkins has been inducted into the PGA of Ontario Hall of Fame. LondonOntarioSports.com was proud to have assisted Bruce in his nomination.

Today, the PGA of Ontario also announced London’s Ken Girard has also been inducted alongside Atkins, as well as Ken Fulton, Joe Noble and Ian Webb.

From the PGA of Ontario:

BRUCE ATKINS
Born: January 29, 1952 in Guelph Ontario.

Bruce Atkins

Bruce has been a PGA of Canada member since 1971, the same year he married his wife Sherry. Early on Bruce served his apprenticeship under the tutelage of Fred Kern at Thames Valley Golf Course in London, Ontario. In September 1974, after writing his Class ‘A’ exam, Bruce was immediately hired as Head Professional/Manager at Echo Valley Golf Club, also in London, a position he held until retiring in the spring of 2018 after 44 years.

Often referred to one of London’s better players, Bruce played both in Canadian and in International events, winning over 20 tournaments. Some playing highlights include defeating Al Balding in Millar match play, winning Octoberfest Pro-Am twice (once with partner Fred Kern, besting the Canadian World Cup team of Bob Panasik and Bill Tape by a stroke in 1975), and representing Ontario 4 times in annual Ontario/Quebec matches.

Through the years Bruce also gave back to golf by serving as the tournament coordinator for the Greater London Mini-tour in 1980-1981 and again from 2002-2009, serving on the PGA of Ontario Board of Directors, serving on the PGA of Canada Board of Directors, as well as being named the PGA of Ontario President in 1987-1988.

Bruce’s interests outside of golf have led him to participate in 14 marathons, including qualifying for, and running the Boston Marathon.

Throughout his career Bruce was often a contributor to London’s media, writing numerous golf articles, appearing aa a guest on radio programs, and even hosting an instructional golf show on local television. During his time interacting with the media, as well as with the public, Bruce continually promoted golf, PGA of Canada golf professionals, Echo Valley Golf course, and the Greater London Mini-Tour.

Achievements

1971 – PGA of Canada Member
1974 – Began as Head Professional of Echo Valley Golf course
1990 – Became Youngest PGA of Canada Master Professional
1999 – 25 Year Service Award
2003 – PGA of Ontario Club Pro fessional of the Year
2018 – Life Member

KEN GIRARD
Ken’s career did not start with golf but with hockey. He was an outstanding right winger with the Toronto Marlies, winning two Memorial Cups in 1955 and 1956. He went on to play seven games with the Toronto Maple Leafs at age 19. From there he played in the American League, ending up playing for the San Fransisco Seals. At age 23 he retired from hockey.

He has been a member of the PGA of Canada since 1958.
Head Professional at Orchard Beach Golf Club 1958-1959.
Head Professional at Summit Golf Club 1966-1972.
Head Professional at London Hunt Club 1972-1995.

Playing History

Winner of Northern PGA , three times, in the 1960’s.
Two-time winner of the PGA of Ontario Ontario Senior Championship.
Winner of the PGA of Ontario Championship 1968.
Winner of the PGA Senior Championship of Canada 1999.

Awards

Life member of the PGA.
Club Professional of the year.

Builder

Ran the PGA of Ontario Senior Program for 20 years.
Ran the Southwestern PGA program for 25 years.
Six of his assistants went on to become Head Professionals.
He also played and ran many charitable events

KEN FULTON
Ken Fulton was born in Prince Rupert B.C., moving to Winnipeg at an early age. His parents Fern and Frank Fulton were in the club management business at some of Winnipeg’s finest facilities; (St. Charles C.C., Elmhurst Golf Club and Winnipeg Winter Club). Living at these facilities gave him the opportunity to learn the game of golf when he was very young. The fact that his mother’s three brothers Bob, Len and Glen Harvey were golf professionals certainly helped to inspire him. Ken played on Manitoba Provincial Amateur and Junior teams and was medalist in 1962 Canadian Junior. His record at these levels led him to receive several golf scholarship offers. He finally chose Arizona State University. Ken played four years on the golf team earning many honours and went to the semi-finals in 1963, the 3rd best ranked Amateur tournament in the U.S.; the Trans-Mississippi which was won by George Archer, future Masters winner. Along the way, at age 19, Ken beat two U.S. Walker Cup players, (Gene Andrews and Ed Udergraff). In 1965 Ken won the Arizona State Amateur.

Ken qualified for the U.S. P.G.A. tour in 1968 and played until 1972. His best finish was tie for 12th at the 1970 Canadian Open at the Pinegrove Golf Club in Montreal.

Upon returning home, he chose Toronto as his destination and had an illustrious career as a club professional with 15 years of employment at Scarboro Golf Club, 6 years at Oakdale Golf Club and 5 years as partner/manager at Glen Eagle Golf Club. During his time at Glen Eagle Ken earned his card to play on the European Senior tour for three years. He helped develop and start up Baxter Creek Golf Club after retiring and also served as Tournament Director at the PGA of Canada from 2000-2003.

Ken has always been a very busy and committed family man. He has 5 daughters Stacey, Kari, Erin, Katherine and Jennifer. He and his wife, Ross raised their children in a beautiful country home in Port Hope for 28 years. During that time they owned and operated three golf practice facilities, (Fairwood Fairways in Markham, Monday’s Choice in Scarborough and the Ken Fulton Golf Centre located in Ajax which they eventually sold in 2008.

Ken and Ross now live in Waterloo, to be closer to their children/grandchildren. Their interests include travelling, curling, walking their two black labs and the odd game of golf.

Previous to this wonderful honour Ken was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and named PGA of Ontario Professional of the year in 2004. Ken is also one of the few Master Professionals in the PGA of Canada.

JOE NOBLE
1910 – 2006

Joe Noble, known by his friends as “Joe the Pro” was the complete Club Professional. He was an accomplished player, noted instructor and an ardent promoter of the game to players of all skills and ages. In addition, he was a mentor to young golfers at his club and helped to forge the career paths of many through his wisdom and advice.

A diminutive man who cast a long shadow, Joe, probably better known as a Teacher, was a skilled player in his own right. He participated in 20 Canadian Open Championships and made 13 cuts with his best finish being in 1941 when he tied for 21st. In addition, he had a 3rd place finish in the 1946 PGA of Canada Championship.

Joe’s reputation as “Gentleman Joe” was forged in the 1960 Miller Match Play Championship. During the final match, Joe’s opponent (Hall of Fame Member) Al Balding became violently ill, and Joe insisted that they take a break to enable him to continue the match. After a lengthy delay, play was resumed and Balding ultimately won the match and the championship. An act of true sportsmanship.

As a teacher, Joe was ahead of his time. He was among the first to utilize audio tapes to provide feedback to his students on many topics including technique, strategy and even psychology. Joe was noted for his work with Juniors and for many years he conducted free weekly Saturday morning clinics at Thornhill for children of members and their friends.

His passion for Junior golfers extended beyond his club. He was an integral member of the team that began the Junior Camps conducted by the GAO, the pre-cursor to the Elite program of today and he was the guiding force behind the GAO Junior Best Ball Championship which was first played in 1946 and continues to this day.

Joe’s philanthropic side was always on display. He was the guiding force behind the establishment of the Hulbert Memorial Fund in 1946 which was ultimately gifted to the PGA of Ontario Benevolent Fund in 2021 as well as the Joe Noble Trust Fund that was established by the Thornhill Club in his honour, to help young Thornhill members based on accomplishment or need.

Joe served as Vice Captain and other roles within the PGA of Ontario including President. Joe served in the Navy in World War II and in his early years, during the off-season, he was the Badminton Professional at the Granite Club in Toronto, a role he enjoyed for 17 years.

Career

1933 – 1962 – Participated in 20 Canadian Open Championships
1946 – PGA of Canada Championship – 3rd Place
1960 – Miller Match Play Championship – Runner Up
1968 – PGA of Ontario Senior Champion
1968 – PGA of Northern Ontario Champion
Head Professional – Galt Country Club – 1930
Head Professional – Westmount Country Club – 1935 – 1939
Head Professional – Summit Country Club – 1946 – 1947
Head Professional – The Thornhill Club – 1948 – 1975
PGA of Canada Member from 1928 – 2006

IAN WEBB
Throughout Ian Webb’s three-decade long career as a PGA of Ontario member, he made hundreds of friends and set an example for other golf professionals to follow in his caring nature, willingness to help others, and dedication to being the best at his profession that he could be.

Ian’s tenure of almost 20 seasons at Credit Valley, starting as the Director of Golf in 2000 and moving to the role of General Manager/Chief Operating Officer in 2008, followed notable stops as the Head Professional at Peterborough Golf & Country Club and roles as assistant and apprentice professional at St. Georges Golf & Country Club and Bridgewater Country Club, where he began his golf career in 1985.

Throughout his career in golf, he spent countless hours mentoring and assisting young professionals and was well known throughout the industry as a leader and mentor to some of the top current and future professionals. Ian spent many years on the PGA of Ontario Board of Directors and was a frequent competitor at local Pro-Ams and PGA events.

Ian’s love for golf and those around him ran deep. After he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, the Canadian (and worldwide) golf community rallied in support of Ian, who was regarded as one of the best people in the business. In typically Webby fashion, he set a new standard for all of us to follow him. #WebbyStrong became one of the most popular hashtags within the Canadian golf community.

Ian passed away from his battle with Glioblastoma on September 7th, 2019 and left a lasting legacy within the fabric of Ontario golf and beyond, as the PGA of Canada re-named its scholarships in Ian’s honour in 2019.

Awards

2010 PGA of Ontario Golf Professional of the Year
2011 PGA of Canada Tex Noble Award for Professional Development
2018 PGA of Ontario Executive Professional of the Year

Served as Executive Professional:

2008 to 2019 Credit Valley Golf Club

Served as the Director of Golf:

2000 to 2007 Credit Valley Golf Club

Served as Head Golf Professional:

1993 to 1999 Peterborough Golf and Country Club

Served as Apprentice Professional or Associate Professional

1990 to 1992 St Georges Golf and Country Club
1984 to 1989 Bridgewater Golf and Country Club