Conner Kozak - BC Golf Performance Coach
Conner Kozak
At an early age of about 8 or 9 years old, Conner began to develop a strong passion for the
sport of golf. This passion only grew stronger into his teens as he began to notice continual
improvement in his game and in competition. Following a junior golf career highlighted by
several championships and top finishes in high level competition, Conner had the privilege
of being recruited to play varsity golf at the University of British Columbia. While pursuing
a degree in Kinesiology, he was named team captain for three out of his four years on the
team. During his time on the team, Conner was able to help lead the T-Birds to numerous
tournament wins and national championships.
Now as the Lead Academy Coach at The Okanagan Golf Club and a Regional Performance
Coach with BC Golf, he believes in growing the game at all levels of play and is driven by
providing the opportunity for others to love the game, just as it was once given to him. In
2019 Conner received the PGA of BC Junior Golf Leader of the Year and in 2021 he also
received the PGA of BC Coach of the Year award.
Clay Stothers
Clay is currently the Director of Instruction at the Okanagan Golf Club, along with the
University of British Columbia Okanagan Men’s & Women’s Head Golf Coach.
Clay has a deep passion for the game of golf, from the history to the beauty, and this
passion is evident when teaching his students. The development of the students is
extremely important to Clay, whether it’s a number they are trying to shoot or their overall
experience playing the game. With over two decades of teaching experience, Clay has
learned a key factor in what makes his students successful lies in their ability to understand
their golf swing and maintain consistency with their game. Understanding your golf swing,
allows for quicker results and a lifetime of enjoyment.
In 2022, Clay was recognized as the PGA of BC Coach of the Year and in 2014 he was
awarded the PGA of BC Teacher of the Year.
Kyla Inaba
Kyla is a PGA of Canada Class A professional and the Director of Academy at Predator Ridge
Resort. She has been guiding golfers to better golf at Predator Ridge since 2017.
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).
McKenzie Barrie
Mackenzie played NCAA Division I golf at the University of Wyoming, 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.
Jon Mlikotic
John, a native of Vancouver, BC, relocated to Kelowna, BC at the age of three, where he
spent his formative years. His golfing journey began at the age of 14, and since then, he has
consistently achieved success at every competitive level. During his junior and amateur
years, he clinched numerous victories in local and provincial events. Subsequently, upon
completing high school, he was recruited to join the golf team at Simon Fraser University,
an opportunity he wholeheartedly embraced, eventually assuming the role of team captain
during his senior year. In 2016, John graduated from the university with a Bachelor of Arts
degree.
Following his graduation, he embarked on a career at Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Club, where
he worked and imparted golfing expertise as an Assistant Professional. In 2018, John made
the pivotal decision to transition into full-time professional golfing, initially competing at
the local level and securing multiple victories on the Vancouver Golf Tour. His remarkable
performance led to his qualification for and participation in the PGA Tour Canada from
2019 to 2021.
As a proud member of the PGA of Canada, John brings a wealth of experience garnered
from his professional playing career and high-level coaching endeavors to the esteemed
coaching team at Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Club. Throughout his journey, he has steadfastly
adhered to the belief that a resolute work ethic and unwavering self-belief are the
cornerstones of nurturing a champion golfer.