2013
PGA of BC Gibson Family Scholarship
Recognizes volunteerism and continued education that benefits the community.
PGA of BC recipients
About
Meet Matt
Matt Palsenbarg is a PGA of Canada golf coach serving Surrey, Langley and the wider Lower Mainland, British Columbia — including his home community of Cloverdale, Vancouver and Abbotsford. For more than 25 years he has helped golfers learn, improve and — most importantly — enjoy the game.
Over that time he has coached just about every kind of golfer: beginners picking up a club for the first time, recreational players wanting more from their rounds, competitive juniors, university players and elite golfers. He was the BC Golf High Performance Coach for seven years and ran the Tour LAB high-performance coaching program for 15 years.
Matt coaches year-round indoors at Haus of Golf in Langley using TrackMan technology. During the outdoor season you'll find him at The Backyard Golf Company and Clayton Hills Par 3 in Surrey, with a focus on short game, putting, learning to play and on-course coaching.
- Years coaching
- 25+
- Years coaching
- Of Canada member
- PGA
- Of Canada member
- Beginner to elite
- All levels
- Beginner to elite
- Surrey, Langley & beyond
- Lower Mainland
- Surrey, Langley & beyond
Career path & highlights
From Northview to LABsters and beyond
See Matt's full career timeline, coaching highlights with Bob Vokey, the Eddie Hogan Cup, the 2015 Waste Management Open, and more.
Beyond the course
Soccer dad. Twice over.
When Matt is not coaching, he is usually cheering from the sidelines. He and his family love being soccer parents, and whenever time allows, they love to travel together and make memories around the world.
How Matt coaches
Three simple principles
01
Keep it simple
Clear, plain-language coaching. You always know what you are working on and why.
02
Keep it fun
Golf is a game. Lessons should be the part of your week you look forward to.
03
Keep it yours
No cookie-cutter swings. Your plan is built around your body, your goals and your game.
Matt as a player
Playing Achievements
Matt isn't just a coach — he was a highly accomplished player in his own right. Below is the full record of his tournament victories, with scores, partners, and sources. This is his playing résumé, separate from his coaching awards.
A record built over time
Over 30 Local, Regional & National Professional Victories
9 holes in ones
Low score: 61 at Northview Ridge course.
2009 · National champion
Canadian PGA Assistants' Championship
Matt won the 2009 Canadian PGA Assistants' Championship as national champion, posting 70–67–69 for a 206 total, 10 under par.
2016 · Talking Rock
PGA of BC Pro-Assistants
Matt won the PGA of BC Pro-Assistants with close friend John Shin in 2016 at Talking Rock.
2018 · Tobiano
PGA of BC Tournament of Champions
Matt won the PGA of BC Tournament of Champions with Jake Scarrow in 2018 at Tobiano.
2018 · Three awards
2018 award recognition
- PGA of BC Dunc Sutherland Distinguished Service Award — recognition for exceptional commitment and contributions to the association.
- PGA of BC Professional Development Program Order of Merit winner — finished first with 137 points.
- Lower Mainland Coach of the Year — regional recipient of the Jack Westover Award and provincial finalist.
| Year | Victory | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | BC Team Match Play Open | With John Shin. History |
| 2007 | PGA of BC Assistants' Championship | Point Roberts — 141, −3. Results |
| 2008 | BC Team Match Play Open | With John Shin — second title. History |
| 2009 | Canadian PGA Assistants' Championship | National champion — 70–67–69, 206, −10. Report |
| 2010 | PGA of BC Assistants' Championship | Chilliwack — 130, −12; second title. Results |
| 2016 | PGA of BC Pro-Assistant Championship | With John Shin, Talking Rock — 128, −16, playoff victory. Results |
| 2016 | Nike Golf Team Championship of Canada Regional Qualifier | With John Shin, Whistler — −8. Report |
| 2016 | G&G Tour — Morgan Creek | Shared first with Bryn Parry, 69. Results |
| 2017 | BC Team Match Play Open | With James Allenby — third title. History |
| 2018 | BC Team Match Play Open | With James Allenby — fourth title. History |
| 2018 | PGA of BC Tournament of Champions | With Jake Scarrow, Tobiano — 62, −10. Results |
| 2018 | G&G Tour — Capilano | Shared first with Bryn Parry, 67. Results |
| 2019 | PGA of BC Tournament of Champions | With Jackson Jacob, Northview — 61, −11, playoff victory. Results |
| 2024 | PGA of BC Simulator Series — inaugural event | Virtual St. Andrews — 64, −8. Report |
| 2024–25 | PGA of BC Simulator Series Order of Merit | Overall season champion, separate from the individual event win. Report |
Awards & achievements
Awards & Achievements
2014
PGA of Canada Foundation Bursary recipient
Selected for professional-development support, with applications assessed on academic achievement and community contributions.
PGA of Canada announcement2016
PGA of BC Jack Westover Coach of the Year
Provincial award recognizing coaching performance, programs and player development.
PGA of BC recipients2018
PGA of BC Dunc Sutherland Distinguished Service Award
Recognition for exceptional commitment and contributions to the association.
PGA of BC recipients2018
PGA of BC Professional Development Program Order of Merit winner
Finished first with 137 points.
Official historical standings2018
Lower Mainland Coach of the Year
Regional recipient of the Jack Westover award and provincial finalist.
Awards announcement2018
Lower Mainland Professional Development Award
Regional recipient of the Davie Black award and provincial finalist.
Awards announcement2026
Lower Mainland PGA of BC Junior Leader of the Year
Online booking
Come say hi
The best way to find out if Matt is the right coach for you is to book a lesson. Beginners especially welcome.