Our Staff

The Ken-Wo Golf Club is led by Director of Golf and Operations Rene MacKay. Rene has been the club's Director since February of 2009, having previously spent 9 years at the club (1998 – 2006) working as an Assistant, Associate and Head Teaching Professional. Rene also served as the Director of Golf at the Truro Golf Club in 2007 and 2008.

Originally born and raised in Antigonish, N.S., Rene has been a member of the Canadian PGA since 1996. He is a graduate of St.Francis Xavier University where he completed his BBA (Accounting). Throughout his youth he was very active on the local golf scene having been a member of the NSGA Junior Team on two occasions while also having been crowned the 1991 NSGA Juvenile Champion and the 1992 NSGA Overall Junior Champion.

As a professional, Mr. MacKay has had the opportunity to work in various roles at well known facilities throughout the Maritime Provinces. Stops along the way included The Algonquin Resort, Ken-Wo Golf Club and the Truro Golf Club, as well as his junior golf days at the Antigonish Golf Club. The knowledge and insight gained over the years have molded Rene into the consummate professional that he is today.

Rene brings with him a great desire and commitment to the game and industry as a whole. His past experiences both on and off the golf course are certainly a great asset to Ken-Wo as the club moves forward in today's challenging and competitive golf industry. He truly believes the future success of the club is contingent on the satisfaction of all members and guests and will thus focus on providing the highest level of customer service in all departments. With the passion, enthusiasm and dedication Rene has for the game of golf and his position as Director of Golf, the future of Ken-Wo looks very bright.

Rene currently resides in the town of Wolfville with his wife Jodi MacKay and his 2.5 yr old son, and potential future golfer, Kooper Jaxon MacKay.

Contact Rene: rmackay@ken-wo.com

Brandy Martin was born and raised in Kentville, Nova Scotia. She graduated in 1994 from Acadia University with her Bachelor of Arts; then continued her education at NSCC-Kingstec where she received her Diploma in Accounting in 1996.

Brandy has been employed with Ken-Wo Golf Club since the fall of 2006; although she claims not to be a golfer she does enjoy the occasional "fun" game. When she not working hard at the club; she enjoys spending time at home with the company of her family.

Contact Brandy: bmartin@ken-wo.com

Derek was born in Kentville and raised in Saulnierville. He grew up playing golf at the Clare Golf & Country Club and had tons of support from a great junior program during his younger years.

He was blessed by making three NS Junior teams 97, 98, 99 and in 1999 he was presented with the award as NS Junior Golfer of the Year. In 2002 he made his only Willingdon Cup team.

He started his career at Ken-Wo in the spring of 2000, signing his first contract and working for then Head Professional Gerry Elliott. He claims that he learned the majority of his business and teaching skills from his colleague and now "boss" Rene MacKay. They've worked together for over ten years!

Derek is also a two time Ken-Wo club champion having captured these back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003. After having so much fun and success as an amateur he decided to turn pro in the summer of 2003 and began his professional golf career in the spring of 2004. He was later named Assistant Professional of the Year for Atlantic Canada in 2006.

In the summer of 2007 he played his best and most memorable round of golf ever carding a quick 61 around the Ken-Wo track, setting a new course record for Ken-Wo, a record that has since been tied by the young superstar and Ken-Wo member Sam Holland.

Derek is an Acadia University Graduate, graduating in 2003 with a Bachelor of Kinesiology in Honors and in 2011 with a Bachelor of Education.

His passion revolves around teaching and seeing the "Aha!" moments in life. But most of all, Derek's passion revolves around every aspect of the game of golf. He loves the game through and through and his love for competition is strong.

Speaking of love, he will be tying the knot this August to his lovely fiancée Erica.

Contact Derek: dmackinnon@ken-wo.com

Born and raised in Digby, NS, Dan played his junior golf at the Digby Pines, under the watchful eye of long-time CPGA Professional, Bill Nickerson. Dan would spend his days, and sometimes evenings, at the golf course, working on his game. At sixteen, he started to work in the Pro Shop, starting work as everyone does, in the back shop scrubbing "hooks" and cleaning power carts. He was also active as a junior playing in many provincial invitational's as well as 4 NSGA Junior Championships. After graduating from high school, Dan was accepted into the Professional Golf Management program at Holland College in PEI. While enrolled there, he would qualify for his CPGA Apprenticeship by finishing as low qualifier at the annual playing ability test for new professionals, the event being held at the Amherst Golf Club. 
 
Dan continued to work under the guidance of Mr. Nickerson, obtaining is CPGA Class A status in the spring of 2005. He remained at Digby until the end of 2006, and then made the move to Ken-Wo in the spring of the 2007. He has used his time at Ken-Wo to grow as a golf professional, learning the day to day operations of a very active members club. "I have really enjoyed my five seasons at Ken-Wo. It's great to be a part of a team that works so well together as we move forward in efforts to make Ken-Wo the best possible experience for both members and guests. The future at Ken-Wo looks very bright". He enjoys teaching all levels of golfers, as well as servicing the membership and working with his Ken-Wo team members.

Dan resides in Kenvtille and during the winter he is known to many as "somewhat" of an NFL expert, while also curling at the Glooscap C.C.

Contact Daniel: danfraser100@hotmail.com

Debbie was born in England and grew up in Mississauga, Ontario. In 2000 she and her family moved to Nova Scotia and in 2001 Debbie joined the Food and Beverage operation. Over the years she has fulfilled many roles within the Food and Beverage operation and in 2009 became the Food and Beverage Manager.

Some of the many duties as manager include the overall supervision of the food and beverage operation including staffing and menu design, while also planning daily events for members and guests, club tournaments, charity golf events, as well as weddings and receptions. She also tends the bar on a regular basis, something she quite enjoys as it enables her to interact with the members and guests.

When not at work, Debbie enjoys traveling, gardening and spending time with family, not to mention the odd game of golf at Ken-Wo.

Contact Deb: dbarclay@ken-wo.com

Rick was born and raised in New Minas, NS where he still resides with his family including Patti and his two daughters Amanda and Ashley. Rick, now in his 31st season at Ken-Wo has been employed at the club since 1979. He began his tenure as a member of the grounds crew and was named Superintendent in 1984. Rick has attended several turf management courses over the years at the Truro Agricultural Collage, as well as various seminars in Canada and the US. Known to many as a very hard worker, Rick has been a strong asset to the continued growth of Ken-Wo Golf Club, often recognized as one of the top member clubs in Atlantic Canada and always well maintained.

During his spare time Rick enjoys spending time with his at the cottage, while also "tinkering" with vehicles from time to time.

Biography coming soon.