Meet the Team
Head Teaching Professional
Apple TV+ 'STICK'
Golf Consultant
'01-'03 Assistant Coach
UBC Men's Golf Team
2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Nathan Leonhardt
Coach Nathan is the Founder and Director of Instruction of the Tour Development Academy. He was a former Tour player, and the 2022 British Columbia Teacher of the Year. Nathan is from Richmond BC, Canada, only minutes from downtown Vancouver. He graduated with a 3.8 GPA in Business Management from Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, Florida.
Nathan only started playing golf when he was 16 years old and by the time he was 25 he was competing full-time on the Canadian Professional Golf Tour (from beginner to Tour Professional in only 9 years). During his professional playing career, Nathan played 3 full seasons on the PGA Tour Canada and then played in China on the PGA Tour China.
During his playing career, Nathan amassed over 10 professional victories and holds 2 course records, which includes a 62 at Mayfair Lakes Golf Course. One of his course records came in the final round to win his first professional event.
After a back injury put his playing career on hold after the 2015 season, Nathan was immediately sought after to start coaching some elite players. This unexpected journey became exactly what Nathan was looking for. He was able to take everything he had learned over the years in his playing career, both good and bad, and use those to help players trying to follow in his footsteps. After coaching elite players for a few years and seeing some incredible results, Nathan established the Tour Development Academy.
Today, Nathan works with golfers of ALL levels. From kids to adults, beginners to professional golfers. His teachings and results had him awarded as the best golf teacher in BC in 2022.
Most recently, Nathan was hired to be the official Golf Consultant on Apple TV's 'Stick', staring Owen Wilson. He worked directly with the actors, as well as with all departments of the show to make sure all golf-related aspects were as realistic as possible.
Visit Nathan's website to find out more about his past playing career:
Donald Qiu
Coach Donald started playing golf at the age of 7 in Guangzhou, China. He was part of the Guangzhou Junior Golf Association, training with LPGA player’s Shanshan Feng and Xiyu Lin. Donald was the Vancouver Junior Champion in 2011 and in the same year placed 2nd in the Canadian U17 Juvenile Championship. He represented Team BC to compete in Western Canada Summer Games, Eddie Hogan Cup, and the Aaron Baddeley International Junior Championship.
Donald attended Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, California where he played in top junior tournaments in the USA competing with top players in the world, such as, Collin Morikawa, Bryson DeChambeau, and Sahith Theegala. He later received a scholarship to the University of British Columbia. Graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, his academic background would closely intertwine with his golf instruction.
Now, transitioning into a full time coach, Donald is privileged to be working with golfers of all ages and skill levels. He uses his experience and knowledge learned through his Amateur and Professional career to mentor his students reach their goals and enjoy the game.
Coach Donald speaks fluently in both English and Mandarin.
Donald教练教学语言: 普通话和英文均可。
Coach Donald has expertise in using the following technology during lessons:
-TrackMan 4
-SwingCatalyst Video Analysis
Apprentice Professional
Class "A" Professional
Jacob Vanderpas
Coach Jacob, a PGA of Canada Class “A” professional from Vancouver, has spent 15 years in the golf industry, excelling as both a player and coach.
Growing up as a multi-sport athlete, he specialized in golf after success in junior and amateur events, including being a 2014 BC Willingdon Cup team member, a 5-time Vancouver Golf Tour winner, and the 2020 Zone 4 City Amateur champion.
Graduating from Langara College in 2020 with a Business Management degree, Jacob shot his career-best 61 (-11), including a perfect 27 (-9) on the front nine, securing his first collegiate win.
From 2022-2024, he worked as an Assistant Professional at a private club, discovering his passion for coaching golfers of all skill levels, and the ability to specialize with competitive players.
Coach Jacob has been mentored and exposed to the teaching philosophies of top instructors including Mike Adams, Terry Rowles, and Vision54’s Pia Nilsson & Lynn Marriott.
Jacob's coaching philosophy emphasizes natural movement, ball flight diagnosis, and on-course problem-solving.
Utilizing cutting-edge technology such as Sportsbox AI 3D motion capture, Smart2Move force plates, and Trackman, Coach Jacob helps golfers optimize their performance and reach their goals.
Coach Jacob has expertise in using the following technology during lessons:
-TrackMan 4
-SwingCatalyst Video Analysis
-Smart2Move Dual Force Plates
-HackMotion Wrist Analysis
-Sportsbox 3D Swing Analysis
Max Vaclav
Max Vaclav is a Golf Performance Coach, Registered Kinesiologist, and TPI Certified Professional based at the Tour Development Academy. With over eight years of experience in kinesiology and human performance, Max blends the science of movement with the art of coaching to help golfers move better, swing more efficiently, and play at their highest potential.
A graduate of Lakehead University’s Kinesiology program and a PGA of Canada Apprentice Professional, Max has worked with athletes ranging from developing juniors to PGA Tour Americas players. His integrated coaching model combines Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) screening, swing analysis, and individualized corrective exercise programming, all designed to optimize movement, strength, and power specific to each golfer’s body.
Max’s approach goes beyond “fixing the swing.” He identifies the why behind movement limitations, builds evidence-based corrective plans, and connects those changes directly to improved club delivery, consistency, and distance. Whether the goal is lowering scores, increasing swing speed, or building a body that supports long-term performance, Max’s system creates measurable, lasting results.
Off the lesson tee, Max is passionate about performance training, biomechanics, and helping golfers understand how small physical changes can unlock major on-course breakthroughs. His goal is simple: to make every player feel and perform like an athlete.
Book your assessment or lesson with Max today and experience the difference between golf instruction and golf performance.
Apprentice Professional
Coach Max has expertise in using the following technology during lessons:
-TrackMan 4
-SwingCatalyst Video Analysis
Certifications
Dr. Kwon Level 2 Golf Biomechanics Certification
Boditrak - Golf Ground Mechanics Certified
BioSwing Dynamics & Ground Reaction Forces Level 1 Certified
TrackMan Level 2 Certified
Smart2Move Dual Force Plates Certification
US Kids Golf Certified Coach
Swing Catalyst Level 2
Certified Instructor
Penn State’s Biomechanics of Golf
TrackMan Level 2 Certified
Capto Putting Certified Level 2 Instructor
Golf Psychology Coaching Certified
Sportsbox 3D
Level 1 Certified