The UBC Thunderbirds are pleased to announce that Cory Renfrew has officially been named head coach of the UBC golf program.

The former standout Thunderbirds golfer just completed a successful season as program advisor, where he helped guide UBC to two conference championships and a national championship in 2025-26. This, despite inheriting extremely young rosters featuring nearly 50% first-year players and one senior between them.

"I'm just ecstatic about the opportunity," said an enthused Renfrew, hours after accepting the role. "It's hard to pull all the right words together, but it's something that I've been really hoping for and dreaming of all year. Speechless. But super thankful and grateful."

"We're thrilled to secure Cory as the head coach of our UBC Golf program," said Robin D'Abreo, UBC Director of Athletics, Operations and Team Support. "Cory is a natural fit to fill this role not only as a standout UBC Golf alumnus who's been passionate about the program since graduating over a decade ago, but also because of the professional experience he's amassed both in and outside of the golf community in recent years.
 
"We were very impressed with how Cory embraced the role of UBC Golf Program Advisor last fall. His high character, strong leadership, and relatability immediately earned the trust of our student-athletes and provided stability in a time of transition. Cory's influence this past season established confidence within the team to maintain impressive results on the course while also contributing to a growth in team culture as UBC Golf enters a new chapter."


 
Renfrew is a former Thunderbirds team captain who graduated in 2010 and brings a wealth of knowledge and relatable previous experience as a UBC student-athlete. Among his achievements as an athlete at UBC, Renfrew remains the only T-Birds men's golfer ever to have the NAIA's best scoring rating across an entire season.  He is well aware of the challenges that exist in managing not only a heavy course load but also a demanding training, travel, and competition schedule.

Since departing UBC over a decade ago, Renfrew has built up an impressive resume and key connections within the overall golf community. The British Columbia native earned his PGA Tour Canada Card in 2012 and competed on the circuit for six seasons, most notably making headlines in 2015 by qualifying for the PGA Tour's Frys.com and Waste Management Phoenix Open. Renfrew was the medalist in the Frys.com Monday qualifier by four strokes and made the cut in the always entertaining and raucous Waste Management Phoenix Open. Renfrew is currently a PGA of BC instructor and coach who is excited to be back on campus, making a positive impact in his new role with the Thunderbirds as UBC Golf moves forward.



"I believe Cory Renfrew is an excellent choice to be UBC's Head Golf Coach," said Thunderbirds supporter Ken Woods. "He's a standout alumnus who develops strong relationships and brings great experience to the role."
 
"When I was a golfer and a student here, the thought of leading the program never crossed my mind," laughed Renfrew. "But over the last couple of years, for sure, as I got into teaching and deeper into that side of the golf world.

"I loved my time as a Thunderbird and know how awesome it is to be a student-athlete attending UBC, so I can't wait to help provide that great experience to the players now."



With Renfrew as the program's primary leader, the Thunderbirds enjoyed tremendous success in a 2025-26 season of total transition. Not only was there a coaching change, but nine of the teams' 10 starters from the 2024-2025 NAIA Championship had graduated ahead of the new year.

In spite of that adversity, the T-Birds women enjoyed another dominant campaign, sweeping all four Cascade Collegiate Conference events and taking the conference championship, while successfully defending their Canada West and Golf Canada Canadian University/College Championship titles. Two young T-Birds were named NAIA All-Americans, while a third, Katherine Hao, earned three individual victories in her first season.

The men also fared well after losing all five of their longtime starters, winning three of four conference events and finishing runner-up at both the Canada West and Golf Canada Canadian University/College Championship. Two 'Birds earned spots on the PING NAIA All-Region West Team, while first-year Leighton Wright was also named an NAIA All-American after winning two individual titles over the course of the season.



"My philosophy as a coach is grounded in diligent planning and creating a culture of excellence," mused Renfrew. "I plan to develop well-rounded athletes who understand responsibility. Team-first mentality is important to me.

"There's a lot that goes into golf and being successful on the course, but it's about success in school as well. I want our athletes to be well rounded in all areas. Trust and discipline are two very important principles to me."

"The Thunderbird Golf Society is proud to welcome Cory Renfrew as the new Head Coach of UBC's Men's and Women's Varsity Golf Teams — a proud alumnus of the very program he now leads," added Joanna Zlotnik, Chair of the Thunderbirds Golf Society. "Having someone with such a deep and genuine connection to UBC at the helm is a tremendous asset, and we look forward to the bright future he will bring to both teams."
 
The Thunderbirds will play their first conference event with Renfrew as head coach September 7-8, when they head to Klamath Falls, Oregon for the Oregon Tech Fall Invitational at Running Y Golf Course.