While the Americans take pride in the Korda Family, the Canadians also have the Hendersons to boast about when it comes to their golfing careers. Brittany and Brooke Henderson, from the small town of Smith Falls, have made a name for themselves as some of the best women Canadian golfers.

In 2016, Brooke Henderson became the first woman Canadian major winner in 48 years as she won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Since then, Henderson has won many times on the LPGA Tour. But her rise couldn’t have been possible, if not for her parents, Dave and Darlene Henderson.

Dave Henderson’s career and support to his daughters

Much of Brooke and Brittany Henderson’s success can be attributed to their father, Dave Henderson. He used to play golf in his younger years but never took the sport as seriously as he ultimately chose teaching as a profession. However, as a true Canadian, Dave Henderson was a passionate hockey player and, as Brittany Henderson had once revealed, he also played the game at a high level.

As for Dave Henderson’s teaching career, he taught at the Upper Canada District School Board for 31 years, at the Lombardy Public School for 15 years, and also at the Caldwell Street Public School 17 years. In between, Dave also coached hockey at a youth athletic center in Ontario. Brittany Henderson described that her father was always supportive of their choices and helped them achieve better things, by starting to train them in golf at a young age.

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From teaching them their first-ever swing to watching his daughter card the winning putts, Dave Henderson was always there to witness and celebrate his children. Although he was their coach, Brittany and Brooke Henderson explained that it never came between their father-daughter relationship. In an interview with the Ottawa Sun, Brooke Henderson had revealed, “I have a really unique relationship with my dad where he’s my coach on the golf course – he pushes me, he makes sure I’m continuing to get better and working on the right things – and off the course, he’s one of my best friends.”

The 13-time LPGA Tour winner talking about her relationship with Dave Henderson also said, “He makes sure I’m continuing to get better and working on the right things [on course] – and off the course, he’s one of my best friends.” With her father’s precision and solid support, Brittany and Brooke Henderson were extremely fortunate to gain success. However, it was not just Dave, but also their mother, Darlene Henderson, who equally put in tireless work to back her daughters.

Darlene Henderson’s love for her daughters 

Mama Henderson, though always involved in her daughter’s success, was never an avid golfer or had an athletic past like her husband. Unlike Dave Henderson, who excelled in hockey and many other sports, Darlene Henderson, despite much experience, was always eager to support her children’s interests and drive them to different courses.

When Brooke and Brittany Henderson participated in a charity pro-am of Smith Falls, their native town, Darlene had expressed her immense happiness to watch them grow and make their small town known globally.“I just see it as all the pleasure we’ve had, and all the wonderful memories. It’s phenomenal, places that we’ve got to go that we never otherwise would have been, and it’s just so many good memories of us being together as a family,” she had shared at the time.

Darlene Henderson’s support and care was all that the two golfers needed after hectic rounds of golf. Whatever it took her, she would try to cheer and motivate them. Talking about this very aspect, Brooke Henderson, while speaking to Ottowa Sun, appreciated her mother and said, “It’s kind of surprising, but she doesn’t play golf at all. She loves to come to events and watch, she’s always been so supportive. She’s really kind, maybe the most positive person I’ve ever met. If you’re having a hard day or going through something, she’s really easy to talk to, she’ll help you feel a lot better.”

While supporting her children’s golf careers took most of her time, professionally, Darlene Henderson was more inclined toward charities and helping society. She, a native of Ontario, worked for Lanark Support Services for more almost four decades. However, even after retiring, her charitable endeavors never stopped. In Smith Pro-Am, the organization she worked for became one of two beneficiaries for the approximate $15,000 proceedings.

Notably, Darlene Henderson also helped to raise $2,000 for Neil Doef, who injured his spine while playing the World-17 hockey championship in 2015. Although it took much of her effort, Darlene Henderson was humble enough to say, “It’s been a great team effort.”

While the parents’ contributions have been great and there is perhaps no way the sisters could ever repay them, that doesn’t mean they shy away from showing their appreciation from time to time.

Brooke Henderson giving the best Father’s Day gift to Dave Henderson

In 2017, Brooke Henderson was only 19 years old and was on the rise to become one of the best Canadian golfers. She already won her first major on the LPGA Tour and was aiming to card her fourth victory. The Meijer LPGA Classic in 2017 became a family affair for Henderson as after a long time, all of her family was with her.

Her sister, Brittany Henderson, was on the bag and her coach and father made it to the greens with her mother, Darlene Henderson. To make the day more auspicious, Henderson won her fourth title as she preceded Lexi Thompson. Dave Henderson celebrated the win while pouring down champagne on his daughter and in an interview exclaimed how it was a better gift on Father’s Day.

“I’m very proud of her and to win on Father’s Day is icing on the cake, for both Brittany and Brooke they put in some hard work the last couple of weeks,” Dave Henderson said as he showered his daughters with praises. Mama Henderson was also beaming with pride seeing her family celebrate all together and though didn’t speak to the media, her contagious smile was proof of how content she was.