Golf Canada is deeply saddened by the loss of PGA of Ontario Class “A” Associate Professional and First Tee – Ontario Level 3 coach, Kerri Slaughter of St. Catharines, Ont. who passed away peacefully on February 15, 2026 at the age of 54.
Slaughter was an integral member of St. Catharines Golf & Country Club’s teaching and professional team for the past eight years. With a focus on teaching junior golfers, Slaughter became a certified First Tee coach in 2022, leading the youth development program at the private course for children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to play.
Slaughter strived to advance youth golf through affordable introductory opportunities across St. Catharines. She championed outreach and led ‘try golf’ events for local schools and community organizations to ensure children who may not have thought of golf as a sport for them could experience the game. Since 2022, Slaughter engaged nearly 400 participants aged 7-16 in First Tee programming, particularly introducing more girls to the sport through numerous all-girls try golf events.
Slaughter was also an advocate in building awareness for the First Tee – Canada program among the membership at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, encouraging members to get involved by donating or volunteering as an assistant coach for programs. She also lent her time to leading First Tee introductory golf clinics at Golf Canada’s Amateur and Professional Golf Championships, including the 2023, 2024 and 2025 World Junior Girls Championship and the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.
One of the Ontario chapter’s longest-standing coaches, Slaughter embodied the values of First Tee – Canada through her teaching style, offering kindness and comfort that made youth new to the sport feel like they belonged. She was a strong believer that youth should have access to the game that supported her since she was young, and worked toward that mission.
Slaughter touched the lives of many across her personal and professional network and is survived by her parents, John and Jill Slaughter (Chatham, Ont.), brother Andy (Danielle), nephew, Lukas, and niece, Mackenzie.
A link to the obituary notice from Tallman Funeral Homes is below:
https://www.tallmanfuneralhomes.ca/obituaries/Kerri-Lynn-Slaughter?obId=47265835
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