TORONTO – The TMU Department of Athletics and Recreation is pleased to announce the appointment of Melany Chong as the new head coach of the Bold golf team.

A former NCAA Division I golfer, Chong brings a strong mix of competitive experience, coaching insight, and industry knowledge to the program. She played five seasons at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, serving as team captain for her final two years, and competed at top-level tournaments including the U.S. Women's Amateur, Canadian Women's Amateur, and the NCAA Sun Belt Conference Championship.

Chong's golf journey began at age 10 in Qatar. As her skills developed, she attended the International Junior Golf Academy in South Carolina, where she trained in a high-performance environment that emphasized both academics and golf. "Everyone at the academy lived and breathed golf, and we all pushed each other to be better," she said.

She credits longtime coach Shelley Woolner, her swing coach from the International Academy,  as one of her biggest influences. "Shelley helped me technically, but more importantly, she taught me to enjoy the game and not take myself too seriously. That perspective changed everything for me."

Beyond her playing career, Chong has worked as a golf professional at the Weston and Brampton Golf Clubs, and held a role with Golf Canada as an Amateur Championship Coordinator.

As she steps into her new role, Chong is focused on both performance and team culture. "I'm excited to lead the team's player development program and help each athlete reach their full potential," she said. "But I also want to build a strong sense of camaraderie. Golf is a lifelong sport, and this team should reflect that — a place where athletes feel supported and connected."

TMU's Competitive Clubs Coordinator, Ryan Danziger, shared his enthusiasm: "Melany's background as a Division I athlete, her international experience, and her thoughtful, player-first approach make her a perfect fit for our program. We're excited to see where she'll take the Bold golf team."  

TMU Athletics looks forward to a bright future under Coach Chong's leadership. Please join us in welcoming her to the Bold family!