In the world of professional golf, where precision meets perseverance, few stories shine as brightly as that of Brooke Henderson. The Canadian phenom, born on September 10, 1997, in the quiet town of Smiths Falls, Ontario, has etched her name into LPGA history with 14 tournament victories, including two majors: the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship—won at just 18 years old—and the 2022 Amundi Evian Championship. She’s claimed the Canadian Women’s Open twice, most recently in 2025, solidifying her status as the most successful Canadian golfer on major tours. But behind every swing, every clutch putt, and every triumphant walk up the 18th fairway stands a family whose unwavering support has been the true foundation of her success. At the heart of this “Dream Team” are Brooke’s parents, Dave and Darlene Henderson—pillars of encouragement, guidance, and shared passion for the game.
Roots on the Fairway: A Family Affair from Day One
Brooke’s love for golf didn’t emerge in isolation; it blossomed amid the rolling greens of the Rideau Lakes Golf and Country Club, where her family first teed off together. Hailing from a tight-knit household in Smiths Falls, Brooke was the youngest of two daughters, with her sister Brittany—seven years her senior—serving as both role model and eventual caddie. From the age of three, Brooke was chasing after her dad and sister on the course, her tiny hands gripping oversized clubs with unyielding determination. “Golf was a great way to spend time together as a family,” Brooke later reflected, a sentiment that underscores how the sport wove itself into the fabric of Henderson family life.
Dave and Darlene, both avid golfers themselves, created an environment where play felt like bonding. Their uncle, Tom Henderson, also a regular on the links, added to the familial golfing legacy. These early afternoons at the club weren’t just lessons in swing mechanics; they were chapters in a story of collective growth, where misses were met with laughter and birdies with cheers. By kindergarten, Brooke was sneaking off to the driving range during recess at Lombard Glen Golf Club, swinging a driver nearly as tall as she was—a precocious spark that her parents nurtured without pressure.
Dave Henderson: The Coach Who Traded the Rink for the Rough
If Brooke’s swing is poetry in motion, Dave Henderson deserves credit for helping pen the verses. A retired educator with the Upper Canada District School Board, Dave spent 31 fulfilling years shaping young minds—15 at Lombardy Public School and 16 at Caldwell Street Public School in Carleton Place. But his coaching instincts ran deeper than the classroom. In his youth, Dave was a standout goaltender, playing for the University of Toronto and later the Nepean Raiders in the Canadian Junior Hockey League during the 1976–77 season. Hockey was his first love, but life—and family—drew him back to golf.
It was at their family cottage where Dave rediscovered the fairways, playing quick eight-hole loops in the afternoons. When Brooke showed interest at age eight, he became her first coach, blending the discipline of the ice rink with the patience of the putting green. “He has always been a coach at his core,” wrote Brittany in a heartfelt tribute, highlighting how Dave’s dual role as father and mentor extended seamlessly into Brooke’s amateur and pro careers. Even as Brooke turned pro in December 2014, Dave remained her swing doctor, offering tweaks and wisdom during high-stakes tournaments. His influence taught Brooke not just technique, but resilience—lessons from a man who once stared down slapshots and now faces down bogeys.
Dave’s retirement from teaching allowed him more time to travel the LPGA circuit, but his impact is perhaps best seen in Brooke’s composure under pressure. Whether it’s analyzing yardage or calming pre-shot nerves, Dave’s steady presence has been a constant, turning potential pitfalls into personal bests.
Darlene Henderson: The Quiet Strength Behind the Spotlight
While Dave often steps into the narrative as coach, Darlene Henderson embodies the unsung heroism of support. A former employee at Lanark County Support Services, Darlene retired alongside her husband, freeing her to become the emotional anchor of the family tour. Though less is documented about her professional golf prowess compared to Dave’s, Darlene’s own affinity for the game made her an active participant in those formative family rounds. She and Dave co-coached Brooke and Brittany in their early years, turning local Eastern Ontario junior tournaments into headlines by the time Brooke was ten.
Darlene’s role extends far beyond the tee box. She’s the one ensuring logistics run smoothly—meals packed, hotels booked, and downtime savored amid the grind of 30-plus events a year. In interviews, Brooke often credits her mother’s warmth for keeping the family grounded. “Mom’s the one who makes sure we’re all okay,” Brooke has said, a nod to Darlene’s ability to foster joy in the chaos of pro golf. Photos from victories, like the 2018 CP Women’s Open, capture Darlene’s beaming pride, her arm around her daughters in a tableau of quiet triumph.
Together, Dave and Darlene represent balance: his strategic mind complementing her nurturing heart. Their partnership has modeled for Brooke what it means to pursue dreams as a unit, where success is measured not just in trophies, but in shared sunsets on the course.
The Dream Team in Action: From Amateurs to Champions
The Hendersons’ collaborative spirit truly ignited when Brittany transitioned from player to caddie, forming an unbreakable on-course duo with Brooke. Dubbed “The Dream Team” by fans and media alike, this quartet—Brooke, Brittany, Dave, and Darlene—has navigated everything from Brooke’s record-setting 2015 Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic performance to her 2019 ESPY Award for Best Female Golfer. Dave’s coaching, Brittany’s bag-toting precision, and Darlene’s backstage support have propelled Brooke to milestones that once seemed improbable.
Take the 2022 Evian Championship: Brooke’s opening rounds of 63 and 62—the first sub-64 pair to start a major in LPGA history—were fueled by family huddles where Dave dissected data and Darlene reminded everyone to breathe. Or the 2025 Canadian Women’s Open win, a homecoming that felt like a full-circle moment for the Smiths Falls clan. These aren’t just victories; they’re validations of a philosophy where family isn’t a distraction, but the ultimate competitive edge.
Off the course, the Hendersons cherish simplicity. Weekends at the cottage echo those early golf escapades, now interspersed with hockey games—Brooke briefly pursued both sports before committing to golf at 14. Sponsorships with brands like Royal Bank of Canada and Skechers Golf underscore Brooke’s professionalism, but it’s the personal touches—family barbecues, sibling rivalries turned inside jokes—that keep her centered.
A Legacy Beyond the Leaderboard
As Brooke Henderson continues to climb the ranks—eyeing more majors and inspiring a new generation of Canadian golfers—Dave and Darlene remain her north star. They’ve shown that true support isn’t about pushing from behind, but walking alongside, ready to hand over the club or a hug. In a sport often defined by solitude, the Hendersons prove that the greatest drives start at home.
Brooke’s journey is a testament to their pillars: Dave’s tactical guidance, Darlene’s emotional fortitude, and a shared love that turned a childhood hobby into world-class wizardry. For the LPGA star, every fairway conquered is a tribute to the family that first set her on the path. And as the sun sets on another tournament, you can bet the Hendersons are together, plotting the next chapter—one swing, one story at a time.
