PGA of BC

E-NEWS

MAY 15, 2024

TopGolf Callaway Brands Corp (NYSE: MODG) is a premium golf equipment and active-lifestyle company with a portfolio of global brands, including Callaway Golf, TopGolf, Odyssey, OGIO, TravisMathew, and Jack Wolfskin.

Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway manufactures and sells premium golf clubs, golf balls, golf and lifestyle bags, golf and lifestyle apparel, and other accessories.

With a staffer team in British Columbia of more than 100 Golf Professionals, Callaway is a co-title sponsor of the PGA of BC Pro-Assistant Championship, as well as a national sponsor of the PGA of Canada Assistants' Championship, Head Professional Championship, and the Patronize Your PGA Professional initiative. Click HERE to visit Callaway Golf online.

Since 2005, PGA of BC members have helped raised over $2.5 million dollars benefiting thousands affected by ALS in British Columbia and the Yukon. 

June is ALS awareness month and once again, golf professionals throughout BC will lend their muscles to take part in the 19^th annual Golfathon for ALS presented by Pacific Blue Cross. Every dollar raised directly supports ALS research and provides support to ALS patients and their families.

2023 was a record year and we look forward to another successful campaign. PGA of BC Golf Professionals may also earn points towards the Replay Golf Supplies Trophy Community Engagement Program through their participation.

Taking part is simple - just choose any day in June to conduct a day of golf, and the ALS Society of BC will coordinate the rest. This includes welcome packages, custom online donation webpages, event marketing materials, tax receipting for donors, a multimedia campaign with GlobalTV, and pre/post media outreach to your local community highlighting your efforts.

For more information and to register your facility today, please contact ALS BC Executive Director, Donald Miyazaki at executivedirector@alsbc.ca or 604.278.2257. We thank you in advance for your considerations.

The PGA of BC is thrilled to announce the return of our bursary draw program as part of this year’s Women’s Golf Week initiative. Thanks to the outstanding support of our sponsor for this year’s program, adidas Golf Canada, the Association will be awarding four bursaries in the amount of $750 each to facilities in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Interior, and Kootenays & North regions.

Facilities holding events in celebration of Women’s Golf Week can enter the bursary draw by providing details of their event HERE. The PGA of BC Office Team will conduct a live draw on the Association’s social media platforms at 12:00pm PT on Thursday, May 23. Members are encouraged to tune in and to also reach out to thank adidas Golf Canada for their support.

Women’s Golf Week is an annual initiative running May 28 to June 4, 2024 to engage, empower and support women and girls in golf, leading to a culmination with International Women's Golf Day on June 4. Facilities and professionals are encouraged to register for Women’s Golf Day and support the established network of facilities participating around the globe. Facilities throughout BC will be hosting events to celebrate the women helping drive the BC golf industry forward as professionals and to encourage women’s participation in the sport.

For more information, please contact Business Development Manager, Dan Czerwenka at dan@pgabc.org.

Ten participants in last week’s PGA of BC Playing Ability Test (PAT) held at GreenTee Golf Country Club Langley were successful in meeting their respective target scores.

Congratulations to the following applicants who met their targets, listed alphabetically:

• Chae Lim An (Golf Town (Coquitlam))
• Daiki Aoyama (Nicklaus North Golf Course)
• Nathan Boal (Burnaby Mountain Golf Club)
• Jintae Chung (Vancouver Golf Academy)
• Lisa Deleo (Fairview Mountain Golf Club)
• Austin Doherty (Fairwinds Golf Club)
• Adam Hennessy (Big Sky Golf & Country Club)
• Jordan Irwin (Campbell River Golf Club)
• Jin Jing Liang (Delta Golf Centre)
• Alexander Sykora (Shadow Ridge Golf Club)

Click here to view final results.

Current and prospective applicants may visit www.pgaofcanada.com/join for full details on how to become a member of the PGA of Canada, or to find information and registration links for upcoming PATs. The next scheduled PAT in British Columbia will take place June 13 at Summerland Golf & Country Club.

For more information, please contact Membership & Events Manager Doug Titterington at doug@pgabc.org.

The PGA of BC encourages interested professionals and facilities to register as hosts for Canucks Junior Golf Week. Camp schedules are being finalized by the end of this week and we hope to grow our capacity to reach as many BC children and youth as possible. We extend our appreciation to all those facilities and professionals who have signed up to date. Interested host facilities can register as participants at the sign-up form HERE.

Canucks Junior Golf Week runs from July 15-22, and camps can be hosted any days during the week. Host facilities will be reimbursed $20/participant, and campers will be given a free Canucks gift. Last year, we once again had over 600 kids participate at more than 30 golf facilities throughout the province. Since the program returned after a multi-year hiatus due to COVID-19, nearly 1,300 youth have taken part in this initiative. As we look to continue to grow Canucks Junior Golf Week, we encourage facilities to participate in this rewarding and valuable program.

The Association would like to thank presenting sponsor the Vancouver Canucks for their ongoing support of this important initiative. 

For more information, please contact Business Development Manager Dan Czerwenka at dan@pgabc.org.

The Association extends our gratitude to Prince of Whales Wildlife Tours for their generous donation of two passes for a Sunset Whale Watching Tour, which takes off from their downtown Victoria location. This unique experience will be awarded as a prize during next week's Tournament of Champions at Highland Pacific Golf. Prince of Whales is a premier ocean wildlife tour company, dedicated to education and preservation of our oceans and the life they hold.

The Prince of Whales passes join a fantastic collection of prizes to be awarded to the top amateurs in the tournament, including merchandise from PING Canada and Projekt. The PGA of BC thanks each of our prize contributors for helping to enhance the tournament experience.

Photo Credit: Brad Ziemer

British Columbia's Jake Lane eagled the 18th hole at Pitt Meadows Golf Club to win a regional qualifer and punch his ticket to the upcoming RBC Canadian Open.

Numerous PGA of BC professionals competed in the regional qualifier, with several finishing inside the top-24 to earn a spot in the Monday qualifier for the tournament. Steven Lecuyer (Seymour Creek Golf Centre) paced all PGA of BC pros, shooting a 3-under 69 and securing his place in the Monday qualifier. Joining Lecuyer as PGA of BC competitors who earned spots in the Monday qualifier are Sergej Dronov (Pacific Golf Academy), Joe Schuster (Meadow Gardens Golf Club) and Jonnie Motomochi (Morgan Creek Golf Course). To view the full leaderboard, please click here.

Did you know the PGA of BC runs a Career Advisory Program to offer new Apprentice Professionals of the PGA of Canada in British Columbia the opportunity to connect with an established Class “A” member of the PGA of BC, to provide as-needed mentorship as they become accustomed to their new career path?

Many long-tenured PGA of BC members with a variety of skill sets, experience, education and leadership abilities are involved in the mentoring of new Apprentices and helping them to succeed as PGA of Canada Professionals. Dependent upon each Apprentice's career aspirations and location, they will be matched with a Class "A" Professional best-suited to provide insights relevant to the Apprentice's emerging career path. 

The CAP is available to all members. Apprentice Professionals seeking a mentor through the program, as well as Class "A" members interested in serving as a mentor, may contact Business Development Manager Dan Czerwenka at dan@pgabc.org for more information.

The Lower Mainland's G&G Tour hosted their latest tournament at Quilchena Golf & Country Club on May 6. This event saw a high-level of play and an ultra-competitive leaderboard. Kevin Stinson (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) and Luke Bogdan (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) shared the victory, each shooting an incredible 7-under 66. Curtis Baldwin (Meadow Gardens Golf Club), Craig Titterington (Capilano Golf & Country Club), Clark MacPherson (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) and Andy Lin (Pacific Golf Academy) tied as runners-up, shooting 67 to finish one stroke behind the winners.

The Vancouver Island Club Pro Tour played Bear Mountain Resort on May 14. Lucas Nonni (Bear Mountain Resort) earned the win at home, shooting a 3-under 68 for a two-stroke victory. Jake Scarrow (Gorge Vale Golf Club) finished in second place at one-under par, while Nate Ollis (Cordova Bay Golf Course), Ben Griffin (Uplands Golf Club) and Christof Appel (The Golf Performance Project) shared third place at even-par.

The Westland Insurance Interior PGA Tour hosted their latest event at Summerland Golf & Country Club on May 13. Kyle McMurphy (Two Eagles Golf Course & Academy) was the winner, shooting a 3-under 69. Estian Coetzee (Osoyoos Golf Club) finished at 1-under par to finish as runner-up. Bradley Elliott (Summerland Golf & Country Club) rounded out the top-three.

The Kootenay Pro Tour took on Kimberley's Purcell Golf on May 6. Competitors battled the cool and blustery conditions, with Trevor Simkins (Bootleg Gap Golf) emerging victorious. Simkins shot a 73 to secure the one-stroke triumph over runners-up Dan Bourgeois (Wildstone Golf Course) and Chase Bodoano (The Springs at Radium).

Make sure to read the Regional Tour Roundup every week to stay up-to-date with the achievements of our members and to never miss any information!

The UBC Thunderbirds Men's Golf team, coached by PGA of BC professionals Chris MacDonald, Tim Wilson, Patrick Lago and Tyler McNeil, won their fourth straight conference title at the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championship, which took place April 29-May 1 at Loomis Trail in Blaine, Washington. Senior Dylan MacDonald was 8-under par for the event to secure his first career individual win. MacDonald and Manu Gandhi tied exactly in scoring average to share the CCC Co-Player of the Year Award. Coach MacDonald was named Men's Golf Coach of the Year, and all five UBC golfers were named to the All-Conference Team. The Thunderbirds will defend last year's national title at the NAIA Golf National Championships May 21-24.

The UBC Thunderbirds Women's team, coached by McDonald, Wilson, McNeil and Keri Moffat, steamrolled their competition to win a fourth straight CCC conference championship. Jessica Ng won the individual conference championship in a dazzling performance. Elizabeth Labbe was named CCC Player of the Year and tied as runner-up at the conference championship with teammate Grace Bell. Labbe, Bell and Bo Brown were all named to the All-Conference Team. Ng and Una Chou missed out on the All-Conference Team due to their participation in NCAA Division 1 events which prevented them from competing in enough CCC tournaments, but would have easily made the team with their incredible scoring averages. The team will seek another national title at the NAIA Golf National Championships. To read a full recap of the men's and women's teams results at the CCC Championship via UBC, please click here.

SFU Red Leafs Men's Golf, coached by PGA of BC pros Matt Steinbach, Krysta Schaus and Matt Cella, competed in the NCAA Division II Men's Golf West/South Central Regional Championships in Las Cruces, New Mexico on May 9-11. The Red Leafs finished in 12th place overall. Michael Crisologo concluded his phenomenal season as SFU's low individual, earning a tie for 14th on the individual leaderboard. Crisologo was recently named GNAC Player of the Year, while teammate Denby Carswell was named Conference Freshman of the Year.

The SFU Red Leafs Women's Golf team, coached by Steinbach, Schaus and Cella, travelled to Stockton, California from May 6-8 for the NCAA Division II Women's Golf West Region Championship. The team finished in a tie for 11th place at the championship. Meera Minhas paced the Red Leafs as their low individual, earning a 27th place finish on the individual leaderboard. Minhas was recently awarded GNAC Player of the Year, while teammates Dana Smith, Kassie Muanyam and Anaya Bhandal joined her on first team all-conference. Smith was named Rookie of the Year, and coach Matt Steinbach was awarded Coach of the Year.

The UVic Vikes Men's Golf team, coached by PGA of BC pros Justin Clews and David Rands, captured its third-straight Continental Athletic Conference Championship on April 30 at Paragould Country Club in Arkansas. Owen Croft captured individual medallist honours, posting the top individual finish with rounds of 70, 68, and 71 to finish at -1 overall on the par-70 course. Taking second individually was Aiden Craig-Steele, posting the tournament's lowest round one score of 68, followed by rounds of 71 and 76 to finish at +5 overall. Croft won the CAC Player of the Year award, while Craig-Steele and Zach Ryujin were named to the All-Conference Team. Coach Clews was honoured as the Conference Coach of the Year. The Vikes will travel to Georgia for the NAIA National Championships on May 21-24. To read the recap via UVic, please click here.

The UVic Women's team, also coached by Clews and Rands, won their second straight tournament at the TMU Women's Spring Invitational in Santa Clarita on April 8-9. Cindy Koira posted the Vikes' top finish, earning second place among all individuals. Teammate Mya Rowan also excelled, finishing in third place. The Vikes are competing in the NAIA Women's National Championship in Silvis, Illinois on May 14-17. To read the full recap via UVic, please click here.

The UBCO Heat Men's Golf team, coached by PGA of BC pro Clay Stothers, wrapped up their Spring season at the Vikes Spring Shootout in Victoria. The Heat earned a fifth-place finish, with Max Regier pacing the team and finishing in 11th-place on the individual leaderboard. Ryan Gillis also finished inside the top-20. The Heat will compete at the Canadian University/College Championship on June 3-6. To read the full recap via UBCO, please click here.

The UBCO Women's team, also coached by Stothers, closed out their Spring schedule by taking home the victory at the Vikes Spring Shootout, with an incredible 18-shot win to earn the gold. Emily Cornwall led the way for the Heat as she captured the individual title at the tournament by firing a two-round total of 7-over par to hold off teammate and runner-up Julia Alexander-Carew by one shot. UBCO will compete at the Canadian University/College Championship on June 3-6.To read the full recap via UBCO, please click here.

The UFV Cascades Men's Golf team, coached by PGA of BC pros Sean Douglas and Connor O'Dell, competed in the Southwest Oregon Community College Invitational, which they dominated on their way to a 13 shot victory over the runner-up hosts. Lucas O'Dell earned a second-place finish on the individual leaderboard, while Jacob Armstrong finished third. The Cascades will compete at the Canadian University/College Championship on June 3-6.

The UFV Women's team also competed in the Southwest Oregon Community College Invitational, winning the tournament by 11 shots to complete the UFV sweep of the event. Morgan Best played great to earn a second-place finish, with teammate Avery Biggar close behind in third. The team will look to continue their winning ways at the Canadian University/College Championship on June 3-6.

For more information on BC's collegiate golf programs, including their 2023-24 results and schedules, please visit the links below:

UBC Men's | UBC Women's

SFU Men's | SFU Women's

UVic Men's | UVic Women's

UBCO Men's | UBCO Women's

UFV Men's | UFV Women's

If you would like to place an advertisement in the Classifieds section, please contact Marketing & Communications Manager Graham Abraham at graham@pgabc.org to place a listing.

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE

For all Members on the Move information, please click HERE.

Assistant/Associate Golf Professional - Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community

Assistant Golf Professional - Sagebrush Golf Club

For any job postings that have been approved and published on the PGA of BC website, the Association will share relevant social media posts to assist your facility in the search for a candidate. We will share one post/story per job posting. Please ensure that you tag the PGA of BC's social media account in any post or story relevant to the posting. To ensure that we share the post/story in a timely matter, please also reach out to Communications & Marketing Manager Graham Abraham at graham@pgabc.org to notify us of the post.

For all job opportunities listed on the PGA of BC website, please click HERE (Log-in required).

For all job opportunities listed on the PGA of Canada website, please click HERE.

May 21

Tournament of Champions presented by PING Canada & Motocaddy

Highland Pacific Golf, Victoria, BC

June 3-4

COBRA PUMA GOLF Assistants' Championship

Nk'Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course, Oliver, BC

REGISTER FOR WAITLIST

June 24-25

Seniors' Championship presented by Honma Golf & Levelwear

Nicklaus North Golf Course, Whistler, BC

REGISTER FOR WAITLIST

June 24-25

Women's Championship presented by Honma Golf, Levelwear & GolfBC Group

Nicklaus North Golf Course, Whistler, BC

REGISTER HERE

Cancellation deadlines for PGA of BC tournaments are 30 days prior to the event. Please ensure that you communicate your withdrawal to the PGA of BC Office Team before this date.

CONTACT THE PGA OF BC OFFICE TEAM