The PGA of British Columbia is proud to announce long-time PGA of BC Life Member Alvie Thompson will be honoured with the 2014 PGA of British Columbia Lifetime Achievement Award.

After his playing career, Alvie went on to become a successful Club Professional for thirty years, most notably as Head Professional at McCleery Golf Course from 1976-1994. He currently resides on the Sunshine Coast with wife Donna and in 2012, was honoured with a Lifetime membership at the Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club.  

An evening to honour Alvie's accomplishments will take place on Tuesday September 30th at Seymour Golf & Country Club in North Vancouver, BC. The event will be held in conjunction with the 2014 Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada PGA of BC Club Professional Championship presented by Club Car.

All patrons are invited to join us for this evening of celebration. To purchase tickets to this event, please click here

It's been a few months since we were able to give an update on PING sales representative Brad Thomas' medical condition. His wife Marthe has just sent over this note:

Well, it has been a very long, tiring and difficult journey just to get this far but this week finally marked several momentous developments in Brad's progress.

(Last week) at Vancouver General Hospital, he underwent a series of rigorous assessments and worked very hard to exceed all expectations. This included  his first swallow test, which resulted in Brad receiving, for the first time in three and half months, a meal. He ate as if it were the best thing in the world (regardless of the fact it was pur�ed). It was amazing!

He also went through an assessment with a doctor from GF Strong, who told us at the end that Brad had been approved for their stroke rehabilitation program. Shortly after we were told he would be transferred within 16 hours!

Brad (has now been taken to) GF Strong, where he will spend the next period of months focused on a recovery program tailored especially for him by an amazing team of specialists. I can't tell you what this means to both of us, as now he will have the best chance for a full recovery.

Brad will participate in a full program of daily scheduled classes as well as additional therapy sessions, which will be hard and exhausting.  There will be opportunity for visits, however, we would ask that he be given a bit of time to adjust to his new temporary home and life. 

Summerland Golf & Country Club Assistant Professional Greg Machtaler did it the easy way, while Chilliwack Golf Club's Brad Clapp had to work a bit harder for their PGA Tour Canada 2014 playing privileges.

Machtaler, left, finished at -7 after the 4 rounds of PGA Tour Canada Q-School at the Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community on Friday and was tied for fourth place for one of the 18 fully exempt cards handed out. 

Clapp, right, capitalized on the misfortune of Blake Snyder, who was playing in the final group of the day and shot 77 to fall out of the top 18. That meant the six players at -2, 286, including Clapp, went to a playoff for the final fully exempt spot.

After three players, Justin Bardgett, Russell Surber and Philip Francis, were eliminated on the first playoff hole, the big move was made by Clapp on the third playoff hole, or the picturesque and challenging 18th hole at Crown Isle.

Clapp bombed his drive and then hit his approach to 20 feet below the hole. After Nate McCoy and Sean Dale missed their birdie putts, Clapp calmly rolled in his putt for the exempt spot.

Machtaler and  Clapp will now have several weeks to get their games in gear before the PC Financial Open at Point Grey Golf & Country Club May 26 to June 1, the opening event of the 2014 PGA Tour Canada schedule. Other PGA of BC  members playing in that event will be Olympic View Golf Club's Kevin Maxwell and Seymour Creek Golf Centre's Bryn Parry, who each received sponsor's exemptions into the tournament.

Dean Kuntz of The Vancouver Golf Club is the account manager for the PGA of Canada Trade In Network in British Columbia and is trying to expand the program.

"Accepting equipment trade-ins is a great way to encourage members to purchase their new equipment from your pro shop," said Kuntz, who has sent out information packages on the program already.  

Professionals who would  like more information on the program are asked to email Kuntz and he will be more than happy to answer your questions. In addition, people who sign up can begin accepting trades immediately.