PGA of BC PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
OAKCREEK GOLF & TURF
Oakcreek Golf & Turf LP is Western Canada's full-service distributor of Yamaha Golf Cars, Toro Commercial Turf Care Equipment and Toro Golf Irrigation Equipment, plus all additional related products. It proudly offers the very best quality products and professional service and support to golf courses, municipal parks, independent landscapers and private clients. The company has been in business since 1969 and currently employs approximately 100 people throughout the year at its six locations throughout Western Canada, which include Surrey, Kelowna and Duncan in British Columbia

Oakcreek Golf & Turf LP is a Silver-level partner of the Association, and thanks to Oakcreek's support, Yamaha is a presenting sponsor of the PGA of BC Club Professional Championship, taking place Sept. 23-24 at Kelowna Golf & Country Club. Click below to visit Oakcreek Golf & Turf online.
PGA of BC ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH KAL TIRE
Earlier this week, the PGA of BC was proud to introduce  Kal Tire  as the Association’s newest Preferred Partner.

As part of this Silver-level Preferred Partnership for the 2019 season, Kal Tire will also be a contributing partner to the PGA of BC’s Canucks Junior Golf Week.

Kal Tire, Canada’s largest independent tire dealers, have a rich history in British Columbia dating back more than 65 years, and have more than 60 locations in communities across the province. The company was founded in 1953 in Vernon, where the company’s corporate headquarters remain today. Kal Tire does much more than just tires at its 250 stores nationwide, also offering custom rims and certified mechanical services.

Canucks Junior Golf Week is scheduled to return this summer for a sixth consecutive year, running July 2-9 at PGA of BC facilities across the province.

Click below to learn more about our new relationship with Kal Tire.
SIGN UP NOW FOR EDUCATION SERIES EVENT IN KOOTENAYS
The final event of the 2019 PGA of BC Education Series presented by Foresight Sports Canada is set for the end of this month at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, featuring two great presentations from area Head Professionals.

The April 29 gathering will include a talk from 2018 PGA of BC Dick Munn Golf Professional of the Year Cindy Soukoroff (St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino) on the theme of "Making Every Moment Matter" for patrons at your club, and another from Scott McClain (Copper Point Golf Club) discussing the rewards for golf facilities in giving back to their communities.

This year's event will once again coincide with the season's first stop on the Kootenay Pro Tour, with the education schedule beginning at 10 a.m. and tournament play commencing at 1 p.m. The cost for members to attend the Education Series event is just $19 and includes lunch following the morning's presentations.

The registration deadline for the Education Series event is April 25 . Click below to access the event page, with full presentation details and a link to registration.
FIVE SPRING PAT PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVE CLASS "A" STANDARD
Five participants in the PGA of BC’s Spring Playing Ability Test met their respective target scores over play April 3-4 at Kings Links by the Sea, taking a major step in their career aspirations as PGA of Canada Professionals.

Applicants participating in the 36-hole event needed to record a two-round total of 158 or better for their Exit Score (Class “A” standard), or 163 for their Entry Score (Candidate for Membership standard), calculated based upon the course rating multiplied by two, plus 15 and 20 strokes, respectively.

The following applicants, pictured from left, achieved their Class “A” Standard:
  • Michael Dyck (Cordova Bay Golf Course)
  • David Woytowich (Long Beach Golf Course)
  • Pei-en Hsu (GolfTown Richmond)
  • Jackson Redmond (Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club)
  • Alexander Harvalias (Westwood Plateau Golf Academy)

Please join us in congratulating these five applicants for completing the PGA of Canada’s playing ability requirements and clearing a major hurdle in obtaining Candidate for Membership status within the Association.

Click below for a full recap and to access final scores.
CONGRATULATIONS
The G&G Tour's major event held Monday at Capilano Golf & Country Club featured multiple hole-outs and a thrilling finish.

Playing in the day's final group, Clark MacPherson (Point Grey Golf & Country Club, pictured) found the bottom of the cup from 100 yards to eagle the par-5 18th hole, walking off with a one-stroke victory at 5-under-par. His round of 67 was good for an $850 payday.

Mike Heenan (The Vancouver Golf Club) and Matthew Palsenbarg (The Tour LAB @ Northview) were holding the clubhouse lead at 4-under to that point, but settled for a second-place tie and $700 apiece.

Another notable hole-out came from host Head Professional Mark Thirtle , who made albatross on the par-5 opening hole for the extremely rare 3-under through 1 start.

Click below for full results. All three other regional tours hold their first Order of Merit-eligible events of the season later this month.
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
Ian Henson joins Kamloops Golf & Country Club as Head Professional

Michelle McCann  has completed the PACE Program and becomes a Class "A" Professional at Uplands Golf Club

Andrew Jeffers  joins Eaglequest Golf Centre at Coquitlam as a Teaching Professional
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
No new opportunities
FACT OF THE WEEK
The week of The Masters is always a great time to reflect on how two PGA of BC Lifetime Achievement Award recipients -- Alvie Thompson (pictured) and Stan Leonard -- made their mark by playing in the storied tournament at Augusta National.

No Canadian had as much sustained success at The Masters as Leonard. The longtime Head Professional at Marine Drive Golf Club and a former PGA of BC president, Leonard was once a perennial contender at The Masters. In the seven tournaments held between 1955 and 1961, Leonard finished among the top 25 every year, notching four top-10 finishes. That included back-to-back T4 results in 1958 and 1959, sharing the 54-hole lead with Arnold Palmer the latter year, when Art Wall, Jr. birdied five of the final six holes to claim the title. 

Leonard would exact some revenge on Wall, Jr. the following year by defeating him in a playoff to win the 1960 Western Open, the last of his three PGA Tour victories. The Vancouver native made his 12th and final Masters appearance in 1965. The PGA of BC's Player of the Year Award is named in Leonard's honour. 

Thompson, meanwhile, joined Leonard in the field at the 1963 Masters. Although Jack Nicklaus won the first of his six Masters titles that year, Thompson's 13 birdies on the week were actually two more than the Golden Bear made during the tournament. Thompson carded a final round 1-under 71 to finish in a tie for 28th place. The PGA of BC's Teacher of the Year Award is named in memory of Thompson, himself a former Head Professional at Marine Drive Golf Club.
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