PGA of BC

E-NEWS

AUGUST 2, 2023

The golf industry was lacking a recruiting firm that could really assist golf facilities and its industry partners. There are golf search firms which cater to the top 3-5% of the clubs in our country, but that left a large void in the other 95% who could use some assistance but at a price they can afford. So after decades in the industry as a Director of Instruction, HP and GM, Scott Kolb redirected the focus of Fresh Golf Solutions.  

While working as a GM, Scott had been approached by search firms. Some were hospitality firms and others typically looked for CEOs. Only occasionally did these recruiters understand how clubs operate. Most were calling random leaders and hoped to find leads.

To separate Fresh Golf from other search firms – beside affordable pricing – the advisory team is connected with the industry because we are still active members of the golf world. If your facility needs help finding a leader in the future please go to www.freshgolf.ca or contact Scott at scott@vbgolf.ca.

KAL TIRE ORDER OF MERIT STANDINGS UPDATE

Steven Lecuyer (Seymour Creek Golf Centre) holds the top spot in the Kal Tire Order of Merit standings for the second month in a row, but John Shin (Northview Golf & Country Club) has cut Lecuyer's lead from over 12 points to less than one.

Lecuyer and Shin have enjoyed quality seasons in 2023, with both professionals earning impressive finishes in PGA of BC tournaments and on affiliated regional tours. With such a razor-thin margin separating the golfers, the race for the Order of Merit title and Stan Leonard Player of the Year presented by Kal Tire is shaping up to be a suspenseful and hard-fought battle.

Rounding out the top-five, Kevin Stinson (Cheam Mountain Golf Course), Nate Ollis (Cordova Bay Golf Course) and Cory Renfrew (Modern Golf (Vancouver)) are grouped together and will be seeking a top finish at the upcoming PGA of BC Championship presented by Axis Insurance to rocket up the standings.

We are proud to be paying out the top-10 finishers in the season-long race from a purse of $5,000. In addition, the Order of Merit champion will receive a $500 Kal Tire gift certificate, while the 2nd- through 5th-place finishers will be awarded $200 gift certificates.

For the full leaderboard, please click here.

2023 PGA OF BC BUYING SHOW

The Association reminds professionals to save the date for our upcoming Buying Show this October, taking place at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond on October 25 & 26. The Buying Show serves as a one-stop shop for all facilities in British Columbia, and presents a great networking opportunity. A link for attendee registration will be sent out to members in the coming weeks.

We are thrilled to announce that all booths for the show have been filled by vendors, with a waitlist for any additional exhibitors now open. To register for the Buying Show as a vendor and reserve your spot on the waitlist, please click here. For any questions and inquiries, please contact Programs Manager Dan Czerwenka at dan@pgabc.org.

A list of confirmed vendors will be shared in the coming weeks. For more information on the 2023 Buying Show, please click here.

WAITLIST OPEN FOR 2023 PGA OF BC CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY AXIS INSURANCE

The 2023 PGA of BC Championship presented by Axis Insurance will take place August 14-15 at Revelstoke Golf Club, and we are still accepting waitlist registration from interested parties.

If you wish to compete in the tournament but have not yet signed up, please contact Membership & Events Manager Doug Titterington at doug@pgabc.org. Please note that a spot on the waitlist does not guarantee your space in the tournament field.

PGA OF BC OFFICE CLOSURE MONDAY, AUGUST 7

The PGA of BC office will be closed Monday, August 7 for the BC Day holiday.

We hope you have a great long weekend and look forward to connecting upon our return. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

AUGUST 15 REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR PGA HEAD PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF CANADA PRESENTED BY CALLAWAY GOLF IN CANCUN, MEXICO

Via the PGA of Canada:

The PGA of Canada's 2023 Head Professional Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf and supported by Golf Away Tours and G&G Brands will be held at Iberostar Playa Paraíso Golf Club, located at Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya, an all-inclusive resort outside of Cancun, Mexico from November 14-19. A practice round will precede the 54-hole no-cut event, on November 15.

Because all resort bookings must be made through Golf Away Tours, the entry deadline for the championship is earlier than usual, August 15. Event registration can be found here.

Once registered, players will be required to book their stay through Golf Away Tours. Rooms will be reserved on a first come first served basis. Please contact Golf Away Tours for resort reservation.

This can’t miss experience will include receptions following the practice round and the final round, while all food and drink throughout the week will be complimentary throughout the resort. Transportation from Cancun airport to Iberostar Paraíso Maya and back will be provided by the resort as well.

Full week itinerary can be found here.

The Lower Mainland G&G Tour travelled to Nicklaus North Golf Course in Whistler on July 31. Luke Bogdan (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) was triumphant, outlasting John Shin (Northview Golf & Country Club) to win by a shot. Jacob Vanderpas (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) finished in third place. The final tournament before the Tour Championship runs September 11 at Ledgeview Golf Club.

The Kootenay Pro Tour held an event on July 24 at Trickle Creek Golf Resort. Chase Bodoano (The Springs at Radium) took home the victory shooting a 69. The KPT's last tournament before the Tour Championship takes place August 21 at Bootleg Gap.

The Westland Insurance Interior PGA Tour took on Shuswap National Golf Course on July 17. With a two-stroke victory, Brian McDonald (Fairview Mountain Golf Club) continued his run of strong play this season. Competitors will head to Kamloops Golf & Country Club on August 21 for the next event.

The Vancouver Island Club Pro Tour held a tournament at Gorge Vale Golf Club on July 18. Gordy Scutt (Victoria Golf Club) was the event champion. The Tour returns August 22 to Cordova Bay Golf Course for its next tournament.

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!

Did you know that Bryn Parry (Seymour Creek Golf Centre) has won the William Thompson Trophy as PGA of BC Champion a record-tying four times?

Parry's first win came in 2000, with subsequent victories taking place in 2008, 2015 and 2019 to tie Life Professional Scott Minni's total. During the span from 1999 to 2022, Parry added six runner-up finishes in the event. The nine-time PGA of BC Stan Leonard Player of the Year is one of the most decorated and accomplished golfers in Association history, and will compete in Revelstoke with hopes of adding another record to the books.

Pall Musaev has transferred from the Ontario Zone as a Class "A" Professional

Steven Coulthard goes from Head Professional to Executive Professional at Smithers Golf Club

Megan Kathleen Hodgson's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and she becomes an Apprentice Professional at Olympic View Golf Club

Clayton Dunn has resigned from the PGA of Canada

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

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.

August 14 & 15

PGA of BC Championship presented by Axis Insurance

at Revelstoke Golf Club

September 18 & 19

Srixon/Cleveland Golf Club Professional Championship presented by Nike Golf

at Point Grey & Country Club

September 25 & 26

Women's Championship

at Victoria Golf Club

October 25 & 26

PGA of BC Buying Show

at the River Rock Casino Resort