PGA of BC PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
ACCENT INNS
Accent Inns is a family-owned, BC hotel chain with heart! There are Accent Inns located in Victoria, Burnaby, Kelowna, Kamloops and in Richmond at the Vancouver Airport, where guests can take advantage of a free, 24-hour shuttle service to YVR. (When that is a thing again!) You will feel instantly at home at Accent Inns with their family-vibe plus they don’t take themselves too seriously, you will appreciate their humour sprinkled throughout your experience. Who couldn’t use a laugh right now?!

Stay at Accent Inns when travelling to PGA of BC championships and events, as well as for business and personal accommodations. Members are eligible for discounted stays for any purpose; visit the Member Benefits & Corporate Discounts page for full details (login required). Accent Inns are also a great choice as we navigate through the pandemic because of their extensive sanitation protocols, including the cleaning of rooms with an electrostatic sprayer and exterior entrances to rooms.

Accent Inns is a Bronze-level Preferred Partner of the Association. Click below to learn more or reserve a room today!
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Last week, PGA of BC President Adam Blair (Talking Rock Golf Course) penned a message to all member Professionals, saluting them for a job well done over the course of this busy season while expressing excitement for the year ahead.

"I am amazed daily by the adaptability and dedication our members have provided to the game of golf in these times of uncertainty," wrote Blair. "Business levels are through the roof, staffing levels are at an all-time low and the elements of a pandemic and weather had us changing strategy daily to continue offering an incredible experience for our members and guests.

"We are all needing to be creative and intuitive to the demands and, at times, we struggle to keep all the balls in the air. All of you should be commended for bringing your best every day as we welcome so many new people to the game of golf and for continually sharing your passion."

All members are encouraged to read the President's Message in its entirety via the Association website. Please click below for the complete text.
SCHEDULE AND LINEUP RELEASED FOR 2022 EDUCATION SERIES
Earlier today, the Association proudly announced the schedule and lineup of featured speakers for the 2022 PGA of BC Education Series.

Expanding upon the success of the exclusively virtual Education Series conducted this past winter and spring, the PGA of BC will offer a combination of both the traditional, regional gatherings that have comprised the series in past years, as well as multiple, individual sessions to be hosted online.

The schedule for the Education Series will be as follows (all times local, schedule & lineups subject to change):

• "Improving Players by Process" - Tim Wilson, Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club
• "Panel Discussion: An Analytical Approach to Pro-Shop Merchandising" - Mark Thirtle, Capilano Golf & Country Club; Scott Kolb, Victoria Golf Club; Trevor West, Sandpiper Golf Club
• "Serving a Surge of New Golfers" - Derek Orr, Iron & Wood Golf Simulators

• "Teaching Outside the Box" - Mark Bicknell, Victoria Golf Club
• "Setting Up a Tournament Course: Painting Between the Lines" - Doug Hastie, British Columbia Golf
• "Career Journey: Serving Top Clubs Around the World" - Padraic O'Rourke, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club

• "The Upside of Down!" - Kevin MacDonald, Clarity Success Coaching
• "Coaching & Developing Today's Junior Golfers" - Conner Kozak, The Okanagan Golf Club
• "Community-building Through your Academy & Professional Network" - Kyla Inaba, Predator Ridge Resort

• "Changing Expectations: Coaching Athletes with Special Needs" - Dennis Bradley, Copper Point Golf Club
• Additional presentation TBA

The schedule for virtual presentations as part of the 2022 Education Series will include the following sessions, with more to be added in the weeks ahead: (all times PT, schedule subject to change)

• "How to Actually Use Your Social Media in 2022" - Colby Johannson, P6R Golf

• "Perseverance & Podiums: A Canadian Cowboy's Journey" - Manuel Osborne-Paradis, Four-time Olympian & Three-time FIS World Cup winner

• "Transforming Your Organization into People First!" - Three Carpenter, CCM & Jackie Carpenter, CCM

Click on any workshop heading for more information on each individual session or view them from the PGA of BC’s Schedule of Events page. Registration is now open for all events comprising the Education Series.

Click below to review the complete lineup announcement, including important info regarding registration and Professional Development Program credit.
SPRING EDUCATION SEMINAR REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
In addition to today's Education Series schedule release, the Association also announced that registration is now open for the 2022 PGA of BC Spring Education Seminar.

Scheduled to be held Feb. 7-8, the event will once again be held in a virtual format, making it accessible to members in all corners of the province and allowing the Education Committee and administration team to secure high-profile and knowledgeable guest speakers from across North America.

The PGA of BC looks forward to releasing the lineup of speakers and a more detailed schedule early in the New Year. Members can register now for $99 plus tax by clicking below. We look forward to having you join us in February for two great days of education, learning from some of the top minds within the golf industry and elsewhere.
HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURE NOTICE
Please be advised that the PGA of BC administration office will close for a two-week break during the holiday period.

The final day of office operations in 2021 will be Friday, Dec. 17. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, Jan. 3 at 8 a.m. PT. Please note that this will also be the final issue of E-News published before the end of the year. The first newsletter of 2022 will be delivered on Wednesday, Jan. 5.

The PGA of BC wishes all members, industry friends and their families a safe and happy holiday season!
CONGRATULATIONS
The PGA of BC is pleased to share that Class "A" Professional Sergej Dronov (Pacific Golf Academy) and partner Julia recently announced their engagement.

Sergej and Julia have been together for nearly two years. He managed to surprise his bride-to-be by popping the question on one of their regular walks around Richmond.

"I wanted a romantic setting at first but figured it could be too obvious, so I was aiming for something unordinary and I think I nailed it, she was totally caught off-guard," said Sergej. "And, most importantly, I’m so happy she said YES!"

The PGA of BC extends its heartfelt congratulations to the happy couple!
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
Dylan Cheyne has successfully completed the National Training Program and becomes a Class "A" Professional at Victoria Golf Club

Kendall Keeley has transferred from the Alberta Zone and joins Eagle Ranch Resort as an Apprentice Professional
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Golf Instructor - Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club

Associate/Assistant Golf Professional - The Okanagan Golf Club

Head Professional - Ledgeview Golf Club

Director of Player Operations - Bighorn Golf & Country Club
PGA of BC PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT -- BRIAN McDONALD
Executive Professional, Fairview Mountain Golf Club

PGA of Canada member since: 1994

At which golf facility did you first begin working within the industry, and who was the PGA Professional? 
Fairview Mountain Golf Club for Brad Burgart, who demonstrated the importance of leading by example.

Which significant accomplishments are you most proud of? 
Getting our club reopened after a massive landslide and leading the recovery effort.

What is your most cherished golf memory? 
Winning the 2018 PGA of Canada Head Professional Championship and being so supported by my fellow PGA of BC pros.

If you had to share one piece of advice with a new member of our Association, what would it be? 
Put in the work. People always notice those making the effort to get better and grow within their profession.
Want to be featured in the Professional Spotlight of an upcoming E-News? Click here to complete the PGA of BC member profile questionnaire.
FACT OF THE WEEK
Earlier today, the PGA of Canada announced an update to the Association's code of professional practice and introduced the PGA Code of Professional Conduct and Safe Sport Policy.

Safe Sport refers to the process and measures implemented to protect and effectively care for the health, well-being, and human rights of all participants in the PGA of Canada community, especially children and youth. Individuals participating in all disciplines of golf in Canada, including athletes, coaches, officials, sport administrators, volunteers and others should be able to engage in a sport environment free from abuse, discrimination and potential harm. 

All PGA of Canada Professionals and anybody involved with golf in Canada in any form are encouraged to read the PGA Code of Professional Conduct and Safe Sport Policy to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all golfers and athletes. Click below to read today's complete announcement, review the updated code and access relevant resources.
PGA of British Columbia | info@pgabc.org | (604) 303-6766 | pgabc.org
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