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. 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 traveling 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 is a Bronze-level Preferred Partner of the Association. Click below to learn more or reserve a room today!
BC WINS INTER ZONE MATCHES AT PGA HEAD PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF CANADA
Congratulations to the BC Inter Zone team, who recently won the Inter Zone matches at the 2022 PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf.

The event took place December 5-8 at Verrado Golf Club's Victory Course in Buckeye, Arizona. In a format where Zones count three of their low four scores throughout the first two rounds of the championship, the team consisting of Mark Kitts (Shadow Ridge Golf Club), Rob Tadey (Fairview Mountain Golf Club), Nathan Grieve (Talking Rock Golf Course), and Wes Doka (Pitt Meadows Golf Club) finished the event at an impressive 16-under par, four strokes better than the Ontario Zone. For their efforts, the team shared the $1,400 Inter Zone team bonus.

The team was selected based on their respective finishes at the 2022 PGA of BC Championship presented by Axis Insurance. Pictured above from left to right holding the Inter Zone trophy are Grieve, Tadey, Kitts, and Doka.

The BC Zone was also well-represented in the tournament individually, with five players finishing inside the top 25. Included in this are Tadey (T3; 10-under par, $3,375), Nathan Leonhardt (Par-Tee Golf, T5; 9-under par, $2,005), Doka (T16; 2-under par, $725), Lindsay Bernakevitch (Victoria Golf Club, T22; even par, $525), and Kitts (T25; 1-over par, $470).

The tournament was won by the Alberta Zone's Craig Gibson of Sirocco Golf Club. He bested Calgary Golf & Country Club's Stefan Cox with a birdie on the fourth playoff hole to take home the $9,000 first place prize, in addition to the $500 low club professional bonus.
PGA OF BC RELEASES SCHEDULE AND LINEUP FOR 2023 EDUCATION SERIES
Last week, the Association proudly announced the schedule and lineup of featured speakers for the 2023 PGA of BC Education Series presented by Foresight Sports Canada.

Expanding upon the past success of regional in-person events and virtual sessions conducted over the past two years, the PGA of BC will offer a combination of both in 2023.

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

January 17th, 10AM to 2PM Lower Mainland (Facility to be confirmed)
  • Building a Successful Teaching Business in the Digital World - Nathan Leonhardt, Head Teaching Professional, Par-Tee Golf
  • Strength Training for Golf - Groundwork Athletics
  • How Strong Leadership Builds Exceptional Workplace Culture - Dave Mowat, Former CEO of Vancouver City Savings Credit Union and ATB Financial, Chair of the Alberta Royalty Review Panel, and current Telus Board Member

  • Small Business Management & Accounting - Grant Thornton LLP
  • Does Club Fitting Matter? - Jason Giesbrecht, Head Teaching Professional, The Golf Performance Project
  • Teaching the Next Generation: Challenges and Opportunities - Michelle McCann, Professional, Uplands Golf Club

  • How to Improve A Players Game Without Changing Their Swing - Jeff Overholt, Teaching Professional, Harvest Golf Club
  • The Changing Economic Climate and Outlook - TD Bank Group
  • Using Sport and Performance Psychology Techniques to Maximize Golfer Learning, Motivation, Error Management, and Overall Performance - Shaunna Taylor, PhD, Past Chair, Canadian Sport Psychology Association, and current Member, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association

  • Junior Golf: How to Run a Successful Program - Simon Jones, Head Professional, Purcell Golf
  • The Endless Pursuit of Chasing a Dream: Stories of Development, Golf and Life - Chris Medford, Head Professional, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

The schedule for virtual presentations as part of the 2023 Education Series will include the following sessions (all times PT, schedule subject to change)

  • From Burnout to Balance in 12 Weeks - Will Robins, Founder & CEO, RGX Coach

  • Taking Your Game as a Teacher and Coach to the Next Level - Henry Brunton, PGA of Canada Master Professional

  • Bandon Dunes Customer Experience: How to ensure a positive experience from booking to departure - Jeff Simonds, Assistant General Manager & Senior Director of Operations, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

  • Exploring Playable Design Strategies to Benefit all Golfers- Alex Hay & Oliver Tubb, Lobb + Partners Golf Course Architects

For more information including registration details, please click the below.
SAVE THE DATE - 2023 SPRING EDUCATION SEMINAR
As mentioned in last week's E-News, the PGA of BC would like to inform members that the 2023 Spring Education Seminar is scheduled to take place February 6th & 7th in the Lower Mainland.

As the Association is in the process of finalizing itinerary and logistical details, full information will be released in early 2023. We appreciate your patience and look forward to this event.

Additionally, the 2023 PGA of BC Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take place late afternoon on Monday February 6th. A formal notice of AGM will be released in early January.

Please direct any questions to Membership & Events Manager Doug Titterington at doug@pgabc.org.
CONSIDER RUNNING FOR POSITION ON PGA of BC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The PGA of BC Board of Directors encourages all qualified members to consider putting their name forward as a candidate for board position terms that will commence in 2023. 
 
There could be up to four (4) openings on the board becoming available via election in the new year. The individuals filling these positions will be determined by a membership vote taking place in late January. 
 
Regional quotas will be confirmed closer to the formal voting period. All positions are two-year terms. Candidates must be Class "A" Professionals to be eligible to hold a board position. 

Click here to learn more about the requirements, expectations and duties of board members. A formal call for candidacies will be made in early January.
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 2022 will be Friday, Dec. 16. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 8 a.m. PT. Please note that this issue of E-News will be the last publication for the calendar year as E-News will not be published during the weeks of the closure.

The PGA of BC wishes all members, industry friends and their families a safe and happy holiday season.
CLASSIFIEDS
CLOTHING HANGERS (Free)

A couple of hundred assorted clothing hangers, available for free. Style and quantities are as follows:

  • Walnut Pant Hangers - 35 Units
  • Curved Shirt Hangers (Nude Color) - 100 Units

Must pick-up from Marine Drive Golf Shop. Please contact Clint Foley at cfoley@marine-drive.com or 604.261.3212.
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
Cory Betz has left Lakepoint Golf & Country Club
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Assistant Golf Professional - Creston Golf Club
PGA of BC PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT -- SIMON JONES
Head Professional, Purcell Golf (Kimberley Golf Club)

Member Since: 2008

What is the most rewarding part about being a member of the PGA of BC?
Everyone in our zone is so friendly and so helpful. There are so many people to reach out to that are happy to help you along your journey.

Who has influenced your career the most, and how?
In the beginning Clinton Schmaltz, Chris Schatzman and Greg Andrew; they provided an environment to succeed and learn. At Banff Springs, Steve Young empowered me to be creative and understand the business elements of our industry. Today in our Kootenay area I have so many peers that are friends and advisors. Chris, Cindy, Brian and Trevor to name a few.

What career path led you to where you are today?
My parents were entrepreneurs before it was trendy. They instilled in me a work ethic and a desire to succeed. Thanks to both of them, I want to make every facility I work at the best it can be.

What is an interesting fact about yourself that doesn't involve golf?
In the winters, I teach skiing.
FACT OF THE WEEK
In the 2021 release of the final PGA of BC Professional Development Program (PDP) order of merit standings, over 95% of the PGA of BC Top 100 Golf Professionals attended Association-driven education initiatives such as the virtual Education Series, Spring Education Seminar, and Buying Show Education platforms. 2022 final standings will be released in early January and these participation numbers are expected to be similar.

Be sure to take advantage of education opportunities offered in the winter and spring of 2023 by registering today. Please click here to register and reserve your spot.
PGA of British Columbia | info@pgabc.org | (604) 303-6766 | pgabc.org
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