PGA of BC PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
SIMPLEPAY
SimplePay is a technology-driven, client-focused payment-processing company based in Port Coquitlam. We understand the complexities of building and managing the business of golf, and your need to deliver a next-level experience to every guest, every time.

SimplePay’s Account Executives are experts in building and streamlining payment-processing programs that help you drive efficiencies to increase guest experience, as well as your bottom line. Our solutions integrate with major golf POS systems and technologies. Whether you need guidance with mobile, in-shop or online payments, we are here and ready to help.

SimplePay is a Bronze-level Preferred Partner of the Association and the title sponsor of the Show Lounge at the PGA of BC Buying Show. Click below for more information, or contact Carlos Borges, SimplePay Founder & CEO, at 778-386-8068 or [email protected].
ADAM BLAIR NAMED NEW PGA of BC PRESIDENT
The PGA of BC Board of Directors proudly named Adam Blair the 41st President of the Association during Monday's Annual General Meeting.

Blair, a resident of Salmon Arm who serves as the General Manager and Executive Professional of Quaaout Lodge at Talking Rock Golf Resort in Chase, was selected by the board to assume the presidency following four years as Vice-President and six years on the board overall.

Blair succeeds Jonathan Kadin, whose term as President began in 2019. Kadin will remain on the Board of Directors as Past President.

Blair is a 20-year member of the PGA of Canada, earning his first Head Professional role at Salmon Arm Golf Club in 2006 before being appointed to the same role at Talking Rock in 2011. He ascended to the Executive Professional position at the facility in 2019.

The 41-year-old is a past recipient of the PGA of BC’s Dick Munn Golf Professional of the Year Award, earning the honour in 2017. He also took home the Association’s Davie Black Professional Development Award in 2019, and has been a top-10 finisher in the Professional Development Program Order of Merit for six consecutive years, including his first-place ranking in 2016.

Also appointed as Association executives are Ashley Zibrik (Head Professional, Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club), who will serve as Vice-President, Finance and Lenny Cyr (Class “A” Professional, Seymour Golf & Country Club), who enters the role of Vice-President, Administration.

The inductions of the PGA of BC executives, as well as the four directors elected to the board in last month’s election, also became effective during Monday's AGM.

Click below to read Monday's complete announcement; click here to view the 2021 PGA of BC Board of Directors.
EXPERT INSIGHTS SHARED AT 2021 SPRING EDUCATION SEMINAR
More than 170 PGA of BC Professionals and guests heard from some of golf’s top minds in coaching, instruction, club management and much more during the Association’s 2021 Spring Education Seminar, which came to a close Tuesday afternoon.

The two-day event, which serves as the PGA of BC’s signature professional-development gathering, remained a tremendous forum to glean knowledge from a range of industry experts despite moving to a virtual format for the first time this year.

Pictured from left, Matt Ginella, Chris Como and Alex Riggs were among those who shared their expertise with attendees during the event. The PGA of BC thanks them and Lou Stagner, Lance Gill, Jason Baile, Henry DeLozier and Terry Rowles for their time and insights between Monday and Tuesday.

The PGA of BC Education Committee played a significant role in securing this year's speaker lineup and moderated all sessions during the event. Thank you to committee chair Mark Thirtle (Capilano Golf & Country Club), Jason Giesbrecht (The Golf Performance Project), Matthew Palsenbarg (Point Grey Golf & Country Club), Simon Jones (Kimberley Golf Club) and Myles Johnson (Hillview Golf Course) for their efforts and assistance in conducting the event.

Click below for a complete recap of the event.

Attendees are kindly asked to complete the feedback survey included in the post-event email delivered earlier today. Those who did not attend this year's seminar are encouraged to submit ideas for future speakers and education topics by contacting the administration team.
EDUCATION SERIES RESUMES NEXT WEEK
Members are reminded that they PGA of BC's 2021 Education Series presented by Foresight Sports Canada returns on Thursday, Feb. 18.

Next week's session will feature a panel discussion titled "Industry Empowerment: Impacts & Experiences for Women Working in Golf." We are pleased to have Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Gail Graham, PGA of Canada Professionals Tiffany Gordon and Judy Forshner comprising the panel, which will be moderated by the PGA of BC's own Cindy Soukoroff (St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino).

Click here for more information and a registration link for next Thursday's session, or view all remaining workshops and registration information via the PGA of BC’s Schedule of Events page. Registered participants will receive information on joining the session the day prior to the event.

Member registration for individual sessions is priced at $10 (plus GST) each. The Education Series Pass is now available at the reduced price of $60 (plus GST), a member-exclusive offer granting access to all six remaining sessions with a single registration. Non-members are welcome to attend any workshop of the series, with a reference from a Class “A” Professional, for $20 (plus GST).

Please note that registration fees do not include recorded sessions posted to the Education Series Archive. Registration for all individual sessions closes at 12:00 p.m. PT the day prior.

We look forward to seeing you online on Feb. 18.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND MILESTONES MARKED AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Monday's PGA of BC Annual General Meeting, conducted virtually for the first time in the Association's history, provided an opportunity to reflect on a challenging yet successful 2020 season.

In addition to reviewing the highlights for the Association over the past year, the AGM also included special acknowledgements for Professionals set to achieve significant membership milestones in 2021.

The following PGA of BC Professionals were recognized for their upcoming achievements during the AGM:

50-year PGA of Canada Class "A" Members
  • Michael Graas, Life Professional
  • Barrie McWha, Morningstar Golf Club

25-year PGA of Canada Class "A" Members
  • Paul Boucher, Life Professional
  • Matt Carrothers, GolfTEC North Vancouver
  • Richard Chlopan, Royal Colwood Golf Club
  • Shiella Cowan, Lago Golf Academy
  • Grant Gray, Unaffiliated
  • Dean Kuntz, The Vancouver Golf Club
  • Kevin Maffioli, Christina Lake Golf Club
  • Steven Marleau, Unaffiliated
  • Vaughn Marshall, Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club
  • Danny Martin, Hirsch Creek Golf & Winter Club
  • Colin McCulley, Olympic View Golf Club
  • Gord Melissa, Pheasant Glen Golf Resort
  • Kevin Nesbitt, Champion Lakes Golf & Country Club
  • Troy Peverley, Swan-E-Set Bay Country Club
  • Lee Ranger, The Okanagan Golf Club
  • Brian Schaal, Copper Point Golf Club

Each of the members named above will receive special gifts from the PGA of Canada as a token to commemorate their achievements to come in the year ahead. The national office will be reaching out to each Professional reaching these milestones to coordinate delivery of these items. Congratulations to all!
COMPLETE MEMBER PROFILE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR NEW E-NEWS FEATURE
A new member-profile feature will be added to E-News in the coming weeks, allowing an opportunity for PGA of BC Professionals to get to know their colleagues and to introduce them to the province's golf community as a whole.

Those interested in being featured through this new initiative are asked to complete a short questionnaire about their career path, their accomplishments, advice for up-and-coming Professionals, and more.

Click below to access the questionnaire.
GOLFEXPO SEEKING VIDEO SUBMISSIONS FROM PGA of BC MEMBERS
PGA of BC members are reminded that the British Columbia GOLFEXPO is providing an opportunity to submit pre-recorded videos featuring instruction tips and/or lessons for the event, which is being held online Feb. 26-28.

Videos will be included as part of the event's PGA of BC Seminar Stage and/or the BC GOLFEXPO YouTube Channel. They will also be promoted through the BC GOLFEXPO’s social-media channels and e-newsletter database.

Videos must be in a downloadable format (Google Drive or Dropbox preferred). Each video can include promotion and call to action (website, email address, phone number) of your instruction business in the video. Videos can range from 5 minutes up to 30 minutes each.

The BC GOLFEXPO will determine how to best use each video to promote them to consumers attending the BC GOLFEXPO Online. The BC GOLFEXPO Online is no charge to consumers and will be a great opportunity to promote your golf instruction business. Members submitting videos can also receive PDP credit.

If interested, please contact Erica Beck, BC GOLFEXPO Show Manager, at [email protected] or 778-726-1200. Click below to learn more about the event.
OFFICE CLOSURE NOTICE
Please be advised that the PGA of BC administration office will be closed next week in observance of Family Day.

The office will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15. Regular office hours will resume at 8 a.m. PT on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The next edition of E-News will be published on Thursday, Feb. 18.

The PGA of BC wishes all members, industry friends and their families a safe and happy holiday weekend.
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
Mike McEvay has left Myrtle Point Golf Club and transfers to the Saskatchewan Zone

Josh Johnston has successfully completed the National Training Program and becomes a Class "A" Professional at Gallagher's Canyon Golf Club

Nicholas Crookall has left Bear Mountain Resort Community and joins Glacier Greens Golf Club as an Apprentice Professional

Maxwell Cohen has left Golf Mecca Junior Academy and joins Langley Golf Centre as an Apprentice Professional 

Mark Forrest has left Morningstar Golf Club
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Teaching Professional - GolfTEC Vancouver Terminal Ave.

Teaching Professional - GolfTEC Richmond

Assistant Golf Professional - Beban Park Golf Course & Driving Range
FACT OF THE WEEK
Are you looking to contact a BC sales representative for a specific manufacturer or product line? Don't forget that you can always access this information on the PGA of BC website using our Industry Guide.

Click below to access the electronic version of the Industry Guide, or navigate to it manually at pgabc.org under the "Resources" tab at any time.

No website login is required to view the publication, so feel free to share the guide with other non-member industry contacts. The PGA of BC administration team updates the online guide throughout the year; suppliers may contact [email protected] to request changes to their listing at any time.
PGA of British Columbia | [email protected] | (604) 303-6766 | pgabc.org
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