PGA of BC PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
SUNICE & BOBBY JONES
Driven by passion and enthusiasm for cutting-edge technology and design, Sunice continues to advance the latest in performance outerwear, layering systems and sportswear for wherever your favorite sport or activity takes you. And like its customers, Sunice is always looking forward to next season.

Evoking their namesake, Bobby Jones products are the definition of class, using only premium-quality materials to create classic, timeless designs that exude confidence on and off the course. The Bobby Jones brand has been a mainstay in the golf industry since the 1990s and is sold in the finest private clubs, resorts and golf courses worldwide. 

Sunice and Bobby Jones are Silver-level Preferred Partners of the Association and Presenting Sponsors of the PGA of BC Professional Development Program. Visit Sunice and Bobby Jones online to learn more.
CAST YOUR BALLOT IN BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION
Voting for vacant positions on the PGA of BC Board of Directors is now open. There are three (3) positions available, each of which will consist of a two-year term, expiring at the 2024 Annual General Meeting.
 
Due to the Board's current composition, this election period required the appointment of at least one director representing the Vancouver Island region in order to satisfy the Board's regional representation quota. As Lindsay Bernakevitch (Victoria Golf Club) was the lone Professional from the Vancouver Island region to declare themselves as a candidate for the election, he has been acclaimed to the position. Our congratulations to Lindsay, who will be sworn in to a second term on the Board of Directors at the 2022 PGA of BC Annual General Meeting.
 
As such, there remain three open positions available for the remaining candidates in this election.
 
Eleven (11) candidates are in the running for the open positions (listed alphabetically):
 
  • Boyle, Rob; Class "A" Professional, unaffiliated
  • Campbell-Leveck, Courtney; Head Professional, Gleneagles Golf Course
  • Holley, Ryan; Class "A" Professional, unaffiliated
  • Hubert, Alec; Executive Professional, Kamloops Golf & Country Club
  • Jones, Simon; Head Professional, Kimberley Golf Club
  • Lee, Lee J.H.; Class "A" Professional, Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club
  • O'Rourke, Padraic; Head Professional, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club
  • Scollon, Drew; Class "A" Professional, Point Grey Golf & Country Club
  • Thompson, Michael; Class "A" Professional, Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club
  • Tofani, Ryan; Head Professional, Chilliwack Golf Club
  • Vermee, Bruce; Head Professional, The Harvest Golf Club

To vote, click on the link below, read the biographical information provided by each candidate, fill out the required information and submit the ballot. Each member may vote for up to three (3) candidates but may only submit one (1) ballot. Any additional ballots will void all ballots. 
  
Your PGA of Canada membership number will be verified before your vote is recorded. Please note that all PGA of BC membership categories may vote for positions on the Board of Directors, including Apprentice Professionals. To be eligible to cast a ballot, voters must be members in good standing. Voter confidentiality will be strictly maintained and personal information is collected only for the purpose of determining voter eligibility.
 
The official voting period will end at 12:00 p.m. PST on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. 
GREAT LESSONS SHARED DURING TUESDAY EDUCATION SERIES EVENT
More than 120 PGA of BC Professionals who logged in for Tuesday's Education Series gathering were treated to three fantastic presentations covering approaches to teaching, retail and reaching a new demographic of golfers.

The Association extends it thanks to Tim Wilson (Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club), Trevor West (Sandpiper Golf Club), Mark Thirtle (Capilano Golf & Country Club), Scott Kolb (Victoria Golf Club) and Derek Orr (Iron & Wood Golf Simulators) for sharing their expertise and for adapting their presentations for a virtual audience on short notice.

For those unable to join Tuesday's session, all three presentations will be added to the Education Series Archive in the near future.

All members are reminded that the next Education Series event on Feb. 1, originally scheduled to take place at Victoria Golf Club, will also be conducted online. The program is expected to run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST.

The Feb. 1 event will include the following presentations:

  • "Teaching Outside the Box," by Mark Bicknell (Victoria Golf Club)
  • "Setting up a Tournament Course: Painting Between the Lines," by Doug Hastie (British Columbia Golf)
  • "Career Journey: Serving Top Clubs Around the World," by Padraic O'Rourke (The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club), moderated by Jeff Palmer (Highland Pacific Golf)

Registration will remain open until Jan. 31, priced at $19 (plus GST). Members are advised that this event is not included as part of the Virtual Education Series and requires a separate registration. Please contact Membership & Events Manager Doug Titterington at doug@pgabc.org to verify your registration status for any upcoming education gatherings.

Click below to access the event page for our next Education Series event, including more info on each presentation and a link to registration.
REGISTER NOW FOR 2022 SPRING EDUCATION SEMINAR
PGA of BC members are encouraged to register now for the Association’s 2022 Spring Education Seminar, which is set to be conducted virtually on Feb. 7-8.

The event will once again feature a variety of subject matter relevant to all members, delivered by some of the leading minds and experts in our sport and from notable figures outside the golf world. The presentations and discussions comprising this year’s seminar will cover topics that include golf instruction, leadership, career longevity, fitness and nutrition, golf-course design and more. 

The Day 1 schedule will include presentations from business mogul and Seminole Golf Club President Jimmy Dunne, acclaimed short-game guru Gareth Raflewski, a panel discussion featuring prominent hockey personalities Jarome Iginla, Bob Nicholson and Jim Hughson, and a session led by renowned instructor Trillium Rose.

Day 2 of the event will feature a workshop guided by fitness expert Ali Gilbert, PGA of BC Professional Dave Zibrik speaking on brand and culture, insights into the career longevity of actor Lochlyn Munro, a conversation with golf-course architect Christine Fraser and a session with esteemed instructor Andrew Rice.

Registration is open now until Feb. 4. The two-day event is priced at $99 (plus tax) for PGA of BC Professionals. Non-members may attend for $199 (plus tax) with the reference of a Class "A" member.

Click below to access the Spring Education Seminar event page, which includes registration links, an event itinerary and more information on each of our featured speakers and topics.
PLAYING ABILITY TEST SCHEDULE RELEASE EXPECTED NEXT MONTH
Prospective applicants interested in pursuing a career as a PGA of Canada Professional are advised that the PGA of BC intends to release its 2022 Playing Ability Test (PAT) schedule next month.

The list of available PAT sites and dates will be released as soon as is available, but is likely to arrive in mid-to-late February. The first PAT to be hosted in British Columbia is tentatively scheduled for April 7 at a course located in the Lower Mainland.

Please direct any PAT-related questions to PGA of BC Membership & Events Manager Doug Titterington at doug@pgabc.org. Click below for more information on the prerequisites and process to join the PGA of Canada.
PGA of CANADA AWARDS NEXT WEEK; REGISTER TO ATTEND
The PGA of Canada's 2021 National Awards will be presented during a live webcast taking place on Thursday, Jan. 27.

Hosted by TSN personalities Bob Weeks and Kayla Grey, as well as PGA of Canada Professional Jean-Sébastien Légaré, the online event will open at 3:30 p.m. PST before the program officially kicks off at 4:00 p.m.

There are 10 categories in which a PGA of BC Professional is among the eligible nominees for the 2021 honours. All are welcome to view the awards presentations by pre-registering at the link below. Please join us to celebrate the best of our Association from the past season.
CLASSIFIEDS
Wanted: Used Pull Carts

McCleery Golf Course is seeking used pull carts in good, working condition for purchase.

The facility is hopeful to obtain approximately 30 carts. Carts manufactured by Riksha or Kaddy-Lac are preferred if possible.

Anyone who may have carts available for purchase can contact Muncie Booth at munciebooth@shaw.ca for more information.
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
Lance Barber has left The Springs at Radium and transfers to the Alberta Zone

Jeff Wiggins has left The Springs at Radium

Adrien Wright has transferred from the Alberta Zone and joins Morningstar Golf Club as a Class "A" Professional
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Teaching Professional - Eaglequest Golf Centre at Coquitlam

Associate/Assistant Golf Professional - Mt. Paul Golf Course

Associate Golf Professional - Point Grey Golf & Country Club

Club Builder & Fitter - Haywood Golf

Assistant Golf Professional - Skeena Valley Golf & Country Club

Golf Shop Associate - Northview Golf & Country Club

Communications & Marketing Manager - PGA of British Columbia

Head Golf Professional - The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club

Teaching Professional - GOLFTEC Vancouver

Teaching Professional - GOLFTEC Richmond
PGA of BC PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT -- JEFF LIDDLE
Class "A" Professional, Talking Rock Golf Course

PGA of Canada member since: 2004

Why did you become a PGA of Canada Professional? 
I started in the backshop at Hyde Mountain Golf Course in 2002, where I worked under Bill Wilson and Rick Thompson, and almost immediately set a goal to become a PGA of Canada Professional. I was passionate about the game and enjoyed working with people. It was an easy decision!

Who has influenced your career the most, and how? 
I've worked with some great PGA Professionals, but Terry Schneider with Prestige Hotels and Resorts has had the most influence on my career. He led me to pursue opportunities I had never considered for myself, showing support and challenging me during the pivotal years of my career.

What career path led you to where you are today? 
I returned to the Golf Industry in 2020, after a decade of senior and executive-level management roles in Hospitality. I was fortunate enough to join the team at Talking Rock as Golf Operations Manager, and couldn't be happier to be back around the game of golf.

What is your most cherished golf memory? 
Golf trips through the Kootenays as a kid with my dad. Such a beautiful part of the province with great camping and golf.
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
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. 

The most recent update to the Industry Guide was completed following the Association's 2021 Buying Show. 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 eric@pgabc.org to request changes to their listing at any time.
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