PGA of BC PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
FORESIGHT SPORTS CANADA
Foresight Sports develops the most advanced -- and most trusted -- performance-analysis solutions in the golf industry. The company's GC Series Smart Camera System is the best-selling professional-grade launch monitor ever created, with more than 10,000 units in use in retail stores, driving ranges, courses, and commercial and residential golf simulators worldwide. Foresight Sports Canada provides complete golf solutions for both residential and commercial settings.

Golf instructors and facilities are turning to Foresight Sports' Sim-in-a-Box for year-round applications for their students and patrons. Providing full-size, true-to-life simulation in a compact, easy-to-assemble format delivered right to your door, the Sim-in-a-Box is the most complete all-in-one virtual golf package available.

Foresight Sports Canada is a Silver-level Preferred Partner of the Association, title sponsor of the PGA of BC Buying Show Education Stage and presenting sponsor of the PGA of BC's Education Series. Click below to see more from Foresight Sports Canada.
ACE, 200-HOLE DAY HIGHLIGHT GOLFATHONS FOR ALS IN KOOTENAYS
Despite a day hampered by lightning, rain and hail the team of PGA of BC Professionals at Copper Point Golf Club completed 200 holes Tuesday in the latest Golfathon for ALS to be conducted this week.

Playing the Ridge Course at the Invermere facility, Brian Schaal and Scott McClain braved the elements for all 200 holes, starting before the crack of dawn and hitting their final shots just before 11 p.m. Even with five hours worth of weather delays, they managed more than 13 hours on course altogether. Dennis Bradley, Dale Moore and Casey Johnson also spent much of the day playing for a great cause as well, with Bradley completing six full rounds on the day.

Last Wednesday saw Matt Gillett record an unofficial ace while completing the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Golfathon for ALS alongside Jeremy Johnson. While walking and carrying six loops of the par-3 Creekside Course with its oversized eight-inch cups, Gillett spun a ball back into the centre of the seventh hole while raising thousands in support of the ALS Society of BC.

On Thursday, Andy Hajer and Jayme Young teed off at 5 a.m. at Arbutus Ridge Golf Club and put 108 holes in the books for their 2021 Golfathon, with donations in support of their efforts exceeding $4,000.

The second half of June will see the majority of participating facilities complete their Golfathons for ALS, looking to garner donations in support of patients and their families throughout British Columbia. The initiative has raised more than $2.1 million over the past 15 years, including a record total exceeding $200,000 in 2020.

Golfathons for ALS on the schedule for the week ahead include:

  • June 16 - Radium Golf Group
  • June 20 - Gallagher's Canyon Golf Club
  • June 21 - Beach Grove Golf Club, Black Mountain Golf Club, Northview Golf & Country Club, Spur Valley Resort, The Vancouver Golf Club, Windermere Valley Golf Course
  • June 22 - Long Beach Golf Course
  • June 23 - Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club, Mount Paul Golf Course

Click below to learn more about the Golfathon for ALS, view a list of participating locations and dates, or to make a donation.
FOUR APPLICANTS SUCCESSFUL AT RIVERSHORE GOLF LINKS PAT
Four participants in last Wednesday’s PGA of BC Playing Ability Test (PAT) held at Rivershore Golf Links were successful in meeting their respective target scores.

Wednesday’s PAT featured 21 men and women hopeful to achieve a predetermined score relative to the course rating based upon their age and gender, which is a prerequisite of becoming a PGA of Canada Professional.

Congratulations to the following applicants who were successful in meeting their PAT target scores, listed alphabetically:

  • Curtis Cowx (The Redwoods Golf Course)
  • Sean Douglas (Cheam Mountain Golf Course)
  • Christopher Ro (Golf Town North Vancouver)
  • Winnie Yun (Fort Langley Golf Club)

By demonstrating their high standard of golf skills over 18 holes, each of the four successful applicants took an important step toward achieving membership as an Apprentice Professional within the PGA of Canada.

Click below for a complete recap and a link to final results.

The PGA of BC will be administering up to three more PAT opportunities during the 2021 season, each to take place in a different region of the province. The next scheduled PAT is set for June 21 at Arbutus Ridge Golf Club, which has now reached capacity. Further PATs are planned for July 13 at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort and Sept. 7 at Belmont Golf Course. Visit www.pgaofcanada.com/join full details on how to become a member of the PGA of Canada, or to find information and registration links for upcoming PATs.  
PAID WORK OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE DURING PGA of BC CHAMPIONSHIPS
The PGA of BC administration team is seeking hard-working individuals with knowledge of golf-tournament operations to assist with the execution of championships on a short-term basis throughout 2021. 
 
The position of Event Assistant will be a paid work opportunity, with individuals contracted on an as-needed, event-by-event basis. Those working as an Event Assistant will be expected to help with a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: 

  • Event setup and tear-down
  • Live and post-round scoring for applicable tournaments
  • Various on-course duties
  • Volunteer coordination
  • Other tasks as assigned by PGA of BC Administration Team
 
Please note that some heavy lifting will be required as part of the role. Experience with Golf Genius scoring software would be considered an asset for stroke-play events. Use of personal mobile devices may be required; all such expenses will be reimbursed by the Association. 
 
Those interested in working as an Event Assistant are asked to contact PGA of BC Executive Director Donald Miyazaki at donald@pgabc.org for more information.  
CONGRATULATIONS
Kevin Stinson (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) achieved a rare feat Monday by winning two tournaments in the same day, including a shared victory in the G&G Tour's first event of the season counting toward the PGA of BC Order of Merit.

Stinson (pictured) won the Vancouver Golf Tour event held in the morning at Pitt Meadows Golf Club with a 9-under 63, then was among three first-place finishers in the afternoon's G&G Tour stop at Meadow Gardens Golf Club.

Stinson, Brady Stead (Ledgeview Golf Club) and Greg Pool (Northview Golf & Country Club) all posted 4-under-par rounds of 68 to be tied atop the leaderboard of the Meadow Gardens event, earning $555 apiece, with Stead earning his maiden first-place finish as a pro. Dave Zibrik (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) finished one off the pace for a solo fourth-place result on a day full of low scores, with 18 of 49 competitors coming in at even-par or better. Click here to view final results.

The Kootenay Pro Tour was also in action Monday, with Jamie Curiston (Wildstone Golf Course) scorching the back side at Kimberley Golf Club en route to a three-stroke victory. Curiston made an eagle and three birdies for a score of 30 on the inward nine, and finished with a 3-under-par 68 to earn a $540 payday for the win. Sharing runner-up honours with even-par 71s were Jeff Wiggins (The Springs at Radium) and Trevor Simkins (Bootleg Gap Golf Course), who each pocketed $360. Click here for final scores.
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
Curtis Cowx's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at The Redwoods Golf Course

Christopher Ro's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Golf Town (North Vancouver)

Scott Shepherd's application for Leave of Absence has been approved by the PGA of Canada

Sean Douglas's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Cheam Mountain Golf Course

Lee J.H. Lee has left GolfTEC Richmond and joins Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club as a Class "A" Professional

Beon Young Lee has left Golf Mecca Jr. Academy and joins Vancouver Golf Academy as an Apprentice Professional

Vancouver Golf Academy has been approved as a recognized PGA of BC Facility

Brett Burgeson has left Kamloops Golf & Country Club and joins Breaking Par Golf Academy as Head Teaching Professional

Breaking Par Golf Academy has been approved as a recognized PGA of BC Facility
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
No new opportunities
PGA of BC PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT -- DEREK ORR
Class "A" Professional, Iron & Wood Golf Simulators

PGA of Canada member since: 2002

Why did you become a PGA of Canada Professional? 
Growing up around the game of golf, I saw the role of Club Professional as one of prominence and respect. In the eyes of a junior, the pro is everything cool about our sport. What began as something fun to do evolved into a passion for hospitality and the game of golf.

Who has influenced your career the most, and how? 
This is a split answer but the first name is the same. Alan Carter from my time in Jasper taught me true professionalism and accountability among MANY other things. The second is Alan Palmer when I was at Shaughnessy. I learned the art of club management and branding experience. He is the G.O.A.T. of Networking. I am truly privileged to have mentored under them both.

If you had to share one piece of advice with a new member of our Association, what would it be? 
I will share the best advice I received as a brand new pro when I was working under Jay Wilson in Calgary back in 2003. "Go the extra mile in everything you do - the professional golf community is small and word travels fast - take advantage of that."

Which significant accomplishments are you most proud of? 
Through the Larry Orr Charity Golf Tournament that was started in 2016, we have raised over $50,000 for KidSport-Victoria. Proceeds go to paying for registration and enrollment fees for local kids to play a wide range of sports in our community. It means the world to my family to be able to continue supporting youth sports in his name. We plan to continue the event going forward and keep growing that number!
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
Members are reminded of the opportunity for themselves or family members to apply for an Ian Webb Scholarship administered by the PGA of Canada Foundation.
 
The foundation will award up to five scholarships of varying amounts to a maximum of $2,000 to PGA of Canada members and their immediate family members pursuing post-secondary studies, or to members engaged in a full-time, formal education program meant to advance their standing within the profession. Applicants must be a PGA of Canada member, or the spouse, child or grandchild of a PGA of Canada member, living or deceased. Click here for more information on how to apply before the June 25 deadline.

As well, members are reminded that the PGA of BC offers two annual financial awards: the Jim Gibson Scholarship and the PGA of BC Community Leadership Bursary, both in the amount of $1,000.

The Jim Gibson Scholarship is presented to an individual within the PGA of BC community that best exemplifies volunteerism and demonstrates dedication to furthering their education to benefit others in a community. The Community Leadership Bursary is awarded to an individual or member facility within the Association demonstrating an extraordinary desire and passion to make a significant difference in the lives of those around them.

Click below to learn more about each award. Watch for a future announcement in E-News regarding the opening of the 2021 application window in July.
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