PGA of BC PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
THUNDERBOLT SIGN
Offering the latest in premier sign-making and efficient printing technology, extensive graphic design expertise and top-notch customer service, Thunderbolt Sign can help bolster your brand identity and business message through a variety of products and services. 

With locations in Richmond and Calgary, Thunderbolt Sign specializes in designing and manufacturing indoor, outdoor and illuminated signage, wall and window decals, trade show displays, printing and other custom works.

Thunderbolt Sign recently moved into a new Richmond location and is now serving customers at 17-12871 Bathgate Way.

A Bronze-level partner and the exclusive signage provider of the Association, Thunderbolt Sign offers preferred pricing to PGA of BC members and facilities. Member Professionals may contact Carl Rivera at Thunderbolt Sign at 604-644-6375 or  by email  and mention this week's Partner Spotlight to receive a 10-per-cent discount. Click below to see more of what Thunderbolt Sign has to offer.
FINAL CALL FOR PRO-ASSISTANT CHAMPIONSHIP REGISTRATION
Registration will close on Friday for the G&G Golf Company & Callaway Golf PGA of BC Pro-Assistant Championship, scheduled for July 6-7 at The Okanagan Golf Club.

The 36-hole team event is open to Club Professionals (Head, Executive & Head Teaching Professionals) and another member from the same facility. Teams compete against their colleagues with Round 1 played in best-ball format and final round in scramble. Alec Hubert & Ian Henson (Kamloops Golf & Country Club), last year's winners, are among several past champion teams entered into the event thus far.

Please note that a number of safeguarding measures and different procedures will be in place for this year's Pro-Assistant Championship, as described in an email to all Club Professionals on June 11 with more information specific to this year's event. Please contact [email protected] if you would like these details re-sent.

Registration will close at 4 p.m. PT on Friday, June 26. Please note that the early registration rate will remain in effect until the deadline this year.

Click below to access the tournament page, which includes full event details and a link to registration.
PGA of BC COMPETITION UPDATE
Earlier this week, the PGA of BC provided an update on multiple competition-related events and initiatives amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognizing that a number of challenges exist to be able to safely conduct the Jack McLaughlin Memorial Pro-Junior Championship presented by COBRA PUMA Golf, the event will not be contested at Vernon Golf & Country Club on July 23 as scheduled.

However, the PGA of BC intends to honour McLaughlin's legacy and the Pro-Junior Championship's inclusive format by launching the Jack McLaughlin Memorial Junior Golf Challenge presented by COBRA PUMA Golf at facilities throughout the province July 20-26. We encourage all facilities, especially those who traditionally send teamAs to the Pro-Junior Championship, to participate in this fun, net-scoring event. See the following item in this issue of E-News for more details.

Additionally, the Association has announced that the PGA of BC Order of Merit will not be calculated in 2020. The cancellation of the Assistants' & Seniors Championships and reduced playing opportunities on regional tours has created an inequity in the ability of members to earn points toward the Order of Merit.

As the Order of Merit's results play an important role in determining the Stan Leonard Player of the Year Award recipient, the honour will not be presented in 2020.

The Association is proceeding with plans to conduct the Pro-Assistant Championship, PGA of BC Championship, Club Professional Championship and Women's Championship as scheduled, with additional measures in place to safeguard all involved. Registration is open for all four remaining championships. A further competition update will be provided should any changes be applied to these events.

Click below for more information on each of these announcements.
JACK McLAUGHLIN MEMORIAL JUNIOR GOLF CHALLENGE ANNOUNCED
For nearly 30 years, the PGA of BC has celebrated the legacy of Jack McLaughlin and his significant contributions to junior golf through the annual Jack McLaughlin Memorial Pro-Junior Championship, which sadly cannot go ahead this year.

In addition to honouring McLaughlin, the Pro-Junior Championship has represented inclusiveness in competition, with a format that allows girls and boys of all ages and ability levels to participate and contribute to their teams’ success in the event, while providing junior golfers with an opportunity to play alongside a Golf Professional. The PGA of BC believes in preserving these qualities of the event, even if the tournament cannot proceed.

As such, special for 2020, the PGA of BC is proud to introduce the  Jack McLaughlin Memorial Junior Golf Challenge presented by COBRA PUMA Golf . 

From July 20-26, junior golfers with an established handicap will be challenged to complete a 9- or 18-hole round under mock tournament conditions at their home course and submit their scorecard to their PGA of BC Professional. Net scores for each participant will be added to a province-wide leaderboard to recognize the top performances recorded throughout the week.

If possible, PGA of BC Professionals are encouraged to take time out of their busy schedules to accompany participating juniors on course, assist with rulings during play and to cheer them on! There is no cost or entry fee for junior competitors, aside from any green fees that may apply at their respective facilities, and all participants will be eligible for post-event prizing through either their event performance or by random draw.

Click below for full event information; PGA of BC Professionals can declare their facility's intent to participate by accessing registration using the link below.

The PGA of BC thanks COBRA PUMA Golf for its support of the Jack McLaughlin Memorial Junior Golf Challenge in the absence of a 2020 Pro-Junior Championship.
GOLFATHON FOR ALS REACHING ALL CORNERS OF THE PROVINCE
The Golfathon for ALS presented by Pacific Blue Cross has been raising funds for the ALS Society of BC across the province this month, with a number of great highlights over the past week.

At Windermere Valley Golf Course last week, Michael Midyette , Scott Lawlor and Jack Nordquist spent more than 17 hours on course, finishing a combined total of 432 holes. On the other side of the province, patrons at Long Beach Golf Course brought the Golfathon to the west shore of Vancouver Island on Tuesday.

Northview Golf & Country Club Head Professional Greg Pool -- who was among eight PGA of BC members and friends participating at the Surrey course on Monday -- led the way with 100 holes played out of nearly 400 notched by the group altogether.

Several more Golfathons are taking place today at Talking Rock Golf Course, Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club, The Okanagan Golf Club and Williams Lake Golf & Tennis Club.

Further Golfathons scheduled to take place over the next week include:
  • June 25 - Kamloops Golf & Country Club
  • June 26 - Aberdeen Glen Golf Course
  • June 26 - Seymour Golf & Country Club
  • June 29 - Hirsch Creek Golf & Winter Club
  • June 30 - Cheam Mountain Golf Course
  • June 30 - Mount Paul Golf Course

Click below to make a donation in support of ALS patient services and see the full list of participating facilities and upcoming dates.
EARLY REGISTRATION FOR BUYING SHOW EXHIBITORS ENDS NEXT WEEK
The PGA of BC is reminding prospective exhibitors for the Association's 2020 Buying Show that the early registration period will end next week.
 
The Buying Show, scheduled to run Oct. 14-15 at Richmond Olympic Oval, is the largest annual gathering of PGA of BC members at British Columbia's premier golf-merchandise buying show. We are proud to continue to offer booth rates that are among the most affordable in Canada, with special pricing available to Preferred Partners and Sponsors of the Association.
 
Although it is difficult to predict the impacts related to COVID-19 that may persist by the scheduled dates of this year’s Buying Show, please be assured that the PGA of BC is closely monitoring the guidance and regulations set forth by regional and provincial health authorities in assessing the safety and viability of this event. Should it be determined that the 2020 Buying Show exceeds the parameters of permissible gatherings outlined by relevant authorities, or that it cannot otherwise be conducted in a manner that is safe for all participants, registered exhibitors will receive a full refund of their registration fees. 

The early registration rate will be discontinued after 4 p.m. PT on Friday, July 3. General registration rates will be available until Sept. 11.
 
Click below to access the Buying Show event page to see full details, or click here to access the exhibitor registration form. 
APPLY TO JOIN PGA of CANADA DIVERSITY & INCLUSION TASK FORCE
Last week, the PGA of Canada announced the creation of a Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, and welcomed all to apply to participate in the initiative.

The task force will be seeking opportunities for the Association to better serve under-represented groups, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, individuals with disabilities and members of the LGBT2Q+ community. The task force encourages PGA of Canada members and those from outside the Association to apply.

"We pride ourselves on being the lifeblood of the game of golf -- and it's this very lifeblood that connects us together," read a PGA of Canada statement. "Golf has the opportunity to act as a powerful catalyst for change, and the PGA of Canada is committed to being part of the solution."

Interested individuals may click below to complete a short application form prior to June 26.
LAST CHANCE TO APPLY FOR IAN WEBB SCHOLARSHIP
The PGA of Canada Foundation is accepting applications for Ian Webb Scholarships until the end of this week.

The foundation will award five (5) scholarships in the amount of $2,000 to PGA of Canada members and their immediate family members pursuing post-secondary education. These scholarships, awarded for more than 25 years, were re-named in memory of PGA of Canada member Ian Webb last year following his battle with cancer.

Applicants must be a PGA of Canada member, or the spouse, child or grandchild of a PGA of Canada member, living or deceased. Being engaged in full-time education as of September 2020 is another requirement to apply.

The deadline to apply is June 26. Click below to view full details and access the application form. Please direct any inquiries to Brittany Mullin at  [email protected] .
OFFICE CLOSURE NOTICE
Please note that the PGA of BC administration office will be closed next week in observance of the Canada Day holiday.

The office will close on July 1 and resume regular hours at 8 a.m. on July 2. The next issue of E-News will be delivered on July 2.

The PGA of BC wishes all members and friends a safe and happy Canada Day.
NEW PARTNER OFFER
PGA of BC members are eligible to participate in a free, online preview of a sales training program offered by our Preferred Partners at Dale Carnegie Training of BC taking place on Thursday, June 25.

This complimentary 90-minute preview provides an advance look at "Selling in the Digital Age: How Trust-Based Relationships Drive Customer Loyalty."

Click below for full details of this preview and to register.
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
Scott Cranston has left Eaglequest Golf Centre at Coyote Creek and joins Olympic View Golf Club as Head Professional

Kevin Maxwell becomes a Class "A" Professional at Olympic View Golf Club

Christopher Webster 's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Furry Creek Golf & Country Club 

Miao (Lincoln) Li 's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Fraserview Golf Academy

Austin Morrison 's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Greywolf Golf Course

Cole Hendry has transfered from the Alberta Zone and joins the Springs at Radium as a Class "A" Professional
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Associate/Assistant Golf Professional - Cranbrook Golf Club
FACT OF THE WEEK
Members are reminded of the opportunity to apply for the PGA of BC Event Subsidy Grant, a new initiative launched earlier this year. Going forward, the Association will be awarding five (5) grants annually to members in the amount of $300 to help offset the cost of attending Association events and championships.
 
Funds may be used at the member's discretion to subsidize travel, accommodations, registration fees or other foreseeable expenses. The intent of the program is to encourage members who haven't had the opportunity to attend PGA of BC events in the past to participate. 
 
To apply, please complete the application form via the link below and indicate which event you plan to attend with the grant's assistance. Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel to determine recipients. All information collected by this form will remain strictly confidential. 
 
All PGA of BC members are eligible to apply, but considerations will be given to the following: 
  • If applicant is attending declared event for first time, or first time within past five years
  • Significance of travel required by Professional to attend declared event
  • Membership category, with preference given to Apprentice Professionals
 
Please note that each individual may make a grant application for one (1) event per calendar year. Successful grant recipients will be reimbursed following their participation in the declared event or their application being selected, whichever occurs later. 
 
Click below to access the Event Subsidy Grant application form and learn more.
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