PGA of BC

E-NEWS

June 28, 2023

Axis Insurance was formed in 2010 through a brand amalgamation of several BC-based insurance brokerages with roots tracing to 1928. The experience of its combined 150 team members is uniquely positioned to serve Canada with risk-management and insurance services.

Whether it's mitigating liability risk, protecting your commercial property, insuring a tournament's hole-in-one contest or anything else in between, contact Axis to find out what coverage options are available to be customized for your facility. By partnering with the largest insurance companies in Canada, Axis Insurance has access to the best coverage solutions on the market. Consider them for your personal needs as well, including for auto, travel, homeowner, or tenant insurance and more.

Axis Insurance is a Gold-level Preferred Partner of the Association and the presenting sponsor of the PGA of BC Championship. Click HERE to access Axis Insurance’s website or contact Account Executive Lee Fulsher at [email protected].

JUNE STANDINGS UPDATE: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PRESENTED BY SUNICE & BOBBY JONES

The Professional Development Points standings race is approaching its midway point as professionals from across the province jostle for a spot in the top 100. The Association thanks Sunice & Bobby Jones for their generous support of the Professional Development Program.

In the overall race, Chris Ward (Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club) holds the lead, earning 66 points so far. Ryan Tofani (Chilliwack Golf Club) and Steve Liddicoat (University Golf Club) round out the top-three, amassing 53 and 52 points, respectively.

Among Assistants, Ward is pacing the field. In second, Cory Renfrew (Modern Golf (Vancouver)) has earned 47 points, while Clint Foley (Marine Drive Golf Club) and Callum Ashby (Highland Pacific Golf) are tied for third with 45 points.

Finally, Bradley Gagnon (Capilano Golf & Country Club) sits atop the Rookie standings, having piled up 36 points. Joel Aitken (Kelowna Golf & Country Club) is only two points behind Gagnon and will look to overtake him. In third, Carson Spooner (Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club) completes the podium, earning 28 points thus far.

For more information on the PGA of BC Professional Development Program, please click here.

CALL FOR CPKC WOMEN'S OPEN VOLUNTEERS

Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club is hosting the CPKC Women’s Open, LPGA tournament from August 21-27 and is recruiting volunteer caddies for the Pro-Am tournaments on Monday, August 21 and Wednesday, August 23. 

Besides a knowledge of golf, the only requirement is that you’re able to carry a 50-pound golf bag for 18 holes. Pro-Am caddies that are selected will receive a $50 honorarium and a Sunday grounds pass. Please apply by completing the registration form found at this link:

https://www.cpkcwomensopen.com/2023-cpkc-womens-open-pro-am-caddie-registration-form/

The 2023 Golfathon for ALS continued for its fourth week. The week saw a multitude of facilities and professionals participate in Golfathons across the entire province! This week's participants were as follows:

Wednesday, June 21:

Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club:

Shingo Akizuki & Brian Coe

Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community:

Adrien Wright, Jason Andrew, Bill Kelly & Jamie Moran

Fairwinds Golf Club:

Travis Busch & Coulton Sheets

Thursday, June 22:

Summerland Golf & Country Club:

Josh Horsthuis, Brad Elliott, Muriel McIntyre, Torry Horrigan & Steve Sauer

Kamloops Golf & Country Club:

Alec Hubert & Andrew Bentley

Cowichan Golf Club:

Norm Jackson & Gianpierro Denomme

Saturday, June 24:

Arbutus Ridge Golf Club:

Andrew Hajer & Jayme Young

Sunday, June 25:

Glacier Greens Golf Club:

Mark Valliere & Nick Crookall

Monday, June 26:

Black Mountain Golf Club:

Deryl Priebe & his grandson

Cheam Mountain Golf Course:

Kevin Stinson

Gallagher's Canyon Golf Club:

Lee Alarie & Josh Johnston

The Vancouver Golf Club:

Sean Thompson, Jordan Rourke, Mike Grabowski, Jaegan Patron, Rachel Wiebe, Shania Remandaban & Bob McCusker

Williams Lake Golf & Tennis Club:

Rob Yaworksi & Brad Fodchuk

Tuesday, June 27:

Copper Point Golf Club:

Brian Schaal, Dennis Bradley, Dale Moore & Scott McClain

Shuswap National Golf Course:

Brody St-Martin, Dave Munn & Austin Bosquet

Talking Rock Golf Course:

Jeff Liddle, Lionel Taylor & Brian O'Keefe

The Okanagan Golf Club:

Lee Ranger, Oliver Rizun, Conner Kozak, Sam De Sira & Scott Morin

To view a selection of photos from the last week's Golfathons, please click here.

The Golfathon, which sees professionals play as many consecutive rounds as possible from dawn until dusk, attracts donations in support of competing professionals. All donations go towards the ALS Society of BC and their mission to cure ALS through funding research, while advocating for and supporting those living with ALS.

To date, the initiative has raised $2,547,720 over 17 years! This funding goes towards several supports. The Equipment Loan program provides mobility equipment, lift equipment, beds & accessories, communication devices, and bathroom aids if needed. All equipment loaned is available at no charge to registered ALS patient members. Money raised also goes towards: support groups; psychological treatment services; Camp Alohi Lani, a youth summer camp for those with relatives living with ALS; and PROJECT HOPE, which raises money to fund an ALS research centre at UBC.

To donate, please click here. To see the list of participating facilities, please click here.

The Kootenay Pro Tour held an event on June 26 at St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino. Jamie Curiston (Wildstone Golf Course) won his second tournament in a row with an impressive 65, defeating runner-up Matt Vincent (Radium Resort) by two strokes. Chase Bodoano (The Springs at Radium) and Trevor Simkins (Bootleg Gap Golf) tied for third, shooting 71.The tour travels to Eagle Ranch Resort & Golf Course on July 10 for their next event.

The Vancouver Island Club Pro Tour held a tournament at Bear Mountain Golf Club on June 13. Mark Bicknell (Gorge Vale Golf Club) was champion by two strokes. The tour returns to Gorge Vale Golf Club for their next event July 18.

The Westland Insurance Interior PGA Tour took on Shadow Ridge Golf Club on June 5. Mark Kitts secured a one-stroke victory at his home course shooting a 3-under 68. A Pro/Superintendent event will take place July 10 at Shannon Lake Golf Course in West Kelowna.

The Lower Mainland G&G Tour headed out to Meadow Gardens Golf Club on June 5. The day's champion was John Shin (Northview Golf & Country Club), who excelled en route to a 4-under 68 for the one-stroke win. Competitors will head up to Whistler Golf Club July 10 for the next tournament.

Make sure to read the Regional Tour Roundup every week to stay up-to-date with the achievements of our members and to never miss any information!

Did you know that research services are available to golf facilities through the BC Golf House Society and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame? If your club is nearing a significant anniversary or milestone, these institutions are excellent resources to learn what historical info, photos or documents may be available within the archives specific to your facility.

Hall of Fame officials recommend starting the process of planning for anniversary celebrations years in advance, to form a committee to spearhead these efforts and to rely on club members as a key source of materials.

Contact Mike Riste at the BC Golf Museum at [email protected] for information or ideas on how to acknowledge your club's history, or visit the BC Golf House Society website (link above) for more info on how the museum has preserved the histories of golf courses throughout the province.

Danyel Bourgeois has left Purcell Golf and joins St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino as an Apprentice Professional

Lucas Rahkowski's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and becomes an Apprentice Professional at The Harvest Golf Club

Roy Abbenbroek's application for Leave of Absence has been approved

Ward Pateman's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and becomes an Apprentice Professional at Predator Ridge Golf Resort

Megan Ratcliffe has left Bear Mountain Golf & Tennis Resort and joins Storey Creek Golf Club as an Apprentice Professional

Todd Jurak has transferred from the Alberta Zone and joins Bear Mountain Golf & Tennis Resort as a Class "A" Professional

For all Members on the Move information, please click HERE.

For all job opportunities listed on the PGA of BC website, please click HERE (Log-in required).

For all job opportunities listed on the PGA of Canada website, please click HERE.

34 BagBoy Push carts

$340 (Must pick-up)

All in good, used working condition. 34-cart bundle for $340, must pick-up from Summerland Golf & Country Club.

Please contact Josh Horsthuis at [email protected].

SNAGgolf products

PGA of BC professionals Tyler Roope and Matt Palsenbarg have launched Discover Golf Canada to supply the junior golf programs across Canada. The collection of games was introduced in Canada by Roope through Langley Golf Academy's LABsters junior program. The LABsters program is heading into its 13th season and sees upwards of 140 junior golfers a month, with over 250 kids registered for their summer camps. Roope and Palsenbarg are looking for used SNAGgolf products for their Discover Golf Canada summer camps.

If you or your facility have used SNAGgolf products available, please contact Palsenbarg at [email protected].

July 3-4

Pro-Assistant Championship

at St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino

July 12

Pro-Junior Championship Series

at Copper Point Golf Club

July 13

Pro-Junior Championship Series

at Kamloops Golf & Country Club

July 14

Pro-Junior Championship Series

at Tsawwassen Springs Golf

July 20

Pro-Junior Championship Series

at Highland Pacific Golf