PGA of BC PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
COBRA PUMA GOLF
COBRA PUMA Golf's full-range portfolio includes COBRA’s high-performance drivers, fairways, hybrids, wedges and irons, as well as PUMA Golf’s sport lifestyle-inspired footwear, apparel and accessories. Fusing performance and style, COBRA PUMA Golf brings a focus on innovation, technology, compelling design and superior performance with an edge to the global golf marketplace.
 
New for 2021, COBRA's RADSPEED Driver is trusted by top tour players like Bryson DeChambeau, Lexi Thompson and Rickie Fowler. With distance maximized between its front and back weights, the RADSPEED driver maintains forgiveness while increasing ball speed, allowing players like DeChambeau to achieve radical ball speeds and distance off the tee. Its refined T-Bar Speed Chassis and thin-play carbon wrap crown create discretionary weight to be positioned for optimized performance, while its CNC Milled Infinity Face increases the zone of maximum ball speed. The RADSPEED driver series also includes the XB (XTREME Back) and XD (XTREME Draw) models catering to mid- and high-handicap players.
 
COBRA PUMA Golf is a Gold-level Preferred Partner of the Association and is the presenting sponsor of the Jack McLaughlin Memorial PGA of BC Pro-Junior Championship.
 
For more information on COBRA PUMA Golf, please visit cobragolf.ca and pumagolf.cobragolf.ca.
PGA of BC RELEASES 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Earlier today, the PGA of BC proudly released the Association's 2021 championship schedule.

Following a 2020 season in which a handful of events were cancelled or modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 calendar will include all traditional championships open exclusively to member Professionals. 

The 2021 PGA of BC championship schedule is as follows:

Tournament of Champions presented by PING Canada & Tee-On Golf Systems Inc.
May 31 – Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club (Richmond, BC)
Format: Two-person teams (Club Professional & Amateur); 18 holes best-ball
2020 Champions: Tournament not contested
 
Assistants’ & Seniors’ Championships presented by Natera Sport & Arbor Memorial
June 7-8 – Kamloops Golf & Country Club
Format: 36 holes individual stroke play
2020 Champions: Tournaments not contested
 
G&G Golf Company & Callaway Golf Pro-Assistant Championship
July 5-6 – Talking Rock Golf Course (Chase, BC)
Format: Two-person teams; 18 holes best-ball, 18 holes scramble
2020 Champions: Brian McDonald & Rob Tadey (Fairview Mountain Golf Club)
 
TaylorMade & adidas Golf PGA of BC Championship presented by Axis Insurance Group
Aug. 23-24 – Rivershore Golf Links (Kamloops, BC)
Format: 36 holes individual stroke play
2020 Champion: Keith Martin (Tower Ranch Golf Club)
 
Club Professional Championship presented by Oakcreek Golf & Turf LP
Sept. 20-21 – Royal Colwood Golf Club (Victoria, BC)
Format: 36 holes individual stroke play
2020 Champion: Brad Clapp (Ledgeview Golf Club)
 
Women’s Championship presented by Dexim Golfwear
Dates & Venue TBA
Format: 36 holes individual stableford play
2020 Champion: Christine Wong (University Golf Club)

Please note that, as in 2020 due to public-health concerns, the Jack McLaughlin Memorial Pro-Junior Championship presented by COBRA PUMA Golf will be conducted as a modified tournament. More information on the nature of this event, as well as the dates and venue for the PGA of BC Women’s Championship, will be released in the near future.

Registration for all events will open on Thursday, April 1 at 9 a.m. PT. Visit the 2021 PGA of BC Schedule of Events page to see more information on each individual event, or click below to read the complete schedule release announcement.
EDUCATION SERIES TO CONCLUDE WITH FINAL SESSION NEXT WEEK
The PGA of BC's 2021 Education Series presented by Foresight Sports Canada continued Tuesday with a unique session led by PGA of Canada Professional Casey Johnson.

The 2015 PGA of BC Teacher of the Year (pictured) detailed his experiences in recent years working abroad and as a caddie on the LPGA tour, passing on advice applicable to all Golf Professionals learned through his travels. The Association thanks Johnson for joining us from California to share his insights.

There is just one workshop remaining on this year's Education Series, which will take place Thursday, March 25 at 1 p.m. PT. Jason Giesbrecht (The Golf Performance Project) will administer a session focused on teaching with technology to wrap up the 10-part series.

Member registration for the session is priced at $10 (plus GST) each. Non-members are welcome to attend 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 will close at 12:00 p.m. PT on March 24.

Click below for full details on next week's session, including a link to registration. We look forward to seeing you online again next week.
SIGN UP NOW TO BRING 2021 GOLFATHON FOR ALS TO YOUR FACILITY
The Golfathon for ALS presented by Pacific Blue Cross will return in 2021 for a 16th consecutive year, and PGA of BC Professionals and facilities are encouraged to sign up now to participate.

Throughout the month of June, PGA of BC members and friends participating in the Golfathon for ALS strive to play as many holes as possible in a single day to support the ALS Society of British Columbia, lending their muscles in honour of those who have lost the use of their own due to the effects of the neurodegenerative neuromuscular disease.

The initiative made huge strides once again in 2020, with donations exceeding $200,000 in a single year for the first time. That brought the cumulative total of funds raised by PGA of BC members to support ALS patients and their families to nearly $2.1 million since the program's inception.

Those interested in participating need only to select a day in June when they can conduct a Golfathon at their facility, while the ALS Society of BC looks after the major remaining details. Participants will receive a promotional kit in advance, while donations are accepted via the Golfathon website and the ALS Society provides media outreach on behalf of all participating facilities.

Those considering supporting this worthy cause in 2021 may contact ALS Society of BC Executive Director Wendy Toyer at w.toyer@alsbc.ca to declare their interest or to learn more.

Click below for more information on the Golfathon for ALS.
COVID-19 RESOURCES AVAILABLE VIA PGA of CANADA
Golf Professionals are reminded that the PGA of Canada has a COVID-19 Member Resource Hub that includes several items and recommended procedures that can be used or implemented at golf facilities.

Among the resources available are safe golf signage templates, social media graphics optimized for a variety of platforms to communicate with patrons, educational resources, an overview of best practices in golf and facility operations, plus much more.

Click below to access the Member Resource Hub; login to your PGA of Canada profile is required.
CONGRATULATIONS
The PGA of BC is pleased to share the news that Class "A" Professional Ashlee Kastelen and husband Alex celebrated the birth of their second child, a baby boy, earlier this month.

Roman Allen Nikolai Kastelen was born at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9 at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, weighing in at 8 lbs., 4.6 oz. and measuring 53 cm.

Roman is a younger brother to 2 1/2-year old sister Ryelen.

The Association extends its congratulations to the Kastelen family!
Further congratulations are in order for University Golf Club Head Professional Steve Liddicoat as well, as he and wife Megan also announced the arrival of their first child together last week.

Nolan Elwood Liddicoat was delivered at 1:02 a.m. on Friday, March 12 at Langley Memorial Hospital, weighing in at 8 lbs. 2 oz.

Steve reports that both Nolan and Megan are doing well and settling in comfortably at home alongside Nolan's big sister Mikaela and big brother Mattias.

The Association passes on its best wishes to the Liddicoat family!
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
Brad Clapp has joined Ledgeview Golf Club as Executive Professional

Matt Hardman has joined Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club as a Class "A" Professional

Austin Morrison has left Greywolf Golf Course and transfers to the Ontario Zone

Chris Martens has left Nanaimo Golf Club and joins Morgan Creek Golf Course as a Class "A" Professional

Clark MacPherson has returned to Point Grey Golf & Country Club from his Leave of Absence

Ian Davison has transferred from the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland and joins Meadow Gardens Golf Club as a Teaching Professional

Jonathan Garratt has transferred from the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland and joins Gallagher's Canyon Golf Club as a Teaching Professional

Andrew McDonald has transferred from the Ontario Zone and joins Ledgeview Golf Club as an Apprentice Professional
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
No current opportunities
PGA of BC PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT -- KYLA INABA
Apprentice Professional, Predator Ridge Resort

PGA of Canada member since: 2018

Why did you become a PGA of Canada Professional? 
I originally became a PGA of Canada Professional when I retired from playing professionally. I thought it would be a good way to continue to work in the golf industry. It has been that and so much more!

Which significant accomplishments are you most proud of? 
I am really proud of my involvement in growing golf and making golf more approachable and accessible for women. From expanding our Predator Ridge Swing Like a Girl program, to being chosen as part of the inaugural Women in Coaching program, golf is full of opportunities and I am happy to be involved in growing the game.

If you had to share one piece of advice with a new member of our Association, what would it be? 
To new members or those looking to get involved in golf instruction: Dive in! The more experience you can get the more you will learn. You are not alone, you have an entire network of PGA professionals you can reach out to if you have questions!

What is your most cherished golf memory? 
So many great memories - two of my stand out memories are: Playing with Laura Davies at the Victorian Open and winning an event in my final season on the Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tour with many of my close friends present.
Click here to complete the PGA of BC member profile questionnaire.
FACT OF THE WEEK
The PGA of BC's Tyrel Griffith (Black Mountain Golf Club) will be vying for a national title in Calgary starting Thursday at the Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championships.

Griffith and teammate Nancy Martin of Saskatchewan were silver medallists at the event in 2019. Winners of the 35-team event will earn the right to represent Canada at the 2021 World Mixed Doubles Championship.

The PGA of BC wishes Griffith the best of luck at the bonspiel!
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