PGA of BC
E-NEWS
March 22, 2023
PGA of BC PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
KAL TIRE
One of our key sponsors is celebrating 70 years in business! Proudly Canadian and family-owned since 1953, the first Kal Tire store was opened in the friendly town of Vernon, BC. Now with over 260 locations from coast-to-coast, Canadians across the country can count on Kal Tire for quality service and expertise for all things tires, wheels and mechanical services.

To learn more, please visit Kal Tire online.
IN MEMORIAM: JEFF CIECKO
The PGA of BC regrets to share that Jeff Ciecko, 34th PGA of BC President and a trailblazer in the Canadian golf industry, passed away earlier this month.

Ciecko, who served as Head Professional and General Manager at several BC golf clubs and went on to establish a thriving golf solutions business with his wife Tara, died Friday, March 10 after a battle with cancer. He was 49.

Ciecko's close friend Tom Doull, Director of Golf Operations at Morgan Creek Golf Course, said one of Ciecko’s greatest passions was travelling the world with Tara, including trips to nearly every US state and all over Western Europe. He described Ciecko as a loyal and caring friend.

“He was a great guy to kick back and enjoy a beer with. He always had time for his friends,” said Doull.

Ciecko is survived by his wife Tara, his parents Ron and Donna, his brother Mike and his sister-in-law Stacey. The PGA of BC extends its sympathies to Ciecko’s family, friends and industry colleagues during this difficult time. No memorial service is planned.

Please visit here to read more about Ciecko's life and career.
RECAP: KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS WERE CULTIVATED AT THE INTERIOR EDUCATION SERIES
PGA of BC members gathered at the gorgeous Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Club for the Interior Education Series, where they gained valuable knowledge from a wealth of speakers. More than 40 people enjoyed a phenomenal day of professional development and growth which will be applied at their clubs and in their communities.

Insightful presentations came from TD Bank Group's Warren Kakoschke, Dan Francis and Ken Baker; Dr. Shaunna Taylor, past Chair of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association and current Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association; and Jeff Overholt, Director of Instruction at The Harvest Golf Club, PGA of Canada Class “A” Member and 2022 PGA of BC Teacher of the Year Award recipient for the BC Interior Region.

The Association would like to thank Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Club Head Professional Lee Alarie and his team for their fantastic hospitality at this event. We also extend our gratitude to Foresight Sports Canada for their generous support of the PGA of BC Education Series.

For more information on the Education Series and other opportunities for Professional Development, please contact Interim Executive Director Jared Siminoff at [email protected].
PGA OF CANADA ADJUSTS CLASS "A" MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES TO ALIGN WITH GOLF INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT
Courtesy of the PGA of Canada

Through various membership surveys and industry research, our members have spoken, and we have listened. To better represent the roles of PGA of Canada professionals, we are modernizing our membership categories to continue serving the realities of our member's employment in the golf industry.

Prior to Wednesday, March 29, all Class “A” members in the following categories: Executive Professional, Head Professional, Head Teaching Professional, Professional, will be instructed to update their membership category via a pop-up on the website.

All members, including those listed above, will be prompted to update their demographic/personal/contact information. 
 

The National Office is responsible for making final decisions regarding membership category changes, with consultation with the zone office if required. 
 
If you have any questions, please reach out to Managing Director of Membership and Support Services Darcy Kral at [email protected].
REGISTRATION FOR LOBB & PARTNERS VIRTUAL EDUATION SERIES CLOSES NEXT WEEK
Members are reminded that registration for the next PGA of BC Virtual Education Series event closes Thursday, March 30. The presentation will be delivered by Alex Hay, Partner and Design Associate, and Oliver Tubb, Design Associate, who both represent golf course architecture firm Lobb & Partners.

Hay and Lobb will explain how they explore playable design strategies in order to benefit all golfers. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to gain insight into how courses around the world are laid out and how design is applied in practice.

To register for this event, please visit the registration link here. If you would like to purchase the full Virtual Education Bundle for access to this presentation as well as archived videos of all 2023 presentations, please visit the Virtual Education Bundle page here.

For more information on the Education Series and other opportunities for Professional Development, please contact Interim Executive Director Jared Siminoff at [email protected].
REGIONAL TOUR ROUNDUP
Schedules for all British Columbia regional pro tours are now available, with tours having started their season already or kicking things off shortly.

The Lower Mainland G&G Tour holds their first event this weekend, March 27, at Richmond Country Club. The full schedule can be accessed here.

The Westland Insurance Interior PGA Tour gets the ball rolling April 3 in a two-person event at Penticton Golf & Country Club. The full schedule can be accessed here.

The Vancouver Island Club Pro Tour was at full swing earlier this month, with their first event of 2023 held at Victoria Golf Club March 7. Jesse Moussa (Campbell River Golf Club) took home the victory. Lance McCullough (Cordova Bay Golf Course) finished as runner-up. The next Vancouver Island Club Pro Tour event will take place April 18 at Highland Pacific Golf. The full schedule can be accessed here.

And finally, with snow melting and the sunshine of Spring emerging, the Kootenay Pro Tour returns for the 2023 season April 24 to Riverside Golf Course at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. This event is held in conjunction with the PGA of BC Kootenay Education Series, taking place earlier the same day at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

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!
FACT OF THE WEEK
The PGA of Canada Member Assistance Program (MAP) provided by Family Services Employee Assistance Programs (fseap) is a benefit for PGA of Canada members offered by an experienced national provider with a background in not-for-profit organizations and member-based associations.

The MAP provides members and eligible immediate family members with access to free, professional, and confidential counseling, coaching, and consulting services. These services can help you manage personal, family, and/or work-related concerns.

For full details on the MAP and how you can reach their 24-hour services, please click here.
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
Kevin Geistlinger has left Salmon Arm Golf Club

Bradley Gagnon has left the Springs at Radium and joins Capilano Golf & Country Club as an Apprentice Professional

Jamie Moran has transferred from the Atlantic Zone and joins Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community as Head Professional

For all Members on the Move information, please click HERE.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour - On-Site Tournament Assistance

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.
SAVE THE DATE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, April 3
2023 PGA of BC tournament registration opens

Tuesday, April 4

Monday, April 24

Monday, May 29
2023 Championship season opens with
TOC at Gallagher's Canyon Golf Club

May 30 - June 6
CONTACT THE PGA OF BC ADMINISTRATION TEAM
Jared Siminoff
Interim Executive Director, PGA of BC
Doug Titterington
Membership & Events Manager, PGA of BC
Dan Czerwenka
Programs Manager, PGA of BC
Graham Abraham
Communications & Marketing Manager
PGA of British Columbia | [email protected] | (604) 303-6766 | pgabc.org
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