PGA of BC
E-NEWS
May 10, 2023
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PGA of BC PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
PING CANADA
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PING is a family-owned golf manufacturer, founded in 1959 in the garage of the late Karsten Solheim, a mechanical engineer with an extensive background in the aerospace and computer industries.
Solheim and his company are credited with numerous innovations that became industry standards, including perimeter weighting, custom fitting and the use of investment casting in golf clubs. As a brand, PING is synonymous with innovation, quality and service in the world of golf and supports over 100 tour players worldwide including Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau, Linn Grant, Jennifer Kupcho, and Canadians Mackenzie Hughes, Corey Conners and Maddie Szeryk.
PING Canada is proud to offer online courses through PING Academy. Professionals who attend PING Academy courses will earn Professional Development Points. PING Academy is an online training portal providing instruction and certification in Product Knowledge, Fitting Science, Fitting Tools and Brand & Heritage Knowledge. Through PING Academy, professionals can gain greater knowledge of PING products and improve their skills as a custom club-fitter. PING Academy is complimentary for all PING accounts. Please visit PING Education to learn more about PING Academy and other training opportunities.
PING Canada is located in Oakville, Ontario and is responsible for sales, marketing, distribution and the service of all PING products in Canada.
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PGA OF BC WELCOMES MARK STRONG AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
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The PGA of BC is thrilled to announce Mark Strong as the new Executive Director of the Association. Strong is a PGA of BC member who most recently served as Executive Professional at Sagebrush Golf Club. He brings decades of experience in the golf industry and as an accomplished leader to the role. We look forward to welcoming Strong to the administration team.
Strong joined the PGA of BC as a golf professional in 2005. He has worked at both private and public clubs in various roles and served as a General Manager and CEO for the last seven years. He brings with him a long-standing commitment to education, tournaments and growing the game.
“I am honored to accept the position of Executive Director and am thrilled to begin serving you all in this new capacity. While I have always taken pride in my involvement with our Association since becoming a golf professional, I consider the lead role at the PGA of BC to be the most exciting opportunity of my career.”
Fresh Golf Solutions led the search for an Executive Director, working with the PGA of BC Hiring Committee. Scott Kolb, founder of Fresh Golf Solutions, said the search was extensive and that he’s confident in Strong’s abilities to help lead the Association.
Strong will assume his role on May 23, while Interim Executive Director Jared Siminoff's final day will be June 5. To reach Strong, please contact mark@pgabc.org.
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PGA OF BC ANNOUNCES EXPANDED WOMEN'S GOLF WEEK INCLUDING BURSARIES |
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The PGA of BC is thrilled to announce an expanded Women’s Golf Week, with Dexim Golfwear returning as the presenting sponsor. We will be holding a draw to award four $700 bursaries to participating facilities. Please click here to enter your facility into the draw.
Women’s Golf Week is an annual initiative running May 30 to June 6, 2023 to engage, empower and support women and girls in golf, leading to a culmination with International Women's Golf Day on June 6. Facilities and professionals are encouraged to register for Women’s Golf Day and support the established network of facilities participating around the globe. Facilities throughout BC will be hosting events to celebrate the women helping drive the BC golf industry forward as professionals and to encourage women’s participation in the sport.
New this year, Dexim Golfwear and the Association will be awarding bursaries to support Women’s Golf Week celebrations in BC. Four bursaries of $700 will be awarded to recipients, one from each region of the province: the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Interior, and the Kootenays & Northern BC. Bursaries will be awarded to facilities and professionals that host women’s golf events, tournaments or celebrations during Women’s Golf Week 2023. Facilities and PGA professionals who register to participate are automatically entered into the draw to win one of the four bursaries. Winners will be drawn live on Instagram at 12 p.m. on May 24.
For more information, please contact Programs Manager Dan Czerwenka at dan@pgabc.org.
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OKANAGAN SPIRITS CRAFT DISTILLERY JOINS THE PGA OF BC AS NEW PREFERRED PARTNER |
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Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery is Western Canada’s original craft distillery, dating back to 2004. The distillery sprung from the idea of using 100% locally grown fruits and grains to make premium, world-class spirits just a tractor-ride away from the orchards and fields where the base ingredients were grown. BC’s original farm-to-flask distillery now offers a selection of more than 30 internationally awarded spirits ranging from Single Malt, BRBN Bourbon-Style, BC Hopped, and BC Rye Whiskies, to Gins, Vodkas, Fruit Liqueurs and Brandies, to Aquavit and even Taboo Genuine Absinthe.
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TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS REGISTRATION CLOSES NEXT WEEK |
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Professionals are reminded that Friday, May 19 is the final day to register as a participant for the PGA of BC Tournament of Champions presented by PING Canada. The 2023 Tournament of Champions takes place at Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Club in Kelowna on Monday, May 29. Please click here to register today.
The Tournament of Champions is open to two-person teams consisting of a Club Professional and a current club champion or other designated amateur from their facility. The professional must be a Head, Executive or Head Teaching Professional, while the amateur must be a member of the same facility at the time the Tournament of Champions is conducted. If a Professional of the designated category is unable to attend, a Class "A" Professional from the same facility may take their place. Facilities employing only Candidates for Membership may enter a team consisting of an amateur and Candidate for Membership.
Discounted rates on accommodation are available through our preferred hotel partner, Accent Inns. Please visit their website and enter promo code PGABC when booking to redeem your discount. For more information, please contact Membership & Events Manager Doug Titterington at doug@pgabc.org.
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The Kootenay Pro Tour held their second tournament of the season May 8 at the Cranbrook Golf Club. Trevor Simkins (Bootleg Gap Golf Course) emerged as the winner posting an even-par 72. Davis Poscente (Eagle Ranch Golf Resort) and Dennis Bradley (Copper Point Golf Club) were runners-up. Kootenay pros tee off June 5 in the next event at the Creston Golf Club.
The Vancouver Island Club Pro Tour held a Pro-Pro 6-6-6 tournament at Olympic View Golf Club May 9. The winning tandem was Mark Bicknell (Gorge Vale Golf Club) and Lindsay Bernakevitch (Victoria Golf Club), who beat out Bear Mountain Resort's Lucas Nonni and Jordan Murphy by two strokes. Bear Mountain Golf Club will host the next tournament on June 13.
The Lower Mainland G&G Tour headed out to the Fraser Valley to play the Chilliwack Golf Club on May 8. Troy Kapko (GOLFTEC Richmond) secured the convincing victory with a 7-under 65 to win by three strokes. Kevin Stinson (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) and John Shin (Northview Golf & Country Club) finished tied for second. Lower Mainland pros will compete at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in the next tour event on May 15.
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!
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BC is a province populated by a wealth of unique and spectacular wildlife, and its golf courses are no exception. Bears, bighorn sheep and great horned owls can all be spotted on BC’s various tracks.
Do you have photos or videos of the animals and plants that add character to your club? We would be thrilled if you would share those photos and videos for us to post as a new BC Golf Wildlife Showcase on Instagram.
Please send your wildlife content to Communications & Marketing Manager Graham Abraham at graham@pgabc.org and keep an eye out for your photos on our Instagram.
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Matthew Bartholomew joins Kin Culture and becomes Head Teaching Professional
Kin Culture has been approved as a recognized PGA of BC Facility
James Cook goes from Life Professional to Head Professional at Alberni Golf Club
Jeff Wills becomes Executive Professional at Hirsch Creek Golf & Winter Club
David Woytowich has left Trickle Creek Golf Club and joins Purcell Golf as an Apprentice Professional
For all Members on the Move information, please click HERE.
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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.
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SAVE THE DATE
UPCOMING EVENTS
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May 29
TOC at Gallagher's Canyon Golf Club
May 30 - June 6
June 19 - 20
at Chilliwack Golf Club
July 3-4
at St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino
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CONTACT THE PGA OF BC ADMINISTRATION TEAM |
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Jared Siminoff
Interim Executive Director
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Doug Titterington
Membership & Events Manager
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Dan Czerwenka
Programs Manager
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Graham Abraham
Communications & Marketing Manager
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Connect with us on social media: |
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