PGA of BC PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
G&G BRANDS
G&G Brands would like to extend its gratitude to our valued PGA of BC partners, who continued to show their support through what proved to be a successful yet challenging season. With our 2023 bookings way ahead of last year’s pace in British Columbia, we are focusing our efforts on preparing for another strong year. Although our portfolio of brands and customized products may be what has historically set us apart, this year more than ever before it may very well be our people that make the more significant impact. G&G Brands has made investments in every department here at G&G, from purchasing to production, administration to warehouse, and customer service to operations. We welcome the opportunity to grow alongside you this coming season while strengthening our commitment to over-deliver every step of the way. 
 
As we put the finishing touches on our booth for the upcoming PGA of BC Buying Show, we could not be more thrilled to see everyone in person once again. To secure your 2023 Booking Appointment, contact your local sales professional or email sales@gandg.ca.
 
Based in Langley, BC, G&G Brands is a leading Canadian wholesale supplier of lifestyle and sporting goods, specializing in the golf and corporate promotional industries. Since Gord German founded the business in 1991, it has continued to evolve and remains proudly family-owned with daily operations being carried out by Brad and Jessica German. G&G offers over twenty top-quality brands, two national sales forces and a best-in-class customer service team to support over 1000 active accounts across Canada. In its 31st year of business, G&G continues to share its collaborative formula for success with its current and prospective customers, suppliers, and employees alike. 
2022 PGA OF BC NAME RECIPIENTS OF SIX AWARDS
The PGA of BC is proud to name four recipients of the Association's 2022 Awards, as well as this year's PGA of BC Community Leadership Bursary and Jim Gibson Scholarship beneficiaries.

Congratulations to the following honourees on their selections:

  • Patrick Lago (Lago Golf Academy) - Dunc Sutherland Distinguished Service Award presented by Accent Inns
  • Axis Insurance - Jim Gibson Patron of the Year Award
  • Zach Olson (Chilliwack Golf Club) - Stan Leonard Player of the Year Award presented by Kal Tire
  • ALS Society of BC - Arv Olson Media Personnel of the Year Award
  • Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club - PGA of BC Community Leadership Bursary
  • Alec Hubert - Jim Gibson Scholarship

Click below to read more about each recipient and the accomplishments that make each of them deserving of their respective awards. We look forward to recognizing these recipients, as well as those of 11 other awards yet to be revealed, during the PGA of BC Awards Celebration presented by Replay Golf Supplies & Tribal on Oct. 12 at the River Rock Casino Resort.

Limited tickets for the event are still available, click here to purchase yours .
IMPORTANT MEMBER INFORMATION FOR NEXT WEEK'S BUYING SHOW
With the 2022 PGA of BC Buying Show set to make it's in-person return next week to the Richmond Olympic Oval, the Association wanted to communicate pertinent information to members ahead of the event.

All member should have received communication from the Association on Tuesday afternoon outlining all details of the event, as well as gathering. Such details include:
  • Schedule of events
  • Foresight Sports Education Stage presentation schedule
  • Dress Code
  • Parking information
  • Exhibitors listing/floor plan
  • 2022 Awards Celebration presented by Replay Golf Supplies & Tribal
  • and much more

For full details on information attendees need to know prior to arrival, please click the below.
McDONALD CONTINUES TO LEAD PDP GOING INTO FINAL TWO MONTHS
2021 Professional Development Program (PDP) Order of Merit winner Brian McDonald (Fairview Mountain Golf Club) eyes back to back crowns as race for the 2022 title heads into its final two months.

The long-time General Manager and Executive Professional has currently amassed 65-points this year, holding a narrow one-point lead over Copper Point Golf Club's Dennis Bradley. Through submission of various volunteerism, Bradley made a five-spot jump into second place on the most recent October 5th update.

Chilliwack Golf Club's Ryan Tofani holds third place at 59-points.

Plenty of opportunities to earn points are forthcoming at next week's Buying Show and Awards Celebration. Members are reminded to register for as many events as possible and submit using the link available on the PDP page below. The 2022 PDP program will conclude on Wednesday November 30th at 4pm PT.
OLSON TOPS 2022 PGA OF BC ORDER OF MERIT
Zach Olson's outstanding 2022 competition campaign ended with the Chilliwack Golf Club Apprentice Professional overtaking top spot on the PGA of BC Order of Merit in the final eligible event.

Olson's win in the G&G Tour Championship Tuesday moved the 2022 Assistants' Champion into the lead for the season with 109.00 points for the year. He edged 2022 PGA of BC Champion Nate Ollis (Cordova Bay Golf Course) for top spot, after Oliis struggled in the Vancouver Island Club Professional Tour's year-end finale. Ollis ends the season with 104.50 points, just 4.5-points back of Olson.

Another strong season from Mark Kitts saw the Shadow Ridge Golf Club Head Professional place third in the standings with 95.00 points, narrowly edging 7-time Order of Merit winner Bryn Parry (Seymour Creek Golf Centre) by just 0.04 points. Cory Renfrew (Modern Golf Vancouver, 78.40) rounds out the top five.

Complete Order of Merit totals are now posted on the PGA of BC website; click below to view the final 2022 standings.
BLACK MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB PLACES THIRD IN RBC SCRAMBLE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AT CABOT CAPE BRETON
Congratulations to the team from Kelowna's Black Mountain Golf Club, who placed third earlier this week in the RBC National Final at Cabot Cape Breton.

The team was comprised of Apprentice Professional Greg Forbes alongside amateurs Keenan Hall, Sandeep Sandhu, Amardeep Munjal, and Armaan Khangurra. In the net-based scoring system, Black Mountain finished just 0.8 strokes back of the winners from Belvedere Golf Club in Charlettetown, PEI.

Two other teams from BC competed in the championship. Fraserview Golf Course's team led by Head Professional Tom Monaghan placed 11th while Lionel Taylor's squad from Talking Rock Golf Course finished in 15th place.
2022 PGA OF BC REGIONAL AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
The PGA of British Columbia is proud to announce regional award recipients in 11 categories of the 2022 PGA of BC Awards Program. 

The individuals and facilities honoured for the Lower Mainland, Interior, Vancouver Island and Kootenays/Northern BC, respectively, were selected as regional recipients following an open nomination period and extensive deliberations by regional nomination committees.

Each of the recipients are now provincial finalists for this year's PGA of BC Awards, with the honourees to be announced live on October 12th. Provincial award recipients will also be put forward as the PGA of BC's nominee for corresponding PGA of Canada national awards where applicable, if eligible.

For a full list of the 2022 honourees, please click below.
ZIBRIK CROWNED WOMEN'S CHAMPION IN VICTORIA
Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club Head Professional Ashley Zibrik played a near flawless final round on her way to capturing her third title at the 2022 PGA of BC Women’s Championship presented by adidas Golf at Victoria Golf Club last week.

Zibrik began the final round in third place, just three points back of defending champion Kattereya Kennedy (Simon Fraser University) and two back of Christine Wong (University Golf Club). But birdies on the opening 1st and then the difficult Par 4 7th hole quickly made up ground for her to catch the leaders. From there, Zibrik did not look back.

Her 39-point effort on Wednesday was equivalent to a gross 3-under par 69 and in addition to her 34-point total on Tuesday, finished the event at 73 points to win by four. Zibrik’s two previous victories came in 2012 at Vernon Golf & Country Club and at Point Grey Golf & Country Club in 2018.

Please click below for a full event cap.
TICKETS FOR 2022 PGA OF BC AWARDS NOW ON SALE
Tickets are on sale now for the 2022 PGA of BC Awards Celebration presented by Replay Golf Supplies & Tribal.

Please be sure to join us in honouring the incredible efforts and accomplishments of our members and partners throughout the 2022 season. The celebration will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 6:00pm until approximately 8:00pm in the Whistler Ballroom at the River Rock Casino Resort.

Limited tickets are available and are offered on a first-come, first-served for $35 inclusive of tax. Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres are included with your admission.
PGA OF BC SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR UPCOMING EVENTS
The PGA of BC has a number of volunteer opportunities available for member Professionals at upcoming Association events and is looking for interested individuals to fill those roles accordingly.
 
In particular, the Association will be seeking scheduled member assistance at the upcoming Buying Show and Awards Celebration. Shifts of various duties range in length from two to four hours and provide a great opportunity to meet fellow Association members and industry leaders. Members can earn one (1) PDP point per hour volunteered at these events. 
 
All interested members are asked to contact Executive Director Donald Miyazaki at donald@pgabc.org to discuss available opportunities.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to recently named 2022 Stan Leonard Player of the Year Award recipient, Zach Olson (Chilliwack Golf Club, pictured right), who claimed the G&G Tour Championship on Tuesday. The season finale took place at Marine Drive Golf Club and Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club where Olson won by by five-strokes over Cory Renfrew (Modern Golf Vancouver) and six better than Riverway Golf Course's Michael Caan.

Olson posted incredible rounds of 63-72 for a two day total of 8-under-par. For this win, Olson takes home the $1,000 first place cheque. Renfrew cashes $750 for runner-up, while Caan banks $600 for third-place.

On the Vancouver Island Club Professional Tour, Jake Scarrow (pictured left) used home course knowledge to his advantage as he took home their two round, season-ending Tour Championship on Tuesday at Gorge Vale Golf Club.

The 2021 PGA of BC Champion posted rounds of 70-72 (2-under par) to finish two strokes clear of Victoria Academy of Golf's Eric Wang. Bear Mountain Golf & Tennis Resort Apprentice Professional Lucas Nonni finishes in third place at one-over par.

The win sends Scarrow home with $725, while Wang cashes $565 and Nonni earns $390.

And finally on the Interior PGA Tour, Bryce Barker (Vernon Golf & Country Club) and Finlay Young (GolfTEC Kelowna) both posted rounds of 6-under-par 66's at Monday's season-ending event held at The Harvest Golf Club.

After both players were set to head to extra holes, daylight did not allow for the playoff to take place and therefore both were declared co-winners of the tour's 2022 Tour Championship. Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club's Cody Bell finished one-stroke back after posting 5-under 67. Barker and Young each take home $492.50, while Bell earns $345 for his fine play.

This wraps up all four regional tour's 2022 season. Congratulations to all on a great campaign.
OFFICE CLOSURE NOTICE
Please be advised that the PGA of BC administration office will be closed Oct. 10-13.

The office will be closed Monday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, and Tuesday through Thursday while the administration team is on-site at the Richmond Olympic Oval for the PGA of BC Buying Show. Please note that E-News will not be issued next week accordingly.

Regular office hours will resume Friday, Oct. 14 at 8:00am. PT. The PGA of BC wishes all a safe and happy holiday weekend.
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
Daniel Cormier's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Tower Ranch Golf Club
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Associate/Assistant Golf Professional - Rivershore Golf Links
PGA of BC PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT -- JUSTIN BROWN
Head Professional, Greywolf Golf Course

Member Since: 2004

What is a common misconception that golfers make about what your job entails?
I golf all the time and I shoot even par every round

What is the most rewarding part about being a member of the PGA of BC?
Developing young people into better employees and individuals

Who has influenced your career the most, and how?
Bob Paley and the senior staff at Kananaskis showed me how to be a golf professional at all levels in the 7 years I spent there

If you had to share one piece of advice with a new member of our Association, what would it be?
Nothing will get you further than hard work and pure dedication to the operation on a daily basis
Want to be featured in the Professional Spotlight of an upcoming E-News? Click here to complete the PGA of BC member profile questionnaire.
FACT OF THE WEEK
Members looking to add to their total of Professional Development Program (PDP) points before the Nov. 30 requisition deadline are reminded of the opportunity to view past Education Series presentations via the PGA of BC video archive. These videos can be viewed for a nominal fee and are worth one (1) point each when making a requisition.

Please note that members can claim a maximum of two (2) video views per day, and must make the submission after watching the video in full. Please be reminded that all video viewings require a points submission to be made. Complete the requisition form by clicking here and send a copy of your purchase receipt to pdp@pgabc.org.
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