Natera Sport is a division of Pitt Meadows-based Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd., offering an array of hemp-based superfoods and supplements, providing sustainable nutrition options from a complete, natural protein source.

Natera Sport Bites have become well-known to PGA of BC Professionals as an activity-focused product meant to aid athletes in performing at their top level. Developed by Victoria's Dr. Stuart Love, who travels with the PGA Tour as a health-care practitioner for several of the world's best players, Natera Sport Bites achieve a balance between nutrition and taste for golfers and individuals from all walks of life. The PGA of BC has proudly offered complimentary Natera Sport products on course at all 2019 championship events.

Natera Sport Bites come in four flavours – Strawberries & Cream, Blueberry Lemon, Banana Bread and Golden Milk – with three separate 20-gram bites per package, totaling a nutritious 60-gram serving. The eye-catching and unique packaging resembles a sleeve of golf balls, making them shelf-ready for any pro shop.

Natera Sport is a Silver-level Preferred Partner of the Association and the presenting sponsor of the PGA of BC Assistants' & Seniors' Championships. Please click below to learn more.

Cailean Hourigan (Bear Mountain Resort Community) continues to lead the PGA of BC Professional Development Program (PDP) Order of Merit presented by Sunice & Bobby Jones as of this month's update to the standings.

Hourigan increased his total in August through tournament participation, including the PGA of BC Championship, and now sits on 71 points for the year.

Overall, there have been no changes to the top five positions over the past month. Jennifer Greggain (Chilliwack Golf Club) remains in second spot with 65 points, which is one more than third-place Colin Lavers (Seymour Golf & Country Club) has amassed thus far. Gordon Mink (Hi-Knoll Golf Centre) and Graham Ogden (Richmond Country Club) round out the top five with 60 and 58 points, respectively.

As the tournament season draws to a conclusion, members are reminded of the additional opportunities available to earn PDP points, including through self-submissions for educational and volunteer undertakings, attendance at the PGA of BC Buying Show, and more.

Members who achieved Top 100 Golf Professional status in 2018 each earned a minimum of 35 PDP points, but the number of points required to finish inside the Top 100 has increased year-over-year since the program's launch.

Click below to access the PDP page and view updated standings, make a points submission or view full details about the program.

Members are advised that space is now limited for next month's Srixon / Cleveland Golf / XXIO Club Professional Championship presented by Oakcreek Golf & Turf .

The Club Professional Championship is open to all Head, Executive and Head Teaching Professionals to compete over 36 holes of stroke play. This year's championship will take place Sept. 23-24 at Kelowna Golf & Country Club.

With 45 members already signed up to compete, this year's event is poised to be the highest-attended Club Professional Championship in more than 10 years. Confirmed competitors thus far include each of the event's past two champions -- 2017 winner Philip Jonas (Philip Jonas Golf Academy) and defending champion Lindsay Bernakevitch (Victoria Golf Club) -- plus reigning PGA Head Professional Champion of Canada Brian McDonald (Fairview Mountain Golf Club).

Registration will close on Friday, Sept. 13 . Click below to access the tournament page, including full event details, a list of confirmed competitors and the registration link.

The Association is pleased to announce that attendee registration is now open for the 2019 PGA of BC Buying Show, taking place Oct. 16-17 at Richmond Olympic Oval.

The show is the biggest of its kind in British Columbia and represents the largest annual gathering of PGA of BC Professionals. More than 150 golf facilities were represented at last year's show, making it both a can't-miss event for industry exhibitors and a one-stop-shop for retailers and facility operators. Members are reminded that they will receive four (4) PDP points for each day of the show on which they attend and sign in, and additional points for attending presentations at the Foresight Sports Canada Buying Show Education Stage.

Association members and non-member buyers from PGA of BC facilities can register by clicking here . Members of the NGCOA, CSCM, BCGSA and PGA of Canada members from outside BC can register their attendance by clicking here .

All other prospective attendees can find their appropriate registration link via the Buying Show event page, accessible by clicking below.

The Buying Show event page also lists preferred accommodation rates and options available in the vicinity of Richmond Olympic Oval, through Preferred Partner Accent Inns as well as the River Rock Casino Resort. Please note that group-block rooms at the River Rock must be booked prior to Sept. 22, after which time uncommitted rooms will be returned to general hotel inventories.

As well, it's not too late for exhibitors to register for the Buying Show. Exhibitor registration will close at 4 p.m. PT on Friday, Sept. 13. Click below for full Buying Show information, or click here to access the exhibitor registration form. Click here to view the list of facilities represented at the 2018 Buying Show.

Please direct all Buying Show inquiries to Executive Director Donald Miyazaki at donald@pgabc.org . Click below for full show information.

To help illustrate the impact that the Association's two annual financial awards can have at your facility or in your professional development, the PGA of BC administration team was pleased to connect this week with last year's recipients to hear how their funding is making a difference.

In a new posting to the PGA of BC website , Dean Jackson details how Revelstoke Golf Club's junior program was bolstered when his facility was the 2018 recipient of the PGA of BC Community Leadership Bursary, while David Stashuk (Capilano Golf & Country Club) discusses how the Jim Gibson Scholarship aided with his studies in both golf instruction and business management.

The PGA of BC Community Leadership Bursary is awarded to an individual or member facility within the Association demonstrating an extraordinary desire and passion to make a significant difference in the lives of those around them, and in doing so, sets an example of “giving back” that all PGA of BC members can be proud of. The Jim Gibson Scholarship is given annually to an individual within the PGA of BC community that best exemplifies volunteerism and demonstrates dedication to furthering their education to benefit others in a community. Both awards are in the amount of $1,000.

The 2019 application periods for the scholarship and bursary close on Friday, Sept. 13 at 4 p.m. PT . Click below to access the PGA of BC Scholarship Program page, where application forms and more information about both awards can be found.

Tickets are now available for purchase for the Golf Hall of Fame of BC's 2019 Induction ceremony and dinner, which takes place on Oct. 23 at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club.

This year's inductees include PGA of BC members Philip and Patty Jonas, as well as Lynda Palahniuk, Babs Davies and William (Bill) Hobbis.

Tickets are $125 each or $900 for a table of eight. The program begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the induction ceremony at 8 p.m.

Please direct any questions or seating requests by email to office@bcgolfhouse.com. Click below to purchase your tickets.

The Golf Performance Project has been approved as a recognized PGA of BC Facility

Jason Giesbrecht goes to The Golf Performance Project as Head Teaching Professional

Laird White has transferred from the Ontario Zone and becomes a Teaching Professional at The Golf Performance Project

Tyler Stene has left Highland Pacific Golf and joins Prince Rupert Golf Club as a Candidate for Membership

Blake Roney has transferred from the Alberta Zone and becomes a Candidate for Membership at Highland Pacific Golf

Assistant Professional - The Golf Performance Project

Department Manager, Golf Soft Goods - Golf Town (Richmond)

Sales Associate, Golf Hard Goods - Golf Town (Richmond)

Sales Associate, Golf Soft Goods - Golf Town (Richmond)

Assistant Store Manager - Golf Town (White Rock)

Department Manager, Golf Soft Goods - Golf Town (White Rock)

Looking for other ways to add to your total of Professional Development Program points over the final few months of the season? Don't forget about upcoming volunteer opportunities through the PGA of BC.

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  for available opportunities.