PGA of BC PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
AXIS INSURANCE
Axis Insurance was formed in 2010 through a brand amalgamation of several BC-based insurance brokerages with roots tracing to 1928. The experience of its combined 150 team members is uniquely positioned to serve Canada with risk-management and insurance services.
 
Whether it's mitigating liability risk, protecting your commercial property, insuring a tournament's hole-in-one contest or anything else in between, contact Axis to find out what coverage options are available to be customized for your facility. By partnering with the largest insurance companies in Canada, Axis Insurance has access to the best coverage solutions on the market. Consider them for your personal needs as well, including for auto, travel, homeowner, or tenant insurance and more.
 
Axis Insurance is a Gold-level Preferred Partner of the Association and the presenting sponsor of the PGA of BC Championship. Click below to access Axis Insurance’s website or contact Account Executive Lee Fulsher - lee.fulsher@axisinsurance.ca.
KITTS WINS CLUB PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AT FAIRVIEW MOUNTAIN
Mark Kitts overcame difficult scoring conditions at Fairview Mountain Golf Club on his way to victory at the 2022 Srixon/Cleveland Golf PGA of BC Club Professional Championship presented by Oakcreek Golf & Turf LP and Nike Golf.

In a week that presented wind gusts of up to 50 km/h and peak-season green speeds, the Shadow Ridge Golf Club Head Professional overcame the elements to top a field of 45 Club Professionals to claim his second Dick Munn Memorial trophy.

Kitts carded rounds of 70-72 to finish the tournament at 2-under par and a $2,700 payday of the nearly $15,000 total purse. He becomes only the fourth player to win multiple Club Professional Championships.

Kitts edged Dave Zibrik (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) by a single shot, while host Head Professional Rob Tadey placed third. For a full recap on this event, please click below.
VICTORIA GOLF CLUB SET TO HOST WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
The PGA of BC Women’s Championship presented by adidas Golf is set to draw many of the province’s top female professionals to the historic Victoria Golf Club next week to close out the Association’s 2022 tournament calendar.

The 36-hole stableford-scoring event, taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday will have a $2,700 purse on the line. If the past four editions of the tournament – which returned as a standalone event in 2018 – are any indication, there’s sure to be some great performances on display to crown this year’s champion.

Kattereya Kennedy (Simon Fraser University) looks to defend her championship this year after claiming her first PGA of BC tournament victory in 2021 when the event was held on the Ridge Course at Surrey’s Northview Golf & Country Club.

After a three-year hiatus, the always-popular Pro-Am component will return as part of this championship. This year's first round will be held in conjunction with the Club's Barb Doell Pro-Am, which will feature over 50 members of Victoria Golf Club already registered to take part.

To read the full event preview, please click the below.
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.
PGA OF BC REMEMBERS HARRY TURRIFF
The PGA of BC and many others from across the Canadian golf community are mourning the passing of Life Professional Harry Turriff. He passed away on September 2, 2022, aged 71.

Turriff was a PGA member for nearly 50 years. He had a life-long passion for golf and took great joy in mentoring new golf professionals. Originally becoming a member of the PGA of Canada on March 1, 1974, Turriff became a Class “A” Member in 1978.

Turriff’s career in British Columbia began with Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club. Later, he moved to the Capilano Golf & Country Club, before becoming Head Professional at Guildford Golf Club in 1995. He then moved to the University Golf Club as a Class "A" Professional before lastly working at Lakepoint Golf & Country Club prior to attaining Life Designation.

Before moving to BC to work with Shaughnessy, Turriff was a Professional at Summit Golf & Country Club in Richmond Hill, ON.

For more information including a link to his obituary, please click below
2022 BUYING SHOW ATTENDEE REGISTRATION
The PGA of BC is pleased to announce that attendee registration is open for all attendees wishing to attend the 2022 PGA of BC Buying Show.

The event will take place October 12-13 at the Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond, BC. Complimentary attendance is extended to members of the PGA of BC, as well as all delegates from the facilities in which they are employed. Please click here to register a PGA of BC member or facility.

Additionally, members of the NGCOA, CMAC and PGA of Canada members outside of the BC Zone are also invited to attend at no cost. Please click here for registration of invited guests.

All other Golf Retail Buyers at facilities not included in the above are welcome to attend at the regular registration rate. Please find this form by clicking here.
FINAL REMINDER: EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION CLOSING FRIDAY
Prospective exhibitors are reminded that registration for the 2022 PGA of BC Buying Show closes this Friday.
 
After two successful years in a virtual format due to health and safety guidelines, the annual fall gathering of PGA of BC members and golf industry delegates will return to an in-person format at the Richmond Olympic Oval, October 12-13 in Richmond, BC.

Since 2013, the PGA of BC Buying Show has featured industry exhibitors showcasing an array of products, including equipment, apparel, carts, accessories, golf balls, footwear, training aids, software, sunglasses, signage, and storage solutions, to name a few. The Buying Show serves as a one-stop-shop for all facilities in British Columbia. This event is attended by the majority of the PGA of BC membership, representing over 150 golf facilities throughout the province, making it the industry's largest buying show in British Columbia.
 
For all information and details related to the 2022 PGA of BC Buying Show, please visit the event page clicking here. The Exhibitor Registration form can be found by clicking here. For additional information, please contact Programs Manager, Dan Czerwenka - dan@pgabc.org.
STINSON CAPTURES 2022 PGA ASSISTANTS' CHAMPIONSHIP OF CANADA
Less than two weeks following his return from South Africa to help the PGA of Canada capture the inaugural Four Nations Cup, Cheam Mountain Golf Course Apprentice Professional Kevin Stinson wins the 2022 PGA Assistants' Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf.

Stinson finished the event at 17-under par after rounds of 66-66-67 over the 54-hole championship, good enough for a 2-stroke win. An eagle on the par 5 17th hole in the final round helped him fend off the Alberta duo of Mitchell Fox and Wes Heffernan to seal the victory. For his victory, Stinson picks up the $9,000 first place cheque.

GolfTEC Kelowna's Ethan Danish finished the event at even par (73-66-77), which eaned him $550 for 16th place.

The BC Inter-Zone team consisting of Stinson, Danish, Lionel Taylor (Talking Rock Golf Course) and Brodie St-Martin (Shuswap National) finished the team matches with a respectable total of -14, good enough for third place and a $600 bonus split amongst the team. The Alberta Zone won the Inter-Zone competition with a team score of -28.

The 2022 PGA Assistants' Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf took place September 12-14 at the Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Please click below to view full results.
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
Curtis Cowx has left The Redwoods Golf Course and joins Northview Golf & Country Club as an Apprentice Professional

Sienna LeWarne has left Kelowna Golf & Country Club and transfers to the Alberta Zone

Dylan Johnstone has left Golf Town (Kelowna) and transfers to the Alberta Zone

Tony Wang's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Musqueam Golf & Learning Academy

Deneb Rondinone's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Par-Tee Golf

Chen Kun Hu's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Hazelmere Country Club

Jacqueline Phillips's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and she becomes an Apprentice Professional at Hope Golf & Country Club

Rodrigo Pena Collado's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Point Grey Golf & Country Club
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Head Professional - Gorge Vale Golf Club
PGA of BC PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT -- MATTHEW PALSENBARG
Teaching Professional, Point Grey Golf & Country Club

Member Since: 2003

What is the most rewarding part about being a member of the PGA of BC?
Fellow pros and the long lasting friendships I have built. Clients can also become huge impacts in your life. I am a social fella and just enjoy connecting with people and there is not better network than golf.

At which golf facility did you first begin working within the industry, and who was the PGA Professional?
Northview Golf & Country Club on my 13th birthday. Chris Hoy hired me to fix ball marks and pick the range.

If you had to share one piece of advice with a new member of our Association, what would it be?
Figure out what you want to do and start doing it. Figure out where you want to work and get there. I had early adversity for sure and really just do your job well. The other stuff sorts out as you go.

What is your favourite golf course in British Columbia, and why?
Sagebrush as it’s just such a cool place. I love the way you can just go out and hit the ball around and play golf. Score doesn’t matter and just having a good time.
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FACT OF THE WEEK
PGA of BC Awards Provincial Recognition Input
 
Members are advised that they will have an opportunity for input on the provincial recipients of the 2022 PGA of BC Awards Program in the coming days.
 
All Professionals are asked to keep an eye on their inbox for a link to this year's awards ballot, on which members will be able to indicate their preferred candidate in the 11 member-determined award categories for which regional recipients have already been announced.
 
Please note that the membership vote does not directly determine the provincial recipients for each award, but results are considered along with determinations made by a Final Selection Committee comprised of past PGA of BC award recipients to identify this year's honourees.
PGA of British Columbia | info@pgabc.org | (604) 303-6766 | pgabc.org
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