PGA of BC

E-NEWS

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

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 or reach out to your local sales representative 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.

CHRISTINE WONG WINS SECOND CAREER PGA OF BC WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP

Christine Wong is your 2023 PGA of BC Women’s Champion and two-time tournament winner after a dominant wire-to-wire victory at Victoria Golf Club Monday and Tuesday which saw her compile birdie after birdie.

Wong (University Golf Club), who also won the title in 2020, enjoyed a magnificent start to her tournament, ending Round One in control of the leaderboard. Six birdies Monday gave her a two-point advantage in the Stableford event over her closest challengers Kat Kennedy (Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club) and Kyla Inaba (Predator Ridge Resort), and some breathing room heading into today’s final round.

Elite ball-striking and enviable play around the greens were themes throughout Wong’s second round. While several competitors upped the ante and made a push for her lead, she was able to fend them all off with another birdie barrage. Six more on Tuesday with only a single bogey helped Wong cruise to a nine-point margin of victory, ultimately accruing 79 total Stableford points.

“Being a two-time champion has a cool ring to it. Last year I didn’t play as well as I could have. This year, I just went in with a really, really good vibe,” said Wong. “In the past, whenever I’ve made a lot of birdies, I tend to get a little nervous. Today I was just in good spirits, limited my mistakes and gave myself a lot of chances.”

Four competitors tied as Championship runners-up. Shania Remandaban (Vancouver Golf Club), Stephanie Wong (Point Grey Golf & Country Club), Sandra Comadina (McCleery Golf Course) and Kennedy all totaled 70 Stableford points apiece. Christine and Stephanie’s strong play ensured the leaderboard was a family affair.

To read the full recap, please click here.

LECUYER MAINTAINS KAL TIRE ORDER OF MERIT STANDINGS LEAD AS TOURNAMENT SEASON WINDS DOWN

Steven Lecuyer (Seymour Creek Golf Centre) remains atop the Kal Tire Order of Merit standings for another month, maintaining such a stranglehold on the leaderboard that he could be mistaken for a UFC champion.

The 2023 PGA of BC Assistants' Championship winner has further bolstered his 2023 resume with a string of impressive performances on the Lower Mainland's G&G Tour. Lecuyer will be among the favourites as he gears up for the G&G Tour Championship in mid-October.

Zach Olson (Chilliwack Golf Club)) will hope to make a late-season push and overtake Lecuyer at the Tour Championship. Rounding out the top-five, Kevin Stinson (Cheam Mountain Golf Course), Cory Renfrew (Modern Golf (Vancouver)) and John Shin (Northview Golf & Country Club) have also sustained an incredible level of play all season.

Mark Kitts (Shadow Ridge Golf Club) is another name to keep an eye on, as a strong showing at the Westland Insurance Interior PGA Tour Championship next week could vault him into the lead. The Order of Merit point allocations for the Interior PGA Tour Championship have been adjusted and increased following the cancellation of their August 21 event as a result of the BC wildfires.

We are proud to be paying out the top-10 finishers in the season-long race from a purse of $5,000. In addition, the Order of Merit champion will receive a $500 Kal Tire gift certificate, while the 2nd- through 5th-place finishers will be awarded $200 gift certificates.

For the full leaderboard, please click here.

2023 PGA ASSISTANTS' CHAMPIONSHIP OF CANADA

Photo via the PGA of Canada

A number of PGA of BC professionals competed in the PGA Assistants' Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf last week at The Ranch Golf & Country Club in Alberta. Congratulations to Quebec's Yohann Benson (Le Mirage (Club de Golf)) on his victory in the event, shooting 12-under over three rounds.

Kevin Stinson (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) led BC competitors, shooting three spectacular rounds of 69-66-68 to finish T3. Zach Olson (Chilliwack Golf Club) wasn't far behind, earning a T5 spot on the leaderboard, while Carson Kallis (Pacific Golf Academy) also finished inside the top-ten at T9.

The BC Zone Team placed third in the team competition. The Zone Team was represented by Stinson, Luke Bogdan (Cheam Mountain Golf Course), Ethan Danish (GOLFTEC Kelowna) and Steven Lecuyer (Seymour Creek Golf Centre). A special thanks to Nike Golf and Mint Green Group for outfitting the Zone Team in Nike Golf apparel.

The PGA of BC extends our congratulations to all competitors. To see the full leaderboard, please click here.

SCHOLARSHIP AND BURSARY APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSES MONDAY

Members are reminded to apply for both the Jim Gibson Scholarship and Community Leadership Bursary. For links to each Application Form, please click HERE. The application deadline for the Scholarship and Bursary is October 2 at 11:59 PM PT.

In honour of the late Jim Gibson, the Scholarship is awarded in tribute to the commitment and dedication of the longtime Association ambassador. The award is given annually to an individual that best exemplifies volunteerism and demonstrates dedication to further their education to benefit the greater golfing community.

The Community Leadership Bursary is awarded to an individual or member facility within the Association that demonstrates an extraordinary desire and passion to make a significant difference in the lives of those around them. The PGA of BC Office Team is pleased to advise members that the application process has been made easier and that submissions can be put forward (preferably) via Email.

For more information on the nominations and applications, please contact Programs Manager Dan Czerwenka at [email protected].

NOTICE OF OFFICE CLOSURE FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 2

Members are reminded that the PGA of BC office will be closed in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

We look forward to connecting upon our return Tuesday.

The Vancouver Island Club Pro Tour held a Pro-Pro tournament at Ardmore Golf Course on September 12. Teams made up of Ed Boudreau and Jake Scarrow, Nate Ollis and Mark Bicknell, Mark Valliere and Nick Crookall, and Axle Riley and Blake Hamilton tied in first place. After four playoff holes, Boudreau and Scarrow managed to secure the win. The Tour Championship begins on October 2.

The Kootenay Pro Tour held their Tour Championship on September 11 & 12 at The Springs at Radium and Copper Point Golf Club. Trevor Simkins (Bootleg Gap) made up a five-stroke deficit in Round Two to force a playoff with Nicklaus Kennedy (Granite Pointe Golf Club), which Simkins won to clinch the Championship. Dennis Bradley (Copper Point Golf Club) and Jeremy Johnson were one stroke back of the leaders, ultimately tying for third.

The Westland Insurance Interior PGA Tour took on Kamloops Golf & Country Club on September 11. Austin Bosquet (Shuswap National Golf Course) secured the two-stroke victory, shooting 66 to best runner-up Mark Kitts (Shadow Ridge Golf Club) and third-place finisher Kyle McMurphy (Two Eagles Golf Course & Academy). The Tour Championship will take place on October 2.

The Lower Mainland G&G Tour travelled to Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford on September 11. Overcoming some challenging hole locations, Zach Olson (Chilliwack Golf Club) emerged triumphant, outlasting his opponents to win by a stroke. John Shin (Northview Golf & Country Club) was runner-up, shooting 67. The Tour Championship is set for October 16 & 17.

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

Are you looking to contact a BC sales representative for a specific manufacturer or product line? Don't forget that you can always access this information on the PGA of BC website using our Industry Guide. 

No website log-in is required to view the publication, so feel free to share the guide with other non-member industry contacts. The PGA of BC office team updates the online guide throughout the year; suppliers may contact [email protected] to request changes to their listing at any time.

Daniel Sheriff's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Mountain View Golf Club

Kevin Bishop's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort

Aaron Grice has successfully completed the National Training Academy and becomes a Class "A" Professional at Gorge Vale Golf Club

Carson Kallis has successfully completed the National Training Academy and becomes a Class "A" Professional at Pacific Golf Academy

For all Members on the Move information, please click HERE.

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.

October 25 & 26

PGA of BC Buying Show

at the River Rock Casino Resort

October 25

PGA of BC Awards Show presented by Tribal

at the River Rock Casino Resort

CONTACT THE PGA OF BC OFFICE TEAM