PGA of BC

E-NEWS

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Driven by passion and enthusiasm for cutting-edge technology and design, Sunice continues to advance the latest in performance outerwear, layering systems and sportswear for wherever your favorite sport or activity takes you. And like its customers, Sunice is always looking forward to next season.

Evoking their namesake, Bobby Jones products are the definition of class, using only premium-quality materials to create classic, timeless designs that exude confidence on and off the course. The Bobby Jones brand has been a mainstay in the golf industry since the 1990s and is sold in the finest private clubs, resorts and golf courses worldwide. 

Sunice and Bobby Jones are Silver-level Preferred Partners of the Association and Presenting Sponsors of the PGA of BC Professional Development Program. Visit Sunice and Bobby Jones online to learn more.

IN MEMORIAM: RICK CROWSON

The PGA of BC regrets to share that Rick Crowson, longtime golf professional, passed away on August 27. He was 65.

Crowson’s career as a professional started in the South Okanagan, working at Osoyoos Golf Club. He made stops throughout his career at a wide array of clubs and communities, including Summerland Golf & Country Club, Golden Golf Club, Sechelt, Copper Point Golf Club (Invermere), N’K’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course (Oliver) and Okanagan Golf Club. To close out such an accomplished and diverse career, he moved to Mesa, Arizona where he served as a professional at Las Sendas Golf Club. After golf, Crowson returned to British Columbia, where he worked in the Penticton wine industry. He is remembered for his great sense of humour and will be missed by all who knew him. Crowson’s wife Diane said that golf was his passion, with many wonderful friends in the golf world.

Rick is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Diane Crowson, his father, Michael Crowson (Virginia), his sister, Pamela Crowson Franks (John), nephew, Shayne Grimmer, stepsisters Rhonda Staples (Kevin) and Sage Staples (Mike) and step-nephews Sebastien and Nathaniel. He is predeceased by his mother, Barbara Crowson (nee Murray).

A Celebration of Life for Rick is set for Saturday, September 16th at 1 pm at the Penticton Seniors Drop-In Centre on 2965 South Main Street.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations can be made in Rick’s name to the following charities:

The Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon (www.heartandstroke.ca) or the BC Cancer Foundation (www.bccancerfoundation.com).

Condolences may be made by visiting www.everdenrust.com.

To read more, please click here.

KAL TIRE ORDER OF MERIT STANDINGS UPDATE

Steven Lecuyer (Seymour Creek Golf Centre) topped the Kal Tire Order of Merit standings for the third consecutive month, extending his lead over his closest challenger to over eight points.

Lecuyer emerged as the competitor to beat after his victory at the PGA of BC Assistants' Championship. His continued strong play at PGA of BC tournaments and on regional tours has seen him maintain his spot in the driver's seat.

PGA of BC Championship winner Zach Olson (Chilliwack Golf Club) jumped up six spots in the rankings after his huge win in Revelstoke last month, while PGA Championship of Canada winner Kevin Stinson (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) rounds out the top three.

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 and a set of tires, while the 2nd- through 5th-place finishers will be awarded $200 gift certificates.

For the full leaderboard, please click here.

PGA OF BC AWARD NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

The PGA of BC is thrilled to announce that nominations for our 2023 Awards are now open! Nominations can be submitted HERE.

Nominations may be submitted by members of the PGA of BC and the general public in recognition of excellence on the part of a Member Professional, Facility or Sales Representative. The nomination period will be open for two weeks, and will close on September 22 at 11:59 PM PT.

Nominees will be contacted by the PGA of BC Office Team with more information on next steps.

Detailed information and criteria for each award are available on the PGA of BC Awards Program page.

The 2023 PGA of BC Awards Celebration presented by Tribal will honour this year's Provincial and Regional Award Recipients on Wednesday, October 25 at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond. Ticketing information will be released next week.

For more information, please contact Programs Manager Dan Czerwenka at [email protected].

PGA OF BC BUYING SHOW MEMBER ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

The 2023 PGA of BC Buying Show has proven to be a hot ticket. Since registration opened to exhibitors in late June, the show has completely sold-out all available booths. The Association’s Office Team is now pleased to open registration to members to be a part of this year’s exciting event.

PGA of BC Members can now register to attend the 2023 Buying Show, taking place October 25 & 26 at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, by completing the PGA of BC Member Attendance Registration Form.

We are also opening up registration for members of the PGA of Canada from outside of British Columbia, the NGCOA, CMAC, and BCGSA. To register to attend the show please complete the Industry Member Attendance Registration Form.

Members of the golf industry not associated with the PGA of Canada, NGCOA, CMA, or BCGSA, who would like to attend the Show for purchasing purposes can register later this month at a cost of $50 per attendee up to a maximum of four (4) per associated facility.

We look forward to seeing you at this year’s show. If you have any questions regarding the event, please reach out to PGA of BC Programs Manager, Dan Czerwenka, at [email protected].

For additional information about the 2023 PGA of BC Buying Show, including a full itinerary, please visit the 2023 Events Page found HERE.

FIFTEEN APPLICANTS MEET GREENTEE PAT TARGET SCORES

Fifteen participants in last week’s PGA of BC Playing Ability Test (PAT) held at GreenTee Golf Country Club Langley were successful in meeting their respective target scores.

The PAT featured 47 men and women hoping to achieve a target score relative to the course rating based upon their age and gender, which is a prerequisite of becoming a PGA of Canada Professional.

Target scores based upon age and gender for the participants were as follows:

• Men aged 49 & younger: 79
• Men aged 50 & older: 81
• Women aged 49 & younger: 84
• Women aged 50 & older: 86

Congratulations to the following applicants who were successful in meeting their PAT target scores, listed alphabetically:

• Kevin Bishop (Pheasant Glen Golf Resort)
• Yamato Chiyasu (Squamish Valley Golf Club)
• Mark Dillon (Ambleside Pitch & Putt Golf Course)
• Kuen Mannix Ho (Par-Tee Golf)
• Brycen Ko (Musqueam Golf & Learning Academy)
• Tyler Lepine (Highland Pacific Golf)
• Dong Ze (Jerry) Li (Savage Creek Golf Club)
• Christopher Love (The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club)
• Tiantian Luo (Par-Tee Golf)
• Brandon McClure (Capilano Golf & Country Club)
• Scott Morin (Okanagan Golf Club)
• Aaron Oakley (Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club)
• Mitch Taylor (Ledgeview Golf Club)
• Meng Wang (Hazelmere Golf Club)
• Joseph Wei (GoGo Golf Indoor Golf Centre)

By demonstrating their high standard of golf skills over 18 holes, each of the fifteen successful applicants took an important step toward achieving membership as an Apprentice Professional within the PGA of Canada.



Click here to view final results.

With the Club Professional Championship and Women's Championship set to take place this month, the PGA of BC is seeking volunteers for those events.

The Club Professional Championship takes place September 18 & 19 at Point Grey Golf & Country Club, while the Women's Championship will occur September 25 & 26 at Victoria Golf Club.

Volunteers will be awarded one (1) Professional Development Program point for ever hour spent volunteering.

If you are interested in serving as a tournament volunteer, please contact Executive Director Mark Strong at [email protected].

The Kootenay Pro Tour held an event on August 21 at Bootleg Gap. Host professional Trevor Simkins took home the victory, outlasting his opponents with a score of 68. The Kootenay Pro Tour Championship takes place starting September 11.

The Vancouver Island Club Pro Tour held a tournament at Cordova Bay Golf Course on August 22. Nate Ollis (Cordova Bay Golf Course) won on his home track, shooting 2-under. The Tour Championship begins on October 2.

The Westland Insurance Interior PGA Tour took on Shuswap National Golf Course on July 17. With a two-stroke victory, Brian McDonald (Fairview Mountain Golf Club) continued his run of strong play this season. The August 21 event at Kamloops Golf & Country Club has been rescheduled to September 11 as a result of the wildfires.

The Lower Mainland G&G Tour travelled to Nicklaus North Golf Course in Whistler on July 31. Luke Bogdan (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) was triumphant, outlasting his opponents to win by a stroke. The final tournament before the Tour Championship runs September 11 at Ledgeview Golf Club.

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!

Talking Rock Golf Course Superintendent Daryl Adama, Irrigation Technician Jason Lans, Assistant Superintendent Barney Tomma, Turf Worker Edward Spada and Executive Chef David Leard have all lost their homes to the wildfires. Please consider donating at the link below to help support them:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/talking-rock-team-homes

The Canadian Red Cross has established the British Columbia Fires Appeal. Donations to the Canadian Red Cross will be used for immediate and ongoing relief, recovery and resilience efforts in response to the fires in British Columbia. Donations may also be used for preparedness and risk reduction for future all-hazard disaster events within BC. Donations can be made HERE.

Brady Stead (Ledgeview Golf Club) is hosting the Steady Golf Teachathon at Ledgeview on September 23, with 100% of proceeds going to the Canadian Mental Health Association. Sign up for a lesson or donate directly today at the link available HERE.

Did you know that the Association offers financial awards to help further academic achievements and endeavours?

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. Alec Hubert (Kamloops Golf & Country Club) was the 2022 Jim Gibson Scholarship recipient.

The PGA of BC Community Leadership Bursary is awarded to an individual or member facility within the Association demonstrating an extraordinary desire or 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. Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club was the 2022 Community Leadership Bursary recipient.

Applications for the financial awards will open next week. Please stay tuned for more information on how to apply.

For more information on the PGA of BC Scholarship Program, please click here.

Nate Ollis has successfully completed the National Training Academy and becomes a Class "A" Professional at Cordova Bay Golf Club



John Rushnell's application for Life Professional designation has been approved

Lucas Purri's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club

Dong Ze (Jerry) Li's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Pacific Golf Academy

Ryan Chermuska's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino

Joseph Wei's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at GoGo Golf Indoor Golf Centre

TianTian Luo's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and she becomes an Apprentice Professional at Par-Tee Golf

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

Tyler Lepine's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Highland Pacific Golf

Krysta Schaus has transferred from the Ontario Zone and joins Simon Fraser University as a Class "A" Professional

Ho Kuen (Mannix) Ho's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Par-Tee Golf

Cody Bell has left Salmon Arm Golf Club and joins Talking Rock Golf Club as Head Professional

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.

September 18 & 19

Srixon/Cleveland Golf Club Professional Championship presented by Nike Golf

at Point Grey & Country Club

September 25 & 26

Women's Championship

at Victoria Golf Club

October 25 & 26

PGA of BC Buying Show

at the River Rock Casino Resort

CONTACT THE PGA OF BC OFFICE TEAM