PARTNER SPOTLIGHT - MINUTEMAN PRESS RICHMOND
Minuteman Press Richmond is a must-contact for your scorecard needs and offers off-set, full colour, digital, and black and white printing, full bindery services, as well as artwork and design for an extensive range of printed items - business cards, envelopes, letterheads, memo pads, NCR forms, brochures, flyers, postcards, cheques, labels, presentation folders, stamps, mail-outs, large format printing, and much more.
 
Minuteman Press is a preferred partner of the PGA of BC. For more information, please click here to visit their website.
PGA OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REMEMBERS WARD STOUFFER     
It is with great sadness that the PGA of British Columbia announce the passing of Ward Stouffer. A member of the PGA of Canada since 1985, Ward Stouffer will be remembered best for his wit, loyalty, demeanor, exceptional playing ability, but most of all, a great friend.

Stouffer spent the better part of two decades at Fairwinds Golf Club in Nanoose Bay, BC. He attained Class "A" status with the PGA of Canada in 1995 and was appointed Head Professional the following year. In 2008, he appointed Steve Busswood as the Club's new Head Professional while he took on the title of Executive Professional and Director of Golf Operations until 2015.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday January 13th at 1:00PM at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre - 132 Jensen Avenue, Parksville, BC.

For more information, please click here. 
PGA OF BC RECOGNIZES TOP 100 GOLF PROFESSIONALS OF 2016      
It is with great pride that the PGA of British Columbia recognize its 2016 Top 100 PGA Golf Professionals through the Professional Development Program presented by Sunice & Bobby Jones.

The PGA of British Columbia Professional Development Program (PDP) presented by Sunice & Bobby Jones is an annual Order of Merit designed to recognize members of the PGA of BC who have shown tremendous contributions to the Association, the Industry, and mostly importantly, themselves.

Through participation in education, tournaments, awards, the Buying Show, and various forms of volunteerism, the PDP provides an equal avenue to showcase strengths of the diverse membership.

Adam Blair (Talking Rock Golf Resort) was crowned winner of the 2016 PGA of BC PDP Order of Merit presented by Sunice & Bobby Jones after capping the year with a record-breaking 124 points. His accomplishment is a result of his widespread involvement in every aspect of the program, including tournaments, education, industry engrossment, and volunteerism.

For full details and a list of the Top 100 Golf Professionals, please click here.
APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERS WISHING TO SERVE ON THE BOARD CLOSES ON MONDAY     
The PGA of BC Board of Directors invites qualified members interested in serving on the Board of Directors to submit their names for consideration.

In the coming election, there will be five (5) vacant positions on the Board, as well as one (1) position as Assistant's Representative (two separate elections will be held). All positions are two-year, non-renewable terms, and candidates must be Class "A" Professionals in order to be considered. Candidates in consideration for the Assistant's Representation Position must be in the Class "A" Professional or Teaching Professional Categories.

Deadline to submit an application is 12:00PM on Monday January 16th. For full details and how to submit your application, please click here.

APPLICATIONS TO JOIN THE PGA OF CANADA IN 2017 NOW OPEN     
Annual Applications to become a Candidate Member of the PGA of Canada in 2017 is now open. 
 
Interested Applicants must have attained employment within the golf industry at the time or registration and may register with the PGA of Canada online  anytime prior to the June 1 deadline. 
 
For full details on entrance qualifications, education requirements, pathways to obtain Class "A" Status and National orientation in joining the PGA of Canada, please click here.
 
Effective 2017, the PGA of Canada has implemented a new requirement where CFMs must be certified in the Respect in Sport Activity Leader Program as part of a larger movement in the Canadian sport landscape. For full details on this program, please click here.

The PGA of BC's 2017 Playing Ability Test schedule is set to be released on February 1st. 


SPEAKERS & TOPICS RELEASED FOR EDUCATION SERIES 1&2.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN - SIGN UP TODAY!    
The PGA of British Columbia is proud to unveil speakers and topics for the first two legs of the 2017 PGA of British Columbia Education Series Events.

Since launching the program in 2011, Education Series events have taken place throughout various regions of the province. The program has allowed PGA of BC members the opportunity to attend, learn and expand their skills and knowledge base throughout the winter and spring months.

The PGA of BC is proud to unveil speakers and topic for the first two events:

EDUCATION SERIES 1
Monday January 23, 2017 (10am - 2pm)
Richmond Country Club - Richmond, BC

Topic 1 - "Building a Fact Based Coaching Case for Improvement " by Norman Baufeld
Topic 2 - "How to Enhance Learning - Not Just Teach" by Doug Hastie
Topci 3 - "Hosting a LPGA Event - From the Club's Perspective" by Byron Cook & Paul Batchelor

For Full details of this event and to register, please click here.

EDUCATION SERIES 2
Tuesday February 7, 2017 (10am - 2pm)
Victoria Golf Club - Victoria, BC

Topic 1 - "Improving a Student's Swing - Where to Start" by John Randle
Topic 2 - "Hosting a PGA TOUR Event on 4 Months Notice" by Jordan Ray
Topic 3 - "Building a Sustainable Instruction Business" by Arlen Wocknitz

For Full details of this event and to register, please click here.

Additional Speakers and Topics for the remainder of the Education Program will be released shortly. As a reminder, please save the dates for the following events:

PGA of BC Spring Education Seminar
February 20-21, 2017 - Beach Grove Golf Club, Tsawwassen, BC

PGA of BC Education Series #3
March 14, 2017 - Gallagher's Canyon G&CC, Kelowna, BC 

PGA of BC Education Series #4
April 24, 2017 - Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, Fairmont Hot Springs, BC

PGA of BC Education Series #5
October 11-12, 2017 - Richmond Olympic Oval, Richmond, BC 
 

PGA OF BRITISH COLUMBIA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE    
The PGA of British Columbia is proud to announce the launch of the Association's new website. In partnership with Kelowna-based Cheeky Monkey Media, www.pgabc.org, recently underwent
construction. 

"It was important for us to work with not only a reputable company, but to support businesses with roots in BC" says Donald Miyazaki, Executive Director of the PGA of British Columbia. "Throughout the past six months, Cheeky Monkey Media have been exceptional partners to work with on this project. Not only listening to our Association's needs, they provided insightful recommendations and suggestions to better improve the functionality of the Association's primary communication tool" he adds.
The site's new custom design translates into a vivid and more visually appealing first impression on a timeless and user-friendly interface that better represents the PGA of BC  brand. It is also easier for users to navigate in finding Golf Professionals, Facilities, and articles through filtered search features. At this time, we would also like to thank a number of golf courses and facilities throughout the province who generously sent hundreds of pictures and images for us to use in developing the site.
Apart from the fresh design, another primary and notable improvement is the capability for the site to be mobile-friendly. With a growing percentage of daily users accessing the website through their tablets and handheld devices, the new site dramatically improves usability for those browsing through these avenues.
Finally, the Administrative capabilities have also drastically improved, allowing the our Administration staff to better manage content and data while increased security features help better protect member information.
For member access to the "Member's Only" portion, login information will remain the same from the Association's previous website. For any difficulties logging in, please contact Russell MacKay, Membership & Events Manager at russell@pgabc.org.
For more details on Cheeky Monkey Media's services, please visit their website by clicking here.

We hope you enjoy the new site and appreciate your patience as we iron-out and update content and graphics. In the meantime, should you encounter any possible bugs or issues, we encourage your feedback and please do not hesitate to contact the office at your convenience.
 
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE 
 
Mike White has left Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club and joins King's Links by the Sea as Head Professional as of February 1, 2017

Neil Bidewell has left Kings Links by the Sea and joins Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Club as Head Professional

Shea McLaughlin has left the Kelowna Golf & Country Club and joins Two Eagles Golf Club Golf Club as a Candidate for Membership

Rob Larocque has left Sun Rivers Golf Course and joins Kamloops Golf and Country Club as a Teaching Professional

Tracy Matthews has been reinstated with the PGA of Canada and goes to Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club as the Head Professional
Rob Cruise has left Highland Pacific Golf

Warren Reeves has moved from Professional to Head Professional at Highland Pacific Golf


NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITIES  

Manager, Golf Participation - British Columbia Golf

Click here to view all career opportunities listed on the PGA of BC website (Members Only)

Click here to view career opportunities listed on the PGA of Canada website
FACT OF THE WEEK 
Did you know that the months of January through March sees the most movement within the PGA of BC membership? Please help us keep our database up to date - if you or your facility has made any changes to your PGA of Canada Professionals in 2017, please contact Russell MacKay, Membership & Events Manager at russell@pgabc.org.