PGA of BC

E-NEWS

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

Honma Golf proudly unveils the BERES 09 collection, a testament to over six decades of unmatched craftsmanship and innovation.

Crafted by Honma's esteemed Takumi craftsmen in Sakata, Japan, the BERES 09 clubs blend premium materials with advanced technology for a golfing experience that is as smooth as it is powerful. This latest collection elevates precision, power, and performance to new heights, embodying our commitment to artistry, innovation, and quality. Discover the perfect fusion of tradition and technological advancement with the BERES 09 collection, designed to enhance your game and honor the sport of golf.

Explore this exquisite collection at https://us.honmagolf.com or experience the exceptional feel of a Honma club at a retail location near you.

The 2024 Kal Tire Cup Order of Merit standings race is shaping up for a suspenseful conclusion to the competitive season, with Bryn Parry (Seymour Creek Golf Centre) and Steven Lecuyer (Seymour Creek Golf Centre) tied atop the leaderboard.

The PGA of BC Order of Merit is designed to recognize excellence in competition by Association members across the province over the course of a season. Golf Professionals earn points toward the Order of Merit based upon their results in individual stroke-play championships conducted by the PGA of BC and in affiliated Regional Tour events. 

Parry, the 2024 PGA of BC Senior's Champion, and Lecuyer, the 2024 PGA of BC Assistants' Champion, have each earned 71 point thus far through their elite play this season. Lecuyer is the reigning 2023 Order of Merit winner.

Fresh off a fourth-place result at the PGA of BC Championship, Luke Bogdan (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) has earned 64 points to sit in third. Lindsay Bernakevitch (Victoria Golf Club), who recently won the PGA of BC Championship in a playoff victory, sits in fourth place with 62 points. Bernakevitch will be teeing it up at the PGA of BC Club Professional Championship at Nanaimo Golf Club later this month with an opportunity to move up the standings list. Rounding out the top five, PGA of BC Championship co-runner-up Andy Lin (Pacific Golf Academy) has earned 59 points.

The PGA of BC’s Kal Tire Cup has been updated to better recognize golf professionals for not only their performance but also their participation across a wider range of competitions throughout British Columbia and Canada. This broader range of competitions, including national championships, the RBC scramble, and other professional tournaments, will now contribute to Order of Merit points, recognizing a wider scope of professional involvement.​ To submit points for participation from non-PGA of BC event, please click here.

The Association extends its gratitude to Kal Tire for their support of the Order of Merit race. For the full leaderboard, please click here.

Ryan Tofani (Chilliwack Golf Club) leads the latest Sunice Bobby Jones Professional Development Program standings update through the end of August.

The PGA of BC Professional Development Program is an annual race designed to recognize members of the Association who show a tremendous contribution across many pillars key to being a top professional – the Association, by way of education, tournaments and other events, the industry in general, and, most importantly, themselves. Each year, the standings are used to determine the Top 100 Professionals, recognized annually at the Annual General Meeting and Spring Education Seminar.

Tofani has earned 66 points thus far through his participation in education, Association initiatives and programs, and volunteerism.

In second place, Dylan Nickel (Chilliwack Golf Club) has amassed 52 total points. Chris Ward (Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club) is in third place with 47 points, Todd Kuspira (Marine Drive Golf Club) has 42 points, and Adam Blair (Vernon Golf & Country Club) rounds out the top five with 37 points.

In addition to his current second-place standing on the overall leaderboard, Nickel is in first among all Assistants and Rookies.

The PGA of BC extends our thanks to Sunice, Bobby Jones and BC Sales Representative Steve Graham for their support of the Professional Development Program. To view the full standings leaderboard, please click here.

Lesley Hawkins, Vice President Retail for adidas Canada, will deliver a virtual presentation as part of the Association’s Virtual Education Series presented by Foresight Sports Canada on Tuesday, September 17 at 10am PT via Zoom.

Members are encouraged to register for this presentation, where they will gain insights from a top expert in golf retail. The PGA of BC is excited to invite all PGA of Canada members to register for this presentation. To sign up today, please click here. Any members who previously registered for the Virtual Education Bundle can attend.

Join us for an insightful speaking event that delves into the latest golf consumer trends, explores the impact on leadership, and provides strategic insights for business planning for 2025. This event will feature an industry leader who will share their knowledge on how evolving consumer preferences are shaping the market, the impact on leadership of multi-generations in the workforce, and effective strategies for navigating the golf business landscape in the coming year. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives and actionable advice to stay ahead in 2025!

Having worked in the retail industry for more than 30 years, Hawkins brings a wealth of experience and knowledge. Serving as Vice President Retail for adidas Canada since 2021, Hawkins has led the brand's Canadian retail strategy, creating and maintaining a high-performance culture for 1,000+ retail associates and driving $100+ million in sales with double-digit profitability. 

The PGA of BC thanks Foresight Sports Canada for their support of the Virtual Education Series. For more information, please reach out to Communications & Marketing Manager Graham Abraham at graham@pgabc.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

The PGA of BC is excited to announce that nominations for this year's PGA of BC Awards will open Saturday, September 14.

All PGA of BC members can nominate candidates in each award category. The nomination period will remain open for two weeks, closing on Saturday, September 28. Member-at-large voting for the provincial award winners will open on Tuesday, October 8 and close on Tuesday, October 15.

We are thrilled to welcome you back to the River Rock Casino Resort for the 2024 PGA of BC Awards Celebration presented by Tribal, taking place Tuesday, October 29. Ticketing information for the Awards Celebration will be released in the coming weeks.

For more information, please reach out to Executive Director Mark Strong at mark@pgabc.org.

As buying season approaches, PGA of BC members are invited to attend both the BPG Buying Show and the PGA of Alberta Buying Show.

The BPG Buying Show takes place October 16-18 at the Westin Ottawa Downtown. All PGA of BC members are welcome to attend, including non-members of BPG. Information on the show, including a link to register, can be found here.

The PGA of Alberta Buying Show takes place October 22-24 at the BMO Theatre in Calgary. Information on the show, including a link to register, can be found here.

For more information, please reach out to Executive Director Mark Strong at mark@pgabc.org.

PGA of BC members are encouraged to register for one of two upcoming Instructor of Beginner Golfers workshops, taking place October 2-4 at Rivershore Golf Links in Kamloops and October 7-9 at Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club in Richmond.

This three-day workshop is designed for instructors working with participants who are experiencing the sport for the first time through a series of lessons. Participants will be introduced to the different stages of motor learning and typical errors made by beginner golfers, cause and effect of ball flight laws, key teaching practices for new golfers, and other critical instructional elements. While traditionally viewed as a workshop for Apprentices, this course is designed for any member who is teaching players that are new to the game.

The registration deadline for the Rivershore Golf Links workshop is September 18, and September 23 for the Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club workshop.

To register for the Rivershore Golf Links workshop, please click here. To register for the Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club workshop, please click here. For more information, please reach out to the PGA of Canada's Education & Membership Coordinator, Luis Paredes, at luis@pgaofcanada.com.

PGA of BC member and Ledgeview Golf Club Apprentice Professional Brady Stead will be raising money for the Canadian Mental Health Association with the 2nd annual Steady Golf Teachathon for Mental Health.

On September 21, Stead will be teaching from dawn to dusk at Abbotsford's Ledgeview Golf Club. One hundred percent of lesson revenue and donations will be given to the Canadian Mental Health Association.

To register for a lesson, please click here.

Please consider donating directly to the campaign by clicking here.

Langley's Haus of Golf is excited to offer all competitors registered for the upcoming PGA Assistants' Championship of Canada a special PGA rate during tournament week. Details can be found below:

Code: PGAOFCANADA

Details: Enjoy a 1-hour Trackman powered simulator booking at Haus of Golf for the preferred rate of only $25 during tournament week!

Restrictions: Limited to one redemption per player per day.

Click here to book today

For more information, please reach out to Haus of Golf General Manager Jared Siminoff at jared@hausofgolf.ca.

Did you know that research services are available to golf facilities through the BC Golf House Society and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame? If your club is nearing a significant anniversary or milestone, these institutions are excellent resources to learn what historical info, photos or documents may be available within the archives specific to your facility.

Hall of Fame officials recommend starting the process of planning for anniversary celebrations years in advance, to form a committee to spearhead these efforts and to rely on club members as a key source of materials.

Contact Mike Riste at the BC Golf Museum at office@bcgolfhouse.com for information or ideas on how to acknowledge your club's history, and for more info on how the museum has preserved the histories of golf courses throughout the province. The Association extends its appreciation to Riste and the BC Golf Museum for providing archived historic content which was included in our 2023 Awards Celebration.

The Lower Mainland's G&G Tour hosted their latest tournament at Chilliwack Golf Club on August 26. Steven Lecuyer (Seymour Creek Golf Centre) earned the win, shooting 65 to finish at 7-under par. Jacob Vanderpas (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) and Mewail Kidane (Pacific Golf Academy) tied for second, with each competitor shooting 67.

The Vancouver Island Club Pro Tour competed at Cordova Bay Golf Course on August 13. Jake Scarrow (Gorge Vale Golf Club) took the victory in commanding fashion with an impressive 64 (-8), which included an eagle on the par-5 18th. Kevin Maxwell (Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community) earned runner-up honours, shooting a 2-under 70, while Arthur Brown (Storey Creek Golf Club) and Lucas Nonni (Bear Mountain Resort) shared third place at 71.

The Westland Insurance Interior PGA Tour held a tournament at Fairview Mountain Golf Club on August 12. Sharing the victory after both shooting 67 (-5) were Rob Tadey (Fairview Mountain Golf Club) and Lionel Taylor (Monte's Golf Shop). Ethan Danish (GOLFTEC Kelowna) earned second place, finishing one shot off the lead with a 68. Alec Hubert (Kamloops Golf & Country Club) shot 69 to round out the top three.

The Kootenay Pro Tour took on Bootleg Gap Golf on August 26. Trevor Simkins (Bootleg Gap Golf), Doug Schneider (Shadow Mountain Golf Course) and Chase Bodoano (The Springs at Radium) tied after 18 holes with scores of 71. Simkins won the first playoff hole with a tap-in birdie. Gregg Woytowich (Purcell Golf), Jerome Thorne (Eagle Ranch Resort) and Jamie Curiston (Wildstone Golf Course) tied for fourth place at even par.

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!

If you would like to place an advertisement in the Classifieds section, please contact Marketing & Communications Manager Graham Abraham at graham@pgabc.org to place a listing.

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE

Anthony Harvey-Prince's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Vernon Golf & Country Club

Duncan Savage becomes Head Professional at Squamish Valley Golf Club

Grant Cooper's application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Summerland Golf & Country Club

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

Head Golf Professional - Skeena Valley Golf & Country Club

For any job postings that have been approved and published on the PGA of BC website, the Association will share relevant social media posts to assist your facility in the search for a candidate. We will share one post/story per job posting. Please ensure that you tag the PGA of BC's social media account in any post or story relevant to the posting. To ensure that we share the post/story in a timely matter, please also reach out to Communications & Marketing Manager Graham Abraham at graham@pgabc.org to notify us of the post.

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 11-14

PGA Assistants' Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf

The Redwoods Golf Course, Langley Township, BC

Register Here

September 30-October 1

Srixon/Cleveland Golf Club Professional Championship presented by Nike Golf & Mobilicab

Nanaimo Golf Club, Nanaimo, BC

Register Here

October 29-30

PGA of BC Fall Trade Show

River Rock Casino Resort, Richmond, BC

Member Registration

December 9-12

PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf

Mission Resort & Club, Howey-In-The-Hills, Florida

Register Here

Cancellation deadlines for PGA of BC tournaments are 30 days prior to the event. Please ensure that you communicate your withdrawal to the PGA of BC Office Team before this date.

CONTACT THE PGA OF BC OFFICE TEAM