PGA of BC

E-NEWS

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

Proudly Canadian and family-owned since 1953, the first Kal Tire store was opened in the friendly town of Vernon, BC. Now with over 260 locations from coast-to-coast, Canadians across the country can count on Kal Tire for quality service and expertise for all things tires, wheels and mechanical services.

Kal Tire is a proud supporter of the PGA of BC, sponsoring the Association’s Kal Tire Cup Order of Merit to recognize excellence in competition by members across the province.

The PGA of BC is proud to introduce a brand new competition, beginning tomorrow: the Simulator Series presented by Club Champion! We are thrilled to partner with Club Champion for this exciting and innovative competition.

Step into the virtual fairways for the association's inaugural season of competitive indoor golf. This unique series of simulator tournaments lets you compete on world-class courses without leaving the comfort of your local simulator. Join your fellow PGA of BC members for exciting, tech-enhanced rounds that blend traditional golf with the convenience of indoor play this winter.

The first event in the inaugural PGA of BC Simulator Series presented by Club Champion kicks off tomorrow, November 15 and will run until Friday, November 29, with players competing virtually at St. Andrews Links, Old Course. Click here for more information on the Simulator Series, including more detailed instructions, a list of facilities, registration and the series’ Notice To Competitors.

Those members who have registered will be sent a link to compete in the first event. Competitors can register during the playing window, however we encourage members to sign up as soon as possible.

For more information, please reach out to the PGA of BC Office Team at info@pgabc.org.

Trackman's Stephen Butt will join PGA of BC professionals for a free online Information Session open to all members in advance of the newly introduced PGA of BC Simulator Series.

This Information Session will take place tomorrow, November 15 at 1:00pm PT via Zoom. PGA of BC Executive Director Mark Strong will moderate the discussion. We extend our thanks to those members who have registered for the presentation. If you did not yet register for the presentation, you can still attend via the Zoom link below.

A 45-minute Information Session (with 15 minutes for Q&A at the end), covering:

• An overview of Launch Monitor technology & what a modern simulator experience looks like
• How golf professionals can have their students/clients utilize these technologies effectively
• An introduction to golf's virtual competitive platforms & the PGA of BC Simulator Series

Zoom Presentation Link (Open to all PGA of BC members): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84953259594

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

The PGA of BC and VBS Apparel are proud to introduce a new Team Store, where PGA of BC members can purchase Lululemon apparel and accessories branded with the PGA of BC logo.

Hoodies, t-shirts, sweatpants, hats and more are all available for purchase by PGA of BC professionals. Please visit the Association's Member Benefits & Corporate Discounts page (log-in required) to access the Team Store link.

The Team Store will periodically close to allow for efficient order fulfilment. Currently, the Store is scheduled to remain open until end of day on November 24, 2024. We encourage members to place their orders before this date to ensure delivery by Christmas.

More products from additional brands and partners are coming soon!

The PGA of BC extends our thanks to VBS Apparel and CEO Sanjiv Jasra for their collaboration. For more information, please reach out to Business Development Manager Dan Czerwenka at dan@pgabc.org.

Story & Graphic via Navin Autar, ALS Society of BC

The PGA of BC and the ALS Society of BC celebrated another successful PGA of BC Golfathon for ALS presented by Pacific Blue Cross at the recent PGA of BC Awards Celebration. This enduring partnership underscores the power of collaboration in the fight against ALS.

Since 2006, the Golfathon for ALS has united golf professionals and enthusiasts across British Columbia to raise awareness and critical funds for individuals affected by ALS in British Columbia and the Yukon. This year’s campaign generated over $233,000, bringing the total amount raised to over $3 million since its inception.

In 2024, over 100 participants at nearly 40 golf facilities across the province participated in the event, with the majority taking place in the month of June in conjunction with ALS Awareness month.

As the Golfathon for ALS enters its 20th year in 2025, the PGA of BC and ALS Society of BC remain committed to continuing this important partnership and working towards a future where ALS is no longer a devastating disease.

A full recap of the individual events, dates, list of participants and total funds raised can be found in the 2024 PGA of BC Golfathon for ALS Media binder. For additional information on the program, please visit www.golfathonforals.com.

At last week's Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on the DP World Tour, taking place at Yas Links, Tommy Fleetwood set the course record with a 62 (-10) in Round One. Just twenty-four hours later, Fleetwood's record fell as eventual champion Paul Waring fired a 61.

This past season saw several PGA of BC professionals achieve course records around the province:

In May, Luke Bogdan (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) won the Vancouver Golf Tour's Riverway Classic after shooting a 64 (-8) at Burnaby's Riverway Golf Course. Bogdan's performance was especially dominant as he bested the runner-up by eight shots to finish as the only golfer under par.

In July, Kevin Stinson (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) fired nine birdies and an eagle en route to a Nicklaus North course-record 60 (-11) to win a G&G Tour event.

Lionel Taylor (Monte's Golf Shop) managed to set not one, but two course records in 2024! Taylor won the Black Mountain Men's Open with a Black Mountain course-record 61 and the Penticon Men's Open with a Penticton Golf Club course-record 62.

UBC Thunderbirds

Women's Coaching Staff: Chris MacDonald, Jeff Buder, Tim Wilson, Tyler McNeil, Taylor Kim

Men's Coaching Staff: Chris MacDonald, Jeff Buder, Tim Wilson, Tyler McNeil, Patrick Lago, Keir Smith

The UBC Women's Golf Team won the Gail Moore Intercollegiate at Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Washington on October 21 & 22. The Thunderbirds closed the event with a team score of 574 (-2) to defeat runners-up Oregon Tech by 25 strokes. Bo Brown shot a career-best 69 in the final round to force a playoff, where she won gold. Teammate Jessica Ng also qualified for the playoff, ultimately earning third place.

The UBC Men's Golf Team took 14th place at the Kapolei Invitational at Kapolei Golf Club in Hawaii on October 29-31, competing against NCAA Division 1 programs. Aidan Schumer was the low individual Thunderbird at +4 to earn T21st place overall, while teammate Mackenzie Bickell finished one shot back of Schumer to tie for 30th.

Full Recap via Jake McGrail, UBC Communications:

Women's

SFU Red Leafs

Coaching Staff: Krysta Schaus, Matt Cella, Kim Senecal, Scott Kerr, Timothy Rattan

The SFU Women's Golf Team competed in the Hawaii Pacific Sharks Shootout at Mauna Lani North in Kohala Coast, Hawaii on October 25-26. The team finished in sixth place, led by a top-10 individual result from Izzy Ferguson. Also excelling for the Red Leafs, Meera Minhas tied for 19th among individuals.

The SFU Men's Golf Team competed in the Hawaii Pacific Sharks Shootout at Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf in Waikoloa, Hawaii on October 25-26. The team earned an eight place result in a field of 19 programs. Freshman Maxwell Corcoran paced the Red Leafs, shooting rounds of 69-68 to earn T13 among individuals.

Full Recaps via SFU Communications:

Women's | Men's

UVic Vikes

Coaching Staff: Justin Clews, David Rands

The UVic Women's Golf Team competed in the Gail Moore Intercollegiate at Gold Mountain Golf Club on October 21-22, where the Vikes earned a third-place finish. Propelling the team to that bronze-medal result was Cindy Koira, who starred with rounds of 70-74 to close her tournament at even-par and earn fourth place on the individual leaderboard.

The UVic Men's Golf Team competed in the UBC Men's Invitational at Gold Mountain Golf Club on October 21-22, where they finished in third place. The Vikes were led by Owen Croft, who tied for seventh place at 1-under par, and Maguire Lines, tying for ninth at even par.

To read a full recap via Alexis Chevalier, Vikes Sports Information, please click here.

UBC Okanagan Heat

Coaching Staff: Clay Stothers, Mackenzie Barrie, Brandon Raine

The UBCO Women's Golf Team took a silver medal as runners-up at the Firestorm Fall Invitational at Verrado Golf Club in Buckeye, Arizona on November 4-5. Julia Alexander-Carew shined for the Heat, earning runner-up individual honours at 1-over par. Lauren Nedo's (+8) strong play propelled her to a T7 finish.

The UBCO Men's Golf Team earned 7th place at the Firestorm Fall Invitational. Ryan Gillis starred for the Heat, tying in sixth place and shooting the Round Two low individual score.

UFV Cascades



Coaching Staff: Connor O'Dell, Kathy Stecyk, Sean Douglas

The UFV Women's Golf Team competed in the Canada West Championships, where they finished in third place. Morgan Best led the way for the Cascades, shooting one-over par to tie for seventh place among individuals.

The UFV Men's Golf Team earned a fifth-place result in the Canada West Championships. Eli Greene was the top performer for UFV, closing his tournament at 2-over and tie for 16th place on the individual leaderboard.

Full Recaps via UFV:

Women's | Men's

Range Servant RS-38K Ball Washer ($3,500)

• 38,000 balls per hour
• 1,000 ball capacity

Please reach out to Shawn Keough at skeough@marine-drive.com for all inquiries.

Putting Green ($5,000 OBO)

Please reach out to Sergej Dronov at info@pacificgolfacademy.ca for all inquiries.

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

Gregory Schaepper has transferred from the Ottawa Valley Zone and joins Bowen Island Golf Club as an Apprentice Professional

Ryan Tofani has left Chilliwack Golf Club

Trevor McLean has successfully completed the National Training Academy and becomes a Class “A” Professional at Seymour Golf & Country Club

Sean Thompson has left the Vancouver Golf Club

Greg Pool goes from Class “A” Professional to Head Professional at the Vancouver Golf Club

Caleb Voth’s application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Ledgeview Golf & Country Club

Mi Sun Yoo has resigned from the PGA of Canada

Scott Kerr’s application to the PGA of Canada has been approved and he becomes an Apprentice Professional at Simon Fraser University

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

Certified Personal Coach - GOLFTEC North Vancouver

Assistant/Associate Golf Professional - Golden Golf Club

Assistant/Associate Golf Professional - Salmon Arm Golf Club

Assistant Professional/Assistant Retail Manager - Morgan Creek Golf Course

Assistant/Teaching Professional - Blue Ocean Golf Club

Assistant/Associate Golf Professional - Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community

Assistant Golf Professional - Shuswap National

Head Golf Professional - Gorge Vale Golf 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.

PGA of BC Simulator Series

Various Locations; via Trackman TPS Platform

Registration and More Info

November 15-29

PGA of BC Simulator Series, Event #1

St. Andrews Links, The Old Course

December 13-27

PGA of BC Simulator Series, Event #2

Royal Melbourne, Composite Course

January 17-31

PGA of BC Simulator Series, Event #3

Pebble Beach Golf Links

December 9-12

PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf

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

Register Here

CONTACT THE PGA OF BC OFFICE TEAM