By John Gordon/Courtesy Golf Canada

As you have heard, a historic reworking of the Rules of Golf came into effect on Jan. 1.

To gain a better understanding of how it affects recreational golfers like me, I invited Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s director of Rules, competitions and amateur status, to play nine holes with me at my home club. While the round is fictional—it is minus 8 in Central Ontario and Midland G&CC is snow-covered as I write this—the new Rules are anything but.

British Columbia Golf is pleased to announce that Chilliwack's Ray Flynn is to be recognized at the 2019 Sport BC Awards Banquet with the prestigious Presidents Award. 

Founded in 1994, Sport BC’s Annual Presidents’ Awards promote and celebrate the spirit of volunteerism by giving member organizations an opportunity to acknowledge and thank an individual who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to their sport.

Some of the new Rules of Golf appear to have confused people.

This may help, a video highlighting the main changes with the new 2019 Rules of Golf.

Golf’s new Rules have been published by the The R&A and USGA in partnership with Golf Canada with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2019.

For the first time, a new Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf is being introduced to provide a shorter, more user-friendly version of the Rules for golfers at all levels of the game.

 Via Press Release

Federal Way, Wash. – The 7,248-yard, par-72 Championship Course at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque will host the world’s most accomplished amateur golfers for the 53rd installment of the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship.

The 53rd Pacific Coast Amateur Championship, hosted by the Sun Country Amateur Golf Association (SCAGA), will take place July 23-26, 2019. This will be the first time in history that the Pacific Coast Amateur will be played in New Mexico.

With the recent celebration of International Volunteer Day (IVD) across the globe, British Columbia Golf would like to take this opportunity to both acknowledge and sincerely thank the many women, men and young people who regularly give of their time and expertise to help make the championship events held in our province run smoothly and efficiently and indeed, allowing them to take place at all.

By RYAN HERRINGTON, Golf Digest

As January 1, 2019, approaches, it’s time to consider what New Year’s resolutions you’ll be making to help your golf game in 2019.

For those who haven’t come up with any, here’s a suggestion: Learn the Rules of Golf. (No, really learn them this time.)

Perhaps you’ve tried, only to find that by February, the copy of the rules book you picked up is covered with as much dust as that Peloton you bought to get into shape.

Yet here’s the thing: There’s no better time than now to give it another shot because a new, modernized version of the rules goes into effect on New Year’s Day.

Click here for the full story...

Courtesy the good folks at Global Golf Post and YouTube, we'd like to share this inspiring video from 2013.

Each Christmas at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, there are a few kids who are too sick to go home. Watch how Arnold Palmer helped deliver some Christmas Miracles just in time!

Video created with love by strong films (http://strongfilms.org)

"Auld Lang Syne" and "Jingle Bells" performed by Ben Rector, used with permission!

British Columbia Golf members and staff would like to offer sincere condolences to the family and friends of Emily Mae Beauchamp (Ringheim) following her passing in September. There is a celebration of her life being planned for July 27th, 2019.

The Kimberley, BC native was heavily involved in junior golf in our province and was a tremendous influence in the community volunteering her time in many capacities. 

Below is an excerpt from her obituary posted by Thompson Funeral Service in Nelson, BC.

Named To Golf Canada's 2019 Team Canada Squad From B.C. Are From L-R: Richmond's Chris Crisologo and Victoria's Namoi Ko And Jeevan Sihota - Images Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/BC Golf

Golf Canada is proud to announce the 17 athletes who have been chosen to represent Team Canada as part of the 2019 National Amateur and Junior Squads.

In all, seven athletes comprise Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad including four players on the men’s team and three on the women’s team. The 10-member Junior Squad will include five women and five men.

Those Honored Include, Clockwise From Top Left: Men’s Player of the Year, Chris Crisologo of Richmond, B.C.; Women’s, Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C.; Men’s Mid-Amateur, Reid Hatley of Hayden Lake, Idaho; Women’s Mid-Amateur, Gretchen Johnson of Portland, Ore.; Junior Boys’, Ian Siebers of Bellevue, Wash; Junior Girls’, Brittany Kwon of Bremerton, Wash; Senior Men’s, Tom Brandes of Bellevue, Wash. and Senior Women’s, Lara Tennant of Portland, Ore.

Among this year's PNGA Player of The Year winners are Delta, B.C.'s Mary Parsons (Women's POY) and Richmond, B.C.'s Chris Crisologo (Men's POY).

The PNGA Player of the Year candidates are nominated by the various state and provincial golf associations that comprise the PNGA (Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington), and are selected by a vote of the PNGA Championship Committee and members of the Northwest Golf Media Association.

The Mid-Amateur category was created in 2012. The awards are officially presented at the PNGA Annual Meeting in the spring.

Courtesy Golf Canada/Written by John Gordon

No matter how many times we talk about the benefits and amenities included with a Golf Canada Gold-level membership (most recently, here), it doesn’t strike home until, well, it strikes home.

A little while ago, I saw a tweet from a member at a local golf club. “Somebody stole my putter out of my bag while I was at the range right before my match. My red TaylorMade Spider…,” he lamented, adding a few expletives directed at the thief.

At last check, that putter retails for close to $400. He thought he was out of pocket for a replacement.

British Columbia Golf is proud to announce our support of The ModGolf Podcast. We encourage you to listen to these unique golf innovation stories that align with our vision to grow the game.

Host Colin Weston (who works and lives in Vancouver) speaks with industry influencers, innovators, disruptors and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of golf.

Launched in May 2017 and now 50 episodes in, The ModGolf Podcast shines the spotlight on a diverse range of golf industry guests who share their engaging stories.

By John Gordon/Courtesy Golf Canada

“I’m not good enough to keep track of my handicap.” Craig Loughry, Golf Canada’s Director of Handicap and Course Rating, is tired of hearing that.

“The purpose of the Handicap System is to make the game of golf more enjoyable by enabling players of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis,” the Golf Canada Handicap Manual states.

“If you’re playing golf regularly, you’re keeping track of your scores in some fashion,” he points out. “You’re golfing for a reason or reasons, whether it’s for the competition against yourself or others, recreation, socializing, whatever. It obviously is a significant part of your activity schedule, so why not keep track on an ongoing basis?

Every fall the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) votes on the Player of the Year Award for Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Men’s, Women’s, Mid-Amateur Men, Mid-Amateur Women, Senior Men, and Senior Women.

The PNGA Player of the Year candidates are nominated by the various state and provincial golf associations that comprise the PNGA (Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington), and are selected by a vote of the PNGA Championship Committee.

(L-R) European Tour Chief Medical Officer Andrew Murray, Professor Fiona Bull, LPGA Legend Annika Sorenstam, R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers, Professor Charlie Foster And MP Craig Tracey Were On Hand For The First International Congress on Golf and Health - Image Courtesy Golf Canada

Written By The R&A/Courtesy Golf Canada

LONDON, England – A global consensus amongst leaders in public health, public policy and sport backs golf in the race to tackle physical inactivity and the prevention of a range of non-communicable disease (NCD) including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer of the breast and colon.

Evidence linking golf and health, commissioned by the World Golf Foundation and supported by The R&A, was presented this week in London at the 7th Congress of the International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH). The biennial scientific meeting is widely regarded as the world’s flagship physical activity and public health event attended by more than 1,000 delegates from 60 countries.

Hall Of Fame Golf Writer Brad Ziemer, Now A Fixture With British Columbia Golf, Received The PGA of BC Arv Olson Media Personnel Of The Year Award From The PGA of BC For The 2nd Time, Becoming The First Two-Time Winner Of The Award - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

Courtesy PGA of BC

OCTOBER 10, 2018 - RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) - The PGA of BC proudly named the provincial recipients of its annual honours for 2018 during the Association's Awards Celebration presented by Replay Golf Supplies on Wednesday evening at the River Rock Casino Resort.

BC's Jackie Little (L) And Holly Horwood (R) Emerged Victorious In The PNGA Senior & Super Senior Women's Championships Held At Shaughnessy G&CC - Image Credit PNGA

Courtesy PNGA

Jackie Little (Procter, B.C.) shot rounds of 72-81 to win the 32nd Pacific Northwest Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. This is her third title in this championship, having previously won in 2008 and 2009.

In the 7th Pacific Northwest Super Senior Women’s Amateur, Holly Horwood (Vancouver, B.C.) shot rounds of 73-80 to successfully defend her title. She won the championship last year, when it was held at Overlake Golf and Country Club in Medina, Wash. Horwood also won the 2012 Pacific Northwest Senior Women’s Amateur.

British Columbia Golf's Brad Ziemer Is Seen Here Interviewing 13-Time B.C. Amateur Champion Doug Roxburgh. Ziemer Will Receive His 2nd PGA of BC Arv Olson Media Personnel Of The Year Award At This Year's PGA of BC 2018 Association Awards At The River Rock Casino - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

October 3, 2018 - RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) - The PGA of BC is proud to announce the recipients of four of the Association's 2018 awards, as well as the PGA of BC Community Leadership Bursary and the Jim Gibson Scholarship. These honours are designed to recognize leaders in the golf community exhibiting qualities such as volunteerism, selflessness, passion, and dedication to the game.

These honourees, along with the recipients of 11 other Association awards, will be recognized at the PGA of BC Awards Celebration presented by Replay Golf Supplies, taking place Oct. 10 at the River Rock Casino Resort: