Big Sky Golf Club In Pemberton, BC Is Up For Sale - Image Courtesy Big Sky GC

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Big Sky Golf Club, the Pemberton layout that has long been regarded as one of British Columbia’s best courses, has been put up for sale by its original owners. Designed by Bob Cupp, Big Sky opened in 1993 and sits in the shadow of Mount Currie. It is owned by the Belkorp Group of Companies, controlled by Vancouver’s Belkin family.

The course, which sits on 179.4 acres, includes a pro shop, golf academy, double-ended grass-tee driving range, five-hole practice facility and a maintenance building. It has been listed for sale at $8.9 million by commercial real estate company Cushman & Wakefield.

“Essentially, the owners are looking to pass the torch after nearly 25 years of ownership,” said Cushman & Wakefield vice-president Brad Newman-Bennett, who happens to be a former (1999) B.C. Amateur champion. “Hopefully we can find someone as passionate about golf as they are.”

Pete Jawl From The Victoria Golf Club Won Two Of His Three Matches At Seattle Golf Club As B.C. Finished Second In The 13th Annual PNGA Cup - Image Credit PNGA

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

SHORELINE, Wash. -- As a PNGA Cup rookie, Pete Jawl acknowledged battling some butterflies as he walked the first few fairways of historic Seattle Golf Club. Then Jawl remembered he had more than a solid golf game to rely on. He also had an experienced player and good friend by his side in partner Craig Doell. 

To say Doell is a PNGA Cup veteran would be an understatement. While Jawl was playing in his first PNGA Cup, a Ryder Cup-style competition featuring top players from the British Columbia, Washington, Idaho and Oregon golf associations, Doell was playing in his 12th. Doell has missed only one PNGA Cup since the annual competition began in 2006.

British Columbia Golf Is Pleased To Announce The Addition Of Brian Jung (L) & Lindsay Manion (R) To Their Staff Of Coaches

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

British Columbia has a rich history of producing terrific junior golf talent and Debbie Pyne wants to make sure that continues.

Pyne, managing director of player development with British Columbia Golf, has made two additions to the organization’s staff that she thinks will further aid in the development of the province’s elite junior players.

Brian Jung has been appointed a regional coach and Lindsay Manion has been brought on board as a strength and conditioning specialist. They will be working with head provincial coaches Jennifer Greggain and Colin Lavers. Both bring a wealth of experience to their new roles.

Federal Way, Wash. – The 2018 Pacific Northwest Golf Association’s (PNGA) championship season kicks off this week as 48 of the top amateur golfers in the region prepare to square off in the 13th PNGA Cup, to be held May 3-4 at Seattle Golf Club.

The PNGA Cup was created in 2006 by past PNGA President Dr. Jack Lamey as a way of continuing the friendship and partnership of the region’s allied associations under the PNGA umbrella – British Columbia Golf, Idaho Golf Association, Oregon Golf Association and Washington State Golf Association.

The 2018 BC Summer Games are being held in the beautiful Cowichan Valley this year from July 19 - 22nd. As part of the BC Summer Games lead-up, the golf competition holds zone qualifying events and the first one is set to get underway this weekend, on Sunday April 29th at the Squamish Valley Golf & Country Club.

All Images Courtesy African American Golfer's Digest

As We Move Closer To International Women’s Day, Here's A Great Example Of A Group Demonstrating How To Get More Women And Diversity Into The Game - (British Columbia Golf)

By James R. Beatty  (African American Golfer's Digest - reprinted with permission)

If you are even thinking about taking up the game of golf— and have found reason after reason to keep putting it off— then, you must read this story.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Many have either delayed or totally put off the one decision which can and will change your life. Read here about Clemmie Perry, founder and CEO of Women Of Color Golf (WOCG) and how she has helped to impact the lives of women in Tampa, Florida, forever by introducing them to all of the benefits that come with participating and enjoying the game.

Pay particular attention to the reflections of one of these women, who put it in perspective in her own words.

Golf Canada President Leslie Dunning Headed An Industry-Wide Working Group That Established A Ground-Breaking Initiative, The “Equity, Diversity And Inclusion Policy.” - Image Credit Golf Canada

By John Gordon/Golf Canada

Kris Jonasson is many things. All of them good, although I can’t speak to his golf game. 

Blunt is one of those admirable qualities.

When asked about the push for inclusivity in golf, he summarized it thusly: “Golf has bucked a bad reputation forever. Some of it is justified. We need to be a game for all of the people, not just rich white men.”

Since 1996, Jonasson has run British Columbia Golf, that province’s amateur association. In 2004, he led the successful movement to meld the separate men’s and women’s amateur associations into one entity.

For Immediate Release – Vancouver, BC (April 18th, 2018)

Maui Jim Canada Elevating BC Women's Golf In 2018

British Columbia Golf along with the Vancouver Golf Tour welcomes MAUI JIM CANADA as a Major Partner in developing BC Women’s Golf. Through the partnership British Columbia Golf has with the VGT, Maui Jim Canada has elevated their sponsorship to include a Presenting Sponsorship Role in all 7 of British Columbia Golf’s Women’s Championships in 2018.

The BC Golf Women's Championship events begin June 18th with the Women's Senior, Super-Senior and Net-Stableford Championship and conclude with the Juvenile Girls Championship August 23rd. At the same time the VGT will launch the MAUI JIM WOMEN’S SERIES.

For many of us trying to squeeze in the last few rounds of the season, or for those planning on heading south during the winter, it’s important to note the “active season” in the region, province or country you’re playing in.

Golf Canada’s Handicap System stipulates every player is responsible for returning all acceptable scores into one’s scoring record from rounds played on courses observing their active season, which is part of the golf season when courses have acceptable playing conditions.

Richmond, BC's Chris Crisologo Has A Bright Future In Front Of Him - Image Credit Bryan Outram/British Columbia Golf

By Steve Ewen Province Sports Reporter

Chris Crisologo gets it.

There aren’t many people in this country more skilled with a golf club in their hands and a golf ball at their feet than Crisologo.

The SFU Clan senior star knows that it’s going to give him opportunities, like when he took part in the South American Amateur in Buenos Aires, Argentina, back in January.

Crisologo won the tournament. He also found the time to get out, to see the sights, to have an experience. The way he can plunk a golf ball down exactly where he wants from 220 yards away with the wind whipping and assorted foliage encroaching will take him places he may not normally visit. He wants to take advantage of that.

To read complete story by Steve Ewen please CLICK HERE

Both Men & Women Can Benefit From Incorporating A Game Of Golf Into Their Business Dealings - Image Courtesy pixabay.com

By John Gordon/Courtesy Golf Canada

If you’re a golfer who has been in the business world for any length of time, then the gist of this blog will be much like, as the old saying goes, preaching to the choir.

You understand the inestimable value of being able to spend a few relatively uninterrupted hours in a scenic setting with valued clients, co-workers or colleagues. For the most part, it’s less about golf than it is about building relationships.

But if you’re new to golf or the business world or both, then it’s well worth your time to read on.

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce its 2018 championship schedule which includes a record-30 amateur and professional competitions plus qualifiers hosted at golf facilities in communities across Canada.

The 2018 schedule is headlined by Golf Canada’s premier professional championships—the RBC Canadian Open from July 23-29 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., and the CP Women’s Open at Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask. from August 20-26.

The 2018 competition calendar includes eight National Amateur Championships, six Future Links, driven by Acura regional junior competitions and the World Junior Girls Championship.

Golf Canada will also host 11 qualifying events in 2018 including qualifiers for prestigious international competitions such as the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup and the U.S. Open (Local Qualifying), as well as the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur.

This past month British Columbia Golf held its Annual General Meeting in Richmond and reported on a number of elements affecting the overall state of the governing body for golf in the province of BC.

As a summary of that gathering we present here the views of British Columbia Golf President, Patrick Kelly. As a means of explaining the organization's performance of late, Mr. Kelly uses as a platform the 'Industry Scorecard' which was created a couple of years ago

The Allied Golf Association (AGA) in conjunction with British Columbia Golf produced a 'scorecard' which grades the various components of the golf industry with respect to performance in those areas by comparing it against par on a typical golf scorecard.

You can see how the golf industry saw its own performance at that time below. And as with any competitor who wishes to excel, the goal is to bring that score in line with improved results and aim to submit the best score possible.

The 2018 PNGA Cup is being held this year from May 2-4, 2018 at the Seattle Golf Clubin Shoreline, WA.

This Ryder-Cup style championship features some of the most notable amateur golfers in the Pacific Northwest region with 12-member teams representing the regional golf associations that makeup the Pacific Northwest Golf Association, which includes British Columbia Golf, Idaho Golf Association, Oregon Golf Association, and Washington State Golf Association.

Courtesy Uplands Golf Club Newsletter (Jan Allen - editor)/Prepared by UGC Member Nancy Greer

In Memoriam - Joan Lawson

This past month brought with it the sad news of the passing of a very special member of the Women's Division, Honorary Life Member, Joan Lawson, in her 98th year.

Joan began golfing as a 15-year-old junior member of Uplands in 1935, just 13 years after Uplands was founded. Her first major win in a truly outstanding amateur golf career came just 3 years later in 1938 when she won the Empress Midwinter Tournament.

This was followed by a long list of wins, not the least of which was being our Ladies Club Champion 21 times and Runner Up 3 times between 1942 to 1978, a truly remarkable feat to remain in top competitive form over this span of 36 years.

Images Labelled For Reuse

Now that the governing bodies of golf have finalized the 'modernized' version of golf's rules, due to be brought into effect January 1, 2019, we thought we would bring to everyone's attention an article published in the Globe and Mail recently that harkens back to the original rules of the game from 1744.

Once upon a time, golf was played under a 13 rule format and although in many ways it was a much simpler game, it was also a far more difficult game, certainly at least when you take into account how often the initial laws essentially inferred that it was, 'tough luck old chap' when a number of unfortunate occurences took place.

PGA of BC Golf Professionals Will Be Introducing Children To The Sport During Spring Break This Month At Camps Taking Place In Several Locations Across The Province - Image Courtesy PGA of BC

via PGA of BC

RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) -- With a two-week break from the classroom coming up for British Columbia students this month, many PGA of BC facilities are offering the perfect way to keep children active and occupied over Spring Break.

Kids of all ages can learn the game from PGA of BC Golf Professionals at one of many camps taking place across the province during the Spring Break period, providing a chance for youth to pick up golf through the sport’s most trusted instructors at an affordable price.

The 2018 Members of British Columbia Golf's NPJL Team: Clockwise From Top Left: Kathrine Chan, Claire Lovan, Phoebe Yue, Angel Lin, Tiffany Kong And Akari Hayashi 

This year is the 32nd edition of the North Pacific Junior Ladies' Team Matches and will see squads from British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon and Washington competing May 25th - May 27th at the Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon.

British Columbia Golf is looking for a 'Three-peat' in 2018 having won the last two versions, on home soil at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in 2016 and then defending their title at Illahe Hills Country Club in Salem, Oregon last year.

BC Provincial Coach Colin Lavers Addresses A Group Of Young Players At The BC Provincial Titleist Performance Camp Held Recently At Northview GC In Surrey - Image Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/British Columbia Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Like a lot of golfers, Dustin Franko is guilty of getting a little down on himself when things aren’t going his way on the course. “I feel like I am not as mentally strong as I need to be,” said Franko, a 17-year-old North Delta resident. “It is probably the weakest part of my game. I find myself getting mad at myself quite a bit.”

Franko left the recent two-day B.C. Provincial Titleist Performance Camp at Northview Golf Course in Surrey feeling like he is now better equipped to deal with some of those inevitable challenging moments on the golf course.

Courtenay, BC's Abigail Rigsby, Shown Above Playing On BC's Winning Team In The 2016 North Pacific Junior Ladies Team Matches, Won Her 1st Collegiate Title, Taking The Midwestern State Invitational - Image(s) Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/ OCU Athletics

Courtesy Oklahoma Christian University Athletics/Women's Golf

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (March 13, 2018) – Abigail Rigsby had been close to winning her first collegiate tournament so many times and the Oklahoma Christian golfer finally busted down the door to victory on Tuesday.

Rigsby pulled away from the field in her typical steady fashion, turning a one-shot lead to start the day into a four-shot runaway in the Midwestern State Invitational at Wichita Falls Country Club. Her final-round 4-over-par 76 gave the sophomore from Courtenay, British Columbia, a two-day total of 149 over the 5,843-yard course.