Shaughnessy G&CC Hosted The 2023 CPKC Women's Open - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

The CPKC Women’s Open has won the LPGA Tour’s highest tournament honour for the second consecutive year.

The event, hosted Aug. 22-27 at Vancouver’s Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, was named the back-to-back winner of tour’s tournament of the Year at the LPGA’s annual year-end tournament awards Wednesday night.

“We really have a secret sauce,” tournament director Ryan Paul told The Canadian Press at the CME Group Tour Championship, the final event of the LPGA Tour season. “It’s really an incredible golf tournament. You’ve got the best players in the world a rope-line away from you, but outside the ropes there are so many great things that you can see and do.”

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Uplands Golf Course In Victoria, BC - Image Courtesy Uplands GC

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Keith Dagg has been a key organizer of Victoria’s annual pro golf tourney for more than 40 years and he will tell you it hasn’t always been easy to secure enough corporate sponsorship to keep the tournament running.

“I started this in 1981 and we’re still going,” Dagg says with a hint of pride in his voice. The tournament that has been a labour of love for Dagg will kick off the Canadian portion of the new PGA Tour Americas circuit early next summer.

Diwali is the Indian “festival of lights”—a holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on November 12. Though technically religious, it’s also become a cultural event in North America that’s celebrated with sweets and special foods.

What Is Diwali?

Diwali (also called Divali or Deepavali) is a “festival of lights” that celebrates the triumph of light over dark and good over evil, and the blessings of victory, freedom, and enlightenment. The name comes from Sanksrit dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” On the night of Diwali, celebrants light dozens of candles and clay lamps (called diyas), placing them throughout their homes and in the streets to light up the dark night.

In most of India, Diwali consists of a five-day celebration that peaks on the third day with the main celebration of Diwali. In other places where Diwali occurs, usually only the main day is celebrated.

Who Celebrates Diwali?

Diwali is primarily celebrated by followers of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths. However, the holiday is celebrated throughout India, Singapore, and several other South Asian countries as a national holiday, meaning that people outside these religions may participate in Diwali celebrations, too. Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and elsewhere around the globe also regularly celebrate Diwali.

When Is Diwali?

Diwali occurs annually in autumn (or spring, in the southern hemisphere), during the Hindu month of Kartik. (To put it in Western terms, Kartik begins around mid-October and ends in mid-November.) Specifically, Diwali occurs on the darkest day of the lunar month, which is the day of the new Moon.

On this November 11th Remembrance Day....In Flanders fields, Lest We Forget...

Four of Eight PNGA POY Awards Go To Players From BC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2023

Tacoma, Wash. – The Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) has announced the region’s Players of the Year for 2023. Those honored include Men's Player of the Year, Cooper Humphreys of Vernon, B.C.; Women’s, Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C.; Men's Mid-Amateur, Zach Foushee of Portland, Ore.; Women's Mid-Amateur, Gretchen Johnson of Portland, Ore.; Senior Men's, Tom Brandes of Bellevue, Wash.; Senior Women's, Lara Tennant of Portland, Ore.; Junior Boys', James Lee of Whistler, B.C.; and Junior Girls', Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C.

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

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The R&A

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(St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, NJ, USA) – The R&A and the USGA announced the first update to the World Handicap System™ (WHS™) as part of an ongoing review of the Rules of Handicapping™ and Course Rating System™ with a continued emphasis on accuracy, consistency and equity. The latest revisions will go into effect from the 1st of January 2024.

Many countries have seen significant increases in the number of scores being submitted for handicapping purposes since the WHS was introduced, reflecting golf’s broadening appeal. More than 100 million scores have been posted each year, unifying millions of golfers through a standard measure of playing ability. The 2024 update leverages the performance data gathered from around the world, in addition to feedback received from many of the 125 countries now using the system.

Significant updates to the WHS include:

Click HERE to see complete article.

Uplands GC In Victoria, BC Will Host The Lone PGA TOUR Americas Event In British Columbia

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PGA TOUR Communications

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – The PGA TOUR announced the 2024 PGA TOUR Americas schedule, which features 16 tournaments spanning eight countries, beginning in March and concluding in September with the Fortinet Cup Championship.

PGA TOUR Americas, which was introduced in April 2023, is the merger of PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and PGA TOUR Canada into a singular Tour.

Click HERE to see complete article and schedule. 

View From The 1st Tee At Vancouver's Langara Golf Club - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Even on these soggy November days, there is plenty of roll on the fairways at Langara Golf Course. And now, thanks to a unanimous vote last week by the Vancouver Park Board, there is also plenty of optimism about the course’s future.

For not the first time, there have been calls recently from academics and assorted others to have at least part of Langara used for affordable housing. The park board’s answer was an emphatic no and commissioner Brennan Bastyovanszky indicated his ABC party colleagues on Vancouver city council feel the same way.

Once Dubbed 'Disco Dick' For Wearing A Sony Walkman While Playing On The PGA TOUR, Richard Zokol Was Inducted Into The BC Sports Hall of Fame As Part Of The Class of 2024 - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Perseverance has always been one of Richard Zokol’s biggest assets. Zokol made his childhood dreams of becoming a professional golfer come true through a lot of hard work and self-belief.

He was inspired as a junior golfer at Marine Drive Golf Club by the likes of Stan Leonard, Johnny Johnston, Alvie Thompson and a young Doug Roxburgh. “The club had a spirit of champions and it just seemed so appealing to me,” Zokol says. “I wanted to follow in that path and fill those shoes.”

Zokol found himself doing lots of reflecting on his golf journey when he got the news that became official last week. He is being inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame.

BC Provincial Sport Organizations, British Columbia Golf and Curl BC are jointly looking to hire an Events Manager to perform an important role on behalf of both organizations in a contract position split equally over a 12-month period between the two. 

Please see full details and how to apply below. 

BC's A.J. Ewart Is On To The Next Round Of Korn Ferry Tour Q-School - Image Courtesy Brad Ziemer

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

A.J. Ewart played well again in Florida, which should not come as a surprise. The 24-year-old Coquitlam native, who enjoyed considerable success as a collegiate player at Barry University in south Florida, sailed through the first stage of Korn Ferry Tour qualifying school last week at a site in Lake Worth, Fla.

Ewart fired rounds of 69, 66, 65 and 69 to finish tied for fifth at 16-under par. The top 20 and ties advanced to the second stage of Q-school. Ewart’s third-round 65 included a hole-in-one on the 177-yard par 3 third hole at The Falls Club.

Leah John Has Win No. 3 On Her College Resume At The University Of Nevada - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

For Lauren Kim, it was collegiate win No. 1 in what was just her third event. For Leah John, it was win No. 3 and it came just a week after win No. 2.

The two British Columbians, at very different points in their collegiate golf journeys, recorded their wins on the same day last week (Wednesday, Oct. 11). They both thought that was great.
“Canada is crushing it,” said John, who is in her final year at the University of Nevada.

“I immediately thought, 'we’re amazing,'” added Kim, a freshman at the University of Texas. “Two Canadians win on the same day. And Team Canada won at the World Junior Girls, too. That was pretty cool.”

Merritt, BC's Roger Sloan Has Punched His Ticket Back To The PGA TOUR -Image Credit Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Eight feet was all that stood between Roger Sloan and a return to the PGA TOUR. Make that putt on the 72nd hole of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship and the Merritt product was back in the big leagues. Miss it and, well, Sloan didn’t want to think about that.

It was gut-wrenching to watch on TV, so one can only imagine how Sloan felt as he was standing over the putt. He had missed some putts late in his round, so he wasn’t exactly oozing with confidence as he stood over the ball. Somehow, he managed to put all that aside and calmly stroked the ball into the middle of the cup.

Clara Ding Accepts Her NextGen Winner's Plaque From Golf Canada's Daniel Suppa - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/British Columbia Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

White Rock’s Clara Ding won going away, while Tate Bruggeman of Edmonton had to work a little overtime to secure his victory at the NextGen Fall Series West Championship.

Ding, all of 12 years old, played the back nine of her final round in five-under par en route to a five-under 67 that set a women’s competitive record at The Hills at Portal Golf Club in Surrey. She finished the 54-hole event at even-par and won by five shots over Rose Zhiyan Chen of Langley.

L-R: Vanessa Borovilos, Vanessa Zhang, Anna Huang & Coach Jeff MacDonald - Golf Canada Photo

MEDIA RELEASE

Denisa Vodickova of the Czech Republic wins individual title at Brampton Golf Club

Brampton, Ont. – The most successful season in Canadian golf history added another exciting chapter on Saturday as Team Canada won its first-ever team title at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, presented by Sargent Farms.

The Canada 1 Team comprised of 14-year-old Anna Huang of Vancouver (71-69-70-70—280), 17-year-old Vanessa Borovilos of Toronto (70-73-73-75—291), and 17-year-old Vanessa Zhang of Vancouver (72-75-80-68—295) shot a team-total 138 under cool and blustery conditions at Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont. to finish at 4-under 564 for the championship, a single shot clear of the Republic of Korea.

SFU Freshman Denby Carswell Made His University Debut In Style - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Simon Fraser University golf coach Matt Steinbach suggested before the fall season began that members of his men’s team would be playing with a bit of a chip on their shoulders. They might want to leave it right there.

The SFU men are off to a fabulous start to the new year, having won their first two events for the first time since joining the NCAA. The Red Leafs opened the fall season with a win at the Bishop Invitational at The Home Course in DuPont, Wash., and then last week followed that up with a win at the Western Washington Invitational at Bellingham Golf & Country Club.

Four Players From British Columbia Are On The Two Golf Canada Squads For The 2023 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, Including 14-year Old Anna Huang (pictured) From Vancouver - Image Credit Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

By Mike Masaro, Golf Canada

Sixty-six players from twenty-one countries will compete in the eighth playing of the prestigious world championship

Brampton, Ont. – Canada will once again host a global showcase of the world’s best junior golfers as the eighth edition of the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms will be contested October 2-7, 2023, at the Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont.

This year marks the largest field in tournament history, with a total of 66 athletes comprising 22 teams and representing 21 countries – including two teams from host nation Canada – competing for the team and individual titles.

Courtesy VIASPORT BRITISH COLUMBIA - As National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2023 approaches on September 30th, a significant opportunity emerges to reflect on how sport can play a pivotal role in bringing people together, regardless of differences in background, ethnicity, and beliefs.

This day, set aside to acknowledge the truths about the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada, prompts us to explore how the world of sport can contribute to reconciliation, education, and social progress.

Recognizing that many of you will already be acknowledging this day of reflection in your own ways, we wanted to share the campaign viaSPORT has created with their networks and for you to share with yours.

Daniel Edward Sabourin - October 6, 1948 - September 26, 2023

(September 29, 2023) PITT MEADOWS, BC - It is with heavy hearts that British Columbia Golf and indeed, the entire golf community, says goodbye to longtime volunteer and highly regarded rules official Dan Sabourin. 

Dan passed away the evening of September 26^th in hospital. Dan would have celebrated his 75^th birthday on October 6. Dan leaves behind his beloved wife and best friend of 53 years, Pat. (Please look here to see Dan's obituary in the Vancouver Sun)

Dan had a passion for golf which started while growing up in Coquitlam, where he became a junior member at The Vancouver Golf Club. He became a competitive golfer, and through competition, found a passion for the rules of golf.

He spent several years working with the Canadian Tour as a rules official. He brought his passion for the game through volunteer commitments at the zone, provincial and national level. He was a positive mentor to many in their rules journey and has been significant in developing many experienced referees.

He was on several committees with both British Columbia Golf and Golf Canada, receiving the Distinguished Service Award from British Columbia Golf in March of this year. “I have known Dan as a colleague and friend for over 30 years. His passing will leave a big hole in the volunteerism world and he will be missed,” said British Columbia Golf CEO Kris Jonasson.

Dan was also an active member of Pitt Meadows Golf Club, serving on the board for many years, including positions on the executive and as club president.

The many people he influenced over the years will miss Dan and his easy going humour. He was a great team player and happy to help wherever he could.

There will be a celebration of Dan's life at Pitt Meadows Golf Club on October 25th, 2023 from 1-3pm.

(Thank you to past BC Golf Tournament Director and longtime colleague of Dan's, Susan White, for her contributions to this tribute)

Christine Wong And PGA Of BC Executive Director Mark Strong - All Images Courtesy PGA of BC

September 26, 2023

VICTORIA, BC (PGA of BC) - Christine Wong is your 2023 PGA of BC Women’s Champion and two-time tournament winner after a dominant wire-to-wire victory at Victoria Golf ClubMonday and Tuesday which saw her compile birdie after birdie.

Wong (University Golf Club), who also won the title in 2020, enjoyed a magnificent start to her tournament, ending Round One in control of the leaderboard.

Six birdies Monday gave her a two-point advantage in the Stableford event over her closest challengers Kat Kennedy (Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club) and Kyla Inaba (Predator Ridge Resort), and some breathing room heading into the final round.