BC's Amanda Minni Was Caught Up In The Controversial Decision To Cancel The NCAA Regionals Due To Wet Playing Conditions - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf 

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Delta’s Amanda Minni couldn’t believe what she was hearing and she wasn’t alone. Minni, her Oregon State University teammates and so many other players at the NCAA regionals in Baton Rouge, La., were shocked when the competition was cancelled without a single shot being played.

Just like that, Minni’s season was over. Her team’s chance of securing a berth to the NCAA national championships was gone. “It is heart-breaking,” Minni said over the phone from Louisiana.

“Especially for our team because COVID obviously happened last year so we didn’t have a chance to go to post-season. And then this year our two seniors came back very excited to have a go at it and they get cut short again. I feel very sorry for them in particular. This was the end of their college golf careers. It’s very sad.”

Celebration activities include a Top-50 Most Influential Moments in Canadian Golf voting challenge, a virtual RBC Hall of Fame 50th Anniversary Gala presented by Nike Golf on Tuesday, June 8, and an online auction in support of golf heritage

(May 3, 2021 - Golf Canada) - The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is inviting Canadians and golf enthusiasts to help celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2021 by weighing in on the 50 most influential  moments in Canadian golf. 

The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame enlisted the support of golf leaders, media, and historians to help create a list of the 50 most influential moments in Canadian golf history. The moments will be showcased online and Canadians are invited to share in the history and vote on their favourite moments. 

BC's Riley Wheeldon (L) And James Allenby (R) Are Getting Set To Compete On The Newly Formed Forme Tour - Image Credits: Wheeldon/BCGolf/Allenby/ChuckRussell(GolfCan)

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

When the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada circuit completed its 2019 season, only three Canadians managed to finish in the top 60 on the money list and retain their exempt status.

Ontario’s Taylor Pendrith, who finished second, won’t be needing his. He graduated to the Korn Ferry Tour, has continued to play well and will compete as a PGA TOUR regular starting this fall. The other two guys, British Columbians James Allenby (17th) and Riley Wheeldon (40th), have been forced to play a waiting game.

The 2020 Mackenzie Tour season was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 season is going to look quite different when it starts late next month.

Golf is Calling! Golf is good for you! Get out and play! 

During the annual SportBC awards held in March of this year, after a delay due to Covid-19 from 2020, the very first 'Delivering On Diversity' award was handed out by the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport, the Honourable Minister Melanie Mark. 

The awards were held on a virtual basis and Minister Mark made the announcement to open the proceedings. The award recognizes a "Provincial, disability or multi-sport organization that has demonstrated a committment towards advancing accessibility and inclusion."

In celebration of Golf Canada's 50th anniversary they have created the 'most influential 50 moments' in Canadian golf history.

Vote to help create the top 10 moments which will be unveiled on Tuesday, June 8th during the RBC Hall of Fame Day presented by Nike Golf.

Review all of the top 50 moments and vote on your favourite.

via Press Release

Golf legends, Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam, are leading the stellar line-up of stars from the world of golf on May 25th for WGD Palooza, a virtual online event brought to you by Women’s Golf Day and hosted at The World Golf Hall of Fame.

Kelowna's Megan Osland Also Earned Her Way Into The U.S. Women's Open In 2019 - Image Courtesy USGA

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The road has at times been quite bumpy with plenty of twists and turns, but Kelowna’s Megan Osland is beginning to see some progress in her professional golf journey. 

The latest good news came last week when Osland successfully qualified to play in next month’s U.S Women’s Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.

That should not come as a complete surprise as Osland’s game had been showing considerable signs of life since she headed south about a month ago to begin her competitive season.

courtesy viaSPORT

On April 21, the Province of B.C. announced new restrictions for travel between communities. As a reminder, all sport activities must follow the directives of the Order of the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and the PHO Order on Gatherings and Events.

For details on how this affects sport activities, please read our travel message here.

We know how anxious everyone is to get back to a new normal for sport, but it's important that we follow this guidance to keep ourselves safe and protect our communities.

A Message From The Allied Golf Association - British Columbia

We want to thank everyone for their continued implementation of COVID-19 protection procedures that support the safe operation of golf in British Columbia and suggest increased vigilance on enforcing protocols may be required.

With the increase in COVID-19 cases in the province, so comes increased scrutiny for all potential sources, including golf, and the need for increased due diligence, such as is happening in the province toward the enforcement of non-essential travel.

The PHO determined that increased enforcement of non-essential travel restrictions in British Columbia was required. Last Friday, the previous advisories became orders and the government implemented additional measures to mitigate travel.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 26, 2021

RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) – With the potential for restrictions in British Columbia around travel and sport to overlap with the planned opening of the 2021 PGA of BC championship schedule, the Association has opted to reschedule two tournaments to later in the season.

Each of the events to be played on new dates will remain at the venues previously announced.

Sean Richardson Had A Big Impact On Many Young Golfers In BC - Image Courtesy Predator Ridge/Facebook

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Nick Taylor and Jessica Wallace will tell you that Sean Richardson not only helped them become better golfers, but better people. 

Taylor and Wallace were among many in the B.C. golf community who paid tribute to Richardson, who died April 18 after a lengthy battle with cancer at the age of 52. 

Taylor and Wallace, who both worked with Richardson as junior golfers, say he had a profound impact on their lives. “My career started with Sean and it wouldn’t be where it is without him,” Taylor, a two-time PGA Tour winner, said in a post on Twitter.

“I’m so appreciative of his help in the early days and so grateful I got to see him last year. He was a light in the golf world and he will truly be missed. RIP Sean.”

Richmond Native Christine Wong Was Recently Named A Titleist Brand Ambassador - Image Courtesy Titleist/FootJoy

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

When she has a spare moment, which doesn’t happen often in her life, Christine Wong sometimes thinks about one final run at the LPGA Tour. But then she reflects on how happy she is with her life right now and wonders why she’d want to change a thing.

“I think for the next couple of years or so I will probably just keep doing what I have been doing,” Wong says. “I feel like I am in a really good place in my life right now and it’s kind of nice.”

Nice and busy. Wong, a two-time B.C. Women’s Amateur champion who is now nearly eight years removed from a successful collegiate golf career at San Diego State University, has a lot on her plate.

It's no secret that, whenever possible, getting custom fitted for golf equipment is a great way to help improve your game. That can be especially true when it comes to the putter.

Recently, adaptive golfer Dallas Smith had a session at Kayson Golf (see Brad Ziemer article on BC's Kayson Golf company HERE) and with the aid of a couple of tips from proprietor Danny Seifried, Dallas began rolling in putts like a PGA TOUR pro. 

Check out the video below. 

Sean Richardson, Seen Here Receiving The PGA of BC's Jack Westover Coach Of The Year Award In 2018, Passed Away Sunday Following A Long Battle With Cancer - BC Golf File Photo

Courtesy PGA of BC

APRIL 21, 2021

RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) –- The PGA of BC regrets to share the news that Sean Richardson (The Harvest Golf Club) passed away Sunday at the age of 52.

One of the most accomplished coaches and instructors among the ranks of PGA of BC Professionals, Richardson had battled cancer for several years prior to his passing. He spent the entirety of his impressive career based at golf facilities in British Columbia.

Courtesy viaSPORT

The arrival of spring means a new group of sports and leagues are getting underway. The following reminders apply to anyone conducting or participating in sport activities in British Columbia.

Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Executive Director Scott Pritchard - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

In a normal year, the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada circuit would be just over a month away from starting its season with a three-event swing through British Columbia. 

Of course, nothing is normal these days, and Mackenzie Tour executive director Scott Pritchard is scrambling to put together a schedule. Pritchard promises we’ll get an idea later this week what that might look like, but it will likely include events in both Canada and the United States.

Courtesy Allied Golf Association of BC

With updates to travel restrictions and new enforcement measures being officially announced on April 23rd, the Allied Golf Association of BC will be working to clarify the information and will be providing resources to help BC's golf courses navigate the shifting landscape.

In brief, the new measures are aimed at reducing the rapid spread of variants of concern and are intended to abate the spread of COVID-19 by focusing on restricting the movement of people into and within the province.

OPPORTUNITY:

Title: Development Officer, First Tee, British Columbia
Reports to: Senior Director, Development Golf Canada Foundation
Location: Bear Mountain Office, Victoria, BC & British Columbia Golf Association Office, Vancouver, BC Status: Full-Time
Anticipated Start Date: May 17th, 2021

via Allied Golf Association - British Columbia

We have the great fortune to continue to play golf in British Columbia amidst COVID-19 as our provincial health authorities recognize the activity is performed outside and can be enjoyed with proper protocols in place and adherence to provincial health orders.

Our British Columbia golf course operators have been provided Best Practices for Responsible Operation of BC Golf Courses and we remind golfers in British Columbia to do their part in golfing responsibly for everyone’s continued enjoyment of the game.

Here linked are a pdf version and a word version for the British Columbia Golf Industry’s use.