Abbotsford, BC's Adam Hadwin Watches Friend & Fellow Ledgeview Clubmate, Nick Taylor During The Famed Par 3 Contest Prior To The Masters. Hadwin Is Joined By His Daughter Maddox And Wife Jessica, While Taylor's Young Son Charlie Tends The Flag As Mom Andie Also Looks On - All Images Credit Shayain Gustavsp

By Shayain Gustavsp

As the Augusta National Golf Club buzzed with anticipation during the iconic Par Three Contest, the presence of Canadian golfers Mike Weir, Nick Taylor, Adam Hadwin, and Corey Conners added an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings. But what truly stole the show was the heartwarming sight of these talented athletes sharing the moment with their families, as they brought their children and spouses along for a memorable day on the course.

All Images Credit Shayain Gustavsp

By Shayain Gustavsp

As the 2024 Masters unfolded at Augusta National, one figure stood out amidst the lush greenery and hushed whispers of anticipation: Tiger Woods.

Despite the passage of time and a myriad of physical setbacks, Woods' presence on the course ignited a wave of nostalgia and hope among fans and fellow competitors alike. From his early practice rounds to his final putt, Woods' journey at Augusta was a testament to resilience, determination, and the enduring allure of golf's greatest stage.

Adam Niles Wins RJGA Palm Valley Classic In Goodyear, Ariz. - Image Courtesy Josh Brown/WNMU Assistant Athletics Director

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Back in the fall of 2020, Adam Niles finished second in his first event at Western New Mexico University and remembers thinking that maybe collegiate golf wasn’t going to be as tough as he thought it might be.

The 21-year-old Kamloops native chuckled as he recalled that memory following his first collegiate win at last week’s RJGA Palm Valley Classic in Goodyear, Ariz.

“It has been a long time coming,” Niles said in a phone interview. “As a freshman I came second in my first event and that kind of set the expectations pretty high. After that, it was like, okay, maybe I can actually do this and compete with the guys out here. I have just been trying to get better each day I have been here.”

BC's Lauren Kim Tees Off On The 1st Hole At Augusta National In The Final Round Of The ANWA - Image Credit Chloe Knott/Augusta National

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Her scorecard, which Lauren Kim will undoubtedly cherish for the rest of her life, shows that she made a two on Augusta National Golf Club’s par 3 16th hole.

Kim will always remember how close that two was to being a one.

“I had the crowd roaring,” the 18-year-old Surrey native said of her tee shot that landed on the slope right of the pin and then slowly rolled down toward the hole.

BC's Stuart Macdonald - Image Credit Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

It was a great day to be a Purdue Boilermaker. That included the guys who bounce an orange ball around a basketball court and another who chases a little white ball around a golf course.

On the day the Purdue Boilermakers advanced to their first Final Four appearance at the NCAA basketball tourney in nearly half a century, one of the university’s alma mater was having himself a nice day on the links.

Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald, who played his collegiate golf at Purdue, closed with a four-under 67 to finish tied for third at the PGA Tour Americas’ Totalplay Championship at Atlas Country Club in Guadalajara, Mexico.

BC's Lawren Rowe - Photo Credit Chuck Russell/Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Lawren Rowe of Squamish closed with the low round of the day, a five-under 67, and the former University of Victoria standout tied for seventh at the PGA Tour Americas’ debut event, the Bupa Championship at Tulum in Mexico.

The PGA Riviera Maya course played tough all week. The 36-hole cut was five-over par and only 11 players finished the event under par. Rowe was one of those 11 as he completed the tournament at one-under par.

Clay Feagler of The Woodlands, Texas won the event on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff after finishing at four-under par.

BC's Jared du Toit Is Seeing Some Promising Results From All His Hard Work - Golf Canada Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The plan was to take a couple of weeks off, return to his Arizona home and rest after a gruelling four-week stretch that saw Jared du Toit tee it up in Malaysia, Oman, New Zealand and Chile.

But the Kimberley native had a change of heart. After tying for eighth at the Korn Ferry Tour’s Astara Chile Classic, he headed for the Santiago airport and instead boarded a flight to Hong Kong where he will play in this week’s International Series Macau event on the Asian Tour.

Leah John Is No Stranger To Winning, With 2 BC Women's Am Trophies Prior To Her Stellar College Career - Image Of Leah With Causeway Trophy Courtesy U of Nevada Athletic Communications

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Vancouver’s Leah John has played five events in her senior year at the University of Nevada and has won three of them.

It’s obviously been a very good year and one that is setting the table for a professional career that is now just three months away.

“I will turn professional immediately after graduation and hop on the Epson Tour,” John said in an interview after finishing as co-medalist at the Causeway Invitational in Sacramento last week.

Sagebrush Golf Club In Quilchena, BC - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

If all goes as planned, the Sagebrush experience will cost a little less this season and taste much better.

The highly regarded Merritt-area layout is moving to a more traditional fee green-fee structure for the 2024 season and new general manager Chris Hood is also focused on upping Sagebrush’s food and beverage game.

“We did a survey at the end of last year of our players and one of things that came back from people is they wanted to see more simplified rate structure more in line with what other courses do,” Hood, a veteran of the B.C. golf industry, said in an interview.

Adam Hadwin Had A Solid Showing At Riviera CC - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Another week, another British Columbian contends on the PGA TOUR. This time it was Adam Hadwin, who followed up fellow Abbotsford native Nick Taylor’s win at the WM Phoenix Open with a nice run of his own at the Genesis Invitational at storied Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Hadwin began his final round with three straight birdies en route to shooting 30 on Riviera’s front side. At one point, he was within two shots of the lead, but settled for a tie for fourth finish at 13-under par. That was four shots behind winner Hideki Matsuyama of Japan. Hadwin carded a six-under 65 on Sunday after firing a four-under 67 on Saturday.

BC's Nick Taylor Putted Brilliantly At The WM Phoenix Open - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Nick Taylor did more than win the WM Phoenix Open in dramatic fashion by birdieing three of his final four holes and then adding two more in a sudden-death playoff with Charley Hoffman.

Taylor served notice that he is right now Canada’s best male player and, quite frankly, a world-class talent who seems to have that ability to rise to the occasion and perform at his best in the big moments.

It Was A Super Sunday For Nick Taylor And Patrick Mahomes Fans - Images Credit Shayain Gustavsp

What a Sunday for the books! Our very own Canadian, Nick Taylor, waves the red and white high and proud, clinching the 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open in a heart-stopping playoff against Charley Hoffman. Taylor's putter was nothing short of magical, a testament to perseverance and precision under pressure.

Parallel to our golfing triumph, the red and white Kansas City Chiefs staged a comeback reminiscent of a Hollywood script in the Super Bowl, turning a game of "butterfingers" into a victory dance in overtime against the 49ers. It's a red and white double-header that'll be etched in the annals of sports history.

It Was A Very Canadian Atomosphere On Day Two At The WM Phoenix Open - Image Credit Shayain Gustavsp

Editor's Note:This week, BC's Golf contributor, Shayain Gustavsp ('Coach Shayain' to many of her students and social media followers), has flown south to take in the very unique spectacle that is the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. Shayain will be posting daily observations from the 'Greatest Show on Grass' offering a wide-eyed Canadian's perspective on both the golf and the party-like atomosphere that surrounds the TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course.

By Shayain Gustavsp (Special To BC Golf)

Stepping into the grounds of the WM Phoenix Open on a bustling Friday felt like a Canadian reunion in the heart of Arizona. With an estimated 115,000 attendees, it seemed as though a sea of Canadian accents and cheerful 'eh's filled the air, creating a familiar echo amidst the desert landscape.

From New Brunswick to Vancouver, the Canadian spirit was unmistakable, proudly donned in attire that ranged from nostalgic Vancouver Grizzlies jackets to the vibrant hues of a bachelor party from North Vancouver.

Shayain Gustavsp Is In Scottdale To Experience The WM Phoenix Open -  Image Credit: Shayain Gustavsp

Editor's Note:This week, BC's Golf contributor, Shayain Gustavsp ('Coach Shayain' to many of her students and social media followers), has flown south to take in the very unique spectacle that is the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. Shayain will be posting daily observations from the 'Greatest Show on Grass' offering a wide-eyed Canadian's perspective on both the golf and the party-like atomosphere that surrounds the TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course.

By Shayain Gustavsp (Special To BC Golf)

Heading to the Waste Management Phoenix Open, I was buzzing with the excitement of a snowbird fleeing the chill, ready to soak up Scottsdale's desert sun. Yet, Mother Nature had a twist in store, swapping my sunhat for a tuque as Vancouver's signature drizzle followed me to Arizona.

Who knew the desert could feel like a brisk day by the Pacific? Thank goodness for my stash of Lululemon layers – a shoutout to my Canadian roots and a lifesaver for weather-whiplashed golf enthusiasts like me. Lesson learned: even in the land of cacti, layering is key!

Jared du Toit Tees Off In 2022 RBC Canadian Open - Bernard Brault/Golf Canada Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Jared du Toit has his Asian Tour card and now just has to sort out what that means.

On the surface it looks like a terrific opportunity for the 28-year-old Kimberley product, who tied for 12th at the final stage of the Asian Tour qualifying school last week in Hua Hin, Thailand. “I think it’s a good opportunity,” du Toit said over the phone from Thailand.

“I don’t really know how it is all going to shake out.”

Merritt, BC's Roger Sloan - Image Credit Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Patience isn’t just a virtue, it’s a necessity for players like Roger Sloan who are joining the PGA TOUR via the Korn Ferry Tour or qualifying school.

The addition of eight lucrative Signature events to this season’s schedule has created a two-tier tour of sorts. Those Signature tournaments, with $20-million purses and limited fields, are off limits to the rank and file members of the PGA TOUR, who now must play when they can.

Sloan, who is rejoining the PGA TOUR after graduating from the Korn Ferry Tour this past summer, had hoped to begin his season at this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii.

The Sony is not a Signature event, but follows one and the fact that several players who competed at last week’s season-opening Sentry tournament at Kapalua on Maui have made the short hop to Oahu to play in the Sony, means Sloan did not draw into the field.

Abbotsford, BC's Nick Taylor Became The First Canadian To Win Our National Men's Open In 69 Years - Image Credit Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

It would be understandable if Nick Taylor was a tad reluctant to turn the page on 2023, which was a career-defining year for the Abbotsford native.

Who will ever forget that dramatic win at the RBC Canadian Open, sealed on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff at Oakdale Country Club by a putt from somewhere just north of Hamilton.

And Taylor was anything but a one-tournament wonder in 2023. In February, he almost won the WM Phoenix Open, finishing second to Scottie Scheffler. He and Abbotsford buddy Adam Hadwin were a solo second at the two-man team event in New Orleans. Taylor had six top-10s, 15 top-25s, finished 25th on the FedEx Cup points list and earned just over $6.2 million.

PGA TOUR Hopefuls Jared du Toit (L) & Stuart Macdonald Came Up Short At Q-School - File Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

They each began their week with a double-bogey and that seemed to set the tone for British Columbians Jared du Toit and Stuart Macdonald at the final stage of the PGA/Korn Ferry Tour qualifying school.

Both had headed to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., full of optimism after surviving the second stage of qualifying and dreaming about securing one of the PGA TOUR cards that were handed out to the top five and ties.

Adam Hadwin Has Been Hitting The Gym As He Prepares For The 2024 PGA TOUR Season - Golf Canada Photo/Bernard Brault

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

He won’t be mistaken for The Incredible Hulk, but Adam Hadwin has used the longest break of his professional golf career to try and add a little muscle.

After a highly successful 2023 season that ended in early October with a runner-up finish at the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas, Hadwin could have rested on his laurels.

And he’s certainly enjoyed plenty of down time with his wife Jessica and their soon to be four-year-old daughter Maddox. But Hadwin has also been hitting the gym harder than he ever has.

Adam Hadwin Is Pumped About Getting Pumped - Golf Canada Photo/Bernard Brault

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

He won’t be mistaken for The Incredible Hulk, but Adam Hadwin has used the longest break of his professional golf career to try and add a little muscle.

After a highly successful 2023 season that ended in early October with a runner-up finish at the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas, Hadwin could have rested on his laurels.

And he’s certainly enjoyed plenty of down time with his wife Jessica and their soon to be four-year-old daughter Maddox. But Hadwin has also been hitting the gym harder than he ever has.