The Idea Of Modernization Of The Rules Of Golf Has Been Well Received By Golfers Around The World - Image Courtesy Golf Canada

FAR HILLS, N.J., USA and ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND (September 7, 2017) - The USGA and The R&A have received comments on the proposed new Rules from more than 22,000 golfers in 102 countries, as well as representatives of golf organizations throughout the world, providing valuable feedback as the organizations work toward their implementation on January 1, 2019.

With the worldwide survey and evaluation period now complete, the USGA and The R&A and their respective committees will continue to review all comments received with the goal of finalizing the new Rules next spring and beginning a comprehensive education program later in 2018.

Quesnel, BC's Kathy Gook Was One Of The Top Instructors Recognized From More Than 1,700 LPGA Certified Professionals Worldwide - BC Golf Image

Via Press Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., August 28, 2017 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) membership announced today the launch of an annual recognition of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional’s Top 50 LPGA Teachers, presented in partnership with Women’s Golf Journal.

This new initiative will identify and recognize the best LPGA instructors from more than 1,700 LPGA certified professionals worldwide.

All LPGA Class A Members in good standing who meet the eligibility requirements were invited to apply. An independent golf industry selection committee reviewed eligible applications and identified the LPGA Top 50 Teachers, utilizing a weighted points formula.

One of those recognized was Quesnel, British Columbia's own Kathy Gook who moved to Phoenix in 1985 after graduating from Simon Fraser University to pursue a career in golf.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

GolfBC, Western Canada’s largest golf course owner and operator, is spreading its wings. The company, which owns and operates eight championship courses in B.C. and three more on the Hawaiian island of Maui, has recently entered into a management contract to run Blue Ocean Golf Club in Sechelt.

It’s a first for GolfBC, whose vice president of operations, Andy Hedley, says the deal with Blue Ocean could be the start of a new venture for the privately owned Vancouver-based company.

Mayfair Lakes GC In Richmond Have Taken A Step Backward - In Order To Move Forward - As They've Re-Positioned Their Tee Blocks For The Good Of The Game - Image Courtesy Facility

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Red, white and blue have taken on a new meaning at Mayfair Lakes Golf Course.

The Richmond course has flipped its tees in an effort to convince its players -- mainly the male ones -- to play from the appropriate set of tees. And according to general manager Mike Smedstad, it’s working.

The back tees at Mayfair are now red, which traditionally have been the forward tees at most courses.

Vancouver GOLFEXPO Becomes The 7th Consumer Golf Show Owned And Operated by The National Golf Course Owners Association

Vancouver, BC [July 28, 2017] - The British Columbia Chapter of the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Lower Mainland’s consumer golf exposition from previous owners Owen Hoskinson and John Tipping of Cascadia Events (Seattle, WA) which will be re-branded as Vancouver GOLFEXPO.

This recent acquisition marks the seventh consumer golf show owned and operated by NGCOA Canada and its over 1,300 members across Canada.

Clint Nickerson, Victoria Golf Club’s most recent past Club President passed away over the weekend (Saturday, June 3rd) after a very brief fight with cancer.

Clint first started his affection with Victoria Golf Club as a teenager caddying and eventually became a Junior Member. Like many youth, he ventured east and made a career in media.

His love of the Victoria Golf Club never wavered and in 2002 when work brought him to Victoria, Clint jumped at the opportunity to rejoin the Club.

He quickly joined committees and, as soon as allowed, was welcomed as a VGC Board Member for several terms. Clint chaired many committees investing countless hours into the Club. It was only fitting the he accepted the role as VGC Club President from 2015-2017.

“I think we are safe to say that no Member in recent memory has dedicated more time or more passion into this Club than Clint has,” said current Club President, Valerie Fitzpatrick.

When the VGC Board of Directors met last month, they unanimously voted that Clint receive a Life Membership with a plan to honour him during the Membership Appreciation event this August.

Although it was known that he had received news of his cancer, early updates led club members to believe they had more time to thank him. “I was able to let him know that he had received a Life Membership at VGC, and it was very clear how much this honour meant to him,” said Valerie.

“Clint was one of those rare Members that seemed to fit into every group here at VGC. He was a friend to many of us and will be dearly missed around here,” said Scott Kolb, General Manager.

British Columbia Golf, the general golf community and all those who knew Clint, join the Members and Staff at VGC in recognizing the years of Clint's commitment to the betterment of the Club and offer deepest condolences.

Courtesy PGA of BC

On Friday June 2nd Cec Ferguson passed away peacefully at home in the company of his three children, Tanya, Jason and Crystal, along with brothers Rob and Gary and sister-in-law Colleen.

He was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2016 and dealt with it as he dealt with everything in life; with dignity, perseverance and humour.

He recently enjoyed his 67th birthday with all of his extended family members, and over the past few months had a chance to visit with many old friends. Cec was well known for his golfing ability over a playing career that saw him represent Canada as an amateur, win the BC Open as an amateur and then compete professionally on the Canadian and Asian Tours back in the 1970’s.

In the late seventies he settled into the life of a Club Professional and then stepped in to Club management, but not before winning the Canadian PGA Club Professionals’ Championship in 1986.

He served the memberships of Regina GC and Quilchena G&CC as Head professional before serving as General Manager at Myrtle Point GC, Wascana G&CC, and Vernon G&CC. For 20 years Cec directed the Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society tournament fundraiser in memory of his friend, Constable Bruce Denniston, who died before a successful bone marrow transplant donor could be found.

“The Denniston” was a popular event that attracted celebrities each year along with a host of amateurs who returned year after year to honour the memory of Bruce and raise funds and awareness of the need for the Bone Marrow Donor Registry.

Cec Ferguson was inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame of British Columbia in 2011.

His last career was the one he might have enjoyed the most – Coach driver for International Stage Lines. He looked forward to being on the road in his 50 passenger coach and entertaining his passengers along the way. Cec had the ability to analyze situations and find a way to achieve a positive outcome, and make and keep friends along the way.

He will be missed, but never forgotten.

A celebration of life for Cec Ferguson will be held 1 p.m. Friday, June 23rd at University Golf Club in Vancouver. 

Messages for the family can be relayed through:

Barrie McWha barriemcwha@gmail.com

Rick Soutar rsoutar@telus.net

Golf Canada's Newest CEO Is Laurence Applebaum. He Has 20 Years Of Sports Business Experience - Image Courtesy Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Golf Canada has reached into the world of women’s tennis to find its new chief executive officer.

Laurence Applebaum, who has spent the past five years as executive vice president of the Florida-based Women’s Tennis Association, was introduced as Golf Canada’s new boss at a news conference Tuesday morning in Oakville, Ont.

He succeeds Scott Simmons, who resigned in November after leading Golf Canada for 10 years. Applebaum will begin his new duties on July 10.

Toronto Native And Global Sports Executive Laurence Applebaum Is To Assume Duties Leading Canadian Golf’s National Sport Federation And Governing Body On July 10, 2017 - Golf Canada Image

For Immediate Release

May 16, 2017 - OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) — Following a comprehensive search, Golf Canada has announced the appointment of Laurence Applebaum as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Applebaum, most recently the Executive Vice President of the Florida-based Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), will assume his new role as of July 10, 2017.

May 8th, 2017 (Richmond, BC) - British Columbia Golf is pleased to announce the addition of Tyler McKay to their staff as the new Manager, Golf Participation for BC Golf. Tyler will assume his role with BC Golf commencing on Thursday, May 18th, 2017.

Tyler will be responsible for managing current 'grow the game' initiatives within British Columbia Golf such as Future Links, Playground 2 Fairway (P2F), SOAR and Golf In Schools and will also be working with the Allied Golf Association to promote all grow the game initiatives.

Fernie, British Columbia – Max Sherwood is the new General Manager and Head Pro at the Fernie Golf & Country Club and he brings with him some new ideas about growing golf in the community. He is implementing a number of initiatives in an effort to make the Club more enticing for young players, women, families and seniors. Initiatives include reduced early morning and twilight green fees and offering a very affordable new one-hour short loop. As an incentive to get young players out, children of adult members golf for free and adult club members can sponsor any junior in the community to a free full membership and driving range pass. This July the club is hosting the Future Links Western Canadian Championships Golf Tournament for the top 17 and under boys and girls in Western Canada.

courtesy Golf Canada

The USGA and The R&A have issued a new Decision on the Rules of Golf to limit the use of video evidence in the game, effective immediately.

The two organizations have also established a working group of LPGA, PGA TOUR, PGA European Tour, Ladies European Tour and PGA of America representatives to immediately begin a comprehensive review of broader video issues, including viewer call-ins, which arise in televised competitions.

Coming Soon To A Professional Golf Tour Near You, The Use Of Distance Measuring Devices. Here You See Abigail Rigsby (L) And Shirin Anjarwalla (R) Of Team British Columbia At The 2016 North Pacific Junior Ladies Team Matches At Pitt Meadows GC Using The Devices En Route To Helping BC Win The Annual Event - Image Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/ British Columbia Golf

Web.com Tour, PGA TOUR Canada, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica allowing at four events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (March 28, 2017) – The PGA TOUR has announced that it will begin testing the use of distance measuring devices during competition at select tournaments this year on the Web.com Tour, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.

Each of the three Tours will allow use of the devices by players and caddies at four consecutive tournaments, including Monday qualifiers. For these events, the PGA TOUR will temporarily enact a Local Rule in accordance with Decision 14-3/0.5 of The R&A/USGA Rules of Golf, which stipulates the device can be used to measure distance only (use of functions to measure slope, elevation or wind will not be allowed).

British Columbia Golf Executive Director Kris Jonasson (Far Right) And Four Members Of The 12-Member Board Of Directors  (L-R) -- Patrick Kelly, Helen Jung, Jasvinder Dhaliwal and Michelle Collens -- Participated In A 45-Minute Session Entitled 'Driving Innovation Through Inclusion' - (USGA/Steven Gibbons)

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The board of directors of British Columbia Golf was held up as a shining example of inclusion at the United States Golf Association’s North American Golf Innovation Symposium in Vancouver.

“What makes the organization unique and quite frankly unique in golf, as well as unique generally in business, is the nature of inclusion that exists on the board of directors,” the USGA’s Steve Schloss told the symposium at the Marriott Pinnacle hotel.

FAR HILLS, N.J., USA and ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND (March 1, 2017) – The USGA and The R&A have unveiled a preview of proposed new Rules of Golf, as part of a joint initiative to modernize the Rules and make them easier to understand and apply.

The online release of this preview begins a six-month feedback and evaluation period during which all golfers worldwide can learn about the proposed changes and provide input before they are finalized in 2018 and take effect January 1, 2019.

A sport environment in which participants - athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials - are exposed to negative experiences such as bullying can be harmful and cause individuals to quit.

55% of BC sports organizations surveyed know of athletes who have dropped out of #sport because of bullying. 

That’s why viaSport and the Government of B.C. have launched a new #ERASEbullying initiative for every provincial and local sport organization, and all B.C. citizens.

Click HERE or on the image above to take the online Erase Bullying in Sport pledge. 

On February 22, 2017, provincial sport organizations will celebrate the Province’s first Declaration of Commitment to erase bullying in sport across B.C.

Learn more about this initiative and how you can get involved as an organization or individual at www.viaSport.ca./erasebullying

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Ward Stouffer, who spent more than 20 years as head professional and director of golf at Fairwinds Golf Club in Nanoose Bay, passed away Thursday, January 5th. He was 56.

Friends and playing competitors remember Stouffer, who stood about 6-feet, 8 inches, as a gentle giant with a heart of gold who hit the ball a mile.

Dear Golf Clubs,

BC Golf has a great opportunity for your members. We are hosting a Community Golf Coach Course, January 13th - 15th at the Musqueam Community Centre.

Two days will be at the Musqueam Community Centre with one day at the BC Sport Conference, registration included in the course.

If you would like to pass this information on to your members there is a poster attached that can be emailed or printed. If you choose to email, the registration link is active on the poster. Registration is now open on the BC Golf website.

(Image credit - Chuck Russell/Golf Canada)

Courtesy Adam Helmer/ Golf Canada

Golf Canada’s second installment of the Tournament Administration and Referees’ School (TARS) will be held at the Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport in Richmond, B.C., from April 27th to 30th.

New for 2017, they are extending the invitation to all certified level 2 rules officials and PGA of Canada professionals!

The objective of the Tournament Administration and Referees’ School is to get championship volunteers and staff members from key golf associations/clubs in Canada assembled to discuss important topics related to tournament administration and competitions.

Syngenta Golf Ambassador Carin Koch & Syngenta Global Head of Lawn & Garden Jeff Cox Launched The New Report At The HSBC Golf Business Forum. (Photo/Syngenta)

CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom — Women account for just 24% of golfers worldwide, yet the number of prospective female players could add $35 billion to the global golf economy.

These are the findings of a groundbreaking global study into female golf participation commissioned by Syngenta and conducted by an independent international market research company.

The new report, ‘The Global Economic Value of Increased Female Participation in Golf,’ surveyed 14,000 people in eight markets in North America, Europe and Asia.