Lakewood, Wash. – The Tacoma Country and Golf Club in Lakewood, Wash. is set to host a full field of 168 of the most talented male amateur golfers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond on July 8-13 for the 118th Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur Championship, conducted by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA). Tacoma was the site of the first Pacific Northwest Amateur Championship, held in 1899.

In the field from British Columbia are Richmond's Chris Crisologo, the 2018 BC Amateur Champion, and his younger brother Michael, who earlier this year picked up a win in the Future Links, Driven By Acura, Pacific Championship. Also competing from BC is 2016 BC Juvenile Boys Champion Khan Lee of Langley and Port Alberni resident Spencer Rhodes.

Other Canadians in the field are Quebec's Laurent Desmarchais and Alberta's Kai Iguchi. 

The championship begins with 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying held on July 8-9, followed by a cut to the low 64 players who will advance to single-elimination match play.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Bryce Hodges

by Tom Cade, Editor; with Clayton Bloemke, USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern

In the upcoming U.S. Adaptive Open, four players from the Pacific Northwest have been selected to play in the inaugural national championship.

The U.S. Adaptive Open is a new national championship, conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA), that will showcase the world’s best golfers with disabilities, and be held on the No. 6 Course at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, N.C. from July 18-20.

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Gudmund Lindbjerg 1948 -2020 - image courtesy Twitter/WA Golf 

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Gudmund Lindbjerg, a longtime Pitt Meadows Golf Club member who won four straight B.C. Senior Men’s titles starting in 2008, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 71.

Lindbjerg produced a rather remarkable amateur golf career despite not playing the game until he was 29. He emigrated from Denmark in his early 20s and at that time was more interested in hunting ducks than chasing birdies on a golf course.

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!

Images Courtesy Gamble Sands website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEATTLE – Gamble Sands Golf Course ― the David McLay Kidd course that opened in 2014 in Brewster, 30 minutes north of Chelan ― has been ranked the state’s No. 1 public golf course for the first time by Cascade Golfer magazine, headlining the regional golf’s magazine’s bi-annual rankings of the Top-10 Public Golf Courses in Washington.

The result marks the first time since Cascade Golfer began publishing its official rankings of Washington's top public courses in 2013 that any course other than Chambers Bay, site of the 2015 U.S. Open, has finished in first place.

And it wasn't particularly close.

Garrett Rank (Charles Cherney/Western Golf Association)

Courtesy Amateurgolf.com

The vast majority of the Western Amateur field was made up of collegians – incoming freshmen, current players and fresh graduates.

Then there’s Garrett Rank, a 31-year-old Canadian who competes in golf in the summer and referees NHL hockey in the winter. Rank is one of the most impressive mid-amateurs in the game, yet his legend grew this week at Point O’Woods Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Mich.

Rank outlasted the kids for a Western Amateur title – a win that's unheard of for a thirty-something in today’s amateur climate. In fact, he becomes the first mid-amateur to win this title since 1997.

The foreshadowing came from Rank’s own mouth on Friday evening, after playing his way to the semifinals.

“I’ve been playing a lot of really good golf the last three or four weeks,” he said.

RESULTS: WESTERN AMATEUR

Win - Garrett Rank Canada  72-67-70-65 = 274
Runner-Up - Daniel Wetterich Cincinnati, OH  66-68-69-68 = 271
Semifinals - CA Ricky Castillo Yorba Linda, CA  71-66-69-68 = 274
Semifinals - CA David Laskin Elk Grove, CA  68-66-74-66 = 274
Quarterfinals - GA Davis Thompson St. Simons, GA  67-68-65-67 = 267

View full results for Western Amateur

ABOUT THE WESTERN AMATEUR
Invitational event, known to many as the 'Masters of Amateur Golf.' Quite probably the hardest amateur tournament to win.

156 invited players come from across the globe to play one of the toughest formats in amateur golf. The tournament starts with 18 holes of stroke play on Tuesday and Wednesday after which the field is cut to the low 44 scores and ties. Thursday it's a long day of 36 holes of stroke play to determine the “Sweet Sixteen” who compete at Match Play on Friday and Saturday (two matches each day if you're going to the finals) to decide the champion.
View Complete Tournament Information

British Columbia's Gary Pike - Image Courtesy PNGA

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Gary Pike made his PNGA Lamey Cup debut last year and is delighted he will be back for a second opportunity to play in the annual Ryder Cup-style competition featuring teams from the British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and Idaho golf associations.

“It was a blast,” says Pike, a Victoria resident who won the B.C Mid-Master Championship last spring. “You are representing British Columbia and it’s a pretty cool experience. The event was very well run and meeting other players there was fun. It was a real privilege to play.”

image credit Bryan Outram

USGA Agronomist Larry Gilhuly Rebuked Many Of The Vicious Reports Regarding The Condition Of The Greens At Chambers Bay During The 2015 U.S. Open

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Nearly 10 months later, Larry Gilhuly remains adamant that Chambers Bay did not get a fair shake. 

Gilhuly, the west region agronomist with the United States Golf Association, told the recent annual general meeting of British Columbia Golf that there was a lot of misinformation from the media about the condition of the greens at the 2015 U.S. Open.

All Images Courtesy R&A

For Immediate Publication/Courtesy R&A

10 August 2022, St Andrews, Scotland: The R&A has revealed the name of its brand new golf concept that will open in Glasgow next summer.

Golf It! will be its new community-based golf and entertainment facility located on the south bank of Hogganfield Loch, following the redevelopment of Lethamhill golf course.

The vast new indoor and outdoor attraction is a new innovation and marks a significant financial investment by The R&A towards its purpose of making golf more accessible and inclusive.

(L-R) European Tour Chief Medical Officer Andrew Murray, Professor Fiona Bull, LPGA Legend Annika Sorenstam, R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers, Professor Charlie Foster And MP Craig Tracey Were On Hand For The First International Congress on Golf and Health - Image Courtesy Golf Canada

Written By The R&A/Courtesy Golf Canada

LONDON, England – A global consensus amongst leaders in public health, public policy and sport backs golf in the race to tackle physical inactivity and the prevention of a range of non-communicable disease (NCD) including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer of the breast and colon.

Evidence linking golf and health, commissioned by the World Golf Foundation and supported by The R&A, was presented this week in London at the 7th Congress of the International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH). The biennial scientific meeting is widely regarded as the world’s flagship physical activity and public health event attended by more than 1,000 delegates from 60 countries.

Simon Fraser University Golf Coach Matthew Steinbach - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

A decision by the Great Northwest Athletic Conference to cancel fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic has left the Simon Fraser University men’s and women’s golf teams with no place to play.

The canceling of the fall season did not surprise SFU golf coach Matthew Steinbach. “At the end of the day we are in a global pandemic, so travelling across the border and playing a regular competition schedule, we didn’t think that was going to happen,” Steinbach said.

The real gut punch for Steinbach came when he was also informed by GNAC officials that SFU would not be permitted to play in a proposed series of one-day events with fellow British Columbia schools this fall.

Canada's Brooke Henderson Is One Of The Ambassadors For The Golf & Health Project - Image Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKamphotos)

• New and unique project aiming to assess the health and wellbeing benefits of golf has launched around the world
• An academically rigorous methodology examines pre-existing research
• Innovative new research will fill knowledge gaps and show golf’s role in health and wellbeing

(ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., USA) - World Golf Foundation (WGF) – the non-profit organization developing and supporting initiatives that positively impact lives through the game of golf and its traditional values – announces the launch of the Golf & Health Project, academically researching and highlighting how the game can benefit peoples’ lives.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, led by Dr. Andrew Murray and under the supervision of leading international academics, Professor Nanette Mutrie and Professor Liz Grant, have conducted the largest, most comprehensive study of golf and health, with the results shown in a Scoping Review published in the world’s leading sports medicine and science journal, The British Journal of Sports Medicine.

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.

New Men’s Intercollegiate Team Championship At Öviinbyrd Golf Club Will Mark The First NCAA Division I Golf Event Held In Canada

Mike Masaro/Golf Canada

Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the creation of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational tournament that will take place at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. from September 15 – 17, 2024.

The tournament will be conducted by Golf Canada and co-hosted by Kent State University and Penn State University who are both led by Canadian head coaches, Jon Mills (Kent State) and Mark Leon (Penn State).

The tournament will feature NCAA Division I men’s golf teams with prominent Canadian ties along with the team champions of the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship.

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 See how Canadians fared in professional events around the world this past week.

See how Canadians fared in professional events around the world this past week.

See how Canadians fared in professional events around the world this past week.

August 19, 2014
(Golf Canada)

Oakville, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the six individuals selected to represent Canada at the 2014 World Amateur Team Championship, conducted by the International Golf Federation. The championships – features both a women’s (Sept 3^rd-6^th) and men’s (10^th-13^th) competition which will take place in Karuizawa, Japan from September 3 – 13, 2014.

Courtesy Golf Canada

(August 18, 2022) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce today the six athletes that will represent Team Canada at the 2022 World Amateur Team Championships, conducted by the International Golf Federation in France, outside the capital city of Paris.

Representing Canada on the women’s side will be Lauren Kim, 17, of Surrey B.C., Nicole Gal, 17, of Oakville, Ont, and Brooke Rivers, 17, of Brampton, Ont. The trio will compete for the Espirito Santo Trophy in the 29th playing of the women’s competition, August 24-27 at Le Golf National (Albatros Course) and Golf de Saint-Nom-de-la-Bretèche (Red Course).

Donning the red and white for the men’s team will be Johnny Travale, 21, of Stoney Creek, Ont., Garrett Rank, 34, of Elmira, Ont., and A.J. Ewart, 23, of Coquitlam, B.C. – the three highest ranked Canadian men on the World Amateur Golf Rankings. The Canadian squad will vie for the Eisenhower Trophy during the 32nd edition of the men’s tournament, also being contested at Le Golf National (Albatros Course) and Golf de Saint-Nom-de-la-Bretèche (Red Course), August 31 – September 3.

See how Canadians fared in professional events around the world this past week.