Courtesy Golf Canada

ADELAIDE, Australia – Canadian-based South Korean SooBin Kim shot a course-record 9-under 63 on Thursday to leave top-ranked Lydia Ko and Canadian sweetheart Brooke Henderson seven strokes behind at the Women’s Australian Open.

Kim’s bogey-free opening round came after starting on the 10th hole of The Grange’s West course. She had a three-stroke clubhouse lead over American Casey Grice with most of the afternoon groups, including five-time champion Karrie Webb, on the course.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

PRATTVILLE, AL (September 09, 2024) - Leah John seems to be getting the hang of this professional golf thing.

The 24-year-old Vancouver native, who only graduated from college this past spring, headed out on her pro golf journey this summer not quite knowing what to expect.

The two-time B.C. Women’s Amateur Champion hoped she could prove to herself that her game was ready for the next level.

Mission accomplished.

The Addition Of A New Gil Hanse Course And A Planned Residential Community Mark A Rebirth Of Sorts For This Upscale Club In France’s Loire Valley - All Images Courtesy Les Bordes

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

SAINT-LAURENT-NOUAN, France -- The fact they are called the Old Course and the New Course and are located in France, not Scotland, could be considered chutzpah of the highest order.

But no offence was intended to the home of golf in St. Andrews when Les Bordes Golf Club placed those monikers on its two layouts. It just made sense in a simple but elegant sort of way.

Its Old Course, which opened in 1986, is a Robert von Hagge design that has long been regarded as one of continental Europe’s finest tracks. Its New Course is really new, opening this past summer and designed by highly regarded American architect Gil Hanse.

Golfers Should Get Used To Seeing Less Green Grass On Golf Courses In The Near Future - For The Good Of The Game 

by Brad Ziemer (British Columbia Golf)

The Mark Twain quote most often repeated in golf circles is the one about the game being a good walk spoiled. But there is another quote from the noted American author that seems especially apropos for the golf industry these days: “Whiskey’s for drinking; water’s for fighting over.”

Larry Gilhuly, the colourful west region agronomist with the United States Golf Association, has no doubt about what the biggest issue facing golf will be in the coming years. “It’s water,” Gilhuly said in a lively presentation to the annual general meeting of British Columbia Golf at Tsawwassen Springs.

In Flanders Fields...

BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. 

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

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

VANCOUVER, B.C. (August 16, 2024) - Since being hired as the golf consultant for a 10-part Owen Wilson golf comedy series being shot in the Vancouver area for Apple TV, Richmond teaching pro Nathan Leonhardt has been a busy guy.

It is Leonhardt’s job to ensure that the golf scenes look realistic. He has also been charged with finding members of the local golf community to work as doubles or background actors for the series.

Leonhardt has also been trying to help the golf-crazed Wilson with his game. That has been a challenge and a lot of fun. “I have taken him out to play golf a few times,” Leonhardt says.

Proctor, BC's Jackie Little - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Jackie Little and Shelly Stouffer wouldn’t want to change a thing after their two matches Wednesday at the PNGA Lamey Cup team competition at Bellingham Golf & Country Club. Well, maybe one thing. 

Little and Stouffer won both of their matches in convincing fashion after something of a scare just prior to their morning four-ball match. That’s when a cart attendant plowed into Little’s push cart, which then banged her and sent the British Columbia Golf Hall of Famer flying into a rock wall.

Little, who now lives in the small Kootenay community of Procter, played both matches with a sore lower back, but you never would have known it.

BC's Lauren Kim Can Still Look Back On A Pretty Successful Summer Despite Missing The Cut In The CPKC Women's Open - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Lauren Kim is not going to let some struggles at Shaughnessy spoil what has been a super summer for the Surrey teen.

Like all of the other amateurs — and many of the pros — competing at the CPKC Women’s Open, Kim didn’t perform as well as she had hoped in the LPGA Tour event.

“Honestly, I don’t really know what happened,” the 18-year-old said after finishing 10-over through two rounds and missing the cut. “It was more just technical (swing) stuff than mental stuff. It just didn’t happen this week. I was a little disappointed, but finished off pretty strong, so I am okay with that.”

SFU's Sy Lovan Fired A 3-Under 69 In The Second Round To Finish In A T13 With Teammate Chris Crisologo - Image Courtesy SFU Athletics

Stockton, CA – The final round of the Stockton Cactus Thaw saw freshman Sy Lovan turn in one of his best performances as a member of the SFU Clan men's golf team, as the Clan ended the two-day competition in a tied for 19th overall. After posting a an 11-over-par 299 yesterday, SFU finished with a six-over-par 294 on day two, totalling 593 strokes over the two rounds.

New Zealand's Lydia Ko Is Trying Win Her 3rd CPKC Title In Vancouver & 4th Overall - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Lydia Ko is back in Vancouver and that got her to thinking about how important the city has been to not only her golf career, but her life. 

Ko won her first LPGA Tour event at the age of 15 way back in 2012 at Vancouver Golf Club and then returned to the same course three years later and won again.

“I had my first LPGA Tour win in Vancouver and I think that is where everything kind of started,” Ko said Wednesday after playing in the CPKC Women’s Open pro-am at Shaughnesy Golf & Country Club. “Who knows, if I didn’t win or play that event maybe I might have not got the opportunities along the way. It’s always going to be a very special place for me.”

The XXIX Campeonato Internacional De Afficionados sees Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald Victoria’s Lawren Rowe representing British Columbia at the Lima Golf Club in Lima, Peru.

Macdonald, a member of Team Canada, is currently the 8th ranked amateur in the country. Rowe is in his 3rd year at the University of Victoria and is the 4th ranked male amateur in Canada.

The Full-Operational Focus For The Mackenzie Tour - PGA TOUR Canada Points Toward A 2021 Restart - Image Courtesy Mackenzie Tour/Golf Canada

TORONTO, ONTARIO – Due to border restrictions, mandatory quarantines for those entering Canada and gathering restrictions in all provinces because of COVID-19, the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada announced Friday that it is canceling its 2020 season.

“With growing uncertainty surrounding the border and the 14-day quarantine regulations, among other factors, we’ve weighed all of our options and concluded that it is not feasible to play this summer,” said Mackenzie Tour Executive Director Scott Pritchard.

The Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada is busy preparing for another strong season, announcing on Thursday the dates and sites for its six 2019 Qualifying Tournaments, events that determine the membership of the Mackenzie Tour.

The six sites will be: TPC San Antonio in San Antonio, TX (February 25-March 1), Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howie-In-The-Hills, FL (March 4-8), Carlton Oaks Golf Club in Santee, CA (March 25-29), Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park, AZ (April 1-5), TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (April 22-26) and Crown Isle Resort & Golf Club in Courtenay, BC (April 29-May 3).

Each event is a 72-hole, no-cut qualifying tournament, with fields of 120 players.

Riley Wheeldon (Top Left) And James Allenby (RIght) Will Have To Wait Another Year To Get Back Out On The Mackenzie Tour - Images Credit BC Golf/Golf Canada (Chuck Russell)

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

James Allenby and Riley Wheeldon were not surprised by the official word that the 2020 Mackenzie Tour - PGA Tour Canada season was being cancelled. Just profoundly disappointed.

Their professional golf dreams are on hold for another year. Langley’s Allenby and Comox native Wheeldon both had exempt status for this year’s Mackenzie Tour, which was officially cancelled on Friday.

2017 B.C. Amateur Winner Jake DuVall Of Victoria Will Be Trying His Hand At The Crown Isle Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Q-School This Week - Images Courtesy Golf Canada/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Class will be in session once again at Crown Isle Golf Resort in Courtenay, where the last of five Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada spring qualifying schools is being held May 1-4.

It’s the last chance for players to earn a ticket to this year’s 13-stop Mackenzie Tour, which begins its season May 31-June 3 with the Freedom 55 Financial Open at Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver. Victoria’s Jake DuVall, last year’s B.C. Amateur champion, and 2014 B.C. Amateur runner-up Mike Belle of Burnaby are among the field of 132 players who will compete in the 72-hole competition at Crown Isle.

The Pacific Links Championship Has Announced The Addition Of (L-R): Sandy Lyle, Tom Kite & Ian Woosnam To The Field For The September Event At Bear Mountain In Victoria - Image Courtesy Pacific Links

Strong Field Continues To Build For September Event On PGA TOUR Champions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Victoria, B.C. (August 2, 2016) – World Golf Hall of Fame members Sandy Lyle and Tom Kite, along with 1991 Masters Tournament winner Ian Woosnam, have committed to play the 2016 Pacific Links Championship. The event will be contested on Bear Mountain Golf Resort’s Mountain Course in Victoria, British Columbia the week of September 19-25, 2016, featuring a US$2.5 million purse, with 81 players competing for a winner’s share of $440,000.

Justin Shin From Maple Ridge Was The Top Finisher From BC Among The 10 Canadians Who Took Part In The Final Stage At Web.com Tour Q-School Coming In T35 - Image Golf Canada

Golf Canada

Winter Garden, FL - Thornhill, Ont., native Ben Silverman tied for 6th and led the way for the 10-player Canadian contingent taking part in the final stage of Web.com Tour qualifying at Orange County National near Orlando, Fla.

Silverman birdied three of his last five holes to finish at four under on the day and 10-under overall, seven shots back of the winning score. By virtue of finishing in the top 10, Silverman is guaranteed spots in the Tour’s first 12 events of 2017.

Calgary’s Ryan Yip carded had a 70 on Sunday to tie for 23rd at 6-under. Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C., fired a 69 for a share of 35th at 4-under. Listowel, Ont., native and Team Canada Young Pro Corey Conners tied for 42nd at 3-under.

Mark Calcavecchia Has Had Great Success In Canada And Is Looking For More In 2017 The Pacific Links Bear Mountain Championship - Image Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

2005 Canadian Open Winner Discusses His Return to British Columbia in an Exclusive Interview

VICTORIA, B.C. (June 29, 2017) – Tournament Organizers have announced that 2005 Canadian Open winner and 1989 Open Championship winner Mark Calcavecchia has committed to playing in the 2017 Pacific Links Bear Mountain Championship.

Calcavecchia has won two tournaments in British Columbia on the PGA TOUR; the 1997 Greater Vancouver Open at Northview and the 2005 Canadian Open at Shaughnessy. Calcavecchia also won the 2012 Montreal Championship on PGA TOUR Champions.

Matthew Steinbach Has Received Another Honour As Coach Of The SFU Golf Program - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

Courtesy Jacob Hall/SFU Sport Information Manager

NORMAN, Okla -- In his fourth year as head coach of the Simon Fraser golf porgram, Matthew Steinbach was named the Golf Coach Association of America, NCAA Division II, west region coach of the year.

This is yet another accolade for Steinbach as he was also named GNAC coach of the year for both the men's and women's team. It was quite the year for Steinbach and the program as they had many program firsts.