Six teams from across British Columbia are headed to the 2027 BDO National Golf League Championship after three regional qualifiers in Victoria, Whistler and Kelowna, where narrow margins and a dramatic playoff determined who would advance.
British Columbia Golf worked alongside Golf Canada to help deliver the three qualifiers between Sept. 8 and Oct. 4, bringing together two-person teams who had earned their places through local league play over the summer.
Competing in a net best-ball Stableford format, teams played for an all-expenses-paid trip to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley next June, where they will compete in the national final during the week of the RBC Canadian Open.
Victoria: A one-point margin and a playoff
The first B.C. regional qualifier was held Sept. 8 at Highland Pacific Golf in Victoria, where favourable fall weather and fast, firm course conditions greeted teams representing leagues from across Vancouver Island.
With nearly equal representation from men's and women's leagues, one national qualifying position was awarded in each division.
Tanis Senum and Shelly Boates of Storey Creek Golf Club in Campbell River secured the women's qualifying spot by a single Stableford point, finishing just ahead of two other teams in a closely contested field.
The men's qualifier was even closer, requiring a playoff to determine who would advance. Chad Little and Mike Sawchuk settled the contest on the first extra hole, making a net birdie to earn their place at the national championship.
View the Highland Pacific results
Whistler: Competition heats up despite the weather
Conditions were considerably less welcoming when the second qualifier arrived at Nicklaus North Golf Course in Whistler on Sept. 28, but cool temperatures and rain did little to dampen the competition.
The race for the two available national berths remained close throughout the day, with a playoff narrowly avoided as Andrew Hawk and Mike Creek of University Weekend Men's Golf Club and Bryan Stretch and Ken Gossen of Mission Golf and Country Club secured the qualifying positions.
Despite the weather, Nicklaus North provided excellent playing conditions, and the event gave many participants an opportunity to experience a tournament atmosphere beyond their regular league competition. The enthusiasm and camaraderie among the teams were evident throughout the day, with players embracing both the competition and the chance to represent their leagues.
The field also included a team from Simply Golf Abbotsford, bringing simulator golf into the mix alongside traditional club teams. Their participation highlighted the growing connection between off-course golf and traditional competition, with new opportunities for players to compete beyond their home facilities.
View the Nicklaus North result
Kelowna: A 25-foot putt decides the final qualifying spot
The final B.C. regional qualifier, held Oct. 4 at Okanagan Golf Club, produced perhaps the most dramatic finish of the three events.
After morning fog cleared, competitors enjoyed excellent playing conditions, but the leaderboard remained crowded through the opening nine holes. The course's more demanding back nine would ultimately decide which teams advanced.
Local players Keith Taplay and Doug Cann made the most of their home-course familiarity, posting 45 Stableford points to secure the first qualifying position.
The second was considerably harder to settle.
Three teams finished tied at 43 points, forcing a playoff between Jake Caughill and Victor Mercuri of Kamloops Golf and Country Club, Evan Koppa and Dylan Ofner of the Kelowna-area Twlv Stix league, and Donna Assaly and Cheryl Hambrey of Creston Golf Club.
Caughill and Mercuri were eliminated on the opening playoff hole when the other two teams made net birdies, leaving Koppa and Ofner to face Assaly and Hambrey for the final berth.
Both teams had opportunities for net eagle on the second playoff hole. From 25 feet, Koppa delivered, rolling his putt into the centre of the cup as Ofner cheered him on.
Assaly, whose partner Hambrey helped read her putt, had an opportunity to match. She later admitted she had never been so nervous, and her downhill, breaking attempt finished just short, sending Koppa and Ofner to the national championship.
The result was a memorable finish for the Twlv Stix team, whose league has grown considerably over the past three years while participating in the National Golf League and organizing events throughout the Okanagan region.
View the Okanagan Golf Club results
Bringing national competition to local leagues
Created by Golf Canada, the BDO National Golf League gives golfers participating in local recreational leagues an opportunity to compete beyond their home facilities, with a pathway from regular league play to regional qualifiers and the national championship.
Participating leagues can maintain their existing formats and determine how their representatives qualify, making the program accessible to a wide range of golfers and facilities, including a growing number of off-course venues.
The league also supports First Tee – Canada, with funds raised through B.C. participation staying in the province to support First Tee – B.C. and its efforts to introduce more young people to golf.
With the 2026 regional qualifiers complete, organizers are encouraging additional leagues across British Columbia to participate in 2027. There is no cost for leagues to register, and the program offers an opportunity to bring a new level of competition and connection to existing league play.
More information on the program and how to register a league is available at nationalgolfleague.ca.