Vernon, B.C. – July 4, 2025 — Miles Palahniuk is heading into this year’s G&G Brands and Callaway Golf Pro-Assistant Championship with something to prove—and plenty of firepower to do it.
After capturing the title in spectacular fashion last year, firing a Pro-Assistant record-setting 16-under-par 55 in the scramble round with then-partner Keith Martin, Palahniuk returns with a new teammate and familiar strategy. He’ll pair with Nicholas Gardler this year as the PGA of BC’s two-day team championship unfolds July 8–9 at the dramatic mountainside layout of The Rise Golf Course in Vernon.
“Nick gets the ball in play. It allows me to be aggressive off the tee; that’s kind of my game,” said Palahniuk.
“If we can ham-and-egg it in Round One and try to get in with the last couple groups, you never know what can happen in Round Two for the scramble. It would be exciting and rewarding to win it again with a new partner.”
The reason the powerhouse partnership with Martin is no longer possible is because Keith has now taken the reins as Head Professional at Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club. The duo could however pair up as a team for the Pro-Pro Championship later this season.
Palahniuk’s aggressive style is well-suited for The Rise, a bold and scenic Fred Couples design perched above Lake Okanagan. With fast conditions and temperatures expected to hit 35°C, the Vernon course will test shot-making and teamwork. The layout features significant elevation changes and tightly framed fairways—placing a premium on strategic play.
While Palahniuk and Gardler look to recreate last year’s magic, they’ll be facing stiff competition. Among the favourites are three-time champions Brian McDonald and Rob Tadey from Fairview Mountain Golf Club. McDonald and Tadey captured titles in 2017, 2020, and 2023, and are known for their consistency in this team format. Also in the field are two-time winners James Presnail and Mark Kitts of Shadow Ridge Golf Club, who claimed victories in 2018 and 2021.
Keith Martin and Miles Palahniuk (L) • Brian McDonald and Rob Tadey (R)
Chad Scott, Director of Operations at The Rise, emphasized the unique way the course sets up for the team format.
“There’s a lot of risk-reward,” said Scott. “A normal round of golf out there, I may hit driver three times, because you definitely want to keep the ball in play. But with the Pro-Assistant format, this opens things up for pros to get really aggressive and take on that risk. There can be a huge reward for taking on certain angles or shortcuts.”
Scott added that The Rise is “a really special piece of land... unique in a lot of ways, from both a golf perspective and an experience perspective.”
In total, 46 teams of PGA of BC professionals are set to compete, making this one of the most competitive fields of the season. With The Rise offering thrilling shot values and breathtaking views, it promises to be a dramatic stage for Palahniuk’s title defense.
For more on the course or to book a tee time, visit: https://www.therisegolf.com
Unless otherwise noted, all images are credit . courtesy facility / organization.