By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

He did not get the ultimate prize, but Abbotsford’s Adam Hadwin did earn something else of note with his solo sixth-place finish Sunday at the RBC Canadian Open. 

Hadwin claimed one of three spots that were up for grabs at Hamilton Golf & Country Club into next month’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. Hadwin also hoisted his fourth Rivermead Cup as low Canadian in the Canadian Open. He had high hopes of ending the long Canadian victory drought when he began Sunday’s final round just one shot out of the lead.

But no one was going to catch Rory McIlroy, who closed with a nine-under 61 to finish 22-under, seven shots clear of the field.

Procter, BC's Jackie Little Is Set To Tee It Up With The LPGA Legends This Week At White Horse GC As One Of Four Amateurs In The Suquamish Clearwater Legends Cup - Image Credit Bryan Outram

By Bryan Outram/British Columbia Golf

If ever there was an aptly named professional event for amateur great Jackie Little to appear in it has to be this one.

The LPGA Legends Cup taking place at the White Horse Golf Club in Kingston, WA this Friday and Saturday will feature several of the best known and accomplished LPGA stars over the last few decades. 

With an amateur record that has her already in both the BC Golf Hall of Fame and the PNGA Hall of Fame, Little is looking forward to teeing it up with and against some of the players she looked up to as an amateur player growing up.

Paul Barjon Won The PGA Tour Canada-Mackenzie Tour Bayview Place DCBank Open Presented By Times Colonist In Victoria - Image Credit Kevin Light/Mackenzie Tour

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The Canadian drought on the PGA Tour Canada-Mackenzie Tour circuit officially reached three years Sunday when Frenchman Paul Barjon won the Bayview Place DCBank Open in Victoria. Langley’s Adam Cornelson, at the 2016 Bayview Place tourney, was the last Canadian to win a Mackenzie Tour event.

Barjon closed with a five-under 65 at Uplands Golf Club to edge American Doc Redman, the 2017 U.S. Amateur champion, by a single shot. Barjon, who previously won the 2016 Canada Life Championship on the Mackenzie Tour, finished the 72-hole event at 19-under par.

Abbotsford Resident Dan Swanson (R), With Tournament Chair Tom Hall (L), Claimed The B.C. Men’s Mid-Amateur And Mid-Master Championships At Ledgeview Golf Club - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

ABBOTSFORD -- It was moments like this that Dan Swanson envisioned when he decided a couple of years ago to apply to regain his amateur status. A couple times on the back nine of Thursday’s final round of the B.C. Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship the 40-year-old found himself thinking back to past battles he’d had in provincial championship events in his late teens and early 20s. Those ones didn’t always end well.

He’d come close, losing a heartbreaker at the 1999 B.C. Amateur Championship at Storey Creek in Campbell River, for example. This time, 20 years later, Swanson sealed the deal with a brilliant back nine at Ledgeview Golf Club to finally claim that elusive provincial title.

Nanoose Bay Resident Shelly Stouffer Won Both Titles In The 2019 Women's Mid-Amateur And Mid-Master Championships At Ledgeview Golf Club - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

ABBOTSFORD -- Shelly Stouffer was delighted with everything about her play at the B.C. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Well, almost everything. 

She wasn’t thrilled about her final hole. “I finished with a bang,” Stouffer said with a laugh after she four-putted the 18th green at Ledgeview Golf & Country Club on Thursday for her only double-bogey of the tournament. “I was trying to make the (birdie) putt. Oh well.”

Stouffer could have afforded to take three or four more whacks at it on the 18th green. The Nanoose Bay resident had arrived there with a seven-shot lead.

The Devastating Fire That Destoyed The Clubhouse At Ledgeview Golf Club In Abbotsford In April Of 2016. The Club Has Yet To Find Out What Sort Of Replacement Will Be Built - File Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

ABBOTSFORD -- The leader in the clubhouse at the B.C. Men’s & Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Ledgeview Golf Club is. . .wait, there is no clubhouse. And that’s a shame.

It has been more than three years since fire destroyed the clubhouse at Ledgeview. In its place sits a large tent. Next to it are a couple of portable washrooms. The pro shop and restaurant are operated out of trailers at the opposite end of the parking lot. 

The golf course, meanwhile, is in absolute pristine condition.

Nanoose Bay Resident Shelly Stouffer Shares The Lead With Port Alberni’s Christina Proteau After The First Round Of The B.C. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship - Image Courtesy Parksville Qualicum Beach News

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

ABBOTSFORD -- In good times and in bad, golf has been a constant in Shelly Stouffer’s life. And even though we haven’t seen her on the provincial tournament scene the last three years, Stouffer never stopped playing. 

“I have been playing more lately,” the Nanoose Bay resident said after Tuesday’s first round of the B.C. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Ledgeview Golf Club. “My two sons (aged 11 and 13) are getting into golf, so I am going out there with them a little bit.”

Finding the time to golf became more difficult when Stouffer lost her husband, Ward -- a highly respected club pro -- to a heart attack in early 2017.

The BC Lions and British Columbia Golf are working together to help further junior sport development in our province.

As a member of the BC Golf Association, the BC Lions are happy to extend a discounted ticket rate to their Home Opener on June 15th vs. Winnipeg.

All members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for $30.00 (Reg. $36.00) in the End Zone and $3.00 from every ticket sold will go back to the Playground to Fairway School Golf Program.

To take advantage of this offer please enter promo code BCGOLF after you CLICK HERE

Follow the steps in the link, create an account and If you would like to upgrade your tickets and still receive a discounted ticket rate please call Adam D’Angelo at 604.930.5497.

BC Golf and the BC Lions believe in building a healthy and positive future for all youth involved in sports across British Columbia and Canada.

Thank you

ADAM D’ANGELO | Account Executive, Fan Services
BC LIONS FOOTBALL CLUB
T: 604 930 5497 | E: adangelo@bclions.com
10605 City Parkway, Surrey BC, V3T 4C8, Canada

Cordova Bay GC Assistant Pro Nate Ollis (Inset) Will Be In The Field At This Week's Bayview Place DCBank Open At Oak Bay's Uplands GC - Golf Course Image Courtesy Uplands - Nate Ollis Photo/Pheasant Glen website

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The PGA Tour Canada-Mackenzie Tour circuit moves to Victoria this week for the Bayview Place DCBank Open, where tournament organizers always ensure they have a strong local contingent in the field. Four spots into the $200,000 event are awarded off the 15-event Bayview Performance Tour and this year Cordova Bay Assistant Pro Nate Ollis topped the Order of Merit.

Ollis, a Victoria native who played his collegiate golf at the University of B.C., won three events and ran away with the points list. He feels like his game is in a good place as he prepares to play the Bayview Place tourney at Uplands Golf Club for a second straight year.

Team British Columbia Pose As Winners Of The North Pacific Junior Ladies Team Matches For The Fourth Consecutive Year - Image Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Foursomes, otherwise known as alternate shot, is for many players the most nerve-wracking format of match play golf. You never would have known it by watching Team British Columbia perform Sunday at the North Pacific Junior Ladies Team Matches at Quilchena Golf & Country Club in Richmond.

The six B.C. girls earned all nine points up for grabs in their three alternate-shot matches Sunday to register their fourth straight victory in the annual event that includes fellow juniors from Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

The first three legs of the British Columbia Golf Fantasy Golf Tour Challenge are in the books and we have our up to date group of qualifiers for the Grand Prize final event in the PGA TOUR FedEx Cup Championship.

Next up...The RBC Canadian Open.

The contest is easy, fun, flexible...and free. Pick your team in any, or all, of four remaining qualifying tournaments through the summer. If you finish in the top 10% of entrants in any one of them you are immediately qualified for the season-ending Championship playoff.

Emerge victorious there and you will be crowned BC Golf Fantasy Challenge champion. And that title comes with a terrific golf & stay package from Bear Mountain Resort. 

Langley's James Allenby Rides A Major Hot Streak Heading Into This Week's Canada Life Open at Point Grey Golf & Country Club - Image Credit VGT/Mike West

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

James Allenby’s last four competitive rounds of golf have been nothing short of amazing. He now hopes he’s got four more of the same for this week’s Canada Life Open at Point Grey Golf & Country Club.

The Langley resident has a sponsor’s exemption into the season-opening event on the PGA Tour Canada-Mackenzie Tour circuit and to say he is on something of a roll would be an understatement.

The British Columbia Golf North Pacific Junior Ladies Team Clockwise From Top Left: Chaewon Baek, Euna Han, Angela Zhang, Tiffany Kong, Lauren Kim & Angel (Mu Chen) Lin - BC Golf Image

The 33rd annual edition of the North Pacific Junior Ladies Team Matches are being held at Richmond's Quilchena Golf & Country Club this year and the squad from British Columbia are not only acting as hosts, they are looking to repeat as defending champions - for the fourth year in a row.

The team from BC were victorious in 2016 at Pitt Meadows GC, in 2017 at Illahe Hills Country Club in Salem, Oregon and again last year at the Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. The North Pacific Junior Ladies' Team Matches (NPJLTM) will see squads from British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon and Washington competing May 24th - 26th.

Ziggy Nathu (L) And Tristan Mandur (R) Are Headed To Mexico To Represent British Columbia In The 2019 Mexican International Amateur - BC Golf File Photo

British Columbia Golf has announced that Zaahidali (Ziggy) Nathu of Richmondand Tristan Mandurfrom North Cowichan will be BC's representative team at this year's prestigious Mexican Amateur taking place the week of June 6-9th in Mexico City at the Club de golf México.

The event is a 72 hole stroke play championship with a cut after 36 holes. It draws an international field from North, South and Central America.

UBC's Ziggy Nathu Drained A Long Eagle Putt To Win The PGA Works Collegiate Championship In Port St. Lucie, Fla. - Image Credit British Columbia Golf File Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

University of British Columbia senior Zahidali (Ziggy) Nathu won the 33rd PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (most recently known as the PGA Minority Collegiate Championship) in style Sunday.

Nathu eagled the first playoff hole to beat Logan Bryant of Florida A&M. Both players had finished the 54-hole event at even-par after each shot one-under 71s in Sunday’s final round at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Nathu’s eagle came after he had blown a two-shot lead on the 18th green, where he three-putted for bogey from 18 feet while Bryant made birdie.

He sunk a 40-foot putt for eagle on the first playoff hole. “I was shocked and frustrated about it,” Nathu said. “I just had to forget about it. I hit one of the greatest three-woods from 270 (yards) to the fringe. I kind of felt like I would make the putt. It was a load off my shoulders.”

Richmond Resident Michael Crisologo Birdied The First Playoff Hole To Clinch The Junior Boys Division Of The Future Links, Driven By Acura Pacific Championship At Pitt Meadows GC - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

They are rather big footsteps to try and follow, but Michael Crisologo seems like he is up to the task. The 18-year-old Richmond resident earned the biggest win of his young golf career Sunday at the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship at Pitt Meadows Golf Club.

And the first person to congratulate him -- by emptying a bottle of water over his head -- was Michael’s big brother Chris.

At Age 13, Lauren Kim Established Herself As One Of Canada’s Top Junior Golfers. The Grade 8 Student From Surrey Won The Junior Girls Division Of The Future Links, Driven By Acura Pacific Championship At Pitt Meadows Golf Club - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

She played with confidence, never got rattled and did not make a single bogey all day. Lauren Kim was the epitome of calm, cool and collected. Did we mention she is only 13 years old and just finishing Grade 8?

The Surrey resident, who grew up on her parents’ driving range, played like a wily veteran as she bested a field that included many of Canada’s top junior golfers and won the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship at Pitt Meadows Golf Club.

The first two legs of the British Columbia Golf Fantasy Golf Tour Challenge are in the books and we have our up to date group of qualifiers for the Grand Prize final event in the PGA TOUR FedEx Cup Championship.

Next up...The PGA Championship.

The contest is easy, fun, flexible...and free. Pick your team in any, or all, of four remaining qualifying tournaments through the summer. If you finish in the top 10% of entrants in any one of them you are immediately qualified for the season-ending Championship playoff.

Emerge victorious there and you will be crowned BC Golf Fantasy Challenge champion. And that title comes with a terrific golf & stay package from Bear Mountain Resort. 

After Having His Tee Shot Bury In Some Long Grass, Jeevan Sihota Managed An All-World Par On The 17th Hole At Pitt Meadows GC En Route To An Opening Round Of 2-under Par 69 - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Bryan Outram/British Columbia Golf

Victoria's Jeevan Sihota, who plays out of Gorge Vale GC, took the first round lead on the Junior Boys side in the Future Links, Driven By Acura Pacific Championship taking place this weekend at Pitt Meadows Golf Club, while 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Champion Celeste Dao from Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, QC, and the Summerlea G&CC led the Junior Girls with both players recording under par scores of 69.

The Junior Boys are playing the course as a par 71 while the Junior Girls play it as a par 72. The finishing 18th hole has been changed to a par 4 for the boys while remaining as a par 5 for the girls.

At 2-under par Sihota takes a 2-shot lead into round two over 3 players, Ryan Hodgins of Medicine Hat, AB, Kai Iguchi from Banff, AB, and Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, QC. Meanwhile, Dao goes into the second round holding a one-shot advantage over Vancouver's Tiffany Kong, with Euna Han of Coquitlam 2 back and Surrey's Angel  (Mu Chen) Lin 3 behind.

Trevor Ragan Is Back...

VOLLEYBALL BC is pleased to announce a special event and learning opportunity. Trevor Ragan graced the stage of the BC Sport Leadership Conference 3 years ago and he's returning to BC to work with our Women's National Team program.

Canadian Women’s Volleyball National Team Head Coach Tom Black is bringing Trevor and his “Train Ugly” approach to work with the Women's National Team.

We have kept the price affordable and the event is targeted at athletes, coaches and parents for any sport. Coaches will also get 2 PD credits for attending!