Every Golf Facility Throughout The Entire Pacific Northwest And B.C. Has Been Touched By The Hand, And Voice, Of Larry Gilhuly - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

by Paul Ramsdell

(As seen in the pages of Pacific Northwest Golfer magazine)

You can call it a farewell tour, or a thank-you tour, but whatever you call it, it wasn’t something Larry Gilhuly had planned.

After 36 years with the USGA Green Section, helping Northwest golf courses and their superintendents constantly adapt to changing landscapes and climates, both natural and political, Gilhuly retired in 2019 at the age of 67.

At one of their meetings, which over the years Gilhuly was a regular attendee and speaker, superintendent groups from British Columbia to Hawaii to the Dakotas said thank you with various honors and presentations.

PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan Has Made A Statement Regarding Play On The PGA TOUR And The Coronavirus Issue Going Forward - Image By Screen Capture

Let me preface my remarks by reinforcing that the health and safety of our players, employees, partners, volunteers, fans and everybody associated with the PGA TOUR is our top priority.

I’ve spoken to President Trump this morning, and I spoke to Governor Ron DeSantis a few hours ago as well.

Our team is in constant communication with local health authorities in each market in which our tournaments are played, and we are tracking and monitoring the health information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization in addition to the travel advisories provided by the U.S. State Department.

Both the White House and the Governor’s office have been and are supportive of the precautionary measures we have taken to this point.

There will be a Provincial Level Rules Seminar taking place at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver Friday March 27th - Sunday, March 29th

Provincial level rules seminars are conducted by the provincial golf associations (PA), in this case British Columbia Golf, and the curriculum will begin to look at the more important playing Rules in detail. Some of the complexities that are found in the Rules of Golf book or the Official Guide to The Rules of Golf.

(March 5th, 2020) - The President's Awards are presented annually to volunteers from Sport BC member organizations who represent the spirit of volunteerism, and whose dedication, energy, and commitment contribute to the development of their sport or organization.

Sport BC member organizations are eligible to recognize one volunteer per year. This year British Columbia Golf is pleased and proud to announce that Trail, BC's Loretta Bulfone will be a Presidents Award recipient at the annual dinner and awards presentation taking place Thursday, March 12th at the Vancouver Convention Centre. 

Below is a write-up outlining the background and dedication to the sport of golf that led to Loretta being so deservedly recognized for this award.

Based on deep consultation with nearly 250 youth and over 100 inclusion experts, viaSport’s All Youth Matter: Inclusion Training was developed to equip sport and recreation leaders to make a difference in the lives of diverse youth in their community. 

Through the four-hour workshop, participants learn about the factors that contribute to an inclusive environment, how to identity and address barriers and biases, and steps to take to intervene and stop discrimination.

ALL YOUTH MATTER: INCLUSION TRAINING
March 8th, 2020 - 9:30am to 2:00pm

In addition, participants are provided with tools, techniques and best practices to create inclusive sport, recreation and physical activity experiences for youth from underserved or marginalized populations.

We would like to remind you that British Columbia Golf offers golfers and their families across the province access to a group insurance program that allows people to save on auto and home insurance by providing them with discounts and exclusive benefits. 

Remember to call 1-833-294-2911 for a quick quote and simply mention that you are a part of “British Columbia Golf” to take advantage.

Charlie Beaulieu (Golf Canada Image)

Mississauga, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada’s 2020 Annual Meeting culminated on Saturday, February 29 with the re-election of Charlie Beaulieu of Lorraine, Qué., to serve a second term as the National Sport Federation’s President.

Beaulieu will continue to lead Golf Canada’s Board of Directors with Liz Hoffman of Thornhill, Ont., remaining in the position of 1st Vice-President and Dale Jackson of Victoria continuing in the role of 2nd Vice-President.

Image courtesy PGA of Canada

Written by PGA of Canada/Courtesy Golf Canada

Titleist & FootJoy have become the newest supporting partners of the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company.

In addition to this partnership, Titleist & FootJoy will continue as presenting sponsors of PGA of Canada’s Training Academy.

“Titleist & FootJoy’s commitment to the betterment of golf is first-rate,” said PGA of Canada President Mark Patterson. “We are proud to have their support as national partners and look forward to seeing them elevate an already exceptional experience for golfers across the country.”

The Evans Caddie Scholarship Program Exists At The Victoria Golf Club Due To The Tremendous Efforts Of Berne Neufeld, Pictured Here Alongside Angela Bowers, The First Female Caddie From VGC And Canada, To Be A Finalist For The Evans Scholarship - Images Courtesy VGC

By Jenny Dobell

Berne Neufeld is my golf partner. When she hits a great drive I shout, much to her embarrassment, “Feel the Berne!” She didn’t get the reference to that American Bernie, so often in the headlines. While I first did it to tease her (which is easy), I now do it because she is a person whose commitment to a cause reminds me of a political candidate in the heat of a campaign battle.  

And Berne’s cause is the Evans Caddie Scholarship Program.

We lost another great friend and golfer on Friday, February 7th, as Diane Rands (Phillips), an honorary Life Member of Uplands Golf Club, passed away following a courageous fight with cancer. British Columbia Golf and the entire golf community wish to pass along our deepest condolences and best wishes to Diane's family and friends. 

Aside from her stellar nursing career and family life, Diane was an extremely accomplished competitive golfer, still holding the Uplands women's course record of 67, and indeed this past Fall the Uplands Women's Club Championship trophy was renamed the Diane (Phillips) Rands trophy. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Uplands Golf Club on Sunday, March 15, 2020 from 2pm – 4pm.

Below is the memoriam posted on the McCall Gardens website. 

British Columbia Golf will present World Handicap Certification seminars across the province, details and registration links are below.

Cost $25.00 (taxes in) Lunch included

January 1, 2020 Golf Associations around the world started moving to a single handicap system introduced and administered jointly by the R&A and the USGA. This seminar is a detailed look at WHS and is appropriate for staff and volunteers who will be involved in handicapping at the club level.

Image Credit Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

Via Golf Canada

The USGA and The R&A have issued the Distance Insights Report, which provides comprehensive research and analysis on the contributors to, and long-term impacts of, hitting distance in golf.

After extensive stakeholder research, the report features more than 100 years of data, informed by a library of 56 supporting documents. It is accompanied by a 15-page conclusions paper from the governing bodies that summarizes their perspectives on the long-term implications for the sport.

The weather outside of late may not have been condusive to actual play, but this is the West Coast so we know that getting out on the links regularly is not far away.

One of the best ways to get into the spirit of the coming golf season is always the Vancouver GolfExpo, where enthusiasts can try out the newest equipment, shop for some great deals at the on-site merchandise outlet, visit booths set up by many of the outstanding golf facilities throughout the Pacific Northwest, learn about some enticing golf travel opportunities, as well as take in some terrific lesson and tip presentations by BC's finest teaching professionals.

Of course one of the most popular reasons to visit the GolfExpo is the opportunity to take advantage of the great deals available at so many of the exhibitor's booths. 

Bell Let’s Talk Day 2020 

On January 29th, Bell will donate five cents to Canadian mental health for every text message and mobile and long distance call made by a Bell, Bell Cause pour la cause, Bell MTS or Bell Aliant customer, tweet using #BellLetsTalk, view of the Bell Let’s Talk video on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube, and use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat filter.

Background 

Bell Let’s Talk is a campaign dedicated to moving mental health forward in Canada. The strategy is built on four pillars: anti-stigma, improving access to care, supporting world-class research, and leading by example in workplace mental health. 

Bell Let’s Talk is not only changing the landscape of mental health funding in Canada, but is also contributing to changes in attitudes and behaviours. 85% of Canadians think attitudes about mental health have changed for the better in the past 5 years, and 75% believe the stigma around mental illness has been reduced. 

With the help of Canadians and people around the world, Bell Let’s Talk Day has now surpassed 1 billion messages of support sent and over $100 million in Bell funding towards mental health.

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Please Be Advised That The Application Process For The 2020 Team BC Performance Program Is NOW CLOSED

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 As British Columbia Golf gets into full swing with its 2020 Team BC Performance Program, Coach Colin Lavers has some thoughts on the program and its goals:

Dear BC Juniors

British Columbia Golf is excited to launch its NEW 2020 Team BC Performance Program!

To start the new decade, our goal is to inspire an exceptional experience through golf to lead players on a journey – one of excellence and performance.

Our VISION with the annual performance program is to develop Excellent Golfers, Exceptional Athletes and Extraordinary People.

The Expression of Interest Application Form is located on our website, just follow the link on the attachment below this message.

Carefully view the Selection Criteria document for the new program, all juniors are invited who meet the standard of performance required to be selected. 

There is a selection process in place and final selections are done by a Committee.

If you have any questions on the annual Team BC program, please feel free to contact me at coach@britishcolumbiagolf.org

 Colin Lavers, Head Performance Coach

British Columbia Golf

Please click HERE to see full details on the Team BC 2020 Performance Program

Sport BC has announced the finalists to be celebrated at the upcoming 54th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards taking place on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at the Vancouver Convention Centre East.

The event, to be hosted by CBC’s Scott Russell, recognizes the province’s best in amateur sport including athletes, coaches, teams, and officials for outstanding performances in their sport over the 2019 season.

Click HERE see the video by Golf Canada on how your handicap will be calculated by the World Handicap System starting in Canada from January 8th, 2020.

Watch more RULES AND HANDICAPPING on Golf Canada TV

Courtesy Golf Canada

The World Handicap System will ensure handicaps are calculated consistently around the world.

Click here for more information.

British Columbia Golf is sad to report the passing of a longtime friend and contributor as former Board member and staff employee, Dick Lyle, passed away on December 29th.

As a tribute and in memory of Dick we present here the official obituary as published online at the vancouversunandprovince.remembering.ca

British Columbia Golf was saddened to have learned over the Christmas break of the passing of Victoria's Marion Andrews on December 16th at the age of 95.

We wish to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Marion and share the following memoriam as per the Times Colonist Newspaper and Zone 5 Secretary Barb Rainey.

Dr. Jack Lamey Was a PNGA Representative From 2004-2019, And Also Served As PNGA President In 2010-2012

British Columbia Golf wishes to join the Pacific Northwest Golf Association and indeed the entire golf community in expressing our sadness upon the loss of Dr. Jack Lamey over the Christmas Holidays. Dr. Lamey was a very thoughtful and passionate giver to the game of golf and he will be missed by his family, all his friends and acquaintences in and around golf as well as all who knew him. 

We share with you here an announcement put out through the PNGA by its Executive Director, Troy Andrew.