Image Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/ British Columbia Golf

The final 2017 Canada Summer Games Selection Camp will be held March 15-17, 2017 at Northview Golf and Country Club, Surrey, BC and supported by the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA), a sanctioned BC Golf OOMtournament.

British Columbia Golf is the provincial sport organization in BC that oversees the Team BC program for golf at the multi-sport games.

British Columbia Golf Executive Director Kris Jonasson (Far Right) And Four Members Of The 12-Member Board Of Directors  (L-R) -- Patrick Kelly, Helen Jung, Jasvinder Dhaliwal and Michelle Collens -- Participated In A 45-Minute Session Entitled 'Driving Innovation Through Inclusion' - (USGA/Steven Gibbons)

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The board of directors of British Columbia Golf was held up as a shining example of inclusion at the United States Golf Association’s North American Golf Innovation Symposium in Vancouver.

“What makes the organization unique and quite frankly unique in golf, as well as unique generally in business, is the nature of inclusion that exists on the board of directors,” the USGA’s Steve Schloss told the symposium at the Marriott Pinnacle hotel.

USGA Chief Executive Officer Mike Davis Delivers Closing Address 'Imagining The Future' At The Conclusion Of The 2017 North American Golf Innovation Symposium In Vancouver - (USGA/Steven Gibbons)

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Variable-distance golf balls, courses that are more brown than green, hard and fast fairways, slower greens and balls with chips embedded in them that you will always be able to find.

Those are just some of things Mike Davis, executive director of the United States Golf Association, sees in golf’s future.

Two-Day Gathering Draws Golf’s Leaders to Vancouver March 6-7

(Feb. 28, 2017) – Entrepreneur and technology investor Jerry Yang will headline a noteworthy lineup of speakers at the 2017 North American Golf Innovation Symposium, which will be hosted by the USGA in conjunction with Golf Canada and the Mexican Golf Federation on March 6-7, 2017, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The co-founder and former CEO of Yahoo! and the founding partner of AME Cloud Ventures, Yang exemplifies the focus on data, innovative thinking and transformative technology that are keystones of the symposium and bedrocks of the USGA’s work in advancing the game toward a stronger, more sustainable future.

Courtesy Golf Canada

TORONTO – Golf Canada’s 2017 Annual General Meeting culminated on Saturday, February 25th with the election of Roland A. Deveau of Bedford, N.S., to serve a second term as the National Sport Federation’s President.

Deveau’s election to serve a second term is historic as he joins Alfred Collyer (1930-31), F.A. Rolph (1915-1919), A.W. Austin (1907 & 1910) and Col. George A. Sweeny (1898, 1901 & 1909) as only the fifth President to serve multiple or consecutive terms since the association’s formation in 1895.

British Columbia Golf Staff Members L-R: Elizabeth Dunn, Andy Fung And Corrie Wong Wear Pink To Support The Erase Bullying Campaign On Pink Shirt Day

As part of the #ERASEbullying program being run in conjunction by viaSport and the Government of BC, many Provincial Sport Organizations (PSO) are taking part in the initiative both by signing the Declaration of Commitment and on this special day, February 22nd, by wearing pink to symbolize the commitment to promoting positive, respectful, engaging, accessible and inclusive environments for all participants in sport.

TAKE THE PLEDGE TODAY TO #ERASEBULLYING IN SPORT

Bullying is unwelcome or aggressive behaviour that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and can take many forms including physical, verbal, emotional or other types of intimidating or humiliating behaviours. The behaviour is often repeated and can occur on or away from the playing field, court or arena.

A sport environment in which participants - athletes, coaches, volunteers and officials – are exposed to negative experiences, such as bullying, can be harmful and cause individuals to quit, and viaSport and the Government of B.C. want to ensure participants at every level of sport are aware that bullying of any form cannot be tolerated.

To achieve this, the B.C. sport sector is committed to promoting positive, respectful, engaging, accessible and inclusive environments for all participants, and to ensuring a safe, welcoming and positive sport culture and environment for all British Columbians.

The #ERASEbullying campaign is an important part of this initiative and a key highlight will be on Pink Shirt Day, Wednesday, February 22, 2017, when provincial sport organizations are invited to come together to celebrate the Province’s first Declaration of Commitmentto erase bullying in sport throughout B.C.

So, stand with us, take the pledge and encourage your sport organizations to support this initiative to #ERASEbullying in sport.

Golf Canada

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce its competition schedule including host clubs and dates for the 2017 championship season.

A total of 25 professional and amateur championships, as well as qualifying events into Canada’s two National Open Championships—the RBC Canadian Open and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open—will be conducted in 2017.

Patricia and Kenneth W. Mariash Sr., the developers behind Victoria's Bayview Place have supported top-tier pro golf in BC's capital city for more than a decade. Now they are adding support for the amateur side… and more.

The 2017 Canada Summer Games will be hosted in Winnipeg, Manitoba from August 9-12th for the sport of golf. 

The 2nd of 3 Canada Games BC Team Selection Camps is coming up March 4th and 5th at Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club.

The games was established in 1967 as part of Canada's Centennial Celebrations promoting unity through sport as it provides an opportunity for amatuer athletes progressing to national and international level competitions.

The Games is Canada's largest multi-sport competition for young athletes. Athletes from the 13 Provinces and Territories across the Nation compete for the Canada Games Flag and Centennial Cup.

The 2017 Canada Summer Games BC Team Selection process includes a series of selection camps with the Final Team Selection to be done by a BC Golf Canada Games Selection Committee of a minimum of 5 individuals: including Coaches, BC Golf Board member(s), BC Golf Staff, including the Managing Director of Player Development.

By Patrick Kelly

As we get ready to head full on into the new golf year for 2017 and the British Columbia Golf Annual General Meeting is to take place March 5th, I am pleased to highlight a number of notable BC Golf accomplishments over the past year.

KICK OFF THE GOLF SEASON WITH SOME FUN!

The 2017 Vancouver Golf & Travel Show is upon us to help get the golf season started. Come on down to the PNE this weekend, February 18th & 19th for great deals and a chance to see & try all the exciting new equipment, take part in fun contests, draws for terrific prizes and so much more.

Peak Golf has been a part of the Vancouver Golf & Travel Show for many years and we are happy to have the Peak Golf Retail Centre here again. Peak Golf will offer some terrific deals on apparel, accessories, shoes, bags, equipment and more! Don't miss this year's event to get your golf season started in all the right gear.

Innovations Golf again brings us the BC Putting Championship. Prove that you are the best putter in BC and win a new Innovations Golf putter and a $100 Peak Golf Gift Card. You get three putts for only $5 with the entry going to support our Golf Show charity. The finals begin on Sunday at 2pm with a head-to-head battle. If you qualify you will receive a free ticket to Sunday's show.

Don't miss out on all this fun!

From L-R: Jared du Doit, Naomi Ko and A.J. Ewart Are All Finalists For Sport BC Athlete Of The Year Awards

Three out of four golfers nominated by British Columbia Golf for a Sport BC Athlete of the Year Award have been chosen as finalists for their particular category.

Jared du Toit of Kimberley is a finalist for the Male Senior AOY, with Victoria’s Namoi Ko as Female Senior Athlete and Coquitlam’s A.J. Ewart in the Male Junior Athlete categories also being acknowledged as finalists with the winners to be announced March 8th at the annual Sport BC AOY awards dinner.

Former BC Golf Zone 3 Chair And Long-Time Contributor To The Game In British Columbia Peter Dobson (December 21, 1931 ~ January 5, 2017)

Peter Dobson, a long-time resident of Abbotsford and Mission, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 5, at Menno Home in Abbotsford. He was 85. 

Peter was an avid, low-handicap golfer throughout his adult life as well as maintaining an interest in boxing.

He received the Sports BC Award of Community Sports Hero for his decades as community advisor and leader: mentoring youth in the Restorative Justice program, training young golfers, Chairing British Columbia Golf Zone 3, volunteering for the Western Canada Summer Games and serving as Director of the BC Amateur Boxing Association.

Shelly Stouffer's Strong 2016 Season Sees Her Nominated For Female Athlete Of The Year By The Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards - Image Courtesy GaugeDesigns.com/Shelly Stouffer 

Shelly Stouffer of Nanoose Bay has been announced as a finalist for the Female Individual Athlete of the Year by the Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards.

The Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards were established in 2006. The awards recognize those within the sport community who, during the course of the year, have made a significant contribution to the community in which he or she lives.

The nominee must be a resident of the Nanaimo area (Ladysmith to Nanoose).

A sport environment in which participants - athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials - are exposed to negative experiences such as bullying can be harmful and cause individuals to quit.

55% of BC sports organizations surveyed know of athletes who have dropped out of #sport because of bullying. 

That’s why viaSport and the Government of B.C. have launched a new #ERASEbullying initiative for every provincial and local sport organization, and all B.C. citizens.

Click HERE or on the image above to take the online Erase Bullying in Sport pledge. 

On February 22, 2017, provincial sport organizations will celebrate the Province’s first Declaration of Commitment to erase bullying in sport across B.C.

Learn more about this initiative and how you can get involved as an organization or individual at www.viaSport.ca./erasebullying

The Canucks Autism Network (CAN) provides year-round, high- quality sports, recreational, arts, and social programs for individuals and families living with autism, while increasing awareness and providing training in communities across British Columbia.

The Canucks Autism Network team consists of a diverse group of trained staff, experienced support workers and dedicated volunteers who administer programs for families and individuals living with autism in our province.

Jared du Toit of Kimberley has been nominated for the Sport BC Senior Male Athlete of The Year Award.

Du Toit, who had an outstanding 2016 season, has been the number one ranked amateur male golfer in Canada for over 44 weeks straight as well as being ranked as high as number 23 in the world, will find out on March 8th, 2017 during the awards ceremony dinner being held at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver, whether he will be adding another honour to his name.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Ward Stouffer, who spent more than 20 years as head professional and director of golf at Fairwinds Golf Club in Nanoose Bay, passed away Thursday, January 5th. He was 56.

Friends and playing competitors remember Stouffer, who stood about 6-feet, 8 inches, as a gentle giant with a heart of gold who hit the ball a mile.

Naomi Ko of Victoria has been nominated for the Sport BC Senior Female Athlete of The Year Award.

Ko, who had an outstanding 2016 season with 2 significant victories to go along with medallist honours in two other high profile events, is the number two ranked amateur female golfer in Canada and will find out on March 8th, 2017 during the awards ceremony dinner being held at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver, whether she will be adding another honour to her name.

Canada's Players Of The Year From L-R: Mary Parsons, Maddie Szeryk, Jared du Toit And A.J. Ewart - Image Courtesy Golf Canada

By Tyler Costigan/ Golf Canada

Team Canada athletes Maddie Szeryk and Jared du Toit finished first in the women’s and men’s National Order of Merits, respectively, to claim honours as the top amateur athlete in each division and be named Canada’s 2016 Players of the Year.

On the Junior Order of Merits, two-time Development Squad athlete A.J. Ewart captured the boys’ title, while Development Squad rookie Mary Parsons took home the honours for the girls.

“We’re pleased to recognize the outstanding accomplishments that these athletes have worked so hard to achieve through this past season,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer.