The 'Golden Boys' George Ross (L) And Jerry Lawrence (R) Pose Without Their Other Two Brethren, Roy Nixon And Gord Dakin At BC's Golden Golf Course - Images Credit Jim Claggett

By Jim Claggett/iG

When you hear the saying, "Golf is a game for life" what do you think is meant by it? Well, when you meet people who are living proof of that claim, you begin to understand.

Enter George Ross and Jerry Lawrence. They are half of a regular foursome of members at the beautiful Golden Golf Course in British Columbia.

George is a 93-year-old from Scotland who flew Spitfires and Hellcats for the British Navy at the tender age of 18. He arrived in Golden about fifteen years ago. George got newspapers from Canada, Australia and New Zealand before deciding to come here to stay.

The folks from the Vancouver Park Board look after and maintain, among other properties, the three excellent courses recently used for the  VGT Vancouver Open, namely Langara, Fraserview and McCleery,and are getting set to do the very important job of aerating these facilities. 

They are very aware of how disappointing it can be for golfers to encounter 'punched and sanded' conditions. The fact remains that this process is critical to the long term health of the turf and to the quality playing conditions found throughout the year on these courses for the benefit of golfers.

We'd like to share here some of the information put out by the VPB to help explain and educate us all on what goes into an aeration program and why it's definitely worth it for all concerned.

Golf’s New Rules Have Been Published By The R&A And The USGA Ahead Of Coming Into Effect On  January 1st, 2019

For the first time, a new Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf is being introduced to provide a shorter, more user-friendly version of the Rules for golfers at all levels of the sport. This version, which will serve as the primary publication for all golfers, features:

• A more intuitive organization with ten simplified topical groupings
• A “Purpose of the Rule” description at the top of each Rule to better define why the Rule exists
• Easy-to-follow, full-colour diagrams and charts to aid in understanding
• A simpler, more direct writing style

Printed copies of The Player’s Edition should be available from your local golf club and the Player’s Edition, the Rules of Golf and Official Guide are all available now on The R&A’s website and on The R&A’s new 2019 Rules of Golf App (Download from your App store: iOS / Android). Print versions of the Official Guide will be available from November.

Various other resources, including a Visual Search and an updated Rules quiz, are also available to help golfers, Committees and Referees to familiarize themselves with the new Rules of Golf, both on The R&A’s website and on the App. Additional resources, including an updated Rules Academy and a Committee Toolkit, will be added in the coming months.

For more information on the new Rules of Golf and the resources that are available, follow the link below.

READ MORE

Karishma Thiagaraj, A Native Of India, Has Played Well On The Vancouver Golf Tour, Including An Eight-Under 64 In Her Pro Debut At Morgan Creek - Image Courtesy VGT/Mike West

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The seeds of Karishma Thiagaraj’s golf game were sown in southern India, where as an 11-year-old she began to accompany her dad to the course and quickly fell in love with the sport.

It took root in Virginia in her teenage years after her parents moved the family to the United States. Thiagaraj now hopes it can fully blossom as she begins a professional career in the Vancouver area.

The 1974 Team (L-R) Steve Bannatyne, Ted Homenuik, Barry McKenzie, Gavin Speirs And Non-Playing Captain Bill Doyle Was The First Manitoba Team To Win the Willingdon Cup - Image Courtesy Golf Manitoba

The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. will hold its sixteenth annual induction ceremony on Monday September 24th, 2018 at Elmhurst Golf & Country Club.

Three new Honoured Members and an Honoured Team will be added: Greg Holden and Alan (Al) Scott will be added in the Builder Category; the late Alexander (Sandy) Weir will be inducted in the Athlete/Builder Category; and the 1974 Men’s Team Steve Bannatyne (Rossmere), Ted Homenuik (Rossmere), the late Barry McKenzie (Rossmere) and Gavin Speirs (Southwood), that won the first Willingdon Cup for Manitoba, will be inducted in the Team Category.

By Jeff Sutherland

The golf marijuana survey conducted by Inside Golf and British Columbia Golf is now complete with 56 facilities and 5466 golfers responding.

L to R: Alison Murdoch, Denise Kieffer, Ginny Burkey, Susan Craven And Carrie Jacobson - Image Courtesy WSGA

Victoria, BC's Alison Murdoch just continues to add to her impressive career resume qualifying for the 2018 U.S. Senior Women's Amateur Championship at Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club in Vero Beach, Fla. on October 6-11.

An invitation is a simple yet powerful way to show someone they belong....

With a brand new school year just underway the time is perfect to introduce youngsters to the benefits of basic golf skills and the game's inherent 'physical literacy' along with the fun and enjoyment that can accompany learning about golf, 'a game for life' through the Playground To Fairway school golf program. 

Please find below an introductory letter for those in appropriate decision-making positions in BC's school system from British Columbia Golf's Manager of Golf Participation, Tyler McKay. We have also attached booking and confirmation forms for those who wish to take advantage of this great opportunity for their students.

VICTORIA, B.C. (September 4, 2018) - This Saturday, September 8, 2018, marks the 20th anniversary of the annual Golf for Kids Charity Classic at the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa in Victoria, BC.

This year, over 180 participants from across the province and the country will be taking part in the day-long event that provides significant support for children and children’s charities in BC. Last year’s event raised an astounding, record-breaking $1 million in one day, bringing the total funds raised over the tournament’s 19-year history to more than $5.3 million.

This year, organizers are aiming to surpass that milestone and eclipse the $6 million mark. Thanks to the ongoing commitment and generosity of sponsors, players, volunteers, and philanthropists, Golf for Kids has been building incrementally on its success for 20 years.

Oregon's Nick Sherwood Is The 2018 Vancouver Open Champion - Image Credit VGT

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Nick Sherwood made it more difficult than it needed to be, but he still managed to win the Vancouver Open. The 27-year-old from Oregon arrived at the 18th tee with a four-shot lead in the final round of the Vancouver Golf Tour’s flagship event Sunday at Fraserview Golf Course. He hung on to win by a single shot over Richmond amateur Chris Crisologo.

“That was more drama than what I was looking for,” a relieved Sherwood said. “If I was a spectator that would have been fun to watch, but for me it was more nerve-wracking. I got it done, luckily.”

The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) of BC is pleased to announce the 2018 BC Indigenous Provincial Golf Camp will be hosted by the Musqueam Indian Band, Musqueam, British Columbia Golf and with the support of the Province of BC.

The event will be held September 22, 2018 at the Musqueam Golf & Learning Academy located in Vancouver, BC.

Please note this is NOT a Team BC selection event for the NAIG (North American Indigenous Games), however, this event does provide opportunity for athletes to better prepare for the 2019 Team BC selection processes for 2020 North American Indigenous Games. Registration is open to eligible participants - No pre-qualification required.

The PNGA Senior & Super Senior Women’s Amateur Championship is coming to Vancouver's Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club on October 1-2, 2018. 

CHAMPIONSHIP DETAILS

Eligibility: Entries are open to female amateur golfers who: (a) are members in good standing of a PNGA member club; (b) are 50 years of age or older by October 1, 2018; and (c) have a USGA Handicap Index or Golf Canada Handicap Factor not exceeding 40.4 at the close of entry.

Format: 36-hole stroke play competition (Gross and Net). Competitors will be divided into four equal flights by course handicap. An A.M. shotgun start will be used each day.

Age Limit: Entrants must be 50 years of age or older by October 1, 2018

Through the efforts of the WE ARE GOLF  Women’s Task Force and the LPGA Women’s Network, we are excited to announce the launch of the #inviteHER campaign. The nation-wide campaign is aimed at encouraging golfers to invite women in their lives to join them in playing golf.

The launch took place on Wednesday, August 29 beginning with announcements and appearances on Matt Adams’ Fairways of Life program on Sirius XM, and the Golf Channel’s Morning Drive, followed by a special introductory class for women at Topgolf in Hillsboro, Oregon later in the day.

Courtesy Vancouver Park Board

“Four years ago there were six participants in the Junior Program at Fraserview,” says Director of Instruction Derek Thornley.

“We are really pleased with the remarkable progress the Fraserview Golf Academy has made in reaching more youth in the community through an array of programs geared to children of all ages and abilities.”

We anticipate an average increase from 2017 of at least 25%. Our programs have grown exponentially and have come a long way since 2014.

Chaewon Baek Of Langley Leads The Girls Division Of The B.C. Bantam Championship At Shannon Lake GC In Kelowna - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The B.C. Bantam Boys Championship was looking a little like the Coquitlam Open after Tuesday’s first round at Shannon Lake Golf Club in Kelowna. The top three scores were recorded by Coquitlam residents.

Billy Zhang led the way, shooting a two-over 71 that gave him a two-shot lead over Luke Quanson. Fellow Coquitlam resident Ethan Posthumus was alone in third after opening with a five-over 74.

The 2017 Vancouver Open Champion, James Allenby, Will Be Back This Year To Defend His Title At McCleery, Langara And Fraserview Golf Courses - Images Courtesy VGT

Courtesy Vancouver Park Board

The 2018 Vancouver Open will take place August 31st to September 2nd. Spectators are welcome all three days of the event. Round one will be played at McCleery Golf Course on Friday and round two will be played at Langara Golf Course on Saturday.

The final round will take place Sunday, September 2nd at Fraserview Golf Course with the leaders teeing off at 2pm to determine the 2018 Vancouver City Open Champion.

Victoria, BC's Naomi Ko (Bottom Right), A Member Of Royal Colwood GC, Has Been Named To Golf Canada's Women's Team For The 2018 World Amateur Team Championships - Golf Canada Image

Courtesy Golf Canada

Golf Canada is pleased to announce the six individuals selected to represent Canada at the 2018 World Amateur Team Championship, conducted by the International Golf Federation.

The World Amateur Team Championship—featuring both a women’s (Aug. 29 – Sept. 1) and men’s (Sept. 5-8) competition— will be contested at Carton House  (Montgomerie and O’Meara Courses) in Maynooth, Ireland, located 30 minutes west of Dublin.

B.C.'s Adam Hadwin Moved On To The Next Phase Of The FedEx Cup Playoffs After His 11th Place Finish At The Northern Trust - Image Courtesy Adam Hadwin Website

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Adam Hadwin didn’t quite end his top-10 drought on the PGA TOUR, but he sure came close. The Abbotsford native tied for 11th place at the Northern Trust, the first of the FedEx Cup playoff events.
Paired with Phil Mickelson in Sunday’s final round, Hadwin closed with a one-under 70 to finish at 10-under par. That was eight shots behind winner Bryson DeChambeau, who beat the rest of the field by four shots.

Hadwin, who beat Mickelson by one shot on Sunday, had his last top 10 back in early March when he tied for ninth at the World Golf Championships Mexico Championship. The Northern Trust result moved Hadwin up 18 spots to 52nd on the FedEx Cup points. The top 100 players advanced to this week’s second playoff event, the Dell Technologies Championship in Norton, Mass.

B.C. Golf Hall of Fame Member Sandy Harper Lost In A Playoff For The Canadian Mid-Master Title To Todd Fanning Of Winnipeg At The Venerable Victoria Golf Club - Images Courtesy Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

VICTORIA -- It wasn’t like Sandy Harper didn’t have his chances. So when Todd Fanning holed his bunker shot for eagle on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff, Harper wasn’t feeling like he was robbed of the Canadian Mid-Master Championship for players 40 and over.

Hey, at age 61 -- soon to be 62 -- Harper was happy just to have had the opportunity to compete for the championship. “If somebody told me I was going to be in a playoff for the Canadian Mid-Master I’d be more than happy,” said the longtime Nanaimo resident. “It doesn’t hurt to lose to an eagle.”