• Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Fast start for Red Leafs; Crunch time for Sloan; New dad Macdonald wins in Arizona; Kim books ticket to Abu Dhabi; Stouffer starts strong in title defence; Christine Wong wins PGA of BC Women’s Championship

    SFU Freshman Denby Carswell Made His University Debut In Style - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    Simon Fraser University golf coach Matt Steinbach suggested before the fall season began that members of his men’s team would be playing with a bit of a chip on their shoulders. They might want to leave it right there.

    The SFU men are off to a fabulous start to the new year, having won their first two events for the first time since joining the NCAA. The Red Leafs opened the fall season with a win at the Bishop Invitational at The Home Course in DuPont, Wash., and then last week followed that up with a win at the Western Washington Invitational at Bellingham Golf & Country Club.

  • 2023 World Junior Girls Golf Championship Set For Brampton Golf Club

    Four Players From British Columbia Are On The Two Golf Canada Squads For The 2023 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, Including 14-year Old Anna Huang (pictured) From Vancouver - Image Credit Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

    By Mike Masaro, Golf Canada

    Sixty-six players from twenty-one countries will compete in the eighth playing of the prestigious world championship

    Brampton, Ont. – Canada will once again host a global showcase of the world’s best junior golfers as the eighth edition of the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms will be contested October 2-7, 2023, at the Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont.

    This year marks the largest field in tournament history, with a total of 66 athletes comprising 22 teams and representing 21 countries – including two teams from host nation Canada – competing for the team and individual titles.

  • Honouring National Truth And Reconciliation Day, September 30, 2023

    Courtesy VIASPORT BRITISH COLUMBIA - As National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2023 approaches on September 30th, a significant opportunity emerges to reflect on how sport can play a pivotal role in bringing people together, regardless of differences in background, ethnicity, and beliefs.

    This day, set aside to acknowledge the truths about the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada, prompts us to explore how the world of sport can contribute to reconciliation, education, and social progress.

    Recognizing that many of you will already be acknowledging this day of reflection in your own ways, we wanted to share the campaign viaSPORT has created with their networks and for you to share with yours.

  • The Entire Golf Community Is Saddened By The Passing Of Longtime Rules Official Dan Sabourin

    Daniel Edward Sabourin - October 6, 1948 - September 26, 2023

    (September 29, 2023) PITT MEADOWS, BC - It is with heavy hearts that British Columbia Golf and indeed, the entire golf community, says goodbye to longtime volunteer and highly regarded rules official Dan Sabourin. 

    Dan passed away the evening of September 26th in hospital. Dan would have celebrated his 75th birthday on October 6. Dan leaves behind his beloved wife and best friend of 53 years, Pat. (Please look here to see Dan's obituary in the Vancouver Sun)

    Dan had a passion for golf which started while growing up in Coquitlam, where he became a junior member at The Vancouver Golf Club. He became a competitive golfer, and through competition, found a passion for the rules of golf.

    He spent several years working with the Canadian Tour as a rules official. He brought his passion for the game through volunteer commitments at the zone, provincial and national level. He was a positive mentor to many in their rules journey and has been significant in developing many experienced referees.

    He was on several committees with both British Columbia Golf and Golf Canada, receiving the Distinguished Service Award from British Columbia Golf in March of this year. “I have known Dan as a colleague and friend for over 30 years. His passing will leave a big hole in the volunteerism world and he will be missed,” said British Columbia Golf CEO Kris Jonasson.

    Dan was also an active member of Pitt Meadows Golf Club, serving on the board for many years, including positions on the executive and as club president.

    The many people he influenced over the years will miss Dan and his easy going humour. He was a great team player and happy to help wherever he could.

    There will be a celebration of Dan's life at Pitt Meadows Golf Club on October 25th, 2023 from 1-3pm.

    (Thank you to past BC Golf Tournament Director and longtime colleague of Dan's, Susan White, for her contributions to this tribute)

  • Christine Wong Wins Second Career PGA Of BC Women's Championship

    Christine Wong And PGA Of BC Executive Director Mark Strong - All Images Courtesy PGA of BC

    September 26, 2023

    VICTORIA, BC (PGA of BC) - Christine Wong is your 2023 PGA of BC Women’s Champion and two-time tournament winner after a dominant wire-to-wire victory at Victoria Golf ClubMonday and Tuesday which saw her compile birdie after birdie.

    Wong (University Golf Club), who also won the title in 2020, enjoyed a magnificent start to her tournament, ending Round One in control of the leaderboard.

    Six birdies Monday gave her a two-point advantage in the Stableford event over her closest challengers Kat Kennedy (Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club) and Kyla Inaba (Predator Ridge Resort), and some breathing room heading into the final round.

  • Kylie Jack: Driving Indigenous Inclusion in Golf

    BC's Kylie Jack - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

    By viaSPORT British Columbia

    Kylie Jack, a gifted and highly accomplished golfer, competed at the British Columbia Indigenous Golf Championship in May 2023. This was BC’s first Indigenous tournament, hosted by BC Golf, and an opportunity for Kylie to help raise awareness about reconciliation through sport.

    Kylie’s journey showcases her exceptional athleticism, her deep connection with the community, and staying true to her cultural roots in a sport that has been traditionally very elitist and lacking in diversity.

    Click HERE to see complete article on viaSPORT...

    ed. note: Kylie also took part in the just completed BC vs Ontario Indigenous Challenge Match at Victoria's Bear Mountain Resort. Read Brad Ziemer's story on that historic event HERE

  • Second-Day Surge Propels Team B.C. To Win Over Ontario In Inaugural Indigenous Challenge Match

    BC's Harry Ferguson Was Steeped In Emotion After The Inaugural Indigenous Challenge Match - All Images Credit Jeff Sutherland/Courtesy British Columbia Golf

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    VICTORIA — Team British Columbia beat Ontario to win the inaugural Indigenous Challenge Match and Harry Ferguson, like the rest of his teammates, was happy about that.

    But Ferguson, a past B.C. Senior Men’s Champion, would be the first to tell you that this two-day event played on the Mountain and Valley courses at the Bear Mountain resort, really wasn’t about who won and who lost.

    Moments after winning his singles match 4&3, the 66-year-old Invermere resident got emotional when he was asked to describe what the event meant to him.

  • Wishing All Who Observe Yom Kippur A Good Day Of Peace & Goodness

    Designed by pikisuperstar / Freepik

    British Columba Golf wishes all who are observing Yom Kippur a peaceful and fulfilling day of reflection. 

    Yom Kippur is the culmination of the high holidays, a period of 10 days of repentance. These dates fall during the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which typically overlap with September or October in the Gregorian calendar. In 2023, Yom Kippur begins on the evening of September 24 and ends in the evening of September 25.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: du Toit disappointed in Italy; Sloan inches closer to PGA TOUR status; Bjornson brothers lead SFU to win; Allenby wins VGT Tour Championship

    BC's Jared du Toit Felt He Was Denied A Fair Shot At DP World Tour Q-School - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    All Jared du Toit wanted was a fair fight and the Kimberley native didn’t feel like he got it at a DP World Tour first-stage qualifying school site in northern Italy.

    Du Toit, along with fellow British Columbians Kaleb Gorbahn of Smithers and Stephen Thomas of Vancouver, were on the outside looking in when the 72-hole event was abruptly shortened to 36 holes due to heavy rain.

    “I am probably the most angry I have been after a tournament,” du Toit said over the phone from Italy. “At least if you get to play a full event you know you have given it your all and you kind of had a fair shake at it.

  • B.C. And Ontario To Meet At Bear Mountain In Inaugural Indigenous Challenge Cup

    Victoria's Bear Mountain Will Host The Inaugural Indigenous Challenge Cup  

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    Christina Spence Proteau has lots of great memories from this past spring’s inaugural B.C. Indigenous Championship played at Nk’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course in Oliver.

    She’ll never forget winning the event, one that she also chaired and helped organize, but what really stood out for Spence Proteau was the tournament’s spirit.

    The Port Alberni native had never seen so many smiles at a golf tournament. Participants seemed proud to be there and recognized they were helping plant the seeds for an event that will continue to blossom in the years ahead.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Coach’s Cousin Leads Cascades To Season-Opening Win; Sloan Closer To PGA TOUR Return; Henry Lee Survives 1st Stage Of DP World Tour Q-school; UBC Men, Women Open With Big Wins; BC's Boydell Close At All-Abilities

    Lucas O'Dell Led The UFV Cascades To A Win In Their Season Opener At Okanagan GC’s Bear Course

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    One of the first things Connor O’Dell did when he was appointed the new golf coach at the University of the Fraser Valley was convince his cousin, Lucas O’Dell, to return home and play for the Cascades.

    That decision paid early dividends when Lucas won the individual title and helped the Cascades capture the team event at the season-opening Battle of the Bear tourney in Kelowna.

    Lucas, a Maple Ridge native, transferred to UFV after spending his freshman year at The Master’s University, a NAIA school in Santa Clara, Calif. He fired rounds of 67 and 68 at Okanagan Golf Club’s Bear course to win the individual competition by six shots over teammates Jackson Jacob and Eli Greene.

    The Cascades won the men’s team title by 28 shots over the University of Victoria.

  • New Club Champion Fitting Studio Now Open Near Vancouver

    Globe’s Top Club Fitter Offers Over 60,000 Head & Shaft Combinations in Canada

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 (Willowbrook, IL) – Custom golf club fitter Club Champion announces the opening of its new fitting studio, located at Ace Performance Center, 5660 Cedarbridge Way, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.

    This studio marks the first fully Club Champion-branded store in Canada after their acquisition of Tour Experience Golf (TXG) in 2022. The studio is open and accepting fitting appointments.

  • Natasha Stasiuk Wins Third Straight Title & Chris Willis Wins In Playoff At 2023 Canadian All Abilities Championship

    Natasha Stasiuk (L) And Chris Willis (R) - Image Credit CANDACE HANSMA/GOLF CANADA

    Kamloops, B.C. – Natasha Stasiuk and Chris Willis earned wire-to-wire victories at the third playing of the Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO at the Kamloops Golf and Country Club in Kamloops, B.C on Friday.

    Click HERE for complete story...

  • Key Departures Leave University Of Victoria’s Men’s Roster With Holes To Fill After Championship Season

    Zach Ryujin (L) & Cindy Koira (R) Are Being Looked To As Leaders For Their Respective Teams At The University Of Victoria This Year - BC Golf Photo

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    The sweet memories of last spring’s national championship will always be there for Justin Clews, but these days the University of Victoria golf coach is focused on more pressing matters.

    For starters, Clews has two rather significant holes to fill on the playing roster of his men’s team, which won its first national title since 2006 by capturing the Canadian University/College Golf Championship.

    Two vital pieces of that championship team — team captain Robin Conlan and Liam Mosher — are gone and Clews acknowledges that they won’t be easily replaced.

  • British Columbia Golf Performance Team Selection Camp Announcement - SOLD OUT

    Image Credit British Columbia Golf/JKamPhotos

     

    PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS CAMP IS NOW SOLD OUT. 

    The 2023 TEAM British Columbia Performance Camp is coming soon to Mayfair Lakes G&CC in Richmond.

    This annual program event is open to all juniors for possible selection. Please see below for details and links to registration and contacts. 

  • 2023 Canadian All Abilities Championship Set For Kamloops Golf & Country Club

    Kamloops Golf & Country Club - Image Courtesy Golf Canada 

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Kamloops, B.C. – The 2023 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO is set for September 14-15 with a field of 44 amateur golfers competing at The Kamloops Golf and Country Club in Kamloops, B.C.

    The third playing of the national championship will be contested as a 36-hole competition and will feature players with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments.

    There are four different divisions in the Canadian All Abilities Championship that players will compete in, regardless of disability classification: Women’s Gross Stroke Play; Women’s Net Stableford; Men’s Gross Stroke Play; and Men’s Net Stableford.

  • Special Announcement: BC Golf House Society & Golf Hall Of Fame Of BC

    2023 Golf Hall of Fame Tickets Now on Sale

    Tickets for the 2023 Golf Hall of Fame of BC Induction/Dinner are now on sale.

    Join us for an evening celebrating 4 great golfers and their numerous achievements in golf.

  • Video: Chilliwack GC Celebrates Thank A Golf Superintendent Day

    As we celebrate international 'Thank A Golf Superintendent Day' here is a tribute put together by Chilliwack Golf Club to honour their hardworking crew.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Cao in, Macdonald out of top five after season-ending PGA Tour Canada event; Big Sky a tough test at Canadian Senior Men’s; Surrey’s Lauren Kim named ‘freshman to watch’; Four Vancouver-area players qualify for Team Canada

    Delta, BC Resident Yi Cao - Image Credit PGA Tour Canada

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    Delta resident Yi Cao earned his Korn Ferry Tour status the hard way. All Cao did was finish first and second in the final two events of the PGA Tour Canada season to grab the fifth and final graduating spot on the Fortinet Cup points list.

    Cao closed the season-ending Fortinet Cup Championship at Country Hills Golf Club in Calgary with a five-under 66 that moved him into solo second place at 17-under par. He holed a chip for eagle on the par 5 17th hole to move into second place.

    Cao had entered the tournament ninth on the points list and his big finish in Calgary, which came on his 32nd birthday, was enough to move him into fifth on the points list. The top five players all earned some status on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour and all get a pass through to the final stage of this fall’s PGA TOUR qualifying school, where the top five finishers will earn their PGA TOUR cards.

  • Doug Hanzel Wins In Playoff To Capture The 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship

    Doug Hanzel Defeated Two-Time Champion Gene Elliott On First Playoff Hole - Golf Canada Photo

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Pemberton, B.C. – Doug Hanzel’s birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff sealed the win and the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO on Friday at Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, B.C. With the win, Hanzel also takes home the Super Senior Championship, becoming the first player to win both titles in the same year since the Super Senior division was added in 1995.

    “I’m 66 but still competitive in senior golf. I don’t feel like a super senior, I’m still hitting it far. This was my third time playing the Canadian Senior and what a beautiful place. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to come to this part of the world unless a tournament was hosted here, so I’m grateful,” said Hanzel following the playoff win.