• Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Three members of B.C.’s PGA TOUR foursome earn passing grades

    Point Grey winner Dahmen comes up clutch in final round; Macdonald, Ewart, Crisologo prepare for second stage; du Toit makes cut in Hong Kong, now heads to Qatar

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    The PGA TOUR wrapped up its 2024 season at last week’s RSM Classic on St. Simons Island in Georgia, where Abbotsford’s Nick Taylor didn’t play but got some good news anyway.

    Taylor managed to hang on to his spot inside the top 60 on the Fed Ex Cup points list — finishing 60th — and that means he can add a couple of lucrative Signature events to his 2025 PGA TOUR schedule. Players finishing 51st to 60th on the points list earned invitations into two California Signature events, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the Monterey Peninsula and the Genesis Championship at Riviera Country Club in suburban Los Angeles.

    The 2024 season was a mixed bag for the four British Columbians who had PGA TOUR status. Here’s how we grade their play in 2024.

  • British Columbia Golf Mourns The Passing Of Former Director Wayne Haddad

    British Columbia Golf is saddened to learn of the recent passing of longtime director, Wayne Haddad, of Cranbrook B.C. on November 18, 2024 at the age of 84. The entire BC Golf organization would like to offer our condolences to Wayne's family and friends.

    Wayne was a director for 22 years (1982 to 2004) with the BC Golf Association. He thoroughly enjoyed his trips as a chaperone taking junior boys to various golf tournaments. 

    Please go to this link to see the official obituary for Wayne. 

  • Quilchena Golf & Country Club To Host 2025 BC Junior Boys Championship

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF

    RICHMOND, B.C. (November 19, 2024) - Quilchena Golf & Country Club in Richmond has been selected by BC Golf as the host site for the 2025 Junior Boys Championship from July 7th to July 11th, 2025.

    “We are excited to celebrate Quilchena’s 100th year anniversary with hosting the BC Junior Boys at this storied golf course,” said Jerome Goddard, BC Golf Director of Rules & Competitions. “Quilchena’s premium layout and superb conditioning will present an excellent test for our Province’s best Junior Boys.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Zalli Up For The Challenge After Stellar Play At Q-School

    Residential Development Proposed For The Hills At Portal GC; Major Renovation Planned For Whistler Golf Club

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    In addition to earning exempt status on next year’s European Challenge Tour at qualifying school last week, Vancouver’s Ilirian Zalli brought home some memories that will last a lifetime.

    One in particular stands out for the former B.C. Junior Boys champion. It happened when Zalli and his caddie — his father Gentian — were about to begin the third round of the final stage of the DP World Tour Q-school in Spain. Standing on the first tee was two-time Masters champion José Maria Olazábal.

    “He was caddying for his nephew and we were paired with him the third and fourth rounds, so my dad was really excited to meet him and pass the flagstick back and forth to José,” Zalli said with a chuckle in an interview. “That was fun for me, too. José cleaned my golf ball a few times on the greens. I didn’t even ask him. It was a little hard to believe, to be honest with you.”

  • She Plays Golf Festival Expansion Included Week-Long Event In B.C.

     Via Golf Canada

    First piloted in Calgary in 2023, She Plays Golf expanded to the Greater Vancouver Area and Greater Toronto Area in 2024. She Plays Golf festivals feature inclusive progrmaming for women and girls, addressing gaps in the participation pathway and introducing new women and girls to the game in a safe, fun and judgement-free environment.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Taylor Heads To Bermuda In Hopes Of Clinching Top 60 Spot

    Barker goes low to advance at Asian Tour Q-School; Kaylee Chung wins Notah Begay III national championship in Louisiana

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    (November 11, 2024) - In his 10 years on the PGA TOUR, Nick Taylor has collected more than just his four wins and millions of dollars in prize money. He has also gained considerable perspective.

    That comes in handy this time of year, when Taylor is battling to remain in the top 60 on the FedEx Cup points list and gain entry into a pair of Signature events in 2025.

    “I have definitely sweated out different scenarios in my time on Tour and this isn’t one of them,” Taylor said in a telephone interview. “I am not out here battling for my card like some guys are.”

  • Lest We Forget...

    On this November 11th Remembrance Day....In Flanders fields, Lest We Forget...

  • First Tee of BC Team Completes 100 Hole Hike Fundraiser for Youth on Course

    SURREY, B.C. (November 7) - On October 25, 2024, the team from First Tee of BC, along with donors from RBC, embarked on an ambitious challenge: to complete a 100-hole hike fundraiser at Birdies and Buckets in Surrey, BC.

    This remarkable event was part of a global initiative, with supporters from across the world rallying to support Youth on Course, an organization dedicated to providing young golfers with access to affordable tee times and opportunities to play.

  • Pacific Northwest Golf Association Selects 2024 Players of the Year

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    TACOMA, WA (November 6, 2024) - The Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) has announced the region’s Players of the Year for 2024.

    Among the honorees are three women from British Columbia in the Junior Girs, Women's, and Senior Women's categories.

  • Victoria's Gorge Vale GC To Host 2025 B.C. Junior Girls Championship & 2027 B.C. Amateur

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF

    VICTORIA, B.C. (November 4th, 2024)  - Gorge Vale Golf Club in Victoria has been selected by BC Golf as the host site for the 2025 B.C. Junior Girls Championship, set to take place from June 30th to July 4th, 2025. The Club will also host the 2027 B.C. Amateur to commemorate their 100-year anniversary.

    “We are thrilled to hold the 2025 B.C. Junior Girls and 2027 B.C. Amateur at Gorge Vale Golf Club and showcase an exceptional golf course for all different skill levels,” said William McKenzie, BC Golf Events Manager.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Ilirian Zalli Advances To Final Stage Of DP World Tour Q-School

    Clara Ding wins Elite Junior Invitational in Florida; Richard Lee cashes in on Asian Tour; Lauren Kim to play for Team Canada at Spirit International

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    (November 4, 2024) - Fraser Mullholland has had a front-row seat to Ilirian Zalli’s development as a professional golfer, so the Vancouver Golf Tour commissioner was not surprised to see Zalli advance to the final stage of the DP World Tour Q- school.

    “He just continues to prove to himself and to us that he is not afraid of the moment and is fully confident in his abilities,” Mullholland said of Zalli, a former B.C. Junior Boys and Vancouver Open champion.

    Zalli shot four rounds in the 60s and breezed through his second-stage Q-school site in Girona, Spain.

  • British Columbia Golf Wishes Everyone A Happy Diwali

    Diwali is the Indian “festival of lights”—a holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on October 31st. Though technically religious, it’s also become a cultural event in North America that’s celebrated with sweets and special foods.

    What Is Diwali?

    Diwali (also called Divali or Deepavali) is a “festival of lights” that celebrates the triumph of light over dark and good over evil, and the blessings of victory, freedom, and enlightenment. The name comes from Sanksrit dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” On the night of Diwali, celebrants light dozens of candles and clay lamps (called diyas), placing them throughout their homes and in the streets to light up the dark night.

    In most of India, Diwali consists of a five-day celebration that peaks on the third day with the main celebration of Diwali. In other places where Diwali occurs, usually only the main day is celebrated.

    Who Celebrates Diwali?

    Diwali is primarily celebrated by followers of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths. However, the holiday is celebrated throughout India, Singapore, and several other South Asian countries as a national holiday, meaning that people outside these religions may participate in Diwali celebrations, too. Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and elsewhere around the globe also regularly celebrate Diwali.

    When Is Diwali?

    Diwali occurs annually in autumn (or spring, in the southern hemisphere), during the Hindu month of Kartik. (To put it in Western terms, Kartik begins around mid-October and ends in mid-November.) Specifically, Diwali occurs on the darkest day of the lunar month, which is the day of the new Moon.

  • Whistler Golf Club To Host 2025 Women’s Senior, Super Senior, And Super-Super Senior Championship

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF

    WHISTLER, B.C. (October 31, 2024) - Whistler Golf Club has been selected by BC Golf as the host site for the 2025 Women’s Senior, Super Senior, and Super-Super Senior Championship from June 9th to 12th, 2025.

    “BC Golf is thrilled to bring the Women’s Senior Championship to Whistler Golf Club,” said Jerome Goddard, BC Golf Director of Rules & Competitions. “The layout, conditioning, and resort amenities of the Club and surrounding area will be an excellent fit for our players. We are especially thankful to Tourism Whistler for their support in securing and organizing this Championship.”

    Whistler Golf Club was designed by Arnold Palmer and opened in 1983. The Club is within walking distance of the iconic Whistler Village and features broad fairways and mountain views on many holes. The golf course is surrounded by majestic old-growth cedars and firs.

  • Dylan MacDonald Shatters UBC Scoring Record

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    (October 28, 2024) - When Dylan MacDonald reflects on his time as a UBC Thunderbird, he’ll undoubtedly remember being part of NAIA and Canadian championship teams. He will also never forget one very special week in Bremerton, Wash.

    Last week at Gold Mountain’s Olympic course, MacDonald played what he called the best golf of his life and won the UBC Men’s Invitational tourney with a three-round total of 17-under par.

    That broke the UBC program scoring record for a 54-hole event and MacDonald’s final round of eight-under 64 matched the school’s single-round record.

    “This was definitely the best golf I have ever played,” MacDonald said in an interview.

  • Victoria Golf Club To Host The 120th B.C. Women’s Amateur, Mid-Amateur & Mid-Master Championship In 2025

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF

    VICTORIA, B.C. (October 28, 2024) - Victoria Golf Club in Victoria has been selected by BC Golf as the host site for the 120th B.C. Women’s Amateur & Mid-Amateur, and Mid-Master Championship from June 23rd to June 26th, 2025.

    “We are excited to host the Women’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championship at Victoria, which is one of British Columbia’s strongest and most historic golf courses,” said Jerome Goddard, BC Golf Director of Rules & Competitions. “Our long-awaited return to Victoria will be a memorable week for the membership and for British Columbia’s top female players.”

    The Victoria Golf Club, founded in 1893, is the oldest 18-hole golf course in Canada in its original location, and second oldest in North America. Victoria Golf Club was recently ranked #13 in Canada in The Score Golf’s Top 100 ranking.

  • Golf Canada & PGA of Canada Launch New Coaching Module: Introducing Golf To Individuals With Disabilities

    Courtesy Golf Canada


    (October 21, 2024) - Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada have launched a new online coaching module, “Introducing Golf to Individuals with Disabilities.”

    The development and roll-out of the new coaching module is part of a shared commitment from both organizations to promote a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment across Canadian golf.

    As part of this commitment, the PGA of Canada and Golf Canada are also collaborated with EDGA (formerly the European Disabled Golf Association) to provide coach training that will demystify adaptive golf.

  • B.C. Well Represented On 2025 Team Canada Squads

     British Columbia Is Well Represented On Team Canada In Both Coaching & Playing Capacities

    Oakville, Ont.(October 23, 2024) – Golf Canada is proud to announce the names of 29 amateur athletes named to the 2025 men’s and women’s Team Canada and Team Canada – NextGen squads.

    Golf Canada’s National Team program supports a group of experienced amateurs on the path towards playing professional golf along with a group of young professional golfers building their careers as touring pros. The program provides individualized training and competition support with a goal to help advance 30 Canadian athletes to the LPGA and PGA TOUR by 2032.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Taylor clinging to top-60 spot

    T-Birds hit the road to play at home; Leah John, Mary Parsons head to LPGA Q school; Humphreys helps San Diego win collegiate event

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    (October 21, 2024) - Much of the focus of the PGA TOUR’s fall season is centred on players trying to fight their way into the top 125 or stay inside that magic number to retain their playing privileges for 2025.

    But there’s another race that gets less attention and Abbotsford’s Nick Taylor is in the thick of it. Players who finish the fall season 51st to 60th on the FedEx Cup points list earn a couple of nice perks in 2025.

  • Highland Pacific To Host 2025 B.C. Men’s Mid-Amateur & Mid-Master Championship

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF

    VICTORIA, B.C. (October 16, 2024) - Highland Pacific Golf in Victoria has been selected by BC Golf as the host site for the 2025 B.C. Men’s Mid-Amateur & Mid-Master Championship from June 2nd to June 5th.

    “We are excited to return to Highland Pacific, which is a fantastic golf course and boasts a strong community of pass holders and public players,” said Jerome Goddard, BC Golf Director of Rules & Competitions. “We are looking forward to this event and know that Highland Pacific will be an excellent host for British Columbia’s top Mid-Amateur Men.”

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Stothers Has UBC-Okanagan On Promising Path

    Hadwin Looking To Continue His Vegas Roll; Crisologo Aces First Q -School Test; Kim Shines In College Match Play Event; Zalli-Jacob Win 79th B.C. Match Play Championship

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    (October 14, 2024) - The UBC-Okanagan men’s team didn’t just win the Canada West Golf Championships, they dominated the competition. The Heat capitalized on home-course advantage to post a team total of 24-under par and beat the field by 17 shots at Okanagan Golf Club’s Bear Course in Kelowna.

    Second-year player Ryan Gillis led the way, winning the individual title with a 36-hole score of nine-under par. UBC-Okanagan teammates Thomas Lemay and Andrew Rouble joined Gillis on the podium. Heat coach Clay Stothers was obviously delighted with the performance of the men’s team.

    “I couldn’t imagine us winning by 17 shots and having three players on our team coming first, second and third,” Stothers said. “It was a surreal, magical couple of days when everything kind of lined up nicely.”