For Immediate Publication

22 February 2021, St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, N.J., USA: The R&A and the USGA have announced proposals for significant changes to the Rules of Amateur Status that govern the game worldwide.

These proposals result from a modernisation initiative that has identified a clear need to bring the Rules up to date to reflect today’s global amateur game and ensure that the Rules are easier to understand and apply.

The proposed Rules, along with explanations to key changes, have been posted on www.RandA.org and www.usga.org and the organisations are now inviting feedback from golfers and stakeholders. Comments will be accepted until Friday, 26 March 2021 with the new Rules scheduled to be adopted on 1 January 2022.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Like so many other things in our lives, this year’s British Columbia GOLFEXPO will be a little different. Actually, a lot different.

The annual golf expo, which runs Feb. 26-28, will not require a drive to its regular location, the PNE Forum building in Vancouver. In fact, it won’t require any kind of drive at all. You can take in this year’s show from your couch.

The show has gone virtual, thanks to COVID-19 restrictions. Simply visit bcgolfexpo.ca and you’re there.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Like so many other things in our lives, this year’s British Columbia GOLFEXPO will be a little different. Actually, a lot different.

The annual golf expo, which runs Feb. 26-28, will not require a drive to its regular location, the PNE Forum building in Vancouver. In fact, it won’t require any kind of drive at all. You can take in this year’s show from your couch.

The show has gone virtual, thanks to COVID-19 restrictions. Simply visit bcgolfexpo.ca and you’re there.

Click on the image below to hear the latest ModGolf Podcast with host Colin Weston as he interviews Charles Dillahunt to share how The PGA of America is working to break down barriers to entry for not only playing golf but to participate as a business supplier within the golf industry.

"My biggest hope for the golf industry is that it one day grows to be more representative of the population of the world, and that it openly welcomes and serves members of all communities and from all walks of life equally and inclusively."

From L-R: Trevor Brown, Barb Silvester and Michael Parker - BC Golf Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Trevor Brown chuckles as he recalls the moment he decided to get serious about learning the rules of golf.

Brown was playing a round with a close friend many years ago and they had a few dollars riding on the match. Brown hit a shot that ended up in a penalty area and that’s where the trouble started and ended with Brown reaching into his wallet to pay his buddy.

“I was in a penalty area and started hitting the grass with my practice swings and he said, ‘hey, you just lost the match’ to me,” Brown says. “And I was like, ‘what do you mean, I'm your friend.’ He said, ‘that doesn’t matter, this is golf. You owe me five bucks.’ So I said to myself, you know what, I am going to learn the rules.”

Image Courtesy @VanParksGolf Twitter

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Not surprisingly, 2020 was a very good year for the City of Vancouver’s three golf courses. And 2021 figures to be even better.

Fraserview, McCleery and Langara logged a total of 162,448 rounds in 2020. That compares to 167,436 in 2019.

But those 2020 numbers are impressive when you consider the three courses were closed for nearly two months last spring due to COVID-19 and then operated for much of the year with much longer tee-time intervals due to COVID safety protocols.

British Columbia Golf would like to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year 2021 falls on Friday, February 12th, 2021, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 26th, 2021. See the full calendar.

Celebrations last up to 16 days, but only the first 7 days are considered a public holiday (February 11th–17th, 2021).

Chinese New Year marks the transition between zodiac signs: 2021 is the year of the Ox; 2020 the year of the Rat.

The 2021 BC Golf Education Summit series continues Tuesday, February 9th at 7PM. This next session features Colin Lavers and Matt Cella, two coaches from the BC Golf Performance program, who will be heading the 'Planning for Performance' webinar.

Anyone can learn from some of the most knowledgeable people in Canada on how to succeed along the path to becoming the best possible golfer you can be.

All Images Courtesy Haywood Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

When competing with industry heavyweights like Taylor Made, Titleist, Ping and Callaway, it’s important to have something that sets you apart.

For Haywood Golf, a Vancouver-based direct-to-consumer equipment company, that would be price. “The way we describe our clubs is 'we’re not cheaper, we are just more affordable,'” says company founder Joshua Haywood.

Not even three years old, Haywood Golf is turning some heads in what is an ultra-competitive business. Golfers like the sleek, simple look of Haywood’s irons and they love the price.

Nick Taylor, Wife Andie And Their Apparently Unimpressed Young Son Charlie Posed Following Taylor's Win At Pebble Beach Last Year - Image Courtesy Twitter

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The memories figure to last a lifetime, so one year after the biggest win of his professional career Nick Taylor has no difficulty recalling some of the most special moments of that magical week on the Monterey Peninsula.

One of the best was having his wife Andie and their young son Charlie waiting for him behind the 18th green at Pebble Beach Golf Links after he won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The memories figure to last a lifetime, so one year after the biggest win of his professional career Nick Taylor has no difficulty recalling some of the most special moments of that magical week on the Monterey Peninsula.

One of the best was having his wife Andie and their young son Charlie waiting for him behind the 18th green at Pebble Beach Golf Links after he won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Click HERE for full story...

OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the 10 athletes who have been selected to represent the 2021 Team Canada Young Pro Squad.

Comprising the 2021 Women’s Young Pro Squad will be returnees Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.), Jaclyn Lee (Calgary, Alta.), and Maddie Szeryk (London, Ont.). After becoming a first-time mom in July, Golf Canada is also pleased to welcome back Anne-Catherine Tanguay (Quebec City, Que.) to the Young Pro Squad as she makes her return to the LPGA Tour.

The 2021 Men’s Young Pro Squad features a six-pack of familiar athletes led by Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.).

Other members of the Men’s Young Pro Squad for 2021 include Jared du Toit (Kimberley, B.C.), Chris Crisologo (Richmond, B.C.), Stuart Macdonald (Vancouver, B.C.), Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.), and Hugo Bernard (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.).

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

For the past 21 years, Muncie Booth has run golf camps for inner-city children at McCleery Golf Course in Vancouver. The kids are given some golf instruction, run through a series of fun drills and offered a scrumptious brunch inside McCleery’s clubhouse.

They don’t pay a dime to attend the camps, thanks to the efforts of Booth, the longtime head professional at McCleery.

For that work and so much else he has done in his 40 years as a member of the PGA of Canada, Booth was last week named the inaugural winner of the association’s Warren Crosbie Community Leader of the Year Award.

An Aerial View Of The Back Nine At Bootleg Gap GC And The Hoodoos - Image Courtesy Bootleg Gap GC

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Since joining Bootleg Gap Golf Course as a young assistant pro in 2004, Trevor Simkins has pretty much done it all. 

Simkins became head pro at the scenic Kimberley course in 2006 and eight years later was appointed general manager. He’s now about to take on the biggest role of his life.

Simkins has bought the golf course.

Simkins, his father Harold -- a former longtime club pro in Kamloops -- and his step-mother Jeanna take possession of Bootleg Gap on Feb. 11 after purchasing it from the City of Kimberley. 

“From assistant golf pro to owner,” Simkins says. “It’s pretty cool.” Yes, it is.

The 2021 British Columbia Golf Championship Season Begins May 25th At Gorge Vale GC In Victoria With the Men’s and Women’s B.C. Mid-Amateur Championships - Image Courtesy Gorge Vale GC

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

British Columbia Golf’s 2021 championship tournament schedule is testament to the fact that we are blessed with so many terrific golf courses throughout the province. “We are literally all over B.C. this summer,” says Doug Hastie, manager of field operations and tournament director with British Columbia Golf.

“We try to rotate our events around the province as much as we can.”

Bell Let’s Talk Day is Thursday, January 28 and we’re joining in to help drive progress in mental health.

COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our lives, including our mental health. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 38% of Canadians say their mental health has declined due to COVID-19, and people already struggling with their mental health were 2 times more likely to say their mental health has declined due to the pandemic.

Since 2010, Canadians and people around the globe have joined in the world’s largest conversation around mental health on Bell Let’s Talk Day. Together we have taken big steps to reduce the stigma around mental health issues and inspire one another to take action and help create a Canada where everyone can access the mental health support they need.

BC's Nick Taylor Used His Knowledge Of The Rules In The Sony Open To Get Relief From This Situation By Stating He Would Play It Left-Handed - Image Courtesy Golf Rules Questions YouTube Video Grab

In the second round of the Sony Open, on the 503-yard, par-5 9th at Waialae Country Club, Nick Taylor hit his drive left and off the tall netting that separates the driving range from the hole, and his ball dropped inches outside of out-of-bounds fence posts below.

Three Youngsters Enjoy A Game Of A Golf At Quilchena GC In Richmond - Image Credit Bryan Outram/British Columbia Golf

By Zephyr Melton / Golf.com

Golf is a beautiful game for many reasons, but one of the most notable is that it can be enjoyed your entire life.

From the time you are old enough to stand and hold a club until you are collecting social security benefits, golf is a constant.

Nick Taylor - Golf Canada Photo 

By Brad Ziemer/British Columbia Golf

SO CLOSE AT SONY: Nick Taylor didn’t have quite the weekend he’d hoped for, but still tied for 11th at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Taylor entered the weekend with a two-shot lead after firing an eight-under 62 in Friday’s second round.

He closed with weekend rounds of 68 and 67 on the par-70 Waialae Country Club layout in Honolulu to finish the event at 17-under par, four shots behind winner Kevin Na.

Sunday’s finish was Taylor’s best on the PGA TOUR since winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am nearly one year ago. Taylor earned $153,450 on Sunday and completed a nice two-week visit to Hawaii.

He tied for 29th at the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua’s Plantation course in Maui the previous week.

A Happy, Smiling, Maddox Hadwin Celebrated Her 1st Birthday Last Week - Image Courtesy Jessica & Adam Hadwin

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Adam Hadwin and his wife Jessica recently celebrated the first birthday of their daughter Maddox, a day in which they reflected on not only the joy she has brought to their lives but the struggle they faced bringing her into the world.

Adam and Jessica went through many ups and downs, including two failed pregnancies, in their attempts to start a family.

With the help of in vitro fertilization (IVF), Maddox arrived on January 8, 2020. The struggles they endured and the fact they were in a financial position to use IVF led the Hadwins to think about trying to help others facing similar challenges. Late last year they started The Hadwin Family Foundation.