• Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Taylor second in Phoenix to earn biggest payday of his career; Vancouver Golf Club to play host to U.S. Women’s Open qualifier; Ames captures third PGA Champions title: Arora top-10s in collegiate debut

    Abbotsford, BC's Nick Taylor - Image Credit Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    Nick Taylor went head to head with two of the best players in the world and never blinked. And while the Abbotsford native had to settle for second place, he earned one heck of a nice consolation prize at the PGA TOUR’s WM Phoenix Open.

    Taylor took home $2.18 million as he finished the star-stacked $20-million event at TPC Scottsdale at 17-under par, two shots behind new world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler...

  • The ModGolf Podcast: Live From The 2023 PGA Show In Orlando

    Wow, what a week in Orlando at The PGA Show! Show creator and host Colin Weston met up with old friends, met plenty of new ones and found some time to squeeze in a couple of ModGolf Podcast recording sessions. As he reports, it was great to see the golf industry back in full force! 

  • Another Victoria Golf Club Caddie Lands Prestigious Evans Scholarship

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    When he began caddying for members at Victoria Golf Club two years ago, Aleksej Milojevic had no idea how profoundly it would change his life.

    He was 15 and as green as the grass he walked on to complete his first caddying loops on the scenic oceanside layout. Milojevic knew very little about golf or life...

  • The ModGolf Podcast: Perseverance, Pivoting And The Ability To Continuously Adapt

    In this edition of the ModGolf Podcast, show creator and host Colin Weston speaks with the founder and CEO of Golf+ Ryan Engle, regarding his, 'Perseverance, Pivoting And Ability To Continuously Adapt'

    Ryan Engle's love for golf started at age 11 after watching the movie Happy Gilmore. Fast forward almost two decades later and we find Ryan combining his love for computer science, writing code and golf to become the Founder and CEO of GOLF+, who are leaders in VR golf with a mission to grow the game by making it more accessible.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Surrey teen off to Augusta National; Motomochi cashes on NEXT Tour; du Toit third on Asher Tour; Hadwin surprises wife with made cut

    BC's Ha Young Chang Won A Regional Drive, Chip & Putt Competition At Pebble Beach - Image Courtesy Minku Chang

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    Surrey teenager Ha Young Chang is counting the days until she visits Augusta National Golf Club for the finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship. She figures to be spending a lot of those days at the driving range and practice green.

    “I am really excited,” says Chang, a Grade 9 student at Elgin Park Secondary. “I have always watched it on TV. I know I’ll be a little nervous.”

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Tower Ranch sold to Vernon-based company; Hadwin enjoys another successful visit to desert; Lauren Kim fifth at Annika Invitational; Osland hot on Cactus Tour

    Tower Ranch GC - Image Courtesy BCGMA

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    Vernon businessman Gurjit Jhajj’s timing could not have been much better when he got into the golf business by purchasing Sunset Ranch in Kelowna about five years ago.

    The ensuing COVID-19 pandemic gave golf a boost and brought new players to the game. Sunset Ranch, like most other courses, has benefitted.

    That got Jhajj, owner of Durali Properties Ltd., thinking about adding a second course to his company’s portfolio. He did not have to look much farther than just down the road.

  • Happy Chinese New Year 2023!

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

    This year, the Chinese new year, also known as Chinese Lunar new year falls on Sunday, 22 January 2023.

    According to the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese new year is always associated with the animals of the 12 zodiac signs. This year, Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, 22 January 2023 and the animal is rabbit. That is why the Chinese Lunar Year 2023 is the 'Year of Rabbit.'

    Chinese New Year marks the transition between zodiac signs: 2023 is the year of the Rabbit; 2022 the year of the Tiger.

    On the 15th day of the first lunar month, two weeks after Chinese New Year, another important traditional Chinese festival, the Chinese Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Jie or Yuanxiao Festival (元宵节), is celebrated.

    It marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the end of the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) period. Chinese Lantern Festival 2023 will be celebrated on February 5th in 2023.

     

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Barker earns nice payday for his virtual round; Taylor T7 in Hawaii; Hadwin set for 2023 debut at American Express tourney; Sloan makes some changes

    Vernon, BC's Bryce Barker Cashed In Virtually For Real - Image Courtesy Bryce Barker

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    Vernon’s Bryce Barker just earned his biggest payday as a tour pro and he didn’t even set foot on a golf course.

    Barker was one of 250 players who signed up to compete in the first round of the inaugural NEXT Golf Tour, a virtual professional tour open to players with access to TrackMan’s indoor golf simulators. And when that round was completed, Barker’s six-under 66 left him in a nine-way tie for third place. He earned about $4,700 US.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Sloan hoping Korn Ferry Tour provides quick road back to PGA Tour; Svensson closes well at Kapalua; Taylor to make 2023 debut at Sony Open in Hawaii; Macdonald wins in Arizona

    Merritt, BC's Roger Sloan - Image Credit: Bernard Brault /Golf Canada

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    When the harsh reality of losing his PGA TOUR card hit home, Roger Sloan acknowledges going through a period of mourning of sorts.

    “When we lost our card, it got really dark there for several weeks,” Sloan said in a telephone interview from his Houston-area home. “You don’t know when you are going to get back out there. Your friends are out there, you hang out with a bunch of guys out there and it kind of just gets ripped from you.

    “I still have dreams of winning on the PGA TOUR and it’s hard to win on the PGA TOUR when you are on the Korn Ferry Tour. So some dreams get ripped from you and that tugs at your heart a little bit. It does get dark. There is a period of time where you just have to let it sink in a little bit, know that it is going to pass and look forward to what opportunities you have right now.”

  • BC Golf Wishes All A Joyous Kwanzaa

    image courtesy flickr/TheBlackHour.com

    Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day.

    It was created by activist Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West and Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966. 

    Families celebrating Kwanzaa decorate their households with objects of art, colorful African cloth such as kente, especially the wearing of kaftans by women, and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. It is customary to include children in Kwanzaa ceremonies and to give respect and gratitude to ancestors.

    Libations are shared, generally with a common chalice, Kikombe cha Umoja, passed around to all celebrants. Non-African Americans also celebrate Kwanzaa."Joyous Kwanzaa" may be used as a greeting during the holiday.

    A Kwanzaa ceremony may include drumming and musical selections, libations, a reading of the African Pledge and the Principles of Blackness, reflection on the Pan-African colors, a discussion of the African principle of the day or a chapter in African history, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic performance, and, finally, a feast of faith (Karamu Ya Imani).

    The greeting for each day of Kwanzaa is Habari Gani?, which is Swahili for "How are you?"

  • PGA Of Canada Adjusts PAT Target Scores, Accommodations For Players With Different Abilities

    Courtesy PGA of Canada

    In a first-of-its kind move, the PGA of Canada announced on Tuesday morning that it has received approval from the Board of Directors to adjust the Playing Ability Test (PAT) target scores to allow for more equitable access for people with different abilities...

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Chilliwack Golf Club approves ambitious renovation plan; Bald Eagle up for sale; Crown Isle Q-school moved to June; Osland comes close in Arizona

    Chilliwack Golf Club - Image Courtesy Facility

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    When Kaleb Fisher was appointed course superintendent at Chilliwack Golf Club just over a year ago, he was asked to come up with a long-term plan for the golf course. 

    “I took over last November and at the first board meeting I went to, the board and (general manager) Bryan Ewart said to me, we need to think forward and we want to task you with some long-term planning goals and try to figure out what we want this golf club to look like in the future,” Fisher recalled in an interview.

    So Fisher went to work coming up with a plan and a year later, that future is now in focus.

  • ModGolf Podcast: Connecting Golfers With Likeminded Playing Partners

    In this episode of the ModGolf Podcast, show creator and host, Colin Weston, speaks with Kat Ramirez, the founder of Golfing Buddy. 

    "They did not make me feel like I was part of this foursome. I felt like the outsider and I felt like I wasn't good enough. And it's bad enough that women already feel like they're not good enough as it is in the golf world. If you have one bad experience, you're never gonna go back. You're not."

    - Kat Ramirez, Founder of Golfing Buddy

  • The ModGolf Podcast: Making A Difference: Supporting The Recovery Of Injured Veterans Through Golf

    In this 1st episode of their 13th season, ModGolf Podcast creator and host, Colin Weston, talks with John Simpson, the founder of On Course Foundation which supports the recovery of wounded, injured and sick Service Personnel and veterans through golf.

    The Foundation's mission is to build confidence and self-belief in their members through golf skills and employment events, and set them on the path to meaningful full-time employment opportunities in the golf industry.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: After battling to make cut, Adam Svensson wins his first PGA TOUR event; Surrey native now sixth in FedEx Cup points race and has spot in Masters and Tournament of Champions; No passing grades for B.C. Q-school entrants

    Adam Svensson - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    Childhood dreams do come true, sometimes when you least expect it. Just ask Adam Svensson. Winning wasn’t on Svensson’s mind when he began the second round of the RSM Classic in Sea Island, Ga. The 28-year-old Surrey native was in grind mode, simply trying to make the cut after opening the tournament with a disappointing one-over 73 at the Plantation course.

    But just like he did years ago as a young British Columbia golfing prodigy, then later as a top amateur and collegiate player and more recently on the Korn Ferry Tour, Svensson produced a magical stretch of golf and earned the biggest win of his life.

  • NEWS - Women's Golf Day: Announcing a Weeklong Celebration

    Courtesy Women's Golf Day

    November is here, and the holidays are around the corner. Now is the time to think about GOLF! We wish you all a wonderful autumn.

    We are happy to share some exciting news with you regarding WGD 2023! By popular demand, we are extending the dates of Women's Golf Day to a Weeklong Celebration this year.

    Mark your calendars! We hope to see you online or in person at the PGA Show for the Women's Golf Day session on Thursday, January 26th. We will send out details soon.

    Also, as we approach the holidays, are you looking for great gifts for friends and family? We have some ideas included below!

  • Video: A Look At The Five Most Important Changes In the Rules Of Golf For 2023

    The Rules of Golf underwent a massive review and overhaul with the newest version of the rules being brought into effect at the start of 2019. But as the game itself has evolved and continues to do so...so do the rules.

    There are some more changes in store just around the corner for 2023, and while these changes are not nearly as extensive, they still represent some important new regulations that we should all know about.

     The following video takes a look at what's coming for next year as put forward by the R&A, The USGA and the world's governing bodies for the game of golf, including of course, Golf Canda.

     

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Golf Expo is back and moving to Abbotsford; Hadwin top-10s in Houston; Angela Arora joins Tennessee Volunteers, while Rebecca Kim heading to Oregon State; SFU adds B.C. recruits

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    British Columbia’s annual golf expo is returning after a two-year Covid-induced hiatus with a new name and location. What is now called the Western Golf Expo is scheduled for Feb. 24 and 25 and is moving from its former home at the PNE Forum building in Vancouver to Abbotsford ’s Tradex facility.

    The show is being held on a Friday and Saturday rather than the traditional Saturday and Sunday. “We are switching it up a bit,” says Joan Probert, regional director for the B.C. and Alberta chapters of the National Golf Course Owners Association of Canada, which owns and operates six golf expos across the country.

  • Remembering Fallen Golf Heroes

    By Terry Lenyk/Golf Canada

    They are some of Canada’s most renowned golf legends, a list amassed of professional and amateur players, course architects and administrators. They have all contributed to the growth of the game of golf in this country. However, their contributions to golf pale in comparison to their contributions to the fabric of our nation.

    November 11th is Remembrance Day. A day we remember and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. What better day to remember Canadian golfers of the past who helped our nation during its greatest times of need.

    The following are just some of the contributions Canadian golf legends made to the Allied forces during the First and Second World Wars.

    Click HERE for complete story...

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Crisologo, Macdonald fall short at Q-school; Taylor, Hadwin and Svensson head to Houston; UBC women retain No. 1 ranking; Osland wins on Cactus Tour

    BC's Chris Crisologo - Image Courtesy Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    The final stage of Korn Ferry Tour qualifying school is as much a test of players’ nerves as their golf games, a place where one mistake can make the difference between a passing and failing grade.

    Richmond’s Chris Crisologo learned that the hard way at the recently completed Q-school in Savannah, Ga. Crisologo missed finishing inside the top 40 and ties and earning guaranteed starts on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour by six shots.

    While that may make it sound like Crisologo wasn’t particularly close, the 26-year-old Simon Fraser University graduate will look back at one hole of the 72 he played as being the difference.