Vancouver's Tiffany Kong Finally Got To Play In A Golf Tournament For The First Time In Six Months In The Vancouver Open - Image Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Tiffany Kong did something she hadn’t done in nearly six months this past weekend. She played in a golf tournament.

The Princeton University sophomore was the low woman amateur at the Vancouver Golf Tour’s Vancouver Open, played over 54 holes on the three City of Vancouver courses.

Kong swears her game is rusty, but it didn’t really show as she shot rounds of 73, 74 and 73. “Definitely showed some rust, especially around the greens and putting,” Kong said. “My feel wasn’t great.”

Gudmund Lindbjerg 1948 -2020 - image courtesy Twitter/WA Golf 

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Gudmund Lindbjerg, a longtime Pitt Meadows Golf Club member who won four straight B.C. Senior Men’s titles starting in 2008, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 71.

Lindbjerg produced a rather remarkable amateur golf career despite not playing the game until he was 29. He emigrated from Denmark in his early 20s and at that time was more interested in hunting ducks than chasing birdies on a golf course.

Simon Fraser University Golf Coach Matthew Steinbach - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

A decision by the Great Northwest Athletic Conference to cancel fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic has left the Simon Fraser University men’s and women’s golf teams with no place to play.

The canceling of the fall season did not surprise SFU golf coach Matthew Steinbach. “At the end of the day we are in a global pandemic, so travelling across the border and playing a regular competition schedule, we didn’t think that was going to happen,” Steinbach said.

The real gut punch for Steinbach came when he was also informed by GNAC officials that SFU would not be permitted to play in a proposed series of one-day events with fellow British Columbia schools this fall.

Via Press Release

Federal Way, Wash. – With the recent spike in cases surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the concerns with contestants traveling from all parts of the Pacific Northwest and throughout the U.S. to compete, the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of their 2020 championship season, effective immediately.

The PNGA Executive Committee held a special meeting on Friday, June 26 to discuss the spike in cases and the concerns and risks of contestants traveling from across state borders, staying in local hotels, going to local restaurants and bars, grocery stores, and other venues.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Commissioner Michael Whan likes to refer to the LPGA Tour as family, one that has grown with the addition of three British Columbia chapters to the LPGA Amateur Golf Association.

Whan was part of a recent conference call welcoming British Columbia to the association, an organization that aims to connect women who play the game. “Whether you play the game professionally, whether you teach it, whether you are helping young girls learn it, or whether you just play with your friends on a nine and dine, we all want to be engaged in this together,” Whan said.

LPGA Commisioner Michael Whan & Canadian Golf Hall Of Fame Member Lorie Kane Will Be On Hand For The Online Announcement Of BC's LPGA Amateur Golf Association Chapters And Canadian Women's Open Champ Brooke Henderson Will Have A Recorded Message To Share - Images Courtesy LPGA and BC Golf/JKam photos

Recently, British Columbia Golf became one of the latest golf associations to affiliate with the LPGA Amateur Golf Association, with the creation of 3 'Chapters' in B.C., the Vancouver Island chapter, Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley chapter and the Okanagan/Kamloops/Shuswap chapter.

The LPGA Amateurs focus on creating opportunities for women of all ages to become involved in and enjoy the game of golf. Here is the 'About Us' message as taken from their website:

Walking A Golf Course Is One Of The Most Health Beneficial Activities We Can Take Part In - Image Courtesy wallpaperflare.com

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

It was another frustrating day on the golf course, where a round that had shown considerable early promise was derailed once again by sloppy play. But my numbers were not all bad. Despite my less than stellar score, there were some positives about that recent round at Peace Portal Golf Course in Surrey.

When I checked the step-counter on my phone, it told me that I had taken more than 13,000 steps during the round and walked about nine kilometres. (Clearly, I did not hit every shot straight down the middle).

I also climbed the equivalent of 23 floors, which is testament to Peace Portal’s hilly terrain. It is numbers like these, rather than the ones I mark on my scorecard, that have convinced me that golf is good for me.

Former Vancouver Canucks Colour Commentator Tom Larscheid (Inset) Is Missing Being Able To Play At His Home Club In Blaine, Wash. - Image Courtesy Facility & YouTube

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Tom Larscheid is missing the camaraderie as much as the golf at his home club. The popular former Vancouver Canucks colour commentator and his wife Leslie haven’t been able to visit Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club in Blaine, Wash., since the Canada-U.S. border closed to non-essential travel in March.

“There’s no question we miss the many friends that we have made down there through the years,” says Larscheid, a member of the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame. “We have been members since 2004 so that is a long time.”

Coach Shayain Leads Her Women's Golf Day Clinic In Their Warm-up Session - Image Courtesy Shayain Gustavsp

At this year's Annual General Meeting, British Columbia Golf welcomed 3 new directors onto their Board. One of those new directors is Shayain Gustavsp, who also happens to be an accredited LPGA Teaching Professional. 

In honor of Women's Golf Day, on Tuesday, June 2nd 2020, Coach Shayain hosted a Women's Golf Clinic in Richmond. She knew this clinic was going to be different than those she'd held in the past. Due to Covid-19 she would have to adhere to social distancing guidelines and yet still create an intimate environment for her students.

Matthew Steinbach Has Received Another Honour As Coach Of The SFU Golf Program - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

Courtesy Jacob Hall/SFU Sport Information Manager

NORMAN, Okla -- In his fourth year as head coach of the Simon Fraser golf porgram, Matthew Steinbach was named the Golf Coach Association of America, NCAA Division II, west region coach of the year.

This is yet another accolade for Steinbach as he was also named GNAC coach of the year for both the men's and women's team. It was quite the year for Steinbach and the program as they had many program firsts.

Join in Virtual Women's Golf Day - Digital Celebration, June 3rd!

Women's Golf Day, with events around the globe is planned for September 1st.

Meanwhile, here is the statement put out from Women's Golf Day with respect to the one day delay from June 2nd to the 3rd on the Virtual Celebration:

We have decided to pause our social media activity today. Join us JUNE 3rd in honouring the people that we work with in the 50+ countries where Women’s Golf Day takes place and we kindly ask you to post and share WGD content tomorrow as we unite to Support, Engage and Empower women and men around the world. #wgdUNITES

This engaging virtual experience will be hosted on the WGD website http://www.womensgolfday.com and will include ways to engage through social media, videos, content and an online charity auction.

Links to all of the WGD action can be found below.

Riley Wheeldon (Top Left) And James Allenby (RIght) Will Have To Wait Another Year To Get Back Out On The Mackenzie Tour - Images Credit BC Golf/Golf Canada (Chuck Russell)

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

James Allenby and Riley Wheeldon were not surprised by the official word that the 2020 Mackenzie Tour - PGA Tour Canada season was being cancelled. Just profoundly disappointed.

Their professional golf dreams are on hold for another year. Langley’s Allenby and Comox native Wheeldon both had exempt status for this year’s Mackenzie Tour, which was officially cancelled on Friday.

The Full-Operational Focus For The Mackenzie Tour - PGA TOUR Canada Points Toward A 2021 Restart - Image Courtesy Mackenzie Tour/Golf Canada

TORONTO, ONTARIO – Due to border restrictions, mandatory quarantines for those entering Canada and gathering restrictions in all provinces because of COVID-19, the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada announced Friday that it is canceling its 2020 season.

“With growing uncertainty surrounding the border and the 14-day quarantine regulations, among other factors, we’ve weighed all of our options and concluded that it is not feasible to play this summer,” said Mackenzie Tour Executive Director Scott Pritchard.

As Long As the Canada-U.S. Border Remains Closed, So Will The Point Roberts Course - Images Courtesy Bald Eagle GC

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

With his course stuck in the golfing equivalent of no-man’s land, Kyle German is finding it increasingly difficult to believe a season can be salvaged at Bald Eagle Golf Club.

Golf courses have re-opened in both British Columbia and Washington state and by all accounts business is brisk. But at Bald Eagle, located across the border in Point Roberts, there is no business at all. With the U.S.-Canadian border closed until at least June 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bald Eagle remains shuttered.

Written by Golf Canada

The World Handicap System stipulates every player is responsible for returning all acceptable scores into one’s scoring record from rounds played on courses observing their active season, which is part of the golf season when courses have acceptable playing conditions.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of authorized provincial golf associations to declare active and inactive periods, and it is the responsibility of the area club and golfers to observe these dates for posting purposes.

Each year, provincial associations analyze numerous factors to determine their active seasons. This ensures consistency of when scores would be posted by the majority of golfers to help keep Handicap Indexes accurate.

Image courtesy Jim Epler/Flickr

Courtesy Golf Canada (Written by John Chidley-Hill/ Canadian Press)

As far as Mike Weir is concerned, 50 is the new 20.

The Canadian golfing legend will reach his half-century mark on Tuesday and qualify to join the PGA Tour Champions, the senior circuit for professional men’s golf. Although the date of the next tournament is still up in the air thanks to restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Weir is ready for a new beginning in his career.

“The interesting thing about professional golf is that you look forward to your 50th birthday instead of dreading it,” said Weir. “I’ve been looking forward to this for quite a while.”

Via Press Release

Federal Way, Wash. – Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C. will be the host site of the 2021 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship. The venerable club had been set to host the 2020 championship this July, but when this year’s event was canceled due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, the club’s board of directors, management, professional staff and committee readily agreed to carry over as the host venue for next year.

The 54th Pacific Coast Amateur Championship, with the host association being British Columbia Golf, will be held July 19-23, 2021. This will be the second time Royal Colwood will have hosted the championship, with it previously being held there in 2008.

- IGF Announces 2020 World Amateur Team Championships Cancelled Due To Continued Uncertainty Of COVID-19 Pandemic

- DCM PGA Women’s Championship Of Canada Cancelled Due To COVID-19

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND (May 6, 2020) – The International Golf Federation announced today that the 2020 World Amateur Team Championships scheduled for October have been cancelled due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This decision follows the IGF’s announcement in February that the biennial event for men and women, originally to be held in Hong Kong, was moving to Singapore due to ongoing social unrest in Hong Kong.

Given the ongoing developments surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the different stay-at-home orders and border crossing restrictions still in place, the PNGA has made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the 2020 PNGA Senior and Super Senior Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships scheduled on June 2-4, 2020 at Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Wash.

While there is still a great deal of uncertainty, the safety and well-being of our communities, members, volunteers and staff is of the utmost importance to us.

Coquitlam's AJ Ewart Joins Former Barry U Buccaneer, Surrey's Adam Svennson, As British Columbian's To Be Named To The GCAA All-Freshman Team - Image Courtesy Barry U Men's Golf

Courtesy Hunter DuBois / Barry U Athletic Communications

NORMAN, Okla. -- The Golf Coaches of Association of America announced the GCAA All-Freshman Team on Tuesday, Apr. 28, with the Barry Buccaneer men's golf team's AJ Ewart of Coquitlam, British Columbia earning one of the five spots on the prestigious team.