As we see another wonderful year on the links coming to a close in our beautiful province, all of us at British Columbia Golf would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday Season and all the best for the coming New Year.

The BC Golf office will be closed for the holidays at the end of business on Friday, December 20th reopening on Monday, January 6th, 2025. 

We look forward to enjoying another great year together on and off the golf course with family, friends and new acquaintances.

Via: PGA of BC

Richmond, BC (December 19, 2024) - The PGA of BC is excited to announce its Championships Schedule for the 2025 season.

The PGA of BC is thrilled to welcome members to the following tournaments set to take place across the province next year. Returning to the Association's competitive slate in 2025, the Pro-Pro Championship will make its comeback September 8 & 9 at Tower Ranch Golf Club.

The schedule for the Jack McLaughlin Memorial Pro-Junior Series has yet to be finalized. The event will take place at four unique locations throughout BC during the month of July. The complete Pro-Junior Series schedule, including dates and locations, will be released in the new year.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

DELTA, BC (December 17, 2024) - British Columbia golfers continued to shine in 2024. Abbotsford, BC's Nick Taylor’s win at WM Phoenix Open highlights our top 10 best stories of the past year.

If anyone was wondering what Nick Taylor was going to do for an encore after his incredible win at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, the Abbotsford native delivered it early in 2024. Eight months after winning his national open, Taylor went out and won one of the PGA TOUR’s flagship events in what is now his second home.

Taylor rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to beat Charley Hoffman and capture the WM Phoenix Open title. That win, Taylor’s fourth on the PGA TOUR, is our selection as the top British Columbia golf story of 2024.

Taylor, who will soon be defending his title at TPC Scottsdale, spoke with British Columbia Golf and reminisced about that win in the Arizona desert.

Golf Canada via PGA TOUR Communications 

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – (December 16, 2024)  - The PGA TOUR announced the 2025 PGA TOUR Americas schedule, which features 16 tournaments contested across eight countries, beginning in March and culminating in September at the Fortinet Cup Championship contested at Morgan Creek Golf Course in Surrey, British Columbia and where Korn Ferry Tour membership will be awarded to the top 10 finishers on the season-long Fortinet Cup standings.

For the second consecutive season, the top 10 players in the final Fortinet Cup standings will earn Korn Ferry Tour membership for the 2026 season. A $225,000 USD purse will be contested for at each of the 16 events, totaling a $3.6 million USD pot for the season. Additionally, a $100,000 bonus pool will be shared among the top 10 players, with $25,000 awarded to the points leader, courtesy of Fortinet.

Click HERE to see complete story & schedule. 

By: Brendan Stasiewich, PGA of Canada

MISSION INN RESORT, FLORIDA (December 12, 2024) -  Sometimes, placing in second is heartbreaking. A tournament can come down to one single shot, or one single mental mistake.

Sometimes, though, like this week for example at the PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf and supported by G&G Brands, nobody was left thinking that.

Sometimes, a player gets on such a heater, no other player can even think about 13 strokes they could have shaved off.

After rounds of 67 and 68 at Mission Inn Resort in Howey-In-The-Hills, Florida, Stinson closed with a final-round 66, the low round of the tournament, for a commanding victory.

Click HERE to see complete story on PGA of Canada website. 

By Terry Lenyk/Golf Canada

(December 10, 2024) CALGARY – LaunchPad Golf is set to significantly expand its footprint with the opening of six new locations across Canada.

The new venues will include North Calgary (AB), South Edmonton (AB), Richmond (BC), Markham (ON), Kitchener-Waterloo (ON), and a new flagship 60-suite venue at Durham Live (www.dlive.ca) in Pickering (ON). The Pickering site will anchor the company’s expansion, featuring its largest facility yet as part of the Durham Live entertainment district.

Yeji Kwon misses cut at LPGA Q-school; Henry Lee advances to final stage of Asian Tour Q-school; Surrey council to debate Peace Portal redevelopment in New Year

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

(December 9, 2024) - The second stage of PGA TOUR Q-school wrapped up last week and its long list of casualties included British Columbians Stuart Macdonald of Vancouver, Chris Crisologo of Richmond and A.J. Ewart of Coquitlam.

For them and so many others, PGA TOUR regular Joel Dahmen had some words of encouragement he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “For every player who didn’t get thru 2nd stage this year, keep your head up,” Dahmen said in his post. “I never got through myself. Keep believing.”

Courtesy, PGA of BC

Richmond, BC (December 3, 2024)  - The PGA of BC Simulator Series presented by Club Champion debuted in spectacular fashion as professionals embraced the challenge of virtual competition.

The series' first event, which took place at St. Andrews Links, Old Course, concluded with a commanding performance by Matthew Palsenbarg (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) who claimed victory with an impressive 8-under-par 64.

"I knew the bar to beat was 4-under, and that 10-foot circle was all that mattered," said Palsenbarg. "I hit 18/18 greens and even drove the ninth to 68 feet for the 3-putt par. I was really happy with it and I can't lie, the nerves were real on the home stretch knowing that OB right was on every hole coming home."

(December 6, 2024) - Recently British Columbia Golf CEO Kris Jonasson spent some time answering a number of golf-related questions about the state of the game in our province on the ModGolf Live Podcast.

Check it out here:

Morgan Creek to play host to PGA Tour Americas’ Fortinet Cup Championship; Longtime McCleery, Langara pro Muncie Booth retiring

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

(December 2, 2024)  - Yeji Kwon sailed through her first qualifying school test and now hopes she can ace the final exam.

That would be the final stage of the LPGA Tour’s Qualifying Series, which goes Dec. 5-9 in Mobile, Ala. The 18-year-old Port Coquitlam resident earned her spot in the final stage back in late October when she tied for 10th at second-stage qualifying.

That finish has earned her good Epson Tour status for 2025, but the former Canadian Junior Girls champion doesn’t want to settle for that.

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 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. 

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.

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.”

 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.

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.”

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

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.

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.

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.