Longtime Cowichan Golf & Country Club GM And Head Pro Norm Jackson Is Being Honoured With A Lifetime Achievement Award By The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce

The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Norm Jackson.

Mr. Jackson is being honoured for significant and lasting contributions to Cowichan and for his extensive volunteer work for the Cowichan Hospital Foundation, Cowichan Golfers Against Cancer, Cowichan Women Against Violence, KidSport and many other organizations.

Both Men & Women Can Benefit From Incorporating A Game Of Golf Into Their Business Dealings - Image Courtesy pixabay.com

By John Gordon/Courtesy Golf Canada

If you’re a golfer who has been in the business world for any length of time, then the gist of this blog will be much like, as the old saying goes, preaching to the choir.

You understand the inestimable value of being able to spend a few relatively uninterrupted hours in a scenic setting with valued clients, co-workers or colleagues. For the most part, it’s less about golf than it is about building relationships.

But if you’re new to golf or the business world or both, then it’s well worth your time to read on.

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce its 2018 championship schedule which includes a record-30 amateur and professional competitions plus qualifiers hosted at golf facilities in communities across Canada.

The 2018 schedule is headlined by Golf Canada’s premier professional championships—the RBC Canadian Open from July 23-29 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., and the CP Women’s Open at Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask. from August 20-26.

The 2018 competition calendar includes eight National Amateur Championships, six Future Links, driven by Acura regional junior competitions and the World Junior Girls Championship.

Golf Canada will also host 11 qualifying events in 2018 including qualifiers for prestigious international competitions such as the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup and the U.S. Open (Local Qualifying), as well as the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Victoria's Nolan Thoroughgood Will Be Playing In His Own Backyard As He Represents Canada In The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup Qualifier At Bear Mountain Resort This Week - Image Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/British Columbia Golf

Courtesy Golf Canada

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup Qualifier makes its return to Canadian soil on Tuesday, with four nations competing for a spot in both the Boys and Girls divisions at Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa, Team Canada’s National Training Centre.

The 54-hole stroke play tournament is comprised of teams from host nation Canada, Mexico, Guatemala and Puerto Rico. The Boys division consists of four athletes per team, each submitting a cumulative total from the three lowest scores per round (omitting the highest score). The two lowest team scores after Thursday’s final round will qualify for the 2018 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2018

Vancouver, B.C. – viaSport is supporting the advancement of women in sport through a new grant that will provide greater access to leadership opportunities to break down the barriers for female coaches, officials and organizational staff throughout B.C.

“I congratulate viaSport for offering this important grant to promote gender equity. Having female role models in these key positions in sport is vital to inspiring the next generation,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

“This funding will make it possible for many British Columbian girls and young women to discover the lifelong skills of resilience and leadership that sport generates – a great thing for our whole society.”

VANCOUVER, BC (April 4, 2018) — Sport BC is very proud to announce the athletes, coaches and officials who were the successful recipients of the 2018 Athlete of the Year Awards, held in Vancouver on March 28, 2018.

The Province of BC proudly supported the 52nd Annual Athlete of the Year Awards with the Honourable Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture in attendance to honour the recipients. These extraordinary individuals were honoured for their excellence in and contribution to sport in front of 500 guests at the Westin Bayshore Vancouver Hotel.

You're invited to the 23rd Annual KidSport Golf Tournament hosted by Morgan Creek Golf Course.

They will be hosting once again at Morgan Creek on Monday, June 18th. Last year was a big success and they are hoping to build on that success again this year. Please check out the registration links below as a full field of golfers means more kids will have the opportunity to play a season of sport.

Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley Made An Historical Announcement Today Regarding The Establishment Of The Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship - Image Courtesy Twitter

Via Masters.com 

AUGUSTA, GA (April 4, 2018) - Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, announced today the establishment of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, which will be held annually the week prior to the Masters and will culminate with the final round taking place at Augusta National.

“Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts left behind a legacy of always trying to contribute meaningfully to the game of golf,” Ridley said. “The Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship embodies that principle, and we believe this event will have a significant and lasting impact on the future of the women’s game. Our hope and expectation is that this event will further energize those who already love the sport and inspire others through the dream of competing at Augusta National.”

The 54-hole, stroke play tournament will feature an international field of 72 players. Invitees will be determined by awarding winners of other recognized championships and using the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking.

CLICK HERE to read full story. 

Courtesy Uplands Golf Club Newsletter (Jan Allen - editor)/Prepared by UGC Member Nancy Greer

In Memoriam - Joan Lawson

This past month brought with it the sad news of the passing of a very special member of the Women's Division, Honorary Life Member, Joan Lawson, in her 98th year.

Joan began golfing as a 15-year-old junior member of Uplands in 1935, just 13 years after Uplands was founded. Her first major win in a truly outstanding amateur golf career came just 3 years later in 1938 when she won the Empress Midwinter Tournament.

This was followed by a long list of wins, not the least of which was being our Ladies Club Champion 21 times and Runner Up 3 times between 1942 to 1978, a truly remarkable feat to remain in top competitive form over this span of 36 years.

Janson Chapman And Becca Covey At Government House In Victoria, Where Chapman Was Honoured For Saving Covey's Life - Photograph By TIMES COLONIST

A hiking date on Vancouver Island for two friends turned into a life-saving rescue from the edge of a frigid waterfall that earned Janson Chapman a bravery medal and a lifetime partner.

Chapman, a golf course greens keeper from Colwood, was one of 46 people honoured Wednesday with medals of service by Gov. Gen. Julie Payette during a ceremony at British Columbia's government house.

Twenty-two-year-old Chapman said he was on a date last March with Becca Covey near Gold River when she slipped on ice, fell about 15 metres and ended up clinging from a log at the edge of the Lower Myra Falls.

CLICK HERE to see full story

WHISTLER, British Columbia — Despite a thick blanket of snow covering much of the course, the staff at Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club is busy preparing to welcome its 25th golf season. The projected opening is early May, and guests will enjoy special spring pricing of $119 CAD per player through May 25th. From May 26th through September 30th, rates will be $189 CAD weekdays and $199 CAD weekends.

The 2018 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada Schedule Kicks Off With The Freedom 55 Financial Open At Point Grey G&CC Where Last Year Richmond, BC's Chris Crisologo With Caddy Alisha Lau Finished As The Low Canadian For The Event - Image Credit Bryan Outram/British Columbia Golf

Coast-to-coast schedule features 13 events and increased prize money

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA – The 2018 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada schedule was announced on Tuesday, featuring 13 official tournaments from May to September and a $25,000 increase for all tournament purses as players compete to make the next step on the path to the PGA TOUR.

The season will begin with the Freedom 55 Financial Open (May 28-June 3) at Point Grey Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, British Columbia, with purses of $200,000 (CA$) for all regular events and a $225,000 (CA$) purse for the season-ending Freedom 55 Financial Championship (Sept. 10-16) at Highland Country Club in London.

Twelve Outstanding Aboriginal Athletes Received The Premier’s Award For Aboriginal Youth Excellence In Sport Including Penticton's Kylie Jack In Golf (Back Row, 4th From Right) - Image Courtesy BC Government and I·SPARC

Richmond, BC - The 2017 Premier's Awards for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport were presented in Richmond on Tuesday, March 20 to twelve outstanding Aboriginal youth athletes from British Columbia. Their athletic accomplishments are as extraordinary as their commitment to their community and future aspirations.

The awards were presented by the Honourable Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, during a formal celebration held during the opening ceremonies of the Gathering Our Voices Youth Conference at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport hotel in Richmond, B.C.

Images Labelled For Reuse

Now that the governing bodies of golf have finalized the 'modernized' version of golf's rules, due to be brought into effect January 1, 2019, we thought we would bring to everyone's attention an article published in the Globe and Mail recently that harkens back to the original rules of the game from 1744.

Once upon a time, golf was played under a 13 rule format and although in many ways it was a much simpler game, it was also a far more difficult game, certainly at least when you take into account how often the initial laws essentially inferred that it was, 'tough luck old chap' when a number of unfortunate occurences took place.

PGA of BC Golf Professionals Will Be Introducing Children To The Sport During Spring Break This Month At Camps Taking Place In Several Locations Across The Province - Image Courtesy PGA of BC

via PGA of BC

RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) -- With a two-week break from the classroom coming up for British Columbia students this month, many PGA of BC facilities are offering the perfect way to keep children active and occupied over Spring Break.

Kids of all ages can learn the game from PGA of BC Golf Professionals at one of many camps taking place across the province during the Spring Break period, providing a chance for youth to pick up golf through the sport’s most trusted instructors at an affordable price.

The Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club Is Taking Steps To Ensure The Venerable Club Remains One Of The Best In Not Only B.C. But The Entire Country Even As It Eyes The End Of Its Lease In 2033 - Image Courtesy Shaughnessy G&CC

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

As the clock ticks on its lease with the Musqueam band, there is no period of mourning planned at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club. Instead, there is a celebration of life going on, one intended to make the final 15 years of the private club’s existence its best ever.

Shaughnessy, it seems, is determined to go out on a high note. “There is no doom and gloom here at all,” says general manager Jason Sigurdson. “We are really confidently looking forward to the future.”

That future will last until 2033, when the Shaughnessy property along Southwest Marine Drive on Vancouver’s posh west side, is returned to the Musqueam band. The club has leased the property from the band since 1958.

The 2018 Members of British Columbia Golf's NPJL Team: Clockwise From Top Left: Kathrine Chan, Claire Lovan, Phoebe Yue, Angel Lin, Tiffany Kong And Akari Hayashi 

This year is the 32nd edition of the North Pacific Junior Ladies' Team Matches and will see squads from British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon and Washington competing May 25th - May 27th at the Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon.

British Columbia Golf is looking for a 'Three-peat' in 2018 having won the last two versions, on home soil at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in 2016 and then defending their title at Illahe Hills Country Club in Salem, Oregon last year.

Laminated Densified Wood Consists Of Beech Veneers, Which Are Joined Together With Synthetic Resins Under Pressure And Heat.

Ontario-based Keith Holden has taken putters back to their roots.

For Immediate Release

Burnaby, B.C. - In the tradition of The Masters Tournament played annually in Augusta, Georgia, the Grizzly Golf Tour (GGT) announces the first Major of the season.

The 36-hole GGT Masters is set for March 31 and April 1 at Burnaby’s Central Park and Kensington Park Pitch & Putt golf courses. The tournament is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 15 years with competition in five divisions.

Courtenay, BC's Abigail Rigsby, Shown Above Playing On BC's Winning Team In The 2016 North Pacific Junior Ladies Team Matches, Won Her 1st Collegiate Title, Taking The Midwestern State Invitational - Image(s) Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/ OCU Athletics

Courtesy Oklahoma Christian University Athletics/Women's Golf

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (March 13, 2018) – Abigail Rigsby had been close to winning her first collegiate tournament so many times and the Oklahoma Christian golfer finally busted down the door to victory on Tuesday.

Rigsby pulled away from the field in her typical steady fashion, turning a one-shot lead to start the day into a four-shot runaway in the Midwestern State Invitational at Wichita Falls Country Club. Her final-round 4-over-par 76 gave the sophomore from Courtenay, British Columbia, a two-day total of 149 over the 5,843-yard course.