The 2024 golf season is upon us in many areas of BC and to help kick things off the Women's Golf Cloud Series events for April and May are now open for registration. See more information and the link for registration below. 

BC's Nick Taylor Putted Brilliantly At The WM Phoenix Open - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Nick Taylor did more than win the WM Phoenix Open in dramatic fashion by birdieing three of his final four holes and then adding two more in a sudden-death playoff with Charley Hoffman.

Taylor served notice that he is right now Canada’s best male player and, quite frankly, a world-class talent who seems to have that ability to rise to the occasion and perform at his best in the big moments.

It Was A Super Sunday For Nick Taylor And Patrick Mahomes Fans - Images Credit Shayain Gustavsp

What a Sunday for the books! Our very own Canadian, Nick Taylor, waves the red and white high and proud, clinching the 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open in a heart-stopping playoff against Charley Hoffman. Taylor's putter was nothing short of magical, a testament to perseverance and precision under pressure.

Parallel to our golfing triumph, the red and white Kansas City Chiefs staged a comeback reminiscent of a Hollywood script in the Super Bowl, turning a game of "butterfingers" into a victory dance in overtime against the 49ers. It's a red and white double-header that'll be etched in the annals of sports history.

Shayain Gustavsp Is In Scottdale To Experience The WM Phoenix Open -  Image Credit: Shayain Gustavsp

Editor's Note:This week, BC's Golf contributor, Shayain Gustavsp ('Coach Shayain' to many of her students and social media followers), has flown south to take in the very unique spectacle that is the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. Shayain will be posting daily observations from the 'Greatest Show on Grass' offering a wide-eyed Canadian's perspective on both the golf and the party-like atomosphere that surrounds the TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course.

By Shayain Gustavsp (Special To BC Golf)

Heading to the Waste Management Phoenix Open, I was buzzing with the excitement of a snowbird fleeing the chill, ready to soak up Scottsdale's desert sun. Yet, Mother Nature had a twist in store, swapping my sunhat for a tuque as Vancouver's signature drizzle followed me to Arizona.

Who knew the desert could feel like a brisk day by the Pacific? Thank goodness for my stash of Lululemon layers – a shoutout to my Canadian roots and a lifesaver for weather-whiplashed golf enthusiasts like me. Lesson learned: even in the land of cacti, layering is key!

Patrick John McTeer (Paddy) – March 4, 1962 to January 23, 2024

(reposted with permission)

It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of Pat McTeer on January 23, 2024, in Mazatlán, Mexico. Pat was a remarkable individual, cherished as a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend by many.

His multifaceted talents included being both an athlete and a musician. Whether on the ice with the City Hockey League or showcasing his drumming skills at home, Pat's passion for life was evident. A dedicated golfer from a young age, he approached every aspect of his life with enthusiasm, be it work, play, or relationships.

The Golf Competition In The 2024 BC Summer Games Will Take Place At Meadow Gardens GC - Image Credit: Bryan Outam/BC Golf

After having the 2020 version of the BC Summer Games cancelled due to Covid-19, Maple Ridge will host the 2024 BC Summer Games, from July 18-21. 

“Maple Ridge is home to a number of famous athletes and will soon become the centre of sports in our province with the upcoming B.C. Summer Games,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs.

As a prelude to the BC Summer Games there will be a number of qualifying events at various sites and that will hold true for golf as well. You can find general information and more details on zone qualifying for golf to take part in the games below. 

Lauren Kim (L) And Keri Moffat Are Finalists In The Sport BC AOY Awards For 2023

(Vancouver, BC) - Sport BC announced the finalists to be celebrated at the upcoming 56th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards taking place on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

The event, to be hosted by CBC’s Scott Russell, recognizes the province’s best in amateur sport including athletes, coaches, teams, and officials for outstanding performances in their sport in the 2023 season.

Photo provided by David Miller, Club Historian & Past President, The Vancouver Golf Club

January 31, 2024 - The PGA of BC regrets to share that longtime golf professional and past PGA of BC President, Alvin (Al) Nelson, passed away on January 9, 2024. He was 91.

Please read Al's In Memoriam on the PGA of BC website here...

Posted on Friday, February 02, 2024

Via Township of Langley news website

The Township of Langley is pleased to announce the early completion on the purchase of the Redwoods Golf Course located in the Walnut Grove community of the Township.

In 2005, the Township of Langley entered into an agreement with the owners of Redwoods, from which the Township and Doug Hawley of Redwoods Golf Course Ltd. have now agreed to an early completion, two years shy of the agreement’s original date.

Click HERE to see complete story...

The BC West Regional Final Is Slated For Crown Isle Resort (Pictured) - Image Courtesy Crown Isle

(Acton, ON) - The PGA of Canada is pleased to announce that some of Canada’s top courses have been secured as host sites for the 2024 RBC PGA Scramble Regional Finals.

The program looks to build upon its biggest year yet in 2023, when over 12,000 amateur players participated at over 170 local qualifiers across the country. Players can once again look forward to the continued program improvements, including two guaranteed spots in the National Final at Cabot Cape Breton for all-female teams, low-gross qualifying positions and an increased emphasis on handicap integrity and verification.

Keri Moffatt, Brian McDonald and Kevin Stinson - Image Courtesy PGA of BC

Courtesy PGA of BC

January 30, 2024 - The PGA of BC is thrilled to share that Keri Moffat (Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club), Brian McDonald (Fairview Mountain Golf Club) and Kevin Stinson (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) were honoured January 24 at Canada Night in Orlando, Florida as recipients of PGA of Canada National Awards.

Moffat was recognized as the 2023 Ben Kern Coach of the Year. She has been a provincial coach with BC Golf, coach with the University of British Columbia, sat on the Golf Canada Future Links Junior Golf Board, attended numerous conferences, facilitated coaching sessions, and has won many Team Championships with UBC, including five NAIA titles.

Keri Moffat Accepts PGA of Canada Coach Of The Year Award - Youtube screen grab

In what has been a much-deserved year of recognition, UBC Thunderbirds and BC Golf Coach, Keri Moffat, was recognized on Wednesday evening at Canada Night during the PGA Show in Orlando as the PGA of Canada's Ben Kern Coach of The Year.

Keri, who has been teaching out of Mayfair Lakes Golf Club in Richmond for several years, was on hand and gave an emotional speech as she accepted the award and acknowledged a moment with one of her young students that has helped define both her beliefs and experience in the field of teaching/coaching young athletes and in particular young female athletes. 

Keri's award and acceptance speech start at approximately the 7:25 minute mark of the video, which covers the evening's awards and Hall of Fame inductions. 

Click HERE to see video

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In honour of Bell Let's Talk Day, British Columbia Golf is focussing on 'Self Care Activities'. See the poster below or visit https://letstalk.bell.ca/

Michelle Liu (L) And Vanessa Zhang (R) Are Ivy League Bound - Image-Golf Canada/Harvard Athletic Comm. 

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

They have been longtime classmates, junior golf rivals and national debate team partners. Now Vanessa Zhang and Michelle Liu are going to be college teammates.

The two talented Vancouver teens are heading to Harvard University next fall to chase their golfing and academic dreams. Not necessarily in that order.

Yes, golf is important to both Liu and Zhang, who are in Grade 12 at Crofton House, a private school on Vancouver’s west side. But a big part of Harvard’s appeal are the opportunities the Ivy League institution offers on the academic side of things.

Jared du Toit Tees Off In 2022 RBC Canadian Open - Bernard Brault/Golf Canada Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Jared du Toit has his Asian Tour card and now just has to sort out what that means.

On the surface it looks like a terrific opportunity for the 28-year-old Kimberley product, who tied for 12th at the final stage of the Asian Tour qualifying school last week in Hua Hin, Thailand. “I think it’s a good opportunity,” du Toit said over the phone from Thailand.

“I don’t really know how it is all going to shake out.”

Lauren Kim With Her Augusta National Women’s Amateur Invite - (X-Formerly Twitter pic) / Augusta 16th Redbud credit Ryan Schreiber

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Lauren Kim was just 13 years old when she watched the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur back in the spring of 2019.

The Surrey native was just beginning a promising junior golf career back then and as she sat in front of her television and watched Jennifer Kupcho, now a LPGA Tour regular, win that event at Augusta National Golf Club, Kim allowed herself to dream about one day playing in the tournament.

That dream got real last week when Kim, now a freshman at the University of Texas and the reigning Canadian Women’s Amateur champion, received her invitation to this year’s event.

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

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Patience isn’t just a virtue, it’s a necessity for players like Roger Sloan who are joining the PGA TOUR via the Korn Ferry Tour or qualifying school.

The addition of eight lucrative Signature events to this season’s schedule has created a two-tier tour of sorts. Those Signature tournaments, with $20-million purses and limited fields, are off limits to the rank and file members of the PGA TOUR, who now must play when they can.

Sloan, who is rejoining the PGA TOUR after graduating from the Korn Ferry Tour this past summer, had hoped to begin his season at this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii.

The Sony is not a Signature event, but follows one and the fact that several players who competed at last week’s season-opening Sentry tournament at Kapalua on Maui have made the short hop to Oahu to play in the Sony, means Sloan did not draw into the field.

The 11th Green At Kapalua GC In Maui, Site Of The Sentry TOC - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Five Canadians, including British Columbians Nick Taylor, Adam Hadwin and Adam Svensson, are in the field for The Sentry, this week’s season-opening PGA TOUR event at Kapalua on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

A $20-million purse will be up for grabs for the 59-player field. There is no cut in the 72-hole tournament, which is one of the PGA TOUR’s ‘Signature’ events. Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes are the other Canadians in the field.

The Sentry will not have its 2023 winner back to defend his title as Jon Rahm has defected to LIV Golf. That move benefitted Hughes, who moved up one spot on the FedEx Cup points list to No. 50 and qualified to play in all of the Signature events this year.

Government wants to gauge interest for expansion of the Specialty License Program to include non-profit organizations across the province…

Adam Hadwin Is Tackled By A Security Guard Trying To Celebrate Pal Nick Taylor's RBC Canadian Open Victory - Photo Credit Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

BY BEN FLEMING / Golf Monthly

It's been a year unlike any other for golf, with the sport embroiled in legal battles, senate hearings, shock mergers and controversial changes – and that’s before even mentioning any of the on-course action.

While many fans have become sick and tired of the boardroom politics dominating the sport's airwaves, it hasn't all been doom and gloom. So, as the year draws to a close, let's take a look at some of the funniest, most viral and light-hearted moments that got people talking on social media this past year.

Click HERE for complete story...