2021 Women In Coaching, BC's Kyla Inaba - Image Courtesy PGA of Canada

Written by Golf Canada

Together with the PGA of Canada, Golf Canada is excited to announce the nine individuals named as inaugural participants in the 2021 Women in Coaching program.

Each participant receives in-depth career development support that is focused on four main areas: sports science and coaching education, hands-on training experiences with coaches and top players, project work and individualized learning plans. Recipients are awarded a $2,500 bursary to help offset costs for the hands-on training portion of the program.

Due to the volume of qualified applicants, Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada are considering ways to extend career development support to a broader pool of aspiring female coaches. Increasing the number of female mentors and role models is a priority for the growth of golf in Canada.

British Columbia Golf will be holding two Provincial Rules seminars online beginning in February of 2021.

Please see the information below for details and to pick which option may be of interest to you.

Please Note:

The Player Development Trust Fund Program Is Being Restructured - The PDTF Program Committee Will Have Updated Information To Announce Soon  

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With the winter season upon us, not everyone has the ability to get outside to practice and play. And while this break may not be your first choice, there are still things you can do to improve in the off-season.

GOLF.com Top 100 Teacher Kellie Stenzel shares 10 tips.

Click here to read the full story...

The Titleist T100 Iron -Image Courtesy Titleist

By DR. BARRY LOTZ, Inside Golf

As 2020 draws to a close, despite many feeling that can't come soon enough, there are still always positives to come from the year that was and in this instance we're going to share with you a list of golf products that garnered the most 'buzz' from our research.

Check out the 'Top 10' list below and the extended list with categories and brands after that.

You very well could find something you'd like to give or receive this Christmas.

Via Press Release

Abbotsford, BC – December 14, 2020 – Gatekeeper Systems Inc. (‘Gatekeeper’ or the ‘Company’) (TSX-V: GSI) (OTC: GKPRF) (FSE: 1GK) a video and data solutions provider for public transportation and smart cities, will deploy its Intelligent Temperature Sensing Systems (ITSS) in a solution designed for rapid testing at sports venues.

The Company has signed the Vancouver Golf Tour (“VGT”) as its first sports venue customer, in a recurring revenue business model.

“For the past 14 years, VGT has been providing thousands of golfers in our region with an opportunity to compete in professionally-staged tournaments,” stated VGT Commissioner Fraser Mulholland.

“We have always prided ourselves on the professional nature of our events and providing a year-long tournament platform for our local players to put their skills to the test in a PGA Tour-like environment.”

image courtesy georgetakei.com/www.picpedia.org

Just a friendly reminder to all golfers in British Columbia that as much as this is the time of year for giving and celebrating, there are unfortunately also those who will look to take advantage of the 'seasonal goodwill' that flows during this time. 

We received a reminder of this from our friends down south at the Arizona Golf Associaton who shared a scam attempt sent to their members with a fake GoFundMe campaign. We've pasted the warning they shared with us below and wish to remind all of you to always be on the lookout and be aware of this type of communication.

The Pat Fletcher Foundation Has Now Donated A Total Of $750,000 To 543 Recipients

Via Press Release

TORONTO, CANADA (Fall 2020) – The Pat Fletcher Foundation, whose purpose is to provide financial assistance to deserving young Canadian students on their journey to obtaining a university degree, announced recently the awarding of 25 new scholarships from across Canada.

“We are so proud of this year’s recipients. They demonstrated leadership and character in their submissions, and we wish them the best of luck as they head back to university and college this fall,” said Ted Fletcher, Founder and Chairman of Mint Green.

“These are outstanding young people – hard-working, well-rounded leaders in their communities. They share our desire of “making a difference” and we are proud to have played a small role in helping to shape their future.”

A Southwest Looking Rendition Of The Cabot Pacific Golf Course Being Built In Revelstoke By The Whitman, Axland & Cutten Golf Architect Group - All Images Courtesy WAC

By Gord Montgomery - Inside Golf

“This setting rivals the best in Canada—and across the world. Our goal is to create inspiring golf that will bring people together and stand the test of time.”

– Rod Whitman

If you’re a fan of phenomenal golf products, such as the outstanding Cabot Links and Cliffs in eastern Canada, then as a Western Canadian you can take great pleasure in discovering that that brand of architecture is coming to Revelstoke, British Columbia.

Speaking on the phone about the latest Cabot-brand project, to be called Cabot Pacific, architect Rod Whitman (he of the famed Wolf Creek GC and Blackhawk in Alberta and Cabot Links in Nova Scotia) and partner Keith Cutten, of Whitman, Axland & Cutten (WAC Golf), expressed their pleasure in the land they're working on and what this enterprise will mean to this area in the mountains of eastern B.C.

Accomplished Executive, Administrator, Coach And high-performance golfer, Kevin Blue, Returns To Canada After Serving The Past Five Years As NCAA Division I Athletics Director At UC Davis - Image Courtesy Golf Canada

Via Press Release

(December 3, 2020) — Golf Canada is pleased to announce that Kevin Blue has joined the National Sport Federation as its new Chief Sport Officer.

A dynamic and accomplished executive, coach, and high-performance golfer, Blue joins the Executive Team of the National Sport Federation after serving nearly five years as Director of Athletics for the University of California, Davis, an NCAA Division I institute.

Written by Brent Long/ Courtesy Golf Canada

Canadians golfers are playing golf and adapting to new technology such as the Golf Canada App like never before.

In a year where record numbers of recreational rounds were registered with Golf Canada through June (1.2 million), July (1.6M), August (1.5M), September (1.5M) and October (618,500) embracing technology and new apps has become a way of life for most Canadians who have spent much of 2020 learning to deal with COVID-19 lockdowns, quarantines and social distancing measures.

Current job opportunities in the golf industry include a Career Opportunity at Creston Golf Club.

The Director of Golf / Head Golf Professional is responsible for the overall day-to-day operations and services of the golf course, including but not limited to: the golf shop, tournaments, practice facilities, suggestions for the condition and play of the course and the cart fleet.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the names of the 29 athletes, male and female, who have been selected to represent Team Canada as part of the 2021 National Amateur and Junior Squads.

Fifteen athletes will compete on Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad, consisting of eight players on the men’s squad and seven on the women’s squad.

The announcement marks a significant increase in roster size, adding six athletes to the previous year’s team. The roster expansion is due in large part to a restructuring of team resources in addition to increased funding support from the Golf Canada Foundation’s network of Trustee partners.

Abbotsford, BC's Nick Taylor Has His Eye On A Return To The Masters After His First Experience At Augusta - File Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Nick Taylor’s first Masters experience included 17 birdies, a four-putt, an anxious Friday night and Saturday morning sweating out the cut and countless great memories of his week at Augusta National.

He hopes to do it all again someday soon.

“I was hoping for a really low one today to maybe sneak into that top 12, but I will do everything I can to get back here, that’s for sure,” Taylor said over the phone after Sunday’s final round.

In Flanders Fields...

BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. 

obituary courtesy Times Colonist

SANDERSON, James Richard "Jim" February 24, 1933 - November 5, 2020

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, James (Jim) Richard Sanderson. Jim passed away peacefully at age 87 on November 5, 2020, with his family close. He is survived by his wife Helen, daughter Margaret, son William (Deborah), grandchildren Timothy, Sophie and Trevor, and his niece Patty Bonacorsi (Chris and family of Chico, CA).

Jim was born in Holden, AB to Bertha (Dorin) and Alfred Sanderson. He graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering. In 1957 he married Helen Bramley-Moore and they moved to Stoney Creek, ON, as Jim had accepted a job in Hamilton with Proctor & Gamble where he worked for 33 years, holding various management positions. Jim's passion was golf, playing at Glendale Golf and Country Club and serving as Director and Rules Official with the Ontario Golf Association for 11 years.

In 1991 Jim and Helen retired and moved to Duncan B.C. where Jim was a member of the Cowichan Golf Club, volunteering in some capacity in every club activity. Jim was a "volunteer extraordinaire" with the British Columbia Golf Association, working as a tireless leader in golf for 16 years. Jim was an active and diligent Canadian Certified Rules Official for 25 years. Jim was honoured with the B.C. Golf Association's Distinguished Service Award in 2008, and also the Sport B.C. President's Award in recognition of dedication to sports in British Columbia.

Jim was a gentleman who had the respect of all players and volunteers alike. He was always the first to arrive and the last to leave a tournament site. Throughout his long life, Jim and Helen enjoyed many road trips, cruises and 25 years of wintering in Hawaii. He was a faithful member of the United Church of Canada. Jim and Helen moved to Victoria in 2007, and he enjoyed the last year of his life at Berwick House.

At the age of 35 Jim suffered a severe heart attack. The family is grateful for all the amazing years of care from Jim's many cardiologists. We also wish to thank Dr. Caroline Stigant for the care she provided to Jim when he had kidney disease. A private celebration of life was held at McCall's.

Donations remembering Jim may be made to a charity of your choice or to First Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral Road, Victoria, B.C. V8T 1A8.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallgardens.com.

Nick Taylor Will Be Joined By Wife Andie And Young Son Charlie For His First Appearance At Augusta In The Masters This Week 

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Like the rest of us, Abbotsford’s Nick Taylor has plenty of Masters memories from the countless hours he has spent watching the tournament on television. He rarely missed a moment.

“From the time when I was starting golf and even the last several years as a pro, the Masters for me has been one of the only tournaments where I am sitting down and watching coverage Thursday to Sunday,” Taylor says.

Longtime Seymour Golf Club member Craig Lennon has died. Lennon entered Lions Gate Hospital October 31st and passed away peacefully on November 4th, 2020. He was 68.

Affectionately known as 'Uncle Buck' to some of his pals at Seymour, Lennon spent many winters running the bar in the Alumni Suite at Canuck games, keeping the lads refreshed. A heart attack and surgery several years ago curtailed that activity.

It was Junior golf that was his true passion. A past Director of British Columbia Golf, Lennon also served as Junior Coordinator at Seymour for many years and he was the Junior Chair for Zone 4. It was his involvement with the kids that will be his legacy.

When Seymour member Phoebe Yue heard that he was in the hospital, she reached out to some of Lennon’s many proteges to produce the video here. RIP Craig. You were loved by many.

Click HERE to downlowd and see the tribute video for Craig. 

Written by National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA)/Courtesy Golf Canada

The Canadian golf industry generated $18.2B in economic benefits across our nation in 2019, according to a recent economic analysis conducted by Group ATN Consulting Inc. on behalf of the National Allied Golf Associations (We Are Golf).

According to The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019), the Canadian golf industry employs the equivalent of nearly 249,000 people through direct and spin-off effects and contributed to $10.6B in household income. The industry also contributed $4.5B in government tax revenue ($1.8B federal and $2.1B provincial) used to support a variety of programs for all Canadians.