Free Image Courtesy Pixnio

By Shawn Allen/Morningread.com

Parents naturally take pride in their child's accomplishments as a golfer, but experts say the goal should be to develop the skills needed to form a well-adjusted adult. And if the kid happens to become a good golfer along the way, then consider it to be a bonus

This has been anything but a typical year in golf. Not just on the PGA TOUR, which resumed play in early June and only recently held its first major championship. The junior-golf season has been turned inside out, as well.

Around the country, young golfers got a late start on their events and are preparing for the new school year amid the uncertainty of the global coronavirus pandemic. Golf is a safer sport to play than contact sports, but the question is begged, What is the goal of pushing juniors into competition so early? The answer reveals a pernicious side to the junior game.

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Women’s Golf Day is an event for females of all ages and skill levels to participate in golf and help us grow the game. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the original day for this International Event was postponed from June 2nd to September 1st.

There are celebrations around the world with golf facilities putting on special events and clinics. To find out what is happening in BC click on the Find A Location tab on the Women's Golf Day website.

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.”

Vancouver Open Winner Kaleb Gorbahn (R) Poses With The Big Cheque And VGT Commissioner Fraser Mulholland - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

A pair of early eagles propelled Kaleb Gorbahn to his victory at the Vancouver Open on Sunday. 

The big-hitting Smithers native birdied the second and fourth holes -- both par 5s -- at Fraserview Golf Course en route to a seven-under par 65. Gorbahn finished the 54-hole tourney held at the three City of Vancouver golf courses at 11-under par.

That was two shots ahead of runner-up Kevin Spooner of West Vancouver. Gorbahn earned $10,000 for winning the Vancouver Golf Tour’s marquee event.

Victoria's Chelsea Truong (R), 14, Is Considered One Of B.C.'s Elite Young Female Golfers. As Her Career Continues, She's Made Some Unique Friends - Image Courtesy Cheknews.ca

By Kevin Charach/cheknews.ca

Chelsea Truong calls the golf course her second home. “I love the game, it’s my favorite thing to do,” said the 14-year-old.

She plays and practices nearly every day in the summer and usually has a smile on her face. It’s that infectious passion that caught the attention of avid golfer Penny Baziuk.

“She was so enthusiastic about the game and how much she loved just being out there on the course,” said Baziuk, a well known amateur golfer on Vancouver Island.

They met on the practice putting green at Ardmore Golf Course three years ago.

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13-Year Old Michelle Liu Became The BC Women's Amateur Youngest-Ever Winner After Her 7-shot Victory At Campbell River G&CC - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

Nonie Marler Of Vancouver Wins Mid-Amateur Title

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

CAMPBELL RIVER -- The way it normally works is that a young player wins the B.C. Bantam Girls title and then a few years later contends and maybe even wins the B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship.

Michelle Liu had a different approach. The 13-year-old from Vancouver won both titles in a matter of eight days.

Liu won the Bantam Girls title (for players 14 and under) last week at Mount Brenton Golf Course in Chemainus. On Thursday she added the prestigious B.C. Women’s Amateur title at Campbell River Golf & Country Club.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

CAMPBELL RIVER -- It was not a question of whether she would win, but rather by how much. The answer turned out to be 12 shots.

Shelly Stouffer made her senior debut a runaway as she captured the B.C. Senior Women’s Championship at Campbell River Golf & Country Club on Thursday.

Stouffer, a Nanoose Bay resident who plays out of Fairwinds Golf Club, finished the 54-hole competition at six-over par. Diane McFarlane of Surrey and Sandra Turbide of Maple Ridge tied for second at 18-over par.

British Columbia Golf and the BC golf community wish to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former BCGA President & Board Member, Stan Nixon, who recently passed away.

NIXON, Barlow Stanley

February 4, 1928 - May 16, 2020

Stan passed on May 16, 2020 and is survived by his loving wife Loraine, their three sons and families: Ron (Penny), David (Lana), Steve (Helen).

Ten Grandchildren, Ryan (Jazzmin), Kristy-Lee, Dylan, Corey (Chelsea), James (Jen), Shawn (Candace), Claire, Tom, Jessica and Pat. Nine Great Grandchildren, Brooklyn, Hendrix, Noah, Parker, Tyler, Brady, Cole, Kash and Kylan.

Stan is predeceased, by his Father (Ronald) and Mother (Florence), Brother Edward (Muriel) and Sister June and Grand Daughter (Kristy-Lee).

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

CAMPBELL RIVER -- There are lots of things general manager Amanda Raleigh takes pride in about what she and her team have created at Campbell River Golf & Country Club.

The par-70 Graham Cooke-designed course is in immaculate condition and a pleasure to play. The Velocity Lounge and Driving Range with its Top Tracer technology has become a hit with golfers and given many non-golfers their first taste of the game.

The lounge has eight bays, each equipped with comfortable sofas and TV monitors to track your shots. Lots of good food and beverages are available to accompany your swings. A couple of weeks ago, the course opened its new pro shop and clubhouse that features about 2,500 square feet of retail space. It has to be seen to be fully appreciated.

Lauren Kim Overcame A Sore Neck Issue To Shoot 69 And Sits Tied For The Lead In The 2020 B.C. Women's Amateur - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

CAMPBELL RIVER -- Lauren Kim came close to withdrawing after injuring her neck while warming up, but decided to play hurt. And, it turns out, to play well. Beware the wounded golfer.

The 15-year-old from Surrey sucked it up and shot a one-under 69 Wednesday and shares the lead with Vancouver’s Michelle Liu heading into Thursday’s final round of the B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship at Campbell River Golf & Country Club.

Vancouver's Leah John Is Competing In The B.C. Women's Amateur This Week...And Taking Online Classes For University - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

CAMPBELL RIVER -- Leah John is not only contending for the B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship this week at Campbell River Golf & Country Club, she’s attending the first week of her classes at the University of Nevada. Talk about multi-tasking.

“Monday was my first day of class,” said John, a 20-year-old from Vancouver who is starting her sophomore year at Nevada.

Those classes are being held on-line and John was told she could not be skipping them to compete this week. So John has tried to arrange her tee times so she can rush back to her hotel, dial up Zoom and ‘attend’ her class.

Bonnie Zhai Shares The First Round Lead Of The 2020 BC Women's Amateur With Leah John -Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

- Diane McFarlane of Surrey leads Senior Championship, while Christina Proteau of Port Alberni and Nonie Marler of Vancouver share Mid-Amateur lead -

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

CAMPBELL RIVER -- Leah John shot an even-par 70 Tuesday, which seemed odd because at times it felt like she wasn’t making many pars in the first round of the B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship.

John called her roller-coaster round at Campbell River Golf & Country Club “crazy.”

It turned out to be more like crazy good as it earned the 20-year-old Vancouver native a share of the lead with Surrey’s Bonnie Zhai.

Blind Golfers Have A Coach/Guide Who Can Line Up The Club Behind The Ball For The Player - Image Courtesy Western Canadian Blind Golf Association

An inaugural 'Cloud' Blind Golf Championship took place at various golf courses across the country last week and proved to be well received.

With the hard work of Creston, BC's Darren Douma, who is the President of the Western Canadian Blind Golf Assoc. and the Vice President of Blind Golf Canada, along with Doug Hastie from British Columbia Golf, sight-impaired golfers from BC to Ontario were able to play rounds at a home course or one near to their residence and submit scores to be compared on the basis of the course rating.

It's Just One More Title For BC's Doug Roxburgh As He Picked Up His 17th Marine Drive Club Championship On The Weekend - Image Courtesy MDGC Instagram

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

A record 264 players will be in the field for the 14th playing of the Vancouver Golf Tour’s Vancouver Open, which begins Friday and runs through Sunday at the three City of Vancouver courses.

Sixty-five pros are among the entrants and will compete for a $40,000 purse, with $10,000 going to the winner. Last year’s winner, Edmonton native Steven Lecuyer, will be back to defend his title.

The B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship begins Tuesday at Campbell River Golf & Country Club. This year’s event is 54 holes, not the normal 72, with no cut.

The Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Women’s championships are also being contested at Campbell River. The tournament will adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols that include no caddies and no spectators.

BC Golf's Brad Ziemer looks at 10 players who figure to contend in their respective categories. Here they are in no particular order:

Michelle Liu Is The 2020 BC Bantam Girls Champion - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

CHEMAINUS -- There is such a thing as a good bogey and Michelle Liu made one of those on the first hole of the final round of the B.C. Bantam Girls Championship.

The 13-year-old from Vancouver hit her second shot out of bounds but managed to escape with a bogey she was, “pretty proud of.”

That OB shot was about the only mistake Liu made Wednesday at Mount Brenton Golf Club as she shot a one-under par 70 to win by six shots.

Daniel Bennett Holds The Trophy High After Winning The  2020 BC Bantam Boys Championship - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

CHEMAINUS -- When his eagle landed on  the second hole of Wednesday’s final round, Daniel Bennett figured he might be in for a good day. Make that a great day.

The 14-year-old from Saanichton scorched Mount Brenton Golf Club with a seven-under 64 to win the B.C. Bantam Boys Championship by six shots.

Patty And Phil Jonas, Longtime Fixtures In Golf In British Columbia, Are Heading For Saskatchewan To Be Closer To Patty's Family - Image Courtesy jonasgolf.com

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Taking a page from Burton Cummings and the Guess Who, Phil and Patty Jonas are Runnin' Back To Saskatoon.

The two B.C. Golf Hall of Fame members are taking lots of great British Columbia memories with them as they begin the next chapter of their golfing lives on the Prairies.

Patty is already there, doing some teaching at Saskatoon Golf & Country Club, and Phil will join her at the end of September as he winds down their teaching academy at Hazelmere Golf Course in Surrey.

Image Credit PGA of Canada

Courtesy Golf Canada

This year has been a unique one – to say the least – but a big positive that’s come from the lengthy break from event-planning has seen Golf Canada accelerate meaningful initiatives that will benefit the future of the sport.

The Golf Canada Women in Coaching Program, launching this week, is one of those initiatives – an exciting partnership between Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada that will put the sport on the path to further balance between sexes at a high level, coaching-wise.

Victoria's Nolan Thoroughgood (L) Took Home The Royal Colwood Club Championship Over Oregon State Teammate Keaton Gudz On The Weekend - Images credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Evan Holmes won the opening event of the Canada Life Series with a score of eight-under par on the Bear Mountain resort’s Mountain Course. He thinks he’ll need to go lower than that as the series shifts this week to Bear Mountain’s Valley Course.

“I would say the Valley course is definitely easier,” said Holmes, a former standout with the University of B.C. golf team. “You can get some big numbers on almost every hole on the Mountain course. I feel like you can have a few different strategies on some of the holes on the Valley Course. The Mountain is more target golf. I think the Valley is a really good test. It should be fun.”