Niklas Jaakkola Is The 1st Round Leader In The BC Juvenile Boys Championship In Cowichan - JKam Photos/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

DUNCAN -- Despite a swing and a miss from a difficult lie on the final hole, North Vancouver’s Niklas Jaakkola shot a three-under 67 Tuesday to grab the first-round lead at the B.C. Juvenile Boys Championship at Cowichan Golf & Country Club.

Jaakkola, a 16-year-old who plays out of Seymour Golf & Country Club, was five-under for his round when he arrived on the 18th tee. But a wayward tee shot led to something of an adventure and an eventual double-bogey to end his round.

All Images Courtesy First Tee - Canada

Via Golf Canada

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada and First Tee announced on August 10th a new partnership to launch First Tee – Canada. First Tee’s Board Chairman, PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan, shared the news during a global announcement that the Presidents Cup will return to Royal Montreal Golf Club in 2024.

Together, the partnership will bring First Tee’s youth development emphasis to strengthen Golf Canada’s junior golf activities – previously conducted under the Future Links brand – that reach kids in schools and at golf facilities.

Vancouver's Nonie Marler Won The Ontario Women's Mid-Amateur And Will Be In The Field At The B.C. Women's Amateur/Mid-Amateur Later This Month - Photo Courtesy PNGA

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

In a normal year, Merritt’s Roger Sloan would be playing for his PGA TOUR life at this week’s regular-season finale, the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C. Of course, this year has been anything but normal and Sloan has nothing to worry about.

When the PGA TOUR was forced to take a lengthy hiatus this spring due to COVID-19, it decided that players would retain their current status through the end of the 2020-21 season.

Adam Cornelson Won The Mackenzie Tour - PGA Tour Canada's Bayview Place Island Savings Open In 2016 - Image Courtesy adamcornelsongolf.com

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

In his new life, Langley’s Adam Cornelson often finds himself in operating rooms observing intricate orthopedic surgeries. In some ways it reminds Cornelson of his former life as a touring golf professional. “I find it very similar to what golf used to give me,” says Cornelson, who sells medical equipment for Conmed, a large U.S. based company.

“When I know I have to go into the operating room the next morning I am kind of studying and preparing and I am nervous. There’s two or three hours of intensity and then you kind of relax. I find it very similar to a golf tournament.”

UBC T'Birds Golf Coach Chris Macdonald Is Spearheading A Fall Golf Series For BC Universities - Image Credit Wison Wong/UBC

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Four B.C. universities are planning a series of tournaments throughout the province this fall as a way of salvaging some semblance of a collegiate golf season.

University of British Columbia coach Chris Macdonald came up with the idea when his team’s spring season ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“My thinking was we needed to make a pivot, an adjustment, and create more of a local schedule because it does look like the borders are going to remain closed for some time,” said Macdonald, whose UBC men’s and women’s teams normally play against NAIA and NCAA Division II opponents south of the border.

Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Executive Director Scott  Pritchard - BC Golf File Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Canadian content. The PGA TOUR currently has lots of it. The Mackenzie Tour could use more of it.

The four-event Canada Life Series, which begins next week at Bear Mountain near Victoria, is designed in part to give Canadians access to the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada circuit.

Scott Pritchard, the Mackenzie Tour’s executive director, acknowledges that a lack of Canadian content is something of a challenge for his circuit.

The new Golf Canada app sets the stage for a greatly enhanced digital experience

Written by Brent Long/Courtesy Golf Canada

Canada’s largest golf community is about to become more connected with the launch of the new Golf Canada app.

The user-friendly app launched August 5 is now available to all golfers nationwide to record and track their scores, trace where they have played and provide detailed game statistics as a game improvement tool. The app is free to download and can be used by golfers at any level of skill.

Vancouver's Stuart Macdonald - Image Courtesy Golf Canada/Graig Abel

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

It wasn’t quite the round he hoped for, but Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald still posted his best-ever finish on the Korn Ferry Tour on Sunday.

Macdonald closed with a two-over 73 that left him in a tie for 20th at the Pinnacle Bank Championship in Omaha, Neb. Macdonald’s six-under total was five shots behind winner Seth Reeves.

The Point Grey Golf Club product had started the day in a tie for sixth spot. The finish earned Macdonald $7,300 and moved him up 21 spots on the Korn Ferry Tour points list to 128th. Macdonald has made the cut in six of seven starts this year.

Courtesy Golf Canada

Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation have joined together to launch the COVID-19 GOLF RELIEF FUND, to support golf courses in helping employees and golfers stay safe while also thanking front-line workers through encouraging additional play and welcoming juniors to further experience the game.

During the pandemic, golf has experienced a booming resurgence, emerging as one of the safest recreational activities for Canadians to enjoy and highlighting the physical and mental benefits that the sport provides.

Victoria's William Bishop Poses With The Medal & Trophy As The 2020 BC Junior Boys Champion - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

KELOWNA -- William Bishop summed up his win at the B.C. Junior Boys Championship this way: “This is big,” he said. “This is really big.”

Bishop, a 16-year-old from Victoria, rebounded from a slow start and shot an even-par round of 72 to win the championship at the Okanagan Golf Club’s Bear Course. “I am really happy right now,” Bishop said. “The way I played today was great. I left a couple of strokes out there, but I think everyone did. I have no regrets with the way I played today. I pulled if off and got the win.”

Dan Swanson, Seen Here Holding Two Trophies - One Being His Son Jack,  Picked Up Both The Mid-Amateur And Mid-Master Titles In The BC Amateur - image credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

KELOWNA -- Dan Swanson got what he came for when he successfully defended his B.C. Mid-Amateur Championship at Okanagan Golf Club’s Bear Course.

He also came tantalizingly close to adding what would have been a very big bonus.

Swanson, a 41-year-old former pro from Abbotsford who regained his amateur status about three years ago, made a final-round charge that fell one shot short of forcing a playoff for the B.C. Amateur Championship.

Duncan's Tristan Mandur Added The 2020 BC Amateur Title To His Win In The 2016 Junior Boys - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

KELOWNA -- Tristan Mandur has had the goal since winning the B.C. Junior Boys title back in 2016. The 21-year-old from Duncan wanted the ‘B.C. double,’ meaning he was looking to add a B.C. Amateur Championship title to his collection.

Mission accomplished.

Kelowna's Justin Towill Is Tied Atop The Leaderboard At 4-under Par With One Round To Go In The 2020 BC Amateur - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

KELOWNA -- The birdies finally started flying inWednesday’s second round of the 118h playing of the B.C. Amateur Championship, setting the scene for what should be an interesting final day at the Okanagan Golf Club’s Bear Course.

Three players -- former B.C. Junior champion Tristan Mandur of Duncan, Kelowna’s Jake Towill and Brent Pound of Kamloops -- share the lead at four-under par. But they best be looking over their shoulders.

Russell Howlett Of Delta Is The First Round Leader In The BC Amateur At Okanagan GC - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

KELOWNA -- The Bear had some bite in Tuesday’s first round of the B.C. Amateur Championship. 

The feeling heading into the 118th playing of the event was that the Bear Course at Okanagan Golf Club was ripe for the taking. Its four par 5s are reachable for many in the 156-player field and there are two or three par 4s that are drivable for the long hitters.

It was going to be a birdie-fest. Except it wasn’t. Not in the first round anyway.

The Golf Canada Foundation sweepstakes are now live nationwide and will run until August 27th at 9pm EST. 

You can win a number of incredible VIP golf experiences including the 2021 RBC Canadian Open, CP Women's Open and the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. Be sure to buy tickets early to be entered into the amazing Stay & Play at Cabot Cliffs early bird prize that will be drawn on August 12th at 11:59pm EST.

Why we are raising funds?
In response to the pandemic, Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation along with partners (R&A, PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of Canada, Levelwear, Bear Mountain, Cabot, TPC Toronto) and individual donors have set up the COVID-19 GOLF RELIEF FUND to help golf course employees stay safe and to encourage additional play for front-line workers and juniors to experience the physical and mental benefits of golf.

How does this work?
Golf Canada member clubs can apply for reimbursement of any, or all, of the following up to a maximum dollar amount:

• PPE costs
• Rounds of play for juniors
• Rounds of play for front-line workers

Click HERE to get more details and buy tickets. 

Kaleb Gorbahn Was The 2018 BC Amateur Silver Medallist - Image Courtesy Dana Gorbahn

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Smithers pro Kaleb Gorbahn put an exclamation point on his win Sunday at the Vancouver Golf Tour’s Golden Eagle Open in Pitt Meadows.

Gorbahn finished his round with an eagle on his 18th hole (the par 5 ninth) at Golden Eagle’s North Course to cap off a six-under 66. That left Gorbahn with a 36-hole score of 11-under par, four shots better than amateur Tristan Mandur of Duncan and fellow amateur Amanda Minni of Delta, who won the women’s division.

William Deck Will Be Looking To Improve On His Best BC Amateur Finish At Pheasant Glen In 2016 When He Tees It Up At A Familiar Okanagan GC Bear Course - BC Golf Image

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

William Deck’s golfing roots run deep in Kelowna. His dad, Garrett, helped build Harvest Golf Club and has been course superintendent there for more than 20 years.

Will played his collegiate golf at the University of B.C.’s Okanagan campus while pursuing a kinesiology degree.

The golf team played and practised at the Okanagan Golf Club, whose Bear Course plays host to the 118th playing of the B.C. Amateur Championship July 28-30.

Jackson Rothwell Hoists The Bostock Trophy After His Victory In The BC Amateur Last Year At Big Sky. Who Are This Year's Conteders? - BC Golf File Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The 118th B.C. Amateur Championship begins Tuesday at Okanagan Golf Club’s Bear course in Kelowna. This year’s event is 54 holes, not the normal 72, with no cut. The Junior Boys and Mid-Amateur championships are also being contested at Okanagan Golf Club. The 156-player field will adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols that include no caddies and no spectators. 

Brad Ziemer looks at 10 players who have a chance to win the B.C. Amateur championship. - ed

Gudmund Lindbjerg 1948 -2020 - image courtesy Twitter/WA Golf 

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Gudmund Lindbjerg, a longtime Pitt Meadows Golf Club member who won four straight B.C. Senior Men’s titles starting in 2008, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 71.

Lindbjerg produced a rather remarkable amateur golf career despite not playing the game until he was 29. He emigrated from Denmark in his early 20s and at that time was more interested in hunting ducks than chasing birdies on a golf course.

Simon Fraser University Golf Coach Matthew Steinbach - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

A decision by the Great Northwest Athletic Conference to cancel fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic has left the Simon Fraser University men’s and women’s golf teams with no place to play.

The canceling of the fall season did not surprise SFU golf coach Matthew Steinbach. “At the end of the day we are in a global pandemic, so travelling across the border and playing a regular competition schedule, we didn’t think that was going to happen,” Steinbach said.

The real gut punch for Steinbach came when he was also informed by GNAC officials that SFU would not be permitted to play in a proposed series of one-day events with fellow British Columbia schools this fall.