Doug And Janet O’Mara Crossed The Century Mark Of Their Epic Golf Journey Deep In The Amazon Rainforest In Manaus, Brazil

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Doug and Janet O’Mara really didn’t set out to play golf in 100 different countries. It kind of just happened.

The Whistler couple love to travel and are also avid golfers. After a number of different trips to all corners of the globe, it suddenly occurred to them that they had played a lot of golf in a lot of different places. So they started counting.

Victoria, BC's Jeevan Sihota - Image Credit: Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The Latin American portion of the PGA Tour Americas circuit concludes at this week’s Inter Rapidisimo Golf Championship in Bogota, Colombia, where Victoria’s Jeevan Sihota must make the cut to secure his playing privileges for the tour’s North American swing.

Sihota enters the tournament ranked 61st on the Fortinet Cup points list. The top 60 players after this week’s event will be exempt for the nine Canadian events and one U.S. tournament on the North American swing that begins next month in Victoria.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Jake Lane grew up in the northern B.C. community of Charlie Lake and caught the golf bug playing Lake Point Golf & Country Club.

Like all kids, Lane dreamed big. During those countless summertime rounds at Lake Point, when the sun didn’t set until late into the evening, Lane would imagine maybe becoming good enough to play professional golf and one day competing in a tournament he watched on television every year.

The RBC Canadian Open was a major in his eyes and now Lane is going to play in it.

Team BC Practices Prior To The 2023 North Pacific Junior Ladies Team Matches

This year will be the 36th edition of the North Pacific Junior Ladies Team Matches (NPJLTM) and represents an opportunity for BC to win their 7th consecutive event, equalling a record set many years ago by the Washington Golf Association.

The competition had been cancelled for 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Team BC having won the previous five events played, from 2016 - 2019 and 2022, 2023.

The Oregon Golf Association will be playing host this year as the tournament is being held at Emerald Valley Golf Course in Creswell, Oregon. 

Ledgeview GC, Site Of The 2024 BC Amateur - Image Courtesy Ledgeview GC

We hope you are all enjoying the off-season and are ready for a packed summer of golf. Please see the information regarding the 2024 British Columbia Golf Provincial Championships below.

As the 2024 golf season nears, we are eager to host our Provincial Championships across British Columbia.

Shauna Wilton Becomes The Third Woman To Lead The Organization Since The Amalgamation Of The BCGA & The BCLGA

For Immediate Release

Delta, BC - April 9, 2024 - British Columbia Golf, BC's Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) for golf, is pleased to announce the election of its newest president, Shauna Wilton. Wilton was officially elected by the BC Golf Board on April 6th and succeeds Greg Moody, who will remain on the board as past president.

Wilton, the third woman to hold the position of president with the Association since the amalgamation of the BCGA and the BCLGA in 2004 said, "It’s an honour to work alongside the board, staff and volunteers to positively influence the sport I love so much."

A lifelong participant in sport and an avid recreational golfer, Wilton brings a wealth of related professional experience to her new position.

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!

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.”

Preparation for the 2024 golf season includes the Provincial Rules Seminar which starts on March 5th and runs until April 12. Registration opened on January 16th. 

 Here's some of what is included in the seminar: 

• Over 13 hours of Instruction with a certified National Level Rules of Golf Referee
• Advanced review of the Rules of Golf, Definitions, Interpretations
• Full Rules of Golf book
• Official Guide to the Rules of Golf Book
• Provincial Level Examination
• British Columbia Golf Gift

Click HERE for registration and information page. 

Abbotsford, BC's Nick Taylor Became The First Canadian To Win Our National Men's Open In 69 Years - Image Credit Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

It would be understandable if Nick Taylor was a tad reluctant to turn the page on 2023, which was a career-defining year for the Abbotsford native.

Who will ever forget that dramatic win at the RBC Canadian Open, sealed on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff at Oakdale Country Club by a putt from somewhere just north of Hamilton.

And Taylor was anything but a one-tournament wonder in 2023. In February, he almost won the WM Phoenix Open, finishing second to Scottie Scheffler. He and Abbotsford buddy Adam Hadwin were a solo second at the two-man team event in New Orleans. Taylor had six top-10s, 15 top-25s, finished 25th on the FedEx Cup points list and earned just over $6.2 million.

MEDIA RELEASE

(December 1, 2023) – In celebration of Nick Taylor’s historic victory in becoming the first Canadian to win Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship in 69 years, Golf Canada in partnership with title sponsor RBC, have reimagined the tournament logo for the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in celebrating one of the most iconic moments in Canadian sport.

The updated brand identity depicts a silhouette of Taylor’s now legendary putter toss following his 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth playoff hole at Oakdale Golf and Country Club to defeat Tommy Fleetwood and become the first Canadian in seven decades to win Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.

In this episode of The ModGolf Podcast, show creator and host, Colin Weston, interviewed Amy Bockerstette who first came to prominence in the public eye during the moment that Colin describes below. 

"On Jan. 29, 2019 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open’s Dream Day on the famous 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, Amy Bockerstette, who has Down syndrome, demonstrated to the golfing world what a determined athlete with self-confidence and a positive attitude can achieve.

While playing with PGA TOUR players Gary Woodland and Matt Kuchar during the Tuesday practice round, Amy hit the par 3 tee shot 117 yards into a greenside bunker, splashed her sand shot to within 8 feet of the pin, and made her par putt in front of a roaring crowd."

The I GOT THIS Foundation was born out of this moment, which was captured on video and has since gone viral, receiving more than 54 million views on social media platforms.

Via Media Release

Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the names of 39 amateur athletes and 10 coaches named to the 2024 men’s and women’s Team Canada – NextGen and Team Canada squads.

The Team Canada – NextGen program supports juniors and young amateurs who are transitioning to college golf. The Team Canada program supports a group of experienced amateurs who are on the path towards professional golf along with a group of young professional golfers who are building their careers as touring pros.

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The R&A

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(St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, NJ, USA) – The R&A and the USGA announced the first update to the World Handicap System™ (WHS™) as part of an ongoing review of the Rules of Handicapping™ and Course Rating System™ with a continued emphasis on accuracy, consistency and equity. The latest revisions will go into effect from the 1st of January 2024.

Many countries have seen significant increases in the number of scores being submitted for handicapping purposes since the WHS was introduced, reflecting golf’s broadening appeal. More than 100 million scores have been posted each year, unifying millions of golfers through a standard measure of playing ability. The 2024 update leverages the performance data gathered from around the world, in addition to feedback received from many of the 125 countries now using the system.

Significant updates to the WHS include:

Click HERE to see complete article.

L-R: Vanessa Borovilos, Vanessa Zhang, Anna Huang & Coach Jeff MacDonald - Golf Canada Photo

MEDIA RELEASE

Denisa Vodickova of the Czech Republic wins individual title at Brampton Golf Club

Brampton, Ont. – The most successful season in Canadian golf history added another exciting chapter on Saturday as Team Canada won its first-ever team title at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, presented by Sargent Farms.

The Canada 1 Team comprised of 14-year-old Anna Huang of Vancouver (71-69-70-70—280), 17-year-old Vanessa Borovilos of Toronto (70-73-73-75—291), and 17-year-old Vanessa Zhang of Vancouver (72-75-80-68—295) shot a team-total 138 under cool and blustery conditions at Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont. to finish at 4-under 564 for the championship, a single shot clear of the Republic of Korea.

BC's Harry Ferguson Was Steeped In Emotion After The Inaugural Indigenous Challenge Match - All Images Credit Jeff Sutherland/Courtesy British Columbia Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

VICTORIA — Team British Columbia beat Ontario to win the inaugural Indigenous Challenge Match and Harry Ferguson, like the rest of his teammates, was happy about that.

But Ferguson, a past B.C. Senior Men’s Champion, would be the first to tell you that this two-day event played on the Mountain and Valley courses at the Bear Mountain resort, really wasn’t about who won and who lost.

Moments after winning his singles match 4&3, the 66-year-old Invermere resident got emotional when he was asked to describe what the event meant to him.

In this episode of The ModGolf Podcast show creator and host, Colin Weston, speaks with Kevin Corn who is a PGA Head Golf Professional and the creator of the Pediatric Hospital Golf Program. 

 "You'll see them literally laying down in bed on their sides swinging. We've had the kids with severe burns to hands and arms and all over the body that don't have fingers. They still swing on their own holding the golf club. It's a very, very powerful afternoon and no better way to spend a day off than in there with the kids hitting golf balls and teaching them and helping them get better through golf." 

- Kevin Corn - PGA Head Golf Professional and Pediatric Hospital Golf Program Creator

2023 Golf Hall of Fame Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets for the 2023 Golf Hall of Fame of BC Induction/Dinner are now on sale.

Join us for an evening celebrating 4 great golfers and their numerous achievements in golf.

BC's Alex Zhang Won Both The Junior & Juvenile Boys National Titles - Image Credit Christian Bender/Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Alex Zhang is making a habit of winning big events the day before his birthday. His latest came on his final day as a 14-year-old at North Bay Golf Club in Ontario where the Richmond resident won the biggest title of his young life, the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Actually, make that ‘titles,’ as Zhang also won the Juvenile Boys Championship for players aged 16 and under.

“Best gift ever,” a delighted Zhang said of a birthday present — two national championship trophies — that arrived a day early.