courtesy Golf Canada
by John Gordon

While it is undeniable that golf in Canada, like any other business in these unpredictable economic times, continues to face challenges, there were encouraging indicators in 2015 for cautious optimism.

In July, the Golf Facilities in Canada 2015 report was published by Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada in cooperation with the U.S. National Golf Foundation. The bottom line was that the game remains popular and accessible, with almost six million people playing at least one round annually. In total, almost 60 million rounds are played in Canada each year.

by Dan Pino/ Golf Canada

It is with great sadness that Golf Canada, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and the entire golf community mourns the loss of Daniel (Dan) Albert Halldorson who passed away on November 18, 2015 at the age of 63.

Halldorson suffered a major stroke on Monday, November 16 at his home in Cambridge, Illinois and passed away two days later in hospital. He is survived by his wife Patricia, daughter Angela, son Mark, three grandchildren and countless friends across the Canadian and International golf community.

British Columbia Golf is taking part in a joint training session for P2F (Playground To Fairway) and SOAR (Sharing Our Activities And Resources) in early December - Jody Jackson, LPGA will be the master trainer for golf for this training workshop.

SOAR is a program developed by three provincial sport organizations, Tennis BC, British Columbia Golf and Curl BC, to help elementary school students experience three great sports.

(Richmond, B.C.) - British Columbia Golf announced this week the addition of Bryan Outram to their staff in the capacity of Communications Manager and Website Editor.

Bryan joins British Columbia Golf in a role that is intended to grow the company's profile through an increased online presence via their interactive website, monthly digital magazine and regular regional e-newsletters. He will also be responsible for maintaining the strong relationship that media outlets have enjoyed with British Columbia Golf for many years.

The Historic Victoria Golf Club Will Play Host To The 2016 PGA of Canada Championship - Image Courtesy Victoria GC

(ACTON, ONT.)—The PGA of Canada’s oldest and most prestigious championship is heading to the west coast in 2016.The Victoria Golf Club hosts the PGA Championship of Canada sponsored by Mr. Lube and presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf June 12-16, 2016.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to take our PGA Championship of Canada sponsored by Mr. Lube and presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf to Canada’s west coast and the marvelous Victoria Golf Club,” said PGA of Canada president Constant Priondolo.

“Next year’s championship will undoubtedly be a success story thanks to the marriage of a one-of-a-kind-facility like Victoria and a best-in-class event such as the PGA Championship of Canada.”

November 5, 2015 (Victoria, BC) – Golf Canada and Bear Mountain Resort have announced a four-year partnership in which Bear Mountain will become the official Canadian training centre for Team Canada’s National Squads.

There is a full time position with British Columbia Golf available for qualified candidates as outlined below.

About British Columbia Golf

British Columbia Golf is the Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) recognized by Government and Golf Canada as the organization responsible for golf within British Columbia. The organization is non-profit operating with a volunteer board. Incorporated in 1922 British Columbia Golf has roots extending back to 1893 within the province.

Image Courtesy Vancouver Sun

Arv Olson (Left) From The Book Jacket Cover Of His Definitive History Of BC Golf, "Backspin," and (Right) From His Early Days At The Vancouver Sun As The Golf Beat Writer 

by Kent Gilchrist

We lost Arv Olson Wednesday. I use the collective “we” because golf has lost him, hockey and rugby have lost him and all his friends and family have, too.

And we will really miss him.

Sports Cardiology BC is coming to Kelowna September 12th and 13th and Victoria on October 3rd and 4th to conduct Masters Athlete Heart Health Testing on “Masters” athletes aged 35 years and over for this important study.

Many people will know the name Dr. Jack Taunton, who is an eminent sport medicine physician in BC, co-founder of SportMedBC, Chief Medical Officer for the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics along with a number of other accolades and experiences, including working with many national teams.

Dr. Tauton recently co-founded a new organization called “Sport Cardiology BC” with cardiologist Dr. Saul Isserow. Their mandate is to prevent sudden death in young and Masters athletes.

They also recently received “UBC Ethics Approval for Screening 2000 Masters - a first in Canada to reduce and prevent sudden death and cardiac arrests in Canada”.

Testing is quick, easy, and non-invasive. They believe this is paramount to create their own database in British Columbia Masters Athletes in order to gain a better understanding for appropriate and safe participation in sport.

This is for both recreational and performance athletes over 35 years. SportMedBC is looking for candidates who might be appropriate to include in this study.

Richmond CC President Dana Prince Is Proud Of The $5.5 Million In Renovations Made To The Club To Give Its Members Even More Value For Its Membership Dues - Image Credit Alfie Lau

by Alfie Lau

Imagine this scene: Kids running from playing tennis to the pool while their parents finish their round of golf before the entire family eats dinner on an outdoor patio.

No, that’s not a typical summer vacation, that’s what happens every day at the Richmond Country Club as it continually re-invents and transforms itself into one of the most inclusive golf and athletic clubs in the Lower Mainland.

PGA TOUR Canada President Jeff Monday, PGA TOUR Winner Nick Taylor And Mackenzie Investments Vice President, Sponsorship Court Elliott Pose Next To New Signage For The Mackenzie Tour - Image Courtesy PGA TOUR Canada

via press release

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., and TORONTO (May 27, 2015) – The PGA TOUR and Mackenzie Investments announced today a six-year agreement making the investment management firm the umbrella sponsor of PGA TOUR Canada.

The Tour is being renamed the Mackenzie Tour–PGA TOUR Canada, effective immediately with this week’s season-opening event in Vancouver.

The game of golf and those who play it have garnered a very well-earned reputation for using the love of the game and its drawing power to help those in need.

When someone could use a hand due to circumstances beyond their control there are few, if any, partners like golf and golfers who come together and make a real difference.

With the goal being to assist a great friend of the game, longtime PING Golf Canada sales representative Brad Thomas, the upcoming 'Tournament For Tommy' is one of those occasions.

British Columbia Golf Volunteer And Member Of The Leq:amel First Nation (Sto:lo Nation) In The Fraser Valley, Patrick Kelly, Addresses The AGA "Golf Awareness Day" Assembly - Image Credit Jeff Sutherland

by Jeff Sutherland, Inside Golf

When the Allied Golf Association of BC (AGA BC) was formed four years ago, one of its chief aims was to present the needs and position of Golf in BC to government.

And if the fourth annual "Golf Awareness Day" held in late April in Victoria was any indication, they are doing a great job. Twenty MLA's came to a luncheon and got an update on where golf in BC is and where it is headed.

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