• Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Lauren Kim gets sneak peek of Augusta National; Taylor ties for 26th at Players Championship; Macdonald, Rowe in field for PGA Tour Americas debut; Chelsea Truong to defend title at this summer’s B.C. Women’s Amateur

    BC's Lauren Kim Will Tee It Up At Augusta Next Month - Kim Photo Couresty Golf Canada/BBrault

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    Surrey’s Lauren Kim had to pinch herself a couple of times to make sure she wasn’t dreaming, that she really was walking the fairways of Augusta National Golf Club.

    “It was kind of unbelievable that I was even there,” Kim said of her recent visit to the legendary layout. “I didn’t think I would ever be playing at Augusta.” The really good news is that the 18-year University of Texas freshman will be playing it again very soon. Hopefully, twice.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Jared du Toit’s worldwide golfing odyssey rolls on; Taylor ties for 12th at Bay Hill; Hadwin makes cameo appearance in Full Swing on Netflix; UBC sweeps Vegas tourney; Penticton GC first to open in Okanagan

    BC's Jared du Toit Is Seeing Some Promising Results From All His Hard Work - Golf Canada Photo

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    The plan was to take a couple of weeks off, return to his Arizona home and rest after a gruelling four-week stretch that saw Jared du Toit tee it up in Malaysia, Oman, New Zealand and Chile.

    But the Kimberley native had a change of heart. After tying for eighth at the Korn Ferry Tour’s Astara Chile Classic, he headed for the Santiago airport and instead boarded a flight to Hong Kong where he will play in this week’s International Series Macau event on the Asian Tour.

  • Video: In Celebration Of International Women's Day,Women, Sport & Golf - SportBC Award Recipients Debbie Pyne & Sue Griffin

    In Celebration of International Women’s Day, happening March 8, 2024 and recognizing women in sport and golf, we present a video from the 2023 Sport BC Athlete of The Year Awards dinner and presentation, where two very influential women were recognized and honoured with 'In Her Footsteps' awards.

    The purpose of In Her Footsteps…Celebrating BC Women in Sport, is to name and honour women who have made a significant contribution to sport in BC. The athletes, coaches, officials, builders, pioneers, teams, officials, and members of the media who have been selected for this honour have helped shape sport in BC.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Leah John’s super senior season continues with another win; world traveller du Toit ties for 40th in New Zealand Open; Newlands Golf Course in Langley up for sale

    Leah John Is No Stranger To Winning, With 2 BC Women's Am Trophies Prior To Her Stellar College Career - Image Of Leah With Causeway Trophy Courtesy U of Nevada Athletic Communications

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    Vancouver’s Leah John has played five events in her senior year at the University of Nevada and has won three of them.

    It’s obviously been a very good year and one that is setting the table for a professional career that is now just three months away.

    “I will turn professional immediately after graduation and hop on the Epson Tour,” John said in an interview after finishing as co-medalist at the Causeway Invitational in Sacramento last week.

  • Important News From viaSport For The BC Sport Community

    Created as a legacy of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, viaSport British Columbia acts as the Province’s lead agency to steward the growth and development of amateur sport in BC.

    Check out the three pieces of information below as put out recently through viaSport...

  • Victoria's Patrick Coolican Awarded Western Golf Association’s Chick Evans Scholarship

    British Columbia Caddie Patrick Coolican Earns Full University Scholarship - Patrick Coolican Image: Dittoe Public Relations/Victoria GC 18th hole image courtesy Victoria GC

    GLENVIEW, IL – A student from British Columbia, Canada, has been awarded the Evans Scholarship — a full housing and tuition university grant offered to golf caddies — following a selection meeting interview held in December.

    Patrick Coolican of Victoria will begin university this fall as an Evans Scholar, where he plans to study music. He will attend one of the Program’s 24 partner universities, with a decision on his awarded school to be finalized by March 15. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Sagebrush alters green-fee structure and ups its food and beverage game; Macdonald top 25s in Mexico; UBC, SFU women begin their spring schedules; Amy Lee second at AJGA Stanford event

    Sagebrush Golf Club In Quilchena, BC - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    If all goes as planned, the Sagebrush experience will cost a little less this season and taste much better.

    The highly regarded Merritt-area layout is moving to a more traditional fee green-fee structure for the 2024 season and new general manager Chris Hood is also focused on upping Sagebrush’s food and beverage game.

    “We did a survey at the end of last year of our players and one of things that came back from people is they wanted to see more simplified rate structure more in line with what other courses do,” Hood, a veteran of the B.C. golf industry, said in an interview.

  • The 2024 BDO National Golf League Season Is Almost Here!

    Victoria's Royal Colwood Is A NGL Participating Club - Image Courtesy Royal Colwood

    League registration is now open for the 2024 BDO National Golf League in support of First Tee – Canada! Make sure your league gets a spot by letting your league operator know about the opportunity!

  • Registration For The Salmon Arm 2024 55+ BC Games Opens March 1st

    The 2024 55+ BC Games will take place in Salmon Arm from September 10-14, 2024. Participants will be attending from all 12 zones within the province to compete in a possible 23 sports.

    The 55+ BC Games is British Columbia’s premier annual sporting event for residents aged 55 years and over. 

    In addition to high-quality competition, the Games experience includes social events, which highlight the host community, as well as Opening and Closing Ceremonies to give participants a full multi-sport experience of partaking in Games Culture.

  • The BC Golf Majors Golf Challenge Is On For 2024

    Late last year British Columbia Golf sponsored a couple of golf pools free to our membership and we received some very positive feedback. So, for 2024 we are going to run the Majors Challenge for each of the four men's major championships, as well as three from the LPGA.

    All those who entered last year will receive a Monday reminder the week of the event to choose their team and confirm an entry should you wish to participate. 

    Once again, entry in these contests is FREE to BC Golf Members and there will be prizes for 1st - 5th place as shown below.

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Hadwin T4 at Riviera; Langley’s Chaewon Baek earns 1st collegiate win; Du Toit top-10s in Asian Tour debut; Macdonald earns spot in PGA TOUR’s Mexico Open; Vancouver GC to play host to U.S. Women’s Open qualifier

    Adam Hadwin Had A Solid Showing At Riviera CC - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    Another week, another British Columbian contends on the PGA TOUR. This time it was Adam Hadwin, who followed up fellow Abbotsford native Nick Taylor’s win at the WM Phoenix Open with a nice run of his own at the Genesis Invitational at storied Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

    Hadwin began his final round with three straight birdies en route to shooting 30 on Riviera’s front side. At one point, he was within two shots of the lead, but settled for a tie for fourth finish at 13-under par. That was four shots behind winner Hideki Matsuyama of Japan. Hadwin carded a six-under 65 on Sunday after firing a four-under 67 on Saturday.

  • Golf Canada Releases 2024 Championship Schedule

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce its full 2024 championship schedule, which includes amateur and professional competitions in addition to various qualifiers hosted at golf facilities across Canada.

    The 2024 schedule is headlined by Golf Canada’s two signature National Open Championships — the RBC Canadian Open, returning to the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. May 28 – June 2, and the 50th playing of the CPKC Women’s Open to be held at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, July 23-28.

    Golf Canada’s 2024 competition calendar also includes 11 National Amateur Championships presented by BDO, six NextGen Championships, and the World Junior Girls Golf Championship. Three new previously announced championships for the 2024 season include the BDO National Golf League Finals, the Canadian U15 Championship, and the Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

  • Registration Now Open For April & May Women's Golf 'Cloud' Series

    The 2024 golf season is upon us in many areas of BC and to help kick things off the Women's Golf Cloud Series events for April and May are now open for registration. See more information and the link for registration below. 

  • Ziemer's B.C. Golf Notes: Taylor rides hot putter to Phoenix Open playoff win; UBC, SFU golfers back on course; Du Toit to make Asian Tour debut at Malaysian Open

    BC's Nick Taylor Putted Brilliantly At The WM Phoenix Open - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

    By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

    Nick Taylor did more than win the WM Phoenix Open in dramatic fashion by birdieing three of his final four holes and then adding two more in a sudden-death playoff with Charley Hoffman.

    Taylor served notice that he is right now Canada’s best male player and, quite frankly, a world-class talent who seems to have that ability to rise to the occasion and perform at his best in the big moments.

  • Red and White Reign Supreme: Canada's Nick Taylor and the Kansas City Chiefs Seize the Day

    It Was A Super Sunday For Nick Taylor And Patrick Mahomes Fans - Images Credit Shayain Gustavsp

    What a Sunday for the books! Our very own Canadian, Nick Taylor, waves the red and white high and proud, clinching the 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open in a heart-stopping playoff against Charley Hoffman. Taylor's putter was nothing short of magical, a testament to perseverance and precision under pressure.

    Parallel to our golfing triumph, the red and white Kansas City Chiefs staged a comeback reminiscent of a Hollywood script in the Super Bowl, turning a game of "butterfingers" into a victory dance in overtime against the 49ers. It's a red and white double-header that'll be etched in the annals of sports history.

  • From Tuques to Tee Times: A Canadian's Tale at the WM Phoenix Open

    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!

  • Golf Community Saddened By The Loss Of Pat McTeer

    Patrick John McTeer (Paddy)March 4, 1962 to January 23, 2024

    (reposted with permission)

    It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of Pat McTeer on January 23, 2024, in Mazatlán, Mexico. Pat was a remarkable individual, cherished as a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend by many.

    His multifaceted talents included being both an athlete and a musician. Whether on the ice with the City Hockey League or showcasing his drumming skills at home, Pat's passion for life was evident. A dedicated golfer from a young age, he approached every aspect of his life with enthusiasm, be it work, play, or relationships.

  • Zone Qualifying Starts As BC Summer Games Gets Set For Maple Ridge In 2024

    The Golf Competition In The 2024 BC Summer Games Will Take Place At Meadow Gardens GC - Image Credit: Bryan Outam/BC Golf

    After having the 2020 version of the BC Summer Games cancelled due to Covid-19, Maple Ridge will host the 2024 BC Summer Games, from July 18-21

    “Maple Ridge is home to a number of famous athletes and will soon become the centre of sports in our province with the upcoming B.C. Summer Games,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs.

    As a prelude to the BC Summer Games there will be a number of qualifying events at various sites and that will hold true for golf as well. You can find general information and more details on zone qualifying for golf to take part in the games below. 

  • Sport BC Announces 56th Annual Athlete of the Year Award Finalists

    Lauren Kim (L) And Keri Moffat Are Finalists In The Sport BC AOY Awards For 2023

    (Vancouver, BC) - Sport BC announced the finalists to be celebrated at the upcoming 56th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards taking place on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

    The event, to be hosted by CBC’s Scott Russell, recognizes the province’s best in amateur sport including athletes, coaches, teams, and officials for outstanding performances in their sport in the 2023 season.

  • The PGA of BC Shares Passing Of Longtime Golf Professional Al Nelson

    Photo provided by David Miller, Club Historian & Past President, The Vancouver Golf Club

    January 31, 2024 - The PGA of BC regrets to share that longtime golf professional and past PGA of BC President, Alvin (Al) Nelson, passed away on January 9, 2024. He was 91.

    Please read Al's In Memoriam on the PGA of BC website here...