BC's Shelly Stouffer Is Being Inducted Into The Pacific Northwest Golf Hall Of Fame - File Photo

For Immediate Release

Tacoma, Wash. – For the seventh time in Northwest golf history, the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) and the Pacific Northwest Section PGA (PNWPGA) will conduct a joint Hall of Fame ceremony to honor inductees from each organization. This combined Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held at Seattle (Wash.) Golf Club on April 27, 2024.

Their respective Halls of Fame recognize those who have distinguished themselves through outstanding playing accomplishments as well as contributions to the game in the region.

Being inducted this year for the PNGA are Shelly Stouffer of Nanoose Bay, B.C..; Dr. Jack Lamey of Bellevue, Wash.; and Bon Stein of Seattle, Wash. The PNWPGA will be inducting Doug Doxsie of Issaquah, Wash.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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!

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.

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. 

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.

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...