Team Members Pleased Former Assistant Krysta Schaus Has Been Appointed Interim Head Coach

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

BURNABY, B.C. (September 05, 2024) - It was the first meeting of a new season for members of the men’s and women’s golf teams at Simon Fraser University and the message their coach delivered to them left the players in a state of shock.

Instead of the pre-season pep talk many expected, head coach Matthew Steinbach informed the players that after eight successful years leading the SFU golf program, he was stepping down.

The players were stunned by the news, which was delivered just a couple of days before classes for the new academic year started at the Burnaby campus.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

BRAINERD, Minn (September 2nd, 2024) - Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald took a big step toward securing a promotion to the Korn Ferry Tour with a tie for 12th finish at the PGA Tour Americas’ CRMC Championship in Brainerd, Minn.

Brooks Lancaster captures Canadian Mid-Master Championship; Stouffer goes for Canadian Senior Women’s hat trick; Macdonald hanging on to top-10 spot on PGA Tour Americas points list

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

It was a five-foot putt, the kind Delta’s Jace Minni has spent countless hours practising on the putting green while imagining he needed to sink each one for a big win.

This time it was for real and Minni rolled it in to win the Odlum Brown Vancouver Open. “It was probably half a ball outside right,” Minni said of his winning birdie putt on Fraserview Golf Course’s 18th green.

“I have practised my putting so much this past year. I’d be on the putting green going, ‘this is a putt to win, this is a putt to do it,’ and now it finally came to fruition.”

Crisologo birdies last three holes to tie for fifth; Taylor knocked out of PGA TOUR playoffs, while Hadwin moves on; 18th edition Vancouver Open set for City of Vancouver courses

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

(August 19, 2024) - In one week, A.J. Ewart has gone from relying on sponsor’s exemptions to get into PGA Tour Americas events to now being tantalizingly close to earning Korn Ferry Tour status.

The 25-year-old Coquitlam native changed his professional golfing life in a big way with an impressive wire-to-wire win at the Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open. That victory moved Ewart up to 14th spot on the PGA Tour Americas’ Fortinet Cup points list.

Three events remain and the top 10 on the points list at season’s end earn Korn Ferry Tour status for 2025.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

VANCOUVER, B.C. (August 16, 2024) - Since being hired as the golf consultant for a 10-part Owen Wilson golf comedy series being shot in the Vancouver area for Apple TV, Richmond teaching pro Nathan Leonhardt has been a busy guy.

It is Leonhardt’s job to ensure that the golf scenes look realistic. He has also been charged with finding members of the local golf community to work as doubles or background actors for the series.

Leonhardt has also been trying to help the golf-crazed Wilson with his game. That has been a challenge and a lot of fun. “I have taken him out to play golf a few times,” Leonhardt says.

(August 15, 2024) - In this episode of The ModGolf Podcast, show creator and host, Colin Weston, speaks with golf industry icon and entrepreneurial legend Barney Adams. 

Adams shares the trials, tribulations and successes he has encountered over his career that spans more than five decades. This episodes provides you with lessons learned, key takeaways and nuggets of wisdom from one of golf's most successful entrepreneurs.

Sloan posts season-best finish at Wyndham Championship; Wyatt Brook cherishes Willingdon Cup win; Lauren Kim knocked out in Round of 16 at U.S. Women’s Amateur; Ames repeats at Boeing Classic

By: Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

(August 12, 2024) - A spirited playoff push by Surrey’s Adam Svensson fell just short at the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship. Svensson entered the final regular-season event at No. 82 on the FedEx Cup points list and needed to move inside the top 70 to qualify for the lucrative three-event playoffs.

He came close with a tie for seventh finish that moved him to 75th, just short of where he needed to get. Fellow British Columbians Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor, both of Abbotsford, had no such worries about making the playoffs.

August 9th, 2024 (DELTA, BC) - British Columbia Golf is pleased to announce the members of the 2024 Eddie Hogan Cup Team that will compete for the  Eddie Hogan Cup title in August 10-11th. 

The 56th annual Eddie Hogan Cup tournament is scheduled to take place at the Riverside Golf & Country Club in Portland, Oregon and British Columbia has been represented every single year since its inception in 1969.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf (August 6, 2024) •  Nick Taylor ties for 30th in Paris; Stuart Macdonald ties for 7th on PGA Tour Americas; Lauren Kim fifth at Canadian Women’s Amateur

Field of 264 will compete in the prestigious tournament; all ten provinces represented and one territory; Inter-Provincial Team Championship to be contested over first 36 holes

For Immediate Release | August 2, 2024

Saskatoon, Sask. – The 119th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO is set to be contested August 5-8 with a field of 264 amateur golfers competing over four rounds at both the Riverside Country Club and Saskatoon Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask.

This year’s field features a number of top amateur golfers from around the world including, Max Kennedy of Dublin, Ireland, currently ranked no. 28 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). Joining Kennedy are Wang Ngai Shen of Hong Kong, China (no. 155 WAGR), Mateo Fuenmayor of Colombia (no. 264 WAGR) as well as defending champion, Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. McCulloch (no. 135 WAGR) has enjoyed a successful season at Michigan State and competed at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open and qualified for the 2024 U.S. Open.

(July 26th, 2024) - Jeff Nicholson joins show creator and host, Colin Weston, to share how their 70-year old manufacturing company saw an opportunity to give back to the sport they love by creating the VertaCat all-terrain mobility rider for paraplegic athletes.

"I have been involved with a lot of products over my life but this product is like no other. A year ago I didn't even know what an adaptive golf cart was. We have learned so much. We meet our prospects on the driving range where we adjust the seats, hook up the strapping and get them in and buckled in.

"They lift themselves up, grab a 7-iron and take a swing. When they connect they make eye contact with their friends and a smile comes on their face and they say, 'This is going to change my life!' I always get goosebumps and tears in my eyes. This is a blessing and we're just so thankful that we get to participate in it."

- Jeff Nicholson, Chief Marketing Officer with VertaCat

Vanessa Zhang third at Canadian Juniors; Royal Colwood plays host to this week’s Canadian Women’s Amateur; Ziggy Nathu wins Golden Ears Open

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf (July 29, 2024)

Adam Svensson’s push for the PGA TOUR playoffs just got more difficult. The Surrey native entered the final round of the 3M Championship in Blaine, Minn., tied for sixth and in great position to move inside the top 70 on the FedEx Cup points list.

But a four-over 75 in the final round dropped Svensson down into a tie for 37th. Instead of moving up the points list, Svensson fell two spots from 79th to 81st. The top 70 players qualify for the PGA TOUR playoffs and with just one regular-season event remaining, Svensson will likely need at least a top-five finish to crack the top 70.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2024

University Place, Wash. – Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash., will host many of the top amateur golfers in the world this week for the 57th Pacific Coast Amateur Championship.

Hosted by Washington Golf, the championship will be played from July 23-26, 2024. Having previously hosted the event in 2017 and 2021, this marks the third time the championship has been held at Chambers Bay.

Leah John top-10s on Epson Tour and also gets CPKC exemption; New B.C. Senior Men’s champion to be crowned in Revelstoke: Marine Drive plays host to Canadian Junior Girls Championship

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf (July 22, 2024)

Mary Parsons’ first professional win came with a bonus she really wasn’t expecting. Along with the $10,000 first-place cheque for winning the Kathy Whitworth Championship in Trophy Club, Tex., on the Annika All Women’s Pro Tour, Parsons knew she was also getting a spot in an Epson Tour event in late August.

But the Delta native is also receiving something much bigger than that. Parsons was informed after her win that she has a spot in this week’s LPGA Tour event, the CPKC Women’s Open in Calgary. “I am very thrilled,” Parsons said over the phone. “It will be my second LPGA start. I played back in 2019 as an amateur. It will be exciting to play an LPGA event as a pro now. I will try to keep it rolling and see what I can do.”

Yeji Kwon gets first pro win; Nathan Ward seeks to defend title at B.C. Mid-Amateur Championship; Hadwin, Taylor head to Open Championship

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

DELTA, B.C. (July 15, 2024) - Shelly Stouffer saved her birdies for when she really needed them in the final round of the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

The Nanoose Bay resident began the final round with a three-shot lead — thanks in no small part to a four-under 68 in the second round — but that cushion had evaporated by the time she and American Catherine Matgranga had reached the 16th tee at Crown Isle Golf Resort in Courtenay.

Matgranga, a Fort Worth, Tex., resident had birdied the 14th and 15th holes to pull even. Stouffer hadn’t made a birdie all day. The momentum seemed to be on the Texan’s side.

B.C. All-Abilities Champion Matt Hallatt (R) Is Shown In This BC Golf File Photo

Popert and Bish Go Wire-to-Wire at Sand Creek Station

By JC Sites, USGA

Newton, KAN. (July10, 2024) - The first day of the 3rd U.S. Adaptive Open saw the lowest scores in the history in the men’s and women’s divisions of the championship, recorded by Kipp Popert (65) and Bailey Bish (69), respectively.

 On the final day of the championship, Popert and Bish followed through on those record rounds by claiming victory at Sand Creek Station.

The following Canadians were winners of their respective categories: 

Chris Willis, Canada (Upper Limb Impairment, men);  Natasha Stasiuk, Canada (Intellectual Impairment, women), Kiefer Jones, Canada (Vision Impairment, men),

Third place in his respective category went to Kurtis Barkley, Canada (Short Stature, men)

CLICK HERE to see complete story and results on USGA website. 

Click HERE to read about B.C.s' Dustin Boydell's story in the Abbotsford News.

Humphreys in good form as he readies for B.C. Amateur title defence; Barker wins Ogopogo in record-setting fashion; Stinson prevails at Chilliwack Open

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Victoria’s Jeevan Sihota recorded the biggest win of his young pro career at the Mickelson National Invitational in Calgary.

The 20-year-old earned a $30,000 payday after finishing the 54-hole event at 12-under par, one shot better than runner-up Brady McKinlay of Lacombe, Alta. “It’s been a while since I had my last win, so it feels good,” Sihota said in a telephone interview.

Sihota was tied for the lead heading into the final round and after bogeying his first hole, he played flawlessly the rest of the way. He closed with a six-under 66.

B.C.'s Dustin Boydell Is One Of The Canadian Qualifiers For The U.S. Adaptive Open - BC Golf File Photo

Courtesy: Scott MacLeod/flagstick.com

The U.S. Adaptive Open continues to grow. The event conducted by the United States Golf Association entertained 278 entries for 2024. This growth was the impetus for some changes to deal with the demand.

For the first time 18 hole qualifiers were conducted by Allied Golf Associations (AGAs) at six sites across the United States to fill the spots not already held by exempt players. The championship is open to both male and female professional and amateur golfers with a World Handicap System™ Handicap Index of 36.4 or less and an eligible impairment confirmed by a WR4GD Pass.

The impairment categories are as follows:  

• Upper Limb Impairment 
• Intellectual Impairment 
• Lower Limb Impairment 
• Multiple Limb Amputee 
• Neurological Impairment 
• Seated Players 
• Short Stature 
• Vision Impairment 

Ultimately there are 96 players now finalized to compete at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kansas, from July 8-10. The competitors will come from 32 states and 11 countries.

One of those nations represented wil be Canada who has nine citizens taking part in this ground-breaking tournament.

To see full list of Canadians taking part and read complete story on the U.S. Adaptive Open please click HERE to go to Flagstick.com.

Included in the nine is Chilliwack, B.C.'s Dustin Boydell - please clck HERE to see the amazing comeback story of Dustin in the Abbotsford News.

Sloan T31 at Rocket Mortgage; Parry, Kim win PGA of BC titles;
                                              Towill makes 1st PGA Tour Americas cut                                                

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

A solid freshman season at the University of Tennessee was followed by just a so-so sophomore campaign and Angela Arora felt like she needed a change. A fresh start.

So the soon-to-be 20-year-old from Surrey decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal and see what happened. The former B.C. Junior and Juvenile Girls champion feels like she hit a jackpot of sorts by accepting an offer to join the University of Arizona in Tucson.

“I am excited, I am very excited,” Arora said in an interview. “I just decided to go on the portal and honestly I was talking to a bunch of schools and Arizona stood out.”