Mission Native Kevin Stinson Has A Spot In The Season-Opening Mackenzie Tour Event At Point Grey, But Is No Longer Chasing The PGA TOUR Dream - Image Credit Mike West/VGT

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Much is made of the considerable success the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada circuit has had in developing players and helping them move on to the Web.com and PGA TOURs.

We hear less about the many others who don’t make it to golf’s promised land. Mission’s Kevin Stinson is one of those and he’s okay with that.

Canadians Gail Graham (L) From Kelowna, BC And PEI's Lorie Kane (R) Will Be On Hand For The Suquamish Clearwater Legends Cup presented by Boeing At The White Horse Golf Club In Kingston, WA - Golf Canada Images

For Immediate Release

BOSTON, May 24, 2018 – The Legends Tour has announced its 30-player tournament field for next month’s inaugural event at the Suquamish Clearwater Legends Cup presented by Boeing. The event is set for June 8-10, at the White Horse Golf Club in Kingston, WA.

The tournament will feature LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame members JoAnne Carner, Pat Bradley, Betsy King and Hollis Stacy, as well as numerous former LPGA tournament winners, including past champions of the former Safeco Classic.

“It was always my favuorite time of the season on the LPGA Tour when we played in the Pacific Northwest,” said Nancy Scranton, winner of the last Legends Tour tournament staged in Washington in 2013, outside Kirkland. “I won my first LPGA tournament in Vancouver, so I have very fond memories of the area.

Vancouver, BC's Kevin Li, A Senior On The Men's Golf Team At Brown University In Providence, R.I., Has Been Recognized By The College Sports Information Directors Of America Being Named To The 2017-18 CoSIDA Academic All-District At-Large Team - Images Courtesy Brown Athletics

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown seniors Kevin Li (Vancouver, B.C.) and Peter Tarwid (Lake Forest, Ill.) and junior Amy Tarczynski (Oakland, Calif.) were named to their respective 2017-18 CoSIDA Academic All-District At-Large Teams on Thursday as voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

The Academic All-District Teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom, as only student-athletes who maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 and are significant contributors to their team's success are eligible for nomination.

Distance Has Become A Major Topic Of Discussion In Golf Over The Recent Years, Not Only As It Affects The Pros, But At All Levels Of The Sport - Image Credit Sue Sapp (Labelled For Reuse)

For Immediate Release

(15 May 2018, St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, NJ, USA): The R&A and the USGA have launched a comprehensive project to analyse distance in golf and gather perspectives from the worldwide golf community.

The Distance Insights project will examine distance through a multi-pronged approach that includes global stakeholder engagement, third-party data review and primary research. Focus groups and discussion forums will play an important role in the project, to secure a broad range of perspectives throughout golf.

Beginning today, anyone interested in the topic can provide feedback by visiting randa.org/distanceinsights or usga.org/distanceinsights or by emailing either organisation directly.

Pete Jawl From The Victoria Golf Club Won Two Of His Three Matches At Seattle Golf Club As B.C. Finished Second In The 13th Annual PNGA Cup - Image Credit PNGA

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

SHORELINE, Wash. -- As a PNGA Cup rookie, Pete Jawl acknowledged battling some butterflies as he walked the first few fairways of historic Seattle Golf Club. Then Jawl remembered he had more than a solid golf game to rely on. He also had an experienced player and good friend by his side in partner Craig Doell. 

To say Doell is a PNGA Cup veteran would be an understatement. While Jawl was playing in his first PNGA Cup, a Ryder Cup-style competition featuring top players from the British Columbia, Washington, Idaho and Oregon golf associations, Doell was playing in his 12th. Doell has missed only one PNGA Cup since the annual competition began in 2006.

Former B.C. Amateur Champion Jared du Toit Is Competing On The PGA Tour - LatinoAmerica Circuit - Image Courtesy British Columbia Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Playing the PGA Tour LatinoAmerica circuit has been part golf, part adventure for Jared du Toit. The former B.C. Amateur champion from Kimberley acknowledges he hasn’t yet played as well as he’d like, but repeatedly uses the same four-letter word to describe his experiences through the first four events: cool.

“The travel days can be pretty long, but a lot of places we get to go are really cool,” du Toit says in a telephone interview from Montego Bay, the site of this week’s BMW Jamaica Classic. “I probably wouldn’t have the opportunity or desire to go to a lot of these places if I wasn’t playing golf. So it is very cool to just have the opportunity to check out these places and see some new parts of the world. It has definitely been very cool.”

Federal Way, Wash. – The 2018 Pacific Northwest Golf Association’s (PNGA) championship season kicks off this week as 48 of the top amateur golfers in the region prepare to square off in the 13th PNGA Cup, to be held May 3-4 at Seattle Golf Club.

The PNGA Cup was created in 2006 by past PNGA President Dr. Jack Lamey as a way of continuing the friendship and partnership of the region’s allied associations under the PNGA umbrella – British Columbia Golf, Idaho Golf Association, Oregon Golf Association and Washington State Golf Association.

SFU Clan Men's Golf Team, The 2018 GNAC Champions Are Headed To The NCAA Super Regional Tournament - Image Courtesy SFU Athletics

INDIANAPOLIS – For the fourth time in five years the Simon Fraser University men's golf team has been selected to compete in the NCAA Super Regional.

Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion Simon Fraser will be the No. 6 seed from the West Region at the 2018 NCAA Division II Men's Golf West/South Central Regional, which will be held May 7-9 in Amarillo, Texas. The Clan also participated in the Super Regional in 2016, 2015 and 2014.

The tournament will be held at the Tascosa Golf Club and will feature 20 teams and eight individuals. A total of 10 teams and four individuals comprise each region. Chico State represents the West Region as the No. 1 seed while UC Colorado Springs is the top seed in the South Central Region.

2017 B.C. Amateur Winner Jake DuVall Of Victoria Will Be Trying His Hand At The Crown Isle Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Q-School This Week - Images Courtesy Golf Canada/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Class will be in session once again at Crown Isle Golf Resort in Courtenay, where the last of five Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada spring qualifying schools is being held May 1-4.

It’s the last chance for players to earn a ticket to this year’s 13-stop Mackenzie Tour, which begins its season May 31-June 3 with the Freedom 55 Financial Open at Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver. Victoria’s Jake DuVall, last year’s B.C. Amateur champion, and 2014 B.C. Amateur runner-up Mike Belle of Burnaby are among the field of 132 players who will compete in the 72-hole competition at Crown Isle.

All Images Courtesy African American Golfer's Digest

As We Move Closer To International Women’s Day, Here's A Great Example Of A Group Demonstrating How To Get More Women And Diversity Into The Game - (British Columbia Golf)

By James R. Beatty  (African American Golfer's Digest - reprinted with permission)

If you are even thinking about taking up the game of golf— and have found reason after reason to keep putting it off— then, you must read this story.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Many have either delayed or totally put off the one decision which can and will change your life. Read here about Clemmie Perry, founder and CEO of Women Of Color Golf (WOCG) and how she has helped to impact the lives of women in Tampa, Florida, forever by introducing them to all of the benefits that come with participating and enjoying the game.

Pay particular attention to the reflections of one of these women, who put it in perspective in her own words.

For many of us trying to squeeze in the last few rounds of the season, or for those planning on heading south during the winter, it’s important to note the “active season” in the region, province or country you’re playing in.

Golf Canada’s Handicap System stipulates every player is responsible for returning all acceptable scores into one’s scoring record from rounds played on courses observing their active season, which is part of the golf season when courses have acceptable playing conditions.

Canada's Brooke Henderson Picked Up LPGA Career Win Number 6 In Hawaii Over The Weekend - Image Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/British Columbia Golf

Courtesy Golf Canada

KAPOLEI, Hawaii – For the final two days of the Lotte Championship, it was pretty clear that the only player who could beat Brooke Henderson was Brooke Henderson.

She wasn’t about to let it happen Saturday at windy Ko Olina Golf Club, where she won by four shots. The Smiths Falls, Ont., native was too talented, and she had some very important people to play for, dedicating her victory to the people involved in the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team bus crash in Saskatchewan.

The Team Canada Development Squad Used A Late Push To Tie Mexico For Top Spot In The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup Qualifier Held At Bear Mountain Resort In Victoria - Image Credit Golf Canada

Courtesy Golf Canada

VICTORIA, B.C. – Team Canada’s Development Squad boys and girls teams both finished atop the leaderboards in Thursday’s qualifying event at Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa to secure a spot to play in the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup.

In the boys division, Canada traded shots with Mexico through the 54-hole event but found themselves trailing heading into the final stretch. A late push by the four-man Canadian squad saw the contingent force a tie for the lead after going 5 under collectively on the final three holes. The two teams netted out tied at 23 over par, each grabbing one of two qualifying spots available on the boys side.

The Vancouver Parks Board trio of golf courses have announced their plans to take part in the upcoming International Women's Golf Day on Tuesday, June 5th, 2018.

Check out the information links below to see how you can join in on this important day of golf and camaraderie. 

WOMEN'S GOLF DAY

Join us June 5th to celebrate Women's Golf Day at Fraserview Golf Course with an evening of golf tips, great food and of course, some retail therapy at special rates. This is an event you don't want to miss!

All are welcome to participate. Registration opens at 5:30pm. Light snacks available upon arrival. Clinics start at 6:00pm. Limited Spaces Available.

Sign up at Fraserview , McCleery or Langara Golf Shops or call 604-257-6923 or contact golfspecialevents@vancouver.ca today!

Get more Women's Golf Day information.

BC's Trevor Yu Had A Solid Month For His Oregon State University Beavers Leading To An Athlete Of The Month Recognition - Image Courtesy OSU Athletics

Courtesy OSU Communications

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University Athletics is proud to announce Trevor Yu and Nicole Schroeder have been named April Scholar-Athletes of the Month.

Yu, a junior from Vancouver, B.C., has played in all nine tournaments this season and has a scoring average of 74.19. His best finish was 26th place at the Desert Mountain Collegiate and his best score was a 3-under 68 in the first round at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational.

Both Men & Women Can Benefit From Incorporating A Game Of Golf Into Their Business Dealings - Image Courtesy pixabay.com

By John Gordon/Courtesy Golf Canada

If you’re a golfer who has been in the business world for any length of time, then the gist of this blog will be much like, as the old saying goes, preaching to the choir.

You understand the inestimable value of being able to spend a few relatively uninterrupted hours in a scenic setting with valued clients, co-workers or colleagues. For the most part, it’s less about golf than it is about building relationships.

But if you’re new to golf or the business world or both, then it’s well worth your time to read on.

Victoria's Nolan Thoroughgood Will Be Playing In His Own Backyard As He Represents Canada In The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup Qualifier At Bear Mountain Resort This Week - Image Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/British Columbia Golf

Courtesy Golf Canada

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup Qualifier makes its return to Canadian soil on Tuesday, with four nations competing for a spot in both the Boys and Girls divisions at Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa, Team Canada’s National Training Centre.

The 54-hole stroke play tournament is comprised of teams from host nation Canada, Mexico, Guatemala and Puerto Rico. The Boys division consists of four athletes per team, each submitting a cumulative total from the three lowest scores per round (omitting the highest score). The two lowest team scores after Thursday’s final round will qualify for the 2018 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup.

One Of The Great 'Fun' Traditions Of The Masters Is When The Players Take A Crack At Skipping The Ball Across The Water That Fronts The 16th Hole. Many Actually Put It Very Close - Image Credit Jeff Sutherland

Inside Golf Publisher Jeff Sutherland captured the unique sights at Augusta National in an entrancing pictorial from this year's 'Monday at the Masters'.

Experience the 'Heaven on Earth' piece of property that is the Augusta National Golf Club as it prepares to host the 82nd edition of golf's first major of the year, the Masters. 

Enjoy.

Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley Made An Historical Announcement Today Regarding The Establishment Of The Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship - Image Courtesy Twitter

Via Masters.com 

AUGUSTA, GA (April 4, 2018) - Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, announced today the establishment of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, which will be held annually the week prior to the Masters and will culminate with the final round taking place at Augusta National.

“Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts left behind a legacy of always trying to contribute meaningfully to the game of golf,” Ridley said. “The Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship embodies that principle, and we believe this event will have a significant and lasting impact on the future of the women’s game. Our hope and expectation is that this event will further energize those who already love the sport and inspire others through the dream of competing at Augusta National.”

The 54-hole, stroke play tournament will feature an international field of 72 players. Invitees will be determined by awarding winners of other recognized championships and using the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking.

CLICK HERE to read full story. 

The 2018 PNGA Cup is being held this year from May 2-4, 2018 at the Seattle Golf Clubin Shoreline, WA.

This Ryder-Cup style championship features some of the most notable amateur golfers in the Pacific Northwest region with 12-member teams representing the regional golf associations that makeup the Pacific Northwest Golf Association, which includes British Columbia Golf, Idaho Golf Association, Oregon Golf Association, and Washington State Golf Association.