TOP STORIES 26 Taylor Puts Family First As He Plots Return To PGA TOUR
12. Three British Columbia Chapters Join The LPGA Amateur Golf Association
16. Women's Virtual Golf Day Held June 3rd - Looking Ahead To Sept. 1st
viaSport & BC Golf Issue Return To Sport Guidelines
22.
28
B.C. Private Clubs Seeing Tiger-Like Surge In Demand
44. COVID-19 Helps Create A New Back Nine At Pagoda Ridge
Cont ent s j une,2020 08
Inside This Issue
10
Image of the month
20
24
28
30
32
34
"CanucksJunior Golf Week Suspended Due To COVID-19
36
MackenzieTour ? PGA TOUR Canada Cancels2020 Season
38
Rules From The Garden: #AskGrant
Kimberley?sJared du Toit Intrigued By PGA TOUR?s Proposal For Late Summer Make-Up Events
40
GolfBC Group Announce Appointment Of Course Design Firm Lobb + Partners
MembershipCurrently Has No PrivilegesFor B.C. GolfersWho Belong To Clubs In Washington State
42
Video Humour: Ken Rogerson 'EveryoneYou Know Sucks At Golf'
46
Famed Predator Ridge Resort Now Fully Open To Public
48
Parting shot
ViaSport Issues 'Return To Sport' Guidelines MackenzieTour Cancellation Puts DreamsOf Allenby And Wheeldon On Hold For Another Year Matthew Steinbach Named Div. II West Region Coach Of The Year
>
British Columbia Golf
Staff
#116-7198 Vantage Way, Delta, BC V4G 1K7 Telephone: 604.279.2580 Toll Free: 1.888.833.2242
Kris Jonasson, Executive Director kris@britishcolumbiagolf.org (x204)
Web: britishcolumbiagolf.org Facebook:/BritishColumbiaGolf Twitter: /BC_golfer
Click Here To View the 2020 British Columbia Golf Staff
Corrie Wong, Manager, Membership corrie@britishcolumbiagolf.org (x202)
Kwadwo Frempong, Manager of Network Services Doug Hastie, Senior Manager of Field Op support@britishcolumbiagolf.org (x205) doug@britishcolumbiagolf.org (x203) Bryan Outram, Communications Manager, Website Debbie Pyne, Managing Dir. of Player editor bryan@britishcolumbiagolf.org (x207) Development debbie@britishcolumbiagolf.org (x206) Tyler McKay, Manager, Golf Participation Andy Fung, Dir. of Finance and Admin tyler@britishcolumbiagolf.org (x208) andy@britishcolumbiagolf.org (x201)
Partner Publisher Inside Golf Inc. TF: 800.764.6537 - Web: insidegolf.ca
Jeff Sutherland Publisher publisher@insidegolf.ca
Sales Inquiries deb@igdesign.ca
FROM THE
EDITOR'S
DESK
BY BRYA N OUTRA M
BRYAN OUTRAM Edit or
INSIDE THIS ISSUE In this month's issue of The Scorecard,Brad Ziemer covers British Columbia Golf 's launch of 3 new provincial chapters of the LPGA Amateurs. The official kick-off celebrating BC Golf 's newest venture promoting opportunitiesfor women in golf was held via a 'webinar ' on June 17th and featured on the host panel, LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan, Canadian Sports Hall of Fame inductee Lorie Kane and a message from LPGA star Brooke Henderson.Find out more about the new chapters on Vancouver Island, in the Lower Mainland/FraserValley and the Okanagan/Kamloops/Shuswap region on page 12. Ziemer 's other stories include how BC's private courses have been experiencinga surge in membership interest during PG 8 | JUNE 2020
Covid-19 on page 22, what the closed border has meant to BC residents who are members of golf clubs across the line in the U.S. (page 40) and what the PGA TOUR's revamped schedule may mean for players like Kimberley's Jared du Toit (page 20). Of interest also are viaSport and BC Golf 's 'Return To Sport' guidelines on page 28. Meanwhile,discover why Abbotsford'sNick Taylor decided to spend a little more time with his family while waiting to see how the return to play on the PGA TOUR starts out on page 26. We also have a couple of videos including 'Rules From The Garden' (page 38) and comedian Ken Rogerson'stake on why 'Everyone You Know Sucks At Golf ' on page 42.?
t he
t op IMAGE CREDIT: BRAD ZIEMER/ BC GOLF
image
Teaching At Arm's Lengt h Covid-19 has had dramat ic affect s in many areas including how golf lessons are conduct ed. Here, PGA Professional Phil Jonas Uses a t able t o maint ain physical dist ance from a st udent at Hazelmere GC. The t ables are set up all down t he range for t hat purpose. PG 10 | JUNE 2020
news about
Gr owing t hegame BY BRA D ZIEM ER, BRITISH COLUM BIA GOLF
Th r ee Br it ish Colu m bia Ch apt er s Join Th e LPGA Am at eu r Golf Associat ion
Commissioner Michael Whan likes to refer to the LPGA Tour as family, one that has grown with the addition of three British Columbia chapters to the LPGA Amateur Golf Association. Whan was part of a recent conference call welcoming British Columbia to the PG 12 | JUNE 2020
association, an organization that aims to connect women who play the game. ?Whether you play the game professionally, whether you teach it, whether you are helping young girls learn it, or whether you just play with your friends on a nine and dine, we all want to be
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
LPGA Com m ission er M ich ael Wh an - im age cou r t esy LPGA
engaged in this together,? Whan said. ?The people who sponsor the LPGA want to know you. I can tell you that because when I am out signing up a deal for TV at a tournament, almost always in that conversation they say how do we reach out to women who play the game all over the world and we realized we weren?t answering that. ?That is what the LPGA Amateur Golf Association is all about. The LPGA Amateur for us is a chance to all get connected, whether we are playing a golf tournament, whether we?re watching a Solheim Cup, a U.S. Open, a CP Women?s Open, that we feel a part of that.? PG 13 | JUNE 2020
British Columbia Golf has partnered with the LPGA Tour to form three British Columbia chapters of the LPGA Amateur Golf Association. One chapter is located on Vancouver Island, one in the Lower Mainland-Fraser Valley and the other in the Interior, serving members in places like Kamloops, Kelowna and Osoyoos. Click HERE t o see pricing & discount codes t o join. Click HERE t o see t he virt ual launch online & join up. Kris Jonasson, chief executive officer of British Columbia Golf, said the goal is all about encouraging more women to play the game. ?We partnered up with the LPGA because it is a great organization,?Jonasson said. ?We are just so excited to have them in British Columbia. ?We?re looking at the opportunity to grow women?s golf in British Columbia. At the end of the day, that is what we want, more women enjoying CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
the game, enjoying all of the beautiful golf courses that we have in British Columbia.? The LPGA Amateur Golf Association is open to players of all skill levels. Jonasson said his wife, Esther, was one of the first to sign up in the province. ?As soon as we signed the documents, we signed her up,? Jonasson said. ?She?s a recreational player. We like to go out and play nine holes, we like to go out and play with our granddaughter.? On its website, lpgaamateurs.com, the LPGA Amateur Golf Association describes its goals this way: ?Our mission is to provide a welcoming golf community for women. The LPGA Amateur Golf Association transcends geographic boundaries. With Chapters in over 110 cities (and growing) in the U.S. and internationally, we bring together and connect women who share a passion for golf. The LPGA Amateur Golf PG14 | JUNE 2020
Lor ie Kan e Is A 4-Tim e Win n er On Th e LPGA Tou r im age cr edit Ju r gen Kam in sk i/ JKam ph ot os/ BC Golf
Association hosts thousands of golf, social and networking events annually as well as providing members with the opportunity to participate in major association championships and events.? The association is active in four countries, the United States, Bermuda, Canada and the Dominican Republic. Quebec native Mary-Lee Cobik, a former top amateur and professional player in Canada, is now active in the association as vice president of the LPGA Foundation. She encouraged British Columbia Click to Read the Full Story
news f r om
IMAGES COURTESY: W GD
women's gol f
day BY BRITISH COLUM BIA GOLF
W omen's Virt ual Golf Day Held June 3rd - Looking Ahead To Sept . 1st Women's Golf Day, with events around the globe is now planned for September 1st. Due to concerns with the Covid-19 pandemic, WGD offered instead a virtual golf day gathering. The planned 'Virtual Celebration' while delayed one day, went ahead on June 3rd. Participants from around the world of golf joined in JUNE 3rd in honouring the people that work with WGD in the 50+ countries where Women?s PG 16 | JUNE 2020
Golf Day takes place and they posted and shared content with WGD as they united to Support, Engage and Empower women and men around the world. #wgdUNITES This engaging virtual experience was hosted on the W GD websit e and included ways to engage through social media, videos, content and an online charity auction. Click to Read the Full Story
t eaching
IMAGE COURTESY SHAYAIN GUSTAVSP
so cl ose, y et ...
so far BY SHAYA IN GUSTAV SP/ BRITISH COLUM BIA GOLF
BC Golf 's 'Coach Sh ayain' Host s Social Dist an cin g Wom en's Golf Day Clin ic At this year's Annual General Meeting, British Columbia Golf welcomed 3 new directors onto their Board. One of those new directors is Shayain Gustavsp, who also happens to be an accredited LPGA Teaching Professional. In honor of Women's Golf Day, on Tuesday, June 2nd 2020, Coach Shayain hosted a PG 18 | JUNE 2020
Women's Golf Clinic in Richmond. She knew this clinic was going to be different than those she'd held in the past. Due to Covid-19 she would have to adhere to social distancing guidelines and yet still create an intimate environment for her students. Click to Read the Full Story
j ust seeing
IMAGE COURTESY BRYAN OUTRAM/ BC GOLF
what 's out
t her e BY BRA D ZIEM ER, BRITISH COLUM BIA GOLF
Kim ber ley ?s Jar ed du Toit In t r igu ed By PGA TOUR?s Pr oposal For Lat e Su m m er M ake-Up Even t s This year was supposed to be a golfing adventure of sorts for Jared du Toit, the former B.C. Junior Boys champion who has exempt status on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica circuit. But instead of visiting and playing in exotic locales like Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and PG 20 | JUNE 2020
the Dominican Republic, du Toit has been playing all of his golf in the East Kootenays near his Kimberley home. He returned home from his winter base in Arizona in late March and has tried to keep his game in shape, which wasn?t easy at first with snow still on the ground. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
?I was hitting indoors,?du Toit says over the phone. ?I have this old net from when I was in junior golf and set it back up and went in for an hour a day just to try and stay sharp and work on things. That passed the time for a bit and as soon as the courses opened up I have been playing a ton. ?I played St. Eugene today, I have played Wildstone, Trickle Creek, Copper Point and Cranbrook Golf Club.?He?s enjoyed all of those rounds and says his game is in good shape. But like so many young professionals, du Toit is craving competition these days. ?The game feels pretty good. I just want to get out there and compete and put it to the test a bit.? After winning one of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica qualifying schools in January, only one official event was played in March before everything was put on hold because of COVID-19. The pandemic has PG 21 | JUNE 2020
hit South America particularly hard, so there seems little chance that any of the schedule will be played. The entire 2020 Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada circuit has already been cancelled. ?It?s been weird,?du Toit says. ?You play well in Q-School and you have all this built-up excitement to get the year going. You play one event and they say, we?ll see you guys maybe in a couple of months or maybe in a year.? Du Toit was intrigued by an email he received this week from the PGA TOUR hinting at the possibility of a series of makeup events later this summer for players who lost starts due to COVID-19.
CLI CK HERE TO
READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE
news f r om
IMAGES COURTESY: FACILITIES
BC's booming
gol f cl ubs BY BRA D ZIEM ER, BRITISH COLUM BIA GOLF
B.C. Pr ivat e Clu bs Seein g Tiger -Like Su r ge In Dem an d
Mark Strong has never seen anything quite like it. Well, actually he has, but it was a long time ago. Strong, the general manager of Richmond Country Club, says the current COVID-19 pandemic has helped create a demand for golf that is beginning to rival the days when a certain player began to dominate the professional PG 22 | JUNE 2020
game in the late 1990s. ?I honestly think right now it is one of the biggest shots in the arm for golf since the Tiger boom,?Strong says. Richmond CC is just one of many British Columbia private clubs that have experienced a surge in membership inquiries this spring. For Strong, it happened all of a sudden in mid-April and demand CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
private club to invoke the Tiger comparison. ?It is a little like the Tiger-boom,?says Vancouver Golf Club general manager Richard Creally.
Rich m on d Cou n t r y Clu b M an ager M ar k St r on g-im age cou r t esy Facebook
remains strong as summer approaches.
?People are recognizing that in a world that is becoming a little bit more social distant that your golf can provide that safe area where you can have that human connection, where you can have that social aspect that we all crave.?
Vancouver Golf Club already ?It was like a switch flipped,? has a long waiting list for Strong says. ?Our inquiries just memberships, but Creally has started buzzing at that time been receiving plenty of and we?ve actually been very inquiries since mid-April. ?We busy since that period. have had a ton of inquiries, ?A bunch of our social members Creally says. have upgraded to full golf ?That is in spite of the fact we memberships and we have had have a five-year wait-list. I have families who have said, we are 109 active prospects right now. not going to go on a family . .I think Dr. Bonnie Henry?s vacation this year so let?s daily advertisement for golf upgrade everyone in the family has helped. ?Go outside and get and we?re all going to go exercise in small groups.?That?s golfing. . .I would call it a boom.? pretty much a foursome.? Strong was not the only general manager of a B.C. PG 23 | JUNE 2020
Click to Read the Full Story
xxxxxx
IMAGES COURTESY: VIASPORT
xxxxx
xxxx V IA V IA SPORT
Premier Canadian Multi Golf Operator And Owner GolfBC Group Appoint LOBB + PARTNERS. (From Left) Brett Finlayson, Andy Hedley, Alex Hay, And Oliver Tubb At GolfBC Group HQ In Vancouver. GolfBC Group, Western Canada?s largest golf course owner and operator and one of Canada?s foremost golf, resort and residential management company is pleased to announce the PG 24 | JUNE 2020
appointment of the Canadian and British based golf course architectural firm, Lobb + Partners. In the first instance Lobb + Partners will review the architectural nature of GolfBC?s seven golf courses in British Columbia. The company will review each of these properties and identify opportunities that will allow for improved on-course playability and strategy, enhanced sustainability CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
initiatives and to maximize the aesthetic value for players while respecting the original integrity of the course architects. ?Our Director of Grounds Maintenance, Brett Finlayson and I undertook a comprehensive interview process to carefully appoint the correct design partner for our group. It was imperative the selected design firm had a thorough understanding of multi course ownership dynamics while delivering design solutions that enhance the playing experiences for our customers. We greatly look forward to working with Tim Lobb, Alex Hay and Oliver Tubb from their British Columbia base?said Andy Hedley, VP of Golf Operations, GolfBC Group.Tim Lobb, Founder and Principal of Lobb + Partners added, ?It is always a thrill to work with clients who seek to make their golf facilities player PG 25 | JUNE 2020
friendly, sustainable, adaptable to an evolving market and maintenance friendly. We greatly look forward to collaborating with GolfBC to implement intelligent design solutions to their exceptional venues.? ?Part of our vision for establishing a presence in Canada is to work with like-minded clients who value the importance of their golf courses and the positive impact of well-considered design solutions. We are excited to join the Canadian golf community and look forward to assisting owners and operators for many years to come?. The work with GolfBC is scheduled to commence later in 2020 with further review in 2021.
Click to Read the Full Story
a t ay l or made
IMAGE COURTESY @NTAYLORGOLF59/ TW ITTER
family
af fair BY BRA D ZIEM ER, BRITISH COLUM BIA GOLF
Taylor Put s Family First As He Plot s Ret urn To PGA TOUR Taylor is not in the field for this week?s Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Tex., as the PGA TOUR resumes play after a three-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Abbotsford native won?t be playing the following two weeks, either, at the RBC Heritage and Travelers Championship. PG 26 | JUNE 2020
Taylor instead plans to return for the first of two events at Muirfield Village in Columbus, Ohio in early July.
CLI CK HERE TO
READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE
news
IMAGES COURTESY: VIASPORT
get t ing back in
t he game V IA V IA SPORT
viaSport & BC Golf Issue Ret urn To Sport Guidelines viaSport is pleased to release the Ret urn t o Sport Guidelines. As part of this plan, BC Golf also has prepared a golf-specific return-to-play set of guidelines. We are all eager for sport to return to B.C. and bring our PG 28 | JUNE 2020
communities together. These guidelines will help sport organizations across British Columbia develop their own plans for a safe return to sport. In an effort to support individuals and organizations in the sport community, we CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
have created a hub of resources and information at our Ret urn t o Sport page. This includes: - The Return to Sport Guidelines for B.C. - A list of FAQs - A Sport Activity Chart - outlines the types of activities that can be considered as we transition through the various return phases - Sport-specific plans as they become available Click HERE for BC Golf return-to-play guidelines - Partner guidelines for reference, like the BC Recreation and Parks Association's Guideline - Additional resources for developing a return to sport plan
PG 29 | JUNE 2020
viaSport hosted a webinar to answer questions on returning to sport with municipal and recreation leaders, local sport organizations, facility operators, community stakeholders and interested parents on Thursday, June 4th. From all of us at viaSport, we hope you are all keeping safe and healthy.
it 's a j our ney
bel iev in' BY BRA D ZIEM ER, BRITISH COLUM BIA GOLF
M ackenzie Tour Cancellat ion Put s Dreams Of Allenby And W heeldon On Hold For Anot her Year Their professional golf dreams are on hold for another year. Langley?sAllenby and Comox native Wheeldon both had exempt status for this year?s MackenzieTour, which was officially cancelled on Friday. ?It?s disappointingto me because at this point in my career I was looking forward to the year and had high hopes for moving up and not looking back,?Wheeldon,a former B.C. Junior Boys champion,said over the PG 30 | JUNE 2020
phone from his Arizona residence.?But everyone is kind of in the same boat. Everyone has got to re-assesstheir goals and push them back by about a year now.?
CLI CK HERE TO
READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE
IMAGES CREDIT BC GOLF/GOLF CANADA (CHUCK RUSSELL)
don't st op
Thev iew f r om
IMAGE COURTESY IMAGE CREDIT BRYAN OUTRAM/ BC GOLF
on t op of bur naby
mount ain COURTESY JACOB HA LL/ SFU SPORT INFORM ATION M A NAGER
M at t h ew St ein bach Nam ed Div. II West Region Coach Of Th e Year
In his fourth year as head coach of the Simon Fraser golf porgram, Matthew Steinbach was named the Golf Coach PG 32 | JUNE 2020
Association of America, NCAA Division II, west region coach of the year. This is yet another accolade CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
for Steinbach as he was also named GNAC coach of the year for both the men's and women's team. It was quite the year for Steinbach and the program as they had many program firsts. The women's team had five All-GNAC 1st team selections (GNAC record), with both player of the year and freshman of the year winners on the roster. The men's team had three All-GNAC 1st team and a 2nd Team selection. Emily Leung also became the first member of Simon Fraser golf to be named to 1st team NCAA Division II All-American roster. The men's team set program records for lowest scores over 18 holes, 36 holes, and 54 holes. They also earned two tournament wins and finished top four in five out of six events. They ended the shortened season as the number one ranked team in the west region and the number 18 in NCAA DII. PG 33 | JUNE 2020
Meanwhile, the womens' team set (and re-set) program records for lowest scores over 18 holes and 36 holes. They also earned two tournament wins and finished top 3 in five of six events. They ended the season as the number four ranked team in the west region and the number 18 in NCAA DII and was named SFU President's Team of the Year Simon Fraser also hosted the first NCAA golf tournament held in Canada, in which SFU won. "I am honored to be recognized as the NCAA Division II, West Region Coach of the Year especially knowing that my fellow NCAA Golf Coaches voted me in. Reflecting on why
CLI CK HERE TO
READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE
xxxxxx
IMAGES COURTESY: VIASPORT
xxxxx
xxxx V IA V IA SPORT
The PGA of BC has made the difficult decision to suspend Canucks Junior Golf Week for 2020 given the challenging circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the health and safety of the program?s youth participants, their families and our PGA of BC instructors is our top priority, it has become apparent that the program could not be conducted this year in the same manner that has provided tremendous golf PG 34 | JUNE 2020
experiences for thousands of girls and boys since the program?s 2014 inception. A variety of factors, including restrictions on the size of allowable gatherings, significant use of shared equipment between participants and physical distancing requirements, contributed to this decision. The PGA of BC would like to thank the Vancouver Canucks, BC Hockey, longtime Presenting Sponsor Odlum CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Brown Limited and Contributing Partners Srixon and Kal Tire for their tremendous support of the program, including in arriving at this decision. We intend to work together with our partners to resume Canucks Junior Golf Week in 2021. Although the program will not go forward this summer, the PGA of BC would like to emphasize that golf remains a safe activity for you and your family to participate in during these unprecedented times. All PGA of BC facilities are operating under strict guidelines safeguarding all visitors and staff, and are adhering to the recommendations set forth by provincial and regional health authorities. We recommend contacting your local golf facility or consulting their website prior to arrival to be aware of precautions and procedures in place to protect patrons. PG 35 | JUNE 2020
As well, many of our Professionals will continue to offer lessons and instruction packages at their facilities. Although some locations may currently be operating with adjusted programming or one-on-one instruction only, enrolling your son or daughter in lessons with a PGA of BC Professional is a great way for them to take the next step and build upon the skills they?ve learned through their Canucks Junior Golf Week camp. Please feel free to contact your local PGA of BC facility or our administration office for more information. We are disappointed that we won?t have the opportunity to welcome your child to another Canucks Junior Golf Week camp this summer, but we thank you for your understanding and look forward to having your son or daughter participate once more in 2021.
news f r om
IMAGE COURTESY MACKENZIE TOUR/GOLF CANADA
TheMackenzie
Tour V IA PRESS RELEA SE
M ackenzie Tour ? PGA TOUR Canada Cancels 2020 Season Due to border restrictions, mandatoryquarantinesfor thoseenteringCanadaand gatheringrestrictionsin all provincesbecauseof COVID-19,the MackenzieTour ? PGA TOURCanada announcedFriday that it is cancelingits 2020 season. ?With growinguncertainty surroundingthe border and the 14-day quarantineregulations, amongother factors,we?ve weighedall of our optionsand concludedthat it is not feasible to play this summer,?said MackenzieTour Executive Director Scott Pritchard. ?With the safety of the communitieswe play in mind,as PG 36 | JUNE 2020
well as the well-beingof our players,sponsors, tournament-organizing committees,volunteersand golf coursestaff,we came to the realizationthat this is the best decisionfor everyoneinvolved. ?We also wantedto be considerateof our playersand their desiresto play golf,? Pritchardadded. ?Understandingthe complexitiesthat this pandemic has caused,we knew it wasn?t fair to leave our membersin positionsthat might prevent them from pursuingother playingopportunitieselsewhere while waitingto see what transpiredin Canada.? CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
The 2020 season was set to be the MackenzieTour?seighth, with 13 scheduled tournaments? themost in the Tour?shistory.
2020 QualifyingTournaments will retain statusfor the 2021 season,and thoseQualifying Tournamententrantsyet to competewill be guaranteed ?We had built a lot of momentum spotsat a 2021 qualifyingsite. cominginto this season,and we About the MackenzieTour-PGA were excitedto continuemaking TOURCanada a positiveimpact in the The MackenzieTour - PGA communitieswherewe play, TOURCanadais a seriesof while also providing tournamentsplayed across opportunitiesfor our playersto Canadaand the United States progressto the PGA TOUR,? each summer,wheretomorrow?s continuedPritchard.?Our starsbegin the path to the PGA commitmentto our tournaments TOUR.The leading10 and their local communities,as point-earnersat the end of each well as our players,is season earn statuson the Korn unwavering,and we?re goingto Ferry Tour for the followingyear. use this time to come back The Tour?salumni include41 stronger in 2021.? PGA TOURplayersand 232 The Tour has alreadysent MackenzieTour members informationregardingeligibility for the 2021 season.Statusfor prior memberswill be based on Order of Merit resultsfrom the 2019 season,with the top-60 playersexempt. Meanwhile,playerswho earned statusat the three-completed PG 37 | JUNE 2020
Korn Ferry Tour playerssince 2013.The Mackenzie?sTour missionis to providea high-qualityplatformto produce alumni that moveto the next level and eventuallythe PGA TOUR,while makinga positive impact in the communities wheretournamentsare played.
f r om
t he
f r inge V IA YOUTUBE
Rules From The Garden: #AskGrant
In a special episode hosted by George Harper Jr., Grant Moir from The R&A Rules Team answers viewer questions and gives behind the scenes insight on refereeing at some of the biggest golf tournaments across the world including The Open Championship. The really interesting part is how Moir found a way to demonstrate and film the rules examples in his backyard. Hence the name, 'Rules from the Garden' PG 38 | JUNE 2020
when you
IMAGE COURTESY FACILITY & YOUTUBE
can't get t her e
f r omher e BY BRA D ZIEM ER, BRITISH COLUM BIA GOLF
M embership Current ly Has No Privileges For B.C. Golfers W ho Belong To Clubs In Washingt on St at e Tom Larscheid is missing the camaraderie as much as the golf at his home club. The popular former Vancouver Canucks colour commentator and his wife Leslie haven?t been able to visit Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club in Blaine, Wash., since the Canada-U.S. border closed to non-essential travel in March. PG 40 | JUNE 2020
?There?s no question we miss the many friends that we have made down there through the years,?says Larscheid, a member of the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame. ?We have been members since 2004 so that is a long time.? Larscheid, now 80, remains an avid golfer and continues to play well. ?Well, I am not CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
swinging it as well as I have, but I have shot my age a few times,? Larscheid says. ?I had two or three very good rounds in the 70s this past winter down in Palm Springs, but most of the time I?m in the 80s. But what the heck. ?I have moved up on my tees, I play the white-gold combos, that is plenty long enough for me now. You still have to get that little white ball in the hole.? Semiahmoo has become a second home of sorts to the Larscheids, who after a two-month break from golf played a recent round at Mayfair Lakes in Richmond. ?I play regularly with a group of 12 guys down there and I am the only Canadian,?Larscheid says. There are, however, many other British Columbians who are members at Semiahmoo. General manager Brett Eaton says Canadians make up 50 per cent of the membership at PG 41 | JUNE 2020
the Arnold Palmer-designed layout. ?With not having half the membership here, obviously we have a lot of people here who are really looking forward to when their friends can get together and have that cold beverage after that round of golf together,? Eaton says. Bellingham Country Club Image Courtesy Facility Eaton is obviously hoping the border re-opens soon. ?I know they are saying possibly June 21st and you can only hope for that,?he says. ?Each month you push back events. We are not going to do a club event unless everybody has access. So right now we have cancelled the member-member and the
CLI CK HERE TO
READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE
f r om
t he
f r inge V IA YOUTUBE
Video Humour: Ken Rogerson 'Everyone You Know Sucks At Golf'
One element that is basically a necessity for the vast majority of recreational golfers, is that you have to have a sense of humour. Golf is not only not fair, it provides countless opportunities for comedians, both professional and wannabes, to laugh at the situations and reactions we all witness and take part in over time on the golf course. Professional comedian Ken Rogerson has a very funny take on the game and why 'we all suck at it'. PG 42 | JUNE 2020
t aking
IMAGE COURTESY FACILITY
a dif f er ent
r out e BY BRA D ZIEM ER, BRITISH COLUM BIA GOLF
COVID-19 Helps Creat e A New Back Nine At Pagoda Ridge The COVID-19pandemichas forced all golf coursesto make significant changesin their operationsin order to adhereto social distancingprotocols,but none have made a bigger adjustmentthan PagodaRidge in Langley.
transport walkingfoursomeson a long,windingpath over a ravinebetweenthe 10th and 11th holes.
With new social distancing protocols,that shuttlecould no longer be used.Playerseither had to rent their own cartsor Pagodahas changedthe entire make the uphill journeyon foot. rotationof its back nine. Thosethat chosethe latter Anyonewho has played Pagoda option were definitelyhuffing Ridgeknowsabout the long trek and puffingby the time they reachedthe 11th tee. ?It was a betweenwhat used to be the dilemma,?saysgeneral manager 10th green and 11th tee. Since openingin 2012,a shuttlewould Larry Brown,whosefamily owns the golf course. PG 44 | JUNE 2020
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
?We couldn?t do the shuttleand it?s a pretty good hike through there.A lot of younger folkscan do it and I have done it, but I am sure not hittinga ball right away when I get to the top. We had quite a few issuesover the years of cartsgettingout of control,so we thought it was a good time to changeit.?
the new rotation.
The rest of the back nine is as follows:The former par 3 12th hole is now No. 11; the old No. 13 is the new No. 12; the old No. 11 is the new 13th hole; the holesformerly15 through18 are now 14 through17. The coursehad to construct some new pathsto move golfersmore smoothlyand has lots of new signsup to remind clienteleof
New scorecards,with a course map on the back,have been printed.Courseyardage,slope and ratinghave not changed. Businessat Pagoda,like most everywhereelse,is brisk.?We closed down for two weeksat the height of the COVID and we reopenedApril 10,?Brown says.
?It has only been a few dayssince we have totally changedit over, but,touch wood,it seemsto be workingout pretty good,?Brown says.?Everyoneseemsto like it. We have had to train peopleto take the right route to get to the proper holes.When you finish nine,for example,we don?t want None of the actual holeshave them to walk in front of what been changedin any way,but the wasthe 18th green (now 17) to entireroutingof the back nine is get to the new No. 10. new.The old No. 10, a driveable ?The feedbackso far has been (for some)par 4, is now the new totally positiveand we?re 18th hole.The new 10th hole is wonderingwhy we didn?t do it the old No. 14, a long par 4 with before.It is workingout well.It?s the course?ssignatureGreat just a matter of gettingpeople Wall of Chinaon the left side. trainedto take the right way.?
PG 45 | JUNE 2020
Click HERE to see Pagoda Ridge memo on re- routing.
xxxxxx
IMAGES COURTESY: VIASPORT
xxxxx
xxxx V IA V IA SPORT
As the world slowly begins to open up again, in baby steps in many cases, golf courses and resorts have been leading the charge of getting back to normal. One of the most popular such destinations in the Okanagan Valley in B.C. is Predator Ridge, where they have now fully opened their doors, both for golfing and lodging, after a month of catering strictly to their members. In a write-up for Inside Golf, PG 46 | JUNE 2020
British Columbia Golf reporter Brad Zeimer quoted Predator?s head man as saying, ?We have really taken a cautious and gradual approach,?(to reopening) says general manager Rod Cochrane. ?We are part of a community as well as a resort so we have a responsibility to more than just the golfers and resort guests who are here on a given day. ?We are monitoring everything to make sure we CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
are doing the right thing. We are definitely not going to be aggressively advertising and realistically our expectation is going to be local. It is going to be staycations from Kelowna.?
live here. We need people to come here and understand this is a safe environment.?
As of June 1, the resort was offering golf to the general public, as well as rental Cochrane acknowledged that accommodations in the lodge could change if the province and the on-site cabins. While begins encouraging British those amenities are now in Columbians to travel within the play, the idea of staying close province. The Vancouver area to home and within your own is a key market for Predator province is still a top priority. Ridge as well as Calgary and However, now that anyone can Edmonton. ?We are going to be tee it up at this phenomenal doing that when it is the right 36-hole layout, let us give you time,?Cochrane said. ?In many the lay of the land on the two ways here at Predator Ridge courses, The Predator and The we like to think we are a leader Ridge. and in this particular case we The Predator course is the think the smartest course of older layout of the pair but it action is to be a bit of a still has plenty of bite. Host to follower. We want to make the Telus Skins Game in 2008, sure we are not seen as starring Mike Weir and Fred pushing it. Our primary goal Couples among others, you always is to be a desirable know you?re going to get your place for people to live. Right money?s worth on this track now, if we jammed our resort I although it has been softened don?t think that would make somewhat and changed a bit. anyone feel comfortable about Click to Read the Full Story living here or considering to PG 47 | JUNE 2020
shot
Home Grown Help BC's2-Time PGA TOUR winner, Nick Taylor, hasalwaysbeen one to give back to the game. While he preparesto head back out to the Tour, he'staken time to support Fraser Mulholland and the Vancouver Golf Tour (VGT). He recently played the Chilliwack Championshp, finishing 2nd at 12-under.
PG 48 | JUNE 2020
IMAGE CREDIT: MICHAEL W EST/ VGT
THE
par t ing
YOUR 2020
BRITISHCOLUMBIA GOLF STAFF Click On A Member's Photo To Email Them Directly
KRIS JONASSON
KWADWO FREMPONG
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
M ANAGER OF NETW ORK SERVICE (COURSE & SLOPE RATING)
DOUGHASTIE SENIOR M ANAGER OF FIELD OPERATIONS (RULES & COM PETITIONS)
BRYAN OUTRAM
DEBBIE PYNE
TYLER MCKAY
M ANAGING DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPM ENT
ANDY FUNG DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADM INISTRATION
CORRIEWONG M ANAGER OF M EM BERSHIP
M ANAGER COM M UNICATIONS/ W EBSITE EDITOR
M ANAGER, GOLF PARTICIPATION
ELIZABETH DUNN PROGRAM ASSISTANT, PERFORM ANCE
> Click Here To View the 2019
British Columbia Golf Staff
THIS IS THE
ENDOFTHE MAGAZINE Remaining Pages Are Cont inuat ions Of Art icles St art ed Previously In The Magazine.
CLICK H ERE TO
SEE THE TABLE OF CONTENTS
MATTHEW STEINBACH - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33
I feel particularly proud to receive this achievement, it dons on me that it serves as an acknowledgment of our entire team's hard work, dedication and attitude of continuous growth. In 2016 when I became Interim Golf Coach, it really felt like I had landed a dream job. Coach John Buchanan was a true friend and mentor, starting in 1999 when I myself was a high school senior exploring golf programs to attend across North America. His legacy allowed me to step into the program with a pre-established foundation and his vision and voice is still present in many ways today. Our sport is unique for College athletics. We train as a team of ten, hold internal qualifiers to select a team of five that travels to competitions, play individually during the tournament rounds, but then add our top four out of five individual scores to post a | JUNE 2020
team score. So, while golf is indeed an individual sport, it's ever more important for a Coach on course to adapt to the unique needs of all five players and ? at times it feels like you're a jockey in a race with five horses going at once! Having been involved in the golf industry for over 10 years in various roles, I recognize the importance of being an engaged member of the golf community. I hold membership in both the Golf Coach Association of America and the PGA of Canada. My involvement in the golf community helps me deeply appreciate the opportunity and privilege I have in representing Canada's only NCAA golf program. We have an exceptional team of Coaches and Administrators supporting us and I am optimistic as we move our vision and goals ahead fervently. I know that we are just getting started in our pursuit towards excellence" CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
ENDOF ARTICLE DOUBLECLICKHERETO
CONTINUE READINGMAGAZINE DOUBLECLICKHERETO
SEETABLEOF CONTENTS
MATTHEW STEINBACH - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21
Players were asked if they were interested and to select from a variety of possible locations for the events. Du Toit is intrigued by the idea but needs more information before he?d commit to playing. ?I filled out the survey and said I was interested,?du Toit says. ?There are so many question marks right now. I have talked to some guys who are pretty excited about it because there isn?t a ton of events to play in August, September and October and then I have talked to some other guys who kind of think it might be just a big mini-tour event. I lie somewhere in the middle. When they come out with more information and give out locations maybe that will be a little more exciting.? The email to eligible players on the Mackenzie Tour, PGA Tour Latinoamerica and the PGA China Tour circuits outlines a series of six events. Each event would be 54 holes, with a cut | JUNE 2020
after two rounds. Mackenzie Tour regular Riley Wheeldon of Comox, another former B.C. Junior Boys champion, says he is interested. ?I did get the email and I am definitely interested,?Wheeldon says. ?As of now there are not a whole lot of great options at that time of the year. I think some of the fine points need to be banged out and made official, but I think if the Tour supports any kind of mini-tour event in the U.S., guys are going to trust it and want to play. So as of now I am definitely intrigued.? James Allenby of Langley, who placed 17th on the Mackenzie Tour money list last year, says he would play the events given the right circumstances. ?I haven?t responded yet,? Allenby says. ?I think it would be nice to try and do something for their players. It would be something for me to seriously consider.?
ENDOF ARTICLE DOUBLECLICKHERETO
CONTINUE READINGMAGAZINE DOUBLECLICKHERETO
SEETABLEOF CONTENTS
NO PRIVILEGES - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41
member-guest. We are doing small things just for people who are here on the weekend, but it?s not a large club event. Sure we want that border to re-open. It benefits the entire operation.? The Larscheids have donated half of their annual dues to the club as a way of allowing it to keep staff working. Larscheid, who had surgery three years ago after a minor heart attack, completely understands why the border is closed. With a somewhat compromised immune system, he is taking COVID-19 very seriously and does not leave his Richmond condo without a mask on. But he?s definitely looking forward to the border re-opening and having the opportunity to reconnect with friends at the club. ?We have developed friendships and a big part of our social life is playing golf,?Larscheid says. ?We both love to play golf.? | JUNE 2020
Just down the I-5 freeway, Bellingham Country Club is home to 27 British Columbia members. One of them is businessman Tom Spragge of White Rock. ?Bellingham Country Club has actually waived all fees for Canadians right now because of course we don?t have access to the club right now,?Spragge says. ?That has really helped sustain the membership. It has really helped create more loyalty from the Canadian members to the club.? Spragge has been a member at Bellingham Country Club for the past 12 years. Most of Bellingham?s Canadian members are residents of the south Surrey and White Rock area. Since the border closed, Spragge and three of his fellow Canadian members of BCC have been getting together once a week to play golf on this side of the border. ?Four of us get together every week and instead of playing on CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Bellin gh am Cou n t r y Clu b - Im age Cou r t esy Facilit y
Wednesdays we play on Tuesday at Northview on the Canal course.? It?s not just private clubs in Whatcom County who are missing their British Columbia players. Public courses like Homestead Farms in Lynden, Loomis Trail in Blaine and Bellingham-area courses like Shuksan, North Bellingham, Sudden Valley and Lake Padden all rely on considerable | JUNE 2020
play from Canadians. Homestead is being hit particularly hard. ?Normally 70 per cent of our play is Canadian,?says Olivia Berkan, administrative manager at Homestead. ?Right now with the border being closed, it?s hitting us pretty hard. We really do miss our neighbours to the north.?
THISISTHE ENDOFTHEARTICLE CLICKHERETO
CONTINUE READINGMAGAZINE (FROMWHEREYOULEFTOFF)
THISISTHE ENDOFTHEARTICLE CLICKHERETO
SEETABLE OFCONTENTS
TAYLOR - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
Then he plans to play every week through, hopefully, the Tour Championship on Labour Day weekend in early September.
there I am going to play the rest of the season out, so starting right away didn?t make any sense because I?d be gone for three or four months.
Taylor?s situation has been complicated by the fact that he and his family -- wife Andie and their seven-month-old son Charlie -- returned to Abbotsford from their Scottsdale, Ariz., residence in late April so they could be close to their families.
"The longer I waited I could reduce that to eight or nine weeks which again sucks, but it is shorter than it could be and I?ll come home after that.?
And the fact that Taylor would have to self-isolate for two weeks when he returns to Canada after playing events made him decide to delay his return and play one long stretch of golf. ?Once I go down
?Absolutely, the Pebble Beach win makes a decision like this easier to make,?Taylor said. ?But in the big picture I am still going to play four or five events before the playoffs start, so I am not going to be missing that
It helps, of course, that Taylor has put himself in such a good position in terms of his status on the PGA TOUR. His win at ?I just wanted to come back up the AT&T Pebble Beach here because Andie and Pro-Am in early February has Charlie aren?t going to travel him 18th on the FedEx Cup with me on Tour, so when I points list heading into the leave I wanted them to be here, Charles Schwab Challenge. closer to family,?Taylor said in He?s a lock to make the PGA an interview with British TOUR playoffs and his exempt Columbia Golf. ?That was the status is guaranteed through main reason we came home.? the end of the 2022-23 season.
| JUNE 2020
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
many events. ?Unfortunately, the first three -- Colonial, the RBC Heritage and the Travelers -- are kind of three of my favourite tournaments. But the silver lining is I get to sit back and see what the new normal is out there with the testing and social distancing.? Like so many golf fans, Taylor said he figures to be glued to his television watching coverage of the Charles Schwab Challenge. ?I typically watch it when I am not playing, but I think everyone is curious,? he said.
will be tough to be away from his young son for such an extended period. ?That will be hard, especially given that I have been with him for pretty much 24/7 the last three months. That has been a great bonus, especially at his age, to be so involved in everything. We?ll obviously Facetime as much as we can. We will make it work.?
Taylor?s last full event on the PGA TOUR was at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in early March. He then played one round at the Players Championship the following week before the event was ?I am excited to watch. It will be cancelled. interesting with no fans and just how eerily quiet it will be. I He can?t remember the last time he has gone this long am most interested to learn without playing competitive about what is going on behind the scenes with everybody that golf. Taylor did play in a one-day Vancouver Golf Tour I know. It will be nice to talk to event earlier this month at some of my buddies to get the Cultus Lake Golf Course. And report back.? he?s started playing a fair bit Taylor acknowledged that of golf locally to try and when he does return to play, it | JUNE 2020
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
shake off some of the rust. Much of that has been at the course he grew up on, Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford. ?I played it this morning,? Taylor said. ?I have played it five or six times since I've been home. I have actually played around the (Fraser) Valley quite a bit. I played Sandpiper yesterday, and I have played Chilliwack and Cultus Lake. It's been fun to get out and play some of the courses I haven?t played in so many years.? CHIP SHOTS: Fellow Abbotsford product Adam Hadwin is in the field for this week?s Charles Schwab Challenge. Merritt?s Roger Sloan did not draw into the field in Texas, but will play at next week?s RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, S.C. | JUNE 2020
Nick Taylor Tees Of f At His Hom e Clu b Ledgeview In On e Of His M an y Su ppor t ive Appear an ces For Th e Van cou ver Golf Tou r (VGT) - Im age Cou r t esy VGT
ENDOF ARTICLE DOUBLECLICKHERETO
CONTINUE READINGMAGAZINE DOUBLECLICKHERETO
SEETABLEOF CONTENTS
MACKENZIE TOUR - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30
Allenby was working in the pro shop of his family?sbusiness,the Langley Golf Center,when he received the news Friday. ?I wouldn?t call it a surprise,? Allenby said. ?It?s just more of a letdown.?
sights and without that, it will be a lot harder.? Allenby will compete this summer on the Vancouver Golf Tour and insisted he will not let his dream die despite all the recent bad news. ?I am way past that moment of wonder of what it is I am doing or whatever,?he said. ?I am fully committed.One way or another,I am going to get to where I want to be whether it takes one more year or five. It?s what I love to do.?
Friday?sannouncement was the second part of a double-whammyof sorts for playerstrying to climb professional golf?s ladder. The Korn Ferry Tour had recently announced that it would not hold its annual qualifyingschool For the next while, Allenby this fall. ?So I lose a whole year,? figuresto be pulling more shifts Allenby said. ?That really sucks.? in the pro shop at Langley Golf Allenby had a solid year on the Centre.?I guess that is what I 2019 MackenzieTour, finishing have to look forward to for the 17th on the money list. next while,?he said. ?It is kind of Wheeldon also remained sad. This is my third day in a row exempt by finishing 40th. Both and it just seems like will carry their exempt status GroundhogDay, it is so normal.I into the 2021 MackenzieTour am used to being in different season,but on Friday that places and preparingfor seemed like a long way off. different venues.You get Allenby acknowledgedit will be spoiled that way with the life I hard to stay motivated.?For me, have led and now it seems so it will be extremely difficult,?he mundane.? said. ?I like having targets in my | JUNE 2020
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Wheeldon has kept busy this past winter and spring playing the Outlaw Tour in Arizona, where he leads the money list with just one official event remaining.He has a spot in tournamentsin St. Louis and Pittsburgh in June. The rest of the summer,however,looks bleak from a golf perspective. ?July, August and September looks pretty bare as far as golf goes,?he said. Still, it figuresto be an eventful summer for Wheeldon.He and his fiancee are getting married Sept. 26 in Arizona.?We have our weddingin September so we still have things to look forward to. It is not going to be a boring summer by any means. ?We are hoping the border opens up and all that quarantine stuff gets lifted as well, so that our familiescan make it.? Three British Columbiaevents -- the Canada Life Open at Seymour Golf & Country Club, the DCBank Open at Uplands Golf Club in Victoria and the | JUNE 2020
GolfBC Championshipat Gallagher?sCanyon Golf & Country Club -- are among 13 tournamentscancelled by the MackenzieTour. The Mackenzie Tour cited border restrictions and mandatory quarantinesin announcingits decision to cancel the 2020 season. ?With growing uncertainty surroundingthe border and the 14-day quarantineregulations, among other factors,we?ve weighed all of our optionsand concluded that it is not feasible to play this summer,?Mackenzie Tour executivedirector Scott Pritchard said in a news release. ?With the safety of the communitieswe play in mind, as well as the well-beingof our players,sponsors,tournament organizingcommittees, volunteersand golf course staff, we came to the realization that this is the best decision for everyone involved.?
THISISTHE ENDOFTHEARTICLE CLICKHERETO
CONTINUE READINGMAGAZINE (FROMWHEREYOULEFTOFF)
THISISTHE ENDOFTHEARTICLE CLICKHERETO
SEETABLE OFCONTENTS