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COMPILED BY BCG EDITORS
2015 HAS SEEN SOME OF THE EARLIEST COURSE OPENINGS IN MORE THAN A DECADE PROMISING TOP CONDITIONS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. Tobiano In Kamloops (Shown Here) Opened February 26th
IMAGE CREDIT HUX.NET / COURTESY TOBIANO 2 The Scorecard
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Top Stories
A Ram Choi of Surrey was presented with the Women’s Titleist Order Of Merit Award at the AGM 4 The Scorecard
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The New Mission, Vision And Value Statements
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Jordan Lu And Naomi Ko Earn Athlete Of The Year Honours
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Hopefuls Make Final Push For Western Canada Summer Games
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2015 Championship Host Facilities’ Profiles
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New & Old At The High Performance Camp
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AGM Highlights
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CP Women’s Open Update
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Contents Top Image: Tobiano - One Of Many Courses Opening Early This Year ..................02 Message From The President: British Columbia Golf’s New Mission, Vision And Value Statements And Why They Matter ................08 From The Desk Of The Executive Director: Is It Time To Have Two Handicaps? ..........................10 Up Front: British Columbia Golf Big Winner At 49Th Sport BC Athlete Of The Year Awards ......12 Jordan Lu And Naomi Ko Earn Athlete Of The Year Honours .....................................14 US Open Update: Preparations At Chambers Bay Looking Good ......18 In Memoriam: Celebration Of Life For Herb Paterson Fills Capilano...............................20 Surrey's Adam Svensson Leaves Barry University & Turns Professional ......................22 Cover Story: Five Hopefuls Make Final Push To Make BC Team For Western Canada Summer Games ............................................................24 2015 BCG Championship Host Facilities: Men’s Mid Amateur: BC Golfers Will Be Heading To Talking Rock To... “Chase” The Dream ...............26 Women’s Mid Amateur Comes To The Historic Cowichan Golf Club .....................................30
April, 2015 Women’s Amateur: Champions Continue To Be Crowned At Duncan Meadows........................32 The New And The Old At High Performance Camp........................................................34 Christina Spence Proteau Is Carrying Canadian Hopes At Bandon Dunes...........................38 Victoria's Cory Renfrew Builds On Phoenix Open Success...................................................40 Highlights From The BCG Annual General Meeting ..............................................42 Titleist Order Of Merit Winners Honoured At AGM .........................................................44 The CP Women’s Canadian Open: CP Women’s Open Partners With BC Children’s Hospital..................................................46 Golf Fitness: Correcting C-posture..............................48 By The Rules: British Columbia Golf To Adopt 'New Groove Rule' In 2016..............................50 The College Report: SFU Clan Wins Cal Baptist Invitational........................................51 The Final Word: The End Of The Tiger And Phil Era? ............................54 The Parting Shot: Fairview Mountain Host Of The 2015 BC Amateur...................................56
British Columbia Golf
Staff
#2110 - 13700 Mayfield Place Richmond, BC, Canada, V6V 2E4
Kris Jonasson, Executive Director kris@britishcolumbiagolf.org(x.126)
Telephone: 604.279.2580 Toll Free: 1.888.833.2242 Web: britishcolumbiagolf.org Facebook: /BritishColumbiaGolf Twitter: /BC_golfer
Susan White, Senior Manager of Field Operations Kathy Gook, Director of School Golf susan@britishcolumbiagolf.org(x.125) kathy@britishcolumbiagolf.org(x.135) Debbie Pyne, Managing Dir. of Player Development Kwadwo Frempong, Manager of Network Services debbie@britishcolumbiagolf.org(x.132) support@britishcolumbiagolf.org (x.127) Andy Fung, Dir. of Finance and Administration andy@britishcolumbiagolf.org(x.123)
Partner Publisher Inside Golf Inc. TF: 800-764-6537 - Web: insidegolf.ca 6 The Scorecard
Jeff Sutherland, Publisher publisher@insidegolf.ca Bryan Outram, Sr. Editor editor@insidegolf.ca
Alfie Lau, Sr .Writer alfie@igdesign.ca Sales Inquiries sales@igdesign.ca
Corrie Wong, Manager, Membership corrie@britishcolumbiagolf.org(x.124) Lina Reumann, Administrative Assistant membership@britishcolumbiagolf.org
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British Columbia Golf’s New Mission, Vision and Value Statements… And Why They Matter British Columbia Golf President David Atkinson is part of a process to revitalize the Association and re-align its mission, vision and values to be in keeping with the needs of all the province’s golfers... In today’s world, healthy organizations understand
the need to revisit their Mission, Vision and Values on a regular basis. Further, if their environment is undergoing unanticipated change, they are aware that this should be done even more frequently. And it is fair to say that BC Golf, in fact the entire golf industry, finds itself in an environment that has undergone, and is still undergoing, tremendous change. In 1950, associations conducted Provincial and National Championships and oversaw the Rules and Handicapping but had minimal day to day impact or involvement with the game or the golfer. Virtually 95% of Canadian golfers belonged to a club and
If we are to become relevant again to that majority of golfers, if we are to achieve our vision of representing all golfers, it is clear that changes are necessary... Toward that goal, we’ve revisited the Mission, Vision and Values of our Association – and now they are aligned to embrace all golfers.” David Atkinson
consequently were automatically members of golf associations. There was little in the way of public play facilities. Today, the landscape is tremendously different. Just 5% of Canadian golfers belong to a club. The vast majority of golfers play recreationally at publicly accessible clubs and are not necessarily members at any club nor members of a golf association. This has been tough for us to accept; that today our association is not seen as relevant by the majority of the golfing public, and that as a consequence, it is difficult for them to see value in joining our Association. If we are to become relevant again to that majority of golfers, if we are to achieve our vision of representing all golfers, it is clear that changes are necessary. To embrace change we will all be challenged to have the confidence in ourselves and the trust in our colleagues that will allow us to take that first terrifying step away from the status quo. We all know that we cannot expect different results if we continue to do what we’ve been doing for the past many years. In particular, we need to learn what products and services are valued by golfers and golf facilities, and provide those in a way that creates a membership model that is attractive to all. Toward that goal, we’ve revisited the Mission, Vision and Values of our Association – and now they are aligned to embrace all golfers. Continued On Facing Page
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we set; every goal we set; will be ƒ „ ƒ tested against this framework. Â… ƒ † ƒ ‡ ƒ On a very positive note, it has been Â? ƒ Â? amazing to see Golf Canada and Â? Â?  all the Provincial Associations Â? Â?  come together in the face of this ‡ Â? ˆ † common challenge, working Â?  ‡ Â?  ‰  Š  cooperatively to reach consensus Â? Â? € ‹ Â?  on a way forward, all sharing the possible risks and potential Œ†ƒ‡‡ƒ rewards. ‚ Â?  Â? ÂŽÂ? Â? Â?   The result is over the next three ‘  „ Â?  years, British Columbia Golf will ÂŽÂ’ Â? “ ”€• be moving forward with all our ÂŽ – •—€Â? ÂŽ Â? €˜ ‘ Â… Â? “ provincial partners and with Golf Canada to embrace all golfers as ƒ part of that common vision. Â? Â? In simple terms, if it contributes €—— ™ ‡  – Â? Â? to us achieving our vision, we’ll do €ˆ ‚ ‡ it. Anything else is a distraction – š ˆ ™ ‡  ƒ Â? and a diversion of energy and „ Â? ˆ Â? resources and will not be ‡ ˆ ™ ‡  supported. “ Â? The next step is the development ‚ Â? Â? of a supporting strategy that will  Â?   Â? ˆ Â? guide us over the next few years Â? Â? ˆ Â? Â? in achieving this vision and we ‚   ›—‹ŽœÂ?žŽžžžž encourage your input into that Â? “ ‚ Â?  process. ‡ Sincerely, Â? ‚ Â
13
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Continued From Facing Page This is an important step, because all our strategic and operational  Â? Â? planning for the next few years Â? Â?   will be guided by the Mission and € Â? ‚ Â? Â? Vision framework. Every objective Â
� � ‚  ‡ � ‚
Â?  ˆ ÂŽ Â? Â? šÂ? Â? ”€— Â? ÂŽ „ ˆ † Â?ˆ šÂ? ˆ David Atkinson and the ÂŒ  Â? ÂŽ Â? Â? British Columbia Golf Board ‚ Â
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Is It Time To Have Two Handicaps? The amount of golf already played in 2015, indicates a lot of pent up demand to get out and enjoy the game. Winter and early spring feels warmer than usual and improved drainage on many courses has made winter golf enjoyable. Despite improved conditions, rain when it comes is heavy, and while courses drain better they play very soft. Even when we move tees forward average players are playing courses that play much longer than they are rated to be. Longer courses equal higher handicaps factors. Conversely, summer conditions have also changed. Warmer, drier weather allows for plenty of roll and golf courses play shorter. This benefits the average player and providing we don’t get penal in course setup these changes should help to lower handicap factors. British Columbia Golf over the last few years has encouraged and facilitated more courses to maintain winter handicaps. Courses have also been encouraged to keep using winter handicaps further into the spring. Current rules allow courses to transition from winter handicaps at one of four pre set dates March 1, April 1, April 15 and May 1. More courses now opt to remove winter handicaps April 1, but it may be that May 1 is a more preferable date. Not only will conditions start to get drier by
Given softer late fall, winter and spring conditions versus hard and fast summer conditions, is it time that we did research into what is the fairest way to determine handicaps for all levels of golfers? Kris Jonasson 10 The Scorecard
early May, many courses will have completed spring aerating and conditions will be closer to normal. Given softer late fall, winter and spring conditions versus hard and fast summer conditions, is it time that we did research into what is the fairest way to determine handicaps for all levels of golfers? I would argue that the answer is yes. Imagine for a moment, an official handicap that is calculated with scoring records for games played between May 1 and October 1 each year. As clubs entered the active part of the season for competitions, members’ handicaps would be calculated using course conditions that were much closer to the actual course rating. Those who play a lot of year round golf would see handicap factors that reflected much softer conditions from October 1 through April 30. Given few competitions, which include all club members, occur during this period this second handicap factor could be unofficial but no less accurate The good news is we have the data so we can do the research. Coming up with the fairest handicap system is one more piece that will help to grow golf. The USGA, R&A, and Golf Canada continue to work towards a world handicap system that will make handicap factors transferable for all golfers. This research could be valuable as this system is developed. British Columbia Golf invites comments from any members who have thoughts on how to make the handicap system fairer for all golfers. Yours In Golf
Kris Jonasson Executive Director, British Columbia Golf
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UP
See Full Stories On Following Pages
FRONT BY ALFIE LAU
British Columbia Golf had many reasons to be happy at the 49th Athlete of the Year Awards held on March 12 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Both Naomi Ko and Jordan Lu were victorious in their categories, being named Female Junior Athlete and Male High School Athlete respectively.
Sportscaster Scott Russell hosted the 48th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards
IMAGE CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF
BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF BIG WINNER AT 49TH SPORT BC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Jordan Lu And Naomi Ko Were Both Winners At The 49th Sport BC Athlete Of The Year Awards
Golfing legend Doug Roxburgh was a runner-up in the Master Athlete of the Year category while Pat Irwin of Ladysmith received the 2015 Sport BC President’s Award from British Columbia Golf President David Atkinson for his work with junior golf at Mount Brenton Golf Course. What made the night particularly memorable for all the honourees was having family and friends present for their moment of glory. Ko had her parents, Adriana and Tony, and younger brother Ethan, also an accomplished golfer, by her side, while Lu had longtime coach Todd Kuspira with him. Roxburgh had wife Lorna by his side while Irwin
Golfing legend Doug Roxburgh was a runner-up in the Master Athlete of the Year category while Pat Irwin of Ladysmith received the 2015 Sport BC President’s Award from British Columbia Golf President David Atkinson for his work with junior golf at Mount Brenton Golf Course. 12 The Scorecard
had son Michael to celebrate with. Judges were impressed with the quality of British Columbia Golf’s nominations and Ko and Lu were rewarded with the prizes in their respective categories. Russell said British Columbia has a lot to be proud of, having just hosted a very successful Canada Winter Games in Prince George and mere months away from hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup at BC Place, including the Final. Looking ahead to next year, Vancouver will host the Americas Masters Game in August 2016, one of the largest participatory events to come to the region. Guests also remembered Denise Coutts, a past Sports BC Chair and Athlete of the Year Organizing Committee member, who passed away during this last year.
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IN
RECOGNITION BY ALFIE LAU
JORDAN LU
IS NAMED SPORT BC MALE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Jordan Lu (Above) Awaits The Announcement Of His Male High School Athlete Of The Year Award As Coach Todd Kuspira (Right) Looks On Naomi Ko (Above Left) Would Also Be Honoured As The Female Junior Athlete Of The Year (See Story Page 16) IMAGE CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF 14 The Scorecard
The honours keep coming the way of University of Washington Huskies freshman Jordan Lu. Lu, the reigning British Columbia Amateur Champion and two-time British Columbia AAA High School Champion, was named Sport BC’s Male High School Athlete of the Year at the March 12 Sport BC Dinner held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Lu beat out Adam Lambert, an accomplished Mission track and field athlete and Nathan Wadhwani, an outstanding Maple Ridge cross country and track and field athlete for the prestigious honour.
“This is a great honour and I’d like to thank Sport BC for this award,” said Lu. “I also have to thank my teammates at PW (Prince of Wales Secondary) and my coach Todd Kuspira, who has been so supportive. I would not have been able to do this without him.” Lu made a supreme effort to attend the 49th Athlete of the Year Awards, as he spent Monday and Tuesday in San Diego, where his Washington Huskies won the team title at the Lamkin San Diego Classic and Lu finished T33 as an individual, behind individual co-winners and Husky teammates Cheng-Tsung Pan and Corey Pereira.
Lu flew back to Seattle, dropped off some luggage, and drove up to Vancouver in time for the formal dinner. Lu’s big high school win came in Squamish, where his flawless rounds of 63 and 67 helped his Prince of Wales squad win the team championship by 20 strokes. His individual title meant he was the first high schooler since Brent Franklin in 1983-84 to repeat as AAA champion. “I had played Squamish before and I just really liked the way it set up for my game,” said Lu. “I think I was most happy with how our team did because the year before, we didn’t do so well as a team and it was a goal of ours to win the team title.” Continued On Page 16
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Naomi Ko of Victoria was also a big winner at the Sport BC Dinner. Ko beat out cyclist Maggie Coles-Lyster and swimmer Emily Overholt to win the Junior Female Athlete of the Year Award. “I want to thank my family for always supporting me and giving me unconditional love,” Ko told the 500 A SMILING NAOMI KO HEARS HER NAME CALLED AS THE assembled guests at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver SPORT BC JUNIOR FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR as she accepted her award. “I’m really honoured to WINNER. HER MOTHER ADRIANA (R) HEARTILY APPROVES win this great award.” She also finished fourth at the BC Women’s Amateur Ko’s family of mother Adriana, father Tony and Championship, fourth in the Canadian Junior Girls’ younger brother Ethan enthusiastically cheered on Amateur Championship, second in the AJGA St. Louis, the 17-year-old Claremont Secondary student who and 13th in the AJGA Junior Girls’ Championship. will be finishing high school in June and then flying east to Raleigh, North Carolina, where she has earned On the national stage, Ko finished T40 in the Canadian Women’s Amateur, 3rd in the CN Future a golf scholarship to play for the North Carolina Links Pacific Championship and won the CN Future State Wolfpack. Links Ontario Championship. She also finished T10 “When I made my visit, it just seemed to suit me in the Canadian Women’s Pro Tour BC Championship. athletically,” said Ko. “I got to know coach Page Marsh and it felt like it was the right choice for me.” Internationally, Ko finished T12 in the South American Amateur, T33 in the World Junior Girls, T16 in the Ko, part of a three-player international incoming class Porter Cup and reached the round-of-16 in the at NC State, said she was also influenced by NC Western Amateur. State’s solid record of nurturing Canadian talent. “I know this year’s team has Augusta James and Vivian “My goals for this year are to compete in more women’s amateur events, both provincially and Tsui on it and I know that Brittany Marchand and nationally,” said Ko, who has to be considered a Amanda Baker also did well there,” said Ko. player to watch at the BC Women’s Amateur to be It’s been a dream year for the Team Canada contested at Duncan Meadows June 29 to July 3. Development Team member who is also a member at Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria. “I have been And that little matter of moving to North Carolina working with (national coach) Ann Carroll and I am to start her university career doesn’t faze the mature very proud to be a Team Canada member,” said Ko. Victoria golfer. “I’m excited about going to North “I’ve had some good results and I think it all started Carolina State and my family is really excited for me too,” said Ko. when I made Team Canada.” Ko, who was also named the 2014 PNGA Women’s Ko was nominated for the Female Junior Athlete of Junior Girls’ award winner, won the BC Junior Girls’ the Year Award by David Atkinson, President of British Columbia Golf and Kris Jonasson, Executive Director Amateur Championship and finished runner-up at of British Columbia Golf. the BC Juvenile Girls’ Championship. BY ALFIE LAU
16 The Scorecard
IMAGES CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF
NAOMI KO ALSO HONOURED AS FEMALE JUNIOR ATHLETE OF YEAR
LU AND KO SHOWN WITH AWARDS
Jordan Lu Continued From Page 14 Lu would take all that confidence into the 112th British Columbia Amateur at Seymour, where he bested Burnaby’s Michael Belle in a thrilling five-hole playoff after chasing the entire final round. Lu, who started the day four strokes behind the SFU student, caught Belle with a birdie on the final hole and then the two engaged in an epic seesaw playoff that could have gone either way. “[Winning] makes me feel that my game has gotten a lot better,” said Lu after receiving his trophy. “At the start of the day I thought, 'I’m four strokes back, I’m just going to focus on what I can do and just hit fairways and greens and hopefully make birdie.' I made some birdies, he made some mistakes and then we were in a playoff and it was just focus on the next shot.” Lu has made a nice adjustment to collegiate golf and collegiate academics in Seattle. He's played six tournaments already and was looking forward to his next start, at the University of Oregon’s tournament, played March 23. “I know I need to play well at Oregon because I want to show my coach that I should be a part of the team for all of our tournaments,” said Lu. In particular, Lu would love to represent Washington at the Pac-12 Championships in Pullman, Washington from April 27-29 and the NCAA Regionals in May. On the academic side, Lu took three courses in his first term and has earned a respectable 3.2 GPA. This term, he has taken a psychology course and an environmental course, which has allowed him to expand his horizons. When’s he not studying and competing, Lu is spending time in Auburn, Washington at the Huskies home course, Washington National. “They have The
Playground there where you can work on your short game,” said Lu. “It has really helped my game.” “The thing I noticed about college golf is that the courses IMAGE CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF play a lot harder than in junior golf,” said Lu. “The holes are much longer, the pin locations are a lot tougher. You don’t reach many par-5s in two. You have to make good shots all the time. I’m also trying to get used to a new environment, new people and new courses.” Lu wasn’t surprised to hear that course preparations for the Pac-12 Championships in Pullman include having 6-8 inch rough surrounding the greens because if the wind doesn’t blow, the course is defenceless if not for almost-knee-high rough. Lu credited Huskie’s head coach Matt Thurmond with working on his mental game, “He wants us to think about our games and he has us doing a lot of different things on the course that I hadn’t done before.” When Lu returns to Marine Drive, he works on technique with Kuspira, his longtime teacher, who also couldn’t have beeen happier to attend the Sport BC Dinner to cheer on his charge. As for what’s on the horizon after his college season ends, Lu is looking forward to defending the Bostock Trophy he won last year. “Yeah, defending the Amateur is a big one for me. I think I’m also eligible for the British Columbia Junior and I want to play the Canadian Amateur and the U.S. Amateur as well,” said Lu. And there’s an even bigger tournament Lu hopes to qualify for. “The U.S. Open being at Chambers Bay, so close to here and to where I’m going to school, I will be trying to qualify for that,” said Lu. “That would be so big and I’ll give it a try.” The Scorecard 17
UPDATE
BY ALFIE LAU
U.S. Open Preparations Looking Good The U.S. Open at Chambers Bay is just under three months away and preparations are going along swimmingly. The USGA’s Director for the Northwest Region,Larry Gilhuly could not be more clear. Preparations are coming along very nicely and the U.S. Open will be played at Chambers Bay in Tacoma, Washington this June. Gilhuly told media at the Seattle Golf Show that a mild winter has allowed the course to have a nice winter grow-in of fescue grass and the City of Tacoma has bent over backwards to help organizers produce a world-class golf course for the best golfers in the world. “Last year, there were 2,000 rounds played on frozen greens
Now we can say that the firmness of the greens is so firm that it’s firmer than what we had two days before the practice rounds (for the U.S. Amateur) in August 2010. Larry Gilhuly, Director Of The Northwest Region For The USGA 18 The Scorecard
IMAGE CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF
US
OPEN
and that absolutely annihilated the course,” said Gilhuly. “(Director of Agronomy) Eric Johnson and (Superintendent) Josh Lewis and their crew have been busting it to get the course back to the condition we want it at. This year, the city has shut down the golf course for four days a week and bought covers for all the greens so that we can protect the grass on those greens . . . and now we can say that the firmness of the greens is so firm that it’s firmer than what we had two days before the practice rounds (for the U.S. Amateur) in August 2010. The golf course is looking really good. There was no back-up plan to host the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in case we couldn’t hold it here. It’s going to be fun when we host the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay this June.” Eric Steimer, assistant manager for the 2015 U.S. Open, said some of the most promising aspects for spectators are the 6,000 grandstand seats which will ring the 18th green and the almost 20,000 grandstand seats available throughout the course. The tournament is so popular that all tournament tickets for the championship days (Thursday to Sunday) are sold out already and all that’s available for regular patrons is practice round tickets for Monday to Wednesday. It’s much better news for juniors and military members, as free (12 and under) and discounted (age
The U.S. Open Trophy Which Will Be Presented To The Winner At Chambers Bay In June Was On Display At The Seattle Golf Show Recently
13-17) tickets for juniors will never be sold out and military members will be accommodated as best as organizers can for all seven days of the tournament. Somewhat less promising for the thousands of Canadians who are heading four hours south to Chambers Bay is the news that a previously announced train service from downtown Seattle is not going ahead. Open organizers were informed that the train could only accommodate 1,000 passengers every 60- 90 minutes. That wouldn’t be sufficient to allow the 3,000+ spectators who would want to arrive at a specific time to follow a marquee group. Instead, most ticket holders will be asked to park-and-ride from lots at the Puyallup County Fairgrounds and Fort Steilacoom – both 45 to 60 minutes south of downtown Seattle – and then be shuttled to Chambers Bay. US Open - Continued On Page 52
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IN
MEMORIAM
IMAGE COURTESY PGA OF BC
BY ALFIE LAU
If the measure of a man is the number of people he's affected in his life, then the outpouring of support for Herb Paterson at his Celebration of Life held March 17th afternoon at Capilano Golf and Country Club made the statement that Paterson is a beloved figure in the world of golf who will be greatly missed. Paterson passed away on Feb. 24, having just turned 90 years old two weeks earlier. Paterson had fought valiantly after being diagnosed with cancer and leaves behind sons David (Susan), Alan (Carolyn), daughter Carolyn (Marc); grandchildren Colin, Hilary, Alana and Rachel; his second wife of 16 years Emilie; and his Titleist family and legion of friends throughout the golf industry in Canada and the USA. Paterson's first wife, Dorothy, passed away in 1997, and he was also predeceased by son Gordy, 14. Paterson had a remarkable, distinguished and enviable 48-year career as the exclusive distributor for Titleist, a business (Jim Morrison Ltd.) he purchased from his father-in-law. Paterson started at Jim Morrison in 1957, and since his territory was Canada, he travelled all across the country by car to service his accounts. By 1960, Paterson had purchased the company from his fatherin-law and started to put his own stamp on the business.Paterson would grow the business from annual sales of $250,000 to $36+ million by acquiring the exclusive Titleist distribution rights to much of the Pacific rim region. In 1980, Paterson brought his son, David, into the business and they would continue growing the business until 1993, when Acushnet purchased his business. For the next three years, Paterson would stay on as a consultant and would then continue as 20 The Scorecard
Celebration Of Life For Herb Paterson Fills Capilano an ambassador for the company, attending educational seminars and networking events to keep the Titleist name front of mind for golf professionals. Paterson was also involved in the development of Predator Ridge GR in Vernon, a partner in St. Andrews East and Valley golf courses in Ontario and a director of the Bowen Island Golf Club. Outside of golf, Paterson also distinguished himself. During the Second World War, Paterson joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving as Navigator with the rank of Pilot Officer. After the war ended, Paterson attended the University of British Columbia, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Paterson was also an active outdoorsman. With friend Sir Edmund Hillary, the first non-Sherpa to climb Mount Everest, Paterson would hike the Himalayas in the mid 1980s and at the age of 69, climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. His friendship with Hillary led to Paterson becoming a director of the Sir Edmund Hillary foundation in 2005 until his passing. Paterson also ran a number of 10- and 32-km races on the northern tip of Baffin Island, sailed all through the Pacific Northwest and downhill skied at many of the province's finest resorts. Herb also enjoyed fine wines, establishing Club FRED with his friends... FRED short for for “French, Red, Exceptional and Dry�. Paterson was the first winner of the PGA of BC's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 and was also very proud of being made an honorary, lifetime member of the PGA of Canada. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BC Cancer Foundation (www.BCcancerfoundation.com) or the Bowen Island Golf Club (www.bowengolf.com) for the Herb Paterson Memorial.
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BC’S
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BY ALFIE LAU
SURREY'S
I feel my game is ready to be pushed to the next level and I am excited to challenge and better myself against the best players in professional golf.
ADAM SVENSSON
LEAVES BARRY UNIVERSITY & TURNS PROFESSIONAL Surrey’s Adam Svensson has left Barry University, turned professional and signed on with SportBox Entertainment Group, which also represents Canadian PGA Tour stalwarts Graham DeLaet, David Hearn, Roger Sloan and Mike Weir.
ADAM BY THE NUMBERS • 2 NCAA First-Team AllAmerican honours • ‘13 Mickelson Award • 2013/14 Jack Nicklaus Player of the Year • #3 amateur in Canada and 27th in world • 2014 PNWGA Male Golfer of the Year
IMAGE CREDIT SportBox PR
Svensson won the 2010 B.C. Amateur when he was just 16 years old and has worked for years with Surrey coach “After winning my last two starts, my Rob Houlding. gut was telling me it was the right the Jack Nicklaus Player of the Year time to make the move and turn His last event at Barry was a win in in 2013/14. professional,” said Svensson in a the Matlock Collegiate Classic, played statement released March 17th. Svensson, who was the third-ranked Feb. 9-10 in Lakeland, Florida. Svensson had rounds of 67, 67 and 70 to beat “I feel my game is ready to be pushed amateur in Canada with a World Amateur Golf Ranking of 27 prior to Richard Mansell by two strokes. Barry to the next level and I am excited to University would finish second in the challenge and better myself against his pro announcement, will also team competition in Svensson’s final the best players in professional golf.” continue his association with Golf Canada. collegiate event. Svensson left his mark in collegiate After spending a total of six years with Svensson was also named the Pacific golf at NCAA Division II Barry Northwest Golf Association’s 2014 University, winning nine times, earning the National men’s amateur and development squads, Svensson is Male Golfer of the Year. Svensson two NCAA First-Team All-American honours, winning the Phil Mickelson joining the organization’s Young Pro plans to focus his efforts on PGA Tour Squad, which is in its second season. Canada and Web.com Tour Award as Most Outstanding events in 2015. Freshman in 2013 and being named LATE BREAKING: Adam just won his first pro tournament in Florida picking up $20,000. He beat fellow Canadian Lucas Kim of Toronto in a playoff on the NGA Tour's Lake County Classic. Svensson shot (7-uner) 65 in final round. 22 The Scorecard
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BY ALFIE LAU ALL IMAGES CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF
said Ewart, who knows he still has three competitions before mid-April to show coaches why he should be on the team. "My results last year were really good and over the winter, I've gained a lot of distance off the tee and I'm working hard on my fitness and nutrition." Ewart is confident without being cocky, pointing out that
1. For five young British Columbia golfers, it was a chance to show how much their games, attitude and mental games have developed and evolved.
2.
Khan Lee, A.J. Ewart, Hannah Lee, Alisha Lau and Shirin Anjarwalla were attending their second British Columbia Golf High Performance Camp in five months and that timeframe is notable because if all goes well, they'll have a much more pressing date to make in five months time. The Western Canada Summer Games in Wood Buffalo, Alberta are coming fast and all five of these players stand a good chance of making the 8-player team which will represent British Columbia. For the boys, there's a little pressure coming from the fact that in 2011, the BC team swept all the individual spots and the team title. "I think I've done enough so far to make the team,"
1. A.J. Ewart under the watchful eye of Coach Matt Cella 24 The Scorecard
while he loves golf, he also spent much of the winter playing high school basketball, which reinforced one big thing for him. "If you want something, you have to work hard for it," he said. "That's the same for basketball as it is for golf. I will work harder than anybody else because that's how you get better." Showing no less confidence, but in a different form, is Surrey golfer Khan Lee.Outwardly, Khan is one of the more noticeable young golfers because he's one of the friendliest and most outgoing golfers in a group
2. Hitting in front of clubhouse is Khan Lee
3.
3. Shirin Anjarwalla on the practice tee
FOR WESTERN CANADA
SUMMER GAMES setting, but get him alone and there's a quiet thoughtfulness that comes out of Lee. "I try to be positive on the course and off the course," said Khan. "I'm easy-going but that doesn't mean I'm not working hard and trying to get better and trying to improve in everything I do." And when asked where he envisions himself if he were to make the team, Khan doesn't mince any words."I'm a #1 guy," he said. "And part of being a leader is if one of your teammates is down, you have to help them up and support them."
Khan has learned a couple of hard lessons since the October
camp.He played a tournament in Florida, but after an overnight flight and not taking into account the three-hour time difference, he had no chance of making his 7 a.m. practice round. "I learned about sleep preparation and how you have to take care of your body, whether that's getting in a workout, getting your sleep or eating the right foods," said Khan. Khan said some of the methods he's incorporated into his training include using a mirror to look at his swing, in particular his backswing, and working on his putting tempo. "I've listened to everything the coaches told me and that's because I really want to be on the team that represents BC at the Canada Summer Games," said Khan. "I want this so much." While the boys face the pressure of defending, the girls face a different pressure because they may be the Continued On Page 53
4.
4. Hannah Lee straps on high tech traning arid
5. Christopher Dale and Alisha Lau putting
5. The Scorecard 25
THE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Men’s Mid Amateur
BY BRYAN OUTRAM
BC GOLFERS WILL BE HEADING TO TALKING ROCK TO...
IMAGE COURTESY FACILITY
“CHASE” THE DREAM British Columbia Golf opens their 2015 Championship schedule on June 2nd with the Men’s Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master events taking place at the Talking Rock Course at Quaaout Lodge in Chase, B.C. While the name “Talking Rock” recognizes ancestors who recorded historic events by painting or carving on large rocks, these days the talking is being done by golfers who are giving the course consistently positive reviews. Located along the shores of Little Shuswap Lake midway between Salmon Arm and Kamloops in B.C.’s 26 The Scorecard
interior, Talking Rock Golf Course opened in August of 2007 and meanders through a mature sandy forest finishing with a breathtaking 18th hole along the shorelines of Little Shuswap Lake. Owned and operated by the Little Shuswap Indian First Nations Band, Talking Rock was designed by Cooke Carleton International. Design architects Continued On Page 28
The Scorecard 27
BREAKING DOWN THE COURSE Talking Rock Head Professional Adam Blair had some interesting input with regard to how this layout will fare as host of this particular British Columbia Golf Championship event. Q: Has Talking Rock hosted other championships of this level before? Adam Blair: Talking Rock hosted the 2009 PNGA Men’s Masters Amateur, 2012 PGA Of BC Pro Assistant Championship and several Interior PGA Events. The Mid-Amateur will be our largest and most prestigious event to date. Q: What do you see as the golf course's strongest defence? AB: The strategic bunkering on our property seems to challenge players the most. Players will need to make sure that they are judging distances well and hitting key targets as the numerous bunkers are waiting to swallow them up. The course can set up as long as 7,100 yards so length can be a factor, especially on the Par 3’s which play very long. Q: Which particular holes do you see as the ones that will provide the most challenge to the players? AB: Holes 4 and 5 are the most difficult holes on our front 9. Both are par 4’s that will play over 450 yards so players need to angle tee shots well to get the most yardage they can muster for a midiron into very difficult greens. Q: Is there a specific stretch of holes that could prove crucial, i.e. an 'Amen Corner' as it were? AB: I think that holes 7 thru 10 is the stretch that players can really make some birdies on to recover from a tough stretch on 4 thru 6 and before entering another 28 The Scorecard
difficult stretch on 13-15. Holes 7 and 10 are both reachable par 5’s with very little risk if going for the green in 2. It’s the tee shot that is crucial on these holes. The 8th hole is a long par 3 but an accurate tee shot should result in a routine par. The 9th hole is a short par 4 with a pond down the entire left side. Although the water will play with your mind, a nice high iron in the fairway will give a fairly routine iron shot into the green. Q: What do you think will be the keys to a player coming out on top? AB: I believe that the winner will be the person that putts the best. The greens can be very tricky to read but once a player figures out the topography and how they break, they’ll enjoy watching lots of putts fall. Q: Is it a course you can attack, or is one better off to play conservatively and wait for opportunities to arise? AB: The course offers up a perfect blend of attack holes and holes that you must hold back on. There is a lot of opportunity to take some high-risk chances and enjoy a nice reward or significant damage. It will be interesting to see which strategy prevails, as both can be successful options. Q: Is there another layout you might compare Talking Rock with for those who are not familiar with the course? AB: Talking Rock is quite unique in its design. Comparisons could be made to Gallagher’s Canyon (in Kelowna). Q: Does the course favour any particular shot shape? Draw, fade, high, low, etc.? AB: A high draw will be the shot of choice all day.
Talking Rock - Cont’d From Page 26 Wayne Carleton and Graham Cooke, who have worked with First Nations in the past, including the award-wining Dakota Dunes in Saskatchewan, were very impressed with the land they had to work with for Talking Rock. “It’s a dynamic property with some very interesting holes and great views across Little Shuswap Lake,” said Cooke. “Golfers will notice a nice transition from the front nine to the back, from lower lands to the higher, powerful properties on the back nine. There are a lot of pine trees on the property as well. It’s a very sandy-based property as well and that enabled us to produce some rugged bunkers. We had to maintain a very formal relationship with the trees. We think we came up with an attractive look and we like the routing plan.” The 7,248-yard layout does offer a unique experience as the only hole you can see is the one you’re playing. It can be a long golf course, but players can still take out the big stick due to the wide fairways. With multiple tee boxes (four) available Talking Rock is an ideal course for new players looking to experience a longer course with their seasoned playing partners and should prove to be an outstanding test for the competitors teeing it up in the Men’s Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master Championships.
The Scorecard 29
THE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Women’s Mid Amateur
BY BRYAN OUTRAM
IMAGE COURTESY FACILITY
Comes To The Historic Cowichan Golf Club
On June 24 of this year, exactly 93 years to the day it first opened for play, Cowichan GC will play host to British Columbia Golf’s Mid-Master, Senior, SuperSenior and Stableford Women’s Championships. The Cowichan Golf Club first opened for play on June 24, 1922 as a 9-hole AV Macan design on just over 31 acres where the Duncan mall is located today. Macan would also design the next 9-hole layout that opened on August 21, 1949 on its current site. Expanded to 18-holes in 1985, it is now a mature 6,189 yard, par 70, 18-hole layout featuring a picturesque mix of meadow and tree-lined holes as it looks out to the mountains and waters of Cowichan Bay. With tight fairways and fast, undulating greens there will be a premium placed on accuracy and control with the 30 The Scorecard
flat stick. Cowichan G&CC has previously hosted a number of provincial and national championships as well as its very own annual Cowichan Open, which can boast including in the field over the years such well known Canadian golf icons as Doug Roxburgh, Cec Ferguson, Vaughan Trapp, Bill Wakeham and Jim Rutledge. Cowichan also generously helped out by offering its services as a venue for the 1991 Payless event on the Canadian Tour. The $90,000 in prize money was competed for by such future PGA TOUR regulars as Grant Waite of New Zealand and Steve Stricker from the U.S. With its long and storied history on the island there’s no doubt the Cowichan Golf & Country Club will be a great locale and prove a fitting test for this British Columbia Golf series of Championships.
BREAKING DOWN THE AV MACAN DESIGN WITH STORMIN’ NORM JACKSON... Cowichan Golf Club’s Head Professional Norm Jackson joined the club in 1990 and has been a fixture of the local golf scene ever since and includes on his resume the head professional of the year as voted by the PGA of BC in 1993. We asked Norm his thoughts on what the competitors should look for in this year’s BCG Women’s MidMaster/Sr./Super-Sr. Championships.
subtle undulations, very small - so your here. If you do make a mistake you can’t try and get it back all in one fell short game is at a premium if you swoop. You have to be very patient miss the greens. because you know some of the other Q: Which holes do you see as providing the most challenge? And people in the field, well, they’re going to be making the same mistakes. So which ones can yield the best you’re never really out of it, so just be opportunities to score? NJ: I think as far as a challenge goes, patient, par is a good score. number 11 here will be a hole that Sometimes taking a bogey and taking can make or break a good round. It’s your lumps is a good score. But I think a good par 4 with your second shot if you try and attack it, you can make some very big numbers here. going over water to a very narrow green. I think an opportunity to make Q: Is there another layout you might Q: Has Cowichan hosted other up some shots could come from the compare Cowichan with for those championships of this nature fact that our par 5’s are very friendly. not familiar with the course? before? Most of the girls that will be playing NJ: I think I would say to anybody, it’s Norm Jackson: We’ve been very fortunate here to host a number of in this will be hitting short irons into an old AV Macan design, and as we Golf British Columbia events. We’ve them, so it will give them some birdie know Victoria Golf Club is one, Royal held the Canadian Mid-amateur here opportunities, but the one thing is we Colwood is one - their golf courses only have two par 5’s here. have changed a little bit, but in the as well as the BC Senior Ladies Q: Is there a specific stretch of holes same sense they all have small Championship, The BC Ladies undulating greens and that’s what I Amateur…so we’re no strangers to that could prove crucial, i.e. An would compare it (Cowichan GC) to 'Amen Corner' as it were? holding events of this magnitude NJ: Actually 10 and 11…and 14,15, - maybe a Victoria Golf Club, other Q: Do you think that’s because 16 - can wreak havoc. Hitting the ball than you’re not playing a seaside type you’re good hosts or is it a of links. Distance or length is not the combination of that along with the straight is at a premium on those determining factor, accuracy is much layout that you have? holes more important. NJ: Well, we’d love to say it’s because Q: What do you think will be the we are good hosts but I think it is a keys to a player coming out on top? Q: Does the course favour any combination of a facility that is very Do you need to drive the ball long particular shot shape? Draw, fade, high, low etc.? fair as a golf course to the competitors. or more accurately? NJ: Well, I think on the back nine - for Especially when we’re talking about NJ: You have to drive the ball hosting a BC Ladies Mid And Senior accurately and your short game has a right-handed player - if you have a Amateur it’s a golf course that’s a to be very, very sharp. These greens tendency to hook the ball it could cause you some grief. Because all the very good test but also very fair to the will be fooling some people here. player. Q: So is it a course you can attack, trouble, the out of bounds, is on the left on the back nine. So if you can or is one better off to play Q: What do you see as the golf move the ball a little left-to-right, the conservatively and wait for course's best defence? back nine might be a little easier for opportunities to arise? NJ: I think the greens are the golf you. course’s strong point, you know, with NJ: I think you have to be very patient The Scorecard 31
THE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Women’s Amateur
Champions Continue To Be Crowned At Duncan Meadows Duncan Meadows first opened for play in the early 1990's. In its early years, the course was operated by various owners, under different names, and without much success, until Grace and Ming Hui purchased the property out of bankruptcy in the fall of 1996. By then, the course had been allowed to deteriorate to the point that it appeared well on its way back to its dairy farm origins. However, Grace and Ming saw the potential of the rolling terrain, abundant wildlife, the impressive backdrop of Mt. Prevost and the solid existing course layout. During the next several years, the Hui's incorporated a hands-on management style and put in endless hours of good old-fashioned work to essentially rescue the course,
and develop it into a site that became capable of hosting elite level events. To that end Duncan Meadows will play host to this year's British Columbia Golf Women’s Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championships starting on June 30th. Appropriately dubbed ‘Where Champions Are Crowned’ Duncan Meadows has been termed a strong "technical" course by both B.C. Amateur golf legend Doug Roxburgh and former PGA TOUR player Frank Lickliter. Both saw Duncan Meadows as a layout where keeping your ball below the hole would generally lead to good scores.The putting surfaces are uniquely soft yet fast, so if you find yourself above the hole, it is recommended that you concentrate on lagging the ball as close as possible. While the 'heroic' play is often rewarded, DUNCAN MEADOWS PAST CHAMPIONSHIPS calculating risk versus the potential benefit is also wise. The course itself offers an exceptionally strong mix of parkland and links-style holes sculpted from the gently rolling landscape. The many lakes and ponds are home to several types of waterfowl and from virtually every tee golfers are greeted with beautiful mountain and valley views.
32 The Scorecard
IMAGE COURTESY FACILITY
BY BRYAN OUTRAM
BREAKING DOWN DUNCAN MEADOWS’ WITH OWNER AND GENERAL MANAGER MING HUI Certainly nobody is better qualified to talk about the strengths and characteristics of this challenging layout than coowner Ming Hui, having spent literally countless thousands of hours breathing life back into the facility and raising it to a championship level golf course. We posed some questions to Mr. Hui with respect to what may confront the competitors for the B.C. Women's Amateur Championships this summer Q: What can you tell us about some of the other championships Duncan Meadows has hosted?
Ming Hui: We have hosted quite a number of high level events…for example in 2011 we hosted the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and in 2009 the B.C. Men’s Amateur Championship… and of course in 2002 a 15-year old Paula Creamer shot a ladies’ course record 67 to win the AJGA Future Links Championship here… and as far as British Columbia Golf championships go, we’ve also hosted the 1999 B.C. Mid-Amateur and 2001 B.C. Junior Championship. Also we will be hosting the Canadian Men's Amateur in 2018. Q: What do you see as the golf course's best defence?
MH: I think, especially in the summertime when the course is hard
and fast…the greens are very demanding…depending on the their speed. So the greens can be very challenging, particularly because there are a lot of subtle undulations which can cause a ball to break back towards the mountains when you don’t necessarily see it that way…sort of an optical illusion. Also, a lot of players have said ‘Gee, you don’t have a level lie on this course’.
Q: What do you think will be the keys to a player coming out on top? Do you need to drive the ball long or more accurately?
MH: I think accuracy is probably more important than length. The course sets up very well from the back tees, if you play forward of many of those back tees you can be hitting into some of those hazards and trouble. Don’t try to hit it long, because trying to hit it long will get you in trouble.
Q: Which particular holes do you see as the ones that will provide the Q: Is it a course you can attack, or most challenge to the players? is one better off to play MH: Well, the challenges…there have conservatively?
been a lot of write-ups about our ‘Amen Corner’ which is number 13, 14 and 15, the tournament can be won and lost in those three holes. A prime example was the 2009 B.C. Men’s Amateur where Brady Johnson made a triple bogey on the 13th and he wound up losing to Daniel Brown who had been 4 or 5 shots behind…so that stretch of holes can be real trouble. Thirteen is our number 1 handicap hole and with a water feature at 270 yards off the tee it usually forces players into a 180-yard or so approach to a well protected green so it is a very demanding hole. Number 14 is a long par 3 and from the back tees plays to about 220 yards, so it can be a real tough tee shot to hold the green and the front has a heavy slope so you can’t bounce the ball on. The 15th hole is a shorter par 4 but it has a very tight, narrow fairway. With trees on both sides players may have to hit a shorter club just to get the ball on the fairway.
MH: I think you can attack on some of the holes and some of the holes you have to play conservative. A Good example is with the 1st and the 2nd holes, there’s a creek out at the landing zones so you have to lay up short of that. On those first two holes if you hit it long, you can get to the green in two, but it also opens up that creek where you can put it in there…so it’s a real risk/reward type of situation. Q: Is there another layout you might compare Duncan Meadows with for those who are not familiar with the course?
MH: Not particularly, it is fairly unique in that the property is basically rolling hills …the front nine has a lot of uphill and downhill shots, the back nine is more of a flat terrain. Q: Does the course favour any particular shot shape?
MH: Straight is best.
The Scorecard 33
THE
ELITE ATHLETE
BY ALFIE LAU
THE NEW AND THE OLD AT HIGH PERFORMANCE CAMP
With 13 of 17 young golfers attending their second British Columbia Golf High Performance Camp, there was certainly some overlap in concepts and ideas presented – most notably fitness and nutrition – but it wasn’t just the four new participants that gave the camp a unique and new energy. Christopher Dale, Evan Merrier, Bernie Xu and Megan Ratcliffe weren’t at Northview in October, but they certainly learned lots in Burnaby at the final high performance camp before the BC team for the Western Canada Summer Games is announced in April. “I had a lot of fun out there,” said Ratcliffe. “I got a chance to show people my game and where I am. I know the BC team is going to be hard to make, but I’m learning lots, especially about fitness and nutrition.” Ratcliffe does have the advantage of coming from a golfing family, as her dad Robert is a Team Canada
Christopher Dale Attended His First British Columbia Golf High Performance Camp And Played Alongside Alisha Lau And Jayla Kang 34 The Scorecard
IMAGE CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF
Four new participants gave British Columbia Golf’s High Performance Camp a unique and new energy.
Megan Ratcliffe Attended Her First British Columbia Golf High Performance Camp And Made Fast Friends With Many Of The Girls
national coach and has won numerous awards for his teaching. “I’ve worked on my mental game with my dad,” said Ratcliffe, “and he thought it would be a good idea if I attended this camp and learned from some of these coaches. I do feel a little more pressure because of who my dad is, but it’s also good because I can get advice from him.” Ratcliffe was making fast friends with some of the other girls who she’s already hoping to emulate. “I love golfing with Shirin (Anjarwalla) and I had a lot of fun getting to know Tiffany (Kong) and Natalie (Chu) and I know it’s funny to say this, but Alisha (Lau) is already a huge role model for me because of all she’s accomplished already,” said Ratcliffe. Continued On Page 36
The Scorecard 35
Camp- Cont’d From Page 34 “Maybe one day, I’ll get to where she is, but I know I have work to do to get there.” The good news for Ratcliffe is that Debbie Pyne, British Columbia Golf’s Managing Director of Player Development, is already starting to put a list together of prospective team members for three future competitions: the Eddie Hogan Cup, the North Pacific Junior Girls and the Girls Junior America’s Cup. For soft-spoken Christopher Dale of Mission, playing alongside Lau and long-hitting Jayla Kang for 18 holes allowed him to see how competitive it’s going to be if he hopes to succeed in the sport of golf.
Dale said he learned a lot about eating nutritious foods, especially when certified nutritionist Cristina Sutter gave a presentation during lunch. And doing an early morning dynamic yoga session certainly introduced Dale to how fit all his fellow campers were. Xu and Merrier showed solid golf games out on the course at Riverway and Burnaby Mountain and have certainly gained by exposing themselves to the decision makers at British Columbia Golf. Also new to the proceedings was guest coach Chuck Bertrand, who’s been coaching Special Olympics golfers for the past four years. “Phenomenal learning experience,” raved Bertrand after two days
XXX 36 The Scorecard
spent with coaches Jody Jackson, Matt Palsenbarg, Jodi Reimer, Alex Ludeman, Lindsay Manion and Pyne. “I’m getting so much information on how to work with elite athletes.” For example, when Bertrand sat in on Palsenbarg’s talk about the increasing influence of statistics in golfers being able to target areas of improvement, he saw that was a concept he could bring back to his Special Olympians. In particular, Bertrand got reconfirmation that approach shots from between 150 and 180 yards are key to scoring. “The better and closer you hit those approaches, the better you’ll score,” said Bertrand. “The toughest part with my Special Olympians is they need
to work on their chipping and putting and these statistics prove that to be the case.” Bertrand was filling his notebook with copious notes and couldn’t be happier to have been invited to the camp. “I’m trying to take in as much as I can from everybody, but it’s great just being able to take little tidbits of info and apply those to my Special Olympians,” said Bertrand. One key difference, Bertrand noted, was that while many of the high performance golfers were quiet and reserved, his group of Special Olympians is much more demonstrative and willing to blurt out whatever is on their mind. As for new concepts introduced to the golfers, many were surprised
to find out that the best long-term development plan is to play only 15-16 tournaments per year, with an almost equal mix of one-day, two-day, three-day and four-day tournaments. When presented with their annual plan and half of those tournaments already penciled in, many of the camp participants realized that there wasn’t much time left on the calendars once they factor in school exams, summer vacation and rest and recovery time. “We are more interested in you playing fewer tournaments well than a tournament every weekend,” said Palsenbarg. “It’s important that you choose your schedules and don’t overplay. You have a lot of choices, so choose wisely.”
And perhaps the last word goes to fitness taskmaster Lindsay Manion, who was still trying to impress upon the golfers the importance of hydrating enough – three litres per day – and taking care of your body by not putting so much sugar into it. “You have to manage your own body, listen to your body and take care of your body,” said Manion. “Your body is your tool and that means taking care of it, whether that means drinking enough water, eating good healthy foods or getting enough sleep so that you can rest and recover.” Yes, reminding kids to do the right thing never gets old, even in the world of high-performance golf.
XXX The Scorecard 37
COMPETITION BY ALFIE LAU
When 64 two-women teams tee it up from May 913 at the inaugural U.S. Women’s Amateur FourBall Championship at Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Oregon, there will only be one Canadian, Port Alberni’s Christina Spence Proteau, in the field.
IMAGE CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF
But if you think that thought scares the 31-year-old, think again. Proteau’s day job is as a prosecutor. She played her college golf at the University of New Mexico and the University of Victoria. She’s a five-time winner of the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, three-time winner of the B.C. Amateur and four-time winner of the B.C. MidAmateur. Oh, one more thing. Last year, she reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. MidAmateur Championship in Indiana, playing 112 holes in 5 days, with all four of her matches going to 19 holes
The new silver trophy for the Women’s Four-Ball will be given out on May 13 at Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Oregon 38 The Scorecard
IMAGE CREDIT: USGA / FRED VUICH
CHRISTINA SPENCE PROTEAU IS CARRYING CANADIAN HOPES AT BANDON DUNES
before she lost to four-time champion Meghan Stasi. She did this while six months pregnant with son Jameson Mark, who was born three months later, on Dec. 7 at a healthy eight pounds and four ounces. “It was the most amazing thing,” said Christina Lance, the United States Golf Association’s manager of championship communications. “I followed her and when she lost, I didn’t know whether to be happy that she could finally get a rest or disappointed that she was out of the tournament.” With husband Jim on the bag and supporting his wife in whatever way he could, the Proteau team has been representing British Columbia well south of the border and Proteau has a chance to do so again at Pacific Dunes come May 9. Proteau, along with partner Shawn Farmer of Bellevue, WA, qualified for the Four-Ball with a round of 70 at Gold Mountain in Bremerton, WA last August, just one week before Proteau’s heroics in Indiana. Jim and Jameson will be on hand at Bandon to cheer on Proteau at perhaps the most scenic course in the Pacific Northwest. Designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2001, Pacific Dunes is universally loved by golfers for its scenic, but challenging ocean holes and its unforgettable vistas.
Pacific Dunes will play to 6,003 yards and a par of 37-35-72 for the Women’s Four-Ball (the course normally plays to a par-71, but the 463-yard 4th has been changed to a par-5 for this tournament). It’s no pushover though, as its course rating for the tournament is 76.1, with a slope rating of 146. “Four-ball is the most common game you’ll find being played at your local club or with your normal foursome,” said Lance. “We believe this is a great addition to amateur golf and we are really excited to bring this tournament to Oregon, our 33rd time we’ve held a USGA Championship in Oregon.” The Four-Ball will feature all 64 teams playing 36 holes of stroke play on May 9 and 10 with the top 32 teams qualifying for the match-play portion of the event.
From there, it will take five wins over the next three days to determine the winners of the sparkling new silver trophy the USGA unveiled for the first time to the media on March 23 at Pacific Dunes. What will make the Four-Ball at Pacific Dunes even more interesting is that the wind blows early and often on the course, and while the course set-up will encourage aggressive play on short, driveable par-4s – five holes can play less than 338 yards – the notoriously tough greens at Pacific Dunes will ultimately determine the champion. Add in five par-3s, four of which are on the back-9, and you have the makings of one of the most exciting new tournaments in the last decade. Fox Sports, which recently signed
IMAGE CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF
Wet and windy weather often blows in off the Pacific Ocean and competitors in the Women’s Four-Ball at Pacific Dunes will have to adjust their play accordingly
a massive television deal with the USGA, will be televising the final 2 days of the tournament and will be experimenting with camera drones. If that proves successful, don’t be surprised if those same camera drones are a part of their U.S. Open coverage at Chambers Bay in June. As for Proteau, the 2005 University of New Mexico all-conference and academic All-America grad, she has a full schedule of provincial, national and international midamateur events to squeeze in before she returns to her full-time job as a prosecutor. Proteau is exempt into the 2015 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, which will be played Oct. 3-8 at Squire Creek Country Club, in Choudrant, LA. The Scorecard 39
BC’S
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
CORY RENFREW BUILDS ON PHOENIX OPEN SUCCESS What a winter it has been for Cory Renfrew. The 28-year-old Victoria native who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona during the winter has made memories - and several big paycheques - while pursuing his golf dreams down south. Who could forget Renfrew's Feb. 1 round at the Waste Management Phoenix Open? Renfrew shot a (-6) round of 66 at the tough TPC Scottsdale to move up the leaderboard to a T59 finish and a nice cheque for $13,734 US. That came six days after another 66, this time at McCormick Ranch, a few miles south of TPC Scottsdale, which allowed Renfrew to Monday qualify for the PGA TOUR event. To put this improbable feat in perspective, imagine waking up Monday morning without a job and by Friday night, knowing you're cashing a five-figure cheque and by Sunday night, pocketing almost $14,000 for playing a sport you love. Renfrew would use these rounds as a springboard to a couple of big performances on the Gateway Tour, a developmental tour being played in the Southwest. At the Feb. 16-18 Gateway Tour event, Renfrew would open with a 63 en route to a T5 finish and a US$3,700 cheque. Three weeks later, at the March 4-6 event, Renfrew would once again open with a 63, but he added rounds of 69 and 71 to win the event and a US$12,000 firstplace cheque. With that money put aside for expenses this season, Renfrew can concentrate on playing PGA Tour Canada 40 The Scorecard
Cory Renfrew (L) Works With Coach Matt Palsenbarg On The Practice Green At TPC Scottsdale After Monday Qualifying For The WM Open
IMAGE COURTESY MATT PALSENBARG / FACEBOOK
BY ALFIE LAU
and Web.com events as he tries to make his way up the golf ladder. But Renfrew's story starts on a cool and dark Monday night at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club. Renfrew was nervously waiting with roommate Eric Hawerchuk to find out if his 66 would claim one of the three spots into the Waste Management Open. As the final groups came in and found out that four players would have to come back Tuesday to play for the one final spot, Renfrew was celebrating, as he and Scott Harrington learned they had made the field. "I'm stoked," said Renfrew as his cellphone buzzed incessantly with well-wishers and friends wanting to congratulate him. "This is the first successful Monday qualifier for me." Renfrew had only played one previous PGA TOUR event, the 2012 RBC Canadian Open, so there's a steep learning curve for the proud Cordova Bay member. Continued On Facing Page
Renfrew's loyalty to Cordova is so strong that last year, when presented with a lucrative sponsorship offer by a neighbouring Island course, Renfrew had to respectfully decline. In fact, a group of Cordova Bay members - several of whom play a regular Saturday game - were early investors in Renfrew's talent and keep tabs on their friendly investment. "It wasn't about the money," Renfrew said about turning down the sponsorship. Renfrew's success was noticed in Surrey, where one of his coaches, Matt Palsenbarg, Golf LAB at Northview Golf & Country Club co-owner, made the impulsive decision to fly down the next day to offer any assistance Renfrew would need. Palsenbarg had to ask his wife for permission - the couple just had a newborn son with the iconic middle name of Danger - and by 7:30 p.m. Monday, he had booked a 6 a.m. Tuesday flight to Phoenix so that he could work alongside Renfrew. Palsenbarg landed in Phoenix via San Francisco and after one of Renfrew's friends picked him up at the airport, Palsenbarg was able to join Renfrew and caddy Andrew Ledger on the 10th tee for nine holes of reconnaissance at the TPC Scottsdale. Palsenbarg, along with instructor Kris Hartman, have worked with Renfrew for about a year now. With IPad in tow, Palsenbarg shot footage of every aspect of Renfrew's game and if Renfrew had a question, then the tape would not lie.
The next day, Palsenbarg spent more time with Renfrew on the double-ended practice range. Close by was Ledger, an old UBC golf teammate of Renfrew's who joked that the Monday qualifier was his first time looping. The highlights for Renfrew had to be coming through the tunnel at 16 on both Thursday and Sunday to make birdie while 20,000 screaming fans guzzled beer in his honour. During the opening round, Palsenbarg was there, IPad in tow, to capture Renfrew's birdie. On Sunday, with Palsenbarg back home watching on television, Renfrew got the crowd cheering again. After getting jeered for hitting his approach long, Renfrew hit a slow-rolling chip from behind the green that just kept running until it fell in the side door of the cup. Two months later, all Renfrew has done is continue playing well and building confidence as the true start of his golf season begins in May, when the PGA Tour Canada season starts at Point Grey before going to Vancouver Island and COREY RENFREW the Bayview Place Island Savings Open at Uplands, a short hop, skip and jump from Renfrew's beloved Cordova Bay. There may also be more Monday qualifying days for Renfrew, but there may also come some sponsor exemptions, especially if he continues to display the solid form he's shown in Arizona this winter. Perhaps the Winter of Cory will become the Summer of Cory. IMAGE CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF
Continued From Facing Page
"I'm stoked. This is the first successful Monday qualifier for me."
The Scorecard 41
IMAGES CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF
THE
BCG ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING BY ALFIE LAU
Highlights From The British Columbia Golf AGM Volunteers who’ve given countless hours to amateur golf were amongst the attendees at the 12th Annual General Meeting for the British Columbia Golf Association on March 28th at the Executive Airport Plaza in Richmond. They were there to hear an informative presentation from Executive Director Kris Jonasson on the USGA’s Pace of Play Research Findings, hear about the Association’s financials, and give thanks to Karen Vanzella, this year’s Distinguished Service Award winner. Jonasson’s presentation was based on one given at a Golf Canada meeting in February and highlighted some of the USGA’s extensive findings.
Distinguished Service Award Winner Karen Vanzella, Centre, Receives Her Award From British Columbia Golf President David Atkinson, Left, And Executive Director Kris Jonasson, Right. 42 The Scorecard
More Than 50 Volunteers From All Across The Province Attended The March 28 British Columbia Golf Annual General Meeting In Richmond Where Executive Director Kris Jonasson Presented Information From The USGA's Pace Of Play Research Findings
In particular, the USGA discovered that while slow play is often referred to in media reports as a reason for declining golf participation, it actually rates lower when the data is analyzed. For example, when golfers were asked the main things that optimize their golf experience, 82 per cent cited course conditioning, 76 per cent cited the people they play with and the enjoyment they derive from playing golf with their friends, 75 per cent cited accessibility to tee time availability and 74 per cent cited pace of play. In particular, pace of play is often the difference between playing slow or playing with flow. A group that plays in 4:39 but doesn’t have to wait to hit their shots feels like they’ve had an enjoyable time on the golf course, but a group that waits on most shots, yet plays in 4:32, seven minutes quicker than the other group, feels like they don’t want to come back to that course again. “More people are looking for flow,” said Jonasson. “Golfers are not looking for slow. The amount of time is not as important as the flow of golfers on a course.” As for the causes of slow play, they range from player behaviour to course design to course setup to green speeds. One of the ways the USGA is trying to collect more Continued On Facing Page
Continued From Facing Page data is the use of a new monitoring
 � tool which attaches to the flagstick. � � �  The tool is activated when the stick � �� � �  � is laid horizontally on the ground �   � � �  � – when golfers reach the green  � �� � �   � € and take the vertical stick out of ‚ ƒ    � the hole to putt – and British
�€„…  † ‡ �  � Columbia Golf is trying to become   �� � † � � �� � a test site for these flagstick  ��  � ��� monitors. � � �  � ‡ � � � � After Jonasson’s informative � ˆ � � � � ‰ �� ˆ � presentation, British Columbia Golf � Š� ‰ � ‚ ƒ � �
President David Atkinson convened the AGM, where the highlights ‹ Œ ‡ were Michelle Collens and Ed  � ��  � Helgason being acclaimed to ��  � three-year terms on the Board of ‰ � Directors, Helgason providing an  �  � ˆ � analysis of the financials and Karen ˆ  ˆ  � � � �  Vanzella of Squamish being Ž � �   � ‰ honoured for her many years of ‘� � Ž ’ � � volunteerism. ‚ ƒ “…„”ˆ Vanzella, who had an entire table �‰ � �� �  of family – including her husband, � ‚ ƒ �
‚ Â?  Â?  “…„”• three sons and grandchildren – cheering her on, has more than three decades of service in the † ‹ golf industry, including time ‹ Â? Â? Â? Â
organizing events, working on  �  � � �  committees and being a course � � Ž �� rater. ‹  Ž �� Vanzella’s speech used the theme Ž �� “…„”ˆ of the colours of a kaleidoscope � �� � ˆ as it related to her time in golf. ��  � ”– � �  �� Ž ��  �  From the colourful pastels of her �  ”— � �  �� “…„˜ first team uniforms to the green
™ � �  ‰ of the British Columbia Golf � � ��  Association, Vanzella’s colourful �  � presentation touched on her time ˆ  � ��  � �   on the executive of the British  � �
Continued On Page 45 The Scorecard 43
IMAGE CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF
TITLEIST ORDER OF MERIT WINNERS HONOURED AT AGM
Alex Francois Accepts His Plaque From President David Atkinson Ten amateur golfers were honoured on March 28th with Titleist Order of Merit plaques at the British Columbia Golf Annual General Meeting. While only three of them were on hand to receive their plaques in person, that doesn’t diminish the great seasons they had in 2014 on the golf course. Adam Svensson of Surrey, who just turned professional this month after almost three seasons at Barry University in Florida, won the Men’s title, with Alex Francois of Burnaby winning the Junior Boy’s title, Kevin Carrigan of Victoria winning the Mid-Amateur title, Sandy Harper of Nanaimo winning the Mid-Master’s title and the legendary Doug Roxburgh winning the Senior Men’s title. On the women’s side, A Ram Choi of Surrey won the Women’s title, with Naomi Ko of Victoria winning the Junior Women’s title, Christina Spence Proteau of Port Alberni winning the MidAmateur title. Nanoose Bay’s Shelly Stouffer won the Women’s MidMaster’s title while Victoria’s Jackie Little won the Senior Women’s title. Proteau, a new mother, sent her regards 44 The Scorecard
via a note, while Francois, Choi and Roxburgh were on hand to accept their plaques. Francois, accompanied by father Joseph, was taking the morning off before going to practice at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club, and had big news about his future. “I will be going to Boise State University in the fall,” said the Grade 12 Moscrop Secondary student. “I will be signing my letter in April and I will be moving to there late this summer to start my college career.” Francois said he made his official visit to Boise State last September and fell in love with the facilities at Boise State. “They have a great short game area and I know that’s a very big part of my game and where I will have to continue to excel so that I can get my overall game to the next level,” said Francois. Francois said he didn’t make many official visits before making his decision because he didn’t want to waste his, or anybody else’s time. While he was impressed with his visit to Washington State University in Pullman, WA, he was floored by what he saw at Boise State, the alma mater of both Canadian PGA TOUR star Graham DeLaet and Shaughnessy assistant professional Ashley Zibrik. Alex’s younger sister Sumie was already at Shaughnessy working on her game and after the meeting, Alex and Joseph left to join her on the course. Sitting one table over from Francois was Choi, a senior at Portland State University who had to come a bit further than Burnaby to the meeting. Choi was accompanied by her parents, but had come from Maui where she finished
T9 at the Anuenue Spring Break Classic. Her Vikings finished 12th in the team competition and the Surrey native was happy to spend some time at home before going back to Oregon to complete her senior year. “This honour means a lot to me,” said Choi as she looked at her winner’s plaque. “I have really enjoyed my time as an amateur and British Columbia Golf has been like a mother to me, helping me develop my game.” Choi has plans to play more amateur events this summer, including the U.S. Women’s Amateur in her new backyard at the Portland Country Club in August and she will try to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania as well. “I missed qualifying (at Pinehurst) by one stroke last year,” said Choi. “I would really like to qualify this year.” No stranger to trophies and awards is Roxburgh, who plans to play a full complement of events this summer, including the BC Amateur at Fairview Mountain, the BC Senior’s Championship at Swan-E-Set and the British Senior Amateur at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland. “It’s always nice to be honoured for your achievements,” said Roxburgh, “And we have to give a lot of credit to Titleist for sponsoring the Order of Merit.” Roxburgh could only laugh when asked if it ever gets old winning more trophies. “There’s always room for more,” he said. “I’m just happy to go out and play and continue competing.” Perhaps that’s the best lesson for Francois and Choi as they embark on the next stages of their golf careers.
Columbia LGA, BC Women’s Golf Association and her longtime association with the Squamish Valley Golf Club. “This honour means a lot to me because we are all volunteers here and to be recognized by your peers is humbling,” said Vanzella. “There are so many good people I’ve met in golf.” Vanzella joked that her first foray into volunteerism came about because after a round of golf, she wanted to have a drink at the club bar, only to find out it was a men’s only bar. That led her into getting involved in her local women’s club and getting them access to the bar after golf. The highlight for Vanzella was working with and travelling with a great team of young female golfers in 2007 and 2008. “That was a team that had A Ram Choi and SooBin Kim on it and what I remember most was SooBin was 15 and it was her first big event. We flew to Winnipeg and when we got there, we found out the airline had lost her clubs. We scrambled to put together a set of clubs for her, but I spent most of my day going to the airport to receive every flight coming in to see if her clubs had arrived. We got her clubs at 8 p.m. the night before (the first round) and she went on to win that tournament. It was such an honour to be involved with that team and be trusted to lead this team.” Atkinson closed the meeting by saying that while the data showing him membership numbers are declining, he’s excited about the upcoming year. “A lot is happening, change is in the air,” said Atkinson. “We are working on several pilot projects and interesting changes that are expected to deal with this and there will be more detailed info coming up. It’s not going to happen overnight. It’s both a scary and exciting time in the world of golf.”
XXX
AGM - Continued From Page 43
The Scorecard 45
IMAGES CREDIT ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF
THE
CP WOMEN’S
CANADIAN OPEN
BY ALFIE LAU
CP Women’s Open Partners With BC Children’s Hospital While the best female golfers in the world chase their first Major of the 2015 season in Rancho Mirage, CA, it seemed appropriate timing for organizers of the CP Women’s Open to unveil their plans for the Aug 17-23 event which will take over The Vancouver Golf Club for the second time in four years. Mark Wallace, CP’s Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, was proud to announce that BC Children’s Hospital, and in particular, its Heart Centre, is the official charity partner for the LPGA tournament. “We’re excited to bring this tournament back to The Vancouver Golf Club,” said Wallace. “We are proud to have a strong charitable partner in BC Children’s Hospital and we want to make a meaningful impact long after (the event) has left town.” Wallace said one of the directives CP CEO Hunter Harrison
The CP Women's Open trophy has been won by Lydia Ko twice already, including in 2012 at The Vancouver Golf Club. 46 The Scorecard
Mark Wallace, CP's Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, was proud to announce BC Children's Hospital as the Official Charity Partner of the CP Women's Open, with an ambitious $1 million fundraising goal.
has emphasized for the tournament is to do more for the communities in which the CP Women’s Open is held and that began last year in London, ON, where its CP Has Heart campaign helped fund needed equipment in local hospitals. Wallace said the goals for 2015 are even more ambitious. “We are committing to raise at least $1 million for BC Children’s Hospital,” said Wallace, which includes the company matching all online donations and creating a special zone on the 17th hole at Vancouver Golf Club. “Our Birdies For Heart campaign means we will donate $5,000 for every birdie made during the tournament on 17,” said Wallace. And for VGC members who register with the pro shop between now and Aug. 17, a birdie made by them will mean another $50 donation by CP. “We will also have a VIP Fan Zone on 17 where for a $20 (fee), you can enjoy meet and greets with players,” said Wallace. “We will also match every ticket sold so that makes double the impact.” Even as Wallace was speaking, Golf Canada sales executives were selling hospitality packages, with CP matching every $500 hospitality package bought. Wallace even went so far as to say CP would double their donation for the first five packages sold, which meant the first five $500 packages bought actually meant $7,500 total going toward the CP
Continued From Facing Page Has Heart campaign. Dr. Shubhayan Sanatani, Head of the Cardiology Division of the BC Children’s Heart Centre, said the funds raised will go toward building the centre’s research program. “We’re interested in reducing strokes and saving lives,” said Sanatani. “We’re excited with this partnership.” Last year, BC Children’s cardiac surgeons performed 337 heart procedures, including 201 open-heart surgeries. As for the actual event, tournament director Brent McLaughlin said he’s expecting one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour, which last year featured 96 of the top 100 female golfers in the world. And no doubt the headliner is World No. 1 and 2012 and 2013 champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand. “This golf tournament launched Lydia on her way and she’s had an amazing ride,” said McLaughlin. “She will probably enter our tournament as the number-1 ranked golfer in the world.” Ko won the 2012 Canadian Women’s Open as a 15-year-old amateur and repeated the feat a year later in Edmonton. Since turning pro, she has won multiple LPGA events, ascended to the top spot in women’s golf and seems poised to add multiple Majors to her resume. Ko also endeared herself to The Vancouver Golf Club membership by employing member Brian Alexander as her caddy. VGC Head Professional Randy Smith said he was so impressed with Ko that he expects her to not only make a lasting impact on the world of golf, but in everything she plans to do outside of golf.
Paul Batchelor, tournament chair for the CP Women’s Open, said he’s pleased with how hospitality sales and volunteer sign-ups have been going. With many holdovers from 2012 taking on even more responsibility, that means the tournament looks to be a financial and community success story. “Thanks to CP for bringing this tournament back to The Vancouver Golf Club,” said Batchelor. “We can hardly wait for the tournament to start.”
39
XXX
Continued On Page 48
The Scorecard 47
GOLF
FITNESS
COURTESY SGA
Correcting C-Posture Watch The Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvj84nErk2w
Women’s Open - Continued From Page 46 Details of the two charity Pro-Ams were also released. On Monday, Aug. 17, the Golf Canada Foundation ProAm will be hosted by Canadian golf legend Lorie Kane and feature threesomes joined by not only emerging Canadian golf talents such as Brooke Henderson, Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Alena Sharp, but also a Vancouver Canucks alumnus such as Darcy Rota, Kirk McLean, Dave Babych, Orland Kurtenbach or Chris Oddleifson. “The proceeds from this Pro-Am will go toward developing 48 The Scorecard
With the weather co-operating the way it has in our fair province the golf season is off to a rousing early start. Of course it’s still important to pay attention to golf-related fitness so we don’t suffer injury or fall into bad habits right out of the chute. In this SCGA Fitness Video, Jentry Fields demonstrates a couple of simple exercises that can help correct a common posture fault at address with many golfers, that being a CPosture or slumping shoulders. Watch the video below to see how to correct ‘rounded shoulder’ with these two easy exercises you can do on the golf course
the next generation of Canadian heroes,” said Martin Barnard, CEO of the Golf Canada Foundation. And on Wednesday, Aug. 19, the regular Pro-Am will feature the Top 50 female golfers in the world helping CP as it tries to reach its $1 million CP Has Heart fundraising goal. That means an unforgettable round of golf with superstars such as Michelle Wie, Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko, Stacy Lewis, Suzann Pettersen or Inbee Park. For more information, or to get involved as a volunteer, please go to www.CPwomensopen.com.
The Scorecard 49
BY
THE
RULES
COMPILED BY BCG EDITORS
Following Golf Canada's recommendation, the Championship Committee of British Columbia Golf confirms the adoption of the "groove rule" for all provincial championships beginning in 2016. This will be provided as one of the several Conditions of Competition on the association's "hard card", which is in effect at all provincial championships. The groove rule, which came into effect in January 2010, was to be implemented on a tiered basis, as recommended by golf's governing bodies. Golf Canada elected to adopt the rule at their Canadian Men's and Women's Amateur Championships beginning in 2014, with the condition coming
50 The Scorecard
British Columbia Golf to Adopt 'New Groove Rule' in 2016 As Of Jan 1st, 2016, The Penalty For Making A Stroke With A Club In Breach Of Condition During Stroke Play Is Disqualification. into effect at all their national championships beginning in 2016. Both the USGA and R&A adopted the condition of competition at all of their championships in 2014. The majority of the professional associations adopted the condition beginning in 2010. In accordance with the tiered implementation, British Columbia Golf supports events below the provincial level, including the club level, in not implementing the Rule until 2024, when the current condition will become part of the Rules of Golf. What does the "Groove Rule" imply? Rule 4-1 of The Rules of Golf provides 'the player's clubs
must conform within this Rule and the provisions, and specifications set forth in Appendix II. Although the complete technical specifications of the new groove requirements are more detailed, the following statements summarize the key changes: • The volume of grooves is reduced. • Groove edge sharpness is reduced for clubs with lofts greater than or equal to 25 degrees. A common misconception is that "V"-shaped grooves will be required under the new specifications and that "U"-shaped Continued On Page 52
THE
COLLEGE REPORT IMAGE CREDIT: STEVE FROST
BY STEVE FROST
SFU Clan Wins Cal Baptist Invitational Kelowna, BC, native John Mlikotic Carded A final Round 68 To Finish One
CORONA, Calif. – Senior captain Stroke Behind Individual Winner Kenny You Of Dixie State University John Mlikotic fired a final round 68 to finish second overall and three of his teammates lead the team and then had some trouble,” said finished in the Top 20 to lift Simon Fraser University Buchanan. “But Tony did his job for us.” to its first tournament victory of the season March Simon Fraser, the ninth-ranked team in NCAA Division 24th, capturing the California Baptist Invitational at II, finished first in the 15-team field with a six-overEagle Glen Golf Club. par 870, followed by Sonoma State (878), #3 Chico It is the Clan’s second tournament victory since joining State (883), #23 Dixie State (885), and Dominican NCAA Division II in 2010. (887) in fifth spot. Mlikotic, the Kelowna, BC, native, carded a final “We are not firing on all cylinders right now so to round four-under-par 68 to finish at 214, one stroke come away with a win in this tournament against behind individual winner Kenny You of Dixie State many of our rivals tells me the team is starting to University. Mlikotic had rounds of 76-70-68 to finish believe in itself,” said Buchanan. “I can trace it back two-under-par for the tournament. You won with to the success the team had at nationals last year rounds of 68-74-70 for a 213 total. and the players starting to have the faith that they can compete and have success.” Mlikotic recorded 13 birdies over three rounds on the par-72 course. Clan sophomore Kevin Vigna of Coquitlam, BC, who “John’s final two rounds were the difference for our recorded two eagles during the tournament, shot a final round 73 to finish four strokes back of You, tied team after starting off with a 76,” said Clan head for seventh place. Vigna had rounds of 72-72-73 to coach John Buchanan. “Sometimes you find your comfort level on a golf course and I think John maybe finish at one-over-par 217. SFU freshman Chris Crisologo (Richmond, BC) had rounds of 73-74-74 found his on this one.” and finished tied for 16th with a 221 total. Junior The top four scores among team members each Bret Thompson tied for 18th after rounds of 73, 76 round count towards the team standing. Mlikotic’s and 74 for 223. opening round 76 was discarded by the Clan when Clan golfers registered 14 of 15 rounds at or below 77. freshman Tony Ko shot a 71. Ko’s final two rounds of 77 and 81 left him tied for 42nd but were not The Clan finished 17th in its first appearance at the used in the team scoring. NCAA Championship in 2014. “Tony came in and fired a great opening round to The Scorecard 51
Grooves - Continued From Page 50 specifications in the Rules of Golf that are effective from January grooves will no longer be allowed. 2, 2010. This is not the case. However, *PENALTY FOR CARRYING, BUT any "U"-shaped groove must NOT MAKING STROKE WITH, conform to the new specifications CLUB OR CLUBS IN BREACH OF for both cross-sectional CONDITION area/spacing and edge radius. Match play - At the conclusion The USGA has developed a of the hole at which the breach database, called the is discovered, the state of the Informational Club Database match is adjusted by deducting (Grooves), to assist players in one hole for each hole at which determining if their clubs conform a breach occurred; maximum to the specifications, provided deduction per round - Two holes. the club or set of clubs has not Stroke play - Two strokes for been altered and is "as each hole at which any breach manufactured." The database, occurred; maximum deduction which is available on the per round - Four strokes Equipment page at www.usga.org, Conforming Club Match or stroke play - in the event of a breach between the and Ball Lists, is a searchable database of irons, fairway woods play of two holes, the penalty with lofts of 25 degrees or higher, applies to the next hole. Bogey and par competitions and hybrids with lofts of 25 degrees or higher, submitted to See Note to Rule 32-1a. the USGA and/or The R&A prior Stableford competitions - See to January 1, 2010, and Note 1 to Rule 32-1b. evaluated to determine whether *Any club or clubs carried in they meet the new groove breach of this condition must be rules.Please note that clubs declared out of play by the player submitted to the USGA and/or to his opponent in match play or The R&A on or after January 1, his marker or fellow competitor 2010, are not included in the in stroke play immediately upon database. discovery that a breach has The new Condition, as currently occurred. If the player fails to do provided in the Decisions on the so, he is disqualified. Rules of Golf, states the following: The full "FAQ" from Golf Canada 4-1/1 Groove and Punch Mark on the "Groove Rule" is available Specifications Effective January through the following link, which 1, 2010 Including Condition of also will provide guidance to Competition players relative to ensuring The player's clubs must conform conformity of clubs. Click HERE to see more. to the groove and punch 52 The Scorecard
US Open - Continued From Page 18 Another notable development is that with the end of the NFL football season, FOX Sports is now putting more resources toward publicizing the U.S. Open, its first big event under a new $1.2 billion, 12-year television contract with the USGA. KCPQ-13 FOX Seattle sports anchor Aaron Levine has started a weekly segment where he plays each of the 18 holes and has host professionals point out the intricacies of each hole for the public. The course will have a lot of flexibility for USGA Executive Director Mike Davis, who will be in charge of the course set-up. According to Gilhuly, the course can play up to 7,900 yards, but will most probably play between 7,2007,500 yards each day, depending on the wind. “It’s going to be fun, especially if we get one day of hard wind,” said Gilhuly, who’s most looking forward to the par-3 ninth, which can play from an elevated tee box 120 feet above the green to a par-3 featuring a tee box 5 feet below the green surface. “I can’t wait to hear the sound of this golf course,” said Gilhuly. “The sound will travel and you add in the sound of passing trains on the final holes and you’ll have a really unforgettable Open.” For more information, go to chambersbaygolf.com/us-open/ ClICK HERE TO RETURN TO PAGE 18
Hopefuls - Continued From Page 25 strongest team on paper going into Wood Buffalo. Debbie Pyne, British Columbia Golf's Managing Director of Player Development, said it's nice to have potentially three #1 players with the potential to win gold. Topping the list of favourites is 15year-old Richmond golfer Alisha Lau, who was named to the Team Canada Development Squad since October's camp. It's been a whirlwind five months for Lau, as she travelled to Australia to play a tournament, she's started working more with Team Canada coach Ann Carroll, and she's also changed coaches and now works with Scott Rodgers. "I've had some growing pains," said Lau. "I need to build my confidence up again but I'm learning a lot of things from Ann and Scott. It's really been awesome working with Scott. He's a really fun guy and I'm learning a lot." Lau was definitely tested at the Burnaby High-Performance Camp, as she shot an uncharacteristic round of 77, which included a triple bogey at the ninth hole. In addition, during the FlightScope challenge, where players were asked to hit wedge shots between 35 and 100 yards, Lau was in the middle of the pack in an area where she usually excels. "That's golf, it happens," she said of not playing her best. "I think with some of the changes I've gone
through, I may have to take a step back to take a couple steps forward." Lau still had a great time at the camp, in no small part because one of her best friends and competitor, Hannah Lee, was also her roommate."She's someone I learn a lot from because she thinks so differently from how I think," said Hannah. "We have a lot of fun, but we are really competitive too." Hannah also had a tougher time on Riverway, but she said it's allowed her to continue working on her mental game. "I've taken a lot from what Coach Jody (Jackson) is teaching us and in the past, I've struggled with my mental game because I lose focus and get distracted by things like little sounds. I'm working on that and the more experience I get, the less it will affect me." Hannah said she's working with her coach John Shin on her mental game, but one thing she is sure about is her desire to be on the BC team for Wood Buffalo. "I really want to play in this tournament," she said. "I have to keep doing what I'm doing and getting better." Also with a huge desire to play in Wood Buffalo is reigning British Columbia Juvenile champion Shirin Anjarwalla of Nanaimo.She proudly carries a bag with "2014 Champion" embroidered on it, but Anjarwalla has the game to go with the swagger.
Anjarwalla carded the low round at Riverway, a (-1) round of 71 that included two birdies."I was just trying to show the coaches what I've got," said Anjarwalla. "I'm a good golfer and I have to show them that I deserve to be on the BC team." Anjarwalla has worked hard on her mental game over the the last four months. "I don't show that much emotion on the golf course," she said. "You can't be up and down and that's what I'm still working on." Anjarwalla has also taken to heart the fitness and nutrition lessons and realizes that being a highperformance golfer involves more than just playing well on the golf course."You have to watch what you eat, always be working out and even working on your sleep preparation is important," she said. "The coaches are always giving us things to think about and work on." While the final team selection for Wood Buffalo won't be announced until mid-April, these five young players have shown enough to be considered for the team. Now all they have to do is continue playing well and developing so that when the coaches do make their decision, it will be an affirmation of what they've seen out of these five promising talents.
ClICK HERE TO RETURN TO PAGE 25 The Scorecard 53
THE
FINAL WORD Xxxxx
THE END OF THE TIGER AND PHIL ERA? Before this year, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson had played 217 tournaments together and had missed the cut together only once, at the 2012 Greenbrier Classic. But in the span of two weeks, they did it twice, in their 218th and 219th starts together, first at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and then at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego. It may be premature to say this, but is the Tiger and Phil Golden Era of Golf officially over? The sad sight of Woods, surrounded not by fans, but by a ravenous press corps in a near-empty players’ parking lot (everybody else was on the course), as he gingerly climbed into his Porsche Cayenne alone, driving off into the upcoming sunset, spoke volumes.
It’s frustrating that I just can’t stay activated. That’s just kind of the way it is. It’s very frustrating TIGER WOODS for me right now. I felt really ready to start the year and these first few weeks have been very poor. PHIL MICKELSON 54 The Scorecard
IMAGE CREDIT: ALFIE LAU / INSIDE GOLF
BY ALFIE LAU
Mickelson’s exit from San Diego was a bit more orderly than in Phoenix, where he declined to come out of the clubhouse to talk to the media, instead offering several quotes to a PGA TOUR official that became his only comments on his showing in the desert. In San Diego, Mickelson faced the music, answered all questions honestly and walked off into a couple weeks of family vacation time. Tiger, 39, appears to have the withering body of a 60-year old and Mickelson, who turns 45 in June, went winless in 2014 and has struggled mightily so far this year. Woods still has not played since San Diego because of his sore back and ‘deactivated glutes’ and Mickelson did make some progress during the Florida Swing of the PGA TOUR, finishing T17 at the Honda Classic and then T31 at the World Golf Championships at Doral. But it’s almost two seasons since Mickelson last won on Tour, with the British Open being that shining victory in the summer of 2013. Perhaps most distressing for Woods and Mickelson is the slew of good young golfers who’ve passed them and are commanding the biggest stages in golf. World # 1 Rory McIlroy has Major goals of completing
his ‘Career Slam’ with a Masters win and also a ‘Rory Slam’ if he were to win the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in June. And now, as the sole cover boy on EA Sports PGA TOUR video game, McIlroy has indeed replaced Woods in the eyes of young golfers, as Woods had been on EA’s video game cover since 1998. Up-and-coming Americans like Brooks Koepka, who won in Phoenix, Patrick Reed, who won at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Jordan Spieth, who won the Valspar Championship, and a resurgent Dustin Johnson, who won the WGC at Doral, are not only winning hearts with their aggressive go-for-broke play, they are part of the much desired 25-34 demographic. Woods is coming up on 7 years since he won his 14th Major, an unforgettable win on one leg at Torrey Pines and his injuries are too numerous to mention, from a wrecked knee to a bad back to glutes that deactivate in the cold and don’t reactivate when Woods wants them to… whatever that means. As for Mickelson, his 2013 British Open came out of nowhere, so unexpected and such a careertopping highlight that even if he doesn’t complete the ‘Career Slam’ by winning the U.S. Open, a tournament he’s been runner-up a record six times, he’ll still have validated himself as one of the greats of all time.
A clearly flummoxed Mickelson talked to the media after missing the cut in his hometown tournament and his honesty was telling. “It’s very frustrating for me right now,” said Mickelson. “I felt
A Frustrated Phil Mickelson Is Hoping A Resurgence In His Putting Will Put Things Right For Him In 2015 really ready to start the year and these first few weeks have been very poor. . . My putting is beyond pathetic and if I can’t get back to the levels of 2013, I’m not sure what I’m going to do because this is very frustrating.” Compare that to Woods’ comments upon leaving San Diego when he withdrew on the 12th green. “It’s frustrating that I just can’t stay activated. That’s just kind of the way it is,” said Woods. And if you haven’t heard the word
‘frustrated’ enough, here’s more from Mickelson, “I’m frustrated. I’m down because I see other parts of my game do very well,” he said, “But putting as bad as I have, it starts to creep in to some of the other areas too. It will take some not only fundamental change, but it will take some good low rounds and some hot putting streaks to get confidence back,” Mickelson finished. With the major season starting this week At Augusta, the question of which Tiger Woods will appear during the Masters is one at the top of mind for all golf fans. Will we see the ‘chili-dipping’ Woods who can’t break 80 or will we see the 14-time Major champion? There’s little evidence that Woods’ current game is in the same ballpark as McIlroy, Johnson or Spieth, but it’s also hard to believe Woods won’t win another Major. As for Mickelson, will we see the Champion Golfer of the Year or will we see the guy who publicly skewered his Ryder Cup Captain, Tom Watson, and looks to be the ringleader/de facto leader of the 2016 Ryder Cup Team? This all may be a moot point if Mickelson completes his Career Slam or Woods wins Major #15. All we know is that they will be compelling figures to watch this season. The Scorecard 55
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56 The Scorecard
THE WINE COUNTRY OF THE SOUTH OKANAGAN WILL PROVIDE THE BACKDROP JULY 14 - 17 WHEN THE PROVINCE’S TOP AMATEURS COME TO THE FAIRVIEW MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB IN OLIVER TO COMPETE AT THE 2015 BC AMATEUR
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