British Columbia Golf would like to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year 2021 falls on Friday, February 12th, 2021, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 26th, 2021. See the full calendar.

Celebrations last up to 16 days, but only the first 7 days are considered a public holiday (February 11th–17th, 2021).

Chinese New Year marks the transition between zodiac signs: 2021 is the year of the Ox; 2020 the year of the Rat.

OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the 10 athletes who have been selected to represent the 2021 Team Canada Young Pro Squad.

Comprising the 2021 Women’s Young Pro Squad will be returnees Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.), Jaclyn Lee (Calgary, Alta.), and Maddie Szeryk (London, Ont.). After becoming a first-time mom in July, Golf Canada is also pleased to welcome back Anne-Catherine Tanguay (Quebec City, Que.) to the Young Pro Squad as she makes her return to the LPGA Tour.

The 2021 Men’s Young Pro Squad features a six-pack of familiar athletes led by Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.).

Other members of the Men’s Young Pro Squad for 2021 include Jared du Toit (Kimberley, B.C.), Chris Crisologo (Richmond, B.C.), Stuart Macdonald (Vancouver, B.C.), Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.), and Hugo Bernard (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.).

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

For the past 21 years, Muncie Booth has run golf camps for inner-city children at McCleery Golf Course in Vancouver. The kids are given some golf instruction, run through a series of fun drills and offered a scrumptious brunch inside McCleery’s clubhouse.

They don’t pay a dime to attend the camps, thanks to the efforts of Booth, the longtime head professional at McCleery.

For that work and so much else he has done in his 40 years as a member of the PGA of Canada, Booth was last week named the inaugural winner of the association’s Warren Crosbie Community Leader of the Year Award.

Bell Let’s Talk Day is Thursday, January 28 and we’re joining in to help drive progress in mental health.

COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our lives, including our mental health. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 38% of Canadians say their mental health has declined due to COVID-19, and people already struggling with their mental health were 2 times more likely to say their mental health has declined due to the pandemic.

Since 2010, Canadians and people around the globe have joined in the world’s largest conversation around mental health on Bell Let’s Talk Day. Together we have taken big steps to reduce the stigma around mental health issues and inspire one another to take action and help create a Canada where everyone can access the mental health support they need.

2021 Women In Coaching, BC's Kyla Inaba - Image Courtesy PGA of Canada

Written by Golf Canada

Together with the PGA of Canada, Golf Canada is excited to announce the nine individuals named as inaugural participants in the 2021 Women in Coaching program.

Each participant receives in-depth career development support that is focused on four main areas: sports science and coaching education, hands-on training experiences with coaches and top players, project work and individualized learning plans. Recipients are awarded a $2,500 bursary to help offset costs for the hands-on training portion of the program.

Due to the volume of qualified applicants, Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada are considering ways to extend career development support to a broader pool of aspiring female coaches. Increasing the number of female mentors and role models is a priority for the growth of golf in Canada.

image courtesy creative commons

By John Gordon/Courtesy Golf Canada

The COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions and killed hundreds of thousands around the world. Almost without exception, everyone was affected in some way.

Its effects extended beyond the physical toll, causing emotional, psychological and economic impact. We were hard-pressed to find ways to stay positive and active. Many turned to golf as an outlet, even therapy of sorts.

Courtesy John Gordon/Golf Canada

Anyone who knows me knows, I love Christmas. Heck, I even own a Santa suit and still think my grandson believes I’m the real thing when I show up at his house on Christmas morning.

So, as you read on, please don’t label me the Golfing Grinch.

With that disclaimer, and I am sure I speak on behalf of avid golfers everywhere, spare us the trinkets and trash when buying a gift for us this year.

image courtesy georgetakei.com/www.picpedia.org

Just a friendly reminder to all golfers in British Columbia that as much as this is the time of year for giving and celebrating, there are unfortunately also those who will look to take advantage of the 'seasonal goodwill' that flows during this time. 

We received a reminder of this from our friends down south at the Arizona Golf Associaton who shared a scam attempt sent to their members with a fake GoFundMe campaign. We've pasted the warning they shared with us below and wish to remind all of you to always be on the lookout and be aware of this type of communication.

The Pat Fletcher Foundation Has Now Donated A Total Of $750,000 To 543 Recipients

Via Press Release

TORONTO, CANADA (Fall 2020) – The Pat Fletcher Foundation, whose purpose is to provide financial assistance to deserving young Canadian students on their journey to obtaining a university degree, announced recently the awarding of 25 new scholarships from across Canada.

“We are so proud of this year’s recipients. They demonstrated leadership and character in their submissions, and we wish them the best of luck as they head back to university and college this fall,” said Ted Fletcher, Founder and Chairman of Mint Green.

“These are outstanding young people – hard-working, well-rounded leaders in their communities. They share our desire of “making a difference” and we are proud to have played a small role in helping to shape their future.”

Accomplished Executive, Administrator, Coach And high-performance golfer, Kevin Blue, Returns To Canada After Serving The Past Five Years As NCAA Division I Athletics Director At UC Davis - Image Courtesy Golf Canada

Via Press Release

(December 3, 2020) — Golf Canada is pleased to announce that Kevin Blue has joined the National Sport Federation as its new Chief Sport Officer.

A dynamic and accomplished executive, coach, and high-performance golfer, Blue joins the Executive Team of the National Sport Federation after serving nearly five years as Director of Athletics for the University of California, Davis, an NCAA Division I institute.

Written by Brent Long/ Courtesy Golf Canada

Canadians golfers are playing golf and adapting to new technology such as the Golf Canada App like never before.

In a year where record numbers of recreational rounds were registered with Golf Canada through June (1.2 million), July (1.6M), August (1.5M), September (1.5M) and October (618,500) embracing technology and new apps has become a way of life for most Canadians who have spent much of 2020 learning to deal with COVID-19 lockdowns, quarantines and social distancing measures.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the names of the 29 athletes, male and female, who have been selected to represent Team Canada as part of the 2021 National Amateur and Junior Squads.

Fifteen athletes will compete on Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad, consisting of eight players on the men’s squad and seven on the women’s squad.

The announcement marks a significant increase in roster size, adding six athletes to the previous year’s team. The roster expansion is due in large part to a restructuring of team resources in addition to increased funding support from the Golf Canada Foundation’s network of Trustee partners.

In Flanders Fields...

BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. 

obituary courtesy Times Colonist

SANDERSON, James Richard "Jim" February 24, 1933 - November 5, 2020

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, James (Jim) Richard Sanderson. Jim passed away peacefully at age 87 on November 5, 2020, with his family close. He is survived by his wife Helen, daughter Margaret, son William (Deborah), grandchildren Timothy, Sophie and Trevor, and his niece Patty Bonacorsi (Chris and family of Chico, CA).

Jim was born in Holden, AB to Bertha (Dorin) and Alfred Sanderson. He graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering. In 1957 he married Helen Bramley-Moore and they moved to Stoney Creek, ON, as Jim had accepted a job in Hamilton with Proctor & Gamble where he worked for 33 years, holding various management positions. Jim's passion was golf, playing at Glendale Golf and Country Club and serving as Director and Rules Official with the Ontario Golf Association for 11 years.

In 1991 Jim and Helen retired and moved to Duncan B.C. where Jim was a member of the Cowichan Golf Club, volunteering in some capacity in every club activity. Jim was a "volunteer extraordinaire" with the British Columbia Golf Association, working as a tireless leader in golf for 16 years. Jim was an active and diligent Canadian Certified Rules Official for 25 years. Jim was honoured with the B.C. Golf Association's Distinguished Service Award in 2008, and also the Sport B.C. President's Award in recognition of dedication to sports in British Columbia.

Jim was a gentleman who had the respect of all players and volunteers alike. He was always the first to arrive and the last to leave a tournament site. Throughout his long life, Jim and Helen enjoyed many road trips, cruises and 25 years of wintering in Hawaii. He was a faithful member of the United Church of Canada. Jim and Helen moved to Victoria in 2007, and he enjoyed the last year of his life at Berwick House.

At the age of 35 Jim suffered a severe heart attack. The family is grateful for all the amazing years of care from Jim's many cardiologists. We also wish to thank Dr. Caroline Stigant for the care she provided to Jim when he had kidney disease. A private celebration of life was held at McCall's.

Donations remembering Jim may be made to a charity of your choice or to First Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral Road, Victoria, B.C. V8T 1A8.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallgardens.com.

Written by National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA)/Courtesy Golf Canada

The Canadian golf industry generated $18.2B in economic benefits across our nation in 2019, according to a recent economic analysis conducted by Group ATN Consulting Inc. on behalf of the National Allied Golf Associations (We Are Golf).

According to The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019), the Canadian golf industry employs the equivalent of nearly 249,000 people through direct and spin-off effects and contributed to $10.6B in household income. The industry also contributed $4.5B in government tax revenue ($1.8B federal and $2.1B provincial) used to support a variety of programs for all Canadians.

By Golf Canada

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

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of authorized provincial golf association to declare active and inactive periods, and it is the responsibility of the area club and golfers to observe these dates for posting purposes.

Each year, provincial associations analyze numerous factors to determine their active seasons. This ensures consistency of when scores would be posted by the majority of golfers to help keep Handicap Indexes accurate.

Courtesy Golf Canada

As the golf season begins to wind down across Canada, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the educational opportunities available to you as a Golf Canada member.

RULES OF HANDICAPPING
With the release of the World Handicapping System (WHS) in January, it is important to understand the changes and how it impacts you – the golfer!

For those that are interested in learning more about the World Handicapping System, we have created an online presentation that highlights the major changes to the Rules of Handicapping.

images courtesy Golf Canada/RBC Scramble

By John Gordon/Courtesy Golf Canada

My wife and I have played together in many events over the years but this summer we tried a new one: the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company. 

Now in its fifth year, the national series survived myriad challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, it experienced its most successful year to date.

“There was so much uncertainty at the start of the season,” says Adam LeBrun, managing director of championships and foundation for the PGA of Canada. “The pandemic affected everything and we were reacting to new developments every day it seemed. At one point early on, we thought we would be happy if we had 3,000 participants.”

As it turned out, my wife and I were two of about 11,000 participants who signed up to play in one of the team scramble’s 140 local qualifiers.

Recently two of British Columbia Golf's Performance Team coaches, Jennifer Greggain and Colin Lavers, were recognized by the PGA of BC for their outstanding contributions to the advancement, education and betterment of junior golf.