Canada’s Top Junior Golfers will be competing in the Prestigious Junior Worlds

Junior Worlds
The Junior Worlds, one of the most prestigious touranments in the world, for young aspiring golfers who have the dreams and desires to make golf their future, begins today at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California.


The Callaway Golf Junior World Golf Championships is truly unique with a total field size exceeding 1000 golfers. Participants from 45 states and 53 countries will be represented over the next four days. Not only is the Junior Worlds important to all the junior golfers who participate but it's also a big week for college coaches, who use the Junior Worlds as a hunting ground for up-and-coming talent.

Junior Golfers from 5 years old to 18 will competing at courses across San Diego - Torrey Pines, Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, Welk Resort, Lomas Santa Fe, Riverwalk, Sycuan Resort and Colina Park.

Megan Mahoney, the Executive Director of the San Diego Junior Golf Association, said, “I expect about 120 coaches from 80 schools will be roaming the grounds at Torrey Pines Golf Course, the site of the 15-17 age divisions for boys and girls over the four days of competition”.

One of the draws for coaches is the large international contingent the Junior World always attracts. The boys will be playing four rounds on Torrey Pines South, a course that was tough enough to host a U.S. Open while the girls will be playing the Torrey Pines North.

Many Junior World champions have gone on to enjoy successful careers on the PGA and LPGA Tours, including Amy Alcott, Notah Begay, Brandie Burton, John Cook, Dorothy Delasin, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Corey Pavin, Pat Perez, Joan Pitcock, Nick Price, Kim Shipman, Craig Stadler, David Toms and Tiger Woods.

With one of the largest contingents, Canada is set to make its mark over the competition days. Two years ago, Eugene Wong represented Canada well by winning the Junior Worlds. This was the first time a Canadian has won such a prestigious event.

This year, Canada will be well represented again with some outstanding junior golfers.

Jim Rutledge Polishes off Record Setting Performance at the Mr. Lube – Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship

(Milton, ON) - Champions Tour player Jim Rutledge of Victoria, BC put the finishing touches on his record setting performance with a final round 2-under-par 70 to win the Mr. Lube – Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship presented by Cleveland Golf/Srixon by a whopping ten shots over Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Dave Barr of Westbank, BC.

Visit http://www.cpga.com/ to view the final leaderboard, earnings and to watch the Canadian PGA TV interview with the new champion.

After establishing a new course record at RattleSnake Point on Wednesday with a 10-under-par 62, Rutledge capped off the National Championship by breaking the overall tournament record with his 17-under-par total for three days. The previous record in the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship was 12-under-par for 54 holes.

“I really wanted to come here to see some great friends and play in this event for the first time with the new sponsors and on a great golf course,” said Rutledge, who picked up $10,000 dollars for the victory and will now hop on a plane and fly to Winnipeg for the Player’s Cup on the Canadian Tour next week. “It was a fabulous week from start to finish and the Canadian PGA did a fantastic job of organizing and running this Championship.”

Rutledge is a rookie on the Champions Tour in 2010 with conditional status. He’s played well enough to qualify for five events on the Seniors’ circuit and currently sits 71st on the Champions Tour Money List with $82,550 in earnings. His victory adds a second Canadian PGA National Championship to his resume with the 1984 Canadian PGA Championship being his first.

“Winning a National Championship like this gives me some great momentum and confidence to keep it going on the Champions Tour,” said Rutledge, who is expected to get into the US Senior Open at Sahalee Country Club in a few weeks time. “I played with Mr. Lube President Stuart Suls in the Pro-Am and after raising some great money for Prostate Cancer and seeing Stuart’s commitment to this event it seemed like the entire week started off on the right foot.”

Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Dave Barr tried to put some early pressure on Rutledge with birdies on the 1st, 2nd and 5th holes but after another birdie on the 11th hole he had a couple of hiccups on the way in with bogeys on the way in. His final round score of 2-under-par 70 and 209 total was good enough to secure second place by himself while Champions Tour player Rod Spittle of Niagara Falls, ON finished alone in 3rd place after a final round score of 70. Barr picked up $4,000 while Spittle grabbed $2,500 in earnings.

Rick Willan of Markham, ON and Ken Tarling of Sanford, ON rounded out the top five as the two studs of the Ontario PGA Senior circuit finished with a 54-hole total of 2-under-par 214.

Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Bob Panasik of Windsor, ON rebounded from his playoff loss yesterday in the Super Seniors Division to shoot 73 in the final round and finish alone in 8th position. “Not bad for a guy that’s 68 years old, eh” joked Panasik.

In the Super Seniors Division that wrapped up on Wednesday Don Green of Thornbury, ON outlasted Panasik after making par on the first playoff hole.

Bobby Breen of Brampton, ON adds the Diamond Division title to his very large trophy case after firing rounds of 73-76 to win by six shots over Don Renaud of Ottawa, ON.

The $50,000 Mr. Lube - Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship presented by Cleveland Golf/Srixon is a three-day, 54-hole individual stroke play event. The Super Seniors’ (60 and older) and Diamond (70 and older) divisions was contested over 36 holes in two days.

Notes:
Mike Newman of London, ON made a hole in one on the 162-yard 15th hole in the final round

Spittle and Dave Bell of Windsor, ON qualified for the US Senior Open while Rutledge and Daryl Stubbs of South Delta, BC are currently alternates.

The Copperhead course at RattleSnake Point was set up at 6,900 yards by the Canadian PGA National Championship Team

Tournament History:
The Canadian PGA Seniors Championship was first played in 1938 as a division of the Canadian PGA Championship. In 1973, the Seniors’ Championship became an independent event and has stayed that way ever since. Among the Canadian golf legends to win this championship are Stan Leonard, Moe Norman, Bob Panasik and Al Balding. Norman won this championship a record seven straight years from 1979 to 1985 while Balding stunned the golf world by winning the championship at age 76 in 2000.

Dave Barr, Jim Rutledge & Bob Panasik to Headline the Inaugural Mr. Lube - Legends of Golf Clinic

Acton, ON – Mr. Lube and the Canadian PGA are pleased to announce that Dave Barr of Kelowna, BC, Jim Rutledge of Victoria, BC and Bob Panasik of Windsor, ON will be showcasing their skills for a packed house at the inaugural Mr. Lube – Legends of Golf Clinic on July 5th at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, ON.

The Mr. Lube – Legends of Golf Clinic will kick off the Mr. Lube Tournament for Life Pro-Am as Barr, Rutledge and Panasik will perform on the driving range of RattleSnake Point complete with music, microphones and a grandstand to showcase the skills that made all three of them famous.

“We are thrilled to be adding the Legends of Golf Clinic to our Tournament for Life Pro-Am,” said Stuart Suls, President and Chief Operating Officer for Mr. Lube Canada. “This will be an exciting day for all of our friends and clients of the Tournament for Life Pro-Am and I expect it to be one of the highlights of the entire Championship week.”

Barr is a Canadian Golf Hall of Famer that won the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship in 2007 and enjoyed one of the best careers in Canadian Golf history after winning twice on the PGA Tour and becoming the first Canadian to win on the Champions Tour back in 2003. On home soil Barr racked up twelve victories on the Canadian Tour.

Rutledge won on the Canadian Tour six times, enjoyed a successful career on the Asian Tour and has represented Canada twice on the international stage at both the Dunhill Cup and the World Cup. He earned conditional status on the Champions Tour for 2010 and currently sits in 71st place on the money list with $73,500 in earnings.

Panasik is a nine-time Canadian Tour champion who has also represented Canada at the World Cup on three occasions. He qualified for the US Open Championship a remarkable 11 times between 1964 and 1983 and for the US Senior Open Championship in 2002. Panasik’s name still finds its’ way onto PGA TOUR telecasts as he still holds the record as the youngest player to make a cut in a PGA TOUR event, doing so at the age of 15 years and 8 months at the 1957 Canadian Open.

“This is a fantastic enhancement for this entire Championship,” stated Glenn Cundari, President of the Canadian PGA. “Dave Barr, Jim Rutledge and Bob Panasik are definitely Canadian golf legends and I’m thrilled to see that we will be showcasing the skills of our Professionals in this setting.”

Participants of the Mr. Lube Tournament for Life Pro-Am will receive their ticket to the event at registration. The Mr. Lube – Legends of Golf Clinic will start at 12:00 pm EST on Monday July 5th.

Champions Tour Players Rutledge and Spittle to Play in 2010 Mr. Lube - Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship

Acton, ON – The Canadian PGA is pleased to announce that Champions Tour players Jim Rutledge of Victoria, BC and Rod Spittle of Niagara Falls, ON will play in the 2010 Mr. Lube – Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship presented by Cleveland Golf/Srixon, July 5-8 at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, ON.

“I’m extremely excited to play in the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship for the first time,” said Rutledge, who will come to Toronto right after the new Champions Tour event in Montreal. “The trophy is decorated with legendary Canadian PGA professionals and I would love to add my name to it.”

Rutledge has proudly carried the Canadian flag on his golf bag all over the globe, leaving his mark on every tour he’s played on. He’s won on the Canadian Tour six times, enjoyed a successful career on the Asian Tour and has represented Canada twice on the international stage at both the Dunhill Cup and the World Cup.

Rutledge played on the Nationwide Tour from 2001-2007, highlighted by his incredible come-from-behind victory at the 2006 ING New Zealand PGA Championship where he eagled the 17th hole and birdied the 18th hole to shoot 64 to win by a single shot.

Rutledge earned conditional status on the 2010 Champions Tour and has played in three events so far this season, including the Senior PGA Championship. His best finish came at the Cap Cana Championship in March where he finished tied for 13th.

“Mr. Lube is thrilled to have Jim Rutledge and Rod Spittle in the field for our first year as the title sponsor of this historic event,” stated Stuart Suls, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mr. Lube Canada. “Our goal is to make this event and the Tournament for Life Pro-Am one of the best in the country and we could not do it without the contributions of these great Canadian PGA Professionals.”

Spittle is making his second appearance at the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship after a successful run on the Champions Tour over the last five years. Since 2005, Spittle has played in over 25 events and earned almost $480,000. His best year on tour to date was in 2007 where he made 13 cuts and earned over $300,000, propelled by a second place showing at the Greater Hickory Classic. He’s played in three events in 2010, with his best finish a T28 at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic.

Spittle had a tremendous amateur career claiming the 1977 and 1978 Canadian Amateur Championship title after finishing second at the Canadian Junior Championship only a few years earlier. After attempting PGA TOUR Qualifying School on a couple of occasions, Spittle decided that a stable life at home in the corporate insurance world was for him. After 25 years in the insurance business Spittle finally pursued his lifelong dream and turned professional in 2004. He tasted success right away winning a Great Lakes Tour Platinum event in one of his first events as a professional.

The 2010 Mr. Lube – Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship presented by Cleveland Golf/Srixon will kick off festivities on July 5th with the Mr. Lube Tournament for Life Pro-Am with proceeds benefitting Prostate Cancer Canada.

Mackenzie digs down deep to snare first win in Victoria

Submitted by Canadian Tour Communications


VICTORIA, BC (June 6, 2010) – Brock Mackenzie, you may now exhale.

It didn’t come without drama, but the former U.S. amateur star is finally a Canadian Tour champion at last.

On a wet and wild closing day at the $250,000 Times Colonist Open, Mackenzie jarred a long birdie putt on the final hole to close with a 4-under 66 and end his four days at Uplands GC with a 14-under 266 total, one shot in front of freshman Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, BC (63) and California sophomore Aaron Goldberg (66).

Roger Sloan of Merritt, BC gave the leaders something to think about by lighting it up for a course-record 9-under 61 to post an early 11-under total. For a while, it looked like Sloan would flirt with the largest final-round come-from-behind victory in Canadian Tour history, set in 2001 when Brian Payne overcame a five-shot deficit to knock off Jason Bohn on a windswept afternoon at the Aliant Cup in St. John’s, Nfld.

Sloan would eventually settle for fourth with fellow British Columbian James Allenby (66).

After several achingly close calls, McKenzie will at last get his name etched on a Canadian Tour championship trophy. In 2006, the native of nearby Washington State had heartbreaking back-to-back runner-up losses, including a playoff defeat to Wes Heffernan at the Montreal Open. After spending two seasons on the Nationwide Tour, McKenzie returned north in 2009, finishing fourth at the Uplands last summer.

As an amateur, Mackenzie compiled a sterling resume that included NCAA All-American honours at the University of Washington, the 2002 Pacific Coast Amateur crown and a Walker Cup title as a member of the victorious U.S. team in 2003.

Now, finally, he can add another piece of hardware to the family trophy case.

“Oh man, you have no idea,” sighed Mackenzie when asked if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “Aaron and I really put on a show on that back nine. If we had played another hole, he probably would have tied it. I’m just glad I was able to dig down and finally pull one of these out.”

“I guess if you put yourself in contention enough times, eventually it will happen.”

It turned out to be a dramatic final day on Vancouver Island. Mackenzie bogeyed two of his first three holes and fell off the top of the leaderboard for the first time since midway through the second round. Those vying for the top perch traded punches all afternoon, with Sloan sitting comfortably in the clubhouse watching to see if his 11-under total would be enough to get him into a playoff.

Trailing by two shots with five holes to go, McKenzie dug in his heels and, after a Goldberg bogey on 14, pulled even with a birdie on the par-4 15th. Seconds later, Hadwin, playing three groups ahead, drained a birdie putt on the par-3 17th to put the pressure on the final pairing. McKenzie answered with a birdie on 16 before Goldberg did the same on 17.

On the 72nd hole, with Hadwin looking on, Mackenzie rolled in a clutch 25-foot downhill putt and did a slow fist pump. Seconds later, Goldberg’s attempt from just inside where McKenzie was came up a foot short.

“That was probably about as much emotion as I’ve ever showed on the golf course,” Mackenzie said of the impromptu fist pump after his putt on 18. “More than anything, it makes all the hard work and struggles worth it. It’s a great way to start the Canadian swing, and hopefully this will be a stepping stone to get back to where I want to be.”

With the $40,000 winner's cheque, McKenzie moves into top spot on the Order of Merit.

Sloan’s record-setting afternoon included holing out for carbon-copy eagles on a pair of par-4 holes. Sloan was exactly 89 yards out on both the third and 16th holes, dunking them both for the unlikely deuces. Oddly enough, Sloan says he was working on that distance with his wedge in the days leading up to the tournament.

“As soon as I was finished, I looked up, saw I was tied for the lead and knew it wouldn’t be enough,” said Sloan. “But if someone had told me this morning I would shoot 61, I would have taken it. It was an exciting afternoon. Any time you can kick off the first event in Canada like that, it bodes well for the rest of the summer.”

The Canadian Tour will now take a little time off before resuming the Canadian swing in Edmonton with the ATB Financial Classic presented by TELUS later this month.

Upcoming on the CJGA tournament schedule!

First, the NIKE Golf Junior Series / Stephen Ames Cup / Optimist Qualifier will take place May 22nd and 23rd at Swaneset Golf Course and act as a triple qualifier - NIKE Golf Junior Championship, Optimist International and Stephen Ames Cup - for all juniors.

Each player will recieve a Dozen Nike One Golf Balls, a Nike Golf Hat and a chance to win great NIKE prizes. The Stephen Ames Cup, an international event taking place in Trinidad & Tobago in 2010, is a Ryder Cup format event that pits CJGA Team Canada versus Trinidad & Tobago Golf Association. Tournament host and PGA Tour professional Stephen Ames is onsite the entire week, spending time with the juniors both on and off the golf course. The event is fully supported and funded by the Stephen Ames Foundation. The NIKE Golf Junior Championship is an invite only event, bringing together all the division winners for the NIKE Golf Jr. Series events across Canada to compete for the NIKE Championship crown in their respective age divisions. Due to the Optimist International Qualifier the divisions for this event will be Girls plus 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-18 for the Boys.

Secondly, the TELUS World Jr. Skins will take place at Bear Mountain Golf Resort June 5-6, home of the 2010 TELUS World Skins Game. This event will be full of great opportunities for the juniors:Each player will recieve two tickets to the TELUS Skins Game, a Dozen NIKE One golf balls and a NIKE Golf Hat

Plus the chance to play the course the Pros will play two weeks later

And a chance to win a spot as a walking scorer for the TELUS World Skins Game

There will also be Draw prizes for all participants to win a spot as a walking scorer and Draw prizes from Samsung

View the attached poster for more details.

Make sure you don’t miss out on either of these great opportunities. Make sure you secure your spot and register today.

For more information, please contact the CJGA Head Office at 1-877-508-1069 or at info@cjga.com.

Vancouver Sun/Province Golf Guide

In case you missed it this week the Vancouver Sun & Province released their annual golf guide. Click below to view the guide!

Canadian PGA Announces Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada as the Presenting Sponsor of the Mr. Lube - Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship

(Acton, ON) – The Canadian PGA continues to add excitement to the prestigious Mr. Lube - Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship announcing today that Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada has been named the presenting sponsor of the event that will take place on July 5-8 at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, ON.


“The Canadian PGA is excited to welcome Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada as the presenting sponsor of this great event,” stated Glenn Cundari, President of the Canadian PGA. “Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada continues to strengthen its’ brand across the country and we are pleased to align ourselves with them for this National Championship.”

As part of the agreement Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada will provide all the gifting in their category for the Mr. Lube – Tournament for Life Pro-Am that will kick off the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship.

“We are very excited to become a partner in this event as it is a fantastic fit for us,” said Dan Dodman, President of Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada. “We’ve been a proud supporter of the Canadian PGA and its’ Members for many years and we know that the guests and clients of Mr. Lube will be thrilled with our product and gifting that they will receive.”

In 2009, Cleveland Golf/Srixon staff player Ray Stewart of Abbotsford, BC fired a final round 68 to finish the 54-hole championship at a ten-under-par total of 206 to beat Ken Tarling of Sandford, ON and Norm Jarvis of Surrey, BC by two shots.

One of the greatest fields in Canadian PGA Seniors’ history is expected for 2010 and player announcements will be made in the weeks leading up to the event.

The Canadian PGA Seniors Championship was first played in 1938 as a division of the Canadian PGA Championship. In 1973, the Seniors’ Championship became an independent event and has stayed that way ever since. Among the Canadian golf legends to win this championship are Stan Leonard, Moe Norman, Bob Panasik and Al Balding. Norman won this championship a record seven straight years from 1979 to 1985 while Balding stunned the golf world by winning the championship at age 76 in 2000.

About the Canadian PGA:

Established in 1911 and the second oldest professional golf association in the world, the Canadian Professional Golfers' Association is a non-profit Association comprised of 3,600 golf professionals across the country. The Association’s mandate is to develop, promote and support our Members as experts in the game and business of golf and, in so doing, serve both its Members’ needs and those of the golfing public through the Association’s varied programs and events.

The Association consists of the National Office located in Acton, Ontario and nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information please visit http://www.cpga.com/.

About Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada:

Cleveland® Golf, Srixon®, Never Compromise® and Cleveland Classics™ apparel are brands owned by SRI Sports Limited. With corporate headquarters based in Kobe, Japan, SRI Sports is the fourth largest golf company in the world, as well as one of the world’s leading patent holders in golf ball technology. For more information, please visit us online at http://www.clevelandgolf.com/, http://www.srixon.com/, http://www.nevercompromise.com/ and http://www.clevelandclassicsapparel.com/

Vancouver Golf Tour Kings Links Open in Review

MARKETPLACE IGA - VANCOUVER GOLF TOUR

2010 KINGS LINKS OPEN

Monday, April 19th
Kings Links by the Sea GC
Boundary Bay, BC
6,865 yards Par 72

‘SHIN AND BERNAKEVITCH SHARE THE CROWN’

VGT Professionals John Shin and Lindsay Bernakevitch prevailed at the 2010 VGT Kings Links Open today, both shooting rounds of 4-under par 68 for a shared victory at Vancouver Golf Tour’s fourth event of the year. Both Shin and Bernakevitch took home $1,025 each for their win and moved to 3rd place and 7th place respectively in the 2010 CLEVELAND GOLF/ SRIXON CANADA Order of Merit. Seymour Creek’s Bryn Parry was one shot back in a four way tie for 3rd, maintaining a solid lead in the Race for the $5,000 PGA Q-School Entry with 3,550 points.

Heading up the Championship Amateur field was 26-year old Marine Drive Member Geoff Butt with a fine score of 3-under par 69 and a one shot victory over Northview’s Derek Wray. Butt took home a Cleveland Launcher 3-wood and a $100 Marketplace IGA Gift Card for his victory.

Butt has been working hard on his game of late, attempting to acquire his Canadian Tour card last fall in Toronto and this spring in California. He has plans to make a 3rd visit to the Canadian Tour Q-school later in May at Morningstar Golf Club and with today’s amateur victory, he will no doubt take a more confidence going forward. Butt plans to stay local and sharpen his game in a few more VGT events this spring against some of BC’s top Amateurs and Professionals. Derek Wray’s 2nd place finish vaults him within 400 points of the Amateur Order of Merit Leader Adam Cornelson of Vancouver Golf Club.

The Amateur Flight A Title was won by Seong-Jin Min of Burnaby with a score of 75 and a one shot victory over Jesse Forster. Min won a Cleveland Golf carry bag and $100 Gift Card to Marketplace IGA. In Flight B action, Dave Woodsford of Greenacres Golf Club shot a gross score of 79 to win by won shot over 16 year-old North Vancouver golfer Aaron Tham. Woodsford also took home a Cleveland Bag and $100 gift card for Marketplace IGA.

Please find a copy of the Official Prize Results here http://www.vancouvergolftour.com/

2010 Canada Bread BC Match Play Final Results

2010 CANADA BREAD

BC MATCH PLAY FINALS

36 Hole Match Results
Sunday, April 18th

Northview Golf Club
(seedings in brackets)
Winning Team Listed First

Dave Zibrik/ Kevin Hogg (19)
9 & 8
Mark Burke/Mewail Kidane (1)

Congratulations to 2010 CANADA BREAD BC MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONS DAVE ZIBRIK and KEVIN HOGG for their fine play at today’s 36 Hole Finals at Northview’s Ridge Course. Westwood Plateau Academy’s New Head Professional (Zibrik) and Swan-e-set Amateur (Hogg) were too strong a force for the Defending Champions Mark Burke/Mewail Kidane of the Golf Institute at Fraserview, blazing a total of 12 birdies and one eagle on their card over the duration of the match (28 holes).

Hogg and Zibrik fed off each other nicely the whole day, first Hogg setting the tone with a 9 iron on the 1st hole to 4 inches for the tap-in birdie. An unforced bogey on #3 from Burke/Kidane and a routine up-and-down to 2 feet for bird on #4 and Zibrik/Hogg took a 3-up lead early in this match. A win from Burke/Kidane on the par-3 fifth put the match back to 2-up, but only momentarily. Zibrik/Hogg’s steady team play continued on the par 4 sixth, with partner Hogg in for a solid par, Zibrik knocked down his 8 foot birdie for another win to go back to 3-up after six. Back-to-back birdies on #7 (Kidane) & #8 (Burke) kept the defending champions in the match thru the turn as both teams took par on the 9th to keep the match 1 up Zibrik/Hogg at the turn.

The start of the back nine went much the same as the front with Hogg making the first charge with a 20 footer for birdie on #10 and then stiffing his tee-shot on #11 to 8 feet over the water, ultimately free-ing up Zibrik on his tee-shot, which he stuck to 4 feet and made yet another birdie. Burke had his own 7 footer to make the half, but failed to capitalize and the match was back to 3-up thru 11. With Zibrik’s putter the only one to catch fire from 15 feet on #12, the match became 4 up thru as many holes. And after two consecutive halves on holes 14 and 15, Zibrik nailed another iron shot to 8 feet on the downhill 16th and capitalized for the team’s 7th birdie on the day to go 5-up through 16.

After Burke and Kidane failed to get their pitches up and down for par on the 17th, Zibrik/Hogg took an even bigger lead in this match to 6-up through 17. Birdies on 18 from both Zibrik and Burk kept the match at 6-up thru 18 holes.

After the lunchtime break, the players convened for the second half of the match. And it didn’t take long for Zibrik and Hogg to show that they were not interested in relinquishing their lead whatsoever. First it was Zibrik who drained a 12 footer for his birdie to halve the hole after Burke followed him in for birdie from 7 feet. Then it was his partner who took the turn on the next hole, chipping in for birdie from 20 feet to extend the match to 7 up through 20 holes.

With a lengthy birdie on the 21st from Burke it looked like for a moment there might be a glimmer of a comeback in the making, but only one hole later it was Zibrik back to his tricks on the putting green, holing yet another 12 footer for birdie to solidify their lead to 7-up thru 22.

Some great up and downs were made on hole 23 for pars by Zibrik and Kidane and some even greater second shots on the 24th hole by Zibrik and Burke left some 6-8 feet for birdie, which both failed to capitalize on and halves were made. More fine drives and second shots on the par 5- 25th hole left Zibrik and Burke sitting 15 feet and 10 feet for eagle. Although both players missed their eagles, they did tap-in for their birdies, and the match remained 7-up Hogg/Zibrik thru 25.

As outstanding as Zibrik played the first 25 holes of the finals, the icing on this match came from his amateur partner Kevin Hogg when he eagled the short par-4 26th from 5 feet and ultimately sealing the fait of the match with his 15 footer for birdie on the 28th hole to close the match 9 and 8.

At the end of the day, the team of Zibrik and Hogg had too much fire-power for the 2009 BC Match Play Champions, something they had showcased to past opponents through the course of the match play draw. In their last four matches alone, Zibrik/Hogg amassed an amazing better-ball score of -41 and showed to everyone in the field that they were truly deserved Champions! For their victory, Zibrik cashed a $1,800 winner’s cheque and Hogg received a $1,000 gift card. Runners-up Burke and Kidane received $1,000 each for their fine play for reaching the finals. To see the detailed match play results, please click here: http://www.vancouvergolftour.com/index.html 

At the conclusion of the event, VGT Commissioner Fraser Mulholland paid tribute to some very important partners in the co-ordination of the 2010 BC Match Play event:

BC MATCH PLAY TITLE SPONSOR – CANADA BREAD. Special thanks to Roger Antoniazzi for his continued support of this event the past three years!

VGT’S TITLE SPONSOR – MARKETPLACE IGA. Thanks for supporting BC Golf Development for the fourth straight year!

BC MATCH PLAY VOLUNTEERS: Thanks to all of you who helped us organize and make this event a special tournament for the competitors who start their year with this as their first ‘MAJOR’ of the year.

ALL HOST GOLF COURSES – Special thanks to all the golf courses on our 2010 BC Match Play rotation. Once again, without your support, this 65 year storied event would not continue to live on each year!

VGT TEAM MEMBERS – Thanks for all your devoted work throughout this event and all the VGT events that were jammed in between the weekend matches. Great work team!!

We look forward to hosting the 2011 BC MATCH PLAY event for all competitors and would like to wish our 2010 Champions good luck in defending their title next year!!!
Fraser Mulholland
Commissioner
VGT

Canadian PGA Announces Mr. Lube Canada as Title Sponsor of the Canadian PGA Seniors' Championship

Acton, ON – The Canadian PGA announced a new national partnership today with Mr. Lube Canada, Canada’s leading auto maintenance provider. As a result of this partnership, they have officially welcomed Mr. Lube Canada as the title sponsor of the prestigious Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship.

“The Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship is a fantastic event and one of our most competitive fields every year,” stated Gary Bernard, Executive Director of the Canadian PGA. “We are confident that the clients and guests of Mr. Lube Canada are going to enjoy every minute of this tournament with our professionals.”

The Mr. Lube Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship will kick off with the Mr. Lube Tournament for Life for Pro-Am, an annual charity event in support of prostate cancer research. As a partner of both the Canadian PGA and Mr. Lube Canada, Prostate Cancer Canada helps to battle this disease by building awareness and generating funds for research.

“We are proud to be entering into two very important partnerships that will not only support the community, but also give back to a worthy cause, “ said Stuart Suls, President & Chief Operating Officer of Mr. Lube Canada. “Our goal is to ensure that this event is recognized as one of the greatest Pro-Am events in the country.”

Every group in the Mr. Lube Tournament for Life will be paired with a Canadian PGA Senior Professional. In addition to the ‘Legends of Golf Clinic’ and ‘Tournament for Life’ opening tee shot, a handful of Canada’s greatest senior players and Hall of Famers will entertain and educate guests prior to their round.

The Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship will be held from July 5th to 8th at RattleSnake Point Golf Club on the Copperhead course in Milton, Ontario. Player announcements will be made in the weeks leading up to the Championship.

In 2009, Ray Stewart of Abbotsford, BC fired a final round 68 to finish the 54-hole championship at a ten-under-par total of 206 to beat Ken Tarling of Sandford, ON and Norm Jarvis of Surrey, BC by two shots.

About the Canadian PGA:
Established in 1911 and the second oldest professional golf association in the world, the Canadian Professional Golfers' Association is a non-profit Association comprised of 3,600 golf professionals across the country. The Association’s mandate is to develop, promote and support our Members as experts in the game and business of golf and, in so doing, serve both its Members’ needs and those of the golfing public through the Association’s varied programs and events. The Association consists of the National Office located in Acton, Ontario and nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information please visit http://www.cpga.com/

About Mr. Lube:
Mr. Lube Canada is Canada’s leading quick lube provider in the automotive routine maintenance category with 101 locations across Canada. Founded in 1976, Mr. Lube Canada has served over 34 million customers in its 34 year history. Headquartered in Delta, BC, the company also has a regional office in Mississauga, Ontario to support its national franchise network. For more information visit http://www.mrlube.com/

Canada Heads to World Junior Golf Team Championship Zone Qualifier

Team Canada Developmental Team members Albin Choi, Corey Connors, Richard Jung and Adam Svensson will represent Canada

Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) –Top junior golfers from Canada, Mexico, Guatemala and the Domican Republic will gather at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Naucalpan, Mexico from April 14-16 to compete at the Zone Qualifier for the World Junior Golf Team Championship (WJGTC).

The four-player teams will compete over 54-holes with the top two teams advancing to the World Junior Golf Team Championship, which takes place this June at Chukyo Golf Club - Ishino Course outside of Toyota City in Japan.

This year’s Canadian contingent consists of Toronto’s Albin Choi and Richard Jung, as well as Listowel, Ont. native Corey Conners and Adam Svensson of Surrey, BC. All four players are members of the Canada’s Developmental golf team.

Henry Brunton, Canadian PGA master professional and men’s head coach for Team Canada will accompany the team.

Canada has been competing in the World Junior Golf Team Championship since its inception in 1992. Each year, more than 60 countries attempt to qualify for the event via regional qualifiers with only 14 teams earning the right to play in Japan.

Canada has showed well in the past earning seven top-10 finishes in the event’s 19 year history. There has only been two years (1992 and 2008) where Canada did not make it through regional qualifying.

Last year, Capilano Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C. played host to the regional qualifier. Canada finished first at the qualifier and went on to a 12th place finish at the Toyota World Juniors.

For more information and daily results please visit www.cnij.net.

ABOUT THE RCGA NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM

The RCGA National Team Program incorporates advanced coaching, sport science expertise, training camps and world-class competition. The RCGA allocates over $1 million of its resources annually to the National Team program, encompassing strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, biomechanics and technique development. Players who are selected to the National Amateur and National Developmental Teams represent Canada at six to 10 internationally-sanctioned golf competitions throughout the year. The intent of this comprehensive program is to aid Canada’s top up-and-coming amateur players in all areas of their development, helping Canada produce the best golfers in the world.

Team Canada, the pinnacle of the RCGA’s High Performance Program, provides access to world class resources including coaching, nutrition, sport science, mental management, equipment, elite competitive opportunities and builds on the support that team members have received in their development years from their family, member clubs, personal coaches, university programs and provincial golf associations.

The RCGA’s High Performance Program and Team Canada are proudly sponsored by RBC Dominion Securities, Titleist, Foot-Joy, Under Armour, and ClubLink.

For more information about Team Canada or to make a donation towards the development of Canada’s future golf stars, please visit www.rcga.org/teamcanada.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION

The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 350,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.

For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit http://www.rcga.org/.

2010 NICKEL HEATING Open Review

Ledgeview Golf & Country Club

Monday, April 12th

Tournament in Review
After losing to Chad McAdie in a playoff at last week’s VGT Sandpiper Classic, 23 year-old Seann Harlingten was determined to claim his first VGT Professional victory at the 2010 NICKEL HEATING OPEN. And on Monday, he did just that, shooting 67 and edging 38-year old veteran professional Bryn Parry of Seymour Creek by one shot. With his win, Harlingten won 1,500 valuable order of merit points to creep within 250 points of Bryn Parry in the CLEVELAND/SRIXON Order of Merit Race for the $5,000 paid entry to PGA Tour Qualifying School.

Harlingten’s winning score was also good enough to win $1,500 and capture his first Professional VGT title, it wasn’t quite good enough to capture the OVERALL CHAMPION TITLE of the 2010 NICKEL HEATING OPEN as 24 year old Amateur Adam Cornelson of Vancouver Golf Club stole the show, shooting an amazing score of 65. This was not Cornelson’s first time to the podium in a Vancouver Golf Tour event, as he captured Low Amateur honours at the 2009 Vancouver City Open. It was, however his first OVERALL victory against a strong field of 87 players including 30 VGT Professionals of which several were experienced Canadian Tour players.

Interviewed after the round, Cornelson agreed that to win against the Professionals in this field was a great accomplishment. “It’s a great feeling to beat the calibre of Professionals in today’s field. I’m going to take a lot of confidence away from this event into future VGT events and the remainder of my 2010 tournament schedule”. Cornelson set himself apart from his amateur competitors this week, winning by 7 shots over his next competitor Yves Bisson of Sandpiper Resort, who shot 72 for his second straight runner-up finish in the Championship Amateur Flight. With his win, Cornelson not only won a Cleveland Launcher Driver, but he also vaulted himself into top spot on the Cleveland/Srixon Championship Flight Order of Merit with 2,850 points, some 650 points ahead of Yves Bisson.

NICKEL HEATING & VENTILATION’S Steve Savage was on hand to play in the event and to award Cornelson his winner’s trophy after the round. “It’s great to be a part of the Vancouver Golf Tour again this year and help support our aspiring Professional and Amateur golfers in the Greater Vancouver region”. “I’m confident the tournament experiences VGT is providing for players like Adam will help prepare its players to become a winner on the PGA Tour someday real soon”.

In Flight A action, Northview’s Jim Zalusky took home Low Gross honours with a score of 82, collecting a Cleveland Launcher DST Hybrid and $100 Gift Card to Marketplace IGA. Zalusky moved himself into a tie for 5th on the Cleveland/Srixon Order of Merit with his victory. In flight B action, Port Coquitlam’s Murray Reed claimed the Low Gross prize of a Cleveland Bag and $100 Gift Card to Marketplace IGA with his winning score of 82. Coquitlam’s Rob Colquhoun remains in top spot in Flight B’s Order of Merit with 2,250 points.

Vancouver Golf Tour would like to thank our TITLE SPONSOR Steve Savage of NICKEL HEATING & VENTILATION who has been a Premier Sponsor of Vancouver Golf Tour since 2007. “NICKEL HEATING has been instrumental to the development of VGT since day one and we can’t thank Mr. Savage enough for continuing his support of the tour again this year” stated VGT Commissioner Fraser Mulholland. “NICKEL HEATING has elevated their sponsorship of VGT in 2010 to include a $2,500 “OUTSTANDING PLAYER AWARD”, once again stepping up their role in the development of golfers in our region. Official details of this award will be released shortly”.

VGT would also like to give special thanks to the Ledgeview Golf & Country Club for playing host to the NICKEL HEATING OPEN event for the 3rd straight year and for keeping their golf course in excellent shape for all of our Championship Players. Additional thanks to Director of Golf Jason Smith and his staff for their support throughout the event. Lastly, we need to give thanks to all of the hard-working VGT volunteers and team members who helped make this tournament a huge success. For full results of this event and 2010

CLEVELAND/SRIXON ORDER OF MERIT standings, click here: http://www.vancouvergolftour.com/2010/live_scoring.htm.

VGT looks forward to hosting its next two events – The 2010 KINGS LINKS OPEN on Monday, April 19th (8am shotgun start) and our first Amateur Only event of the season – The 2010 MTC NORTHVIEW OPEN on Sunday, April 25th (11am start). Registration for KINGS LINKS closes Wednesday at 6pm and we strongly suggest early registration for the MTC Northview Open as it SOLD OUT early in 2009!!!

Cory Renfrew takes home Bobby Gaul Memorial Trophy

Renfrew is named UBC male athlete of the year

BC golfer, Cory Renfrew heard his named called for the second consecutive year, bringing home the prestigious Bobby Gaul Memorial Trophy as UBC's outstanding graduating male athlete after claiming the Bus Phillips Award (male athlete of the year) in 2009.

Winner of the 2009 Bus Phillips Award as UBC’s male athlete of the year, Renfrew capped off his four year T-Bird career in style last season with the individual title at the RCGA Championships as he led UBC to their second-straight Canadian crown. In three of his four years, he was UBC’s top finisher at the NAIA Championship and led the T-Birds to their first ever NAIA men’s golf title in 2008. He was twice named an NAIA All-American and in 2008 he earned a spot on the All-Nicklaus team as one of the top 20 collegiate golfers in North America.

CN Extends Title Sponsorship of CN Canadian Women’s Open Through 2013

North America’s Railroad to continue success story with Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship as well as CN Canadian Women’s Tour and CN Future Links

Oakville, Ont. – The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is pleased to announce that CN will continue as title sponsor of the CN Canadian Women’s Open, as well as the CN Canadian Women’s Tour and CN Future Links. The extended three-year agreement will see CN continue its’ valued support of Canadian golf through 2013 with an additional two-year option through 2015.

"CN is delighted to announce that we will continue our title sponsorship of the CN Canadian Women’s Open, the CN Canadian Women’s Tour and CN Future Links," said CN President Claude Mongeau. "We at CN are very proud to be associated with the only LPGA tour stop in Canada - the CN Canadian Women's Open. Equally as important, our continued involvement with the event will provide a platform through the CN Miracle Match program to leave a lasting legacy at children’s hospitals in our event host communities. We are also committed to helping the RCGA ensure the future of the game of golf through our on-going support of the developmental CN Canadian Women's Tour as well as the CN Future Links program that helps junior golfers at the grass roots level learn to play and develop a passion for the game. Each of these tremendous properties is making an impact through golf in local communities across Canada.”

The partnership between CN and the RCGA dates back to an announcement made on October 29, 2005 that the inaugural CN Canadian Women’s Open would take place in 2006.

The CN Canadian Women’s Open, through the support of CN, has been elevated to become one of the premier tournaments in women’s professional golf. The $2.25 million (U.S.) purse for the 2010 CN Canadian Women’s Open to be held August 23-29 at St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg will rank among the Top-5 purses on the LPGA Tour this season.

“CN represents the best in their business, so we’re thrilled to extend our relationship with a transportation company with such a rich history and bright future,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan. “CN is the only railroad that crosses the continent east-west and north-south, serving the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts; the LPGA strives to satisfy its fans in the same fashion that CN clearly has done for its growing number of customers and partners. We thank both CN and RCGA for their long-time and on-going commitment to the LPGA, and we look forward not only to making our annual trip to Canada but also enhancing a relationship that extends well beyond the ropes into many facets of women’s golf development.”

The tremendously successful CN Miracle Match Program has continued to grow as the charitable component to Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship and further illustrate CN’s commitment as community champions. The program debuted in 2006 and to date has helped to raise just over $3.5 million for children’s hospitals in the host communities of the CN Canadian Women’s Open, including a record $1.6 million raised in 2009 for the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. More information about the program is available at http://www.cnmiraclematch.ca/.

“CN is playing a major role in supporting excellence in Canadian golf and we are thrilled to have them continue on as sponsor of the CN Canadian Women’s Open as well as the CN Canadian Women’s Tour and CN Future Links,” said Scott Simmons, RCGA Executive Director and CEO. “In addition to their commitment to raising money for children’s hospitals in the name of the event, they have elevated the status of the CN Canadian Women’s Open and women’s golf in this country, and are helping to support thousands of young golfers in communities across Canada. We are honoured to be continuing our partnership with CN and on behalf of the RCGA Board of Directors and staff, we thank them for continuing to invest in the future success of golf in Canada.”

ABOUT THE 2010 CN CANADIAN WOMEN’S OPEN
Stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the 2010 CN Canadian Women’s Open from August 23-29 at the St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg. For more information about tickets, volunteer opportunities or corporate hospitality, please visit www.cncanadianwomensopen.com.

ABOUT THE CN CANADIAN WOMEN’S TOUR
One of the world’s premier developmental tours, the CN Canadian Women’s Tour continues to attract rising Canadian and international female golf professionals as well as top female amateurs. Many of Canada’s top professionals including Lorie Kane and Alena Sharp as well as 2010 LPGA Tour member Lisa Meldrum and Samantha Richdale have competed on the CN Canadian Women's Tour as a springboard to future success. The 2010 season will see events hosted Quilchena Golf and Country Club in Richmond B.C., Blue Springs Golf Club in Acton, Ont. and Club de golf Rivermead in Gatineau, Que. Total season prize money for 2010 is $180,000 (CDN); each championship purse will be $60,000 with the champion earning $10,000. As well, the top three players on the CN Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit will be awarded direct entry and entry fees paid into both LPGA Tour Sectional Qualifying Tournaments ($5,000 value each). For more information, visit http://www.cncanadianwomenstour.ca/.

ABOUT CN FUTURE LINKS
CN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by the RCGA, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program is designed to forge a link between Canada’s youth and golf to ensure the future of the game in Canada. Since the inception of the program in 1996, more than 845,000 young Canadians have taken part in CN Future Links. A number of new initiatives including the recently launched Learn to Play program have succeeded through CN’s sponsorship of the program. For more information visit www.cnfuturelinks.com.

NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD
CN – Canadian National Railway Company – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For further information please visit www.cn.ca.

CN DELIVERS THE GREAT GAME OF GOLF
CN is proud to support golf in Canada and is pleased to bring the best of women’s professional golf to Canada with its title sponsorship of the CN Canadian Women’s Open and the CN Canadian Women’s Tour. In addition to supporting women’s golf, CN contributes to the development of golf among young people across the country through its sponsorship of the CN Future Links program. CN is pleased to work with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) to help develop golf as a sport for women and juniors across Canada and to increase the accessibility of golf to recreational and competitive golfers. Visit http://www.cn.ca/.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum and CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.

For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit http://www.rcga.org/.

Chilean Alvarado takes top honours, Canadian Hadwin sixth at Q-School

Submitted by Canadian Tour Communications

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – It turned out to be a Good Friday indeed for the 24 latest members of the Canadian Tour as California Qualifying School closed out.
Chilean Benjamin Alvarado took medallist honours after a final-round 72 gave him a four-day total of 3-over 291, one shot in front of American David Dragoo. Californian Larry Correa finished two shots back.

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, BC, who took a share of the lead into the final round, struggled on his back nine Friday, going 6-over on his way to a 77 that dropped him into a share of sixth. The top 11 finishers earned exempt status for the 2010 season while 13 others including Josh Nelson, the son of ten-time PGA Tour winner Larry Nelson, were awarded non-exempt status.

Hadwin was the only Canadian to secure a card.

For Alvarado, Friday’s outcome signalled a comeback of sorts. It was just seven months ago that Alvarado underwent surgery on both knees as the result of a lifelong tendon problem. He began working out again a month and a half ago, and returned to the competitive scene this week.

The 2003 South American Amateur champion, who also won the prestigious Orange Bowl title in 2002, is regarded as one of the best amateur golfers in Chile’s history.

“This means the world to me right now,” said Alvarado. “I wasn’t sure what to expect this week. I just wanted to come out, do my best and try to get a card.

“This feels very good,” he added “It’s been a difficult year.”

Federico Cabrera, the son of reigning Masters champion Angel Cabrera, closed with a 73 to finish at 13-over 301, one shot shy of earning non-exempt status.

Two weeks from now, the Canadian Tour will move into Mexico for a pair of events. The B.C. qualifying school will be held in May just prior to the start of the $250,000 Times Colonist Open in Victoria, which will kick off the summer-long Canadian swing.

2010 Canadian Tour California School Qualifiers:
Exempt Status
1 - Benjamin Alvarado - 291
2 - David Dragoo - 292
3 - Larry Correa - 293
4 - Matt Richardson - 294
5 - Michael Jensen - 294
6 - Adam Hadwin - 295
7 - Eduardo Kim - 295
8 - Brian Prouty - 296
9 - Matthew Rosen - 296
10 - Reid Scarff - 296
11 - Mike McRae - 297

Non Exempt Status
1 - Timothy Cha - 298
2 - Cole Nondorf - 298
3 - Erik Olson - 298
4 - Creighton Honeck - 298
5 - Phil Telliard - 298
6 - Kyle Yonke - 298
7 - Jae An - 299
8 - Josh Nelson - 299
9 - Daniel Lim - 299
10 - Tom Glissmeyer - 299
11 - Kyle Warren  - 300
12 - Eugene Choe - 300
13 - Steve Saunders - 300

Vigna, Fahy, and Yoo Hold off the field to Capture PUMA Challenge

Vancouver, B.C. – Cold and wet conditions greeted the juniors at the first PUMA Challenge stop at University Golf Club this weekend, providing great excitement in all divisions. It took extra holes to determine the Boys 15-19 Division, as James Fahy, 17, of Vancouver got up and down for birdie on the second playoff hole, the par 5 fifth, to capture the his second PUMA Challenge title in as many years. “The course was soft with the conditions, but it was in great shape and the greens rolled well” said Fahy.

Fahy held of Cameron Davison, 15, of Duncan in the playoff, after Davison fired a final round 72 (E) to tie atop the leader board with Fahy at 147 (+3) for the tournament. After exchanging par’s on the first playoff hole, Fahy was able to tap in for his birdie and the victory on the second playoff hole. “My putting and chipping were the strengths in my game” Fahy said. “Now I need to work on my distance control”. Kevin Ko, 16, of Coquitlam vaulted up the leader board with a final round 70 (-2) to finish in third place in the older boys flight.

Kevin Vigna, 14, of Coquitlam playing in his first CJGA event captured his first Division title in the Boys 14 & Under flight with an impressive one over par (145) two-day total for a three stroke margin of victory. “I hit the ball well off the tee this weekend”, said Vigna following his round. “I need to continue to work on my putting, but an extremely happy that I was able to win the tournament” he added. Alex Francois, 10, of Burnaby had the round of the tournament closing out with a 69 (-3) on Sunday to jump into second place in the division, three strokes back at 148 (+4) for the tournament. First round co-leader Donald Qui of Surrey finished in third spot after a 77 (+5) in the final round to finish five shots off the pace.

The Girls Division had excitement and was not to be outdone, as Anica Yoo, 16, of Port Coquitlam who lost in a playoff in last year’s event fired a final round 70 (-2) to capture the divisional title by a single stroke. “I putted really well, but have some work to do on my pitch shots” said Yoo. Taking advantage of the par 5’s, Yoo eagled two of the four par fives on her way to victory. “The course played fair, although the weather did not help” she added. First round leader Jamie Oleksiew, 15, of Surrey managed to hold on to second place after a final round 73 (+1) for a two day 147 (+3) and finish one off the pace. Soobin Kim, 16, of Port Coquitlam shot a final round 72 (E) to finish third in the division, two shots off the pace at 148 (+4).

Click here for the full results!


Jun Kang, 14, of Port Moody scored his first hole in one during the first round of competition, on the 145 yard par 3 11th hole.

Tournament Notes

Weather:
First Round: Mostly cloudy, 14°C
Final Round: Rain showers and windy, 9°C

Lexus Skills Competition Winners

Closest to the Pin
Girls – Ally Shin
Boys 14 & Under – Jun Kang
Boys 15-19 – Myles DeBrincat

Long Drive
Girls – Soobin Kim
Boys 14 & Under – Chris Crisologo
Boys 15-19 – Sean Moen

The next PUMA Challenge will take place in Alberta on May 1-2 at River Spirit Golf Course. The next British Columbia event takes place April 17-18 at McCleery Golf Course with the Euro Junior Golf Cup/Lipton Brisk Canada Cup Team West Qualifier.

About PUMA
PUMA is one of the world's leading sport lifestyle companies that designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. It is committed to working in ways that contribute to the world by supporting Peace, Creativity, and SAFE Sustainability, and by staying true to the values of being Fair, Honest, Positive and Creative in decisions made and actions taken. PUMA starts in Sport and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance and Lifestyle labels include categories such as Soccer, Running, Motorsports, Golf and Sailing. The Black label features collaborations with renowned designers such as Alexander McQueen, Yasuhiro Mihara and Sergio Rossi. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Tretorn and Hussein Chalayan. The company, which was founded in 1948, distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 9,000 people worldwide and has headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Boston, London and Hong Kong.

For more information, please visit http://www.puma.com/ and golf.puma.com.

About the CJGA
The Canadian Junior Golf Association is a ³registered Canadian amateur athletic association² (RCAAA) not-for-profit registered federally with Revenue Canada.. The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is dedicated to providing Canada's junior golfers with the necessary skills and knowledge required to lay a foundation for a future in competitive golf. Through its six-stage competitive development program that focuses on tournaments, clinics, international competitions, and mentoring programs with PGA Tour professionals, the CJGA introduces the game to juniors as young as five and offers competitive multi-day events for the more advanced golfer. The CJGA acts as a feeder system to provincial and national competitions, collegiate and university golf, as well as professional and recreational golf. For more information please visit http://www.cjga.com/.

The Canadian Junior Golf Association is generously supported by its National Founding Partner, LEXUS.

Canadian PGA PACE Program Approved by Membership

(Acton, ON) – The Canadian PGA announced today that their proposed PACE program, an education and employment strategy to enhance the knowledge and influence of all Canadian PGA Professionals, was approved by the Membership at the Annual General Meeting in Moncton, New Brunswick.


“This is a giant leap forward for the Canadian PGA and the entire golf industry as a whole,” said Glenn Cundari, President of the Canadian PGA. “We’re not afraid to say that we are working hard to help our Members live a better life and earn a better living and this is a key component to making that happen.”

The purpose of the Canadian PGA PACE Program is:

- to ensure that all Members of the Canadian PGA have standardized training and knowledge of the golf industry

- to support the professional development of our Members throughout their careers

- to enhance career opportunities by offering a system that will improve and simplify the employment process

- to encourage and celebrate continued development in a specialized field

Announcements regarding the PACE program will be released to the Canadian PGA Membership and the entire golf industry as new opportunities and developments present themselves.

Bear Mountain Place Under Creditor Protection

VICTORIA — The Bear Mountain Master Partnership has opted for creditor protection as the ownership group behind Bear Mountain Resort and the residential development on Skirt Mountain tries to work out a deal with one of its lenders.

Click here to view the full story!

Final Round Results from the CJGA B.C. Junior World's Qualifier

Final round results from the British Columbia Zone of the Canadian Junior Golf Association's Junior Worlds Golf Qualifier at Hazelmere G&CC http://ow.ly/1pcpV - some great scores & great playing by the kids in less then ideal weather on day 2!!!

Round 1 - CJGA Junior Worlds Qualifier, British Columbia

CJGA Junior Worlds Golf Qualifer round 2 gets underway Sunday March 21st at 11:00 am.  View the round 1 results http://ow.ly/1oXZr

National Field Set to Compete in CJGA Junior Worlds Qualifier This Weekend

Markham, Ont. – The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) will continue its British Columbia tournament schedule this weekend, March 20-21 at Hazelmere Golf Course in South Surrey, British Columbia. A national field of juniors are preparing themselves to solidify a coveted spot to represent CJGA Team Canada at the Junior World Golf Championships at Torrey Pines Golf Club in San Diego, CA in July. Each division has a strong field, along with season opening division winners Leilanie Kim, 16, of Surrey and 11 year old Henry Lee of Coquitlam.


Jay Kim, runner-up at the first event of the season is back in the field and should be in contention to capture his first divisional title in the Boys 15-19 Division. Brian Jung, 15, of Coquitlam will look to return to the Junior Worlds as part of CJGA Team Canada and improve on his standing from last year after narrowly missing the cut. Tony Mak, member of CJGA Team Canada at the Tri Nations Cup in South Africa this past January will also be competing.

Henry Lee will have his hands full as he tries to make it two in row. On his heels will be a pair of Surrey locals and former CJGA Team Canada members who travelled to the Junior Worlds last year - Sy Lovan, 11, and Donald Qui, 13.

Expect a crowded leaderboard in the Girls Division this weekend as over 20 junior girls vie for spots on CJGA Team Canada. Jennifer Yang, 16, of Coquitlam and Stephanie Wong, 16, of Richmond, members of last year’s team in San Diego, will once again be competing along with Soobin Kim, runner up in last year’s BC Junior Girls Championship.

In 2007, CJGA member Eugene Wong, now a member of the University or Oregon golf team, became the first Canadian in history to win the Junior World Golf Championship, one of the largest and most prestigious junior golf tournaments in the world.

The tournament will get under way at 11:00AM each day. Spectators are encouraged to attend.

About the CJGA
The Canadian Junior Golf Association is a “registered Canadian amateur athletic association” (RCAAA) not-for-profit registered federally with Revenue Canada. The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is dedicated to providing Canada's junior golfers with the necessary skills and knowledge required to lay a foundation for a future in competitive golf. Through its six-stage competitive development program that focuses on tournaments, clinics, international competitions, and mentoring programs with PGA Tour professionals, the CJGA introduces the game to juniors as young as five and offers competitive multi-day events for the more advanced golfer. The CJGA acts as a feeder system to provincial and national competitions, collegiate and university golf, as well as professional and recreational golf. For more information please visit http://www.cjga.com/.

The Canadian Junior Golf Association is generously supported by its National Founding Partner, LEXUS.

CJGA Partners with IJGT to Benefit Members

MARKHAM, ON - The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is pleased to announce a partnership with the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) that will provide playing privileges to each respective programs member’s, giving access to over 160 events across North America.

Full status members of the CJGA will receive a full 12 month membership with the IJGT at no charge, giving juniors the opportunity to participate in all open IJGT events south of the border during the tournament season. Along with the membership, all CJGA members that play in an event will receive the full membership benefits of an IJGT membership, including online player profile, GolfWorld subscription, hat, bag tag, golf towel and more.

Along with the member benefits, the CJGA will receive six male and six female exemptions into the IJGT Tour Championship which will be attached to various events across the country.

The CJGA and IJGT are no strangers to each other, forming a partnership 7 years ago to introduce the North America Cup, an event that pits 14 of each country’s best players in a Ryder Cup format alternating as host country annually. This year’s North America Cup will take place July 5-8, 2010 at May River Golf Club in Bluffton, South Carolina. The CJGA and IJGT also participate against each other in the annual Euro Junior Golf Cup hosted in St. Andrew’s, Scotland every year along with the Fife Golf Union, which is now entering its 6th year, and will take place July 28-30, 2010.

About the IJGT
The International Junior Golf Tour was founded in 1995 for junior golfers ages 10-19. Its purpose is to provide aspiring collegiate players the opportunity to compete in a series of events against the highest quality U.S. and international competition. Competing on the IJGT gives junior golfers the chance to prepare for a college golf schedule, balancing academic needs with weekend tournaments primarily during school months September - May.

The IJGT annual schedule features 65 open events and 6 invitational at some of the finest courses in the U. S. as well as tournaments in Mexico, Canada, and Scotland. These tournaments routinely attract some of the most talented golfers from around the world. Nearly 2000 junior golfers compete on the IJGT representing 43 states and 28 countries.

Junior members have the opportunity to participate in the national junior ranking systems sponsored by GolfWeek and Junior Golf Scoreboard. In addition, IJGT players can earn exemptions to some of the most prestigious amateur events in the United States including but not limited to: the Players Amateur, Rice Planters Amateur, Verizon Junior Heritage, Callaway Junior World, The Optimist and the American Junior Golf Association. The AJGA records information on all tour members who play in recognized IJGT tournaments and meet the required finish in the event. By competing in Performance Based Entry-recognized tournaments, players may increase their "status" with the AJGA. Players with a top finish at IJGT Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida and on secure a top rank on the IJGT order of Merit will earn AJGA Fully Exempt Status and qualify to play in the maximum of five AJGA Open tournaments. For more information on the IJGT please visit www.ijgt.com.

About the CJGA
The Canadian Junior Golf Association is a “registered Canadian amateur athletic association” (RCAAA) not-for-profit registered federally with Revenue Canada. The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is dedicated to providing Canada's junior golfers with the necessary skills and knowledge required to lay a foundation for a future in competitive golf. Through its six-stage competitive development program that focuses on tournaments, clinics, international competitions, and mentoring programs with PGA Tour professionals, the CJGA introduces the game to juniors as young as five and offers competitive multi-day events for the more advanced golfer. The CJGA acts as a feeder system to provincial and national competitions, collegiate and university golf, as well as professional and recreational golf. For more information please visit www.cjga.com.

The Canadian Junior Golf Association is generously supported by its National Founding Partner, LEXUS.

Canadian PGA and NGCOA Canada Launch

Get Golf Ready in 5 Days

Ottawa, ON - Following the success in the United States of Get Golf Ready in 5 Days, an adult golf instruction program, the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada) and the Canadian PGA are jointly launching the program north of the border for the 2010 golf season.

Get Golf Ready in 5 Days is designed to teach adults in five short lessons everything they will need to know to step onto a golf course and play with confidence. The program, priced at $99 plus tax per person, is designed to be fun, fast and affordable with an on-course component in each session.

“So many people have a spouse, friend or coworker that already plays the game and going out for the first time with them can be very intimidating”, stated Jeff Calderwood, CEO NGCOA Canada. “It is our intention to get these individuals out on the golf course with confidence and show them that the game of golf is about more than just rules and scorekeeping - it’s about having fun with friends, and enjoying the fresh air and exercise”.

The statistics from its inception year in the United States prove that the program works. Of the 17,000 trackable participants, 94% said they would recommend the program to a friend, 89% said they would continue playing and 76% had played an average of eight rounds following the five sessions.

“These stats proved to us that the program is well designed to welcome new golfers to the game”, stated Gary Bernard, Executive Director of the Canadian PGA. “We are very excited about our partnership with the NGCOA Canada as I feel we are the two associations best suited to offer this program in Canada,” he continued. “NGCOA Canada members provide access to the golf courses and our certified golf professionals are well positioned to execute the curriculum”.

NGCOA Canada and the Canadian PGA certified courses across the country will be offering the program this coming golf season. A dedicated website www.getgolfready.ca will be launched in the coming weeks so that golfers will be able to locate certified courses where they can participate.

The NGCOA Canada and the Canadian PGA are looking forward to working together on this initiative and to creating new recreational golfers that will enjoy this great game for years to come.

About the NGCOA Canada
The National Golf Course Owners Association Canada is a not-for-profit trade association representing over 1300 golf facilities in Canada.

About the Canadian PGA
Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,600 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit http://www.cpga.com/

Vancouver Parks Golf Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER PARKS GOLF announces a three year commitment to host the Vancouver City Open presented by the Vancouver Golf Tour

Vancouver, B.C., February 25, 2010 – The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation along with Vancouver Parks Golf is please to announce, with the Vancouver Golf Tour, a three year partnership to host the Vancouver City Open Championship at its Fraserview, McCleery and Langara Golf Courses.

“On the heels of the most successful tournament since being re-launched by the Vancouver Golf Tour in 2007 and following the success of the 2009 Championship, Vancouver Parks Golf is again excited to be part of this great event,” said Howard Normann, Supervisor of Golf Operations for Vancouver Parks Golf. “We look forward to our long-term relationship with the Vancouver Golf Tour and to continue building on the success of last year’s Championship,” he added.

Bryn Parry will come to the 2010 Vancouver City Open as the defending Champion after the North Vancouver native claimed a two shot victory with a score of 12 under par in 2009. Parry bested the largest field in tournament history with an opening 66 at Fraserview, followed by a second round 65 at Langara and closed strongly at McCleery with a final round 71 under difficult conditions and claim a two shot victory. Runner-up Phil Jonas posted the best final round score at McCleery with a 67 and finished with a 54 hole total of 10 under par.

“We are very excited to be back for the next three years at the Vancouver Parks Golf courses,” said Fraser Mulholland, Commissioner of the Vancouver Golf Tour. “We’ve had some great feedback from the players, many of whom admitted they hadn’t played the courses in a while and were amazed at the conditions and playability of all three courses. With a Saturday finish at this year’s event I think we can expect record crowds to be watching Vancouver’s next PGA Tour hopefuls,” he added.

The 2010 Vancouver City Open runs September 9th to11th, beginning with the Charity Pro-Am at Fraserview Golf Course on Thursday and concluding with the final round at McCleery Golf Course on Saturday.

About Vancouver Parks Golf
Vancouver Parks Golf is made up of the Fraserview, McCleery and Langara Championship Golf Courses. Fraserview Golf Course has won bronze in the "Best Public Course in Canada" category, and was voted one of the "Most underrated golf courses in Canada" by the SCOREGolf Magazine Golfer's Choice Awards. McCleery Golf Course boasts a very active junior instruction program which helps to get young people started in the game and has developed an inner city youth golf program that introduces the game to children of the Downtown Eastside. Langara Golf Course offers enjoyment with peace and tranquility in the heart of Vancouver. The course offers top notch greens that are well protected by bunkers providing a challenge for every level of golfer.

3 Great Courses…One Great Experience.

For more information please visit vancouverparksgolf.ca or contact:
Howard Normann
Supervisor of Golf Operations
604.718.6533
howard.normann@vancouver.ca

About Vancouver Golf Tour
Vancouver Golf Tour (VGT) has been developed for our local Professionals and Amateurs – giving them the opportunity for a high level of competition in a PGA Tour environment without spending excess travel dollars. VGT gives local players the opportunity to learn how to win while at the same time building their confidence to play on Worldwide Major Tours.

For more information please visit vancouvergolftour.com or contact:
Mr. Fraser Mulholland
Commissioner
604-980-4653
info@vancouvergolftour.com

Canadian PGA Announces 2009 National Award Winners & Tex Noble Winner

Canadian PGA has announced the 2009 winners of its prestigious National awards for exceptional and dedicated service as Canadian golf professionals.

The 2009 winners are:
• Club Professional of the Year – Bob Paley, Kananaskis Country Golf Course, Alberta

• Teacher of the Year – Sean Casey, The Clublink Academy At Glen Abbey, Ontario

• Merchandiser of the Year – Bob Paley, Kananaskis Golf Club, Alberta

• Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year Award – Henry Brunton, Henry Brunton Golf, Ontario

• Tex Noble Award – Jamie Stevens, Granite Point Golf Club, British Columbia

Each year, a National Selection committee evaluates nominations from more than 3,600 Canadian PGA Members coast-to-coast and recognizes winners in each of the four categories. The winners will receive their award at the 2010 Club Professional Championship in November.

“Our 2009 National award winners are symbols of the passion and dedication to excellence that Canadian PGA Members bring to their profession in making the game of golf better for Canadian golfers,” said Lindon Garron, President of the Canadian PGA. “This year’s winners have set standards of excellence that all Canadian golf professionals can aim to achieve. On behalf of the Canadian PGA, the Zones, and the membership, I congratulate them all for receiving this recognition.”

Club Professional of the Year– Mr. Bob Paley
Bob Paley, Head Professional at Kananaskis Country Golf Course in Kananaskis, Alberta is the 2009 recipient of the Canadian PGA Club Professional of the Year award.

“I have always been blessed with an amazing support group around me throughout my life that have allowed me to focus on things like school, athletics, and work. Without my wife Tracy, our two boys Matt and Sammy, my amazing family, and phenomenal friends I would not be capable of even dreaming about winning this award. As anyone in this industry knows, the life of a Golf Professional can be very selfish and being supported by all of these people makes the award that much more special for all of us.”

One of the best pieces of advice Bob was ever given was from a key mentor, Tiffany Gordon, who told him to become involved in his Association. Bob took the advice to heart and has been involved with the PGA of Alberta in many different roles.

o Consumer Show Committee – 1997 – 2002
o Assistants Board Vice President – 1997 – 1999
o Education Committee – 2002-2008
o Alberta Board of Director – 2005 – present
o Co-chair of the Employment committee - 2005
o Chairman of the Education Committee – 2005-2008
o Chairman of the Promotions Committee – 2008 – present

I truly believe that one of the secrets to our success at Kananaskis is that we have created a culture that is warm, fun, and inviting for our team and our guests. We have always been about creating phenomenal experiences for our guests and our team because at the end of the day, that is one of the most important reasons we are all here in this business.

Bob is a firm believer in mentorship and the importance of idea sharing. “The most amazing thing about this award is that it is an acknowledgement to my mentors of the amazing kinds of people they are and the tools they have given me to be successful in my life. From my wife Tracy, to my parents, to Hugh McPherson, to Kerry Ketter at the Derrick, Tiffany Gordon at Cottonwood, Gregg Schubert at Cottonwood, Wayne and Lloyd McBean at Lakeside, Wayne and Brian Bygrave, Darren Robinson and Calvin McNeely at Kananaskis, and a number of PGA of Alberta Board Members that I have worked with like Clive Grant, Steve Moe, John Wilson, and Ron Laugher. They and too many others to mention are why I am being honoured with this life changing award. I am a product of their ideas, hard work, vision, and passion for people and the game of golf. To all of you I say thank you”

Teacher of the Year – Mr. Sean Casey
Sean Casey, Teaching Professional at the Clublink Academy at Glen Abbey in Oakville, Ontario, is the 2009 recipient of the Canadian PGA Teacher of the Year award.

Sean grew up in Grand Bay, NB and learned the game at the Westfield Golf and Country Club. He joined the Canadian PGA in 1998 while attending the University of New Brunswick’s Business Administration Program and has been a Class 'A' member since 2001.

Sean was recently honoured as the 'Teacher of the Year' by the Ontario PGA. He is the Head Coach for the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) National Teams and oversees the successful ELITE Junior Development program at Glen Abbey. Sean has been the featured instructor for SCORE Golf magazine numerous times and has also hosted and produced Golf Talk Live, a local golf instructional TV show on Cogeco.

Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year – Mr. Henry Brunton
Henry Brunton, Master Professional at Henry Brunton Golf in Maple, Ontario is the 2009 recipient of the Canadian PGA Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year award.

Henry Brunton is one of the most recognizable names in Canadian golf and one of the world’s leading golf coaches and educators. He is the Royal Canadian Golf Association's National Golf Coach, the creator of the Canadian PGA's Teaching and Coaching Certification program, a CPGA Master Professional and the only Canadian ever listed among GOLF Magazine's Top 100 Teachers in America and the US Kids Top 50 Kids Teachers. In 2009, he published Journey to Excellence: The Young Golfer’s Complete Guide to Achievement and Personal Growth, the first comprehensive guide to competitive junior golf for both juniors and their parents.

Brunton has been a member of the Canadian PGA since 1984. In 2008, the Canadian PGA honoured him with its highest standing – Master Professional. He was also named as the fourth Most Influential Person in Canadian Golf in rankings by Canada’s National Post.

A resident of Stouffville, Ontario, Brunton has a passion for developing junior golfers. In addition to his work with the Canadian Men’s and Junior Boys National Teams, he also leads “Strive for Excellence,” a comprehensive year-round coaching and training program for aspiring high-level junior and collegiate golfers at his home base at Eagles Nest Golf Club near Toronto.

Merchandiser of the Year – Mr. Bob Paley
“The Canadian Merchandiser of the Year Award is special because it touches every single member of our Kananaskis Family in 2009. Whether someone worked in Food and Beverage, our Sales Department, Administration, Staff Accommodation, Turfgrass Maintenance, Building Maintenance, or the Pro Shop, everyone had a hand in the product that we deliver year in and year out at this facility. I am so proud for everyone here because I know how hard they all work to provide the kind of experience we do for our guests”.

Bob Paley and his team at Kananaskis were honoured to have been awarded Alberta PGA Merchandisers of the Year - Public in 2007 as well as in 2009. The strength of their merchandising is in their people and in their passion for finding guests value and quality in the merchandise presented. The mandate of their team is to welcome guests as soon as they arrive at the facility and make them feel at home. “When guests are treated to great conversation, fun staff, a clean and organized Pro Shop that is beautifully merchandised, and great deals, they will stay, spend, and come back with friends. We are good with all of those things!”

Bob has created a number of unique sales programs, staff training techniques, and buying strategies that help to set Kananaskis Country Golf Course apart. “Annually my wife and I attend the February Gift Show in Edmonton to find unique items to help accent our Pro Shop. This past year exquisite wine decanters, sushi sets, lady’s scarves, entertaining baby onesies, and wine aerators were the hits. We have found that people love seeing things that they don’t expect to find in a Pro Shop and most importantly it makes them want to hunt around and see what else is unique. As we all know…retail hunting is good!”

An important part of Bob’s merchandising philosophy is to partner with suppliers that want to make their business successful. These suppliers are considered to be a very important part of their family as well, and are treated with a phenomenal amount of trust and respect. Partnership with great merchandisers like Green Grass One and the Association of Golf Merchandisers helps to take their product to a totally different level. “We have a really special team of suppliers, staff, and advisors that keep Kananaskis on the cutting edge of retail, service, and creating special experiences. To win this National Award is a pat on the back for everyone’s great ideas, hard work, and attention to detail.”

Tex Noble Award – Mr. Jamie Stevens
The Canadian PGA’s Tex Noble Award represents the Association’s commitment to recognizing a high standard of achievement among Canadian PGA Apprentice Professionals,” stated Gary Bernard, Executive Director of the Canadian PGA. Jaime obtained an impressive Class “A” Examination test scores of 96%.

Jamie played the majority of his junior golf at the Riverside Golf & Country Club in Rothesay, New Brunswick, where he learned many of his life lessons from playing the game, club members and from Head Professional Jim Connolly. Jamie graduated from the Professional Golf Management Program in Lethbridge, Alberta in 2004 and remained in southern Alberta for 4 years. He then had the great fortune to land a job at the Nicklaus North Golf Course in Whistler where he worked as an Assistant Professional for two years. Jamie feels these years were crucial in his development as a quality and respected Golf Professional.

In January 2009, he accepted the position as Golf Operations Manager at Granite Pointe Golf Club and in late December of that same year he successfully completed his Class “A” exam. Jamie is currently the Head Professional at Granite Pointe Golf Club and is looking forward to many successful years in Nelson as it has become an adopted home to him.

About the CPGA:
Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,600 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit http://www.cpga.com/

Registration Opens March 1st for the 2010 Golf Fore the Cure Program!

It’s a sad statistic, but breast cancer will most likely touch your life in some way if it hasn’t already. One in nine women is expected to develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2009, an estimated 22,900 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 5,400 lost their fight against this devastating disease.

Golf Fore the Cure is a program developed by the RCGA in an effort to further engage women in the game of golf and aid in the fight against breast cancer.

In conjunction with the Canadian Cancer Society and Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, we have added awareness and fundraising components to this women’s participation program that have contributed to fund lifesaving breast cancer research, support and information programs for women faced with this disease across the country.

With the help of volunteers in various Canadian communities, Golf Fore the Cure has raised more than $2.5 million dollars and exposed more than 45,000 women to the game of golf in just the past six years. . With just under 6 million golfers in Canada, imagine the impact we could make if we doubled or even tripled the number of women participating.

Golf Fore the Cure is looking for women across the country to come together and enjoy a fun day of golf and friendship this upcoming golf season. This innovative program was developed to allow women to participate with old friends and new friends alike.

Even if you are not a golfer there are ways to get involved. Be a part of this cause - be a participant, be a site organizer, help make a difference!

Registration for the 2010 Golf Fore the Cure program will be open Monday, March 1st. New to the program this year, both event coordinators and participants will be able to register to host or participate in an event online at www.rcgagolfforethecure.ca .

With your help, we can get even more women involved in the game of golf and help to create a future without breast cancer. One round can make a difference!

For more information or to start a Golf Fore the Cure program in your community please contact Jessica Small toll free at 1.800.263.0009 x 495 or at gftc@rcga.org.

Give the Gift of Golf to the Elementary School Children of Your Community

Golf provides children with the ability to develop fundamental movement skills as well as life-enhancing values such as confidence, integrity, esteem, determination and etiquette.

Through the National Golf in Schools (NGIS) program and charitable donations from the community, thousands of children have been introduced to the game as part of their elementary school PE classes since the program’s inception in May, 2009.

Yet, with schools battling ever-increasing physical education budget constraints, many Canadian children are still not being introduced to this great game.

Developed by Physical and Health Education Canada, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) and the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association, the National Golf in Schools Program has been designed to enable elementary school teachers - regardless of their golf knowledge, skill or background - the ability to deliver essential physical education learning through the sport of golf.

The reality is that not all schools are able to afford this program.

The “Adopt a School” initiative has been developed to encourage individuals, groups of individuals, or businesses to support the program by funding the cost of the NGIS program package for a school of their choosing.

The package comes at a cost of $475, which includes shipping and handling costs. Private donors are eligible to receive a tax receipt for this charitable disbursement. You can also support the program for any nominal amount and all donations of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt.

Adopt a school today and help provide youth in your community with the gift of physical literacy. Your gift will also help to increase student knowledge and appreciation for the sport of golf. Your donation could even lead to the development of future golfing greats!

To adopt a school please contact Ted Logan at 1-800-263-0009 ext. 204 or via email at tlogan@rcga.org.
More information is also available online at http://www.nationalgolfinschools.com/.

Canadian Junior Golf Association Announcements

Attention Junior Golfers
The Canadian Junior Golf Association, as an Association Partner of the RCGA, has developed a program that will provide tremendous opportunites for junior golfers throughout Canada. Starting March 8th, the Canadian Junior Golf Association will be opening its 2010 Schedule in British Columbia with an array of Tournaments that allow you to challenge the best junior golfers in the province along with the chance of qualifying for International Events to represent the CJGA and Canada.

The North America Cup Qualifier is the CJGA’s first event on 2010 Schedule. It will take place in South Carolina this summer. Juniors will compete in a Ryder Cup format event where CJGA Team Canada will play IJGT Team USA. Juniors will have the opportunity to be a part of CJGA Team Canada through its qualifiers. A team of 14 juniors will make up the team that will begin with a two and a half day training camp prior to departing for the event.

The Nike Golf Junior Series on the schedule should be an event that no one should miss. It acts as a qualifier for both the Nike Golf Junior Championship where the winners of each qualifier in Canada are invited, therefore pitting the best Canada has to offer, and the Stephen Ames Cup where CJGA Team Canada competes against Trinidad & Tobago in a Ryder Cup format. Stephen Ames, CJGA National Spokesperson, contributes his time, and takes one week off the PGA Tour and mentors all the participants for the week. Stephen, through the Stephen Ames Foundation, financially supports this event. This year, the Stephen Ames Cup will be hosted in Trinidad and Tobago.

New for 2010 will be the Telus Junior Skins, June 5-6 at Bear Mountain Golf Resort, home of the 2010 Telus World Skins. This will be a qualifier for the Nike Series Championship and the Stephen Ames Cup with an added twist. Junior golfers who enter this event will each receive one ticket to the Telus World Skins that will be held June 20-21. As well the winners of each division will be given the opportunity to be the standard barriers for the Telus World Skins. Imagine being right there and walking down the fairways with some of the best players on the PGA Tour.

The Junior Worlds, played at the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course is one of the most prestigous tournaments in the world. It offers exposure to you as a junior golfer to College Coaches throughout the United States. Such PGA and LPGA Tour players such as Amy Alcott, Notah Begay III, Andrew Buckle, Ernie Els, Anthony Kim, Bill Mayfair, Phil Mickelson, Lorena Ochoa, Corey Pavin, Craig Stadler, and Tiger Woods to name of few who have played in this event. Junior golfers in British Columbia will have the opportunity to qualify for a spot in the Junior World Golf Championships held in San Diego, CA through CJGA qualifiers at Hazelmere Country Club and University Golf Club.

The Euro Junior Golf Cup is held in Scotland each year. It is a three nation Ryder Cup format pitting Canada, Scotland and the United States against each other. Juniors will have the opportunity to qualify for a spot on CJGA Team Canada that travels to Scotland to compete in this event through the Euro Jr. Golf Cup qualifiers. A team of 14 juniors will make up the team that competes against Fife Golf Union and IJGT Team USA. Juniors will attend a two and a half day training camp prior to departing for Scotland. Such PGA Tour Players as Hunter Mahan and Bubba Dickerson have played in this event.

The Lipton Brisk Canada Cup is an exciting event on the CJGA Schedule. It is a Ryder Cup format event that pits eight juniors from the East versus eight players from the West and allows junior golfers to claim bragging rights to who is more dominant in Canada, West or East. Junior Golfers will have the opportunity to qualify for a spot on Lipton Brisk Canada Cup Team East through this respective qualifiers. Ian Leggatt, Gail Graham, Stuart Anderson have acted as non-playing Team captains in the past.

The Optimist International Junior Championship is another one of largest and most prestigious international junior tournaments in the world. Juniors in the province of British Columbia will have the chance to qualify for a spot in the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship which takes place in July in Florida through its qualifier. This event is the only Optimist qualifier the CJGA conducts on the national schedule.

As you can see, the Canadian Junior Golf Association has wide array of events that Junior Golfers in British Columbia can participate in. Don’t miss your opportunities with the CJGA. Visit http://www.cjga.com and sign up NOW.

- Over 80 events in Canada for junior golfers aged 11-19 w Opportunities to represent the CJGA & Canada internationally

- Test your skills against the most talented junior golfers in Canada w No minimum skill level required, just a passion for the game

- Opportunities to obtain AJGA performance stars and exemptions w Earn RCGA Future Links Order of Merit Points