Monday, March 29, 2010

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.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

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.

Friday, March 26, 2010

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!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

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

Friday, March 19, 2010

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.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

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.

Monday, March 8, 2010

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/

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

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

Monday, March 1, 2010

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/