VANCOUVER, B.C. (June 25, 2008) – The British Columbia Golf Association (BCGA) and the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) announced today that competitors in the 2008 MJT-PGA of BC Junior Championship will now receive points on the Titleist BCGA Junior Order of Merit.

This championship has been designated by the BCGA as only the second junior event to receive points on the RCGA National Order of Merit for junior golfers

“We are pleased to be working with the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour and the PGA of BC,” says Kris Jonasson, executive director if the BCGA. “We are recognizing the quality of this championship and encouraging the best junior golfers in British Columbia to participate.

Under the terms of the agreement, the MJT will set aside sufficient spots to ensure that the top twenty golfers on the Titleist Junior Order of Merit, following the 2008 BC Junior Boys’ championship, will be eligible to play in this event.

Murray Poje , executive director of the MJT, says “This is a great opportunity for junior golfers in the province to build their résumés by playing in a high level tournament that brings four associations together."

The 2008 MJT-PGA of BC Junior Championship presented by Odlum Brown will be played at Northview Golf & Country Club July 29 - July 31, 2008. The first two rounds will be played on the Canal Course, after which the field will be cut and the final round played on the Ridge Course. The tournament's top eligible finisher will qualify for the 2009 China Junior Open.

The British Columbia Golf Association represents more than 67,000 individual golfers, in over 300 clubs. The governing body of amateur golf in the province, the BCGA acts as a voice in provincial golf affairs and functions as a resource centre for the golf industry. Golf in B.C. drives more than 1.5 billion dollars into the provincial economy each year.

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is celebrating its 10 th season of helping junior golfers develop their game through competition. The organization hosts more than 50 events across Canada, all run by Canadian PGA Professionals. The Tour also qualifies players for spots to international events in China, Scotland, Mexico and many cities in the USA and offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player's performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include several Canadian National Champions and many Future Links and Provincial Champions, including BC's Nick Taylor and Sue Kim.

Event information can be found at www.maplejt.com

Jackie Little Wins Big
-2008 B.C. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship-

-BCGA Championship Series Opener-
National Mid-Amateur Quotas

Photo Gallery

ROBERTS CREEK, B.C. (June 11, 2008) – Victoria’s Bryan Toth played some disciplined golf in the rain and cold to emerge as the winner at the 2008 B.C. Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at the Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club in Roberts Creek. Toth, the 2005 B.C. Men’s Mid-Amateur champion carded a 2-over par 74 for the day to finish as the only player under par at 1-under 215.

“I came here expecting nothing, but the first day was a real endurance test,” said Toth. “The rain let up on day 2 and I applied some course management. I was hitting every green and I putted very well.”

Daniel Brown of Kelowna, B.C. finished at 7-over 223 for runner-up position in the Mid-Amateur division followed by Mike McAleer of Vancouver, B.C. at 8-over par 224 for third. Last year’s Mid-Amateur champion, Ben Griffin of Victoria, B.C. claimed fourth at 8-over par 224.

In the Master 40 division, 2007 Canadian Club Champions Champion Sandy Harper of Nanaimo, B.C., posted a final day even-par to hold onto the title at 2-over 218. Local favourite, Mike Mannion of Gibsons, B.C. claimed second place with 6-over 222 followed by Harry Ferguson of Invermere, B.C. also at 6-over 222 for third. Brad Haw stands with a final 8-over 224 for fourth.

Representing B.C. at the Mid-Amateur Inter-provincial Team Championship at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach, B.C. Aug. 18-22 will be Bryan Toth, Harry Ferguson, Mike Mannion and Sandy Harper. Sandy Harper and Ken Thompson from Nanaimo Golf Club prevailed as the winners of the club team competition.

The BC Mid Amateur Championship features two divisions: the Mid-Amateur Division for players aged 25-39, and the Master 40 Division for players aged 40 and above. There is a winner for each division, as well as an overall champion. The B.C. Team to the Canadian Championship will be made up of 4 players from this championship and 2 of the team must be over 40 years of age.

The BC Mid-Amateur Championship is one of 12 provincial championships conducted annually by the BCGA. For full leaderboard and statistical details for the 2008 B.C. Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, please visit: www.bcga.org.

BCGA School Golf Program SNAG’S Okanagan Youngsters

The BC Golf Association (BCGA) is committed to promoting and encouraging children to play golf. With the emphasis on fun, the BCGA School Golf program headed to the Okanagan last week hoping to create an enthusiasm for golf in youngsters which will continue thoughout their lives.

Last week, more than 568 children at four schools from Vernon, Winfield and Kelowna learned the basic skills required to Start New at Golf TM ( SNAG TM ) – most were introduced to golf for the first time. Using funky-looking, primary-coloured equipment like the “launcher” and the “snagazoo” easily hooks and holds the interest of kids in grades four to seven.

Supporting the introduction of the BCGA School Golf Program and the “Playground to Fairway” initiative, the BCGA held the first SNAG level I Coach Certification Course in the region at the Capital News Centre.

Wrapping up the tour, Kris Jonasson, executive director of the BCGA, led RCGA Handicap and general Rules of Golf seminars at Kelowna Springs Golf Club. Jonasson introduced the newly updated Rules of Golf to more than 50 attendees along with some examples of the crazy things that can happen during play.

Growing the game is a grass roots issue that every golfer should be interested in promoting. Making the introductory process less intimidating for beginners, grows the game. The BCGA School Golf Program and SNAG TM golf equipment certainly make the learning process easier for kids. Getting involved with these kinds of programs is something every golf course could do. What can you do to help grow the game? For more information on the BCGA School Golf program and SNAG, please visit: www.bcga.org

Griffin and Toth are no strangers to international competition having represented B.C. at the 2007 competitions in Peru, the 2007 PNGA team matches and the Pacific Coast Amateur. Now familiar with the course, they are looking to improve on last year’s 7 th place team finish.

Griffin is the reigning B.C. Mid-Amateur and defending Victoria City Amateur champion. Earlier this year, Griffin announced his intention to join the University of Victoria men’s golf team after an acclaimed NCAA career at Temple College (Texas) and Cameron University (Oklahoma).

Toth, a seasoned competitor claimed the 2006 BCGA Amateur and Mid-Amateur Orders of Merit as well as the title at the 2006 B.C. Amateur and the 2005 B.C. Men’s Mid-Amateur. He also finished

The “Manuel Prado” Cup is played over 72 holes of stroke play in four days. and includes both a team and individual component to the event.  The “Carlos Raffo” Cup is played similar to the “Manuel Prado” Cup.

The Lima Golf Club was founded in 1924 and celebrates its 84 th anniversary this coming May. The course is par 72 and plays to 6,950 yards.

Lima, the capital city of Peru is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in South America. Temperatures in April and May range between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius, with humidity hovering around 85%.

- The BC Fresh Egg Cup Secondary School Championships –

VANCOUVER, B.C. (BCGA) April 21, 2008 – The British Columbia Golf Association (BCGA) announced today that the BC Egg Marketing Board (BCEMB) has entered into a sponsorship agreement to become title sponsor of the BC Secondary School Golf Championships through 2010.

The inaugural BC Fresh Egg Cup will make its debut at the 37 th BC Secondary School Golf Championship starting with single “A” May 26-27 in Osoyoos, B.C. followed by “AA” May 26-28 in Kamloops, B.C. and “AAA” May 27-29 in Nelson, B.C. The winning team in each division will be awarded the BC Fresh Egg Cup.

Past winners of the “AAA” championship include: 2007 Canadian Amateur Champion, Nick Taylor, 1999 BC Amateur Champion, Matt Makinson and PGA Tour players, Jim Nelford, Jim Rutledge and Brent Franklin.

“The British Columbia Egg Marketing Board is proud to sponsor the BC Fresh Egg Cup Secondary School Golf Championships,” says David Taylor, chair of the BC Egg Marketing Board. “Together with the BC Golf Association and BC School Sports, we are committed to promoting healthy energy derived from balanced nutrition and an active lifestyle for people of all ages. This truly is the start of something good.”

“BC SCHOOL SPORTS on behalf of the BC Secondary Schools Golf Commission is thrilled to be working in partnership with both the BCEMB and the BCGA in enhancing the sport of golf systemically throughout the Province of BC,” says Sue Keenan, executive director of BC School Sports. “This is a very progressive and proactive corporate agreement which we believe will be significantly beneficial to all three parties in the ongoing promotion and development of high school student-athletes pursuing excellence in golf.”

“This is great news for high school golfers in British Columbia, says Kris Jonasson, executive director of the BCGA. U niting the BC Secondary School Golf Championship with the brand, strength and commitment of the BCEMB is an ideal partnership.”  

ABOUT THE BC EGG MARKETING BOARD Since its inception in 1967, the British Columbia Egg Marketing Board (BCEMB) serves as a non-profit, producer organization that regulates the production, transportation, and packaging of all eggs in the province. The BCEMB and its registered egg farmers work together to ensure that BC Fresh Eggs meet the high quality, nutrition, and value that families have come to expect.

ABOUT BC SCHOOL SPORTS
BC SCHOOL SPORTS is a non-profit membership based organization of schools. We fulfill our mission by:
• promoting student participation in extra-curricular activities
• assisting schools in the development and delivery of their    programs
• providing governance for inter-school competition.

VANCOUVER ( March 29, 2008) – The Board of Directors of the British Columbia Golf Association announced Saturday at the BCGA Recognition Awards luncheon, that 13-time BC Amateur Champion and Canada Golf Hall of Famer, Doug Roxburgh has been extended a lifetime exemption to the BC Amateur Championship. “The decision to award Doug a lifetime exemption was not difficult,” says Kris Jonasson, executive director of the BCGA. “We are proud to have a player of Doug’s stature in British Columbia and we look forward to seeing him play as long as he feels he is competitive.” Doug Roxburgh has been at the pinnacle of amateur golf in Canada for more than two decades. Canadian junior Champion in 1970, runner-up in the Canadian Amateur in 1972 and Amateur Champion in 1972,

Doug Roxburgh's Record:

International:

• 1981won Simon Bolivar in Venezuela
• 1971 Member of winning Canadian team to New Zealand Golf Centennial Tournament
• 1972 Member of Canadian team to Humberto de Alemdia Cup
• 1973 Represented Canada on a six-man team to play in South Africa
• 1975 Member of winning Canadian team to Commonwealth Trophy Tournament

National:

• 1972 Canadian Amateur Champion
• 1974 Canadian Amateur Champion
• 1982 Canadian Amateur Champion
• 1988 Canadian Amateur Champion
• 1970 Canadian Junior Champion
• 1967 Runner-Up Canadian Junior Champion

Provincial:

• 1969 British Columbia Amateur Champion
• 1972 British Columbia Amateur Champion
• 1973 British Columbia Amateur Champion
• 1976 British Columbia Amateur Champion
• 1977 British Columbia Amateur Champion
• 1978 British Columbia Amateur Champion
• 1983 British Columbia Amateur Champion
• 1985 British Columbia Amateur Champion
• 1988 British Columbia Amateur Champion
• 1989 British Columbia Amateur Champion 
• 1991 British Columbia Amateur Champion
• 1995 British Columbia Amateur Champion
• 1996 British Columbia Amateur Champion
• 1969 British Columbia Junior Champion
• 1970 British Columbia Junior Champion

Other Items of Note:
Member of 15 British Columbia Willingdon Cup Teams, Member of 5 Canadian World Amateur Teams.

Golf Hall of Fame information courtesy of the RCGA

Vancouver, B.C. (Saturday, March 29, 2008) – Nick Taylor of Abbotsford and Kira Meixner of Richmond were recognized as the top male and female amateur golfers in 2007as the BCGA awarded the BCGA Order of Merit on Saturday at Marine Drive Golf Club.

Taylor, of Abbotsford, BC became only the second player to win the Canadian Junior Boy’s Championship and then follow it up by winning the Canadian Men’s Amateur title a year later. Brent Franklin of Calgary is the only other to have achieved that feat when earned his second junior title in 1984 and then captured his first of three amateur titles in 1985.

Meixner, of Richmond, BC had an outstanding year. She finished first in the BC Women’s Amateur Championship, 6th at the Canadian Women’s Amateur and she qualified for match play at both the British Women’s Amateur and the US Amateur. She won the opening match in both.

Sandy Harper, of Nanaimo BC claimed the Mid-Amateur Order of Merit after a stellar season that included wins at the PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, the RCGA Canadian Club Champions Championship and the Master 40 division of the BCGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Sue Kim, of Langley, BC went home with the Junior Girls’ Order of Merit after a season that saw her claim two CN Future Links titles, 2nd place at the Canadian Women’s Amateur, 3rd at the BCGA Junior Girls Championship and 3 rd at the Canadian Junior Girls’ Championship. She finished as a quarterfinalist at the US Junior Girls’ Championship

Zach MacDougall, of Burnaby, BC topped the BC Junior Boys’ Order of Merit with a 1st place finish at the BCGA Junior Boys’ Championship and a 3rd place finish at the Canadian Junior Boys’ Championship.

Zach qualified for match play at the Canadian Men’s Amateur in 20th place and advanced to the round of 8.

For full Order of Merit standings, please visit the Championship section of the BCGA website at www.bcga.org.

The Orders of Merit are used to identify and give recognition to top performing amateur & junior golfers across British Columbia who have achieved success in the golf season.

The Orders of Merit are based on those tournaments that represent an extremely high standard of competition.

This past weekend, the British Columbia Golf Association (BCGA) joined hundreds of wellness exhibitors in downtown Vancouver for one of the West Coast’s premiere consumer shows focusing on all aspects of health and vital living. Listed as one of the largest trade & consumer shows by Business in Vancouver and the fastest growing show by the Province, the Wellness Show showcases, samples and sells products and services related to the health and wellness industries.

As part of the BCGA’s commitment to support active, healthy living, the association hosted an interactive display with Start New at Golf (SNAG) for children and adults to try. Guided by SNAG certified staff, participants were introduced to a variety of golf basics from putting to chipping.

PROS SNAGged FOR BCGA SCHOOL GOLF PROGRAM

With the help and support of the BCGA School Golf Program, a group of dedicated golf pros are shooting to make a success story of introducing more kids to golf at an early level.

Six PGA professionals from around the province recently attended the first ever workshop for the Start New at Golf (SNAG) coaching system as part of the BCGA School Golf Program. The workshop provides training to help them, along with assistance from teachers, conduct a simplified introduction to golf in order to build a bridge to the game.

“The SNAG golf training session was great, this is a whole new approach to teaching golf,” says PGA pro Jackie Hays. “Juniors are going to love SNAG because it is user friendly and very colourful – we are definitely going to be incorporating it into the Learning Academy at Musqueam Golf.”

The BCGA School Golf program is a true grassroots initiative brought to schools by the British Columbia Golf Association. The program, designed with fun and safety in mind, gives a new generation of players an opportunity to experience and learn a game that helps build character and promotes life-long activity. 

Debbie Pyne, BCGA managing director of player development, has been crucial in driving the BCGA School Golf initiative forward. “With the help of these qualified professionals, we will be able to offer more kids around the province a great beginning in golf”, says Pyne.

The BCGA School Golf program is funded by the BCGA, 2010 Legacies Now and the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts to provide active living opportunities for children.

From playground to fairway

The BCGA School Golf program is a true grassroots initiative brought to schools by the British Columbia Golf Association. The program, designed with fun and safety in mind, gives children an opportunity to experience and learn a game that helps build character and promotes life-long activity.

The program targets each age group using the Start New at Golf (SNAG) coaching system. SNAG simplifies instruction and works as a bridge to the game of golf. The clinics feature a CPGA professional, who conducts an introductory session about the sport of golf with assistance from teachers.