South America -- Here Comes The Canadian Tour

Some thought it was a stretch when a few years ago the Tour moved into Mexico for a couple of events during the early part of their season. However, come November Commissioner Rick Janes and those players who can afford the travel will hedad to South America in November. The CanTour has a joint agreement with the South American Tour de las Americas (TLA). The tour will include stops in Chile, Argentina and Costa Rica. According to Janes, "This is a comprehensive agreement that will provide new opportunities for our members as part of a long-term plan to extend our playing season." The top-50 available Canadian Tour members from the 2008 Order of Merit are eligible for the co-sanctioned events. As a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours the involvement of the Canadian Tour will also make the co-sanctioned events eligible for Official World Ranking Points.

Here is a view few golfers will ever see -- a course few players will ever get to walk.
This is Sagebrush Golf and Sporting Club, quietly growing and maturing in the undisturbed region of Quilchena, British Columbia.
This is the pride and joy of Canadian Amateur Champion, Canadian PGA Champion, PGA TOUR winner, RCGA consultant and minimalist course designer, Dick Zokol. Scheduled to open in 2009, Sagebrush is destined to be the host and home course for the inaugural 'Captain-of-the-Golf Invitational,' a future annual tournament for post college amateurs in the mold of the Canadian Mid-Amateur championship.

We would be remiss if we did not congratulate our friend and veteran Canadian PGA member, Cec Ferguson, the Executive Professional at Vernon Golf & Country Club, for his consistency in shooting two rounds of 2-under par 71 at Richmond's Quilchena Golf & Country Club recently and winning the Titleist-FootJoy PGA of BC Senior Championship to go with his three earlier BC PGA victories. Fergie claimed the title by a margin of six strokes . . . not surprising when you remember the amiable pro from Victoria won the 1976 BC Open at Quilchena and later served as the club's Head Pro in the 80's and 90's. That victory, by the way, came when Ferguson was still an amateur . . . the last amateur to win the BC Open before the BCPGA let the tournament slip into oblivion. An astute organizer and former president of the PGA of BC, Ferguson (with co-chairman Ron McIntyre) is credited with orchestrating the Transamerica-sponsored Canadian PGA Championship in 1990, an event which drew record crowds of over 20,000 spectators to the Richmond course to see Rick Gibson edge Dick Zokol by a shot.

Bryn Parry, the 36-year-old apprentice pro from Seymour Creek Golf Centre, was even more consistent shooting three consecutive 6-under par 67's the same week at Quilchena, winning the Titleist-FootJoy PGA of BC Championship by 12 shots and taking home $5,000. Myles Johnson of Spallumcheen G&CC finished second and received $3,600. Earlier this season Parry also claimed the BC PGA Assistant's title.

Victoria's Alison Murdoch will be going for a record fifth Royale Canadian Women's Senior Amateur championship when play begins Monday at the Bally Haly Golf and Curling Club in St. John's Nfld. Riht now the articulate Victoria grandmother is tied with Canadian and World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit of Unionville, ON and Gayle Borthwick of Mississauga, ON. Other top B.C. competitors include 2003 Canadian senior champion Lynda Palahniuk of Kelowna, 2008 B.C. Senior and Mid-Amateur champion Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C as well as 2006-07 B.C. senior champion Holly Horwood of Vancouver and 2003 B.C. Senior champion Phyllis Laschuk..

In addition to competing for the Ada Mackenzie Trophy, the ladies are shooting for the Royale Cup Champions Trophy which honours each of the three women's Canadian amateur champions (junior, amateur and senior) crowned each season by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA). As an added bonus, the Senior winner receives a coveted exemption into the USGA Senior Women's Amateur Championship held September 12-17 at Tulsa Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.

In Inter-provincial team play, British Columbia team members Jackie Little, Lynda Palahniuk, Elaine Blatchford and Phyllis Laschuk will be looking to defend their title as provincial champions. B.C. has won this natgional championship 12 times.