Tee 2 Green with Barry Sharpe - - November 8/08

You'll get a rise of out this. Remember the Okanagan golf course that was so highly touted this summer as "Freddie Couples' The Rise" . . . . the course he found so attractive and exciting that he only managed visit twice, including on opening day? Well, The Rise is now up for sale.

Okanagan Hills Development Corp. has put the 290-hectare Vernon property, with its limited residential development, the 18-hole Fred Couples signature golf course, and seven hectares of vineyards, in the hands of Vancouver realtor CB Richard Ellis Ltd.

According to president and OHDC chief executive officer, Leona Snyder, the continuing global financial crisis and economic slowdown affecting real estate in B.C., has forced a change in company strategy. OHDC will now focus on bulk land sales.

"We have established new neighbourhoods, created vineyards and completed construction of the golf course and supporting infrastructure," Snyder is quoted as saying. "We have added significant value to the property and created a destination resort that will continue to draw visitors and home buyers to Vernon -- now it's time for someone else to pick up the torch."

The Rise is located less than four kilometres west of Vernon, overlooking Okanagan Lake

"The vision of The Rise as Okanagan's premier golf and wine resort still burns bright and the resort sale will be a remarkable opportunity for the right company," says Snyder. "There will always be a market for a four-season resort that offers the best of what the Okanagan has to offer."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As some clubs begin preparing for the 2009 season, the move is on to fill positions left vacant or recently created in the constantly evolving world of golf..

For members of the Canadian and affiliated Professional Golfers' Associations here are some positions available in British Columbia:

Associate/Assistant Professional - - The Harvest Golf Club
Associate/Assistant Professional - - The Vancouver Golf Club
Junior Apprentice -- The Vancouver Golf Club
Catering Event Coordinator -- Northview G&CC
Assistant/Apprentice Golf Professional -- Talking Rock Resort and Quaaout Lodge Guest/Golf Service Attendant -- Talking Rock Resort and Quaaout Lodge
Head Professional -- The Redwoods Golf Course
Associate/Assistant Professional -- Revelstoke Golf Club
Assistant Professional -- Pitt Meadows GC
Assistant Professional -- Hyde Mountain on Mara Lake Golf Course
Sales & Event Coordinator -- Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club
Golf Shop Coordinator -- Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy
Club Manager -- Seven Hills GC
Sales & Marketing Coordinator -- PGA of BC
Manager of Events & Communication - - PGA of BC

For more information visit the PGA OF BC or telephone (604) 536-7878

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

According to a Vancouver Sun article by Brian Morton, the BC tourism industry seems to be going in the opposite direction of the economy. Projections for potential in the tourism sector indicate there will be a shortage of 30,000 workers by 2015 and 64,000 in 2025.

"Businesses may slow down, but they still have to be run," go2 CEO Arlene Keis told Morton in an interview Thursday. "All the experts are saying the labour market will remain very tight. There's still growth and hotels and restaurants are being built."
To address shortages, go2 is gearing up to take part in Destinations Canada 2008, a series of job fairs in France, Belgium and Germany from Nov. 18 to 24 presented by the Canadian Embassy in France in partnership with other public agencies. The delegation will include employers from other sectors, industry associations and representatives from B.C.'s Provincial Nominee Program.

As part of go2's mandate, the organization will be promoting more than 200 jobs for 17 B.C. companies in Europe. Those companies include Fernie Alpine Resort, Predator Ridge Golf Resort in Vernon, Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre in Campbell River, Seymour Golf and Country Club, Panorama Mountain Village, and Vancouver's Pan Pacific Hotel.

Go2 will be looking for workers in many categories, including cooks and chefs, servers, bartenders, housekeepers, outdoor recreation maintenance, customer service, kitchen help and front-desk greeters. Some of the workers who sign up will work for six months in B.C. as seasonal employees, which works well for many companies. Unemployment apparently is high among young people in countries such as France, so qualified seasonal workers are fairly easy to find.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Did you know that coming into this weekend 46 players world-wide have won more than $2 million USD, including #16 Mike Weir ($3,019,896) and #35 Stephen Ames ($2,262,004). No last names are needed for the leaders - - VJ leads the pack with $6,626,128 from 24 tournaments, Tiger is a close second ($6,196,717) in just seven outings and Sergio has banked $6,143,530 from 24 events.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Still looking for your first hole-in-one? Go see 22-year-old Curt Hocker at the El Paso Golf Club, near Kappa, Illinois. He'll either show you how it's done or give you some of his. He's got plenty of aces to spare. The following, apparently verified, comes to us from the Phoenix Journal Star.

"Eighteen months ago, Hocker - a 22-year-old from El Paso - was just like most golfers. An avid player with solid game, he was still looking for his first career hole in one. Then it happened, on May 31, 2007. Then, a week later, it happened again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again.

"Twelve times in all Hocker has allegedly made a hole in one, a double eagle or both. In August, the Journal Star published a story about Hocker, who apparently made an ace on a par 4 and a double eagle on a par 5 in the same round of golf.

"But that's nothing compared to what's happened in the past week at the golf club near Kappa. Beginning Oct. 29 and ending Tuesday about the time Barack Obama began sweeping the East Coast, Hocker and several witnesses say he made five holes in one in a six-day span...

"Statistically, Hocker has a better chance of being struck by lightning while collecting his Powerball winnings on the way to a Ralph Nader victory rally than he does of making five aces in six days."

By the way, in case you were wondering, Tiger Woods scored his first hole-in-one when he was six. His caddy, Earl, was his witness.