BC Golf Museum -- A New Face & A New Newsletter

The Tradition 2009

This year The Tradition is hosted by Marine Drive Golf Club and is scheduled for May 25th. However, the deadline for entries is SEVEN WEEKS TODAY!!

Be sure and get your foursome organized and get the entry in so you are not disappointed AND your name will appear on two of the tee gifts that every participant will receive this year! You can now enter and pay by credit card online at our website.

Click here for details for registering online

Michael Riste, Volunteer

Michael Riste began his relationship with golf by working in the back shop, the pro shop and the on first tee for Jock McKinnon, the legendary Professional at Capilano CC. There was no task that Michael didn't perform for Jock, including grocery shopping. Mike worked year round at Capilano cleaning clubs, saddle soaping the leather golf bags in the off season and repairing clubs.

The relationship was a two way one though in that with the help of Capilano members Mike became the very first Evans Caddie Scholarship recipient in Canada. He attended the University of Washington and never looked back. He also never stopped contributing; as a devotee of the history of the game, as an alumni of the Evans Caddie Scholarship program, and as one of the driving forces behind the creation of the BC Golf Museum. Long interested in the history of golf, and quite a collector himself, Mike helped kick start the Museum in 1987. His untiring laboring to renovate the former clubhouse of the University Golf Club and his participation in raising the funds necessary to make the dream a reality are some of the reasons there is a BC Golf Museum and Hall of Fame.

He has authored several books, most notable being the PNGA's history, titled Championships and Friendships, and is currently working on a book about the career of noted golf course architect, A.V. Macan.

Mike is a lifetime Director of the Museum, a longstanding contributor to the PNGA and arguably the most knowledgeable historian regarding the game of golf in the Pacific Northwest. He sits on the Hall of Fame committees for both the PNGA and the Golf Hall of Fame of BC.

The golf community in this area is fortunate to have such a staunch supporter, contributor and wealth of knowledge close by.

This Date in History

110 YEARS AGO
Feb 4 1899 - Meeting to form the Pacific North West Golf Association.

100 YEARS AGO
Hedley Golf Club forms. Koksilah Golf Club forms at Duncan.

90 YEARS AGO
February 4 1919 - Nelson, Princeton, and Fernie Golf Clubs are formed.

80 YEARS AGO
Osoyoos Golf Club is formed

75 YEARS AGO
June 16 1934 - Fraserview Golf Club opens

70 YEARS AGO
July 30 1939 - Ken Black wins Canadian Amateur at Mt Bruno >First BC resident to win Canadian Amateur

60 YEARS AGO
June 14, 1949 - New course Cowichan Golf Club opens at Duncan

50 YEARS AGO
July 1959 - McCleery, Quesnel, and Sequoia Springs golf courses open
Stan Leonard wins low individual title in Canada Cup (World Cup)

The Museum has some fire in it!

For the first time in over 25 years there is a fire burning in the fireplace. A new gas fireplace log set was installed in February making the great room in the Museum a very comfortable place, indeed!

Holding a meeting at the Museum

In February five groups held meetings at the Museum. This is a strategy that is being pursued as a way to expose more people to the Museum and all that it holds. Golf course and Association Board of Directors have been invited to hold a meeting per year at the Museum and it seems to be catching on.

Groups up to 20 or 25, depending upon the seating format can be accommodated. If catering is required, the University Golf Club is on call with a menu of selections.

If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact Executive Director, Barrie McWha (604-222-4653) to learn more.

Hickory Hackers!

One project that is getting underway now is to review the substantial collection of hickory shafted clubs in the Museum's collection and prepare them for use on the links.

Golf courses and tournament gatherings are being encouraged to take advantage of the availability of these clubs to hold a hickory hole during a golf event or even create a hickory tournament so golfers of today can experience what golf was truly like a hundred years ago...well not truly like a hundred years...they can use modern golf balls!

Again, anyone interested in exploring the idea can contact the Museum at 604-222-4653 or office@bcgolfmuseum.org.

2009 is a Hall of Fame Year!

Every odd numbered year is an induction year for the Golf Hall of Fame of BC. The Museum coordinates the selection Committee and the Board of Directors ratifies the decisions of the Committee.

Nomination for the Hall of Fame is based on one's competitive record while a resident of British Columbia and there is an extensive schedule of points developed for events to be considered, primarily provincial, national and international.

If you know someone that you think might be worthy of consideration for the Hall of Fame please contact the Golf Museum for details. All that is required is a nomination because within the Hall we have the records of most golfers that might be considered. If we don't have their record, our volunteers will do the research.

Trivia Contest for March

All those who respond with the correct answer will be placed in a draw for golf for two at University Golf Club!

Question:
Who is the one golfer who has won the BC Junior Championship, the BC Amateur Championship and the Masters?

CLICK HERE to enter your answer.
We'll announce the winner in next month's newsletter.