Tee 2 Green with Barry Sharpe - - June 27/09

The official announcement from the RCGA won't be made until Tuesday but Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, BC will accept an exemption to play in the RBC Canadian Open July 23-26.
 

After being named the No. 1 ranked Amateur player in the world by the R&A, a few days later shooting a second round of 65 to tie for lowest round by an amateur in U.S. Open history, and then wrapping up his dream week by finishing tied for 36th and the Low Amateur in golf's second major of the season, Taylor is bound to attract a large following of spectators while he's at Glen Abbey in Oakville, Ont.

And because of the date of the tournament he may not be to keen to rush back to the west coast to play in the Amateur Golf Association's Pacific Coast Amateur July 28-31 in Arizona.

A month ago, based on the strength of his four college victories at the University of Washington, Taylor received and accepted an exemption from the USGA to play in the U.S. Amateur Public Links championship from July 13-18 at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club in Norman, Okla. That means he's  not going to be available to play in the BC Amateur at Duncan Meadows that same week, which is disappointing because Taylor's presence would have added greatly to what is already one of the strongest fields in recent BCGA Amateur history.

He will, however, be heavily favored in the Canadian Amateur August 10-13 in Blainville, Quebec.

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The month of July used to be the busiest month of the year for the BC Golf Association, but now some of their provincial championships are spread out in June and August, however, three events coming up next month include the BC Junior Girls championship July 7-9 at Golden Eagles South Golf Club in Pitt Meadows; the BC Junior Boys final July 7-10 at Pitt Meadows Golf Club and the 107th edition of the Men's BC Amateur July 14-17 at Vancouver Island's Duncan Meadows Golf Club.

Eugene Wong of North Vancouver, who won both the BC Junior and Amateur titles last season, is no longer a junior but he has become a formidable and well traveled amateur following his first season at the University of Oregon, and trips to the NCAA final and a visit to Great Britain for the Amateur Open where he qualified for match play.

This year's Men's Amateur could well be the strongest, most balanced field we've seen in years with the likes of other U.S. college standouts like James Allenby of Langley, Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford and Christina Lake's Lindsay Renolds. Of course, until he actually stops showing up, 13-time BC Amateur Champion Doug Roxburgh. will always be a contender for the Bostock Trophy and a treat to watch. There is no finer role mode for amateur golf in Canada than this four-time Canadian Amateur title holder from Vancouver's Marine Drive Golf Club.
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Bryn Parry of Vancouver, whose brief fling in 2007 with the U.S. Nationwide Tour included a thrilling overtime loss, is favored to defend his title this coming week when the PGA of BC gets underway June 29-30 at Swan-e-set Bay Resort & Country Club in Pitt Meadows. Among the field of 75 Associate and Apprentice Professionals will be former Canadian Assistant champion Phil Jonas along with James Harper, Matt Palsenbarg, Dan Swanson, Lindsay Bernakevitch, Fraser Mulholland, Dave Zibrik and past champion Dan Dupuis. The 2009 Links Golf Cafe PGA of BC Assistants' Championship is being presented by FIRSTAR & Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada.

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Links golf Cafe is also sponsoring the PGA of BC Women's Championship which is taking takes place in conjunction with the Assistants' Championship at Swan-E-Set. Patty Jonas will attempt to defend her title against the likes of six-time former champion and LPGA Tour player Jennifer Wyatt and past champions Sandra Comadina and Leila Chartrand.

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For four years now members of the PGA of BC have taken it upon themselves to help raise funds for the ALS Society of British Columbia. This season so far some 34 courses and over 75 Pros and Assistants have donated their time in ALS Golf-A-Thons, in some cases, accompanied by their club members and juniors, despite some unpleasant weather conditions.
 
At the Granite Pointe Golf Club  www.granitepointe.ca/  at Nelson in the Kootenays  Travis Mann and Jamie Stevens began their Golf-a- Thon at the stroked of midnight on June 17th and played non-stop for 24 hours. Despite some lightening and rain they each played 279 holes and made a total of 89 birdies with 8 eagles. Travis and Jamie were a little fatigued when it was over but they still managed to play solid golf with both carding a birdie each in the last 30 minutes. Their financial total is not 100% calculated yet but early figures show they have raised approximately $4,700.

There are many outstanding stories being told today about the Golf-A-Thons being staged around the province by the PGA of BC members. You might enjoy reading about some of these or joining some future events by clicking here to visit the ALS Golf-A-Thon web site

Congratulations and thank you to all pros and participants.