Tee 2 Green with Barry Sharpe - - August 28/09

Right on the heels of Dick Zokol's Sagebrush Golf and Sporting Club at Merit being named SCOREGolf Magazine's choice as the Best New Course in Canada for 2009, comes word that Tobiano near Kamloops has been chosen for two more SCOREGolf Awards for British Columbia.

Sunday morning on the SCOREGolf TV show on TSN host Bob Weeks will break the news that Tobiano has been selected both the Best Public Course in British Columbia and the Best Conditioned Course in the province. Last year Tobiano was chosen Canada's Best New Golf Course.

It has also been suggested that Sagebrush may in line to be selected Best New Canadian Golf Course by Golf Digest. The photos have been taken, although the selection is yet to be official.

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David Mears of Victoria, B.C. survived the difficult Canterwood Golf and Country August 17 in a one-day 18-hole qualifier, carding a 1-under par 71 to earn medalist honors and advance to the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

Mears will be joined by Larry Daniels of Seattle, Wash., who was second qualifier with a 1-over par 73 despite a double bogey on his final hole.

Other British Columbians who attempted to qualify were Mike Marshall (83) of West Vancouver and Ray Henry (87) of Victoria,

The United States Senior Amateur Championship will be held September 12-17 at The Beverly Country Club in Chicago, Illinois.

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A USGA Major Offer launched back in June for those interested in purchasing advance tickets to the 2010 U.S. Senior Open Open at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, WA., has resulted in the sale of more than 21,000 tickets

"This championship at Sahalee has the potential to be the biggest Senior Open to date," says Tim Flaherty, USGA Director of the U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Amateur Championships. "It's fantastic to see the Seattle community get behind this nearly a year out from the event. Support like this, combined with solid corporate support will send a message to the golf world that the Pacific Northwest is a worthy host for future major championships."

Although the USGA Major Offer is over, spectators are still encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at prices ranging from $20 to $250 at participating Fred Meyer locations in the U.S., by phone at 877-281-OPEN, or online at www.2010ussenioropen.com.

All tickets include free parking and free shuttle transportation to Sahalee Country Club. Throughout the week of the championship, kids 17 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Kids also receive front-row seating in all on-course grandstands.

The 31st U.S. Senior Open will bring a field of 156 of the world's best professional and amateur senior (over the age of 50) golfers to Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, WA July 26 - August 1, 2010.

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The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) is once again holding a series of three one-day tournaments in the lower mainland,open to all young golfers for the benefit of newcomers wishing to try the tour without membership fees.

The series, sponsored by Srixon, runs September 27th at Meadow Gardens Golf Club in Maple Ridge, October 10th at Point Roberts Golf and Country Club in Point Roberts, WA, and October 17th at University Golf Club in Vancouver.

Each tournament's $80 entry fee covers 18 holes of golf, tee gift, Long Drive and Closest-to-the-pin competitions, Boston Pizza pizza, and awards for the top three finishers in each of the four divisions - boys 13 and under, boys 14-16, boys 17-19 and girls. Draw prizes are also randomly selected for all those who do not win a prize.

To register in one or all of the MJT Srixon Series in the lower mainland please visit www.maplejt.com or call 604-943-1645.

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The British Columbia Golf Association launches its first championship for the average golfer Sunday at Vancouver's University Golf Club when the inaugural BC Fresh Egg Scramble becomes the 13th event on the BCGA calendar asnd the first event of its kind in BC.

"This is an important and fun event that celebrates golf," says Kris Jonasson, BCGA executive director. "We are committed to promoting golf as part of a healthy lifestyle. Our partnership with the BC Egg Marketing Board not only ensures a strong message but emphasizes that eating a diet that includes eggs contributes to healthy living."

Four person teams made up of men and women from throughout the Lower Mainland will compete in a handicapped scramble format. Some of the teams include; the First tee of Metro Vancouver, the BC Aboriginal Golf Association, the Vancouver Chinese Golf Club and several other private, semi-private and public club representatives.

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In Memoriam - Ian Fraser

We regret to pass along the news of the passing of Ian Fraser, a former Executive Director of the PGA of BC and an Honorary Director, who died earlier this week.

An obituary will be published this weekend in The Vancouver Sun and The Province newspapers. A celebration of the life of Ian Fraser will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9th, at 4 p.m. at University Golf Club. All are welcome to attend.