Tee 2 Green with Barry Sharpe - - January 31/2010

The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has become addicted to the game of golf. For the RCGA, the PGA TOUR and a merry band of golf professionals prepared to accept new sponsorship that's great news. If you are just a bank client or an RBC shareholder it probably won't mean very much.

PGA TOUR players Fred Couples, Luke Donald, and LPGA standout Morgan Pressel have joined Anthony Kim, Stephen Ames and Mike Weir to formally launch "Team RBC", part of the bank's expanded commitment to golf as a global brand and marketing platform. What that means is RBC becomes their official bank and financial services partner in return for the players carrying the RBC logo on their bags and participating in various marketing and advertising programs around the world.

RBC has also announced it will become a PGA of America Official Patron and the Official Bank of The PGA Championship, Sr. PGA Championship, Grand Slam of Golf, become a Proud Supporter of the Ryder Cup and take a significant presence on network and cable television in the season ahead.

RBC's plans also bode well for the Canadian Open, which it already sponsors and which is now likely to gain significant attention with more world class players and take a more prominent pposition on the PGA TOUR. Plans are already in place to fully integrate these new athlete partnerships into a new advertising campaign.

"Creating Team RBC reflects our decision to make a long-term strategic investment in golf that will build the RBC brand in key geographic and demographic markets," says Jim Little, RBC Chief Brand and Communications Officer. RBC employs approximately 80,000 employees who serve more than 18 million clients through offices in 55 countries, and now becomes the Official Bank of The PGA of America.

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After some 7,000 people are said to have participated in a contest to come up with a name for architect Doug Carrick's new 7,180-yard, par 72 golf course at Kelowna's Predator Ridge Resort, the name they've decided on is 'The Ridge'.

According to Resort General Manager Rod Cochrane, "In looking at the experience that Doug Carrick has created and the nature of the site, we truly feel that the name reflects the course as much of it sits along a ridge overlooking the lake, golfers will really have an understanding what The Ridge Course is all about, the very first time they play it."

While they were at it the Okanagan Resort has decided to rename the original Osprey - Red Tail course to 'The Predator'.

The 2010 golf season for the two courses will begin March 15 and green fees will range between $110 to $160.

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From the PGA of BC website comes the following announcement:

TOURNAMENT COORDINATOR POSITION AVAILABLE

The Professional Golfers' Association of B.C. has an opening for a Tournament Coordinator. This position will be an eight-month contract position, starting in March 2010.

Responsibilities:
Preparation and execution of a multi-event professional golf tournament schedule, including:
* Arrange event details with host venues
* Coordination with sponsor representatives
* Registration of tournament participants
* Preparation of tournament draw, prize money distribution
* Scoring of events, using Tournament Expert software (training available)
* Preparation of prize tables
* Physical set-up and takedown of signage and other tournament equipment
* Communication with media before and after event
* All other duties required to stage a successful professional golf tournament

Experience in the environment of competitive golf is mandatory. Requires an organized, detail-oriented person with excellent communication skills and problem-solving abilities. Must be well-versed in Microsoft Office programs.

Compensation: Up to $3,000 per month depending on experience and qualifications. Mileage paid for use of personal vehicle (events take place at various venues around B.C.). Office located in southeast Richmond.

The PGA of BC represents 700 members working at 200 golf facilities throughout B.C. The events we stage are for the benefit of our members and must be executed with the utmost in professionalism and skilful organization.

Further information about this position and the Association is available at: www.pgabc.org

Only those considered for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.
Apply to Brian Butters, Executive Director, PGA of BC, via email: brian@pgabc.org

Application deadline: February 5, 2010

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We'll be watching for an announcement from the PGA TOUR ont Thursday that the senior Champions Tour is returning to Canada for a $1.5 million event to be held in early July in the Montreal region. There's no indication of whether this would be a one time event or a regular stop on the senior circuit for players age 50 and over. However, it does rekindle thoughts of a senior Champions tournament returning to the Vancouver region, possibly playing at Northview where the facilities are more perfect for a PGA championship than anywhere west of Glen Abbey.

Mind you, owner Chick Stewart and his astute staff may not be too keen to give up Northview at that time of the year considering all the downtime required to prepare a course to meet the stringent requirements of the PGA TOUR. The PGA regular TOUR already has the staff at Vancouver's Shaughnessy G&CC getting ready for the RBC Canadian Open in July of 2011.

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With some luck and the generosity of their friends and the golf community, the Vancouver Island Golf Superintendents Association (VIGSA) hoped to raise in excess of $100,000 toward MS during Saturday's charity hockey game, silent auction and banquet taking place at Bear Mountain Arena. In 2008, the VIGSA raised $8,500. "Last year we raised $70,000 and this year we are going to try to take it up a notch," sayd Greg Kowalski, superintendent of Royal Oak Golf Course. 100% of all donations goes to the fund and anyone who can't make it to the event but wishing to help out can do so by contacting Greg Kowalski at mshockeygame@gmail.com.