Tee 2 Green with Barry Sharpe - January 16, 2011

It doesn't happen that often in the southern half of British Columbia's Lower Mainland or on Vancouver Island but the signs came out on the weekend and may stay out for the next few days with the promise of colder temperatures and snowflurries.

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At the PGA TOUR's first full field tournament, the Sony Open in Hawaii, Canadian David Hearn cashed in with a final round 69 to finish T10th at 9-under par 271, four strokes behind winner Johnson Wagner of the U.S. That starts the Brantford, Ont. native off for the season with $137,500. Graham Delaet T29 at 275 and collected $32,735 while Calgary's Stephen Ames fell off the pace with a closing 75 and T46, just two shots behind DeLaet, which was worth $14,708. Johnson left the Islands with $900,000.

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At an age when many high paid executives look forward to retiring, 65-year-old PGA TOUR commissioner Tim Finchem has agreed to a new four-year extension of his multi-million dollar contract, which will now expire following the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, golf returns to competition for the first time since 1904.

Since becoming the third commissioner of the Tour in 1994, earning opportunities for players have increased substantially while charitable donations made by the Tour and its tournaments has topped $1.1-billion. Finchem recently helped the PGA TOUR sign a nine-year television deal with CBS Sports and NBC Sports.

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At various times over our brief eight year history we've encouraged, posted articles and shared comments from professionals and others extolling the benefits of choosing the right set of tees to play from according to your health, your game or the length of course you're playing on. Commenting on last week's article,
Some Forward Thinking For More Fun In Golf, Richard Newell, owner of Delta's popular Kings Links by the Sea, was one of many friends to concur.

Mr. Newell writes: "FORWARD GOLF TEES [no more red just green]. Last summer I played golf with three seniors [in their eighties] off the white tees It was not easy nor enjoyable. They did not want to play the reds. Fortunately, I am the owner of Kings Links and I was able to make the decision . . .NO MORE REDS. The red tees were immediately changed to green and the new cards have been changed as well. I think we will see a lot more green tee players this year. You are right . . 5,300 yards is enough."

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When it comes to planning your next warm weather golf outing in January, February and March don't forget to visit Golf The World Vacations. This is the new travel site now on-line at BC Golf Guide.

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PGA of Canada Teaching Professional Ashley Hogg (ashleylynn9@hotmail.com), a TPI Certified Golf Fitness Instructor, has been announced as the Commissioner of the Lower Mainland Professional Golf Tour (Srixon Tour) effective immediately.

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Here are some opportunities open right now to members of the PGA of BC:

NEW - Golf Event Coordinator - The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club
NEW - Head Professional - Balfour Golf Course
NEW - Teaching Professional - GolfTec (South Surrey)
NEW - Assistant/Apprentice Professional - Talking Rock Golf at Quaaout Lodge
NEW - Assistant Professional - Revelstoke Golf Course
Teaching Professional - Eaglequest Golf Academy, Coquitlam
Golf Shop Supervisor - Furry Creek Golf & Country Club
General Manager - Eaglequest - Coquitlam
Assistant Professional - Ledgeview Golf Course
Teaching Professional - Golf Town (Coquitlam)
Teaching Professional - Golf Town (North Vancouver)
Golf Operations Manager - Predator Ridge Resort
Retail/Assistant Professional - Eagle Ranch Golf Course
Assistant Professional - Lakepoint Golf & Country Club
Assistant Professional (2) - Mountain View Golf Course
Assistant Professional - Castlegar Golf Club

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A warm welcome to Graham Kreiner who has transferred from the Alberta Zone to become Head Professional at Golden Golf & Country Club.

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Kevin Ko, a Gleneagle Secondary Senior in Coquitlam, B.C., has signed a commitment to attend San Diego State and play for the Aztecs golf team in the fall of 2012. Ko helped lead Glendale Talons to the school's first BC provincial title in last June, placing second in individual stroke play. Ko won the Canadian Junior Golf Association Puma Challenge and Nike Golf Junior Series/Stephen Ames Cup Qualifier in March. A highly talented teenager, KoHe is a member of his school's honor roll from 2006-11, plays badminton and the violin and is also active with the debate squad.

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BC Golf's Director of School Golf, Kathy Gook, helped to launch the SOAR program's inaugural training session in to elementary school children in Prince George last week. The program, a joint effort between BC Golf, Curl BC and Tennis BC, is funded by the BC Sport Agency and seeks to deliver school sport programs in golf, tennis and curling to elementary school children in remote communities across the province at a low cost to the participants.

Representatives from each Provincial Association taught nine volunteer attendees from Pacific Sport and the City of Prince George curriculum specific to the three sports. Also in attendance was local community leader Geoff McGrath, Head Professional and Curling Manager at Prince George Golf and Curling Club. During the three days of classroom exposure, SOAR reached 183 children and continued BC Golf's push to grow the game of golf in British Columbia.