The 2014 Titleist/Footjoy PGA of British Columbia Championship presented by AXIS Insurance Managers will be contested August 25th & 26th at Vancouver's Point Grey Golf Club. Players from across the province will compete for a $30,000 purse, and the chance to add their name to the William Thompson Trophy, awarded each year to the PGA of BC champion. The Top 14 eligible finishers not already exempt will also recieve invitations into the PGA of Canada Club Professional Championship, hosted in Arizona this November.
As the PGA of British Columbia's flagship event, the Championship never fails to attract one of the season's strongest fields - this season is no exception.
No doubt one of the favorites, Oliver Tubb of Seymour Creek Golf Centre is enjoying strong success in his first season as a PGA of Canada professional. Tubb hoisted the trophy in his first ever PGA of BC event in June, the Flightscope & Cobra/Puma Golf PGA of BC Assistants' Championship contested at Kamloops' Rivershore Estates & Golf Links. Earlier this month Tubb also captured the Sani Marc Canada Cup in Victoriaville QC, one of the country's most prestigious professional tournaments. Look for Tubb's hot summer to continue at Point Grey.
Two time champions Bryn Parry of Seymour Creek Golf Centre and Doug Morgan of The Redwoods Golf Course will also vie for the title at Point Grey. Parry - who won the event in 2000 and 2008 - has enjoyed strong finishes this season including a win at the VGT's Chilliwack Open, a second place finish in the PGA of BC Assistants' Championship, and a Top 5 at the Sani Marc Canada Cup. Morgan - who won back to back titles in 2009 and 2010 - will be looking to pick up a third title at a course that will suit his shotmaking abilities. Both players are likely to contend late on Tuesday.
Also keep your eye on...
Gorge Vale Golf Club's Edd Boudreau - Boudreau hoisted the trophy in 2006 and narrowly missed the title again last year at Salmon Arm Golf Club, losing in a sudden death playoff. Having put himself in contention on multiple occasions this season, look for Boudreau to close the deal at Point Grey.
Victoria Golf Club's Lindsay Bernakevitch - Bernakevitch is in his first season as Head Professional at VGC, and wasted no time grabbing the course record at his new home track. Coming off a Top-10 at the Sani Marc Canada Cup, the 2011 champion will be a contender at a course he knows well.
Capilano Golf & Country Club's Dave Zibrik - Known as one of the province's longest hitters, Zibrik notched a tie for third at the PGA of BC Assistants' Championship, and a solo second at the Sani Marc Canada Cup. Zibrik's complete game will give him a good chance to go one better at the association's most prestigious event.
Point Grey Golf & Country Club is one of Vancouver's premier private golf facilities. The traditional tree-lined layout has hosted Men's and Women's Canadian Opens, and recently played host to the PGA Tour Canada's PC Financial Open - a tournament where 2012 PGA of BC Champion Brad Clapp contended late on Sunday and would eventually finish tied for second place in his PGA Tour Canada debut. The course will play approximately 6600 yards, with a premium placed on shotmaking and positioning.
Live scoring for the event will be available on pgabc.org - as will a live Twitter feed using the hashtag #pgabc.