Reigning PGA of BC Champion Lindsay Bernakevitch hopes to retain title and fend off best in B.C. including #2 ranked Bryn Parry, two-time Champion Doug Morgan and Assistants' Champion Brad Clapp
[Courtenay, BC] - The top golf professionals in British Columbia will be travelling to northern Vancouver Island this weekend to challenge for the Titleist / FootJoy PGA of BC Championship, a 54-hole event that takes place July 23-25 at Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community.
Defending champion Lindsay Bernakevitch from Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club has been playing extremely talented golf as of late and has high hopes for a repeat performance. Bernakevitch was the top British Columbia professional at the PGA Championship of Canada, a match play event played in Calgary in mid-June, and he feels his all around game is better than this time last year. Bernakevitch will also bring a new tradition to the event, choosing his favorite ribs and steak for the Championship meal held Monday night.
Former winners of the PGA of BC Championship playing next week include 2000 and 2008 Champion Bryn Parry from Seymour Creek Golf Centre, who is currently ranked second in the PGA of Canada National player rankings. Two-time Champion, Doug Morgan (2009 & 2010), is making his PGA of BC tournament debut after returning from a non-golf related surgery in early May.
Gorge Vale Golf Club's Edd Boudreau (2006) and Capilano Golf & Country Club's Mike Haraguchi (2005) will also be trying to again have their name etched on the William Thompson trophy. Boudreau defeated Canada's Number one ranked professional at this year's PGA Championship of Canada, eventually losing to Bernakevitch and finishing third.
The field also includes many players hoping to capture their first PGA of BC Championship, most notably the talented Brad Clapp. Clapp, who plays out of Chilliwack Golf & Country Club, is fresh off an uncontested win at the Assistants' Championship at Vernon Golf & Country Club, and followed that performance with a deep run at the PGA Championship of Canada losing the eventual Champion and finishing fourth.
Olympic View's Golf Club's Kevin Maxwell, a former PGA of BC Assistants' Champion and half of last week's winning team at the PGA of BC Pro-Assistant Championship, could also be the one to watch this week as Maxwell returns to the home club where he built up an impressive resume as a junior golfer.
Host professional Jason Andrew will give local residents excitement as he makes a rare event debut, and joins other local professionals Bill Kelly and Paul Dashkewytch of Glacier Greens Golf Club.
The entire championship is free for spectators to attend. For directions to Crown Isle, please CLICK HERE.
To view the first round tee times and pairings, please CLICK HERE.
Results and live updates will be posted on the PGA of BC WEBSITE, as well as the PGA of BC twitter feed (@PGAofBC).
Titleist / FootJoy PGA of BC Championship
Venue: Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community, Courtenay, BC
Date: July 23-25
Format: 54-hole stroke-play
Par: 36/36/72
Purse: $25,500 ($5,000 winners share)
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For further information, contact:
Chris Currie
Communications & Membership Manager
PGA of British Columbia
604.303.6766
Bryan McNair
Events Manager
PGA of British Columbia
604.303.6766 | Cell: 604.690.8463
About the PGA of British Columbia
The Professional Golfers' Association of British Columbia is an association comprised of more than 650 golf professionals who work at and operate golf courses, driving ranges and other facilities across the province. Their mandate is to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-caliber competitive events. The Zone Office is located in Richmond, BC. For more information, visit www.pgabc.org.
About Acushnet
The Titleist & FootJoy brands have a tradition of excellence that have always been predicated on providing golfers with quality and performance superior golf equipment. The Canadian PGA Golf Professional has a tradition of excellence devoting their careers to helping golfers improve and enjoy the game. Together, Acushnet and the Canadian PGA Golf Professional share a successful relationship of providing the golfer with best in class products and services. For more information,visit www.titleist.com and www.footjoy.com.