JULY 20, 2022
RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) – On July 22nd, the Jack McLaughlin Memorial PGA of BC Pro-Junior Championship presented by COBRA PUMA Golf makes its much-anticipated return after a two-year hiatus. Having last taken place in 2019, the 29th edition of the annual tournament will be contested at Shuswap Lake Golf Course in Blind Bay, BC.
Thirteen teams consisting of one professional and three junior amateurs at their respective Clubs will compete in an 18-hole, Two-Net Best-Ball event format. The tournament is welcoming players of all ages and ability levels, as the net-scoring format allows for all competitors to make contributions to their team’s overall success, regardless of their handicap or previous tournament experience.
No Professional has ever been a part of the winning team at the Pro-Junior Championship more than once. Chris Martens (Morgan Creek Golf Course) will attempt to achieve victory for a second time, having last been part of the winning squad in 2018 representing Nanaimo Golf Club.
“To win a second Pro-Junior would be an amazing achievement, but it is not my focus at all,” said Martens when asked about his chances to be the first to achieve this feat. “I just want these young players to have a great time, learn to compete and be part of a team.”
Should Martens and his Junior partners prove victorious, it would also give Morgan Creek Golf Course a record third tournament championship (2015, 2016). Also looking to earn its record third victory at the event is Seymour Golf & Country Club (2001, 2012), represented by Apprentice Professional Trevor McLean.
Several of the juniors participating will be getting a taste of tournament golf for the first time. Martens believes the experience will be valuable and unique for these players.
“The most important thing juniors can take away is how much fun a team event can be to play. Most of the players are used to playing for individual scores, so this formant frees them up to play the game in a very different way.”
The site of the event for the very first time, Shuswap Lake Golf Course at Blind Bay offers a challenging course layout for players of all handicaps, ranging from just under 5,500 yards to nearly 6,300 yards, depending on tee assignment. Host Head Professional, Tony Vogel believes that the facility is best described as “beautiful, very challenging, yet very playable.”
When asked what the toughest test will be faced by competing teams, Vogel highlighted the large, undulating greens.
“Club selection will be key. A missed club will leave players with a hundred-foot putt.”
Teams will also have to contend with the heat as temperatures are forecasted in the low-to-mid 30s, with humidity playing a factor as well.
Participants will tee off in a 1:00pm Shotgun format on Friday. Juniors will be contesting for a piece of the over $7,500+ prize table, furnished with presenting sponsor COBRA PUMA Golf products. Meanwhile, Professionals will be contesting for a piece of the $2,000 purse, divided up amongst them based upon the number of birdies and eagles recorded throughout the Championship. Each competitor will be assigned to a set of tees relative to their handicap factor and gender.
For full information, please visit the Jack McLaughlin Memorial PGA of BC Pro-Junior Championship presented by COBRA PUMA Golf event page by clicking here.
Remembering Jack McLaughlin
The annual Pro-Junior Championship tournament was named in honour of Jack McLaughlin and held for the first time in 1992, the year after his untimely passing. McLaughlin was one of Canada’s biggest advocates for junior golf and was well known as a long-time Head Professional at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club. A former PGA of BC President, McLaughlin developed the Junior-Junior instruction program for youth aged 11 and under, which introduced thousands of young Canadians to the sport. The Association’s Junior Golf Leader of the Year Award is also named in memory of Jack McLaughlin at the provincial and national levels. McLaughlin is one of only nine individuals to be honoured with a PGA of BC Lifetime Achievement Award.
About COBRA PUMA Golf
COBRA PUMA Golf's full-range portfolio includes COBRA’s high-performance drivers, fairways, hybrids, wedges, irons, and putters, as well as PUMA Golf’s sport lifestyle-inspired footwear, apparel and accessories. Fusing performance and style, COBRA PUMA Golf brings a focus on innovation, technology, compelling design and superior performance with an edge to the global golf marketplace. COBRA PUMA GOLF is a part of PUMA SE, one of the world’s leading lifestyle companies that designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit cobragolf.ca and cobragolf.ca/pumagolf.
About the PGA of British Columbia
The PGA of BC is an association of highly skilled and dedicated golf professionals who promote, play, develop and advance the game and business of golf for the benefit of its members and the people of British Columbia. Our members teach and administer golf while providing strong leadership in the community through charity events and volunteering. Dynamic and savvy, PGA of BC professionals are available at more than 200 golf facilities - a vital resource to the future of the game in Canada's golf capital.