June 30, 2023
RICHMOND, BC (PGA of BC) - The 2023 G&G Brands & Callaway Golf Pro-Assistant Championship is set to take place at the magnificent St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino in Cranbrook, running July 3 & July 4.
The Kootenays course, set between the Canadian Rockies and the Columbia Mountains with the St. Mary River running next to it, will play host to 68 professionals making up 34 teams competing in the tournament. Club Professionals are joined by an Assistant Professional from the same facility, and will take part in a two-day event comprised of a Best-Ball format on Day 1 and a Scramble on Day 2.
Chilliwack Golf Club's Ryan Tofani and Zach Olson were champions of the tournament at Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community in 2022. They are hoping to repeat as back-to-back champions.
"Last year, Zach's consistency carried us, he doesn't tend to miss fairways. That makes my job a lot easier, especially in the scramble game where I can swing as hard as I want and not worry if the ball goes in play," said Tofani.
While Tofani and Olson are seeking their second Pro-Assistant title, Fairview Mountain Golf Club's Brian McDonald and Rob Tadey are entering this year's event hoping to add a third championship to their trophy shelf. The pair won the Championship in 2017 and 2020, and will surely be among the favourites to wrestle it back from the Chilliwack duo.
This will be St. Eugene's first PGA of BC tournament since hosting the now-retired Pro-Executive Championship in 2006. Head Professional Mike Pearson and Executive Professional Cindy Soukoroff are thrilled to be welcoming the Association to their course and to the beautiful Kootenays region.
"It means so much to us to share this special place that St. Eugene is, but I think it's bigger because we don't have too many events in the Kootenays," said Soukoroff. "Some of the people coming haven't been to this region at all before, so for them to be able to see this side of the province as lush and green as it is right now, I think that means the most to me."
Soukoroff and Pearson added some advice, saying not to overthink your tee-shots.
"What you see is what you get off the tee. There's always the barber-pole 150 marker that you can see from every tee-box, so you always know where your targets are," said Soukoroff. "I love the layout, starts a little bit forgiving then goes into the tree-lined areas and then down by the river. It kind of feels like you're in the middle of nowhere."
This Pro-Assistant Championship will see Osoyoos Golf Club's Vince Trama make his triumphant and inspiring return to competitive golf. Trama, alongside teammate Doug Robb, is competing in a tournament for the first time since suffering heart failure shortly after the 2021 Pro-Assistant Championship. Following a heart transplant, Trama pushed himself to regain his ability to walk and eventually swing a golf club. He was back working full-time at the club only 10 months after the transplant.
"It's exciting because the last year and a half, I didn't think I was going to play golf in a tournament again. There were a lot of question marks on it, my quality of life and all that stuff," said Trama. "So there were times when I didn't think I would ever return to work, let alone play in a golf tournament. I had to relearn sitting up, walking, running, going up stairs, and there's always doubts in your mind if you'll be able to do things you love."
Robb is proud to call Trama his friend and co-worker, and can't believe how fast he was able to recover.
"It's an eye opener for the rest of us not to take anything for granted," said Robb. "Vince has a great temperament, a great disposition and he's full of life. We're looking forward to the event."
The Pro-Assistant Championship is proudly sponsored by G&G Brands and Callaway Golf. The PGA of BC is grateful for G&G Brands' and Callaway Golf's generous support.
Tee-times start at 10 a.m. MST on Monday. To learn more, please visit the Schedule of Events located on our website.
Round 1 Draw: Click here
Round 2 Tee-times available following Round 1.