Victoria, B.C. - In a sold-out crowd filled with golf professionals, club members, family and friends, the PGA of British Columbia awarded long-time Victoria Golf Club Head Professional Michael Parker with the 2012 PGA of BC Lifetime Achievement Award on Monday evening at The Victoria Golf Club.
The Association's highest honour recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the PGA of BC over an extended period of time through their actions on and off the golf course. This award is not one that is awarded every year, and has only been awarded six previous times in the history of PGA of BC, most recently last year to long-time supporter and Tournament Advisor Jim Gibson. The other winners include Herb Paterson (2001), Gerry Chatelain (2006), Stan Leonard (2006), Jack McLaughlin (2007), and Dick Munn (2010).
The achievements of the long-time professional of the prestigious club was celebrated with a great line-up of speakers sharing stories from a variety of career highlights, including ones from his days as an accomplished golfer on the Johnny Walker Tour (now the Canadian Tour), to ones of his involvement in creating the Vancouver Island Assistants' Championship (VIAC) in the 1980's.
When accepting the Award from PGA of BC President Derek Thornley, Mr. Parker captured the crowd with a variety of heart-warming stories of the days he hosted celebrities such as Wayne Gretzky, Steve Nash, Johnny Miller, and The Governor General, to the personal impact that the members of the Victoria Golf Club have made to his career. He accredits his long-tenure at the Club to a great team of Assistants, professionalism and the always giving his best, even at the expense of working long days.
"It is a real privilege to be a Head Professional and I am very proud to say that I have had that title here. Not many in 120-years have been able to say that" concluded Mr. Parker in his acceptance speech.
Mr. Parker was nominated by a special committee and the PGA of BC Board of Directors are most thankful for his contributions to the game of golf, the Victoria community, his dedication to the Association, and feel his actions make him very deserving of the PGA of BC Lifetime Achievement Award.
Please Click here to view the FULL AWARDS PRESENTATION
or by individual speaker:
Colin McCulley - Class A Professional - Victoria Golf Club
Jim Goddard - Head Professional - Cordova Bay Golf Club
John Tidman - Member - Victoria Golf Club
Derek Thornley - President of the PGA of BC, Head Professional - Richmond Country Club
Michael Parker - 2012 PGA of BC Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient