JUNE 22, 2020
RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) –- The PGA of BC Board of Directors and Administration Team have made determinations on several competition-related events and initiatives amid ongoing circumstances of the COVD-19 pandemic and are sharing the following updates:
Jack McLaughlin Memorial Pro-Junior Championship
For nearly 30 years, the PGA of BC has celebrated the legacy of Jack McLaughlin and his significant contributions to junior golf through the annual Jack McLaughlin Memorial Pro-Junior Championship, an 18-hole two-net best-ball event at which Golf Professionals team up with three junior-aged competitors from their facility.
Recognizing that the event’s format and its associated logistics – including team travel and accommodations, large congregations of competitors prior to and following play -- has the potential to place competitors in a vulnerable position and may not adhere to provincial and regional health authorities’ guidelines, the Pro-Junior Championship will not be held at Vernon Golf & Country Club on July 23 as scheduled.
In addition to honouring McLaughlin, the Pro-Junior Championship has represented inclusiveness in competition, with a format that allows girls and boys of all ages and ability levels to participate and contribute to their teams’ success in the event, while providing junior golfers with an opportunity to play alongside a Golf Professional. The PGA of BC believes in preserving these qualities of the event, even if the tournament cannot proceed.
As such, the Association is proud to announce that the Jack McLaughlin Memorial Junior Golf Challenge presented by COBRA PUMA Golf – a province-wide net-scoring event encouraging youth participation at all PGA of BC facilities – will take place during the week of the original tournament date.
From July 20-26, junior golfers with an established handicap will be challenged to complete a 9- or 18-hole round under mock tournament conditions at their home facility and turn in their scorecards to their club’s Professional staff. PGA of BC members will report in each participant’s net scores, with the top performances from the week recognized and published by the Association. We encourage our members to take time out of their busy schedules to accompany participating juniors on course wherever possible, helping to guide them through playing under tournament-type conditions, assist with rules inquiries and cheer them on. There is no cost or entry fee for junior competitors, aside from any green fees that may apply at their respective facilities, and all participants will be eligible for post-event prizing through either their event performance or by random draw.
“Although our Pro-Junior Championship will be placed on hiatus in 2020 in the interest of public health and safety, the PGA of BC remains eager to provide a fun competition opportunity for junior golfers throughout British Columbia,” said Executive Director Donald Miyazaki. “We look forward to reflecting upon Jack McLaughlin’s many contributions to junior golf at a Pro-Junior Championship again in 2021, but in the meantime hope that the spirit of the event can be observed at our member facilities in a unique way this summer through the Jack McLaughlin Memorial Junior Golf Challenge presented by COBRA PUMA Golf.”
CLICK HERE for more event details and to register your facility to participate in the Challenge.
Please note that any registrations received for the Pro-Junior Championship will be refunded.
Order of Merit & Player of the Year Award
Due to significantly fewer opportunities for competition this year as the result of COVID-19, including the cancellation of the PGA of BC Assistants’ & Seniors’ Championships and reduced schedules on all four affiliated regional tours, the Association will not be tabulating an Order of Merit in 2020.
Additionally, as the Stan Leonard Player of the Year Award is heavily dependent upon each year’s Order of Merit results, the honour will not be presented this year.
“This season’s unfortunate circumstances have created an inequity in the ability for our members to earn points toward the PGA of BC Order of Merit, particularly those who are not serving a Club Professional role and those based in areas with fewer available regional tour events,” said Miyazaki. “Without a level playing field for our membership, the PGA of BC Board of Directors and Administration Team felt it would be most appropriate to suspend our Order of Merit and Player of the Year Award until 2021.”
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The Association is proceeding with plans to administer the Pro-Assistant Championship, PGA of BC Championship, Club Professional Championship and Women’s Championship as scheduled, with additional measures in place to safeguard all competitors, Administration Team members and host facility staff and patrons. Further competition updates will be provided should any changes be applied to these events. Registration is open now for all four remaining championships in 2020; visit the PGA of BC Schedule of Events page for more information and a link to registration for each tournament.
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For more information, please contact:
Eric MacKenzie
Communications & Marketing Manager, PGA of BC
(604) 303-6766
eric@pgabc.org