July 10, 2023
RICHMOND, BC (PGA of BC) - The 2023 Jack McLaughlin Memorial Pro-Junior Championship Series presented by COBRA PUMA Golf makes its way around the province to several spectacular courses over the next two weeks. Teams made up of a PGA of BC professional and three junior golfers from their club will compete at regional tournaments throughout BC in an 18-hole Two-Net Best-Ball format.
Last year, Jeff Hallborg, Levi Hallborg, Gavin Giesbrecht and Nathan Freer (Birdies & Buckets Family Golf Centre) took home the victory at Shuswap Lake Golf Course at Blind Bay in the event’s return after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic. The team finished the event at 14-under to secure the Championship.
“The number one thing all the time is to have fun. It’s a great opportunity to play an 18-hole, tournament round of golf with the juniors. Our strategy is to play with no pressure,” said Hallborg. “No matter what, hockey or golf or whatever it is, you always want to pay it back. It’s a matter of helping them understand the true etiquette of the game, because it helps them grow both on and off the golf course.”
The first tournament in the 2023 Series takes place Wednesday, July 12 at Copper Point Golf Club in Invermere. Head Professional Scott McClain is excited to welcome junior golfers from around the Kootenays.
“We’re so thrilled with the opportunity to host here at Copper Point,” said McClain. “It’s awesome to see our peers from other courses, Golden all the way down through Kimberley, Cranbrook, Fernie, get together, and to provide an opportunity for our local juniors to be exposed to such a professional event. Who knows where that could go for them one day?”
Adding some advice, McClain said to relax, look around and enjoy the sense of place. “I always tell students and visitors: ‘Big mountains, small targets.’”
The Series then travels to the Interior, where golfers will compete at Kamloops Golf & Country Club on Thursday, July 13. General Manager Alec Hubert said the competitors can expect lush fairways and fast greens.
“Our golf course is one where you don’t really need to go out and pound the ball and make sure your swing is absolutely dialed,” said Hubert. “It’s one where you might want to spend some time on the greens and get used to how much they break and the speed they roll. The course tends to test your short game.”
On Friday, July 14, junior golfers from around the Lower Mainland will take on Tsawwassen Springs Golf. The forecast calls for bright, warm sunshine at the picturesque Ted Locke design.
The following week, the Series makes its final stop on Vancouver Island, at Victoria’s Highland Pacific Golf. General Manager Jeff Palmer said the opportunity to support junior golf is meaningful to him and the club.
“Oh man, we’re so, so proud. One of our central missions is to give back to the development of the game. We were fortunate enough to host the 2018 Pro-Junior Championship and we’re looking forward to having it back,” said Palmer. “We’re really keen to give back not only to the game, but to our local community. This is a great way to do it and we’re appreciative of the fact that we can.”
The Jack McLaughlin Memorial Pro-Junior Championship is proudly presented by COBRA PUMA Golf. The PGA of BC is grateful for COBRA PUMA Golf’s generous support. For the Vancouver Island event, we extend our appreciation to local supporting partner, Canadian Tire.
Tee times for the first event in the Series begin at 11:50 a.m. MST. For more information on each region, please visit the Schedule of Events page on our website.