SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) –- The 2020 PGA of BC Women’s Championship presented by Dexim Golfwear is set to feature a talented mix of past winners and up-and-coming contenders next week at Richmond Country Club.
Taking place Sept. 29-30, the Women’s Championship is a 36-hole, stableford-scoring tournament that will have a field which includes four Professionals with multiple victories in the event – and several more capable of taking the title for a first time.
Among the past champions are four-time winner Leila Harman (Morgan Creek Golf Course), three-time champ Jennifer Greggain (Chilliwack Golf Club), two-time victor Ashley Zibrik (Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club) and defending champion Salimah Mussani (Riverway Golf Course).
Mussani joined the multiple-titles club last year at Point Grey Golf & Country Club, recording 75 par points to win by two over Christine Wong (University Golf Club). The 41-year-old also captured the Women’s Championship in 2014 at Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club.
Making her 2019 triumph all that much more impressive was that in order to claim victory, Mussani had to overcome both a deep field and a nagging illness that had kept her off the golf course in the lead-up to the tournament.
This year, it’s been a surge in interest for the sport that has made it difficult for Mussani and her colleagues to find time to play, with tee sheets full and instructors in high demand across the province.
“It’s kind of a similar situation every time I get ready for one of these because I haven’t been playing a lot of golf,” laughed Mussani, who said virtually all of her time on course this summer has been walking with students for playing lessons.
“It’ll be fun to compete and see the girls and for all of us to be together and talk about what a crazy year it’s been.”
Richmond Country Club has hosted the PGA of BC Club Professional Championship a couple of times within the past 10 years, but this will be the facility’s first time as the Women’s Championship venue. Host Head Professional Mike Cyndroski said the excitement level is “very high” at the club to be welcoming the event.
“At Richmond, we are really focused on women’s golf and trying to grow the women’s side of the game, so when the PGA of BC approached us with the opportunity, we were extremely excited to host it,” said Cyndroski.
The competitors in next week’s field seeking their first title represent and up-and-coming cohort of female Professionals within the PGA of BC membership, as all of them are Apprentice Professionals with impressive competition records who have joined the Association within the last few seasons. They include Wong, a two-time BC Women’s Amateur Champion and a member of Team Canada at last year’s inaugural Women’s PGA Cup; 2012 BC Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion Kyla Inaba (Predator Ridge Golf Resort), who's also a past winner on the Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tour; and 2018 Alberta Ladies’ Amateur Champion Kat Kennedy (Point Grey Golf & Country Club), to name a few.
Mussani said the strong field is a testament to how the province’s golf industry has encouraged accomplished female players to pursue careers in the sport here in British Columbia.
“I think this good mix of these young up-and-comers with (longer-tenured) players like myself, Jen, Ashley and Leila … shows how BC has been able to attract and inspire the next generation,” she said. “We’re in a great place.”
Whoever emerges with the title next week will surely have put together two solid rounds of golf on the A.V. Macan-designed layout.
“I think it’ll be a good test,” said Cyndroski. “The challenge isn’t necessarily the distance – it’s the greens. It’ll be a good challenge of everyone’s short game.”
As with all PGA of BC championship events in 2020, the tournament will be conducted with special public-health protocols in place, including the elimination of touch points and no spectators or caddies on course. Accordingly, this year's event will unfortunately not include a pro-am component as in past years.
Click here to view the tournament page, which includes full event details and a list of confirmed competitors.
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ABOUT DEXIM GOLFWEAR
In 1989 Canadian company Dexim Sportswear entered the field of women’s apparel, creating and tailoring garments achieving a mix of performance and style. Now known as Dexim Golfwear, its lines are recognizable by their sporty cut, casual and chic, and for keeping ahead of the curve in golf fashion. Over the years, the Dexim Golfwear collection has proudly distinguished itself from its competitors through the use of high-quality fabrics that are both durable and reliable. Dexim Golfwear’s collections are conceived, designed and manufactured entirely in Canada and at competitive prices defying import. Today, Dexim’s offerings are distributed through more than 400 stores, golf shops and other renowned boutiques specializing in sports across Canada. For more information, please visit deximgolfwear.com.
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For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Eric MacKenzie
Communications & Marketing Manager, PGA of BC
(604) 303-6766
eric@pgabc.org