Simulator Series

More information on the 2025-2026 Simulator Series will be released later in the season.

2025 Simulator Series Event #1  Recap

Richmond, BC (PGA of BC) - The PGA of BC Simulator Series presented by Club Champion debuted in spectacular fashion as professionals embraced the challenge of virtual competition. The series' first event, which took place at St. Andrews Links, Old Course, concluded with a commanding performance by Matthew Palsenbarg (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) who claimed victory with an impressive 8-under-par 64.

"I knew the bar to beat was 4-under, and that 10-foot circle was all that mattered," said Palsenbarg. "I hit 18/18 greens and even drove the ninth to 68 feet for the 3-putt par. I was really happy with it and I can't lie, the nerves were real on the home stretch knowing that OB right was on every hole coming home."

Palsenbarg posted a bogey-free round and added eight birdies. He emphasized the strategic demands of simulator golf, noting how the format rewards players who trust their numbers and make confident decisions.

"I think the best part of sim golf on Trackman is you just have to stick to the numbers. Hit it solid and stick to the math. If you know your yardages, you will be fine. Adjusting for the slopes and wind is crucial for that 10-foot circle. I think you also get to be more aggressive off the tee. I hit driver on every hole except the par 3s."

"You can really just cruise and stay in the zone. The next shot and next hole happens so fast that it feels like it's over before it starts. That can work both ways. When you start hot, it's easy to just keep the pedal down," added Palsenbarg.

Palsenbarg’s flawless play on the virtual course secured him a comfortable four-stroke margin over a trio of competitors tied at 4-under-par. Brett Burgeson (Breaking Par Golf Academy), Sergio Barba Moreno (Modern Golf Langley), and Dave Zibrik (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) shared second place, each firing a 68.

Cory Renfrew (Pacific Golf Academy) and James Presnail (Shadow Ridge Golf Club) rounded out the top five, carding scores of 69 to finish in a tie for fifth place. A total purse of more than $3,200 was distributed, with Palsenbarg taking home $550 for his victory.

Presnail won the Closest-to-the-Pin competition on the eighth hole, while Dean Kuntz (Pitt Meadows Golf Club) took the KP on hole 11 with a precise strike to three feet. Presnail and Kuntz were awarded $80 each for their KP wins.

The event included 32 competing professionals from across the province, from Bowen Island to Cranbrook, with three of the Zone’s four regions represented. Point Grey Golf & Country Club’s professionals demonstrated their appetite and aptitude for simulator golf, with seven of their professionals competing in the event.

The Simulator Series offers an innovative opportunity for professionals to compete in a high-tech, controlled environment, pushing the boundaries of competitive golf. The unique format also allows for participation from multiple locations, highlighting the inclusivity and adaptability of the series.

Professionals will have another opportunity to showcase their skills when the series resumes on December 13. The playing window will remain open for that event until December 27. Competitors can register during the playing window, however we encourage members to sign up as soon as possible to ensure you receive the invitation link before the close of the window.

To view the full leaderboard from Event #1, please click here. To register for the next event, please click here. 

Event #2 Recap

Richmond, BC (PGA of BC) - The PGA of BC Simulator Series presented by Club Champion continued to showcase virtual golfing excellence, as professionals from across the province competed in Event #2 from December 13 to 27. Participants navigated the challenging virtual rendition of Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Composite Course, renowned for its strategic design and demanding layout.

Emerging atop the leaderboard was Bradley Gagnon (Capilano Golf & Country Club), who delivered a masterful performance by carding a 6-under-par 66. Gagnon's round was highlighted by precise ball striking and a composed demeanor, allowing him to maintain consistency throughout the course.

"It felt amazing to set the pace with a 6-under round. This year, I've dedicated a lot of time to improving my ball striking, so it's incredibly rewarding to see that hard work pay off," said Gagnon.

The ability to remain singularly focused on the task at hand was easier in a virtual format than outdoors, added Gagnon.

"I didn't have the chance to play a practice round and had never played the course before. However, I took the time to research it online beforehand to get a sense of which clubs would be best off the tee," said Gagnon.

"The mindset shift between a traditional golf course and a simulator round is significant, especially when it comes to the round's duration. I found it much easier to maintain focus during the 45-minute simulator round compared to a typical 4-5 hour round on the course. The shorter timeframe allowed me to stay locked in with fewer distractions and better manage my mental game."

Tied in second place, Matthew Palsenbarg (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) and Jonnie Motomochi (Morgan Creek Golf Course) fired rounds of 70 (-2). Palsenbarg continued his command of the virtual links after winning the inaugural event in the Sim Series, held in November. Motomochi’s mastery of simulator golf was evident, showcasing his experience playing on the NEXT Golf Tour, one of the world’s largest virtual golf competitions with over 900 competitors.  

Rounding out the top-five and tied for fourth place at one-under par were Sergio Barba Moreno (Modern Golf (Langley)) and Bryn Parry (Seymour Creek Golf Centre). Barba Moreno’s top-five finish comes after a runner-up result in the first event.

The PGA of BC extends its gratitude to all participants and acknowledges the support of Club Champion in presenting the Simulator Series. The next event in the Simulator Series will take place January 17-31 at Quail Hollow Club, host of the 2025 PGA Championship.

To view the leaderboard and purse distribution, please click here. For more information on the Simulator Series and to register for Event #3, please click here. 

Event #3 Recap

Richmond, BC (PGA of BC) - The inaugural PGA of BC Simulator Series presented by Club Champion wrapped up in thrilling fashion as Jacob Vanderpas (Tour Development Academy) claimed victory in Event #3, while Matthew Palsenbarg (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) secured the season-long Order of Merit title. With strong participation and impressive performances throughout the series, the PGA of BC extends its appreciation to Club Champion for their support in making the opening season a success.

Vanderpas delivered a composed virtual round at Quail Hollow Club, host venue of the 2025 PGA Championship, firing a 4-under-par 68 to win by two strokes. The final event saw strong competition, with runners-up Dave Zibrik (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) and Stephanie Vanderpas (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) each posting 2-under 70s. Jonnie Motomochi (Morgan Creek Golf Course) and Cory Renfrew (Pacific Golf Academy) shared fourth place at 1-under.

For Vanderpas, the victory was not only a satisfying way to close the season but also a meaningful moment on a personal level.

“Taking the victory in the final Sim Series event was a nice way to cap off my time at Point Grey, having resigned earlier that day,” he said. “Being one of the last to play the event, I heard that [Point Grey Director of Golf] Dave Zibrik was leading at 2-under, which may have been a little extra motivation to focus on each shot. He sent me a funny text acknowledging my win the next day.”

Palsenbarg, meanwhile, capped off a stellar season by topping the Simulator Series Order of Merit standings, determined by total purse earnings across all three events. His consistency was evident throughout the series, securing victory in Event #1 and a runner-up finish in Event #2. His season-long success earns him an additional $500 prize, courtesy of Club Champion.

Palsenbarg noted that the competitive nature of the series pushed him to maintain a high level of play throughout the season.

“It was great to get the first-round win, and it definitely gave me confidence to play well in the next two events,” he said. “There was also pressure to back it up and prove it wasn’t just a one-off round of golf.”

With simulator golf offering a different kind of challenge, Palsenbarg found the format suited him well.

“Maybe because I haven’t played much outdoors this year, it was easier to transition. By the time these events came around, I had done more indoor than outdoor golf at Haus of Golf. Plus, my body isn’t in great condition, so a 30–40 minute round with less walking makes for peak physical performance!”

Zibrik, who earned second-place in two of the events this season, finished as runner-up in the overall Order of Merit, earning an additional $300.

Motomochi secured a third-place Order of Merit standing through his consistency, finishing within the top-seven in all three events.

Jacob Vanderpas finished in fourth place, while Renfrew rounded out the top-five on the season-long points race.

The PGA of BC expresses its gratitude to Club Champion for their incredible support in launching the Simulator Series, as well as to all professionals who competed in the inaugural season. With strong engagement and competitive fields, anticipation is already building for the next edition of the series.

The Association shared a survey with all Simulator Series competitors, as well as all members who have competed in a PGA of BC tournament in the last three years. The survey is designed to gather feedback on the Series and help the Association improve and enhance future events.