An unswerving dedication to junior golf and preserving the memory and legacy of Jack McLaughlin has earned Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club’s Alan Palmer the prestigious title of 2013 PGA of BC Member of the Year.

Palmer led the team of Alex Francois, Diego San Pedro and Josh Zhang to the 2013 Jack McLaughlin Memorial PGA of BC Pro-Junior Presented By PING Golf at the Summerland Golf & Country Club in July.

Palmer said the win has a lot of significance because of Jack McLaughlin’s ties to Shaughnessy.

“I had lunch with Jack’s son Jim and I told him how important it was for me to personally bring a team to the pro-junior named in his honour,” said Palmer. “Jack’s influence on me and on junior golf is something I really value and to win this makes it even more special. We also hosted the dinner to honour Jack’s induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.”

That dinner, held on Sept. 30, featured almost the entire McLaughlin family on hand to hear speakers such as Richard Zokol and Lorie Kane talk about the great influence Jack McLaughlin had on their lives and careers.

Palmer led the charge to have the ceremony held at Shaughnessy, where Jack was the longtime Head Professional.  

Palmer has a long and distinguished history in the world of golf. Born in London, Ontario, Palmer moved to Montreal, Quebec at the age of 7.

Palmer represented The Royal Montreal Golf Club as a junior/amateur golfer.

Passionate about the game and business potential of golf, Alan enrolled and graduated from Georgian College`s Business Administation - Professional Golf Management program, where he played on the Georgian Grizzlies men`s varsity golf team.

Since turning professional, Alan has had the opportunity of be a part of the professional staff at some of the world`s greatest golf facilities: Elm Ridge Country Club (Montreal, Quebec); The Country Club - Brookline (Boston, Massachusetts); Augusta National Golf Club (Augusta, Georgia); St. George`s Golf & Country Club (Toronto, Ontario); Casa de Campo Resort (La Romana, Dominican Republic); Beacon Hall Golf Club (Toronto, Ontario); and Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club (Jasper, Alberta); before being appointed Director of Golf / Head Golf Professional at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in 2012.

Palmer’s leadership has already resulted in one of his Assistant Professionals, Lindsay Bernakevitch, being announced as the new Head Professional at Victoria Golf Club, effective January 1, 2014.