SEPTEMBER 6, 2018

RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) -- The PGA of British Columbia is pleased to announce the regional recipients in 11 categories of the 2018 PGA of BC Awards.

The regional award recipients listed below for the Lower Mainland, Kootenays/Northern BC, Interior and Vancouver Island, respectively, were selected following an open nomination period and extensive deliberations by regional nomination committees. Each of the regional award recipients are now provincial finalists for this year's PGA of BC Awards, with the winners to be announced next month. Eligible provincial award winners will also be put forward as the PGA of BC's nominee for corresponding PGA of Canada national awards, if applicable.

This year, in alignment with the PGA of Canada's National Awards Program, the PGA of BC has introduced the Executive Professional of the Year Award. Similar to several other PGA of BC awards, this newly created accolade will be named in honour of an esteemed Golf Professional from British Columbia's past who exemplified the award's criteria during their career. The award's namesake will be announced in the weeks ahead.

During the period of Sept. 19-27, PGA of BC members will be able to vote for their preferred candidate in each category. The voting results will then be forwarded to the final selection committee, which consists of past PGA of BC Award recipients. Please note that voting will NOT directly determine the recipient of each award, but will be used as supplemental information for the committee in reaching its final decisions.

2018 PGA of BC Awards - Regional Recipients

Dick Munn Golf Professional of the Year presented by Cutter & Buck

• Mark Thirtle - Head Professional, Capilano Golf & Country Club
• Cindy Soukoroff - Head Professional, St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino
• Brian McDonald - Head Professional, Fairview Mountain Golf Club
• Lindsay Bernakevitch - Head Professional, Victoria Golf Club

Executive Professional of the Year presented by Platform Sales

• Mark Strong - Executive Professional, Richmond Country Club
• Brian Schaal - Executive Professional, Copper Point Golf Club
• Brice MacDermott - Executive Professional, Kamloops Golf & Country Club
• Scott Kolb - Executive Professional, Victoria Golf Club

Fred Wood Class "A" Professional of the Year presented by Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

• Greg Pool - Class "A" Professional, Capilano Golf & Country Club
• Chris Medford - Class "A" Professional, St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino
• Jason Jurimae - Class "A" Professional, Gallagher's Canyon Golf & Country Club
• Mark Bicknell - Class "A" Professional, Victoria Golf Club

Jock McKinnon Candidate for Membership of the Year presented by Srixon/Cleveland Golf/XXIO

• Daniel Naismith - CFM, Northview Golf & Country Club
• Kenneth Maki - CFM, Fernie Golf & Country Club
• Nathan Grieve - CFM, Talking Rock Golf Course
• Cailean Hourigan - CFM, Bear Mountain Resort Community

Jack McLaughlin Junior Golf Leader of the Year presented by New Era Cap Company

• Jennifer Greggain - CFM, Chilliwack Golf Club
• Michael Midyette - CFM, Windermere Valley Golf Course
• Chance Beardsworth - CFM, Revelstoke Golf Club
• Jayme Young - Class "A" Professional, Arbutus Ridge Golf Club

Herb Paterson Sales Representative of the Year presented by Trainwest Management & Consulting

• Darcy Dhillon - Acushnet Canada
• Adrian Deakin - PING
• Mark Lindsay - Nielsen Agencies Inc.
• Jon Kadin - Nielsen Agencies Inc.

Ben Colk Golf Shop of the Year presented by Graham Sales Group

• Point Grey Golf & Country Club
• Greywolf Golf Course
• Gallagher's Canyon Golf & Country Club
• Fairwinds Golf Club

Alvie Thompson Teacher of the Year presented by The Keg Steakhouse + Bar

• Larry Park - Teaching Professional, Seymour Creek Golf Centre
• Jeremy Johnson - Head Professional, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort
• Curtis Pannell - CFM, Two Eagles Golf Course & Academy
• Eddward Boudreau - Teaching Professional, Gorge Vale Golf Club

Golf Facility of the Year presented by Minuteman Press Richmond

• Nicklaus North Golf Course
• Greywolf Golf Course
• Black Mountain Golf Club
• Cordova Bay Golf Club

Jack Westover Coach of the Year presented by O'Neill Golf

• Matthew Palsenbarg - Head Teaching Professional, Northview Golf Academy
• Simon Jones - Head Professional, Kimberley Golf & Country Club
• Sean Richardson - Teaching Professional, The Harvest Golf Club
• Justin Clews - Class "A" Professional, Uplands Golf Club

Davie Black Professional Development Award presented by Cam Clark Ford Richmond

• Matthew Palsenbarg - Head Teaching Professional, Northview Golf Academy
• Brian Schaal - Executive Professional, Copper Point Golf Club
• Adam Blair - Head Professional, Talking Rock Golf Course
• Jason Giesbrecht - Head Professional, Royal Colwood Golf Club

This year's regional award recipients will be honoured at the 2018 PGA of BC Awards Celebration presented by Replay Golf Supplies taking place Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 6-8 p.m. at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, where the provincial award winners will be named.

Tickets to the reception can be purchased by following this link. Admission will include hors d'oeuvres and two drink tickets at the event. At the reception, four additional awards, determined by the PGA of BC Administration and Board of Directors, will be presented to their respective recipients. These include the Stan Leonard Player of the Year Award presented by Impact Tournament Systems, Jim Gibson Patron of the Year Award, the Arv Olson Media Personnel of the Year Award, and the Dunc Sutherland Distinguished Service Award presented by DGL Sports Enterprises Ltd.

Click here to see more information about each PGA of BC Award, including past winners and award criteria.

Congratulations to all regional recipients, and thank you for your continued support and excellent representation of the Association.

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For more information and media inquiries, please contact:

Eric MacKenzie
Communications & Marketing Manager
PGA of British Columbia
eric@pgabc.org
(604) 303-6766