SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) – Rob Anderson is already one of the most successful competitors in the history of the Srixon/Cleveland Golf/XXIO PGA of BC Club Professional Championship presented by Oakcreek Golf & Turf LP. Now, his colleagues will need to contend with him while playing the tournament on his home course.
The Club Professional Championship will be making its first appearance next week at Kelowna Golf & Country Club, featuring a sold-out field of 48 Head, Executive and Head Teaching Professionals from across the province who will vie for the title over 36 holes of stroke play Monday and Tuesday.
Anderson has been Head Professional at the host club since 2010, but his success in the event stretches back even further than that.
Since the tournament was introduced in 2006, it’s not an exaggeration to say that Anderson has been a factor every single year – not just in his 2007 victory at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club, or in his runner-up efforts in 2009 and 2012.
The 51-year-old has played in every single edition of the tournament, and has never once finished outside the top 10. Though a 14th-consecutive top-10 finish in the event seems like a good bet for Anderson, he’s not exactly setting lofty goals for himself during Monday and Tuesday’s play.
“I don’t get to play a heck of a lot, so I’m excited to have everybody here, but expectations are pretty low at this point,” Anderson said. “Thank god there will be a little home-school advantage.”
Being the Host Professional for this tournament may in fact provide an even greater advantage than most events, especially with a limited number of opportunities for the Association to host events at the busy club in the past.
The 2003 PGA of BC Seniors’ Championship is the only individual stroke-play tournament the PGA of BC has put on at Kelowna Golf & Country Club in the past 25 years, so a lot of Professionals travelling from outside the Interior region are likely to be seeing the A.V. Macan-designed course for the first time, or at least the first time in a long while.
“Our greens are somewhat difficult to read, they’re old-school and subtle, so that’s definitely where I’ll be looking to pick up a bit of an advantage,” said Anderson. “Coming across (fellow PGA of BC members) at events throughout the season, they’re excited to get here because a good chunk of the guys have never played here before. It’s awesome to be able to showcase the facility to them.”
Defending champion Lindsay Bernakevitch is among those with limited experience at Kelowna G&CC, noting that he hasn’t teed it up there since winning the 2003 Ogopogo Invitational as an amateur.
“I haven’t played it in a long time. I know they’ve done a bunch of renovations in the last number of years, so I’m excited to see it,” said Victoria Golf Club’s Head Professional.
“For a lot of us this time of year, we’re looking forward to seeing our friends and colleagues in the industry, getting away to spend a couple of days playing golf, recharging a bit, and trying to compete as best we can.”
Bernakevitch put together an impressive performance in capturing his second Club Professional Championship title last year at University Golf Club, adding to the one he claimed in 2015. He secured a two-stroke victory at 6-under that was especially memorable with his father on the bag for both tournament rounds.
“I was a little surprised. I came in without playing a practice round and hadn’t played much golf leading up to it … I think when you have so much else going on, you can’t be stressed out about your golf results, and then the golf is good,” said Bernakevitch, who’s just returned from a 10-day golf trip through Ireland with his club members.
“I have no excuse for not playing golf this time.”
Anderson and Bernakevitch are hardly the only competitors capable of taking home this year’s title. In fact, a case could be made that this year will feature the deepest field in the tournament’s history.
Three other past champions will be in the mix – Dave Zibrik (Point Grey Golf & Country Club, 2016 winner), Philip Jonas (Philip Jonas Golf Academy, 2017) and two-time winner Dean Claggett (Two Eagles Golf Course & Academy, 2008 & 2012) – and so will reigning PGA Head Professional Champion of Canada Brian McDonald (Fairview Mountain Golf Club).
Another to keep an eye on is Matthew Palsenbarg (The Tour LAB @ Northview), who has earned top-three finishes each of the last three years. Meanwhile, current PGA of BC Women’s Champion Ashley Zibrik (Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club) and 2012 PGA of BC Champion Brad Clapp (Cultus Lake Golf Club) are among the accomplished players making their CPC debuts next week.
Whoever captures the Dick Munn Memorial Trophy on Tuesday, they’ll have done it on a Kelowna course that has been in pristine condition all season, particularly with some relief this summer from the smoky conditions that have blanketed the Okanagan in recent years.
“We’ve been really lucky with the season. The weather for us has been quite advantageous,” said Anderson. “It’s nice that our ground crew hasn’t had to deal with a lack of evaporation in the summer due to smoke cover. So we’ve been in really good shape.”
CLICK HERE to view Round 1 tee times. CLICK HERE to access the tournament page and view all event information, including a list of confirmed competitors.
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About Srixon/Cleveland Golf/XXIO
Based in Huntington Beach, Calif., Cleveland® Golf, Srixon®, and XXIO® are all part of the SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD. Family and each brand enjoys a strong presence on competitive tours worldwide. Their professional staffs include players such as Graeme McDowell, Keegan Bradley, Hideki Matsuyama, Inbee Park, as well as many others. Cleveland® Golf, founded in 1979, is a leading equipment manufacturer specializing in short game technologies and solutions that benefit all golfers. Srixon®, with more than 80 years of golf ball manufacturing experience, is committed to producing the highest quality, technically innovative golf balls which offer maximum performance to golfers of all levels of ability. XXIO®, with its longstanding tradition of premium golf clubs in Japan, brings the No. 1 golf brand in Japan to America. Cleveland® Golf, Srixon®, and XXIO® remain steadfastly committed to providing “Tour proven, premium golf equipment to passionate golfers seeking to improve their performance while enhancing their experience playing the game of golf.” Please visit Srixon, Cleveland Golf and XXIO online.
About Oakcreek Golf & Turf LP
Oakcreek Golf & Turf LP is Western Canada’s full-service distributor of Toro Commercial Turf Care Equipment, Toro Golf Irrigation Equipment and Yamaha Golf Cars, plus all additional related products. It proudly offers the very best quality products and professional service and support to golf courses, municipal parks, independent landscapers and private clients. Oakcreek Golf & Turf LP has been in business since 1969 and currently employs approximately 100 people throughout the year at its six locations throughout Western Canada. For more information, visit oakcreekgolf.com.
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For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Eric MacKenzie
Communications & Marketing Manager, PGA of BC
eric@pgabc.org
604-303-6766