British Columbia Golf, after announcing its 2014 Championship Schedule earlier this month, has ratified changes to previously existing tournament conditions in an effort to increase golfer participation and competition.
Starting in 2014, a number of changes will take effect to individual tournaments in relation to flights, Club Team competitions, yardages and entrance/qualifying fees.
Highlighting the changes for the upcoming Championship season is the elimination of qualifying fees for the BC Amateur and Junior Boys’ Championships, the retiring of the Club Team competition from all Championships and the introduction of a two-player Better-Ball competition at all Championships, except the Bantams.
“Careful consideration was made at the Board of Directors level regarding our Championships, based on recommendations from our Championship Committee and we decided to change things for 2014,” stated David Atkinson, President of British Columbia Golf.
Looking at ways to increase participation in the Women’s and Junior Girls’ events, active recruitment outside of the province is slated for the Junior Girls’ and the Women’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur.
“Our Junior Girls’ and Women’s Amateur/Mid-Amateur features our provinces most talented female golfers but it has the capability of being more. By hopefully increasing participation by outside talent, we will bring the competition in these events to a level that will be recognized on a national and international level while continuing to provide our home grown talent the venue to compete,” mentioned Atkinson.
In the Women’s Master-40/Senior/Super Senior Women’s Championship, three distinct competitions will take place from the same set of tees including the addition of a reduced length Stableford competition that includes three flights.
The last change of note is the proposed addition of a Novice Division to the Bantam Boys’ and Girls’ Championship that will see younger-aged children play shorter yardages than their Bantam-aged counterparts with the age of entrance yet to be determined. This change is also dependant on field and course availability.
Entrance fees in British Columbia Golf events have been moderately adjusted for the 2014 season.
2014 Championship Schedule
| CHAMPIONSHIP |
DATE |
COURSE |
LOCATION |
| Men’s Mid-Amateur |
June 3-5 |
Big Sky GC |
Pemberton |
| Master-40/Senior Women’s |
June 17-19 |
Vernon G&CC |
Vernon |
| Junior Girls’ |
July 1-4 |
The Dunes at Kamloops |
Kamloops |
| Women’s Amateur/Mid-Amateur |
July 8-11 |
Kamloops G&CC |
Kamloops |
| Junior Boys’ |
July 8-11 |
Meadow Gardens GC |
Pitt Meadows |
| 1112th BC Amateur |
July 15-18 |
Seymour G&CC |
North Vancouver |
| Senior Men’s |
July 22-24 |
ChristinaLakeGC |
ChristinaLake |
| Bantam Boys’/Girls’ |
August 21-22 |
Meadowlands GC |
Chilliwack |
| Juvenile Boys’/Girls’ |
August 26-28 |
Royalwood GC |
Chilliwack |
