“Cookie” Gets Distinguished Service Award

We are fortunate in the area that we can play golf year round and in part for that reason, it’s why golf in British Columbia is such a success for young and old alike.

It seems like a formality that each sport has a banquet and an induction ceremony in a way to “thank” those who are instrumental for the success of the sport and this year is no different.

One such individual is retired Vancouver Province editor, reporter and columnist Kent “Cookie” Gilchrist who was named the 2015 recipient of the Northwest Golf Media Association Distinguished Service Award.

Kris Jonasson who is the Executive Director of the British Columbia Golf Association put the nomination forward for Gilchrist to be presented to those attending the NWGMA Awards. Luncheon at Tacoma Golf & Country Club on Oct. 8.

Jonasson stated “he would often run into Gilchrist in his trademark thongs (sandals), shorts and golf shirt at various events.

Gilchrist “Cookie” as he is known in the media circles retired in 2011 from The Province Newspaper and moved to Newfoundland then moved back to the Lower Mainland and currently reside in New Westminster.

Jonasson was also mentioned about him (Gilchrist) taking his wife to South America, where he found himself without the proper papers, thus had to be deported from Argentina back to Newfoundland.

Brad Ziemer stated “Cookie took me under his wing and he was so well respected by the golf community in BC and our best times were covering the Greater Vancouver Open.”

Ziemer also said that they were covering another tournament, hunched over their computers, trying to bleed out a deadline story, when Gilchrist looked over and said: “Brad, this is a great job ….except for the writing part.”

Gilchrist is only the third BC member to receive this award, following Arv Olson of “The Vancouver Sun” in 2012 and Michael Riste of the British Columbia Golf House in 2013.

Steve Kealy, longtime superintendent of Seattle’s Broadmoor Golf Club, received the Local Legend Award, based on his 25 years of service and his involvement in getting

The First Green Foundation up and running in Washington. Since 2000, Kealy has hosted more than 100 field trips to Broadmoor to teach the kids hand-on environmental education on the golf course.

The First Green Foundation is endeavouring to bring this program to British Columbia golf courses and Jonasson commended Kealy on his work getting the program up to such a successful level.

The NWGMA is looking for members to assume officers positions for the 2015-16 year. Interested parties can contact Tom Cade or Managing Director Anni Shelley.

For more information, please go to www.nwgma.org.

Special Thanks to British Columbia Golf for the info