Golf fans can watch rising golf stars putt for glory in Courtenay, Qualicum Beach, Kelowna, Chilliwack, Tsawwassen, Vancouver and Victoria this summer, as B.C. plays host to major national golf events.

As part of its ongoing commitment to sport tourism, the Province has provided $10,000 to help promote five Golf Canada national championships for amateur golfers, and $80,000 for the PGA Tour Canada’s BC Golf Swing, for professionals, through the Tourism Events Program.

Combined, these championship golf events are expected to attract more than 12,500 spectators and provide approximately $7.2 million in economic benefits to the host communities.

“We’re very pleased to support these national level golf tournaments, because they attract international visitors and athletes, boost spending at local businesses and provide great volunteer opportunities for residents,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “They also give communities valuable experience hosting national level competitions, which can help attract other major sporting events.”

The Golf Canada events include:

• The Canadian University/College Championship in Chilliwack (May 28-June 1)
• The Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in Vancouver (July 24-27)
• The Canadian Junior Girls Championship in Tsawwassen (July 31-Aug. 3)
• The Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in Duncan and Qualicum Beach (Aug. 6-9)
• The Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship in Victoria (Aug. 20-24)

“Golf Canada is proud to be conducting five of our storied national amateur championships in British Columbia at some of the premiere golf courses across the province,” said Adam Helmer, director of rules and regulations, Golf Canada. “We are so pleased that the B.C. government has become a supporting partner in our championships, to help the province as a hotbed region for Canadian golf in 2018.”  

PGA Tour Canada’s BC Golf Swing includes:

• The qualifying tournament in Courtenay (May 1-4)
• The Freedom 55 Financial Open in Vancouver (May 28-June 3)
• The Bayview Place DC Bank Open in Victoria (June 4-10)
• The GolfBC Championship in Kelowna (June 11-17)

The BC Golf Swing is the first leg of the MacKenzie Tour - PGA Tour Canada, a series of 13 tournaments held across Canada each year.

“We’re grateful for the B.C. government’s support,” said Jeff Monday, president of the Mackenzie Tour - PGA Tour Canada. “These tournaments are part of the ‘tour-jectory’, to help promising golfers build their skills and reach the highest level of golf — the PGA Tour. The tour’s alumni include 20 PGA Tour players and more than 160 Web.com Tour players since 2013. Aaron Wise, who won on the PGA Tour two weeks ago, actually won the qualifying tournament at Crown Isle Golf Resort in 2016 to kick-start his professional career.”

Government funding for the golf events are being provided through the Tourism Events Program, which supports events that raise national and international awareness of B.C.’s tourism experiences, and inspire people from around the world to visit the province. These events also generate tourism and economic activity in communities and regions throughout the province.

Quick Facts:

• Tourism is an important economic driver for B.C., generating more than $17 billion in revenues in 2016.
• Tourism is one of the province’s biggest employers. More than 133,000 people work in this industry.
• Tourism is growing in importance for B.C’s economy. In 2016, the industry contributed $7.9 billion in added value to the province’s gross domestic product (GDP). This is an increase of over 5.6% over the previous year.
• The government of British Columbia invests over $113 million in the tourism sector annually.
• In 2017, 5.7 million international visitors came to B.C. — a 3.3% increase (181,700 more visitors) over 2016.

Learn More:

For more information about Golf Canada championships, visit: www.golfcanada.ca/competitions

For more information about the BC Golf Swing, visit: http://bcgolfswing.com/

For more information on the Tourism Events Program, visit: www.destinationbc.ca/BC-Tourism-Industry/Municipal-and-Regional-District-Tax-Program/Tourism-Events-Program.aspx