GolfBC Group - Your First Choice for Golf - announces growth of "GolfBC Free Lesson Month"

The GolfBC Group is pleased to announce the successful growth of “Free Lesson Month” to over 275 participants, surpassing last year’s free lesson total of 250. The GolfBC Group continues to follow up the launch of their 2005 Learn to Play and Play More Often programs, “Kids Play Free at GolfBC”, “Beginner Friendly Certification” and “Take-a-kid to the Course Week” (in partnership with the NGCOA). “GolfBC Free Lesson Month”, in its second season, is the fourth of many continuing initiatives that has been launched by the GolfBC Group since 2005, under the “Learn to Play and Play More Often” banner.

Participating courses are Nicklaus North, Furry Creek, Mayfair Lakes, The Bear and The Quail at The Okanagan Golf Club, Gallagher’s Canyon and The Pinnacle, Arbutus Ridge, and Olympic View. “GolfBC Free Lesson Month” was offered at all British Columbia properties on Saturdays during the month of May from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Each facility had a Canadian PGA instructor on the practice tee providing complimentary instruction and tips. Range balls and equipment were also provided at no charge during the free lesson times.

The GolfBC Group continues to lead the Canadian Golf Industry in player development with programs such as the ongoing “Kids Play Free at GolfBC” which has seen 2000 complimentary junior rounds played at its courses since its inception in 2005. The next initiative for the GolfBC courses is “Take a Kid to the Course Week” (in partnership with the NGCOA) taking place July 2-8 this year.

“GolfBC Free Lesson Month was another great success in our company’s goal to grow the great game of golf. We are pleased to see the increased growth and participation this year over the previous year”, said Andy Hedley, Vice President of Operations, GolfBC British Columbia.  “Our Kids Play Free at GolfBC program is also off to a great start and we look forward to increasing involvement over last year,” he added.

“Our Team of Canadian PGA Professionals did a great job promoting and instructing players from the beginner to advanced level, and we feel rewarded in the number of students who have committed to continue to improve their game by taking further instruction over the season”, said Jeff Ciecko, General Manager and Executive Professional at Nicklaus North Golf Course in Whistler.

GolfBC, a Vancouver-based golf and resort management and investment company, is defining a higher standard of quality and consistency among premier golf destinations. Since 1989 GolfBC has been creating premium golf destinations and master planned golf communities in British Columbia. GolfBC is the owner/operator of eight championship golf courses in British Columbia, including Nicklaus North (Whistler), Furry Creek (Lions Bay), Gallagher’s Canyon (Kelowna), Olympic View (Victoria), The Quail and The Bear (The Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna), Mayfair Lakes (Richmond), and Arbutus Ridge (Cobble Hill) and one 9-hole facility, The Pinnacle (at Gallagher’s Canyon). In the fall of 2003, GolfBC has acquired five golf courses in Hawaii: the Gold, Emerald and Blue courses at Wailea Golf Resort on Maui, and the Kiele and Mokihana courses at Kauai Lagoons on Kauai. Additional information about GolfBC can be found at its web site: www.golfbc.com.

For more information on any of GolfBC’s Learn to Play programs, please Contact:

Mr. Andy Hedley
Vice President of Golf Operations, GolfBC British Columbia
606-681-8700 x. 205
[email protected]

Ms. Rita Rennie
Marketing Manager, GolfBC
604-681-8700 x. 211
[email protected]