KELOWNA, B.C. – The Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada and GolfBC announced today a new official event for 2016, the GolfBC Championship, which will focus on making a positive charitable impact in the Kelowna area.
The inaugural event will take place June 6-12, 2016 at Gallagher’s Canyon Golf and Country Club in Kelowna. GolfBC, which owns and operates a collection of world-class courses throughout British Columbia and in Hawaii, will be the title sponsor as part of a four-year agreement.
“We’re thrilled to be adding a new event in the Okanagan Valley to our schedule, especially one that will be focused on charity and giving back to the community,” said Mackenzie Tour President Jeff Monday. “This event will provide a tremendous opportunity and platform for our players to achieve their goals of making the next step on the path to the PGA TOUR.”
Gallagher’s Canyon, a 6,802-yard Bill Robinson design considered to be one of the top courses in the Okanagan Valley, will host the event.
“GolfBC is very proud and excited to help bring such a prestigious event to the Okanagan. The GolfBC Championship will host some of the finest young golf talent and prepare them for the next step in their professional careers,” said Andy Hedley, Vice President of Operations for GolfBC, adding “We are very excited that this event will showcase Gallagher’s Canyon – one of GolfBC’s most distinctive and popular designs – as well as generate a significant contribution to one of our preferred charity beneficiaries, the BC Cancer Foundation.”
As with every Mackenzie Tour tournament, raising support for charity will be a key priority for the event. Last year saw charitable donations by Mackenzie Tour events increase by 60.5%, rising to a total of more than $1-million given back since 2013.
“The BC Cancer Foundation is honoured to be the benefitting charity of the Golf BC Championship,” said Lou Del Gobbo, Interim President & CEO, BC Cancer Foundation. “We know the funds from this tournament will go a long way in supporting the life-saving research taking place at the BC Cancer Agency, giving hope to over 26,000 British Columbians who will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone.”
VMC Sports & Entertainment Corp., which previously operated the SIGA Dakota Dunes Open for the past eight seasons on the Mackenzie Tour, will manage the event’s operations, with Hugh Vassos serving as Tournament Director.
“This is an exciting day for professional golf fans in the Okanagan, and our team is excited to manage this prestigious golf tournament and week-long golf festival. We look forward to engaging the local sponsors, volunteers, and the entire golf community in presenting what we believe will soon become one of the top stops on the Mackenzie Tour,” said Vassos.
The full 2016 Mackenzie Tour schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.