Top B.C. club golf pros tee it up in Vernon
Published 8:00 pm Friday, September 25, 2026
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A Vernon golf course will help determine B.C.’s top playing club professional.
The PGA of BC Srixon/Cleveland Golf Club Professional Championship presented by Nike Golf and Mobilicab is open to all members serving in the roles of head, executive or head teaching professionals within the association. The 36-hole event will run Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 28 and 29, at the historic Vernon Golf and Country Club.
“It is always a great honour to host my fellow professionals from around the province,” said Vernon general manager Adam Blair. “I take great pride in showcasing the amazing professionals we have in the industry and offering a little time away for everyone to enjoy some Okanagan hospitality.
“I love hearing so many are making a holiday of their visit and getting some well-earned time off.”
Vernon last hosted a PGA of BC Championship in 2012, the Assistants’ event, when Brad Clapp scorched the local track.
Clapp is now general manager at the Morningstar Golf Club in Parksville, on Vancouver Island.
“Many in the 2026 field this year were Assistants at that time so it will be neat for everyone to see the substantial upgrades we have made to the facility but also reminisce from that event,” said Blair. “Our membership is thrilled to host everyone. The membership is very proud of our club and the culture they have grown here which was shown by the overwhelming response to volunteering for the event.
“I am confident the professionals will see the members’ pride shine through over these few days.”
The 2026 Club Professional Championship winner will have their name etched on the Dick Munn Memorial Trophy, whose namesake was Canada’s youngest Head Professional at age 19, became the longtime Head Professional at Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, and later helped found Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country Club in Kelowna.
Five members have won two Club Professional Championship titles, including Dean Claggett from Vernon’s Predator Ridge Resort. Joining Claggett with a pair of titles are Lindsay Bernakevitch (Victoria Golf Club), Mark Kitts (Shadow Ridge Golf Club, Kelowna), Dan Swanson, and Dave Zibrik (Point Grey Golf and Country Club).
Bernakevitch and Kitts will be teeing it up in Vernon. So will Blair, clubmate Brooks Jones, and Austin Bosquet from The Rise in Vernon.
A field of 51 is expected to start play Monday at 11 a.m.
“The Vernon Golf and Country Club is such a fun course to experience. It is right out in front of you and not overly daunting in length,” said Blair. “The champion will be the player that navigates their way around the greens. That is where the true challenge of our property lies. The course will tease you into getting more aggressive from the tee but then slap you back to reality if your short game is not up to the task.
“Our members affectionately label our finishing three holes as ‘the graveyard,’ as this is where many good rounds go to die. It should be an exciting finish to the Championship come Tuesday afternoon.”
Nathan Leonhardt (Tour Development Academy) was the 2025 champion at Victoria Golf Club, but is not back to defend his title.
Among the players to watch will be Chililwack’s Kevin Stinson from the Cheam Mountain Golf Course. Stinson won the 2024 PGA of Canada Head Professional Championship. He’s a two-time PGA of BC Champion, and three-time PGA of BC Male Player of the Year; Rob Anderson of the Kelowna Golf and Country Club is a five-time PGA of BC event winner and two-time event runner-up.