GolfBC donates big bucks to boost UBCO golf program

Photo: UBCO

GolfBC Group, which owns and operates the Okanagan Golf Club and Gallagher's Canyon Golf Club in Kelowna has donated $60,000 for the UBCO Heat men's and women's golf teams.

The donation, which will be provided to the team over the next three years, is designed to help the program reach its goal of becoming one of the best university golf programs in the country.

UBCO will match the donation, bringing the total amount being funneled into the golf program to $120,000.

"GolfBC is pleased to support the UBCO Heat golf team," said Andy Hedley, vice president of Golf Operations for GolfBC. "This gift will support youth to pursue excellence in the mind, body and spirit, components of a meaningful life that we wish to encourage with our philanthropy."

The donation will go directly towards the Heat program, including providing an increase in scholarship dollars available while also allowing for increased training and support for student-athletes.

"This is an exciting step forward for our golf program," says Tom Huisman, UBCO's director of athletics and recreation.

"We have high aspirations for all our interuniversity sport programs at UBCO. This partnership with GolfBC and financial support from the Chan Family Foundation, along with the matching funds from UBC Okanagan, will contribute significantly to our vision of having our golf program be among the nation's best."

In addition to their donation, GolfBC provided a further opportunity for the Heat program by granting a sponsor exemption for this past week's Mackenzie Tour event, the GolfBC Championship, to third-year Ethan Hunt of Kelowna, B.C. Hunt, a psychology major, owned the lowest stroke average on the team last season and finished tied for fourth at the Bears and Pandas Invitational earlier this season.

"This is an amazing opportunity for our program," added Clay Stothers, head coach of the UBCO golf team. "The generosity of GolfBC will allow us to take a step up to the next level of University golf in Canada."

The UBCO Heat have been competing in the Canada West Conference since 2019-20 and are preparing to compete in their second conference championship beginning Monday, October 4 at Squamish Valley Golf Club.