Golf Hall of Fame of BC Inducts Foursome
Capilano Golf and Country Club was the scene of the fifth bi-annual Hall of Fame induction dinner. A sold out crowd of 145 friends, relatives and golf community members were on hand to celebrate the induction of Jackie Little, Alison Murdoch, Steve Berry and Richard Zokol. Capilano is a magnificent setting for a gala dinner, with the Stanley Thompson Room overlooking the city lights. Given the history of the golf course and its place among the greatest courses in Canada it was a fitting location to honour four of Golf British Columbia's finest competitors.
The Class of 2009. Left to right – Steve Berry, Alison Murdoch, Jackie Little, Richard Zokol
Jackie Little, co-owner with husband Pat, of The Hollies Golf Course in Port Alberni continues to add championships to her resume. This season alone she won the Alberta Senior Women's and successfully defended the Canadian Senior Women's title she won in 2008. Jackie also won the 2009 PNGA Senior women's championship, and the Zone 6 Amateur and Senior titles. She missed winning the BC Senior Women's because that was won by Alison Murdoch, from the Victoria Golf Club, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame next. Alison Murdoch also won her fourth Irish Senior Women's title in 2009 and finished second to Little in the Alberta Senior Women's. Alison also won the Zone 5 Amateur (for a 7th time) and the Zone Senior title for a 10th time.
Steve Berry, a member of Glen Meadows Golf and Country Club in Sydney has played on more provincial and national teams than anyone other than Doug Roxburgh. His 24 team appearances is a phenomenal accomplishment and have been accomplished over four decades! Add to that the BC Junior, BC Amateur and BC Mid Amateur titles, he has only to capture the BC Senior title to complete a ‘grand slam' of amateur titles in this province.
Richard Zokol, long a fixture at Marine Drive Golf Club, won internationally (Morocco Invitational) and nationally (Canadian Amateur) as an amateur. He captained the NCAA Championship Brigham Young University team. As a tour professional he won the Canadian PGA Championship, the BC Open, the Utah State Open, and twice on the PGA Tour. He also had a pair of second place finishes on the PGA Tour. After leaving competitive golf Richard created the award winning (Best New Course in Canada in 2009) Sagebrush Golf and Sporting Club in the Nicola valley.
The induction of these four stars of BC golf brings the total of Honoured Members in the Golf Hall of Fame of BC to twenty five. Present for the dinner this year, and introduced by emcee Norm Grohman, were Margaret Todd of Victoria (inducted in 2001), Doug Roxburgh of Marine Drive GC (inducted in 2003), John Johnston of Marine Drive (inducted in 2005), John Russell of Point Grey and Bill Wakeham of Victoria (both inducted in 2007)
The Golf Hall of Fame of BC is located at the BC Golf Museum, the original clubhouse of the University Golf Club. It is a non profit society, sustained by the financial support of the golf community, memberships and donations. The Museum and Hall of Fame are open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 PM. Visit the web site at www.bcgolfmuseum.org or call 604-222-4653 for information.
