December 31, 2024
Richmond, BC (PGA of BC) - The PGA of BC Simulator Series presented by Club Champion continued to showcase virtual golfing excellence, as professionals from across the province competed in Event #2 from December 13 to 27. Participants navigated the challenging virtual rendition of Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Composite Course, renowned for its strategic design and demanding layout.
Emerging atop the leaderboard was Bradley Gagnon (Capilano Golf & Country Club), who delivered a masterful performance by carding a 6-under-par 66. Gagnon's round was highlighted by precise ball striking and a composed demeanor, allowing him to maintain consistency throughout the course.
"It felt amazing to set the pace with a 6-under round. This year, I've dedicated a lot of time to improving my ball striking, so it's incredibly rewarding to see that hard work pay off," said Gagnon.
The ability to remain singularly focused on the task at hand was easier in a virtual format than outdoors, added Gagnon.
"I didn't have the chance to play a practice round and had never played the course before. However, I took the time to research it online beforehand to get a sense of which clubs would be best off the tee," said Gagnon.
"The mindset shift between a traditional golf course and a simulator round is significant, especially when it comes to the round's duration. I found it much easier to maintain focus during the 45-minute simulator round compared to a typical 4-5 hour round on the course. The shorter timeframe allowed me to stay locked in with fewer distractions and better manage my mental game."
Tied in second place, Matthew Palsenbarg (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) and Jonnie Motomochi (Morgan Creek Golf Course) fired rounds of 70 (-2). Palsenbarg continued his command of the virtual links after winning the inaugural event in the Sim Series, held in November. Motomochi’s mastery of simulator golf was evident, showcasing his experience playing on the NEXT Golf Tour, one of the world’s largest virtual golf competitions with over 900 competitors.
Rounding out the top-five and tied for fourth place at one-under par were Sergio Barba Moreno (Modern Golf (Langley)) and Bryn Parry (Seymour Creek Golf Centre). Barba Moreno’s top-five finish comes after a runner-up result in the first event.
The PGA of BC extends its gratitude to all participants and acknowledges the support of Club Champion in presenting the Simulator Series. The next event in the Simulator Series will take place January 17-31 at Quail Hollow Club, host of the 2025 PGA Championship.
To view the leaderboard and purse distribution, please click here. For more information on the Simulator Series and to register for Event #3, please click here.