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Sunday, April 28, 2019

Qualify for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships in Cornelius, Oregon

optimist junior golf pnw optimist clubsThe Hillsboro Optimist Club is proud to once again host the PNW District - Optimist International Junior Golf Championships Qualifying tournament for the US.

Chairman Al Young has provided the following information for junior golfers to enter at large or for Optimist Clubs in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to enroll players to participate.

The tournament will be held May 18, 2019, at Forest Hills Golf Course in Cornelius, Oregon. Registration fee is $50 and range balls are provided. A light lunch is included and will be served before tee-off at noon.

The age divisions offered in the tournament are:
Boys: 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-18
Girls: 10-12, 13-14, 15-18
Players may register online at this link: PNW District Junior Golf Qualifier.

Junior golfers that win or qualify at this event may move forward to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. Boasting an international field, this tournament will take place at Trump National Doral Miami, July 16-31, 2019.

Through the money raised with the tournament, the District endeavors to provide financial support for winners to attend the international championship. The amount available may vary and there is no guarantee that support will be available beyond those that qualify in the 16-18 division.

For full information, contact tournament director Al Young by email or call 503-648-5213.

The PNW Optimist District has recently expanded to include Utah. This year, and perhaps in following years as well, the Junior Golf Qualifying Tournament for Utah players will remain in Utah. Find out more about the Optimist International Junior Golf qualifying tournament in Utah here.

Photo by Jack Thornton. 



Saturday, April 20, 2019

The 2019 PNW Optimist Oratorical Contest results and more

On April 12-14, 2019, the PNW District - Optimist International met for its Spring Board Meeting in Bellingham, Washington. Previously called the Third Quarter Meeting, this gathering featured the Optimist International Oratorical Contest and announced the winner of the Optimist International  Essay Contest. The Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) was held in British Columbia on April 15, 2019.

pnw optimist clubs oratorical
Rosemary Vayalikunnel
The scholarship contests typically draw a big crowd especially when one considers the students and their parents who participate in the event. Despite a lower turnout than usual, the students were warmly welcomed and did not fail to impress the gathering Optimist Club members with their talents.

All students spoke on the topic: “Is There a Fine Line Between Optimism and Reality?”

Earning the first place award and a $2,500 scholarship in the Optimist International Oratorical Contest for the PNW District was Rosemary Vayalikunnel. Rosemary represented the Vancouver North Shore Optimist Club. She will go on to the Optimist International Oratorical World Championships in St. Louis, MO July 18-20, 2019.

Earning the second place award and a $1,500 scholarship was Madison Stephens. Madison represented the West Tacoma Optimist Club.

The third place award went to Andrew Welch representing the West Tacoma Optimist Club. He earned a $1,000 scholarship.
pnw optimist clubs oratorical contest
Madison Stephens and Andrew Welch

The Optimist International Essay Contest was completed on February 28, 2019. The winner of the $2,500 scholarship award was announced as Alex Snow. Alex represented the Hillsboro Optimist Club

For the first time, the Board of Directors meeting included online participants as presidents from six Optimist Clubs joined from their home locations. This is an option that the District will continue to explore in order to make the meetings more accessible to Optimist Club leaders.

One discussion point during the Board of Directors meeting was alternative meeting ideas. Watch for a survey to be emailed to all PNW District Optimist Club members to help assess solutions to help increase attendance at all Optimist Club gatherings.


In other business, the Zone alignment for 2019-2020 was announced and the Lt. Governors were confirmed as follows:





















Rounding out the leadership team:
Governor - Ben DeRemer
Assistant Governor Governance - Gary Smith
Assistant Governor Finance - Rene Schiller
Assistant Governor Growth - Joey Fisher
Assistant Governor Youth Programs - Aaron Codiga
Assistant Governor Marketing - Andre Giacolone
Assistant Governor Meetings - TBD
Treasurer - Damon Gerton
Secretary - Linda Vaught Disney

Thank you and best wishes to all who have committed to serving the PNW District Optimist Clubs in the 2019-2020 administrative year.

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

It's time for Optimist Junior Golf in British Columbia

optimist junior golf championships mjt tourMorgan Creek Golf Course, 3500 Morgan Creek Way, Surrey, British Columbia, is the location for the first PNW Optimist District Qualifying Tournament (CAN) for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships 2019.

The tournament will take place April 13-14, 2019 for boys 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-18 and girls 10-12, 13-14, 15-18. The cost for the two-day qualifier is $189 CA.

In addition to the opportunity to qualify to advance to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, junior golfers at this event will enjoy:
  • Two rounds of golf
  • Fabulous TaylorMade tee gift for every player 
  • PLYR Long Drive Competition
  • PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin Competition
  • Booster Juice Come Back Award
  • Awards for top finishers in each division
  • Quality prizes for top finishers in each division
  • Lots of Draw Prizes for the full field
  • Refreshments 
  • Pizza from Boston Pizza
The MJT (Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour) also offers the Ford Hole in One Contest. See the rules here. 

This will be the first Optimist Junior Golf Qualifying Tournament (CAN) since the passing of Harry White. In addition to being the PNW District Junior Golf Chair in Canada, Harry was the founder and coordinator of the Junior Linkster Tour and a great Optimist responsible for bringing junior golf and other Optimist programs to his community for many years. 

To find out more about this tournament or how the Vancouver Optimist Club members are carrying on his legacy, please contact Bruce Main.

Please click here to find out more and register for the PNW Optimist District Qualifying Tournament (CAN).



Photo credit: Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour


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