It's time for Optimist Junior Golf in British Columbia

Morgan 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).

Please click here to find out more about the Optimist Junior Golf Championships.

Photo credit: Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour

Chilliwack Optimist Club hosts Fred Wellsby Junior Divot Golf Tournament

Hosted by the Chilliwack Optimist Club, the Fred Wellsby Junior Divot Golf Tour takes place annually in July. It is a five-round tournament culminating in the Champions Invitational as the final event.

This year, sixteen junior golfers, all ages 16 and under made it to the final round played at the Chilliwack Golf Club July 12, 2018.

Earning the Champion of Champions title was 12-year old Ryan Burns of Abbotsford, BC. Ryan ended the day with a two over par 74 that included birdies on holes five and six.

The top female golfer was Sarah Armstrong who closed out the day with a 96. The Chilliwack junior golfer is 11-years old.

Photos courtesy of the Chilliwack Optimist Club. To see more photos from the event, please visit the Chilliwack Optimist Club on Facebook.

For more information on the tournament, please contact Glenda Standeven.

Angelina Zhang advances to Optimist International Oratorical World Championships

Angelina Zhang has advanced to the finals of the Optimist International Oratorical World Championships. The finals will be held Friday, June 24, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. PST at St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO.

Screen grab of Angelina Zhang learning that
she has won the West Coast Regional

Angelina is participating remotely from a location in British Columbia. Sponsored by the Vancouver, BC Optimist Club, she won the PNW District Optimist International contest on April 30 and secured a $2,500 scholarship. Her win in the regional contest held June 23 has earned her an additional $5,000 scholarship. In the finals, she will compete against eight other regional winners for an additional $15,000 scholarship prize.

The students competing in the finals are:

• Northeast & Great Lakes Region - Sean Domencic, Atlantic Central District
• Southeast Region - Justice Hill, South Carolina District
• Mid-Atlantic Region - William Zupp, North Carolina West District
• Middle America Region - Cameron Tyler, East Missouri District
• Great Plains Region - Grant Caldwell, Southern Wisconsin District
• Southwest Region - Dawt Sung, North Texas District
• West Coast Region - Angelina Zhang, Pacific Northwest District
• St. Lawrence Region - Maryme Auger, Quebec Central District
• Global Region - Pallovi Romen, Belize

To watch the finals, please go to http://www.optimist.org/stream.cfm, 8:00 a.m. PST, June 24, 2016.

Mission Optimists choose the Mother of the Year

Each year for Mother's Day, the Mission Optimist Club chooses the Mother of the Year. 

This year the honor goes to Michelle Hillier.

Hillier was selected after her daughter, Aryanna, a student at Mission Central school, wrote a short essay on why her mother deserves the award. More than 500 elementary school students participated in the challenge.

Shown in the picture is Optimist Club member Dick Brodie, Michelle Hillier and Aryanna. Dick presented Hillier with a gift basket and flowers. The club also donated $1,000 to the PAC at Mission Central for being the winning school.

Optimist goes from British Columbia to India to share hope and positive vision

K.P. Aujilay, member, Optimist Club of Vancouver, BC wrote in this week with a story of international proportions. Read on! 

For the last 12 years I have been coordinating Oratorical and Essay Contests for the Vancouver Optimist Club. I am amazed at the insight of young students now a days. They are not only thinking of their own communities they are also aware of what goes on the world. 

I was born in India. Realizing that this spirit of optimism could do wonders for children in developing countries like India I often wondered the best way to assist children in my country of birth.

Optimist International does not have Optimist Clubs in India. But this did not stop me. With financial assistance from my family,ten years ago I started holding Essay Contests at local colleges close to where my parents live. Education and Sports are my passion. This passion also encouraged me to start holding Annual Track Meet for Elementary and High School students for schools close to where my parents live in India. 

It has been an amazing and fulfilling experience. It also taught me that rich or poor children are always full of dreams. I am glad that I am able to assist in bringing out the best in kids; kids that do not get the same opportunities that our kids get in developed countries.

Well done, K.P.! Thank you for sharing your optimism abroad and at home.

Burnaby Optimist Club invites you to celebrate 20 years of service

The Burnaby Optimist Club is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a Celebration of Hearts dinner on February 13, 2014.

The Burnaby Optimist Club was started by the Coquitlam Optimist Club and officially organized on March 26, 1994.

According to Ray Power, President, Burnaby Optimist Club, they will celebrate their service to the community including the Optimist International Scholarship programs and local scholarship programs along with their active volunteer efforts.

To attend, please contact Ray Power at 604.294.0824.

North Shore Optimist Club are stewards of the salmon

Andrew Saxton, MP and
Darrell Mussatto, Mayor

Optimist Clubs and members have many different interests, but there is always one constant theme: Optimist Clubs support projects that make our world a better place to live. That might have been what was on the minds of the Vancouver North Shore Optimist Club when they attended an open house held by the Seymour Salmonid Society.

The first open house in ten years, the event drew dignitaries and community organizations and honored them for their contributions and support of the Seymour River Hatchery. Included along with the North Shore Optimist Club were Andrew Saxton, MP, North Vancouver; Darrel Mussatto, Mayor, City of North Vancouver; and Jane Thornthwaite, MLA, North Vancouver/Seymour, representing the government of British Columbia.

Following the ceremony, Optimist Club members Bob Renshaw and Robert Jackson joined a tour of the Seymour Hatchery where they discovered the many fry that are being prepared for their trip to the ocean within the next two years. They learned about the habitat created for the fish to lay eggs and how student field trips are conducted. The Optimist Club was invited to return in the spring to interact with the classes and students.

Bob Renshaw, Matt Casselman,
and Robert Jackson

When the tour was over, Robert and Bob met with Matt Casselman and Ed Walls of the Salmonind Society and presented the organization with a $1,000 donation.

It's important that our Optimist Clubs be present for important community events, showing both financial and moral support for what is good in our communities. Kudos the North Shore Optimist Club for their involvement.

Story and photos courtesy of Robert Jackson, Vancouver North Shore Optimist Club. 

Junior golfing, Victoria Optimist Club-style

Bruce Davenport, treasurer, Optimist Club of Victoria shared some pictures this week of youngsters enjoying golf and lunch and basically having fun. Tell me more, I said.

It turns out that the Victoria Optimist Club sponsors an inner city golf program that lets young people experience a sport normally unavailable to them. Through golf, the youngsters also learn personal courtesy and discipline along with skills required.

A golf pro donated his time and gave instructions to the junior golfers and Optimist Club members were available on the course as mentors. It looks like they also got to enjoy the pizza party afterwards!

Thanks for sharing the story, Bruce!

Coquitlam Optimist Club kicks off Daisy Day with free pancakes

Saturday, June 22, 2013 is Daisy Day in Coquitlam, British Columbia.  Kicking off the event will be the Pancake Breakfast, brought to you by none other than the Coquitlam Optimist Club. Kilt-wearing Mayor Stewart showed his flapjack-flipping prowess at last year's event. The only question I have is for the Optimists: Where are your kilts? We want to see them...pictures, please.

Daisy Day is  hosted by the Austin Heights Business Improvement District. The festival introduces families to the shopping district and builds awareness for shopping locally. As a family friendly activity, the festival brings  all ages outside for free breakfast, live entertainment and lots of activities for the kids. Area merchants also feature special promotions. Find a full schedule for Daisy Day 2013 here.

Energize your Optimist Club NOW

I received a note from Phillip Hansen today via Slideshare.com. It was nice to connect with a PNW District Optimist Club member via a third party social media source. It was even nicer to hear what he had to say.

Phillip said, "Thank you so very much Linda. We are preparing to launch our NOW program here in Vancouver, BC, Canada. This will be real benefit in our efforts. :-)"

Now how awesome is that? The Optimist Club of Vancouver, BC is hosting a NOW program so that they may replenish their membership roster.

The greatest thing about hosting a NOW program is that it also revitalizes the enthusiasm your current members have for their Optimist Club. Telling stories about the great things that we do for our community brings forth the passion for our cause.

I challenge your Optimist Club to hold a NOW program too.  Here's the slide presentation to get you started. Send us a note and let us know how it goes!

New Optimist Club Presentation from Linda Jackson

Distinguished Optimist Club presidents honored in the PNW District

Immediate Past Governor Bill French closed out the evening activities at the recent PNW District 3rd Meeting with recognition for honor and distinguished achievement in the 2011-2012 administrative year.

Earning the Distinguished Optimist Club achievement award were Lareena Roberson of the Tri Cities Optimist Club and Hal Griffin of the Coquitlam Optimist Club.


The Tri Cities Optimist Club added 15 net new members last year and the Coquitlam Optimist Club was the sponsor of the new Junior Curling Optimist Club.

Also recognized was Peter Smith as the Outstanding Lt. Governor. Peter represented Zone 2.

Optimist Clubs that received Honor Club banner patches were:
Chilliwack, BC
Gresham, OR
Lebanon, OR
McCall, ID
Mission, BC
Portland-Peninsula, OR
Roseburg, OR
Twin Falls, ID

Click here to read more about 2011-2012 leadership recognition.

My apologies to our winners and readers for the shaky photography. Your social media team would be forever grateful for some better shots of the weekend. Please click here to email a few of your favorite photos. Thanks. 

Diamonds for the Burnaby Optimist Club

Submitted by Roxy Abernethy

The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II accession to the Throne. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a way for Canada to honor her Majesty for her service. It also serves to honor the diverse contributions and achievements and distinguished service to their fellow citizens, to their community, and to their country through volunteer work.

The Burnaby Optimist Club is proud to announce that four of their members have been presented the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The recipients are Lou Ryan, Ray Abernethy, Nick Kvenich and Roxy Abernethy.

Lou does extensive volunteering through the Burnaby Optimist Club, the Sunshine Dreams for Kids Foundation, the local food bank and many community events. Lou has also served as the Optimist Club president for two terms. Everyone in the community knows Lou!

For over 30 years, Ray sources, collects, and distributes furniture, clothing and household goods to those in need. What began as a small backyard project blossomed under his leadership and vision into a unique, charitable society called Helping Families in Need. It serves thousands of families in the lower mainland and Fraser Valley.

Nick serves on the Action Line Housing board of directors and is directly involved in enhancing the lives of seniors in our community. Nick is also an avid stream keeper. He shares his passion for clean and environmentally sound streams with local school children. He also volunteers throughout the city at many community events and is a charter and life time member of the Burnaby Optimist Club.

Roxy has organized a Swim-A-Rama for 35 years and raised over $300,000 for Cystic Fibrosis. She has also organized softball in the city for  30 years, coordinates a craft fair at the prestigious Overlynne Mansion in North Burnaby in support of seniors, has held the position of president and treasurer of the Burnaby Optimist Club aand is active in fundraising and organizing volunteers fin support of her husband's, Ray, charity.

Those awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal represent one-tenth of one percent of all Canadians. Quite a feat for a small 12-member Optimist Club.

U18 Curling gets underway this week

The Coquitlam, Chilliwack and Mission Optimist Clubs are volunteering this week, March 27 to March 31, 2013, at the Optimist International junior curling U18 championships. Coordinated by the Junior International Curling Optimist Club, the tournament is the passion of Al Kersey, known in the PNW District for frequently saying, "“In curling, a child does not need to be bigger, faster or stronger to grow from playground to podium.”

Junior curling clubs from Canada, Japan and the US will compete over a four-day period at the Langley and Cloverdale Curling Clubs.The U18 championships attract some of the best young curlers in the world, and many go on to compete at professional levels. To find out more, please read the press release issued by the coordinators. 2013 Optimist International U18 Curling Championships-Press Release

Governor Larry and Flo Blackburn are in British Columbia to experience the tournament first hand. We'll ask them to share a story on their return. 

Chilliwack Optimist Club supports dragonboats

This just in... the Optimist Club of Chilliwack, BC is supporting the Harrison Paddle Club junior dragonboat team.

What is a dragonboat? Good question. According to the San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival website, a dragonboat "is a boat of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steers person." In the sport, the team paddles "to cross the finish faster than their competition."

Dragonboats originated in the Pearl River Delta region of China's Guangdong Province and similar long boats have been used in competition since the original games of Olympia in ancient Greece. Many have ornamental dragon heads and tails when used in competition.

As a team sport, it involves power, speed synchronization and endurance. Dare I say, it involves a little optimism as well to have 20 paddlers on that narrow boat!

The Chilliwack Optimist Club will supply the paddles, t-shirts, and life jackets for the team. It is open for paddlers aged 14 to 18. No experience is needed to join the team as the focus of the Harrison Paddle Club is health, fun and fitness.

The Harrison Paddle Club and the Chilliwack Optimist Club will also be providing mentorship to teens through the program. Good job, Chilliwack! It's interesting to learn how Optimists bring old traditions to light.












Pictures courtesy of the  Optimist Club of Chilliwack on Facebook.

Optimist Club member wins gold medal

On February 23, 2013, Canada's wheelchair curling team took the gold medal at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships. It was a tight battle between the Canadian curlers and Sweden both playing away from home in Sochi, Russia with Canada besting the Swedes 4-3. The victory is the team's third world title.

Of course it was their skill and determination that led them to victory, but we also know they had a secret weapon: optimism.

Ina Forrest, a charter member of the North Okanagan Optimist Club in British Columbia is member of the champion Wheelchair Curling team. Congratulations, Ina! Congratulations to all.

Ina Forrest, center, is shown with her teammates, Jim Armstrong, Dennis Thiessen, Sonja Gaudet, and Mark Ideson.

A new Optimist Club in Terrace, BC

Good news from the great northern reaches of optimism! The Kermodei Optimist Club of Terrace, BC was organized on July 1, 2012.

That means next year the PNW District can celebrate the club's first anniversary right along with Canada Day. And we all love reasons to celebrate, don't we?

According to Builder of Excellence Dallis Winsor, the club was organized by Esthermarie Hillman, West Region VP and Bill French, Governor. They have set their sights on a zone of at least three clubs to bring out the best in kids between Terrace and Prince Rupert. We wish them good luck in all future endeavors.

Kermodei Optimists, we welcome you to the PNW District and Optimist International!

Find out more about the Kermodei here. 

Teddy Bears take center stage in Coquitlam, BC

The Evening Optimist Club of Coquitlam, BC is an annual sponsor for the Festival Coquitlam, a reflection of spirit and pride. Members claim that their participation in this is event is one of their favorite activities of the year.

What is it? The Teddy Bear Picnic!

The Teddy Bear Picnic is a culmination of all good things for Teddy Bears and their companions. There is a parade, a concert, and then a picnic with a variety of entertainers for the families, owners and lovers of Teddy Bears.

The mission of Festival Coquitlam is, "To host a series of quality family entertainment experiences which will reflect the spirit and pride of our community." Sounds like a perfect connection to share with an Optimist Club!

Photo credit: Jennifer Gauthier, Coquitlam Now.

Why enter the CCDHH?

The PNW District-Optimist International Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) was held on May 19, 2012 in Newport, Oregon. A young, but veteran competitor was Daniel Leigmann of Kelowna, British Columbia. I discovered this video on YouTube where Daniel discusses why he likes to compete in the contest.

Spoiler alert: It's not about the scholarship! It is about the opportunity to improve oneself.



Ken Ryan served as the co-chair of the event for Canada, joining Kirk Farnsworth for the US. Ken provided the following information about the contest.

We split the CCDHH into two catagories, and the following are the results:
Signing – a.s.l.
First Cameron Epp – Langley B.C.
SECOND KEVIN MOUNTAIN – BURNABY B.C.
THIRD LAUREN MARSHALL – IDAHO
ORAL
FIRST DANIEL LEIGMANN – KELOWNA B.C.
ECOND ANDREW WESTERLUND – NORTH VANCOUVER
THIRD CASSIDY FLAKE – IDAHO

(The information was copied and pasted from Ken's message. I'm not sure if the capitalization was significant, so I left it intact.) 


Click here to watch the video on YouTube. 

Junior golfers advance to the Optimist from BC tournament

From Harry White, Chair, PNW District  OIJGC-Canada

In conjunction with the www.cjga.com , British Columbia division, a successful junior golf qualifying event was held on the weekend of May 19-20, 2012 in Richmond, BC for our PNW District 32 in Canada. Almost 50 golfers took part in the two-day, 36-hole event, and while the spring weather held true on Day one, winter returned for Day 2 and conditions were very challenging, to say the least. No matter to our keen and very optimistic junior golfers. One and all played and enjoyed the experience and chance to go to Canadian and Optimist International Junior Golf championships in Ontario and Florida, respectively.

Some terrific golf was played with the overall Junior champion being Chris CRISOLOGO of Richmond, BC who fired rounds of 67-71 to win the Age 16-18 div.

Girls champion for the Age 15-18 division was Winnie HYUN of Langley, returning very steady scores of 74-75 for a 149 total. And, our very accomplished Tiffany KONG of Vancouver was a fantastic 148 for two days around the Greenacres GC in Richmond.

Those who earned the coveted qualifying spots will move on to play one of junior golf's "Major Junior Championships" at PGA National GC in Florida and to the Fanshawe G&CC in London, Ontario. Our thanks to hardworking Optimists who support these programs and of course the CJGA's Brad, Eric and Helen.

For more qualifying information, click here. 

Cheers, 

Optimist Harry White, 

Vancouver Optimist Club 

604-261-4390, tel/fax

A Party in the Okanagen

BOE Peter Smith and
President Jan Mori

Although it was organized in September 2011, the charter banquet for the North Okanagan Optimist Club of British Columbia was only just held on March 24, 2012. I'm going to imagine it was the distance involved in getting all the parties together for the celebration. Governor Bill French had to travel from Hillsboro, Oregon and members of the sponsoring club, Coquitlam, had to travel four hours to attend. Others in the lower mainland joined the party as well.

Those who regularly attend district meetings have probably heard of the potential for building in the Okanagan and the Vernon project was discussed throughout the 2010-2011 administrative year, coming to fruition on September 27, 2011, just as the leadership of the district was about to change hands. It was Governor Bill French and Evelyn that enjoyed the honor of recognizing the new club at the charter event.

Governor Bill French unveils the club banner.

Explaining why they were interested in starting an Optimist Club, President Jan Mori said, “I heard about the Optimist Club through a longtime curling friend. He suggested getting a club going here and the more we talked about it, the more I thought it would be a good thing for the community. We have a great group of people from all backgrounds and all ages, men and women. People like the idea of the camaraderie of a service club, doing some good in the community and helping all children.”

The new club is interested in curling, however, their aim is to fill gaps in community services for kids. So far they have completed the Optimist International Essay Contest and are looking how to get more involved in the community. 

The North Okanagen Optimist Club meets the second Monday evening of each month at The People Place in Vernon, 7:00 p.m.