Jared du Toit wasn’t hitting it so well during one of his practice rounds earlier this week and had some difficulty believing he somehow managed to shoot a 10-under 61 at Gallagher’s Canyon one year ago. But, it turns out the Kimberley native hasn’t forgotten how to make birdies at Gallagher’s Canyon. He fired a six-under 65 in Thursday’s first round of the GolfBC Championship to position himself nicely in the $200,000 Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada event.”

Grady Brame Jr. arrived at Gallagher’s Canyon with two missed cuts in his wake and his confidence waning. Then Thursday happened. Matching his round 1 low round were Californian Mark Anguiano and Zach Wright of Phoenix.

He didn’t win the Long Drive Challenge, but 91-year-old George Sherstobitoff was the star of the show. Sherstobitoff hit the ceremonial first tee shot Wednesday afternoon that officially started the GolfBC Championship. Some of the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada pros participated, as did a number of amateurs who anted up $25 to hit three balls off the first tee. All money raised went to the B.C. Cancer Foundation.

Cody Blick has spent considerable time knocking on the door and figures this week would be as good a time as any to bust right through it. Meanwhile, Vancouver’s Ryan Williams is another player with some good Gallagher’s Canyon memories to draw upon...

The GolfBC Championship is preceded by an event that could also be called the GolfBC Championship. In early June, GolfBC invites its professional staff from its facilities across the province to play in a one-day event, with the winner receiving a sponsor’s exemption into the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada tournament the company has sponsored for the last three years.