Some flawless play on a virtual golf course earned Matthew Palsenbarg the championship in the PGA of BC’s first Simulator Series tournament.
The Surrey resident claimed victory with an impressive 8-under-par 64 on Scotland’s iconic St. Andrews Links Old Course, a virtual challenge for 32 professionals from around the province from Nov. 15 to 29.
Presented by Club Champion, the series launched as an “innovative opportunity for professionals to compete in a high-tech, controlled environment, pushing the boundaries of competitive golf,” the PGA of BC says in a news release.
“The unique format also allows for participation from multiple locations, highlighting the inclusivity and adaptability of the series,” which resumes Dec. 13.
Repping Point Grey Golf & Country Club, Palsenbarg posted a bogey-free round and added eight birdies in the organization’s first ever Simulator Series event.
Palsenbarg, who also works at Langley’s indoor Haus of Golf facility and previously coached at Northview in Surrey, explained the strategic demands of simulator golf and how the format rewards players who trust their numbers and make confident decisions.
“I think the best part of sim golf on Trackman is you just have to stick to the numbers,” said Palsenbarg. “Hit it solid and stick to the math. If you know your yardages, you will be fine. Adjusting for the slopes and wind is crucial for that 10-foot circle. I think you also get to be more aggressive off the tee. I hit driver on every hole except the par 3s.”
Players can just “cruise and stay in the zone,” he added. “The next shot and next hole happens so fast that it feels like it’s over before it starts. That can work both ways. When you start hot, it’s easy to just keep the pedal down.”
He said he knew the bar to beat was 4-under, and “that 10-foot circle was all that mattered,” Palsenbarg said. “I hit 18 (of) 18 greens and even drove the ninth to 68 feet for the 3-putt par. I was really happy with it and I can’t lie, the nerves were real on the home stretch knowing that OB right (out of bounds) was on every hole coming home.”
Palsenbarg’s great play on the virtual course secured him a comfortable four-stroke win over a trio of competitors tied at 4-under-par. Second place was shared by Brett Burgeson (Breaking Par Golf Academy), Sergio Barba Moreno (Modern Golf Langley) and Dave Zibrik (Point Grey Golf & Country Club), each firing 68.
Cory Renfrew (Pacific Golf Academy in Richmond) and James Presnail (Shadow Ridge Golf Club) rounded out the top five, scoring 69 to finish in a tie for fifth place.
A purse of more than $3,200 was distributed, with Palsenbarg taking home $550 for his win. Fifty percent of competitors were paid out as a result of their standing on the leaderboard, the PGA of BC notes.
Palsenbarg and other Point Grey Golf & Country Club pros “demonstrated their appetite and aptitude for simulator golf,” with seven of them competing in the Simulator Series launch event.
The inaugural season of competitive indoor golf continues with virtual play on Royal Melbourne’s Composite Course from Dec 13-27 and Pebble Beach Golf Links Jan 17-31. Registration details are posted on pgabc.org/2024-2025-pga-bc-simulator-series-presented-club-champion.
