THE MOJ: 11th version of golf ‘Shootout’ a huge success in Kelowna

Some news and notes from the World of Sports…

WORLD CUP FEVER: Go anywhere in downtown Vancouver and you’ll see them wandering around. Fans wearing the colours of any country that is playing here or even participating in the World Cup. Of course, the biggest contingent is the one that represents Canada and the atmosphere for the two games our National Team played at BC Place – or ‘Vancouver Stadium’ – was unbelievable.

There was plenty of boasting on social media about how soccer is now the No. 1 sport in the city overtaking hockey and the Vancouver Canucks in popularity. It’s tough not to argue that point – right now. But when the World Cup is over and hockey season starts, we all know who is king. It’s like the Olympics where everyone suddenly becomes a luge or cross-country skiing fan and three months later has no clue about what’s going on in the sport.

AS FOR THE CANUCKS: I absolutely loved what they did by acquiring the likes of Brendan Gallagher, Luke Schenn and Jamie Oleksiak. In fact, as I mentioned on my last hit with Donnie and Dhali on CHEK-TV, these are the types of moves the hockey club should have made last summer. They are proven veterans who will show the young players on the Canucks what it means to be a pro, provide solid leadership by holding teammates accountable and setting an example. It appears that GM Ryan Johnson has a plan unlike his predecessor who would always address one problem but would also just be creating another.

THANK YOU: The 11th version of ‘The Moj Shootout’ took place on Monday, June 29 at The Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna and judging by all the feedback, it was a tremendous success again. There are so many people to thank and so little space but a big thank you goes out to B.C. Lions owner Amar Doman. When I approached Doman in early February about doing this event again after a four-year hiatus as part of Touchdown Kelowna, I would do so only if I had his backing and that’s exactly what he did.

There’s a reason 27 celebs and 117 others who participated in this event thought it was a great experience and that’s due to all of our on-course activations. Those were led by Jeff Fuller and his team led by Amber Chiroco, who had teams from Joeys, Cactus Club, Local and Earls on the course. Also shoutouts to Rosie Pearson from Moxie’s, Sarah Campbell from West Coast Seafood and Raw Bar, Clarissa Pruden from Match Eatery, Jonathan Wright from the Havana Room and Taylor Hughes from Smokin’ Barrels BBQ. I can’t forget Gilles Dufort and Tamara Graham from the Harvest who are awesome to work with. You guys made the event.

FEELING SMALL: I actually don’t play in the tournament but I do make my way around the course and hit a few shots. When the group from Doman Building Materials invited me to hit a tee shot on the 356-yard, par-4 15th hole, I felt pretty good after I hit my drive on the screws for about 260 yards. That was until Hockey Hall of Famer Shea Weber stepped up and hit his drive to the first cut on the front left of the green. The reality check came pretty quick after his 310-yard bomb.

OH YEAH – THE GAME: It wasn’t the result the Lions wanted in the first of two games at the Apple Bowl when they lost to the Calgary Stampeders by a score of 41-34 but the buzz in the Okanagan city was electric. Every where you went, people were talking about the game and how excited they were about it. Yes, there were some logistical issues as should be expected for a first-time event in a temporary stadium but overall, it was a success.

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