B.C. School Sports cancelled the provincial golf championship Wednesday morning after the majority of public school teams across the province folded and teachers stepped away from extracurricular programs in protest of government legislation.

In Vancouver, two golf leagues with 10 public school teams shrank almost entirely by Thursday morning to leave a single team at Kitsilano secondary. Vancouver public schools typically qualify one public school team for the 22-team AAA B.C. championship, which was set to run at the Crown Isle Golf Resort in Courtenay from May 28 to 30.

In the Fraser Valley, only two AAA public school teams remained active out of 54. B.C. School Sports mandates leagues have a minimum of four schools to operate officially.

Five independent schools in Vancouver will continue to play exhibition rounds within an independent league and declare a junior and senior champion.

Vancouver College, St. George’s, Notre Dame, King David High School and West Point Grey Academy compete in a Burnaby/New West league with public schools and St. Thomas More during a typical regular season.

Vancouver College head golf coach Larry Olson doesn’t believe the cancelled championship will diminish participation at schools with competitive programs. “It’s obviously terribly disappointing for our student-athletes who were looking forward to having the chance to qualify for the provincials,” said Olson, who doesn’t anticipate high school golf would be damaged in the long-term.

“None at all, provided it resumes next year.”

msteewart@vancourier.com