OTTAWA – Today, Canada’s national golf industry associations announced the first annual National Golf Day, May 29, an event aimed at raising awareness to the public and government decision makers on the many positive impacts of the golf industry.

“More Canadians play golf than any other participation sport and our industry is #1 in driving economic impact, employment and charity fundraising,” said Jeff Calderwood, National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) and We Are Golf Chair. “Combined with golf’s diversity, healthy fitness benefits and environmental stewardship, we really do have such a positive message to communicate.”

National Golf Day provides the opportunity for Canada’s golf industry leaders to discuss these wide-reaching benefits of the sport directly with MPs, Senators and policy advisors at Parliament Hill. A May 28 evening reception will also be held in Centre Block, and NAGA will be hosting a day of interactive golf activities on the front lawn where MPs and visitors will be able to participate. This day of outdoor golf activities will include a focus on junior golf.

“We are really looking forward to our time in Ottawa and expect that government officials from all parties will be impressed to learn about all the ways golf contributes in virtually every riding throughout Canada,” added Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “There are so many meaningful benefits that golf delivers in communities from coast to coast and it will be great to share all those insights on National Golf Day.”

Golf courses and all related stakeholders throughout Canada are encouraged to promote the same positive messages. NAGA will provide shareable social content.

NAGA is also announcing a rebranding of its public facing name to We Are Golf. This aligns with the same brand name used by the American golf industry for allied association activities such as National Golf Day. NAGA does carry on as the administrative body but will use the We Are Golf brand for all public communications.

Please watch for additional We Are Golf and National Golf Day communications over the coming weeks as we lead up to the May 29 event itself.

For more information on We Are Golf, visit wearegolf.ca  

If you’re looking for a poster child for Golf Canada’s “Future Links, driven by Acura” program, Stephanie Sherlock is just about the ideal candidate.

OK, so “child” isn’t appropriate any more as she will attain the ripe old age of 31 next month, but she remains my top nominee for a number of reasons.

Her first recollections of competitive golf include Future Links tournaments in her home province of Ontario and neighbouring Quebec. Those were stepping stones to a stellar junior and amateur career (she was a Team Canada member from 2006 to 2010 and twice was the country’s top-ranked female amateur) that included winning the 2007 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and a spot on Canada’s 2008 World Amateur Team. After her all-American performance at the University of Denver, she spent three years on the LPGA Tour before deciding the pro life wasn’t for her.

So Sherlock returned to her home town of Barrie, Ont., to work at the course she grew up on. Simoro Golf Links is owned by her parents, Dave and Angela.

“I wasn’t here very long before I looked around and thought, ‘Man, there aren’t very many kids here,’” she recalls. So she picked the brains of some more established club owners and pros who had thriving junior programs to discover their secret.

While a common theme was their dedication to growing the game, there was another factor: the multi-tiered Future Links programming.

The scope and depth of the Future Links concept are impressive, starting with the very young novice golfer and extending right through high-level amateur competitions. Since launching in 1996, more than one million youngsters have participated in the various Future Links programs including Learn to Play, mobile clinics, Future Links Championships, Junior Skills Challenge, Girls Club, and an awesome grassroots initiative called Golf in Schools.

Golf in Schools is offered in more than 3000 elementary and almost 350 high schools across Canada. It provides a basic introduction to golf through the school physical education curriculum and is endorsed by Physical Health and Education Canada. Almost half of the participating schools are the result of a “school adoption,” whereby an individual, golf club or corporation donates to bring the program to the school.

(For more on the comprehensive programming offered by Future Links, driven by Acura, click here.)

Integral to the ongoing success of Future Links is a concept called Get Linked which connects schools and green-grass facilities such as golf courses and ranges.

Sherlock shares her knowledge with kids in Grades 1 through 5 at five area schools via the Golf in Schools program. As a result, she says, Simoro has seen an uptick in junior and family participation.

“We’ve got to be dedicated to getting more kids into golf, not just because we care about the future of the game itself, but we have to ensure the future of our business, too. We consider it a long-term investment and it’s awesome just how much support and materials we get from Future Links.”

Her message is echoed from coast to coast.

In Corner Brook, NL, Wayne Allen looks after three junior programs, all within an hour’s drive of his home base at Blomidon Golf and Country Club. Like Sherlock, he introduces Golf in Schools programming to five local schools every winter and has seen a tremendous impact.

“Six years ago, the nine-hole Deer Lake course didn’t have a junior program,” says Allen, who has been involved with Golf in Schools for 10 years and whose club was named the 2014 Future Links Facility of the Year. “So we started one with six kids. The next year, there were 20. That winter, we visited the schools for the first time and the following summer, we had 60 juniors in the program.”

Ten-fold growth in a couple of years. Impressive, to say the least.

The impact extends beyond increasing the participation rate among youngsters. As a result of the exploding junior programs, Blomidon introduced two new membership categories: An intermediate category for older kids and a family category.

The latter became necessary, says Allen, “because the parents would drop off their kids for golf, then go to the patio for lunch, waiting for the kids to finish. Eventually, they’d say to themselves, ‘Why am I just sitting here when I could be playing golf?’

“The growth in membership has been huge thanks to our junior programs.”

For more on Future Links, driven by Acura, contact Adam Hunter (Manager, Grow the Game) by email (ahunter@golfcanada.ca) or through Twitter.

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Hugo Bernard climbed six places in the world rankings to break into the Top 50 for the first time in his amateur career, settling in at No. 48. The Golf Canada National Team member is coming off a recent tie for 12th at the Terra Cotta Invitational and a runner-up finish at the Azalea Invitational.

Fellow Golf Canada National Team member Chris Crisologo made the biggest gain among the Top 10, picking up 17 places. The senior was leading Simon Fraser to the GNAC Men’s Golf Championship, the results of which will be factored into the rankings next week.t

Honourable mention goes to Eric Shea of Brantford, Ont., who picked up 434 spots in the world rankings after taking medalist honours at the Conference Carolinas Men’s Golf Championship.

Brendan Macdougall, the No. 14 ranked amateur in Canada, captured medalist honours at the Big South Championship. The Calgary native became the first player at High Point University to take individual honours at the tournament while scoring the lowest round in the school and the tournament history.

Biggest move: Spencer Rhodes of Port Alberni, B.C. gained 451 spots in the world rankings after finishing 11th at the SWAC Championship. The sophomore at Alcorn State also captured All-Conference Second-Team honours.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Michelle Ruiz made the biggest gain among the Top 10, picking up 123 spots in the world rankings after going wire-to-wire and setting a 54-hole tournament record to claim medalist honours at the SSC Championship. The result enabled the senior from Nova Southeastern University to climb two places up to No. 5 in the Canadian rankings.

No. 2 Jaclyn Lee moved up 18 places in the world rankings, capping a record setting performance, going wire-to-wire to win medalist honours at the Big 10 Championship. It was the third NCAA title of the year for the Golf Canada National Team member, who was also named first team All-Big Ten and also received an exemption into the Symetra Tour event to be played at the end of June. The result also moved Lee up to a career-high No. 65 in the world rankings

Valerie Tanguay picked up 23 places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for eighth at the Big 12 Women’s Golf Championship. The result also earned the Oklahoma senior Big 12 Tournament Team honours.

Jessica Ip jumped 25 places in the world rankings after ending her collegiate career at Iowa with a tie for 25th at the Big Ten Championship.

Honourable mention goes to Annie Lee, who jumped 122 spots in the world rankings after claiming medalist honours at the MAAC Championship for the second time in her collegiate career.

Biggest Move: Abbie Anghelescu of Wolfe Island, Ont., gained 444 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 17th at the C-USA Championship

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

MEN’S TOP 10

David Hearn climbed 34 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 16th at the PGA’s Valero Texas Open. The result was worth 3.30 world ranking points, his first points-paying finish of the year and his first world ranking points since November 2017. The result also ended a 15 week slide in the world rankings for the once former top ranked Canadian.

Former Golf Canada Young Pro team member Corey Conners picked up 17 places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 26th at the PGA Valero Texas Open. The result was worth 1.96 world ranking points, his third points-paying finish in the last five tournaments he’s played.

Austin Connelly gained four places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 13th at the Trophee Hassan II. It’s his best finish this season on the European Tour and the result was worth 2.24 world ranking points, his first points-paying result of the season. It also helped him reclaim the No. 5 ranking in Canada from Benjamin Silverman.

Four weeks after slipping out of the Top 10, Richard T. Lee returns to take over the No. 10 ranking in Canada.

Outside the Top 10, Beon Yeong Lee jumped 576 spots to debut at No. 20 ranking in Canada after finishing in a tie for fifth at the China Tour’s Colorful Yunnan Classic.

Other notable results: No. 3 Mackenzie Hughes and No. 4 Nick Taylor both missed the cut at PGA Valero Texas Open; No. 6 Benjamin Silverman finished tied for 45th at PGA Valero Texas Open; No. 7 Adam Svensson missed the cut at Web.com Tour North Mississippi Classic;

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Top ranked Brooke Henderson slipped a spot in the world rankings down to No. 14. A week after she picked up her sixth career LPGA title, Henderson missed the cut at the LPGA’s LA Open, only the third time this year she has failed to qualify for the weekend. However, her result had less to do with falling in the world rankings and everything to do with Moriya Jutanugarn, who won the event and climbed six places in the world rankings which included moving past Henderson.

Other Notable Results: No. 2 Alena Sharp and No. 3 Maude-Aimee Leblanc missed the cut at LPGA LA Open; No. 5 Anne-Catherine Tanguay finished 70th at the LPGA LA Open;

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.

Kris Jonasson is many things. All of them good, although I can’t speak to his golf game.

Blunt is one of those admirable qualities.

When asked about the push for inclusivity in golf, he summarized it thusly:

“Golf has bucked a bad reputation forever. Some of it is justified. We need to be a game for all of the people, not just rich white men.”

Since 1996, Jonasson has run British Columbia Golf, that province’s amateur association. In 2004, he led the successful movement to meld the separate men’s and women’s amateur associations into one entity.

Men and women were one thing. But the new reality of cultural diversity is another altogether.

“A few years ago, we looked at who was playing in our provincial competitions. There were Asians, South Asians, Aboriginals, athletes from all different backgrounds,” Jonasson recalled.

“And then we looked at our Board of Directors. No way did that reflect that diversity.”

After a period of adjustment, the executive of British Columbia Golf embraced that cultural diversity, most recently exemplified by the election of President Patrick Kelly, an Aboriginal. Other current Board members include a golf professional of Korean heritage and a Chinese golf facility operator.

“The continued future of the game depends on how we share it with every community,” said Jonasson.

Eventually, he hopes, “it would be great if through this outreach we see young people of all backgrounds fall in love with the game, play it forever, and maybe even make it their career, and then pass it on to the next generation.”

Echoing that reality, Leslie Dunning, named Golf Canada president last month, headed an industry-wide working group that established a ground-breaking initiative, the “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.”

Revealed in December, the preamble to the document says the association “embraces an environment where equity, diversity and inclusion are cultural norms and where all individuals, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status, or disability, are respected and valued.

“Golf Canada seeks to create welcoming environments that encourage and support engagement in the sport of golf so that Golf Canada better reflects the rich diversity of Canada in all aspects of our organization.”

The 12-person group that Dunning headed included men and women, volunteers and staff, Golf Canada and provincial association representatives, PGA of Canada professionals and golf course owners.

“The members worked in duos, each researching one of the priority groups that we wanted to learn about with regards to existing golf initiatives with women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, LGTBQ2+, golfers with a disability, socio-economic and juniors,” said Dunning.

In addition to this research, three of the group’s members, Dunning, Liz Hoffman and Sue Vail, focussed on the development of Golf Canada’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. The rigorous process involved researching what golf, sport and other organizations had in place.

Oftentimes, a policy is no more than a piece of paper, a wish list, at worst politically correct pap.

But Dunning is determined that this will be the exception.

“We’ve asked the provincial associations to adopt, adapt or develop a similar policy. We will be monitoring this in the months ahead.”

When accepting the Golf Canada presidency last month, Dunning voiced her commitment.

“There is tremendous diversity among golfers and there are numerous diverse groups that have organized themselves to play golf. We want to engage with these groups, learn what they are doing, how we might support them and what we might do together.”

“As we identify these groups, we will reach out to build relationships with them, helping us to understand their needs and interests.  It is our aim to create greater relevancy to more golfers and ensure welcoming environments for all.”

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Charles Corner made the biggest move of the week among the Top 10, climbing 51 places. After finishing with four top-10 results this season, Corner and the University of Texas El Paso are now preparing for the Conference USA Championship.

Myles Creighton made the second-biggest move of the week, picking up 23 spots to move up to No. 7 in the Canadian rankings.

No. 3 ranked Joey Savoie moved up two places after finishing in a tie for fourth at the Terra Cotta Invitational. It was the fourth top 10 result for the Golf Canada National Team member since he joined the squad in 2017. Fellow team member and top ranked Hugo Bernard finished the event in a tie for 12th.

Josh Whalen picked up another 15 spots in the world rankings. The Golf Canada National Squad member has gained 32 places over the course of the last two weeks.

Biggest move: Marc Sweeney of Saskatoon, Sask., jumped 770 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 23rd at the Roadrunner Classic while playing as an individual.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Factoring into this week’s rankings is Maddie Szeryk’s second straight collegiate title, winning the Dale McNamara Invitational to close out the Texas A & M season. It was the fourth career individual title for the Golf Canada National Team member who also picked up SEC Golfer of the Week honours for the second straight week. At No. 25 in the world rankings, Szeryk is just one place shy of equaling her all-time highest ranking as she leads the Aggies into the SEC Championship.

Brigitte Thibault not only made the biggest move of the week but her 293 spot climb in the world rankings also vaulted her into the Top 10 for the first time in her collegiate career. The Quebec golfer finished in a tie for 14th at the Dale McNamara Invitational. It was the fifth top 20 result of the season for the freshman at Fresno State, who as a 17-year-old qualified for the Canadian Open.

Golf Canada National Development Squad member Celeste Dao climbed nine places in the world rankings after leading Team Canada to top honours at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup Qualifier.

Michelle Ruiz picked up seven places after a runner-up finish at the Lady Panther Invitational. The effort earned the senior at Nova Southeastern the Sunshine State Conference Women’s Golfer of the Week honour.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

MEN’S TOP 10

Benjamin Silverman made the biggest move among the Top 10, climbing six places in the world rankings and moving past Austin Connelly and into the No. 6 ranking in Canada. The first year PGA Tour regular has earned world ranking points in two of his first nine tournaments this season.

Outside the Top 10, former Golf Canada National Team member Blair Hamilton makes his world ranking debut, climbing 511 spots to take over the No. 21 spot in Canada. Hamilton finished in a tie for sixth at the 87 Abierto OSDE del Centro event on the LatinoAmerica Tour, which was worth 1.20 world ranking points. It marked the first career world ranking points for Hamilton, who recently earned conditional status for the upcoming Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada season. 

Other notable results: No. 3 Mackenzie Hughes, No. 4 Nick Taylor, No. 8 David Hearn and No. 9 Corey Conners all missed the cut at RBC Heritage; No. 6 Austin Connelly finished tied for 63rd at European Tour Open de Espana;

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Brooke Henderson picked up her sixth career LPGA Tour victory, a four stroke win at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii. The victory saw her pick up 40.81 world ranking points, moving her up to No. 13 in the world. The soon-to-be 21-year-old is now just two wins shy of equaling Sandra Post’s total by a Canadian on Tour.

No. 2 Alena Sharp picked up two places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 44th in Hawaii, which saw her pick up 0.04 world ranking points.

No. 3 Maude-Aimee Leblanc finished tied for 50th at the LPGA event in Hawaii, picking up nine spots in the world ranking. The result saw her pick up 0.57 world ranking point.

No .4 Brittany Marchand made the biggest move among the Top 10, picking up 19 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 50th in Hawaii in her first LPGA Tour start of the season. That saw her pick up 0.81 world ranking points.

Other Notable Results: No. 5 Anne-Catherine Tanguay missed the cut at LPGA Lotte Championship;

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.

If you’re writing off the World Scientific Congress of Golf (WSCG) as a biennial conclave of pointy-headed boffins, don’t be too hasty.

While the “trickle-down theory” may be controversial in economics, it is incontrovertible when it comes to the impact of high-level research on all aspects of the sport as we now know it.

“Much of what we do as golfers, from how we swing to the equipment we use to the training and practice habits we employ and so on, has been born from great research,” says Glenn Cundari.

Cundari, the PGA of Canada’s Technical Director, is the chair of this year’s World Scientific Congress of Golf to be held July 11-13 at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, B.C. He attended his first WSCG in Australia in 2014 and two years later at St Andrews, Scotland, he got approval to bring the prestigious gathering to Canada for the first time.

The first WSGC was held at St Andrews in 1990 with the goal of bringing together “researchers, professionals and interested golfers in the areas of The Golfer, The Golf Course, and Equipment and Technology,” according to the organization’s website www.golfscience.org.

“The research, keynote and invited presentations, workshops and distinguished speakers’ forum are designed to represent innovative and diverse topics in the game of golf… Presenters come from all over the world to share their expertise and provide a platform for discussion to further our knowledge in the game of golf.”

While acknowledging that research into all aspects of golf is widespread, Cundari speaks of the WSCG as the Super Bowl of golf research. The committee reviewing prospective presenters received scores of research abstracts to winnow through. The successful applicants will be announced shortly as will the event’s agenda.

Cundari is optimistic that the result will be a tremendous learning opportunity not just for those involved in golf research but for PGA and LPGA professionals, especially those involved in teaching and coaching. “Much of the emphasis is on teaching and learning so we hope that this Congress will have a wide appeal to the overall golf community.”

For more information or to register, visit the website or contact Cundari at 705-492-2152 or email wscg2018@gmail.com.

KAPOLEI, Hawaii – For the final two days of the Lotte Championship, it was pretty clear that the only player who could beat Brooke Henderson was Brooke Henderson.

She wasn’t about to let it happen Saturday at windy Ko Olina Golf Club, where she won by four shots. The Smiths Falls, Ont., native was too talented, and she had some very important people to play for, dedicating her victory to the people involved in the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team bus crash in Saskatchewan.

“It’s extremely sad, a terrible tragedy what happened up there,” Henderson said. “I know it kind of affected my whole country. Everybody really took it kind of personally.

“For all the survivors that are still fighting through it and all the ones that have passed away, I want to show them that we’re here for them and we’re supporting them. They’re always going to be in our thoughts and prayers.”

Canadian golfers and their caddies were wearing green and gold ribbons at the tournament this week to honour the victims of the April 6 crash. Twenty-nine people were on the team bus when it collided with a semi-truck en route to a playoff game in Nipawin, Sask. Sixteen of them have died and 13 were injured.

A champion in every way ??

Post-round interview with @BrookeHenderson: pic.twitter.com/TOL15gY5og

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) April 15, 2018

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp, who finished in a tie for 44th place at 4 over, had posted a picture on Twitter of one of the ribbons pinned to the side of her hat on Tuesday.

Henderson, who won’t be 21 until September, won her sixth LPGA Tour title, leaving her just two short of Sandra Post for most wins by a Canadian player.

She collected $300,000, giving her nearly $500,000 this year and $4 million in her three-year career. Her final-round 3-under 69 left her at 12 under, four ahead of Azahara Munoz, whose 67 was the low round on a very difficult scoring day. With the win, Henderson jumps to No. 2 on the Race to the CME Globe.

It was Munoz’s best finish in more than four years. Henderson and sixth-ranked Ariya Jutanugarn (69) were the only other golfers to break 70 on a day that featured rain squalls and winds gusting to 30 mph.

“Crazy windy again” said Henderson, who was third in greens in regulation (52 of 72) and sixth in driving distance (288.8) for the week. “Just being able to adjust to it, kind of stay poised in it. Things aren’t going to always go perfectly, but I felt like my ball striking was probably the best it’s ever been.”

6 wins on the @lpga_tour ????

A post shared by Golf Canada (@thegolfcanada) on Apr 14, 2018 at 8:32pm PDT

Jutanugarn tied for third, five back, with top-ranked Shanshan Feng (71) and third-ranked Inbee Park (72), who bogeyed the last two holes.

Henderson came into the week ranked 14th and in a comfort zone. She has never finished worse than 11th at Ko Olina.

At the halfway point, she was 10 under, bogey-free and two shots ahead. That stretched to five at the turn Friday, before putting problems brought the field back into it.

Henderson led by just one heading into the final day. She played the first 11 holes Saturday in 2 under to carve out a three-shot advantage, then faltered again. Her only bogey came on the 12th and she missed a short birdie putt at the next hole.

This time she recovered quickly, hitting driver-driver within 20 yards of the 14th green, then sinking a short birdie putt. She drained a 10-footer for another birdie one the 16th, where she four-putted Friday.

“Mentally I was in a great spot this week,” Henderson said. “I missed a couple putts, which you could argue that mentally I wasn’t there because of a couple mishits, but I think to recover from that and kind of put it in the past and then go out and make some more birdies. And, being the leader since early Thursday, that does add a little of pressure.”

Munoz and Jutanugarn put together the only serious charges of the final round. Both came up a few holes short.

Munoz, who has struggled with illness injury the past few years, climbed 13 places the final day. She was two shots back after her fifth birdie of the day, at the 14th, but parred in.

Jutanugarn, from Thailand, secured her fifth Top 10 this year but couldn’t get the eighth victory of her career. At the turn, the 2016 Player of the Year was 3 under and three back. She parred her final 11 holes.

Hawaii’s Michelle Wie tied for 11th after shooting 71.

Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., finished at 4 over par in a tie for 44th. Fellow Canadians Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.) and Maude-Aimée LeBlanc (Sherbrooke, Que.) closed with shares of 50th.

In the past few months, if you’ve played golf in Canada and you’ve been entering your scores into the Golf Canada Handicap System, those scores have probably not counted towards your Golf Canada Handicap Factor.

In Canada, each province has an “active season” in which players should register their golf scores to establish a legitimate Golf Canada Handicap Factor.  Through the Golf Canada Score Center, players are able to post rounds played at golf clubs during an inactive season, and are encouraged to do so, but keep in mind that those scores will not count towards their handicap factor.

Over the years, provincial golf associations have factored in numerous parameters to determine their active seasons; this helps to ensure that the majority of posted scores are consistent to establish accuracy and fairness. co With that in mind, Golf NB, in conjunction with Golf Canada, has established the active golf season for New Brunswick as May 1^st through October 31^st on an annual basis.

That being said, it is important to remember that scores from any golf course in areas that are observing an active season must be posted for handicap purposes; even if it is the inactive season here in New Brunswick.  If you are one of the thousands of New Brunswickers who has made their annual pilgrimage to the Southern United States, you will still need to report your scores to your Canadian golf club – even if it is currently buried under a foot of snow.

While your club’s Handicap Committee must make it possible for players to post their away scores at the beginning of the active season. Golf NB & Golf Canada are happy to help, allowing players to post scores through golfcanada.ca, golfnb.ca or through Golf Canada’s mobile app, available here.

When travelling to other countries, be aware of their active seasons to makes sure that you report all acceptable scores. Your home club needs all acceptable scores to ensure your handicap factor is up-to-date and accurate when it is recalculated at the beginning of the upcoming season.

A detailed list of active and inactive seasons in the United States can be found here.

For additional information on handicapping, click here.

Golf NB is pleased to announce its 2018 championship schedule which includes a balance of both individual stroke play events and team events to be hosted at some of New Brunswick’s top championship golf courses.

The 2018 schedule is headlined by Golf NB’s premier amateur championships— the NB Pee Wee (July 3^rd & 4^th only) & NB Junior Championships from July 3^rd to 5^th, both at the Hampton Golf Club, the NB Ladies Provincial Championships from July 8^th to 10^th at the Miramichi Golf & Country Club, the RBC Dominion Securities NB Men’s Amateur Championship at The Riverside Country Club from July 12^th to 15^th and the NB Senior & Mid-Master Championships which will be held at the Royal Oaks Golf Club from July 23^rd to 25^th.

The 2018 competition calendar also includes a selection of team events for all ages and skill levels.  The 2018 NB Men’s Four Ball (with both Amateur & Senior Divisions) has seen its competition dates changed from its recent Father’s Day weekend slot to the final weekend in May, May 26^th & 27^th, at the Sussex Golf & Curling Club.  The Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club will once again be hosting the NB Ladies Four Ball on Sunday June 10^th in conjunction with their Ladies Scramble that will take place on Saturday the 9^th, while The Riverside Country Club will again play host to the NB Family Classic & Adult/Junior, and “Jim Connolly” Little Swingers (for children 10 years of age and under and an adult partner), event on August 13^th.

Participants will see some exciting new additions to some of Golf NB’s team events in 2018.  Golf NB is pleased to over the addition of a “Skins Game” at the NB Men’s Four Ball and “Closest to the Pin” competitions at the Men’s Four Ball, Ladies Four Ball, Family Classic and “Jim Connolly” Little Swingers.  “We hope that the addition of both the Skins Game and Closest to the Hole competitions will help the add additional enjoyment and excitement for competitors to these fun and friendly competitions, and we are so appreciative to our sponsor, MCT Insurance, for helping to make our new Closest to the Hole program possible”, said Golf NB President, Mike Hughes of The Riverside Country Club.

The tradition of giving back will continue in 2018 as the Ladies of the Petitcodiac Valley Golf & Country Club will host the 2018 ServiceMaster NB Golf Fore The Cure event on Wednesday August 15^th.  Entering its 15^th year, the ServiceMaster NB Golf Fore the Cure has raised over $560,000 for Breast Cancer research in the province of New Brunswick.  With a committed group of volunteers at the helm, the 2018 ServiceMaster NB Golf Fore The Cure is bound to be the biggest and best event yet.

Rounding out the 2018 event schedule are Golf NB’s two year end match play events.  The final matches for the year-long play downs in the Past Presidents’ Cup Inter-Club Challenge will be held on September 15^th & 16^th at the St. Stephen Golf Course while playing captains Paula Napke-Flanagan & Wilfred Pilgrim from the North will look to regain the Estabrooks Cup from Louis Boudreau & his yet to be named co-captain’s Southern team at the Pine Needles Golf & Country Club, on September 22^nd & 23^rd, in Golf NB’s year end Ryder Cup style wrap up to the various season long Player of the Year Challenges.

As the Provincial Sport Organization for golf in New Brunswick, Golf NB conducts the country’s provinces amateur golf championships as part of its mandate to promote the sport of golf in the province and to provide deserving participants with the opportunity to represent themselves, their families, their clubs and their province at one of Golf Canada’s many National Championships.

In addition the variety of Provincial Championships up for grabs, the 2018 Golf NB Provincial Championships will offer the opportunity for up to 50 of New Brunswick’s top amateur golfers to earn their way into one of Golf Canada’s many regional or National Championships.  With 21 positions on one of Golf NB’s seven provincial teams and 29 additional individual exemptions the potential for New Brunswick content at the National level is abundant.

“Competing in a national championship is an incredible accomplishment for each of the more than 3,000 talented Canadian and international golfers who take part in our competitions,” said Golf Canada’s CEO, Laurence Applebaum. “The depth of talent, engagement among thousands of volunteers, the quality of our host venues and the committed support of corporate partners who have aligned their respected brands with our properties have been core to our competitions for more than a century. We are excited to welcome the next wave of Canadian golf champions.” (as quoted in the article “Golf Canada releases 2018 championship schedule” from golfcanada.ca on April 9, 2018 – click here for full article)

Golf NB’s championship season kicks off on May 26^th & 27^th with the NB Men’s Four Ball and concludes the weekend of September 22^nd & 23^rd with the 21^st playing of the Estabrooks Cup.

“We are once again very proud to be working with many of New Brunswick’s top golf courses,” said Tyson Flinn, Executive Director of Golf NB. “Our 2018 venues are set to showcase the very best that amateur golf in New Brunswick has to offer and we couldn’t be more appreciative to our host clubs for their support.”

TO VIEW GOLF NB’s 2018 CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE INCLUDING ALL HOST VENUES and REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS PLEASE CLICK HERE.

If you’re a golfer who has been in the business world for any length of time, then the gist of this blog will be much like, as the old saying goes, preaching to the choir.

You understand the inestimable value of being able to spend a few relatively uninterrupted hours in a scenic setting with valued clients, co-workers or colleagues. For the most part, it’s less about golf than it is about building relationships.

But if you’re new to golf or the business world or both, then it’s well worth your time to read on.

Yes, golf is a sport but it can be as valuable a business tool as your smartphone. Perhaps more so, as it presents the opportunity to foster a personal bond as opposed to a virtual one.

Although it may seem more intimidating than your phone, golf comes with an owner’s manual, too. You just have to know how to find it. Consider this your “Quick Start Guide.”

First, get over the misconception that you have to be a good golfer. Everyone was a beginner at some point. Ask a golfing friend about where to take lessons or contact a local course. After just a few lessons, you’ll be good to go.

You don’t even have to buy your own clubs initially as just about every course has rental sets available. You might want to buy a decent pair of golf shoes and some balls, though. These are questions you can ask the PGA of Canada professional from whom you are taking lessons.

(Before we go any further, let’s be clear that this is intended for both men and women. If you’re a woman and remain unconvinced, then check out Leslie Andrews’ book, Even Par: How Golf Helps Women Gain the Upper Hand in Business or On Course for Business: Women and Golf by Suzanne Woo. There are many women-only golf clinics as well, so check with your local golf clubs or search them out online.)

There is no other activity like golf where you can connect socially to such an extent. This relates not only to the golf you may play with business associates but also to the relationships you will build when you play golf recreationally. If you join a club, you will meet lots of fellow members, some of whom may represent business opportunities.

There’s more to golf than swinging a club. If you’re going to golf for business as well as recreational purposes, you should know the basic lingo, rules and etiquette—Golf Canada’s easy guide is a great start. Another of the best and most reliable online sources for this essential information has been created by Brent Kelley at www.thoughtco.com.

That about wraps up your Quick Start Guide. Follow these few simple steps and, come next spring, you won’t shy away from playing in the company tournament or entertaining clients on the golf course. Who knows? You might even play for fun like the rest of us.