Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum phoned in from Augusta National on Thursday to chat all things Masters with Bob McCown from Sportsnet Prime Time.

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta National went nearly 80 years before having female members. Now the club is inviting its first female competitors.

The Augusta National Women’s Amateur begins next year, a 54-hole event for top amateurs from around the world who will become the first women to play a tournament at the home of the Masters.

Fred Ridley, who took over as club chairman in October, said the new tournament will expand Augusta National’s goal to inspire young people, following in the footprint of the Asia-Pacific Amateur, the Latin America Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt competition for children.

He said the Augusta National Women’s Amateur was for a “segment of our sport that is … vital to the future of golf.”

“We believe this event will have a long-lasting impact on the game,” Ridley said.

Women have long played at Augusta National, but it wasn’t until the fall of 2012 that the club invited its first women as members _ former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore. The latest member is former USGA president Diana Murphy.

“I’ve said many times that our country is a story of our great institutions evolving and becoming more inclusive over time,” Rice said. “This is one of the great institutions, not just American institutions but international institutions, so it’s evolved and it’s become more inclusive, and that’s very exciting.”

Ridley said the opening two rounds would be held at Champions Retreat in Augusta, with the final round moving to Augusta National on Saturday, April 9, extending the week at the Masters. The finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt would be on Sunday, followed by practice rounds for the Masters.

But the announcement caused one conflict.

The first LPGA Tour major of the year, the ANA Inspiration, typically is the week before the Masters in Rancho Mirage, California. The tournament invites leading amateurs, meaning they would have to choose between playing with the best on the LPGA Tour or a tournament with a final round at Augusta National.

“We have no intentions of competing or taking away from the ANA Inspiration,” Ridley said. “We think that to have one week where the future greats of the game and the current greats of the women’s game are all competing on a big stage, it’s just very exciting.”

He said he has spoken to LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan, and that Whan “understands our motivations for doing this.”

Whan was on site at Augusta National, where cellphones are prohibited, and unable to respond to a request for comment. But the LPGA issued statement.

“We have a real opportunity currently to make the weekend prior to the Masters a celebration of women’s golf unlike anything we have experienced previously,” the LPGA said. “While this announcement may create some initial challenges for our first major, navigating multiple opportunities for women’s golf is a good problem to have.”

The 72-player field will be determined by winners of recognized amateur events around the world and by the women’s world amateur ranking. There will be a 36-hole cut to the low 30 scores before moving over to Augusta National.

Ridley said tickets would be sold by lottery, which is sure to attract by some margin the largest crowd for an amateur event simply for the opportunity to walk the grounds of Augusta National in the spring.

The winner will get a five-year exemption to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, provided she remains an amateur.

But she won’t get a green jacket.

“The green jacket certainly is an iconic part of the Masters,” Ridley said. “We plan to have a very distinctive award for the winner of this event, and we think in time that will become iconic. I can assure you it will be very, very nice.”

Annika Sorenstam was among those in the audience when Ridley announced the new tournament.

“Look at the big picture,” Sorenstam said. “Little girls knowing they have a chance to play on the biggest stage? That would send me to the range.”

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Golf Canada National Team member Joey Savoie was the only player in the Top 10 to maintain his ranking over the course of the last week.

Myles Creighton slipped two places in the world rankings despite posting his eighth straight top 10 finish in spring tournaments, finishing tied for ninth at the Kingsmill Intercollegiate.

No. 9 Lawren Rowe finished in a tie for fourth at the Desert Intercollegiate, finishing behind a trio of teammates as the University of Victoria dominated the event. It was his fifth top five finish in seven tournaments this season.

Some changs outside the Top 10. Jeevan Sihota making one of the biggest moves, climbing 188 spots after finishing in a tie for eighth at the AJGA Bishops Gate Golf Academy Boys Junior Championship to make his top 20 debut, settling in at No. 19 in the Canadian rankings.

Tony Gil moves up 38 spots to take over the No. 20 spot in the rankings.

Biggest move: Angelo Giantsopoulos of Richmond Hill, Ont. gained 438 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 51st at the Kingsmill Intercollegiate.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Top ranked Maddie Szeryk maintained her No. 28 world ranking in what was a relatively quiet week, results-wise for the Top 10. Szeryk picked up her third collegiate win earlier this week, a result that won’t be factored into the rankings until next week.

Fellow Golf Canada National Team members Naomi Ko and Grace St-Germain were among the five players who made positive gains this past week with Ko and St-Germain each picking up four places in the world rankings.

Valerie Tanguay made the biggest gain, climbing five places in the world ranking following her tie for fourth last week at the Clemson Invitational.

Outside the Top 10, Ellie Szeryk, sister to top ranked Canadian Maddie Szeryk, moves up to take over the No. 20 ranking in Canada.

Biggest Move: Mackenzie Butzer of Chatham, Ont. gained 300 places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for eighth at The Babs Steffens Invitational, her fourth top 10 result of the season.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

MEN’S TOP 10

Corey Conners climbed three places in the world rankings despite missing the cut at the PGA’s Houston Open. The former Golf Canada National Team member was the only Top 10 player to make a positive move in the weekly rankings. So far this year, Conners has gained 201 places in the rankings.

Top ranked Adam Hadwin heads into the first major of the year, the Masters, as the No. 43rd ranked player in the world. He’ll be looking to improve upon his finish from a year ago, when he ended up tied for 36th in his inaugural visit to Augusta National Golf Course.

Mike Weir, who has worked his way back up to the No. 19 ranked pro in Canada, is the only other Canadian at the Masters, celebrating the 15th anniversary of his 2003 championship.

Other notable results: No. 3 Mackenzie Hughes and No. 4 Nick Taylor both missed the cut at PGA Houston Open; No. 6 Benjamin Silverman finished tied for 80th at PGA Houston Open; No. 7 Adam Svensson missed the cut at the Web.com Tour Savannah Golf Championship; No. 10 Roger Sloan finished tied for 33rd at the Web.com Tour Savannah Golf Championship;

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Alena Sharp gained two spots in the rankings after finishing in a tie for 37th at the ANA Inspiration – the first major of LPGA season. The result was worth 2.52 world ranking points and it was her best result of the season since the season opening event in the Bahamas back in January.

Other Notable Results: No. 1 Brooke Henderson finished tied for 48th at LPGA ANA Inspiration

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — A look at some of the anniversaries this year at the Masters:

75 years ago (1943)

Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts decided after the 1942 Masters to stop the tournament for the rest of World War II. According to the Augusta Chronicle, the club’s greenskeeper raised turkey and cattle on the grounds while the club was closed. Roberts said in his autobiography that the cattle destroyed several azalea and camellia bushes and ate the bark of several young trees. There were plenty of WWII connections to the Masters. Jones was commissioned as a captain in the Army Air Corps, and his unit landed at Normandy a day after the D-Day invasion. Leading the Normandy invasion was Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who later became a member at Augusta National during his two terms as U.S. president.

50 years ago (1968)

The 1968 Masters is best remembered for five words: “What a stupid I am.” Roberto de Vicenzo birdied the 17th hole in the final round to take a one-shot lead over Bob Goalby, only to bogey the last hole. The Argentine was so angry at his bogey that he didn’t properly check his card, which was kept by Tommy Aaron, and he signed for a 4 on the 17th instead of a 3. Under the rules, he had to accept the higher score, giving him a 66 instead of a 65. And instead of an 18-hole playoff the next day, Goalby was the winner by one shot. Goalby closed with a 66 to finish at 11-under 277. De Vicenzo had won the British Open a year earlier, but this scorecard blunder remained his most famous moment until his death last year.

25 years ago (1993)

Bernhard Langer won the 1993 Masters for his second green jacket, closing with a 2-under 70 for a four-shot victory over Chip Beck. His first Masters victory in 1985 was remembered for Curtis Strange twice going for the green when he had the lead and finding water. The 1993 Masters featured Beck choosing to lay up when he was trailing. Langer had a three-shot lead when Beck laid up on the par-5 15th from 236 yards away. He made par, while Langer followed with a birdie to stretch the lead. There was one other similarity to Langer’s victories. He was harshly criticized in 1985 for saying “Jesus Christ” in the Butler Cabin interview while expressing surprise at Strange’s lead. The controversy led to Langer becoming a Christian, and when he won in 1993, he said it again because it was Easter. “I sometimes joke that I’m the only one to mention ‘Jesus Christ’ in Butler Cabin twice,” he said.

20 years ago (1998)

Mark O’Meara became the first player since Arnold Palmer in 1960 to birdie the last two holes for a one-shot victory in the 1998 Masters, which also was the last year the Augusta National gallery witnessed a Jack Nicklaus charge. O’Meara holed a 20-foot birdie putt on the last hole for a 67 to beat Fred Couples and David Duval, and at 41 he became the oldest first-time winner of the Masters. Couples had a wild back nine with a double bogey on No. 13 and an eagle on the 15th. Duval missed birdie chances on the 17th and 18th for a 67. He was in Jones Cabin watching O’Meara when Augusta National chairman Jack Stephens told him: “Don’t worry, David. Nobody ever makes that putt.” O’Meara made the putt. Nicklaus, 58, birdied four of his first seven holes and pulled within three shots of the lead, causing so many roars that even Tiger Woods in the group ahead backed off putts. But he had to settle for a 68 and tied for sixth.

15 years ago (2003)

“The Green Jacket is going north of the border!”

Mike Weir of Sarnia, Ont., captivated an entire country, becoming the first Canadian and left-handed golfer to win The Masters tournament. The Canadian Golf Hall-of-Famer missed the cut a week prior to The Masters, which eventually helped him get back to his fundamentals.. Playing over a condensed three days due to rain, Weir leaned on his accuracy and short game to put himself in position to win. Weir forced a playoff with Len Mattiace, a then two-time TOUR winner, back at the 10th hole. With Mattiace struggling, Weir had a safe two putts to win, becoming the 2003 Masters champion.

Weir captured the ’03 CareerBuilder Challenge as part of a three-win season — including the Masters — en route to being named the Lou Marsh Award winner as Canada’s athlete of the year. He’s the last golfer to win the honour.

10 years ago (2008)

Four months after Trevor Immelman had a tumor removed from his diaphragm, the South African won the 2008 Masters by three shots over Tiger Woods. And it wasn’t even that close. Immelman had a five-shot lead with three holes to play until hitting into the water for double bogey at No. 16. He closed with a 75 and joined Arnold Palmer in the record book with the highest closing round by a Masters champion. Only four players broke par in the final round. For Woods, it was his second straight year finishing as the runner-up at Augusta National in his bid for a fifth green jacket. Among those who had a chance were Brandt Snedeker, who briefly tied for the lead with an eagle on No. 2, and Steve Flesch, whose hopes ended with a tee shot into Rae’s Creek at No. 12.

5 years ago (2013)

Adam Scott won the 2013 Masters in a playoff over Angel Cabrera, and Australia had a Masters champion after more than a half-century of trying. Scott thought he had it won with a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, only for Cabrera to stuff his shot into 3 feet for birdie as Scott was signing his card. They both made par on the first extra hole, and Scott ended it with a 12-foot birdie putt at No. 10 on the second playoff hole. Greg Norman, who knew nothing but hard luck at Augusta National, was watching from Florida and said when it was over, “I’m over the moon.” It was a wild week for Tiger Woods, who was on the verge of taking the lead on Friday when his wedge into the 15th hole hit the pin and went back into the water. Woods took his penalty drop in the wrong place, which was pointed out by a rules expert watching on TV. The rules committee at the Masters failed to act on the information, and when it was clear a penalty was involved, the committee gave Woods a two-shot penalty and allowed him to stay in the tournament despite having signed for an incorrect score. Woods finished four shots behind.

With a whirlwind year behind him, Adam Hadwin feels better positioned to take a second shot at the Masters.

The 30-year-old from Abbotsford, B.C., made his first appearance at Augsta National last year fresh off his first PGA Tour victory in early March – and just before a flurry of events in his personal life that included his wedding.

He ended up finishing tied for 36th, but he believes a more low-key schedule in advance of this week’s tournament will help him to put in a bigger performance.

“The year has flown by,” he said over the phone prior to travelling to Augusta, Ga. “Things have settled down since last March. We’re taking it a bit easier with not as many things going on off the golf course. Things are easier to control and handle but life’s good.”

Thanks to three top-10 finishes, Hadwin has already earned more than US$1.1 million this season. His best result was a tie for third at the CareerBuilder Challenge in January. Hadwin also finished in the Top 30 of the FedEx Cup standings last season.

Although Hadwin didn’t fly to Georgia for a practice round before this week, he said he is playing better overall than at the same point last year and this should help at Augusta National, where golfers need to have all facets of their game in top form.

“You need to hit some good shots, you need to get up and down and you probably need to make some tough five- or 10-foot putts to keep rounds going,” he said. “It’s definitely a plus going in (to the Masters) playing a little better.”

A year ago, he recognized he was struggling with his iron game, but he has tightened that up this year.

“Consistent ball-striking has taken the pressure off some other areas in my game,” he said. “It’s allowed me to stay patient and if I don’t make a few putts here and there, I’ll just keep hitting it well and giving myself chances.”

Mike Weir, who is celebrating the 15th anniversary of his 2003 Masters victory this year, makes up the other half of this week’s Canadian contingent.

Hadwin said he and Weir will play an 18-hole practice round together and will be paired in the Par-3 Contest. The 30-year-old plans to lean on his veteran compatriot for expertise around the Augusta National’s greens, which are notorious for being some of the most difficult on Tour.

Weir, from Bright’s Grove, Ont., was an assistant captain at last September’s Presidents Cup, where Hadwin was a member of the International team. Weir told The Canadian Press in January that he was impressed with Hadwin’s attention to detail, work ethic and “inner fire.”

“He wants to be great,” said Weir at the time.

Ultimately, Hadwin is looking forward to continuing his run of good play and to follow in Weir’s footsteps by becoming the second Canadian to capture an elusive green jacket.

“(My) game is in a really good spot right now,” he said. “I feel like I’m a better player this year than last year, and certainly there are no personal distractions this year heading in. I’ll be more rested and ready to play.”

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The mantra of practice makes perfect was the storyline for Toronto’s Vanessa Borovilos on Sunday at the Drive, Chip & Putt finals at Augusta National.

Borovilos, playing in her third championship, won the Girls 10-11 age division by the slightest of margins with a one-point victory in the 10-player field.

“You have to practice a lot to win or to do well here,” said Borovilos in a greenside interview with Golf Channel.

Practice makes perfect – what a champion! RT to congratulate Vanessa ???pic.twitter.com/AkYXIdgThq

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) April 1, 2018

Borovilos finished 5th in 2016 and 4th in 2015. She plays out of Credit Valley Golf & Country Club and credits Brooke Henderson and Jordan Spieth as her favourite athletes.

With the win, Borovilos becomes the second Canadian to win a division at the Drive Chip & Putt finals—Savannah Grewal captured the 2017 Girls 14-15 division.

Local qualifying began in May, June and July, held at more than 260 sites throughout the United States. The top-three scorers per venue, in each of the four age categories in separate boys and girls divisions, advanced to 50 subregional qualifiers in July and August. Two juniors in each age and gender division then competed at the regional level in September and October, held at some of the top courses in the country, including several U.S. Open and PGA Championship venues.

The top finisher from each regional site’s age/gender divisions – a total of 80 finalists – earned a place in the National Finals.

The Canadian equivalent—Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event— will be contested on July 21 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. Borovilos finished 2nd in the 2017 Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

Learn more here.

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada has unveiled its new Junior Ticket designs for the RBC Canadian Open taking place July 23-29 at Glen Abbey Golf Club and the CP Women’s Open taking place August 20-26 at Wascana Country Club in Regina.

The designs were selected from entries received from local elementary school classes in Oakville and across Saskatchewan who signed on to participate in the second annual Junior Ticket Design Contests for each event.

When the pencil crayons were put away, Sarah Suozzi, a grade 6 student from St. Luke Catholic Elementary School in Oakville, will have her design dawn the Junior Tickets for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open. Austin Marshall, a grade 5 student from Tompkins School in Tompkins, Sask., will have his drawing featured on the 2018 CP Women’s Open Junior Tickets.

Suozzi will win a pizza party for her class and a Golf in Schools kit, as well as RBC Canadian Open tickets for her family. Marshall’s class will receive a pizza party, while he wins a life size ticket and tickets for his family to attend the CP Women’s Open.

“I’d like to thank and congratulate all students who took part in our Junior Ticket design contests,” said Bill Paul, Chief Championships Officer for Golf Canada. “We were ecstatic with the creativity and quality of all entries we received.”

Let’s hear it for our #RBCCO & #CPWO Junior Ticket design winners – congrats Sarah and Austin! ?⛳️

Read ➡️ https://t.co/XzUFkyfmUE pic.twitter.com/vsSZJFOR9P

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) March 29, 2018

The winning illustrations were selected out of more than 100 entries received. Ten finalists were identified by the tournament’s marketing team and then Golf Canada staff voted the winners. The final 10 selections were also shared via Twitter and Instagram.

The contest reinforced Golf Canada’s commitment to conducting events for fans of all ages.

“Family and junior engagement is very important to golf in Canada as well as our championships,” Paul added. “We’re proud to be considered among the most fan-friendly events on both the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour. We pride ourselves on making sure the entire family can enjoy themselves onsite. It’s about bringing everyone together to celebrate community and Canadian golf.”

Last year, nearly 20,000 free RBC Canadian Open and 7,500 CP Women’s Open Junior Tickets were printed and distributed. Free Junior Tickets were also available online for download and printing.

Complimentary Junior Tickets, applicable to kids 17-and-under, are ideal giveaways for sports teams, schools, golf tournaments and summer camps.

Free RBC Canadian Open Junior Tickets are available for download by clicking here, while CP Women’s Open Free Junior Tickets can be downloaded here. They can also be ordered through Golf Canada’s sales department at 1-855-985-5000.

Information regarding tickets, volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open or CP Women’s Open can be found at www.cpwomensopen.com or www.rbccanadianopen.com.

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Solid performances turned in by all four members of Golf Canada’s National Squad this past week.

Top ranked Hugo Bernard continued to improve upon his career-best world rankings, climbing eight more places to No. 51 as he finished runner-up at the Azalea Invitational, eventually losing in a three-man playoff.

Joey Savoie finished fifth at the same tournament, which helped him climb 12 places in the world rankings while No. 5 Josh Whalen ended up in a tie for 11th, which was good for a five place gain in the world rankings.

Chris Crisologo picked up five places in the world rankings after finishing seventh at the CBU Lancer Men’s Golf Joust. It was the sixth consecutive top 10 result for the National Team member and the first time this season he has finished outside the top 3.

Charles Corner made the biggest gain among the Top 10, picking up 21 spots in the world rankings after finishing fourth at the UTSA/Lone Star Invitational. It was his fourth career top 10 result.

Biggest move: Carter Graf of Sylvan Lake, Alberta, gained 724 spots in the world rankings after taking medalist honours at the MJT Humber College PGM Classic.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Celeste Dao made the biggest move among the Top 10, picking up 40 places in the world rankings after finishing runner-up at the CJGA Humber College PGM Western Championship. Dao finished one stroke shy of fellow Golf Canada Development Squad member Monet Chun. The result moved Dao up two spots in Canada to No. 6.

Valerie Tanguay climbed 33 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for fourth at the Clemson Invitational. It was the second top five result of the year for the senior at Oklahoma, who finished just three strokes behind the eventual winner while playing as an individual.

Vanessa Ha gained 20 spots in the world rankings after taking medalist honours at the Sacramento State Invitational. The senior at San Francisco posted a record-breaking 54-hole performance to claim the tournament title for the second time in two years and third career collegiate win.

Top ranked Maddie Szeryk moves up two places to No. 28 in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for seventh at the Clemson Invitational. The Golf Canada National Team member has eight top 10 results in nine events and has recorded 20 rounds of par or better this year, which ranks only behind her freshman and junior seasons at Texas A&M.

Biggest Move: Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que., gained 373 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for ninth at the PING/ASU Invitational. It was the third top 10 result of the season for the freshman at Fresno State, who makes the leap into the top 20 of the Canadian rankings, settling in at No. 17

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

MEN’S TOP 10

Corey Conners jumps back into the Top 10, climbing 39 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 13th at the PGA’s Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship. It marked his carer-best finish to date on the PGA Tour and the second straight tournament in which he has gone into the final round with a shot at winning. The result was worth 2.24 world ranking points as he takes over the No. 9 ranking in Canada after being outside the Top 10 for the last eight weeks.

Adam Svensson moved up 31 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for sixth at the Web.com Tour’s Louisiana Open, his third top-10 result in his last five events. The result was worth 2.66 world ranking points.

Top ranked Adam Hadwin maintained his No. 42 world ranking after a solid showing at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play event. Hadwin picked up one win, taking down world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, and halved his two other matches to finish just a half point shy of qualifying for the knockout stage. His results earned him 4.65 world ranking points.

Other notable results: No. 8 David Hearn finished tied for 50th at PGA Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship; No. 10 Roger Sloan finished 69th at Web.com Tour’s Louisiana Open;

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Maude-Aimee Leblanc made the biggest move among the Top 10, picking up 33 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 39th at the LPGA’s Kia Classic. It’s her best result in three LPGA events this year and was worth 1.61 world ranking points.

Top ranked Brooke Henderson slipped a spot in the world rankings down to No. 14 after finishing in a tie for 22nd at the Kia Classic.

Other Notable Results: No. 2 Alena Sharp and No. 5 Anne-Catherine Tanguay missed the cut at LPGA Kia Classic;

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.

In advance of the modernization initiative to the Rules of Golf which will take effect in 2019, Golf Canada, in conjunction with the R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA), recently announced a new Local Rule effective January 1, 2018. The new Local Rule will eliminate the additional two-stroke penalty for failing to include a penalty on the score card when the player was unaware of the penalty.

In addition to this Local Rule, new protocols have been put in place to review video when applying the Rules of Golf at broadcasted events. For Golf Canada specifically, this will only impact our two professional opens and not have any impact on our amateur competitions.

For some time, it has been a point of contention with many enthusiasts of the game that viewer call-ins should not be permitted in our sport. Advances in technology and the use of high definition television and slow motion replay have added a level of complexity that has caused undesirable outcomes to many competitions in recent years.

Golf’s governing bodies felt this needed to be closely looked at and a group of experts from the PGA Tour, LPGA, PGA European Tour, Ladies European Tour and The PGA of America, as well as the governing bodies, was tasked with discussing the role video footage when applying the Rules.

As a result of these discussions over the last year, the protocol moving forward will be to assign one or more officials to monitor the video broadcast of a competition to help identify and resolve Rules issues as they arise. Committees will also discontinue any steps to facilitate or consider viewer call-ins as part of the Rules decision process.

All of the organizations represented on the working group will introduce the Local Rule for 2018, and this score card penalty will be permanently removed when the modernized Rules of Golf take effect on January 1, 2019.

As golf’s governing body, Golf Canada will be implementing this new Local Rule as part of their Standard Local Rules and Conditions of Competition for competitions in 2018.

If a committee wishes to introduce this Local Rule to modify the score card penalty, the following wording for the exception to Rule 6-6d is modified as follows:

“Exception: if a competitor returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken due to failure to include one or more penalty strokes that, before returning his score card, he did not know he had incurred, he is not disqualified. In such circumstances, the competitor incurs the penalty prescribed by the applicable rule, but there is no additional penalty for a breach of rule 6-6d. This exception does not apply when the applicable penalty is disqualification from the competition.”

Click here for more information on the Rules of Golf, or to send a rules question to our ‘Ask an Expert’ tool.

This article was originally published in the 2018 March edition of the Alberta Golfer magazine. 

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Chris Crisologo picked up two places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for third at the NDNU Argonaut Invitational. The Golf Canada National Team member has posted a top 3 finish in all five tournaments he has played in this year.

Honourable mention this week goes to Team Canada Development Squad member Christopher Vandette, who picked up 342 spots in the world rankings after finishing runner-up at the 2018 Hawaii State Amateur.

Biggest move: Daniel Racioppa from Mount Albert, Ont., gained 459 spots in the world rankings after finishing third at the PVAMU Invitational. It was his fourth top 3 result in six events this season.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Jessica Ip made the biggest gain among the Top 10, picking up 33 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 11th at the Hawkeye-El Tigre Invitational. It was the Richmond Hill, Ontario senior’s second top 20 result of the year and enabled her to climb up to No. 6 in the Canadian rankings.

Jaclyn Lee gained 22 spots in the world rankings after a runner-up finish at the Clover Cup. It was the fourth top 10 result of the year for the Golf Canada National Team member and pushed her to a career-best No. 77 in the world rankings.

Top ranked Maddie Szeryk climbed to No. 30 in the world after finishing runner-up at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational. It was the seventh top 10 result for the Golf Canada National Team member in eight tournaments this year.

Biggest Move: Alyssa Getty from Ruthven, Ont., picked up 135 spots in the world rankings after finishing ninth at the Jackrabbit Invitational.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

MEN’S TOP 10

Austin Connelly made the biggest move among the Top 10, picking up five places in the world rankings.

Adam Svensson moves up to take over the No. 7 ranking in Canada while maintaining his world ranking at No. 368.

No. 3 Mackenzie Hughes maintained his No. 179 world ranking after finishing in a tie for 54th at the PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational. That result was worth 1.21 world ranking points and was his first points-paying finish of the year

Other notable results: No. 4 Nick Taylor missed the cut at PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational;

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Some significant jumps within the Top 10 this past week.

Brittany Marchand moved up 23 places in the world rankings after finishing third at the season opening Symetra Tour event in Florida, falling just three strokes shy of winning her second career Tour title. The result was worth 1.09 world ranking points and enabled Marchand to take over the No. 4 spot in Canada from fellow Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Anne-Catherine Tanguay.

Matching Marchand was No. 7 Samantha Richdale, who also picked up 23 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 11th at the Symetra Tour season opener. That result was worth 0.26 world ranking points for the Kelowna golfer.

Maude-Aimee Leblanc jumped 12 places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 49th at the LPGA Founders Cup. It was just her second LPGA start of the year and the result was worth 0.64 world ranking points.

Top ranked Brooke Henderson managed to maintain her No. 13 world ranking despite missing the cut at the LPGA Founders Cup, only her second missed cut of the season in five events.

Other Notable Results: No. 2 Alena Sharp and No. 5 Anne-Catherine Tanguay both missed the cut at LPGA Founders Cup; No. 6 Augusta James and No 8 Jennifer Ha both missed the cut at Symetra Tour event; No. 9 Elizabeth Tong finished tied for 54th at Symetra Tour event;

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.