VIDEO: Discussion on the state of municipal golf in Canada
th, 2020, members of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC), took part in an online discussion on the topic of Municipal Golf in Canada. This inaugural GJAC Virtual Summit is part of an ongoing series intended to help golf journalists across Canada stay connected, as well as to generate discussion and opportunities around important issues in the game. Format of these events consist of a moderated question and answer period, followed by a brief opportunity for questions from attendees. Panelists for the first summit included:
- Jeff Moore, CPGA Head Professional, Golf Operations, City of Brantford
- Ryan Logan, Director, Membership, Golf Canada
- Malcolm Bromley, Former GM, Vancouver Parks and Recreation Facilities
'We Are Golf' releases Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019)
The Canadian golf industry generated $18.2B in economic benefits across our nation in 2019, according to a recent economic analysis conducted by Group ATN Consulting Inc. on behalf of the National Allied Golf Associations (We Are Golf).
According to The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019), the Canadian golf industry employs the equivalent of nearly 249,000 people through direct and spin-off effects and contributed to $10.6B in household income. The industry also contributed $4.5B in government tax revenue ($1.8B federal and $2.1B provincial) used to support a variety of programs for all Canadians.
Based on nationwide surveys completed by golfers and golf course operators in 10 provinces and three territories along with multiple industry data sources, The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019) is a follow up to previous comprehensive and independent assessment studies (2014, 2009) of the economic impact of the golf industry in Canada. The $18.2B economic impact of golf represents a 14% increase in contribution to Canada’s GDP between 2013 and 2019.
“The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019) further reinforces the enormous financial, employment, charitable, tourism and positive environmental impact that the sport and the business of golf are affecting across Canada,” said Laurence Applebaum, Chair of We Are Golf and CEO of Golf Canada. “This third iteration of the study provides the golf industry with a powerful snapshot of the scale and magnitude that our sport has on the Canadian economy and within the communities where we live, work and play.”
The study presents economic insights for each of the 10 provinces and three territories from coast to coast. Also captured in the report are comparisons to international economic insights from select countries and regions including the United States, European Union, and Australia.
The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019) was conducted on behalf of We Are Golf by Group ATN Consulting Inc., a world leader in economic development and analysis for communities, regions, and industries. Group ATN previously conducted the 2014 and 2009 Canadian Golf Economic Impact Studies (based on 2013 and 2008 data respectively) which have allowed the Canadian golf industry to benchmark the game’s economic impact over five-year periods.
“Every industry has its own unique circumstances to allow for, and the ability to repeat the same application of our model for Canadian golf is a significant advantage,” said Tom McGuire, Principal with Group ATN Consulting. “Beyond consistency, we have also been able to further improve certain aspects based upon learnings from the prior studies we did for the National Allied Golf Associations (We Are Golf).”
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF GOLF IN CANADA (2019)
The game of golf accounts for an estimated $18.2B of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is up 14% from the $15.9B reported in 2014*. Included within the 2019 economic impact:
- The golf industry directly employed nearly 150,000 full-time, full-year equivalent positions, representing many more individuals who are employed in the sector. This number grows to approximately 249,000 when accounting for direct, indirect, and induced employment.
- The golf industry directly contributed $4.8B in household income, rising to $10.6B when considering the combined direct, indirect, and induced impacts.
- The golf industry generated $4.5B in government tax revenue; including $1.8B in federal tax revenue and $2.1B in provincial tax revenue.
- Conservatively, course operators invested $727M industry-wide on capital expenditures.
*Note that 2014 figures are adjusted by the consumer price index and reported as current dollars.
Additional Insights from The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019)
- Employment – The golf industry is a significant job provider for youth with 48% of its workforce identified as students.
- Travel – Canadians along with international visitors contributed to $8.6B in golf-related travel nationwide. Canadians made approximately 4.8M trips involving golf, including 3.0M in their home province and 1.8M outside their home province and abroad.
- Golfer Spending – golfers in Canada spent approximately $19.3B on items such as green fees, memberships, lessons, equipment, travel, hospitality, events, and other golf-related expenditures.
- Canadian Course Operators – a total of 2,283 facilities were estimated to be operating in 2019, accounting for 2,043 courses (18-hole equivalent); course operators collectively spent approximately $3.8B in course expenditures.
- Land management – Golf course operations manage between 155,000 and 175,000 hectares, including 30,000 to 35,000 hectares of wildlife and wetland area.
- Charitable Impact – The golf industry generated an estimated $330M in charitable impact through more than 51,000 tournaments and events.
- Golf Participation – Canadian golfers played an estimated 57.0M rounds in 2019.
Although released in 2020, The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019) does not factor in the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Canadian golf industry.
“Establishing a baseline for the economic impact of our sport measured against pre-2020 Covid-19 spending is an important benchmark consideration for the integrity and continuity of the study,” added Applebaum. “Based on what we learned through the 2020 season, the safety of golf through this pandemic and the potential for a lift in participation and spending on the game, we are optimistic in looking ahead.”
An executive summary along with a complete report outlining the results of The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019) is available by clicking here or by visiting any of the We Are Golf partner websites.
]]>Canada’s most haunted golf clubs
Haunted Lakes Golf Club

Glen Abbey Golf Club

Victoria Golf Club

First timers like Nick Taylor won't get the real Masters
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Nick Taylor has never been to the Masters. He already is motivated to get back. Taylor is excited to be playing Augusta National in two weeks, make no mistake about that. The 32-year-old Canadian has only watched on television, often enough to have a good idea what to expect. And that’s what tempers some of the anticipation about his Masters debut. He has seen it enough to know what he’ll be missing.
“When I won, you think of the Masters and what it’s going to be,” Taylor said. “And it’s not going to be that.”No spring colours from the dogwoods and azaleas. The Par 3 Contest has been cancelled. The patrons will be at home, the same place Taylor has been all these years. That means no roars that echo through Georgia pines, as much a part of Masters lore as the green jacket. For those who think Augusta National is the cathedral of golf, it probably will sound like one. The Masters without roars? That’s like having the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade without balloons. Taylor is among 26 newcomers to the Masters, postponed from the first full week of April to Nov. 12-15 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine of those players, such as PGA champion Collin Morikawa, already have secured spots for the next Masters, presumably in April.

“To get that invite for the Masters, that’s a tournament I’ve dreamt about playing my entire life,” Taylor said that day.Just over a month later, the pandemic shut down golf. The Masters was postponed until November. Then came the announcement in August that it would be held without fans. The anticipation is different now from what it was in February. “I was two months away from all the perks, maybe going before (the Masters) to see it,” Taylor said. “Now all the news we’ve heard about it is a downer. No fans. No Par 3. It’s hard to compare. It’s not that I’m not excited, but certain aspects make it a special week, especially having never been there before. To not have those only makes me want to go back.” Taylor is thankful to be playing again, like so many others. This is the 21st consecutive week of PGA Tour golf, with no shutdown, no slashing of prize money and no fans, no energy. For a sport that sees something new every week – Winged Foot, Shadow Creek, Port Royal this week in Bermuda – there is a sameness to each week without anyone watching. And now the Masters.

Handicapping: Active seasons
The World Handicap System stipulates every player is responsible for returning all acceptable scores into one’s scoring record from rounds played on courses observing their active season, which is part of the golf season when courses have acceptable playing conditions. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of authorized provincial golf association to declare active and inactive periods, and it is the responsibility of the area club and golfers to observe these dates for posting purposes. Each year, provincial associations analyze numerous factors to determine their active seasons. This ensures consistency of when scores would be posted by the majority of golfers to help keep Handicap Indexes accurate. Scores made at any golf course observing an inactive season are not acceptable for handicap purposes. The rationale behind this is that posting scores during inactive seasons (periods of poor course conditions) could artificially increase a player’s Handicap Index. Scores made at a golf course in an area observing an active season must be posted for handicap purposes, even if the golf club from which the player receives a Handicap Index is observing an inactive season. The club’s Handicap Committee must make it possible for a player to post these away scores at the beginning of the active season. For example, if a player belonging to a golf club in Ontario plays golf in Florida during January, any scores made in Florida are acceptable and must be returned to the player’s Ontario golf club. If the player is also a member of a golf club in Florida, scores must be posted to the player’s Florida club. In Canada, the active season in each province is as follows: BC = Mar.1 – Nov.15 AB = Mar.1 – Oct.31 SK = Apr.15 – Oct.31 MB = Apr.15 – Oct.31 ON = Apr.15 – Oct.31 QC = Apr.15 – Oct.31 NS = Apr.15 – Oct.31 NB = May.1 – Oct.31 PE = Apr.16 – Nov.14 NL = Apr.1 – Nov. 30 It’s also important to note that if you are travelling to other countries, you should determine their active seasons to prevent posting unacceptable scores. Your home club needs all acceptable scores from the “off-season” as well to ensure your Handicap Index is accurate once recalculated at the beginning of the season. For a detailed list of active and inactive schedule in the United States, click here. For more information on handicapping, click here.
To enter your scores for an official handicap, become a Golf Canada member here.
]]>Golf NB Announces 2020 Scholarship Recipients
For Immediate Release: Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB) is excited to announce its 2020 Scholarship Award Recipients. The annually awarded University Scholarships are provided to deserving members of Golf NB, to be used towards the cost of tuition at any recognized University or College. These awards include the “NBGA 50th Anniversary Scholarship” for male golfers, the “NBLGA 50th Anniversary Scholarship” for female golfers, and the “John Patrick Sears Golf Scholarship” which is open to both genders and is renewable annually. Chaired by New Brunswick Golf Associations (Golf NB) and Golf Canada (RCGA) Past President, Dr. Doug Brewer of the Fredericton Golf Club, the Golf NB Scholarship Committee evaluated applicants on three main awards criteria; Academic Performance, Competitive Golf Experience and Extracurricular Involvement & Giving Back to the Game of Golf. Typically the winners are announced at the Golf NB Annual Awards Banquet & Silent Auction, however, due to COVID-19, the 2020 Golf NB Annual Awards Banquet & Silent Auction did not take place. Golf NB looks forward to the opportunity to resume our Golf NB Annual Awards Banquet & Silent Auction in 2021 once it is safe to do so. With that, Golf NB is pleased to announce the 2020 Golf NB Scholarship Awards Recipients; NBLGA 50th Anniversary Scholarship
- Julie Gauvin Fox Creek Golf Club
- Daniel Kirby Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club and JH Sports
- Nathan Hogan Miramichi Golf & Country Club
- Mackenzie Deveau Royal Oaks Golf Club
- Benjamin MacDonald Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club
Golf Canada's juniors will put emphasis on team mentality
Jennifer Greggain was announced as the newest member of the coaching staff for Golf Canada’s junior teams last Thursday, working with head coach Robert Ratcliffe. She said that instilling a sense of camaraderie among her pupils is a priority for the 2021 squad. “When you bring this talent together and bring them to one place, this opportunity to train together and help each other get better, that’s really unique and one of the biggest opportunities for this program and our juniors,” said Greggain, who added that when she was a high-level amateur she would loved to have been around other elite golfers her age. Greggain has a wealth of experience to draw from, having played on the LPGA and Symetra Tours for 10 years before becoming a coach. “When I retired from tour, I realized pretty quickly that what I wanted to do when I grew up was to coach,” said Greggain with a laugh. Greggain was the director of instruction at Chilliwack Golf Club, the assistant coach for the University of the Fraser Valley, and led the B.C. Summer Games Squad on numerous occasions.
In January she joined the national team program as assistant coach of the women’s amateur and young pro squads with Tristan Mullally before she transitioned into her new role. Greggain will help guide mental performance, physiotherapy, biomechanics and nutrition for the Canada’s top golfers while she continues her studies at the University of British Columbia’s Master of High Performance and Technical Leadership program. The junior teams – boys and girls will train together – will be based at the national training centre at Bear Mountain Golf Resort in Victoria, which going forward will have a centralized component from March through June. Athletes will stay at the national training centre during their second semester at high school. “I really like the model of the junior program because we have this centralized component which gives you a little more consistent contact,” said Greggain.]]>First round of the @thegolfcanada Junior Selection Camp underway at Bear Mountain Resort, Victoria. ?? ? #dragons pic.twitter.com/VW46VWkGqf
— Jennifer Greggain ?? (@jengreggaingolf) October 16, 2020
Jennifer Greggain named coach of Golf Canada’s National Junior Squads
Prior to joining Golf Canada, Greggain was the director of instruction at Chilliwack Golf Club, the assistant coach for the University of the Fraser Valley, and led the B.C. Summer Games Squad on numerous occasions. Before her coaching career, she was an accomplished player for more than 10 years on the LPGA and Symetra Tours.
“Jennifer brings a strong background in competitive golf to compliment a wealth of coaching knowledge that will continue to fill the pipeline with high performance athletes,” said head coach Robert Ratcliffe.She’s both TPI and K-Vest certified and last June she enrolled in the University of British Columbia’s Master of High Performance and Technical Leadership program. Greggain is the recipient of the 2018 PGA of Canada Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year. The PGA of Canada Class ‘A’ member was also instrumental in guiding Golf Canada’s Women in Coaching program. Greggain is a mother of two and lives in B.C. with her husband.]]>
Province of New Brunswick Implements Mandatory Masks
- common areas like lobbies, elevators and hallways, and public shared spaces including those in private sector and government workspaces; and
- public transportation.
Golf New Brunswick Announces 2020 Player of the Year Champions
For Immediate Release:
Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB) is pleased to announce the 2020 Golf NB Players of the Year. The Player of the Year (POY) is a ranking system that awards points to players based on tournament results throughout the golfing year. It is designed to promote golf development through competition and celebrate the individual achievements of golfers in New Brunswick.
NB Men’s Player of the Year Alex Palmer The Riverside Country Club
2020 proved to be a successful campaign and once again a year filled with silverware for The Riverside’s Alex Palmer. An impressive stretch of play over three days at the NB Men’s Amateur Championship saw Palmer capture his second provincial amateur title. Palmer would rattle off a top 5 finish at the Mactaquac Invitational prior to securing his second victory of the year at the Fredericton Open where he would come out victorious to claim his second TaylorMade NB Men’s Player of the Year crown.
Building off of his impressive 2019 season and the Taylormade NB Men’s Player of the Year crown, Country Meadows’ Stu Musgrave participated in all five of Golf NB’s Player of the Year events and finished the season 8.0 points back of champion, Alex Palmer.
In third position is Darren Roach of The Riverside Country Club. Roach would record a second-place finish at the NB Men’s Amateur Championship to amass a season total of points 56.0. For more information on the TaylorMade NB Men’s Player of the Year Challenge – CLICK HERE
NB Ladies Player of the Year Maureen O’Donnell Fredericton Golf Club
A familiar name sits atop the 2020 Royale NB Ladies Player of the Year standings as Maureen O’Donnell of the Fredericton Golf Club compiled 106.0 points on route to her first Royale NB Ladies Player of the Year Championship. O’Donnell finished the 2020 season with two victories and 5 top-10 finishes as she competed in a full eight-event schedule, 2.5 points clear of Paula Napke-Flanagan of the Miramichi Golf & Country Club. Napke-Flanagan locked down second position thanks to her successful run of play which included, 6 top 10 finishes. In third position is Country Meadows’ Sandy Comeau. Comeau would finish with 99.5 Ladies POY points after competing in all eight events. For more information on the Royale NB Ladies Player of the Year Challenge – CLICK HERE
NB Senior Men’s Player of the Year Dan Coulombe West Hills
A top-five machine in 2020, West Hills’ Dan Coulombe would finish inside the top-five finish in each of the five MCT Insurance Senior Men’s Player of the Year events in which he competed. A second-place finish at the NB Senior Men’s Championship in July and a victory at the Fredericton Open would vault him into the lead entering the final weeks of the season. His total of 168.0 Senior Player of the Year points would see him edge out fellow clubmate, Bob Brown who recorded 154.5 points. Brown, who finished 4th at the NB Senior Men’s Championships, would also claim a victory at the Hampton Senior Invitational along with five top 5 finishes and three top 10’s to lock down the second position in the season-long series. In third position is 2019 NB Super-Senior Champion, Sonny Phillips of the Fredericton Golf Club. Phillips would secure POY Points in 11 of the season’s 16 events on his way to 153.9 points. For more information on the MCT Insurance NB Senior Men’s Player of the Year Challenge – CLICK HERE
Golf NB Junior Girl’s Player of the Year Mackenzie Deveau Royal Oaks Golf Club
Royal Oaks’ Mackenzie Deveau had a triumphant 2020 season as she successfully cruised to her first Dormie Workshop-Golf NB Junior Girls Player of the Year crown. Deveau proved to be a big game performer carding two victories at the MJT Series at Royal Oaks and the 2020 MJT Humber College PGM Atlantic Championships at Fox Harbour in addition to consecutive top-five finishes at the NB Junior Girls Championship and MJT Series at Ken Wo. A season-high 93.9 points secured a comfortable 54 point victory in the Dormie Workshop-Golf NB Junior Girls Player of the Year Challenge.
Finishing behind Deveau in the points race is clubmate, Stéphanie Roy who’s victory in the NB Junior Girls Juvenile division saw her finish the season 39.9 points.
Rounding out the top-3 in the Dormie Workshop-Golf NB Junior Girls Player of the Year Challenge would be The Riverside’s Addison McClune. An impressive run of play throughout the 2020 season would see McClune finish with 33.0 points, 6.9 points behind Roy as she recorded a victory in the 2020 NB Junior Girls Bantam Division. For more information on the Dormie Workshop-Golf NB Junior Girls Player of the Year Challenge – CLICK HERE
Golf NB Junior Boy’s Player of the Year Daniel Kirby JH Sports
For a player who has become synonymous with junior golf in New Brunswick, 2020 was no different for Daniel Kirby of JH Sports, and the Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club as the Woodstock native would go on to win his third consecutive Dormie Workshop-Golf NB Junior Player of the Year title.
Kirby would finish the 2020 Junior POY season with three victories and one top 10 finish, which included his impressive win at the 2020 NB Junior Boys Under-19 Championships at Royal Oaks. A successful 2020 campaign saw Kirby finish with 139.0 points, 27.0 points better than Felix Boucher of Fox Creek.
Boucher who has had a consistent presence on the Junior POY leaderboard over the years edged out clubmate Julien Babineau by 10.0 points to secure second place in the Dormie Workshop-Golf NB Junior Player of the Year Challenge.
For more information on the Dormie Workshopolf NB Junior Girls Player of the Year Challenge – CLICK HERE
]]>



