For Immediate Release: With the ongoing uncertainty and global concern related to COVID-19, Golf NB has continued to evaluate all aspects of its business to operate and make informed and responsible decisions within the best interests of our athletes, staff, volunteers, host clubs, partners and other stakeholders health and well-being. Further to the already announced event cancellations (CLICK HERE) and after great deliberation, the Golf NB Executive Committee announces the following changes and amendments to its 2020 Golf NB Event & Championships Schedule; Golf NB Event Confirmations – Golf NB is pleased to announce that the following Golf NB Events & Championships have been confirmed for the 2020 golf season and will be operated under a revised set of guidelines and protocols that will be announced in the coming weeks. As part of its ongoing COVID-19 response, Golf NB has cancelled the 2020 East Coast Junior Championship, NB Pee Wee (U-12) Boys & Girls Championships, NB Family Classic & Adult Junior and the Jim Connolly “Little Swingers” events.  Additionally, the NB Bantam (U-15), Juvenile (U-17) and Junior (U-19) Boys & Girls Championships and Men’s Mid-Master Championship will be contested as part of their respective 2020 NB Ladies and Men’s Amateur Championships, as outlined below;

• NB Ladies Provincial Championships – July 5 to 7, 2020 Lakeside Golf & Country Club
  • The NB Ladies Provincial Championship will consist of the following divisions resulting in the naming of the following 2020 Provincial Champions;
    • NB Bantam Girls (Under 15) Provincial Championship
    • NB Juvenile Girls (Under 17) Provincial Championship
    • NB Junior Girls (Under 19) Provincial Championship
    • NB Women’s Amateur (All ages) Provincial Championship
    • NB Women’s Mid-Amateur (25+) Provincial Championship
    • NB Women’s Senior (50+) Provincial Championship
    • NB Women’s Super-Senior (60+) Provincial Championship
    • Women’s Platinum Division (70+) NOT a Provincial Championship (Divisional Prizing Only)
  • NB Men’s Amateur Championship – July 10 to 12, 2020 Royal Oaks Golf Club
    • The NB Men’s Amateur Championship will consist of the following divisions resulting in the naming of the following 2020 Provincial Champions;
      • NB Bantam Boys (Under 15) Provincial Championship
      • NB Juvenile Boys (Under 17) Provincial Championship
      • NB Junior Boys (Under 19) Provincial Championship
      • NB Men’s Amateur (All ages) Provincial Championship
      • NB Men’s Mid-Amateur (25+) Provincial Championship
      • NB Men’s Mid-Master (40+) Provincial Championship
      • Senior Men’s Division               NOT a Provincial Championship & played from a forward tee
    • NB Senior Men’s Championship – July 20 to 22, 2020 Miramichi Golf & Country Club
      • The NB Senior Men’s Championship will consist of the following divisions resulting in the naming of the following 2020 Provincial Champions;
        • NB Senior Men’s (55+)               Provincial Championship
        • NB Senior Men’s (65+)               Provincial Championship

Golf NB Event Cancellations – With the continued closures of provincial borders, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the availability of hotels, restaurants and general food & beverage options, combined with Golf NB’s desire to limit any unnecessary exposure to COVID-19 for staff and volunteers the Golf NB Executive Committee regretfully announces the cancellation of the following 2020 Events & Championships;

• East Coast Junior Championship (Cancelled) – June 23 & 24, 2020
• NB Pee Wee Championships (Cancelled) – June 30 & July 1, 2020
• NB Junior Championship (See Amateurs) – June 30 to July 2, 2020
  • See NB Ladies Provincials & NB Men’s Amateur Championship for more information
• NB Mid-Master Championship (Men’s Amateur) – July 20 to 22, 2020
  • See NB Men’s Amateur Championship for more information
• NB Family Classic & Adult Jr. (Cancelled) – August 10, 2020
• Jim Connolly “Little Swingers” (Cancelled) – August 10, 2020
• ServiceMaster NB Golf Fore The Cure (Cancelled) – August 19-2020

Golf NB Event Restrictions and Operational Changes – In addition, the event postponements, confirmations, and cancellations noted above, Golf NB will be implementing the following event restrictions and operational changes for all 2020 events and championships; 1. Golf Only – All Golf NB events and championships will be “Golf Only”. Golf NB will not be providing any food and beverage or hosting any social functions as part of its 2020 events or championships. Additionally, any gatherings at or around the club will be subject to the respective golf course “Operational Plan” and mandated Public Health Guidelines as set forth by the Province of New Brunswick. 2. Tee Times – All Golf NB events will consist of a 1^st tee start only. “Split tees” or “Shotgun” starts will not be used at any point. 3. Maximum Field Sizes – In an effort to ensure efficient movement of participants around the property, as well as to provide the greatest opportunity to meet all required physical distancing measures, the maximum field size for the NB Ladies Provincials and NB Senior Men’s Championships will be reduced to 99 participants. The maximum field size for the NB Men’s Amateur Championship will be reduced to 144 participants. 4. Protected Field Sizes – In an effort to ensure the integrity of all field sizes and championships, Golf NB will be implementing “Protected Field Sizes” for both the 2020 NB Ladies Provincial Championships and Men’s Amateur Championships. The fields for 2020 Golf NB Events & Championships will be protected as follows 5. No Spectators or Caddies – In an effort to limit the number of individuals on, and around, the golf course at any given time, Golf NB will be implementing a strict no spectator or caddies policy for all events. Players found to have spectators following their group or choosing to use a caddie during their round will be subject to discipline under Golf NB’s Player Code of Conduct. 6. Player Residency Requirements – 2020 Golf NB events and championships will be restricted to New Brunswick residents only. Out of province participants, MAY be granted exemptions provided they have been living within the province of New Brunswick for a minimum of 14 days prior to the first round of competition (ex. Individuals who have summer properties in NB and are living in NB at the time of the championship). 7. Prize Presentation – There will be no prize presentation following the completion of the competition. Prize winners will be posted on the Golf NB Tournament Information Page and Golf NB Gift Certificate will be mailed to all winners following the completion of the event. A complete list of 2020 Golf NB Championship Guidelines will be distributed to competitors prior to each event and championships. 2020 Provincial Teams – While Golf Canada has yet to make any announcements regarding the status of its various 2020 National Championships, given the association’s uncertain financial situation due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Golf NB Executive Committee has decided that no Provincial Teams will be named for Golf Canada National Championships in 2020.  Additionally, Golf NB will provide no financial or human resources support to players choosing to attend a National Championship as an exempt player. National Championship Exemptions – Golf NB will continue to allocate available exemptions into Golf Canada events and championships, should they proceed, based on player’s result at the applicable Provincial Championships. Golf NB Event Cancellation Policy – All Event & Championship protocols, as published on March 17, 2020, will remain in effect, until further notice, for all other 2020 Golf NB Events & Championships;

• Golf NB strongly recommends that competitors enter any events scheduled in which they intend to play this season. In the event, Golf NB cancels the event or the competitor needs to withdraw, entry fees will be 100% refunded.
• Golf NB will require 25% of the maximum field as outlined in the Tournament Information Page for each event. If Golf NB cancels the event as a result of insufficient registrations, entry fees will be 100% refunded.
• Championships will be cancelled not postponed.
• A complete list of Golf NB Events and Championships is available by CLICKING HERE.

The decision to cancel competitions, implement new restrictions, and amend event operations as noted above was not taken lightly.  However, given these unprecedented times, Golf NB believes it is the best course of action. The safety and well-being of our championship competitors, tournament staff and volunteers along with your club’s members and staff are paramount to Golf NB and we feel it is incumbent upon the organization to do everything in our power to name our Provincial Champions while limiting any unnecessary exposure to COVID-19 for all involved. Golf NB shares in the disappointment of clubs, players, and volunteers and we thank the New Brunswick golf community for its patience and understanding during this extraordinary time. Please direct any questions by email to: Tyson Flinn Golf NB Executive Director tflinn@golfnb.ca Luke Lacey Golf NB Director of Promotions & Member Services llacey@golfnb.ca]]>

Golf Canada is pleased to announce the formation of the Golf Industry Advisory Council, a volunteer group comprised of experienced professionals who will bring a golf industry voice to support Golf Canada’s Board of Directors and management team.

Reporting to Golf Canada’s Board of Directors, the Golf Industry Advisory Council will be composed of eight to 13 members with backgrounds, skill sets and experiences from across the golf landscape. The Council will include course owners and operators; club general managers; golf course superintendents; PGA of Canada professionals; and executives from the golf equipment, apparel and footwear industry. “Deepening our engagement, dialogue and collaboration with course operators and the Canadian golf industry at large is core to Golf Canada’s strategic plan and the catalyst to forming the Golf Industry Advisory Council,” said Golf Canada President Charlie Beaulieu. “The expertise of the Council will be extremely impactful in providing the Board and our management team greater understanding of the priorities and critical activities of our golf industry partners with whom we share a commitment to the overall health of the sport. ” The Council Chair will be designated by Golf Canada’s Board of Directors and may serve a maximum of two one-year terms. Members of the Council will be nominated by the Officers of Golf Canada (President, 1^st Vice President, 2^nd Vice-President and Immediate Past President) along with CEO Laurence Applebaum in consult with the Chair and staff representative of the Council. Golf Canada Adjusts Composition of its Board; Welcomes Two New Directors In addition to the formation of the Golf Industry Advisory Council, Golf Canada’s Board of Directors has also adjusted the composition of the Board from a fixed number of 11 members to a more flexible model of eight to 13 members which will include the new Industry Advisory Council Chair as well as an additional Director at Large. With this adjustment, Golf Canada is pleased to welcome two experienced golf industry leaders as new Directors on the Board—Clublink Chairman and CEO Rai Sahi as well as Shawn Evans, President and CEO of Golf North Properties. Between Clublink and Golf North, Sahi and Evans collectively represent 85 of Golf Canada’s member clubs. Sahi and Evans join the Board of Golf Canada which includes Charlie Beaulieu of Lorraine, Que. (President); Liz Hoffman of Thornhill, Ont. (1^st Vice-President); Dale Jackson of Victoria (2nd Vice-President; Rob MacDonald of Winnipeg; Susan MacKinnon of Calgary; David McCarthy of Toronto; Adam Daifallah of Montreal; Jean Stone-Seguin of Ottawa; Patrick Kelly of Vancouver; Paul Beaudry of Calgary; and Alison Chisholm of Miramichi, N.B.]]>

Golf Canada is the Authorized National body that is responsible for implementing and administering the Rules of Handicapping in Canada in co-operation with the provincial golf associations. The purpose of the World Handicap System (WHS) is to make the game of golf more enjoyable for golfers by providing a consistent means of measuring one’s performance and progress and to enable golfers of differing abilities to compete or play a casual round, with anyone else on a fair and equal basis.  With the return to golf, it is important that our golfers understand the WHS changes.  To help with that, we have created an online presentation that highlights the major changes to the Rules of Handicapping. By comparing the Rules of Handicapping to the previous system, and providing explanations as to the reasons for the change, our golfers will have a better understanding and be able to feel confident as they continue to post scores. The videos can be accessed in both English and French. MORE: http://www.golfcanada.ca/handicapping]]>

golf to TV, this exhibition was as entertaining as the real thing. Woods lagged a long birdie putt close enough that his partner, Peyton Manning, didn’t have to putt. That secured a 1-up victory over Mickelson and Brady in “The Match: Champions for Charity.” The goal was to raise $10 million or more for COVID-19 relief funds, and online donations sent money climbing toward about twice that much. This made-for-TV exhibition would have been worth pay-per-view, the model Woods and Mickelson used for a $9 million winner-take-all match in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving weekend in 2018 that Mickelson won in a playoff under lights. It felt forced, lacked banter and turned out to free because of technical issues. Throw in two NFL greats in Brady and Manning, and this allowed viewers to ride along for 18 holes at Medalist Golf Club among four of the biggest stars in sports. Justin Thomas pitched in as an on-course reporter, bringing a mixture of humour and insight with the right amount of words. Woods and Manning took the lead on the third hole and never trailed, building a 3-up lead in fourballs on the front nine, with Manning making two birdies (one was a net par). Brady, whose six Super Bowl titles are more than any NFL quarterback in history, took a beating on social media and in the broadcast booth from Charles Barkley, who twice offered $50,000 of his own money toward charity if Brady just hit the green on a par 3. He missed so far right it would be comparable to a pass that landed three rows into the stands. New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton weighed in on Twitter, noting Brady signing as a free agent with Tampa Bay by saying he liked the “Florida” Brady much better. Brooks Koepka offered $100,000 if Brady could just make a par. https://twitter.com/BKoepka/status/1264663710867623936 One shot shut everyone up. Never mind that Brady had to take a penalty drop before getting back to the fairway on the par-5 seventh. With his fourth shot, with Barkley needling him relentlessly, Brady’s shot landed beyond the pin and spun back into the cup.

“Shut your mouth, Chuck,” said Brady, whose microphone piece dangled off the back of his pants.

Woods still thought he won the hole with a 25-foot eagle putt that instead spun hard off the back of the lip. All that, and they ended up halving the hole.

Never doubt @TomBrady.

Charles Barkley learned the hard way … pic.twitter.com/muZ0xkt5xJ — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 24, 2020

Donations for COVID-19 relief funds kept piling up, and the entertainment didn’t stop even as the rain returned. It caused a 45-minute delay at the start, and as Woods said on the practice range, “I don’t normally play in conditions like this.” Mickelson brought out his “Tiger Slayer” putter that he used to shoot 64 at Pebble Beach in 2012, the last time they were in the final group on the PGA Tour. Woods shot 75 that day. It didn’t help Lefty with a few critical birdie putts to square the match, though he rolled in a 15-foot par putt to stay 1 down with two to play. The back nine was modified alternate shot – all players hit tee shots, and it was alternate shot from there. It was key for the quarterbacks to find the fairway for the pros to hit shots into the green, and Brady came through until the 18th. Woods was playing for the first time since Feb. 16 when he finished last at Riviera in Los Angeles. He chose not to play the next four weeks with his back not feeling just right, and then the pandemic shut down golf and sports worldwide. Woods looked sharp for the most part, with his game and his words. Mickelson on the fifth hole asked Woods to mark his ball from some 80 yards away. “You want me to mark with a U.S. Open medal?” said Woods, a three-time champion of the only major Mickelson hasn’t won. “Do you have one? I have some silver ones,” Mickelson said, referring to his record six runner-up finishes. Mickelson boasted about taking Woods down on his home course at Medalist, and now their TV matches are tied at 1, even with each getting a little help. Mickelson says he was a little nervous on the front nine until he found his groove, driving the green on the par-4 11th with Brady making a 20-footer for eagle that began their rally. “Phil said he was nervous. I know Tom and I were comparing notes,” Manning said. “To be behind the ropes in these guys’ worlds, to be in the arena with them, it was really a special experience. I was not comfortable the entire time. Knowing $20 million was raised and helping people going through tough times, it was an honour to be invited. “It’s something I’ll always remember.”]]>

Province	Status	More information
British Columbia	Were not mandated to close	Click here
Alberta	Golf courses allowed to open May 2	Click here
Saskatchewan	Golf courses allowed to open May 15	Click here
Manitoba	Golf courses allowed to open May 4	Click here
Ontario	Golf courses allowed to open May 16	Click here
Quebec	Golf courses allowed to open May 20, Pro shops allowed to open on May 4	Click here
New Brunswick	Golf courses allowed to open on April 24	Click here
Nova Scotia	Golf courses allowed to open on May 16	Click here
Prince Edward Island	Golf courses allowed to open May 1	Click here
Newfoundland & Labrador	Golf courses allowed to open May 11	Click here

Click here for relevant information on our COVID-19 resource page.]]>

th, Premier Blaine Higgs announced the implementation of the third phase (Yellow) of business reactivation in New Brunswick as of Friday, May 22^nd. New Brunswickers can expect the modified re-opening of services and business such as personal service businesses, swimming pools, saunas, waterparks, gyms, yoga studios, and dance studios, rinks, and indoor recreational facilities, pool halls, bowling alleys, and low contact team sports, among others, the transition to Phase 3 of COVID-19 recovery has also loosened restrictions on golf courses. Under Phase 3 (Yellow), individuals are still required to maintain maintaining physical distancing measures along with continued adherence to the general guidelines from Public Health and the Guidelines for New Brunswick Workplaces issued by WorkSafe NB. During Phase 2 of COVID-19 recovery, Golf facilities were granted permission to prepare an operational plan that meets or exceeds the general guidelines from Public Health. As the province moves into the Yellow Phase of NB’s COVID-19 Recovery, the following that could impact golf courses in NB;

• Extension of Bubble Families to Family and Friends Bubble Your household bubble will be extended to all close friends and family that you would normally see on a regular basis. These will no longer be exclusive. Large gatherings beyond that circle would be discouraged.

• Increased Gatherings with Physical Distancing of 50 or fewer Public gatherings with physical distancing of 50 or fewer are now allowed. This will make it possible for larger religious services, weddings, and funerals to take place. The limit on gatherings will be reviewed on a regular basis according to risk based on the evolution of the situation in New Brunswick. – Expected to be announced on Friday, May 29th

For additional information on businesses and impacts of the third phase of business reactivation please CLICK HERE. While golf clubs have been given increased flexibility, services will vary from club to club.  Golfers should note that there are several restrictions that are still in place, which for the time being will be consistent across the province, including but not limited too;

• Power Carts may only be used by one individual for the duration of the round.
  • Note: Exceptions are in place for members of the same household or Family & Friends Bubble.

• Flag Sticks – Golfers can continue to expect to be asked not to touch the flagstick, and to leave the flag still in the cup at all times.

• Raised Cups – Raised cups are no longer required, but golfers can expect to see facilities continue to reduce a golfer’s ability to remove their ball from the hole. Clubs may choose to use a “hands-free” ball retrieval device or may continue to block the cup entirely.

• Washrooms – Golfers can expect continued restrictions on access to washrooms and locker rooms.

Please contact your favorite facilities for available services and restrictions and stay connected to our social media channels and website for continued updates regarding the 2020 season.  ]]>

Click here for the province’s return to activity plan. ]]>

Alison Griffin, Executive Director PEIGA[/caption]]]>

• THE PROVINCE’S GUIDANCE FOR GOLF COURSES DURING COVID-19 
• WE ARE GOLF ONTARIO BEST PRACTICES DURING COVID-19

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Two weeks ago, the Ford government said Ontario golf courses should prepare to open. Golf facilities with questions about potential impact to their business operations or employment can call the province’s Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.]]>