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.]]>

golf. Although the date of the next tournament is still up in the air thanks to restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Weir is ready for a new beginning in his career. “The interesting thing about professional golf is that you look forward to your 50th birthday instead of dreading it,” said Weir. “I’ve been looking forward to this for quite a while.” Weir, from Brights Grove, Ont., had eight wins on the top-tier PGA Tour including at the prestigious Masters in 2003, making him the only Canadian man to win one of golf’s majors. His last win, however, was 2007’s Fry’s Electronics Open, and Weir has been targetting a move to players closer to his age for some time. “Just because you turn 50 and you’ve had success on the PGA Tour that doesn’t mean it’s going to translate to the Champions Tour,” said Weir. “You have to really put the work in and be ready to go and that’s what I’ve really tried to concentrate on here for quite a while now, especially the last year I’ve really dialled in a lot of stuff with my game.” Although Weir is eager to transition to the senior circuit, he still wants to make some occasional PGA Tour appearances. He has a lifetime exemption for the Masters thanks to his 2003 win, and a sponsor’s exemption for the RBC Canadian Open will likely always be available to him. But the Canadian Open has been cancelled this summer because of the restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, Weir has committed to playing in the Champions Tour’s Shaw Charity Classic in Calgary at the end of August, but the city has cancelled all of its event permits up to Aug. 31. “The next couple of weeks we’re focusing on working with our municipal and provincial government partners, Shaw Communications and of course the PGA Tour to outline what our options might be,” said Sean Van Kesteren, the executive director of the event. “We can’t say with certainty that the 2020 Shaw Charity Classic is going to happen or not, but we will update the community as soon as we can.” Weir continues to play golf regularly at courses near his home in Utah, where clubs haven’t been closed by the pandemic. Although he still has a strong work ethic, Weir has learned to listen to his body and take some time off when aches and pains catch up with him, as they did last week. “I just took a week off and I didn’t swing it, or hit a putt, or take a chip,” said Weir, who was suffering from some lower back pain. “I did a lot of stretching and yoga, just taking my dog on a hike, and just trying to keep moving but it’s not that explosive golf movement.”]]>

Brigitte Thibault has established herself as one of the country’s most promising amateurs. Since the spring of 2019, the native of Rosemère, Que., has been playing some the best golf of her career. After being selected as the only Canadian to compete at the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April of 2019, Thibault would go on to win the Ontario Women’s Amateur title and the Mountain West Conference Championship. [video_embed id="91909"][/video_embed] The second year Amateur Squad member is also a standout at Fresno State University. She’s carried the success from 2019 over to her junior year, having recorded six NCAA top ten finishes. However, in early March, her collegiate season came to an end when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of the remaining tournaments on the NCAA schedule. Faced with the unprecedented circumstances, the 21-year-old was extra cautious as she travelled back home to Rosemère, Que. “First thought when travelling back to Canada was to stay healthy and take all the precaution possible to not catch anything. I knew that if I made a mistake, I could have put my family at risk,” she noted. “Then quarantine was actually not as bad as I thought. It gave me enough time to think about my game plan, prepare my game plan, so when my 14 days were over, then I would be able to train and keep my routine as normal as possible,” added Thibault, who was recently selected to the NCAA All-Mountain West first team.

Given her recent stellar results on the golf course, it might be surprising for some to find out that Thibault did not start focusing on golf until the age of 15. And while she was introduced to the sport prior that by her father, Daniel and her mother, Josee, it wasn’t something that she invested much time in to initially. “My parents were members at a golf course back home and I remember of Sundays, we would always go eat at the course and afterwards we would hit some golf balls on the range. But it was always just for fun at the time,” Thibault recalled. Growing up young Brigitte dedicated most of her time to cheerleading and gymnastics. “Cheerleading was huge for my competitiveness. In cheerleading, you have this rush of energy that is boiling inside of you with so many people watching. You have to put yourself all in all the time. My work ethic really grew from cheerleading,” she pointed out. “I was into cheerleading and gymnastics but all the flips and jumping was hard on my body.  So my parents suggested that I focus on golf instead. They have been playing golf for 30 years and wanted me to try it out,” said Thibault.

Faced with injuries, Thibault followed her parent’s suggestion and decided to shift her focus from cheerleading and gymnastics to golf. “I really got started at the age of 15, and I remember having coaches approach me and telling me how raw my talent was,” she recalled. Despite the relative late start, Thibault would make up for it with an all in approach.

“I was super focused. I was just trying to learn as much as I could. I would wake up at 5 a.m. and spend the whole day at the golf course,” she pointed out.

Thibault says she became inspired and fascinated by athletes who achieved greatness in their sport – such as Tiger Woods and the late great Kobe Bryant. She was impressed by their work ethic and level of dedication to their craft. “I used to look for videos of them because I was always intrigued by their greatness and how obsessive they were about getting better and figuring out how to get to that next level. I have taken this same obsession and approach to my development in golf,” she revealed. Thibault’s desire to achieve her own version of excellence on the golf course combined with her hard work and dedication would lead to impressive results. In 2016, just two years after dedicating herself to the game of golf, the then 17-year-old Monday qualified for the CP Women’s Open.

Thibault remembers qualifying for the LPGA event, which was held at the Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club in Calgary, gave her confidence in her game, as well as, motivation to work even harder. She also adds that playing in her first LPGA tournament at 17 was an eye-opening experience. “I remember that my heart was racing like crazy and my energy level was so high. It felt like an out-of-body experience. All the golfers that I looked up to were sitting next to me having lunch and everything just seemed so surreal,” she recalled. Thibault is glad to have been able to continue her development at Fresno State University. “Being at Fresno State, the weather is always nice. And it’s great that I get to be play Division I golf with some of the best amateurs of the world,” said Thibault, who will be entering her senior year this autumn. She’s also thankful to be part of Golf Canada’s National Team Program.

“The program has been great, we learn about the mental side of golf, and we learn about nutrition, physio, fitness and a lot of other things to be successful on the golf course and away from it,” noted the second year Amateur Squad member.

“I also love working with Tristan (Mullally) because he’s very direct and to the point and gives great feedback.” The 21-year-old amateur standout credits continued improvements in her game for the recent success on the golf course. [caption id="attachment_95325" align="alignnone" width="1024"]

Head Coach Tristan Mullally and Brigitte Thibault at a training camp in Phoenix, Ariz.[/caption] “My putter is starting to gain momentum and my short game is starting to step up.  I’ve also been working hard to improve on my wedge and approach,” pointed out Thibault, who is also known to show creativity on her shots. Looking ahead, Thibault believes her all in approach will provide the opportunity to achieve her own version of greatness on the golf course. “The game of golf is incredible and I would love to be able to play on the LPGA Tour one day and make an impact and do my part to bring the women’s game to the next level.” And despite the restrictions from practicing social and physical distancing, Thibault’s long-term goals have kept her motivated and focused during the pandemic. “I’m up at 5 a.m., filled with busy days and doing it all over again. My own personal growth and grind aren’t going to pause in regards to the conditions of COVID-19,” she said. With golf courses across the country preparing to open up again, there is optimism that tournament golf will soon return. And when it does, the second year Amateur Squad member will surely be ready. “I am actually working on all aspects of training – fitness wise, golf wise, and mentally. I’m doing my best to keep improving and being my best self.”]]>

Orange), several activities and openings are permitted, subject to maintaining physical distancing measures, general guidelines from Public Health and the Guidelines for New Brunswick Workplaces issued by WorkSafe NB” (Health, Office of the Premier, COVID-19 – May 8, 2020).  Golf facilities are now able to prepare an operational plan that meets or exceeds the general guidelines from Public Health paving the way for;

• Reduced Tee Time Intervals

• Renting of Pull Carts

• Opening of Pro Shops (Retail)

• Expanded Food & Beverage Services (Restaurants)

“Golf will not be business as usual,” said Tyson Flinn, Executive Director of Golf NB.  “We are still very early in the process and each club will be able to offer different service levels based on their individual capacities.  Patience will be very important as the industry continues to change throughout the season, but for now, we are pleased to know that golf facilities now have a greater latitude to provide a safe and efficient golfing experience for players.” While golf clubs have been given flexibility, and services will vary from club to club, golfers should note that there are several restrictions that are still in place, and 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.

• 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.]]>