MELBOURNE, Victoria, Australia – Ernie Els has selected British Columbia’s Adam Hadwin as one of his final four picks for the International Team at next month’s Presidents Cup, the captain announced today via teleconference. Hadwin joins Jason Day of Australia, Joaquin Niemann of Chile and Sungjae Im of South Korea as the final international representatives.

The Presidents Cup returns to Melbourne, Australia and The Royal Melbourne Golf Club for the third time, December 9-15, when the International Team will take on the U.S. Team led by Captain Tiger Woods.

Hadwin will make his second consecutive Presidents Cup appearance and first as a captain’s pick. The 31-year-old finished with five top-10 finishes during the 2018-19 PGA TOUR season but made his best case for a captain’s pick after finishing runner-up in his first start of the 2019-20 season at the Safeway Open. That was followed up with a T4 at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

“With this Presidents Cup approaching and me starting to play some good golf again, I was just hungry for a second chance,” Hadwin said. “That’s not how I would like my contribution to The Presidents Cup to be remembered and I’m looking forward to having a second chance down at Royal Melbourne, a part of an incredible International Team, and hopefully we can right some of the wrongs that we’ve had in the past and do Captain Els proud.”

The Abbotsford, British Columbia, native is just one of three Canadians to compete in the Presidents Cup, joining 2019 captain’s assistant Mike Weir and Graham DeLaet.

 

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BIG congrats to Canada’s @ahadwingolf on earning a captain’s selection to the #PresidentsCup International Team. Play well, Adam! ??? #TeamRBC

A post shared by RBC Canadian Open (@rbccanadianopen) on Nov 6, 2019 at 5:13pm PST

Hadwin finished with a 0-2-1 record in his Presidents Cup debut at Liberty National.

The International Team has 22 previous Presidents Cup appearances amongst its members with six players making their Presidents Cup debuts, which matches the second-most first-timers in team history (7, 2013).

Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Marc Leishman, Abraham Ancer, Haotong Li, Cameron Smith and C.T. Pan round out the rest of the international team. Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., was strongly considered by Els to join the team but just missed the final cut.

“Between (Hadwin) and Corey Conners, it was a very, very tight race,” said Els. “One of the difficult calls I had to make was to Corey. He was very gracious and he wished us good luck heading into these matches.

“But Adam, I love his game. He’s just very solid all around. There’s not really any weakness there.”

Conners missed the cut at the Sanderson Farms Championship but then tied for 13th at the Safeway Open, tied for 12th at the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges, tied for sixth at the ZOZO Championship and tied for 20th at the World Golf Championship-HSBC Champions. He’s ranked 55th in the world _ one spot below Niemann _ and 24th on the FedExCup rankings.

Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Matt Kuchar, Xander Schauffele, Webb Simpson, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Cantlay will represent the United States. Tiger Woods will announce his four captain’s picks _ potentially including himself _ on Thursday.

Captain Els will lead the youngest International Team in Presidents Cup history, with the average age of his 12 players totaling just over 29 years old. This is the fourth consecutive International Team that has been younger than the previous team.

Let’s get it! ??#PresidentsCup https://t.co/UeKUYkoBKe

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) November 7, 2019

Canadians in the Presidents Cup

The USGA and The R&A are conducting a review of the Rules of Amateur Status to make them easier to understand and apply.

The comprehensive evaluation is part of the continued joint effort to modernize the Rules by reducing complexity and ensuring the Rules effectively guide how the game is played today.

As part of a review process that began earlier this year, the governing bodies will seek the perspectives of golf’s stakeholders as an integral component of the review process, including elite amateur golfers, golf event organizers, national golf associations, professional golf associations and other industry partners.

The aim is to provide the golf community with a modernized set of the Amateur Status Rules in late 2021, with the goal of an effective date of January 1, 2022.

Adam Helmer, director of Rules and Amateur Status for Golf Canada, said, “We are embarking on an important review with golf’s governing bodies to take a fundamental examination of the implications of the Rules of Amateur Status to our sport. We will work closely with our provincial and national association partners to gain valuable feedback from all our stakeholders to ensure the best interests of our golfers and being met. As our sport evolves, it’s paramount the Rules remain relevant to provide fair competition and help with our continued efforts to grow the game.”

Thomas Pagel, senior managing director of Governance at the USGA, said, “One of golf’s greatest benefits is that it can be played by all ages and played for a lifetime. It is our goal to ensure that the fundamental concept of what it means to be an amateur golfer is clear and retained to promote fair competition and enjoyment for everyone, while still addressing many issues that seek to protect the game. This is a forward-thinking approach and engaging golfers is a key component of doing what’s best for golf.”

Grant Moir, director – Rules at The R&A, said, “We will be looking at the Rules of Amateur Status carefully and considering ways in which we can modernize them and bring them more into line with the way the modern sport is played. The code remains a fundamental framework for amateur golf and we will be listening to the views of players, officials and associations to give us a fully rounded view of how we can improve them.”

In a separate move, effective January 1, 2020, the USGA and The R&A will introduce one change to Rule 3-2b of the Rules of Amateur Status, which regulates hole-in-one prizes. The Rules will no longer limit the prize an amateur golfer may win when making a hole-in-one outside a round of golf, including “stand-alone” and “multiple-entry” hole-in-one events. It is hoped the change will help to promote the game and cater to new audiences as well, and eliminate unnecessary restrictions for event organizers.

New Rule 3-2b will read as follows:

Rule 3-2b. Hole-in-One Prizes

An amateur golfer may accept a prize in excess of the limit in Rule 3-2a, including a cash prize, for making a hole-in-one during a round of golf on a golf course.

An amateur golfer may also accept a prize in excess of the limit in Rule 3-2a, including a cash prize, for making a hole-in-one during contests held outside a round of golf, including multiple-entry contests and contests conducted other than on a golf course (e.g., on a driving range, golf simulator or putting green) provided in all cases that the length of the shot is at least 50 yards.

Three Canadian juniors will be among the 80 competitors in the sixth annual Drive, Chip and Putt championship at Augusta National on April 5, 2020.

In the Girls 7-9 division, Canada will be represented by the duo of Alexis Card (Cambridge, Ont.) and Anna Wu (Victoria, B.C.). Card punched her ticket to Augusta with a score of 107 at the Oakmont Country Club qualifier while Wu posted a total of 122 at Chambers Bay Golf Course.

The Canadians are rounded out by Cole Roberts of Oshawa, Ont., who qualified at TPC River Highlands with a score of 107.

OAKMONT, PA – SEPTEMBER 07: Alexis Card participates in the girls 7-9 putting competition during the regional round of the Drive, Putt, and Chip competition at Oakmont Country Club on September 7, 2019 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.

Canada has seen three juniors take home titles at the Drive, Chip and Putt nationals in as many years. Savannah Grewal (Mississauga, Ont.) won in 2017, followed by Vanessa Borovilos (Toronto) in 2018 and Nicole Gal (Oakville, Ont.) in 2019.

Local qualifying for the seventh season began in May and was held at more than 300 sites throughout all 50 states this summer. The top-three scorers per venue, in each of the four age categories in separate boys’ and girls’ divisions, advanced to more than 60 sub-regional qualifiers in July and August.

The top two juniors in each age and gender division then competed at the regional level in September and October. Regional qualifying was held at 10 courses around the country, including several U.S. Open and PGA Championship venues.

Championship scoring at the local, subregional and regional qualifiers was based on a 25-point-per-shot basis, with each participant taking three shots per skill. Each participant accumulated points per shot in all three skills (maximum of 75 points per skill = 25 points per shot x 3). The overall winner in each age category was determined by the participant with the most points accumulated between all three skills (maximum of 225 points = 75 points per skill x 3).

Click here for all regional qualifying results.

The Canadian equivalent—Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event— took place at Magna Golf Club in 2019. Learn more here.

by Dwayne Tingley

The timing could not be better for the Royal Oaks Golf Club.

Royal Oaks has been selected to host the 2020 RBC Dominion Securities New Brunswick Men’s Amateur Championship in the midst of the club’s 20^th anniversary celebrations.

Blehr MacKinley, the PGA of Canada Atlantic head professional at Royal Oaks, said the tournament fits the club’s plan to raise its profile as it marks its landmark anniversary.

“We are renewing our efforts to tell people that we are here for public players and competitive tournaments,” MacKinley said. “We have a lot to showcase with the outstanding course, beautiful clubhouse and dining and the hospitality of our membership.”

“This tournament comes in our 20^th year,” he continued. “It comes as we remind people that this is not a private club and we want as many people as possible to be aware of everything we have to offer.”

Originally schedule for the Mactaquac Golf Course, the venue change for the 2020 RBC Dominion Securities NB Men’s Amateur Championship was brought about pro-actively following conversations with Mactaquac and its management team.

Golf New Brunswick Executive Director Tyson Flinn said that despite the association’s disappointment in moving the event from the Mactaquac Golf Course, Golf NB is pleased that Royal Oaks was able to step up to host the 54-hole championship, scheduled for July 10-12, 2019.

“The Mactaquac Golf Course is, and will continue to be, one of the province’s premier championship venues,” Flinn said. However, the club and its management group from Kingwood Golf reached out to Golf NB in the fall following a review of the course’s green complexes and indicated that weather damage over the past few years could limit their ability to ensure the quality of putting surface needed to host the event in 2020.

“I cannot say enough about the professionalism, proactive nature and respect demonstrated by the Mactaquac Golf Course and its management towards the New Brunswick Men’s Amateur Championship,” added Flinn, noting that the association hopes to return the even to Mactaquac in the near future.

“Despite having to move the (championship), we were extremely fortunate to secure another top-notch venue in the Royal Oaks Golf Club.”

MacKinley is hoping for a kind winter, but also said superintendent Kevin Wentzell will have the 6,600-yard ready for championship play.

“All of our members and our staff are proud of this property, so we’ll be ready to host a memorable tournament, especially a tournament with such a great history as the New Brunswick Men’s Amateur.”

“We are sure this is going to be great for everyone involved as we mark our 20^th anniversary in style. The course is going to be in great shape.”

Director of club operations Esmond Clouthier said Royal Oaks is “excited to host the best players” from New Brunswick.

“Our course is going to give these top players and very good test,” Clouthier said. “We are going to show that we can host a major tournament like this, and we’ll be looking to host more in the future.

“We’re also going to show the players a tough, but fair golf course,” he added. “I think we’ll see increased activity as word of mouth will help us. We’ll see a lot of these top players come back to play the course long after the tournament is over.”

Simon Richard, who finished 12^th at last year’s RBC Dominion Securities NB Men’s Amateur Championship in Edmundston and was the highest-placing player from Royal Oaks, said “it’s an honour to host such a prestigious tournament at his home course.”

“It’s going to be a great test for the players,” said Richard, whose personal best score in 67 on the par-72 layout.

“You have to make your putts,” Richard said. “You can spray the ball a little, but you won’t be able to score well unless you make your putts. We should see some low scores with such an impressive field, but no one will go low unless they putt well.”

Richard, a 23-year-old economic development agent with Opportunities New Brunswick in Moncton, said Royal Oaks will be “the perfect place to host the Amateur.”

“On and off the course,” he said, “the players are going to be complimenting Royal Oaks. They are going to be impressed.”

“With Royal Oaks set to celebrate their 20^th anniversary, we could not think of a better way for them to mark such an occasion than by hosting one of Atlantic Canada’s premiere Amateur Championships,” Flinn said.

Please be advised that Golf NB has moved its Head Office and is now located at 500 Beaverbrook Court, Suite 300, Fredericton NB.

In addition to the change in address, please note that the Golf NB offices will be closed for the holidays from Friday December 20, 2019 at 12:00 noon and will reopen on Monday January 6, 2020.

Golf NB would like to thank all of its members, partners and the general public for their continued support and we wish each of you the very best for a safe, happy & healthy Holiday Season.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Today, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced a new multi-year integrated partnership with Golf Canada as the official hotel partner for the National Sport Federation and its members.

Hilton is proud to support Canada’s legendary National Open Golf Championships – the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open. As a result of the partnership, Hilton is now also the official hotel partner for Golf Canada’s National Team Program, Canadian Amateur Golf Championships and the World Junior Girls Championship.

As part of the partnership, Golf Canada members receive access to an array of travel benefits through Hilton including exclusive discounts and special offers.

“We are thrilled to partner with Golf Canada and their world-class golf programs, national team and championships,” said Andrew Flack, vice president, regional marketing & eCommerce Americas, Hilton. “Canada offers golf enthusiasts some of the most pristine courses in the world and we look forward to welcoming golfers from all over the destination with our signature Hilton hospitality.”

“Hilton is deeply engaged, and we are pleased to integrate their commitment to Canadian golf across so many pillars of our organization,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada. “Hilton represents the highest quality in hospitality with premium offerings for both serious and recreational golfers. Our robust partnership has a touchpoint with so many levels of Canadian golf and its exciting for our members across Canada to begin accessing a meaningful suite of travel and lifestyle benefits.”

To plan a Canadian getaway, guests can click here.

In a comfortable floral jumpsuit and with her parents in the audience, Brooke Henderson added another award to her ever-growing trophy case.

The 22-year-old won the 2019 Founders Award at the Rolex LPGA Awards ceremony Thursday night in Naples, Fla. during the week of the CME Group Tour Championship.

The Founders Award is newly named for 2019. Formerly called the William & Mousie Powell Award, it was renamed for this year to celebrate the 13 founders of the LPGA.

Henderson told golfcanada.ca that the win was extra special since the winner of the award comes from a vote by fellow golfers on the LPGA Tour. It’s annually given to, in the opinion of her peers, someone “whose behaviour and deeds best exemplifies the spirit, ideals, and values of the LPGA.”

The nine-time LPGA Tour winner said she first found out at an LPGA Tour Players’ Meeting earlier in the year that she was one of the nominees, and said to know people were voting for her was ‘pretty crazy.’

“It means a lot,” Henderson said. “I spend so much time with these girls that it’s really a great honour to be given the Founders Award.

“To be considered in the same sentence as (the founders)… their passion and perseverance and what they did this Tour was amazing. This is really cool for me.”

Henderson has made a habit of capturing awards-by-votes in 2019.

Earlier in the year she became the first Canadian golfer to win an ESPY award (she won for ‘Best Female Golfer’) and in October she won the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame People’s Choice Award – a new award designed to recognize ‘future Hall of Famers who are a champion of their sport and a champion for their community.’

“This year has been really crazy for the awards. I didn’t expect any of them,” Henderson said, flashing her recognizable smile. “To get them is just amazing. I’m honoured, humbled… and it’s just an amazing feeling.”

 

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A champion both on and off the #golf course ???⁣ ⁣ @BrookeHendersonGolf was named the 2019 recipient of the Founders Award, given to the player “whose behaviour and deeds best exemplifies the spirit, ideals and values of the #LPGA” #DriveOn

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Henderson, who sat at a table with Lexi Thompson and executives from Rolex at the awards dinner, has won twice in 2019. Her victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic was the ninth in her young career. Win no. 9 gave her more than any other Canadian in the history of the LPGA or PGA Tour.

“This award that Brooke got is maybe one of the most special ones because it’s voted on by her peers and we’re so impressed and thrilled for Brooke to be recognized. We know how special she is,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “For all of her peers on the LPGA Tour to give her this award is phenomenal. It’s great for herself and her family and for all of Canadian golf.”

The native of Smiths Falls, Ont. has become a driving force for young golfers across the country – but even this week in Florida there are plenty of girls dressing with a visor and ponytail like Henderson walking outside the ropes – and she said being able to play in front of Canadians no matter where she goes makes her even more grateful for the support.

Henderson said she’s recognized her role and is happy to have an opportunity to be an inspiration both on the golf course with her record-breaking play, and off the course as well, as someone people can look up to.

“I’m always trying to become a better golfer, but I’m always trying to become a better person every day, too,” said Henderson. “When you work hard and are focused on achieving some goals, good things happen. This year is definitely proof of that.”

2019 CP Women’s Open winner Jin Young Ko was the night’s big winner, as she took home the Rolex Annika Major Award, and Rolex Player of the Year. With just three rounds left in the LPGA Tour season, she has nearly wrapped up the Vare Trophy (for lowest scoring average) as well.

Henderson sits T5 after the first round of the CME Group Tour Championship.

In an effort to raise needed funds to help support the administration and implementation of provincial and national programming, and to provide assistance for to those individuals who earned the opportunity to represent their province at either a National or Regional competition, 2019 saw the continuation of both the Golf NB Membership Raffle and the NB Provincial Team Funding Draw.

2020 Golf NB Membership Raffle

Supported by its partner facilities and TaylorMade Golf Canada Ltd., the Golf NB Membership Raffle was introduced in 2018 to raise needed funds to help support the administration and implementation of provincial and national programming.

Through the purchase of a raffle ticket, participants were entered for a chance to win a variety of prizes including $1,500 towards a golf membership at one of Golf NB’s 46 partner facilities, rounds of golf at New Brunswick golf courses, Golf NB 2 For 1 Cards and TaylorMade golf balls, among other prizes.

Additionally, eligible participants were also entered for a chance to win a full refund of their entry fee into select 2019 Golf NB Events & Championships.

The winners of the 2020 NB Provincial Team Funding Draw were selected as part of Argus Audiology Golf NB’s Annual Awards Banquet & Silent Auction held on Saturday October 26^th, 20189at the Crowne Plaza Fredericton Lord Beaverbook Hotel in Fredericton, NB.

• Grand Prize Winner – Wayne Hickey (Ticket #: 016)
  $1,500 towards a 2020 Golf Membership

• 2^nd Prize – Pat Horncastle (Ticket #: 039)
  Golf Package Including:
  Algonquin Golf Course – 2 Green Fees & 1 Power Cart
  Hampton Golf Club – 4 Green Fees
  Rockwood Park Golf Course – 4 Green Fees & 2 Power Carts
  The Riverside Country Club – 4 Green Fees & 2 Power Carts

• 3^rd Prize – Paula Napke-Flanagan (Ticket #: 093)
  Golf Package Including:
  Aroostook Valley Country Club – 4 Green Fees & 2 Power Carts
  Fraser Edmundston Golf Club – 4 Green Fees & 2 Power Carts
  Grand Falls Golf Club – 4 Green Fees & 2 Power Carts
  Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club – 4 Green Fees

• 4^th Prize – Nonita Furlotte (Ticket #: 110)
  Golf Package Including:
  Le Club de Golf de St-Ignace – 4 Green Fees & 2 Power Carts
  Mountain Wood Golf Club – 4 Green Fees
  Petitcodiac Valley Golf & Country Club – 4 Green Fees & 2 Power Carts
• 5^th Prize – Pat Garagan (Ticket #: 025)
  Golf Package Including:
  Memramcook Golf Club – 2 Green Fees & 1 Power Cart
  Petitcodiac Valley Golf & Country Club – 2 Green Fees & 1 Power Cart
  Pine Needles Golf & Country Club – 2 Green Fees & 1 Power Cart
  Old Mill Pond Golf & Country Club – 2 Green Fees & 1 Power Cart

• 6^th Prize – Frank O’Donnell (Ticket #: 133)
  12 TaylorMade TP5 Golf Balls
• 7^th Prize – Gary Melanson (Ticket #: 011)
  12 TaylorMade TP5 Golf Balls

• 8^th Prize – Bob Maher (Ticket #: 019)
  12 TaylorMade TP5 Golf Balls

• 9^th Prize – Brian Duplessis (Ticket #: 122)
  2020 Golf NB 2 For 1 Card

• 10^th Prize – Phyllis Roy (Ticket #: 031)
  2020 Golf NB 2 For 1 Card

Supplementary Draws

• 2019 Rules of Golf Package (3 Books)
  • Jack Jacobs (Ticket #: 002)
• adidas Golf Shoes
  • Garry Jenkins (Ticket #: 054)
• David Feherty Off Tour (2 Tickets) – July 19, 2019
  • Bob Maher (Ticket #: 019)

Supplementary Draws for Tournament Entry Fees

• NB Men’s Four Ball, presented by TaylorMade –
  • Darren Ritchie (Ticket #: 033)
• NB Ladies Four Ball
  • Barbara Henderson (Ticket #: 064)
• Argus Audiology NB Ladies Provincials
  • Claire Roy (Ticket #: 098)
• RBC Dominion Securities NB Amateur
  • Gary Melanson (Ticket #: 011)
• Argus Audiology NB Mid-Master Championship
  • Marc Cossaboom (Ticket #: 109)
• Argus Audiology NB Senior Championship
  • Bob Gray (Ticket #: 027)
• NB Family Classic & Adult Junior, presented by TaylorMade
  • Brian Duplessis (Ticket #: 122)

Provincial Team Funding Draw

Supported by TaylorMade, the NB Provincial Team Funding Draw provided those individuals who earned the opportunity to represent their province at either a National or Regional competition the opportunity to offset their travel costs through the sale of raffle tickets, on three distinct TaylorMade prize packages, with all proceeds staying with the individual who sold the ticket

The winners of the 2019 NB Provincial Team Funding Draw were selected as part of the Argus Audiology Golf NB’s Annual Awards Banquet & Silent Auction held on Saturday October 26^th, 20189at the Crowne Plaza Fredericton Lord Beaverbook Hotel in Fredericton, NB.

• Winner– Darren Deering
  1st Prize – TaylorMade M6 Golf Package including woods, irons & bag

• Winner – Donavan Mallaley
  2^nd Prize – M5 Driver

• Winner – Chantel Leger
  3rd Prize – Two TaylorMade Wedges & 12 TaylorMade TP5 Golf Balls

Golf NB would like to thank its partner facilities and TaylorMade for their continued support of golf in the Province of New Brunswick and we look forward to working with all our exceptional partners again in 2020 and beyond.