The Canadian golf industry represented by We Are Golf (formerly the National Allied Golf Association) has officially announced that May 1, 2019 has been tabbed as National Golf Day in Canada.

The date aligns with the We Are Golf initiative spearheaded out of the United States—also set for May 1, 2019—and will bring further attention to the game of golf and its significant community impact within not only Canada, but across North America.

We are Golf is comprised of all the national golf associations within Canada—Golf Canada, the Canadian Society of Club Managers, the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, the PGA of Canada and the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada.

Planning for National Golf Day is underway with several activities to build upon the success of the inaugural 2018 event which included government advocacy and discussion with MPs in Ottawa, a public junior golf activity on the Parliament Hill lawn and various golf activities at clubs across Canada. The continuation of National Golf Day in Canada in 2019 will again incorporate meetings by We Are Golf stakeholders with MPs and government officials.

“We are looking forward to building upon the success of our 2018 National Golf Day and government advocacy efforts in Ottawa and continue to bring the positive value of the game of golf to the forefront,” said We Are Golf chair, Kathryn Wood. “National Golf Day will be a tremendous catalyst for golf enthusiasts to rally and celebrate what the sport of golf means to them and their community.”

Each member association representing We Are Golf is also encouraging their respective memberships, partners and stakeholders to participate in National Golf Day in their own way to celebrate the significant economic, health, recreational, charitable and tourism benefits that golf drives in communities from coast to coast.

We Are Golf is calling on the entire golf community as well as partner associations and golfers to engage in National Golf Day as a can’t miss event on the Canadian golf calendar.

Golf enthusiasts across Canada are encouraged to get involved in National Golf Day by playing a round of golf, visiting a course or practice facility, enjoying family time at the course, introducing a new player to the game, adopting a school in their community through Golf in Schools, hosting a school golf field trip, taking a lesson, or making a purchase at their local pro shop.

Please visit http://wearegolf.ca/ to learn more, and to access a social media toolkit to promote the day and get involved!

From April 22-26, Golf Canada will be celebrating all donations made towards the Future Links, driven by Acura Golf in Schools program in support of the third annual Adopt a School Week.

The week represents a coast-to-coast celebration to mark the efforts of all Golf in Schools adoptions. Since the program’s inception in 2009, adoptions have accounted for close to 50% of the over 3,800 registered schools delivering the curriculum. Together, Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), and all provincial partners have aligned to celebrate the generosity of golf enthusiasts across the country.

“Golf Canada recognizes the many investments made by Canadians across the country in support of the Golf in Schools program,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s chief sport officer. “It is in the industry’s best interest to support the continued growth of the sport at the grassroots level, which in turn benefits the future membership of facilities.”

For the first 30 adoptions, any golf facility, PGA of Canada professional or individual who adopts a school into the Golf in Schools program from April 22-26 will see their adoption matched with a school of their choice. This matching grant is possible due to Golf Canada’s partnership with the Canadian Seniors Golf Association (CSGA).

In 2018, 263 new schools were adopted, introducing an average of 120 students per school to golf.

A Golf in Schools donation includes the full program kit, which features safe, age-appropriate golf clubs along with a teacher-friendly learning resource. Developed in conjunction with the PGA of Canada and Physical Health Education (PHE) Canada, the learning resource incorporates Life Skills into the curriculum—placing added focus on transferrable skills both on and off the golf course.

The Intrapersonal Life Skills—perseverance, goal-setting and emotional regulation—are meant to instill focus while the Interpersonal Life Skills—honesty, teamwork and respect—embody a sense of sportspersonship.

Following Adopt a School Week, Golf Canada will be announcing all elementary, intermediate and high school adoptions conducted in 2019.

To adopt a school in your community, visit golfcanada.ca/adoptaschool

TORONTO – Canadian Pacific (CP) and Golf Canada today announced that SickKids Foundation has been chosen as the primary charity partner for the 2019 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

The 2019 CP Women’s Open will see Canadian sensation and CP ambassador Brooke Henderson defend her national golf title against the top LPGA Tour players in the world from August 19-25 at Magna Golf Club, in Aurora, Ont.

“CP is elated to be working with SickKids Foundation through the 2019 CP Women Open,” said CP’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Keith Creel. “This is a natural partnership as CP is focused on giving back through our community investment program, CP Has Heart, and SickKids Foundation is focused on helping young hearts across Ontario – a province that has been integral to our network for more than 130 years.”

This year, CP will be working with Kyle Hayhoe, a child ambassador for SickKids Foundation. Kyle was cared for at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) for four months after he was diagnosed with a hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy at only seven weeks old and required a heart transplant. Now, when Kyle isn’t attending his regular check-ups with the heart transplant, respiratory and nephrology teams at SickKids, he can be found on the golf course perfecting his swing.

Funds raised through the CP Women’s Open will go towards renovating a Cardiac Operating Suite at SickKids.  In addition, CP is also proud to support our tournament host community this year. CP will make a donation of $250,000 to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ont. to support paediatric cardiac care.

“We appreciate the generous support of the community and are extremely grateful to our partners CP, Golf Canada and the CP Women’s Open,” said SickKids Foundation CEO, Ted Garrard. “Funds raised through this partnership will help continue to advance cardiac care that will deliver better outcomes for our patients who come from all across Canada, for many years to come.”

In the five years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, $8.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada. This will mark the third time in six years southern Ontario has hosted the CP Women’s Open resulting in more than $3.3 million dollars invested in London (2014 – $1.3 million) and Ottawa (2016 – $2 million)

“I can’t say enough about the incredible work CP does through the CP Has Heart campaign – they are an absolute terrific partner who are helping to make a meaningful impact in the lives of countless Canadians,” said Golf Canada’s CEO, Laurence Applebaum. “Tournament week will be a fantastic showcase of world-class golf and charitable giving in support of SickKids Foundation.”

In 2018, Brooke Henderson became the first Canadian to win the country’s National Open Championship in 45 years, shooting 65 in the final-round for a four-stroke victory at the CP Women’s Open in Regina, Sask. Jocelyne Bourassa was the last Canadian to win the event, when she was crowned Canadian champion in 1973.

“On behalf of all Canadian golf fans, I’m eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see Canadian golf superstar Brooke Henderson defend her title,” added Applebaum.

This is the first time the Greater Toronto Area will play host to a major LPGA Tour event since 2001, when the event was held at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham. The 2019 CP Women’s Open will run August 19-25, 2019 at Magna Golf Club in Aurora.

Tickets and corporate hosting are available for purchase at www.cpwomensopen.com.

AUGUSTA, GA – The field for the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship is taking shape as the tournament announced the first 66 players who accepted invitations into the 72-player field for the April 3-6 event.

Included in the field announcement is Team Canada member Brigitte Thibault. The 20-year-old, who is a native of Rosemère, Que., is currently the highest ranked Canadian (221) on the Women’s World Amateur Golf Rankings. Thibault is a sophomore at Fresno State.

Other commitments include three players who earned their exemptions by winning recognized events, 55 qualifiers from the final Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking of 2018 and eight committee picks. The remaining spots will be filled by the tournament committee.

Forty of the top 50 women’s amateurs in the world, including five of the top 10, are set to tee it up,

(Starting this year, winners of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur will receive a five-year exemption into the championship.)

The first 36 holes of the 54-hole Augusta National Women’s Amateur will be played at Champions Retreat Golf Club with the top 30 and ties making the cut and competing at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6. Players who qualify for the final round will play in a practice round at Augusta National on April 5.

NBC will broadcast the final round from noon-3 p.m. ET with Golf Channel providing highlights, live reports and news coverage during the event.

Tickets to the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur are sold out following an online ticket application process. No tickets will be available at the gates.

Click here for more info on the event, including a look at all the players currently in the field.

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – Graeme McDowell won the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title since November 2015, closing with a 3-under 69 for a one-stroke victory over Chris Stroud and Canadian Mackenzie Hughes.

“This is big. This is big. … It’s been a rough few years,” said McDowell, the 39-year-old major champion from Northern Ireland.

He didn’t get an automatic Masters spot with the victory because the event was played opposite the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play.

“It’s difficult to win on the PGA Tour,” McDowell said. “Don’t like calling this a second-tier event, but obviously the best players in the world are in Austin, Texas, this week. Still got a great field down here.”

 

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McDowell took the lead from Stroud with a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th and closed with a bogey – lagging a 30-foot par putt to inches – on the par-4 18th. Stroud bogeyed the final two holes in a 69. Hughes, of Dundas, Ont., also closed with a bogey for a 66.

“To be honest, Graeme earned it,” Stroud said. “He hit some great shots and 17 is a perfect example. He hit a lot of good shots today and didn’t get rewarded. He got rewarded there.”

McDowell set up the two-stroke swing on 17 with a 6-iron shot.

“I was standing on 16 green, I said to myself, ‘You’ve got to do something that’s tournament winning,”’ McDowell said. “The shot to 17 was tournament-winning level. … I’ve been struggling with my long-iron play all week, medium- and long-iron play. It’s a shot I’ve been working on on the range the last few days and it was a perfect 6-iron, it was a perfect number for me, and when it came off the bat I knew it was pretty good.”

McDowell finished at 18-under 270, rebounding from an opening 73 with consecutive 64s to take a one-stroke lead over Stroud into the final round. The 2010 U.S. Open champion, McDowellwon his fourth PGA Tour title.

“I sat over there Wednesday and I said that I was here on a mission,” McDowell said, “I was here motivated, and the attitude was going to be very, very important this week. I got off to a slow start and then I kind of found my groove Friday, Saturday, especially on the greens.”

Hughes rallied with his second straight 66 to climb into a share of 2nd place, his best PGA TOUR result since his 2016 win at the RSM Classic. The Dundas, Ont., native was coming off a strong T13 result at the Valspar Championship just a week earlier.

.@MacHughesGolf for birdie and a share of the LEAD ?? pic.twitter.com/ujHT0xgC5T

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) March 31, 2019

Stroud faltered after birdieing the par-5 14th and par-4 15th to take the lead.

“I hit the ball really poorly today and I did a really, really good job of making awesome pars, making some birdies when I had a chance,” Stroud said. “I just hit it pretty poorly, and to have a chance to win hitting it that poorly makes me feel pretty good. Even coming down the last two holes, I hit a pretty poor chip on 17 after hitting a horrendous 6-iron. That’s a perfect 6-iron for me.”

Jonathan Byrd (66) was fourth at 16 under, and Chip McDaniel (63) and Kelly Kraft (68) followed at 15 under.

Second-round leader Sungjae Im, likely needing a victory to get into the top 50 in the world and earn a Masters spot, had a 71 to tie for seventh at 14 under.

Canadians Ben Silverman (Thornhill, Ont.) and David Hearn (Brantford, Ont.) finished T12 and T18, respectively.

The idea for a new, unified system was conceived by the USGA and The R&A and developed following an extensive review of systems administered by six existing handicapping authorities, going into effect on January 1, 2020. Here are nine things to know about the new system:

1. The World Handicap System (WHS) supports golf globally

Golf already has a single set of playing Rules, a single set of equipment Rules and a single set of Rules of Amateur Status overseen by the USGA and The R&A. Yet, today there are six different handicap systems used around the world. Each is well developed and successfully provides equity for play locally, but each of the different systems produces slightly differing results. The WHS will unify the six systems into a single system that will:

• enable golfers of different ability to play and compete on a fair and equitable basis, in any format, on any course, anywhere around
• be easy to understand and implement, without sacrificing accuracy; and
• meet the varied needs and expectations of golfers, golf clubs and golf authorities all around the world and be adaptable to suit all golfing cultures.

After significant engagement and collaboration with the existing handicapping authorities and other National Associations, it has been agreed that the time is right to bring the different handicapping systems together as a fourth set of Rules, in support of the global game. In addition, this project has provided an opportunity for the existing handicapping authorities to come together and share their combined experiences to produce a system which is modern and relevant for the way the game is played today around the world. The WHS will encompass both the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System (formerly the USGA Course Rating and Slope System).

2. There are many benefits to the World Handicap System.

As the world becomes a smaller place with a much greater frequency of international play (as demonstrated by golf returning to the Olympics in 2016), we believe the development of a single handicap system will result in easier administration of international events and, potentially, allow National Associations more opportunity to focus attention on golf development and strategic planning to support the sport. It would also provide the opportunity to evaluate de-personal golfing data to help monitor the health of the game.

3. Existing scoring records will be retained.

Existing scoring records will be retained and, where possible, be used to calculate a handicap under the WHS. For most players, their handicap will change only slightly as they will be coming from systems which are generally similar to the WHS. However, this will be dependent on many factors – including the number of scores available upon which the calculation of a handicap can be based. National Associations are being encouraged to communicate this message to clubs and golfers, i.e. that the more scores available in the scoring record at the time of transition, the less impact golfers will feel on their handicap.

4. It is tailored to accommodate all cultures.

It is not our intention to try to force a change on the way that golf is played around the world or to try and remove the variations. The cultural diversity that exists within the game, including different formats of play and degrees of competitiveness, is what makes the sport so universally popular. Through collaboration with National Associations, the goal has been to try to accommodate those cultural differences within a single WHS.

5. All six handicapping authorities are fully behind the new system.

A series of briefing sessions was conducted all around the world in 2015, which aimed to cover as many National Associations as possible. The reaction was very positive. It is also worth emphasizing that the development of the WHS is a collaborative effort and all the existing handicapping authorities and National Associations who are directly involved in the process are very supportive of the initiative. Each of the six existing handicapping authorities have recently gone through their own internal approval processes, and all of them have confirmed their support for the new system. While the USGA and The R&A will oversee the WHS, the day-to-day administration of handicapping will continue to be the responsibility of the existing handicapping authorities and individual National Associations.

6. Feedback from golfers helped shape the new structure.

We have solicited the opinions of golfers and golf club administrators all around the world via an online survey, to which we received over 52,000 responses. We have also conducted focus group sessions in five markets throughout Europe, the USA and South America. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive; for example, 76% surveyed are supportive, 22% undecided at this stage and only 2% opposed.

7. The WHS goes into effect on January 1, 2020.

We are planning to make the WHS available for implementation by National Associations beginning in January 2020, after an extensive schedule of testing, communication, promotion and education.

8. More golfers will be encouraged to play the game.

Further details of the WHS will emerge over the coming months. However, we want to emphasize that it is being designed to be as accessible and inclusive as possible, while still providing golfers with the portability, accuracy and consistency they expect. Offering a couple of examples, golfers will be able to obtain a handicap after returning a minimal number of scores – the recommendation being as few as three 18-hole scores, six 9-hole scores or a combination of both to comprise 54 holes. Handicaps will not lapse after a period of inactivity and the maximum handicap will be 54.0, regardless of gender. These elements are designed to clear a pathway into the game, enabling players new to the sport to feel more welcomed into the golf community. While the WHS is intended to encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance, it must enhance the enjoyment of all golfers. Therefore, it will be important for clubs to ensure that new golfers with higher handicaps pick up at the maximum hole score and maintain a good pace-of-play.

9. National Associations are tasked with educating the golf community.

The education roll-out is scheduled to commence in January 2019, and we have already started to work on a strategy for the development of a ‘global-ready’ education plan to support implementation and ongoing operations. National Associations will continue to carry out the responsibility of educating its membership.

Written by Dwayne Tingley

Golf New Brunswick will partner with Easy Golf Tour this season and tournament and league play will never be the same.

Easy Golf Tour, created and owned by Todd Chant of Sydney, N.S., provides easy-to-use software that will benefit players, Golf New Brunswick’s 47 member clubs and the provincial association.

Players will no longer have to register for tournaments and league play through a third party, Chant said, noting the process will be done on each club’s web site.

All other tournament and league information will also be securely kept there, he added.

“We’ve had great feedback so far because people appreciate how easy it is to run their tournaments and other activities within minutes,” Chant said.

“We started using it at a few clubs last year and it’s expanding quickly when everyone sees how easy it is to use. We are going to have great partners in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia this year. I really enjoy being part of the golf community and giving back like this.”

Golf New Brunswick will provide the software to all of its member clubs at no charge in 2019, with the clubs having the option of integrating the program into each of their own web sites.

Club’s choosing to use the system will then manage it by offering on-line registrations and other tournament management tools, including scoring and payments.

“We know people like to deal with their own club instead of working through another organization,” Chant said. “It’s easy to use and it’s more convenient.”

Golf New Brunswick executive-director Tyson Flinn said clubs will benefit from a financial and human resources perspective and there is a “real win-win” for players.

“Those who are participating in club events that are using the East Golf Tour software will experience an easy and seamless registration process, an improved on-course and digital experience and lower wait times for pairings and awards ceremonies,” Flinn said.

“It will help to make each event more fun, less stressful and create the most positive playing experience possible,” Flinn said.

All details of tournaments, league play and other golf events as well as payments are handled by the user-friendly software program.

“It’s all about giving each course and Golf New Brunswick a value-added product,” Chant said. “In fact, we go beyond that. Our software is set up to work with every course in North America. We can work with them all.”

Flinn predicts Golf New Brunswick’s partnership with Easy Golf Tour is “just the tip of the iceberg.”

“With Todd’s passion and dedication to collaborative product creation it is our hope that we can continue to work together to provide custom club management software options that can help align and streamline our facilities while saving them money and grow the reach of Golf New Brunswick, its programs and the game of golf as a whole in New Brunswick,” Flinn said.

This week’s Valspar Championship is playing right into Nick Taylor’s hands.

Taylor, from Abbotsford, B.C., is looking forward to taking on the difficult Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla., this week at the Valspar because it is just that – a challenging par-71 7,340 yards.

“It’s typically a difficult golf course. You have to keep it in play. Par’s not going to hurt you,” said Taylor on Wednesday. “I just prefer courses where 2- or 3-under par is a great score instead of being a shootout like some tournaments where the winner is 20- to 25-under.

“Here, 10- to 14- under is where winners have been and it’s where I would prefer it if I were to pick a tournament.”

The timing is great for Taylor, too. He’s coming off his strongest performance of the season, tying for 16th at 10 under at the hyper-competitive Players Championship.

“My iron play was really solid all week, made a few mistakes the first day. I felt the greens were tough in the afternoon,” said Taylor, who shot a 73 in the first round but recovered with a 69-69-67 line the rest of the way. “I played really well the last three days and cashed in a lot of opportunities on the Sunday to have my best round of the week so that was pretty much the difference.”

Pleased with his overall performance, Taylor isn’t looking to tweak anything about his game, instead focusing on maintaining what brought him success at the Players to the Valspar.

Taylor will be joined by seven other Canadians at the Valspar Championship, matching the record for Canadians at a PGA Tour event outside of the RBC Canadian Open. Monday qualifier David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, dual citizen Austin Connelly, Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., and Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., will also play, with the latter being added to the field on Wednesday.

Already a tough course, Taylor played nine holes on Tuesday at Copperhead and another nine at the Pro-Am and said that the greens are firm.

“Early in the morning was a little chilly, but the course is in great shape,” said Taylor. “The greens are fast and pretty firm. If the weather holds up it might be tough.”

OAKVILLE, ON (Golf Canada) – Today, RBC and Golf Canada announced that world ranked No. 4 – Rory McIlroy – will compete in the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, June 3-9 at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Fresh off an impressive victory at the 2019 PLAYERS Championship, McIlroy joins an already strong field of players, including world No. 1 and Team RBC Ambassador Dustin Johnson, alongside team members Jim Furyk, Adam Hadwin, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker.

“I‘m really excited to play in my first  RBC Canadian Open,” said McIlroy. “There continues to be a lot of momentum around this historic tournament, with a new date, new location and now a new concert series. I’ve had the opportunity to see the passion that Canada has for our sport and I look forward to seeing the energy of Canadian golf fans first hand. I’m also looking forward to squaring off with DJ, Adam and the rest of Team RBC for Canada’s National Open Championship.”

The 29-year old international superstar from Northern Ireland currently holds the No. 1 spot on the 2019 FedEx Cup Ranking. His results also include:

• Four-time Major Champion (US Open 2011, PGA Championship 2012, 2014, and The Open Championship 2014)
• Two-time WGC Champion (2014, 2015) and 2019 The PLAYERS Champion
• 15-time PGA TOUR Winner including 2016 FedEx Cup Champion, 24 worldwide wins overall
• Five appearances (four Team Europe wins) in the biennial Ryder Cup
• Two-time PGA TOUR Player of the Year (2012 and 2014)
• Three-time Race to Dubai Champion (2012, 2014 and 2015)
• Held world #1 in Official World Golf Ranking for 95 weeks over his career

“Rory is one of the game’s most accomplished and iconic young stars – his win at THE PLAYERS Championship this past weekend was incredible,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “We are so pleased that he has added the 2019 RBC Canadian Open to his schedule and are looking forward to giving him a warm welcome to Canada for his first-ever start at the tournament. I’m sure that Canadian golf fans, young and old, will show him our enthusiasm for this great sport.”

McIlroy’s commitment to play in his first RBC Canadian Open builds on an earlier announcement this week introducing a two-night RBCxMusic Concert Series at the tournament. The concerts will feature Grammy nominated and internationally acclaimed duo Florida Georgia Line on Friday, June 7, and JUNO award-winning homegrown rock band The Glorious Sons on Saturday, June 8.

“We have seen incredible momentum for the 2019 RBC Canadian Open with the move to our new June date,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “The exciting news that Rory McIlroy will be joining the field at Canada’s National Open Championship will be really special for golf fans at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Together with RBC, our goal has always been to continually elevate this tournament, for players and golf fans alike. Having Rory join other big names like Dustin Johnson, Webb Simpson and Jim Furyk will no doubt make this a ground-breaking year at our Open.”

In the coming weeks, additional players, including Canadians and tournament exemptions, will be announced. PGA TOUR players have until Friday, May 31 to commit to the field of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open.

More information about the 2019 RBC Canadian Open including tickets, corporate hospitality and volunteer information is available at www.rbccanadianopen.com.