Leslie Dunning might be expected, as she leaves the presidency of Golf Canada after an eventful year, to focus just on the milestones.

And there were some notable moments, including trophy presentations to the likes of the world’s top-ranked male golfer, Dustin Johnson, at the RBC Canadian Open and, even more memorable, the presentation to Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., who became just the second Canadian to win the CP Women’s Open.

How about the announcement of a new, more preferable date for the 2019 RBC Canadian Open? Seeing a historic modernization of the Rules of Golf come into effect? Or travelling to iconic tournaments such as The Masters and the U.S. Open?

While Dunning acknowledges those were wonderful experiences, she chooses to highlight themes, rather than events. And that should come as no surprise, if you recall her “mantra” when she was elected a year ago.

“I’m trying to make sure that I’m doing something every day to grow the game in Canada,” she told me at that time.

Leslie Dunning looks on during the inaugural CP Women’s Leadership Summit at Hotel Saskatchewan during the week of the 2018 CP Women’s Open

As a result, she harks back to attending historic events such as the inaugural CP Women’s Leadership Summit, the first Women’s Summit hosted by the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, and others, such as when Golf Canada invited some long-overdue guests to the RBC Canadian Open.

In an effort to “walk the talk” expressed in Golf Canada’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy (the outcome of a task force Dunning spearheaded), representatives of about a dozen golf organizations were invited to Glen Abbey to share information about their organizations and learn about Golf Canada..

“These diverse groups are well-functioning organizations; some have been around for decades,” said Dunning. “They are just a small sample of the many groups of golfers across the country who love the game; but few of them have been engaged as part of Golf Canada.”

“We learned from those first meetings that, just like traditional golf associations and clubs, these groups want to grow their membership, grow the game, have fun and educate players about the Rules so they can maintain good pace of play and accurate handicaps for net competitions.”

Once learning about the benefits of Golf Canada membership, some groups, not already members, committed to join Golf Canada.  As well, a few new governance volunteers were recruited, including one for Golf Canada’s Investment Committee and another for its Human Resources Committee.  Some groups have expressed interest to “adopt” a hole for the RBC Canadian Open or CP Women’s Open.  “It has been an encouraging start and we will continue to work with these groups, and others, to involve them and their members as part of Golf Canada.”

While perhaps not as exciting as meeting DJ and Brooke or walking the hallowed grounds of Augusta National, Dunning’s dedication to staying true to her “mantra” is undoubtedly more impressive and impactful.

To say her calendar was full is an understatement and many of the occasions were focused on expanding diversity and inclusion in golf in Canada. It started with hosting last year’s Golf Canada annual general meeting on the Tsuutina Nation near her home in Calgary where Golf in Schools kits were gifted to the Nation’s elementary and high schools. And the pace seldom slowed.

“I tried my best to do something every day whether it was meeting with organizations, reading to expand my knowledge and understanding, attending events, speaking with people or exchanging information..”

She is optimistic about the commitment to diversity and inclusion by everyone involved in golf in Canada. “We are seeing diversity and inclusion on conference agendas, in magazine articles and in policy and program development.”  Not only did she write an article on equity, diversity and inclusion for the Canadian Society of Club Managers magazine, she also gave a number of interviews and presentations focusing on the topic.

Dunning was gratified, by an article on diversity in golf in a major magazine.  “The writer did a terrific job researching the true diversity that already exists in golf.  It is now up to Golf Canada, other organizations and clubs to ensure that we are as diverse as the golfing public.”

Sandwiched between all this were Golf Canada Board of Directors meetings and other governance responsibilities, something Dunning takes very seriously, especially as she was working with the association’s new CEO, Laurence Applebaum, though his first full year on the job.

“As president, my primary responsibility has been to provide leadership to the Board and to work in partnership with the CEO to prepare for and follow up after Board meetings.”

She says working with Applebaum has been “a real pleasure” and credits “a great and hard-working Board, committed volunteers and talented staff” for their invaluable contributions.

Dunning will hand over the reins to Charlie Beaulieu of Montreal at Golf Canada’s annual general meeting on March 2, 2019 in Montreal.

Pat Edwards describes herself as a “very average” golfer, but her impact on the sport in New Brunswick will felt for many generations.

The 82-year-old Bathurst resident is one of six new inductees into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame. The shrine’s 50^th annual induction ceremonies are scheduled for June 1 at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre in Bathurst.

“I was, of course, surprised (by the election to the hall of fame),” Edwards said. “I am very honoured and humbled.”

Edwards, who was born in Point La Nim, didn’t play golf as a junior, but she played her first round in 1958 at the Restigouche Golf Club. She was immediately hooked on the sport and wondered why she didn’t take it up sooner.

Edwards enjoyed competitions, but her legacy would come as a builder. Her tenure as a mentor for juniors and organizer for all levels would continue for many decades.

“Through the years being involved in golf, I have met so many interesting and extraordinary people  and the love of the sport – it is just too hard to walk away from it,” said Edwards, whose first foray as a builder was serving four years as the director of ladies’ junior golf in New Brunswick.

“When you are working with the juniors, one becomes very close to them and I was called ‘mom’ by many of them,” she added.

“I am very proud of their successes – Bari Gourley, who is now technical director of Golf N.B. and Allison Chisholm, who is course rating and handicap chair as well as having served as chair of N.B. Golf, are among the many young players I worked with.”

Edwards was chairwoman of junior development in New Brunswick from 1984-87 and has fond memories of helping at junior golf schools with Doug Brewer and Dave Robertson at Magnetic Hill.

She was president of the New Brunswick Ladies Golf Association in 1998-99 and later served as vice-president and president of the Canadian Ladies Golf Association. She represented Canada at several international tournaments and meetings.

“It was an honour, but one of the biggest thrills was seeing my youngest daughter, Cyndi, compete at the New Brunswick and Canadian junior championships,” said Edwards, who has three children with her husband Rex.

Another personal highlight was bringing and chairman the first national championship at her home course of Gowan Brae, when the venerable club hosted the junior ladies’ tournament in 1992.

“Having Carole Mix from Moncton and Judy Astle on the executive when I was the CLGA president was also very comforting and assuring,” she noted.

In 2008-09, Edwards served as president of the Canadian women’s senior golf association (New Brunswick branch.

“I have to give the sincerest thanks to all who have supported me over the years and I especially want to thank the two ladies who spearheaded my application for the new Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame – Brenda Parrot and Kathy Grebenc as well as endorsers Bari Gourley and Kathy Meagher.

“I want to give special thanks for the board of directors (of the hall), especially Betty Bouma, who has been a long-time friend and collaborator in skating.”

Edwards judged more than 23 national and international skating competitions.

The New Brunswick hall was formed 1970 and now has more than 700 members.

DORVAL, Que. – Golf Canada’s 2019 Annual Meeting is set for this week (February 28 to March 2) at the Marriott Montréal Airport In-Terminal Hotel in Dorval, Que., just outside of Montreal.

The event brings together Golf Canada’s Board of Directors, staff and volunteers as well as representatives from Canada’s provincial golf associations, national and international partners and other stakeholders. The group will assemble for select meetings, innovative presentations and discussion in preparation for the upcoming golf season.

CEO Laurence Applebaum will also present Golf Canada’s Strategic Plan (2019-2022) to increase Canadian participation and excellence in golf.

Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting will culminate with the appointment of Charlie Beaulieu of Lorraine, Qué., to serve as the National Sport Federation’s 115^th President, taking over from 2018 President Leslie Dunning of Calgary.

The formal appointment of Beaulieu along with the release of the association’s 2018 Financial Statements will take place during Golf Canada’s official Annual General Meeting on Saturday, March 2 at 5 p.m. ET.

Golf Canada will also celebrate outstanding contributions to the game of golf in Canada with the presentation of its 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award to Raymonde Michaud as well as Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award(s) to industry collaborator Raymond Gaudet, long-time volunteer Jean-Claude Gagné and golf journalist Daniel Caza.

Golf Quebec has also scheduled its Annual General Meeting to take place in conjunction with assembly in Dorval, Que.

A full schedule of activities and presentations taking place during Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting is available here.

Dorval, Qué. (Golf Canada) – A trio of lifetime contributors the sport of golf – course owner and industry collaborator Raymond Gaudet, long-time volunteer and rules official Jean-Claude Gagné and acclaimed golf journalist Daniel Caza – will be acknowledged for their tremendous contributions to the sport as the 2019 recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award.

The presentation of the 2019 Distinguished Service Awards to Gaudet, Gagné and Caza will take place on Saturday, March 2 as part of Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting (February 28 to March 2) at the Marriott Montréal Airport In-Terminal Hotel in Dorval, Qué.

Gaudet is the founder of Club de Golf Montcalm, a 36-hole family owned and operated golf facility in Saint-Liguori, Qué. He is a founding member of Québec Golf Course Owners Association and was the driving force behind the formation of the Golf Association of Québec, an association comprised of club owners and managers, delegates of Golf Québec, club professionals, superintendents and other industry stakeholders.

Gagné has spent more than 30 years volunteering with Golf Canada and Golf Quebec. He is a long-time Rules official and French language translator who has supported the translation of materials for the Rules of Golf as well as Handicap and Course Rating.

Caza is a respected sports journalist who has chronicled the sport of golf in Quebec and nationally for more than 20 years. He is a lead golf contributor and the Editor and Chief with Ovations Media golf properties including Mongolf.ca, Revue Golf International, Golf Les Affaires and Guide Québec Golf as well as the golf television program “Au 19e” broadcast on RDS.

“Golf Canada is extremely proud to recognize Raymond Gaudet, Jean-Claude Gagné and Daniel Caza as the recipients of our 2019 Distinguished Service Award,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Each of their respective contributions across various touchpoints in the game has left a meaningful impression on the Canadian and Quebec golf landscape. It is with great respect and admiration that we honour these individuals for their passion and commitment to our sport.”

Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually since 1993 to recognize individuals who have had an outstanding impact on Canadian golf either nationally or within their community.

Recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award are often selected from within the province or region of the organization’s incoming President. On Saturday, March 2, Charlie Beaulieu of Lorraine, Qué. will be sworn in as Golf Canada’s 115^th president. As president-elect, Beaulieu will succeed Leslie Dunning of Calgary who served as President in 2018.

In addition to the presentation of the Distinguished Service Awards, Golf Canada will also recognize Raymonde Michaud of Rivière-du-Loup, QC as the 2018 Volunteer of the Year.

Michaud, Gaudet, Gagné and Caza will be honoured on Saturday, March 2 during the closing dinner of Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting.

Click here to see a full schedule of events for Golf Canada’s 2019 Annual Meeting.

Golf Canada 2019 Distinguished Service Award Honourees

Jean-Claude Gagné (Volunteer)

Jean-Claude Gagné of Sherbrooke, Qué. has been a strong contributor to the game of golf both in Québec and at the national level for more than 30 years.

A long-time golfer and member of the Milby Golf Club, he has served as a volunteer and Rules of Golf official with Golf Canada and Golf Québec. Gagné has officiated at numerous amateur and professional golf championships over the course of his career in addition to serving as Tournament Chair or Rules Chair for various regional, provincial and national competitions, including the 2013 Canada Games held at his home club in Sherbrooke.

Gagné served on numerous Golf Canada committees during his volunteer tenure including Rules of Golf and Handicap (which he chaired from 2002 to 2005) and on the (former) Executive Committee for six years (2003-2009). A highlight of his volunteer experience included accompanying Team Canada in 2006 and 2007 as a Head Rules Official for the Toyota Junior Boys World Cup in Japan.

A past President of the Eastern Township Golf Association, his contributions provincially with Golf Québec spanned more than a decade where he supported various committees, served as Tournament Chair in 1998 and 1999, and was President of the Association in 2000. Gagné has also lent his expertise to Golf Canada over the years as a technical expert and French language translator supporting the Rules of Golf as well as Handicapping and Course Rating. In 2018, he contributed to a working group alongside past Golf Canada President Jacques Nols and current Golf Canada Rules Chair Diane Barabé in the full translation of the new Modernized Rules of Golf including publications and supporting materials which came into effect January 1, 2019. This year, he will apply his technical translation expertise to the French-language adaptation of materials and the Handicap Manual to support the global roll-out of the World Handicap System which comes into effect January 1, 2020. Gagné has also supported Golf Canada and Golf Québec in conducting numerous education and certification sessions related to the Rules of Golf as well as Handicap and Course Rating.

Raymond Gaudet (Industry)

Raymond Gaudet’s contributions to the game of golf in Québec are rooted in two pillars—family and collaboration. Born in Saint-Liguori, Qué., Gaudet—a passionate golfer and former member at Club de Golf Joliette—was a practicing dentist for 42 years while making his mark in the golf industry. His entrepreneurial spirit in the 1970’s inspired him to build a golf course in his home village and in 1977, the opening nine of the now 36-hole Club de Golf Montcalm was designed by course architect John Watson.

The course became 18 holes in 1978, 27 holes in 1987 and then the final nine opened in 1991. Montcalm was, and remains to this day, a family business as his wife of 56 years, Evangeline, served as the General Manager of the club for 40 years. Today, his four children lead the business including son Claude who is President, General Manager and Superintendent; daughter Eve who is Food and Beverage Manager; son Sylvain who is Director of Golf; and son Robert-André who is Assistant Superintendent.

Gaudet, a trusted advisor in the Québec golf community, would go on to become one of the founding members of the APTGQ—the Québec Golf Course Owners Association. He would serve as the association’s second president, remained in office for seven years and would later participate in the founding of the Québec Golf Federation (QGF). Looking to give back to the sport he loved, Gaudet helped the QGF to launch the Maxi Golf Junior Circuit, a provincial tour aimed at developing young golfers in Québec.

A respected voice in the Québec golf industry and advocate for collaboration and industry cooperation, Gaudet was a driving force behind the formation of the Québec Golf Federation, an association comprised of club owners and managers, delegates of Golf Québec, club professionals, superintendents and other industry stakeholders. Although he retired in 2016 after more than 40 years leading Montcalm, Gaudet remains full of projects for the club.

Daniel Caza (Media)

Over the course of a distinguished media career, Daniel Caza has chronicled the sport of golf in Québec and nationally. He is a trusted voice in the Québec golf and sports media landscape. The Montreal native is an insightful commentator who is well respected by his peers and the golfing public, as well as club operators and golf industry stakeholders for his unique perspective on the Québec golf landscape.

Before becoming a golf writer, which he’s done for the past 20 years, Caza was contributing to prestigious media outlets such as La Presse Canadienne, Le Soleil daily newspaper and RDS covering the Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Expos as well as other major international events such as Formula One Grand Prix, boxing and tennis.

He joined Radio-Canada during the same period where he had the opportunity to be part of the broadcasting team covering the coverage of the Olympic Games in Atlanta and Nagano. Since 1999, he has worked almost exclusively in the golf industry—first with Transcontinental, then with Gesca and, finally, with Ovation Media. He has been a lead contributor to the golf division of the publishers mentioned, and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the MonGolf.ca platform.

His golf contributions with Ovation Media also extend to Revue Golf International, Golf Les Affaires and Guide Québec Golf. Caza also contributes to the golf television program “Au 19e” broadcast on RDS.

Golf Canada is pleased to announce that Raymonde Michaud of Rivière-du-Loup, Qué., has been named the recipient of Golf Canada’s 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award.

A golf official recognized for her work with youth and leadership with the Optimist movement, Michaud will be acknowledged during the closing dinner of Golf Canada’s 2019 Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 2 at the Marriott Montréal Airport In-Terminal Hotel.

“Volunteers are the driving force behind the success of golf in this country and we are proud to recognize Raymonde Michaud for her leadership and extensive contributions to support the game of golf in her home province of Québec,” said Golf Canada President Leslie Dunning. “Raymonde has given back to the game at the regional and provincial level and it is fitting that her leadership, commitment and contributions are being recognized.”

Each year in Canada, tens of thousands of committed volunteers help to support the game of golf in communities from coast to coast.

Now in its 13^th year, candidates for Golf Canada’s Volunteer of the Year Award are put forth for consideration by the respective provincial golf associations in acknowledgment of significant contributions to the game of golf in their community. 

Raymonde Michaud, Rivière-du-Loup, QC

Raymonde Michaud’s volunteering career started at a very young age, in 1974, as a Scout Leader in Rivière-du-Loup. Through the years, she remained involved with the local scouting movement where she advanced to become an instructor in charge of the leaders’ training from 1979-1984, a director from 1986-1997, and eventually the President of the Maurice Proulx Scout Foundation from 1997-2016.

An avid golfer at the Club de golf de Rivière-du-Loup, Raymonde devoted close to 30 years of her time to the betterment of the sport. She started volunteering as the Junior Representative of her club in the summer of 1989. From 1990 to 1996, she acted as Club Captain of the women’s division before joining the facility’s Board of Directors in 1997 and 1998. After a short hiatus, she came back to the Board from 2003 to 2009.

Looking to share her passion for the game at a large scale, she became a volunteer of the (former) Canadian Ladies Golf Association (CLGA) – Québec Branch. She joined the regional Rules Committee of the Québec City area and was actively involved from 1992 to 1997. A nationally certified rules official, she was appointed to the CLGA provincial Rules Committee from 1998 to 2004.

Through the amalgamation of the CLGA with the Québec Golf Association (QGA) in 2004 and later on with the restructuration that led to the creation of the Québec Golf Federation (Golf Québec) in 2011, she remained an active member of this provincial operational committee until 2016. Raymonde is one of the most experienced regional and provincial rules officials and is still actively involved as an official at Golf Québec championships.

Aside from her continuous involvement with the scouting movement and numerous golf associations, Raymonde became the first female members of the Rivière-du-Loup Optimist Club in 1991. She volunteered with many regional committees and acted as an officer and a Governor of her regional and district branches. Raymonde continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation.

Raymonde Michaud and Jack Nicklaus (1985)

In 2007, Raymonde was instrumental in  the creation of a new partnership between Golf Québec and the Western District of the Québec Optimist Clubs. The objective was to provide junior golfers of the Optimist Junior Golf Club – St. Laurent Region – with a qualifying opportunity for the prestigious Optimist International Junior Golf Championship held every year in Florida. The very first edition of the Golf Québec Optimist Classic was conducted in 2009 with approximately 40 young participants and the event is now one of the tournaments composing the Junior Provincial Tour. With over 240 junior golfers, boys and girls, from Québec, Eastern Ontario and the Maritimes, it is the most prestigious qualifier held in Canada and 2nd largest in the world for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship. In 2018, in collaboration with the Optimist Junior Golf Club – St. Laurent Region, Golf Québec proudly qualified twenty (20) young players aged 9 to 18 for the International event held at the PGA National Resort & SPA, in Palm Beach Gardens, from July 17 to August 1, 2018.

Raymonde also contributed to the Golf Québec Optimist Classic as a Rules official in every edition of the provincial qualifier. As well, a few years ago, she was invited to act as a Rules official during the two-week international competition held in Florida.

Congratulations to Raymonde Michaud of Rivière-du-Loup, Qué, on being named Golf Canada’s 2018 Volunteer of the Year!

MILTON, Ont. – A Canadian golf course will host a sectional qualifier for the U.S. Open for the first time in June.

RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, Ont., will host one of 12 qualifiers for the major on June 3.

The 36-hole event in Milton makes geographic sense for the United States Golf Association because of the new date for the RBC Canadian Open, which starts June 6 in nearby Hamilton.

Many PGA Tour and European Tour players not automatically entered in the U.S. Open – June 13-16 in Pebble Beach, Calif. – will tee it up in one of the sectional qualifiers.

England and Japan also will host qualifiers, while the other nine are in the U.S. Ten of the 12 will take place on June 3.

The amount of qualifiers from each site is determined by strength of field.

Golf Canada was thrilled to land the qualifier.

“We are delighted to deepen our partnership with the USGA in debuting a Canadian sectional qualifier for the U.S. Open during the week of the RBC Canadian Open,” Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum said in a statement.

“Connecting our respective national open championships is a meaningful step in continuing to elevate the RBC Canadian Open while also enhancing our relationship as global partners in the game. This is also special for our partners at ClubLink, who are excited to welcome the 36-hole sectional qualifier to RattleSnake Point Golf Club.”

“It would not be a bad idea to require each golfer to pass a written examination on the Rules of Golf…”

Don’t panic. That was just the opinion of J.T. Clark, editor of the Toronto Star.

In 1915.

His comments were reported in Canadian Golfer magazine and the editor concluded the article with these timeless words: “Play up, play up, and play the game. And conscientiously observe the Rules and etiquette.”

Not much has changed since then. If anything, the recent renovation of the Rules of Golf, which went into effect on Jan. 1, has put a laser focus on the Rules and their implementation. (You can review the new Rules here.)

Recent incidents on the professional tours have impacted this greatly. Penalties for having a caddie helping line up a player and a disqualification for Sergio Garcia’s inexcusable behaviour at a European Tour event have garnered widespread and disparate reactions.

That, in my opinion, is not a bad thing. If anything, it’s positive.

Let’s take it for granted that many recreational golfers observe the mere minimum of the Rules and etiquette. That’s fine as long as they don’t impact the enjoyment and safety of their fellow golfers and they are not posting scores for an official handicap. Any score posted for handicap purposes must be played under the Rules of Golf.

Why?

In Clark’s words:  “Players sometimes bring in weird scores, procured in weird ways that would disqualify them 10 times over.”  Plus ca change, plus c’est la même chose, n’est pas?

But at the very least, every golfer, recreational and competitive, should have access to knowing and understanding the Rules.

While I’m not agreeing with Clark’s assertion that every golfer passes a written Rules exam, I think it is incumbent on anyone who is serious about the game to avail them of the opportunity offered by Golf Canada.

That’s my personal opinion, just like I feel every touring and club professional, golf coach at any level and the appropriate instructor at every Professional Golf Management program should be Rules certified.

If that isn’t the case, then ideally there would be a Rules expert (now called “referees” under the new Rules) at every course.

It’s an initiative that at least one provincial association is trying to encourage.

Anne Balser is the Manager of Sport Development and Championships at the Nova Scotia Golf Association. Aside from being an accomplished player (two-time Nova Scotia Amateur champion, 2010 Canadian University/College champion, four-time All-Canadian and twice an All-American while attending the University of Victoria), she learned the importance of the Rules at an early age. She recently obtained her national Rules certification.

“My mom was a golfer and a teacher, so any time my sisters and I went out with her, she took the opportunity to show us not only how the Rules worked, but how they could help us. I learned the Rules are not there to penalize you but that knowing the Rules can actually help you save strokes.”

This year, the NSGA is conducting introductory Rules seminars around the province. The first, at Ken-Wo Country Club, drew more than 70 golfers interested in learning the basics.

“It showed us that there is great interest among golfers to understand not only the new version of the Rules but how the average golfer can benefit from knowing the basic Rules,” said Balser.

In addition to these onsite visits, Balser pointed out that golfers can dig into the Rules while digging out of the snow before the season starts in much of Canada through various online opportunities such as webinars, YouTube videos and other supports.

Alison Murdoch, an honoured member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame with an incredible national and international resume, has been Rules-accredited at the national level for more than a decade. Her incentive to do so was obvious.

“As a player, it would be incredibly embarrassing to make a ruling for myself or another player and get it wrong, so I took it upon myself back in 2008 to take the Rules seminar and exam. I’ve never regretted it.”

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

She lauds the camaraderie of the Rules teams she is part of at tournaments, using compliments such as “welcoming, supportive, helpful, educational, rewarding, challenging” to encourage others to achieve their Rules certification.

“At my club, where they know I am a certified Rules referee, I am often asked about a ruling. It’s great to be recognized as a resource and I am happy to help. Perhaps the greatest reward is when I make a ruling and someone comes up to me after and thanks me because I saved them from an unfortunate situation because they were unaware of the Rule.”

Not only has the new Rules code become more understandable and user-friendly, but Golf Canada has changed their Rules Education System to three levels from the previous four to make it more accessible.

“Level 1 is an online platform to educate all golfers about the basics of the Rules and explain commonly encountered situations on the course,” says Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s Director of Rules, Competitions and Amateur Status.

If you love the game, know the Rules.

Click here to register for Level 1.

Written by Dwayne Tingley

Moncton Golf and Country Club general manager Marc Robichaud was immediately impressed with Carter Lavigne.

Lavigne was just five years-old, but his golf knowledge and etiquette belied his youth and his skills also caught the eye of Robichaud, who is also the club’s director of golf.

“For such a young player, he handled himself well and he certainly knew his way around the course,” Robichaud said.

Four years later, Lavigne is still marking significant achievements and turning heads in the game he loves.

The Grade 4 student has qualified to compete in the Drive, Chip and Putt championships on April 7 at the venerable Augusta National Golf Club, the Sunday before the Masters Tournament.

More than 17,000 youngsters tried to earn their way to Augusta from 226 qualifying competitions, but only 80 players advanced to the finals. Lavigne is just one of four Canadians who will be competing and attending a banquet with the Masters participants. The event will be televised by The Golf Channel.

“I am really excited and proud that I was able to get this far,” Carter said. “I remember my first golf experience was when I was two and I played the mini-putt course at Crystal Palace. I was scared and I couldn’t play the hole with pirates on it.

“I knew back then that I really liked golf and I wanted to play all the time. I don’t do mini-putts, but I still want to play all the time.”

He also plays year-round, under the watchful eye of Robichaud. He has one formal training session on the Trackman simulators each week and usually pops into the Moncton Golf and Country Club a couple of other times for other practice sessions.

Carter, who was born in Bathurst, also plays competitive hockey and baseball, but golf remains his passion.

“I like it when I get to beat my dad (Darsey),” he said with a laugh.

“I know that I am young, but I want to be a golf pro someday. That’s my dream.”

Robichaud said Carter should enjoy the experience and not put too much pressure on himself.

“He’s still a kid and we should never forget that,” Robichaud said. “We want him to have fun – no matter how it goes. I’m sure he will do very well, but it has to be fun. That’s the main thing, especially at this age.”

Darsey said Carter has always kept the game in perspective.

“He’s always been a very good player and he’s always had a good time on the golf course,” Darsey said. “That’s where he always wants to be. He could play golf every day if it was possible,”

There were no qualifying events in the Maritimes so Carter’s first foray in the Drive, Putt and Chip competition came last June, when he topped of field of 18 players in Freeport. Me.

From there, he placed second at a competition near Boston before he won the Northeast event at Winged Foot in New York in order to qualify for Augusta.

Drive, Chip and Putt competitions week golfers take nine shots – three drives, three chips from 15 yards and three putts of different lengths. All nine shots count toward a final score.

“It’s going to be exciting and I’m never going to forget the experience,” the nine-year-old said. “I want to be a better player. Right now, I want to keep my mind on getting better. I think this experience will make me a better player.”

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