Your League Levelled Up!

(April 3, 2023) – Golf Canada has announced the launch of The National Golf League (NGL), a nationwide network of existing recreational golf leagues designed to enhance the league experience for participants and generate charitable support for First Tee – Canada.

Built for golfers of all skill levels, the National Golf League will feature a six-week regular season that takes place within existing recreational league play during the summer. A series of regional playoff tournaments across Canada will take place in the fall at premium golf courses. The National Golf League will culminate with the NGL National Championship at Hamilton Golf and Country Club as part of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open tournament week celebration.

The National Golf League will also contribute to the development of a more sustainable and inclusive future for the sport by supporting a charitable component through First Tee – Canada. First Tee is a youth development program that provides accessible pathways to golf participation at schools, community centres, and golf courses across the country.

“League play is one of the most popular ways that Canadians engage with golf. The National Golf League will build on the fun that league golfers already have by supplementing and levelling up existing leagues through a national platform for regular season play and an exciting and unique playoff format,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer, Kevin Blue. “The National Golf League will also provide important charitable support to First Tee – Canada, a program that creates youth participation opportunities for the next generation of recreational golfers.”

National Golf League competitions will utilize an official Golf Canada Handicap applied towards a net Stableford scoring system that allows golfers to earn points for the net score they record on each hole.

Regular season NGL competition will take place over nine holes during six weeks of identified league play called “NGL Majors” that are integrated into existing league play and scheduled at the convenience of the local league operator. A golfer’s best four net Stableford point totals of the six NGL Majors will count towards their season-long points total on the NGL leaderboard.

A portion of the top regular season finishers in each participating league will qualify for the NGL Regional Playoffs, which will take place at premium courses across Canada. Qualifying golfers will select a guest teammate who also played in their regular season league and participate as a team of two in a best-ball net Stableford competition over 18 holes. Successful teams in the NGL Regional Playoffs will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the NGL National Championship.

The NGL is open to recreational golf leagues played at both private and public courses. Participants must be Golf Canada members to ensure an official handicap is used. There is no registration fee for golfers or leagues to join the National Golf League. Participants will be asked to support First Tee – Canada in their home province by way of donation.

The size of the National Golf League will be limited in its launch year to ensure a positive experience for players and league operators. A limited number of spots remain for leagues to join the National Golf League in 2023—interested league operators should contact Ryan Logan (rlogan@golfcanada.ca) to express interest before April 15. For more information visit NationalGolfLeague.ca.

Week-long women’s golf festival with competitive and introductory programming for all ages of women and girls across Calgary to run in conjunction with enhanced Digital Commercial Bank Glencoe Invitational.

March 8, 2023 – Golf Canada and The Glencoe Golf and Country Club in Calgary have announced a partnership that will support enhancements to the prestigious Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational, along with the pilot launch of a week-long women’s golf festival taking place across the Calgary region during the week of the championship.

Established in 1992, the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational is one of the premiere golf competitions in Canada with approximately 100 athletes – both professionals and elite amateurs in the women’s division and amateurs only in the men’s division – competing over 54 holes on The Forest Course at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club. The championship runs June 15-17 and will feature an expanded prize purse of at least $60,000 CAD in the women’s division. The winner of the women’s championship will also receive an exemption into the 2023 CP Women’s Open. 

Team Canada athletes will compete in the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational and Golf Canada will assist in recruiting international players to compete in the championship. Team Canada will also conduct training camps in Calgary surrounding the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational with athletes and coaches from the men’s, women’s, and NextGen squads. Following the championship, Golf Canada will host a US Women’s Amateur Qualifier on Monday, June 19 at the Sundre Golf Club in Sundre, Alta.

“The Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational is a premier golf competition in this country, and it is exciting to see the enhancements take shape, especially the progressive investment to elevate opportunities for women,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer, Kevin Blue. “We are thankful for The Glencoe and the leadership they are demonstrating to help foster the growth of women’s golf in Canada. We are proud to partner in the enhancement of the women’s championship and deliver additional community golf activities to advance participation among women and junior girls in the Calgary area.”

“We are excited to grow the success of the tournament by partnering with Golf Canada,” said Tournament Chair, Dale Goehring. “This year’s event will enable more elite Canadian male and female players to compete on home soil.  Working alongside with Golf Canada with the tournament and Festival events aligns with the Glencoe Golf & Country Club’s mission to create exceptional experiences and grow the game of golf for both women and men.”

In addition to enhancements to the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational, Golf Canada will pilot a women’s golf festival concept that will take place during the week of the championship. Beginning on June 12, Golf Canada will host several introductory community events at Calgary area golf courses promoting recreational women’s and junior girls’ golf participation with a focus on the fun and social aspects of the game.

Information about new and existing clinics, leagues and programs for women and girls in the Calgary region will be shared throughout the week. The R&A is also providing important support for the Calgary area women’s golf festival pilot.    

“We are proud to have  support from Glencoe and the R&A in helping to pilot the Canadian Women’s Golf Festival with a dedicated focus on programming for women and girls that spans the full participation pathway from first involvement to high performance,” said Laura Wilson, Golf Canada’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Safe Sport. “We see this being a week-long celebration of women’s golf. The enhancements to the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational along with highly visible programming will address participation gaps and bring greater awareness among women of the physical, psychological, and social benefits of golf.”

Activities planned for the Women’s Golf Festival during the week of The Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational include:

• Tee it Up Clinics – a first trial opportunity for young girls with introductions to fundamental skills such as driving, chipping, and putting in a fun and relaxed environment filled with music, games, and laughter.
• Team Scramble – a women focused fun and non-traditional nine-hole event for women and junior girls.
• Try Golf Taster – introductory events to encourage women to try golf in a low pressure, unintimidating environment.
• Women in Coaching – women’s only coach education sessions that will present an opportunity to develop leaders and role models in golf, especially focused on community coaching.

Golf Canada will work with Alberta Golf, City of Calgary, golf courses in the Calgary area and community-based organizations to operate the Women’s Golf Festival during the week of The Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational as a pilot project with a goal that the concept can draw sustainable funding to support expansion to four Canadian markets in 2024. 

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements are now available

Golf Canada releases its new five-year Strategic Plan (2023-2027)

Judy Astle recognized by Golf Canada as its 2022 Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year

Volunteers Kay Thompson and Nick Marrone along with golf journalist and historian Joe McLean to be recognized with Golf Canada’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award

Golf Canada recognizes 2022 National Junior Facility Award winners

(March 2 – Golf Canada) – Golf Canada’s 2023 Annual Meeting culminated on Thursday, March 2 with the election of David McCarthy of Toronto as the 117^th President of the National Sport Federation.

McCarthy, a senior partner at Stikeman Elliott LLP, has been a volunteer with Golf Canada for more than 20 years across various committees and councils. A member of both the Donalda Golf & Country Club and the St. Andrews Golf Club, McCarthy was part of Golf Canada’s Governors Council (2014-2018) and has served on the Board of Directors since 2018.

“I am extremely honoured that the Nominating Committee has extended its confidence in me to serve as the 117^th President of Golf Canada,” said McCarthy. “There is great momentum for Golf Canada and golf in Canada and I look forward to assisting our sport to grow with pace.”  

Based on the report of Golf Canada’s Nominating Committee, McCarthy will be joined on the 2023 Board of Directors by newly elected Vice-President Adam Daifallah of Montreal, Que. in leading the 13-member Board of Directors who will work closely with Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum.

Returnees to the Board of Directors include Susan MacKinnon of Calgary, Alta., Patrick Kelly of Victoria, B.C., Shawn Evans of Kitchener, Ont., Alison Chisholm of Rothesay, N.B., Diane Drury-Clarke of Montreal, Que., Peter Major of Calgary, Alta., Jean-Sébastien Monty of Montreal, Que., and Michelle Collens of Vancouver, B.C. along with new additions Teri Yamada of Toronto, Ont., Kelly Roberts of London, Ont., and Adam Zubak of Vancouver, B.C. 

Liz Hoffman of Wasaga Beach, Ont. concluded her two-year term as the association’s 116^th President and transitions to become an Honorary Life Governor. Two other long-time volunteers – Patricia Thompson of Kelowna, B.C. and Michael Richards of Montreal – were also named by Golf Canada as new Honorary Life Governors in recognition of their longstanding contributions to the association.

As part of its Annual Meeting, Golf Canada also released the association’s 2022 Annual Report including its Financial Statements which are available here.

Golf Canada Releases its New Five-Year Strategic Plan

As part of the Annual Meeting, Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum presented the  new five-year Strategic Plan (2023-2027), a roadmap for the organization’s operational, governance, sport, competitive and commercial areas of focus. The evolution of the Strategic Plan supports the organization’s vision to be a world leader in golf and its mission to better the lives of Canadians through participation and excellence in golf. Click here to see Golf Canada’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.

Judy Astle named 2022 Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year…

In the continued celebration of volunteerism, Golf Canada recognized New Brunswick native Judy Astle as the 2022 recipients of the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award. Now in its 17^th year, candidates for the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award are put forth to Golf Canada for consideration by the respective provincial golf associations in acknowledgment of significant contributions to the game of golf in their community. Click here for more.

Volunteers Kay Thompson and Nick Marrone along Golf Journalist & historian Joe McLean to Receive Golf Canada’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award…

Golf Canada announced that three accomplished golf contributors – tireless volunteers Kay Thompson of St. John’s, N.L. and Nick Marrone of Toronto along with golf journalist and Ottawa Valley golf historian Joe McLean – will be acknowledged for their tremendous contributions to the sport as the 2023 recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award. The presentation of the Distinguished Service Award will be celebrated in person with the recipients later this year. Click here for more.

Golf Canada Recognizes 2022 National Junior Facility Award Winners…

Golf Canada has named the six inaugural winners of the National Junior Facility Awards, a collection of Canadian golf facilities recognized across various areas for their positive contributions to impact and advance junior golf at their club and in their community. Click here for more.

Golf Canada’s 2022 Annual Meeting was conducted virtually on Thursday, March 2 with volunteers, staff, member clubs, and key industry stakeholders participating.

 2024 marks first time the historic club will play host to the stars of the LPGA Tour; 50th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship returns to Alberta for the 7th time and first since 2016 

Through Canadian Pacific’s community investment program, CP Has Heart, the event will once again be making a significant contribution to pediatric cardiac care in the host community 

(February 28, 2023) – The stars of the LPGA Tour are headed back to Calgary as Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) have announced that the 2024 CP Women’s Open will be contested at the historic Earl Grey Golf Club from July 22-28, 2024. 

The 2024 CP Women’s Open will mark the 7th time that the province of Alberta has hosted Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship and first since 2016. The 2024 event will be the 50th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship and the first time that Earl Grey will challenge the stars of the LPGA Tour. 

“Together, with our partners at Canadian Pacific and the LPGA Tour, we are very excited to bring the 2024 CP Women’s Open to the world-class city of Calgary and the prestigious Earl Grey Golf Club,” said CP Women’s Open Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “Calgary and the province of Alberta is home to a tremendously passionate golf community, and we are excited to see the LPGA Tour’s best challenge one of Canada’s premier golf courses.” 

Through its CP Has Heart campaign, CP will once again be making a significant charitable contribution to the host community. In its nine years of title sponsorship from 2014-2022, the campaign has raised more than $16 million for children’s cardiac care in the tournament’s host communities. 

“On behalf of the Canadian Pacific team and our more than 2,000-strong Calgary-based employees, we are proud to be part of such a tremendous event and excited to bring the tournament back to Calgary, an integral city within our rail network and home to CP’s headquarters,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “We look forward to continuing CP’s significant charitable legacy in our home community through CP Has Heart.” 

A host community beneficiary of the 2024 CP Women’s Open will be named by CP and Golf Canada at a later date. 

Originally founded in 1919 as a five-hole layout and now on its current site overlooking the picturesque Glenmore Reservoir since 1932, Earl Grey is world-class championship facility located in the heart of Calgary. The club, which features an 18-hole championship course as well as a nine-hole Par 3, has hosted numerous major provincial, national and international competitions including the Alberta Men’s Open, the Alberta Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships, the Alberta Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships, The Alberta Junior Boys Championship, and the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, in addition to the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship, the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, and the former Peter Jackson Championship. 

“We are excited to welcome the very best LPGA Tour players to Earl Grey Golf Club for the 2024 CP Women’s Open,” said Marion Burnyeat, Earl Grey Club President. “Hosting this historic tournament gives us the opportunity to share our championship golf course to challenge the top players in the world. The local golf community will come together in 2024 for this world-class tournament supported by the volunteer spirit for which Calgary is known.” 

The Tournament Partners of the LPGA awarded the CP Women’s Open with Tournament of the Year in 2022. Golf Canada and CP also received Gold Driver Awards for Best Sponsor Activation in 2019 and 2022 as well as Best Community and Charity Engagement in 2017, 2019 and 2022. 

“Hosting this prestigious event is a tremendous opportunity to showcase to the world the outstanding local partners and experiences that make Calgary the Ultimate Host City,” says Cindy Ady, CEO of Tourism Calgary. “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Golf Canada to secure the CP Women’s Open for the city and we are thrilled to welcome world’s best female golfers to Calgary in 2024.” 

Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has traditionally featured one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour vying for a total purse of $2.35 million USD. The 2023 CP Women’s Open is being held at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver from August 21-27, 2023. 

First conducted in 1973, Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has allowed the brightest stars of the LPGA Tour to shine on Canadian soil to inspire the nation’s next generation of female golfers. Brooke Henderson’s historic victory in 2018 was the first time a Canadian had won the National Open since golf legend Jocelyne Bourassa 45 years earlier. 

Information about volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality for the 2024 CP Women’s Open at the Earl Grey Golf Club will be available in the coming weeks. 

Successful nominations will celebrate Samij and Beauchemin for demonstrating excellence in using golf as a platform to positively impact their communities.

(February 27, 2023) – Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are pleased to announce that Fareen Samij of Burlington, Ont. and Bob Beauchemin of Brampton, Ont. have been named the inaugural winners of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Award.

Following a national call for nominations to the Canadian golf community in 2022, Samij and Beauchemin were identified by the selection committee as co-recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Leader Award, celebrating a pair of individuals who demonstrated excellence in using golf as a platform to positively impact their communities.

“So many spirited and well-intentioned individuals use golf as a platform to contribute to their community and we are extremely proud to celebrate Fareen Samij and Bob Beauchemin as the inaugural recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Award,”

said Golf Canada President Liz Hoffman. “Both were nominated by their peers for their wonderful efforts to share the golf experience in their community and I am pleased to congratulate them on this much deserved honour.”

A 5-time Canadian Women’s Long Drive champion and former golf touring professional, Samij is a respected entrepreneur, speaker, and author who founded the Smashing the Grass Ceiling golf program to engage women and young girls to connect and be inspired on the golf course.

“It’s amazing to see the support from the community around creating access to golf and long drive,” said Samij. “I’m humbled to receive this award and will continue to forge ahead and work to help people use the sport to create meaningful relationships.”

Beauchemin, a PGA of Canada professional and Head Teaching Professional at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, was nominated for his efforts to advance junior golf including First Tee Canada, as well as his mentorship to countless golf industry professionals through the Humber College Professional Golf Management Program.   

“I am very humbled to receive this wonderful honour,” said Beauchemin. “Golf has been an integral part of my life for almost 60 years and has given me so much. If I have, in anyway, been responsible for passing on valuable knowledge or igniting a passion and love for the game of golf to the next generation, I feel it is a privilege.”

Samij and Beauchemin will each receive a $5,000 donation from the Golf Canada Foundation to advance a golf program or golf-related initiative of their choice.

Submissions for the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Award were evaluated by a selection committee that includes representatives from Golf Canada, the Golf Canada Foundation, Honoured Members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, industry representatives and the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.  

The Lorie Kane Community Leader Award celebrates individuals over the age of 19 with a demonstrated ability to lead community initiatives; who have contributed a measurable impact through volunteerism or charity; or have showcased excellence in their involvement with, or support of youth programs such as First Tee – Canada or other junior golf activities.

Launched in the summer of 2022, the recognition was renamed the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards (both the Community Leader Award as well as the Junior Leader Award) as a tribute to the Canadian golf legend’s contributions to advance the sport and charitable initiatives both on and off the golf course.

A call for nominations for the 2023 Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards will go out later this year.

Long-time professional golf standout as well as legendary golf writer to become the 84^th and 85^th inductees into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame

Inductees to receive the highest honour in Canadian golf as part of RBC Hall of Fame Day in June during the 2023 RBC Canadian Open

The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame today announced that long-time professional and PGA of Canada member Jim Rutledge as well as celebrated writer Robert Stanley Weir have been selected for 2023 induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Rutledge, 63, from Victoria, B.C. will be inducted in the player category while Weir – who was born in 1856 and died in 1926 – will be inducted as a builder for his over two decades of writing on golf. Weir, considered by many to be Canada’s first golf writer, is most famous for writing the English lyrics to ‘O Canada.’

With their inductions, the pair become the 84^th and 85^th honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

“The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame is thrilled to welcome Robert S. Weir and Jim Rutledge as our newest honoured members,” said Ted Fletcher, Chair of the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee. “Jim was – and continues to be – an accomplished player at the professional level while Mr. Weir was a pioneer in golf writing, golf psychology, and a wonderful wordsmith on a variety of subjects beyond golf. I speak on behalf of the entire selection committee as well as the honoured members to say they are deserving of their appointments.”

“My initial reply to Ted’s phone call took me completely off guard. After it all settled in, I flashed back to my career and of how fortunate I have been to represent Canada and travel the world doing what I loved for so many years,” said Rutledge. “I am truly honored and thank all involved in my nomination.”

With his induction, Mr. Weir becomes the 26^th person inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame’s builder category and 18^th to be inducted posthumously.

“Weir was a Renaissance man of golf, and beyond golf, given that he was a highly respected judge and poet, and that he wrote the English lyrics to O Canada,” said fellow Hall of Fame member Lorne Rubenstein of Weir. “Of course, I am focusing on what he did for golf as Canada’s first golf writer. He set the stage for all of us who have read his work in a variety of publications. Canadian golf writers stand on Weir’s shoulders and at his side, learning from him and enjoying his work.”

Weir and Rutledge will officially join the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony taking place on Tuesday, June 7 during the RBC Hall of Fame Day as part of the 2023 RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club.

JIM RUTLEDGE…
Jim Rutledge is one of Canada’s most accomplished touring professionals – and continues to compete to this day.

Born in Victoria, Rutledge was a celebrated junior and amateur golfer in British Columbia before winning the 1975 Canadian Juvenile Championship and the 1977 Canadian Junior Championship. He turned professional in 1978 and has spent the better part of the next four decades competing on golf tours all around the world.

Rutledge was a member of the European Tour (now DP World Tour) in 1990 where he finished a career-high 55th in the Order of Merit. He also competed in the 1990 and 1991 Open Championships. He made the cut in 1990 and finished tied for 57th.

Fast forward a decade and Rutledge was a member of the Nationwide Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour) from 2001-2009. He won his first event on that Tour in 2006 and finished 14th on the money list which earned him PGA TOUR status for 2007. Rutledge earned the distinction of being the second-oldest rookie in PGA TOUR history when he teed it up that season.

After turning 50, Rutledge has made several appearances on PGA TOUR Champions.

He has won on the PGA Tour of Australasia and on the Asian Tour, but most of Rutledge’s success has come in Canada. He is a six-time winner on the Canadian Tour (now PGA Tour Canada) along with the 1984 PGA of Canada championship and the PGA of Canada Senior Championship seven times including most recently in 2022.

Rutledge has also represented Canada at the World Cup three times and the Dunhill Cup twice.

He was inducted in the BC Golf Hall of Fame in 2011 and the PGA of Canada’s Hall of Fame in 2022.

ROBERT S. WEIR…
Robert Stanley Weir was Canada’s first golf writer who wrote on the subject for over two decades.

Ninety articles have been uncovered so far while not all his works have been found. Weir wrote about golf as the sport established itself in Canada and the United States at the turn of the century and as World War I ended. His early work on golf could be found in Canadian Golfer, Golf Magazine (in both the U.K. and U.S.), Golfer’s Magazine, and Golf Illustrated.  A collection of his golf writing is available here.

Weir joined esteemed golf writers such as Bernard Darwin, Jerome Travers, and Harold Hilton in the inaugural issue of Golf Illustrated. Darwin once said of Weir: “He has an easily intelligible method of explaining something, which is horribly difficult to explain.”

Weir’s work also appeared in Vanity Fair and Harpers Bazaar. He published two books of poetry, plenty of legal works and is perhaps best known for penning the English lyrics to Canada’s national anthem. Outside of his work chronicling the game, Weir was also a member of Royal Montreal Golf Club and Outremont Golf Club as well as a founding member of Kanawaki Golf Club where he served as the club’s first president in 1902. As a competitive player, he represented Canada as a team member at the 1920 International Match. Weir also served as a Board member with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada) in 1905. 

Calgary – February is Heart Month, and Canadian Pacific (CP) is proud to announce today that BC Children’s Hospital Foundation has been chosen as the primary charity partner for the 2023 CP Women’s Open, to be held Aug. 21-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.

“The team at BC Children’s Hospital provides expert care, research and support for children with heart conditions, and CP is grateful to have another opportunity to contribute to the critical work they do,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “The 2023 CPWO marks the third time BC Children’s Hospital Foundation has been selected as the charity partner during CP’s title sponsorship of this exceptional LPGA Tour event, helping raise more than $4 million so far. We’re honored to continue building this legacy.”

This year’s goal is to raise more than $2.5 million for BC Children’s Hospital. Those funds will be dedicated to enhancing the physical spaces of the Heart Centre to create a comfortable and healing environment for patients and their families. Funds will also help to create improved workspaces for cross-functional collaboration amongst the dedicated and talented cardiac team at BC Children’s.

“Kids with heart conditions can be some of the sickest children in BC, and the Heart Centre at BC Children’s Hospital is there to provide care for every one of them,” said Malcolm Berry, President and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “That’s why we’re so grateful to once again be the CP Has Heart charity of choice. CP’s support helps elevate the incredible care BC Children’s is able to provide to kids and their families across the province.”

In recognition of Heart Month, CP and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation are pleased to hold a month-long fundraising campaign with CP matching all donations up to a total of $300,000. Visit www.bcchf.ca to help make a difference for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation cardiology patients.

“Families of children with heart conditions put their trust in us,” said Dr. Shubhayan Sanatani, Head, Division of Cardiology. “In turn, we help to carry the burden of their child’s health with them. That’s the essence of what our team does at the Heart Centre at BC Children’s Hospital, and CP has been a part of our team for many years. With CP’s steadfast support, we can continue to improve the healing environment for our patients and their families.”

The Tournament Partners of the LPGA awarded the CP Women’s Open with Tournament of the Year in 2022. Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific also received Gold Driver Awards for Best Sponsor Activation in 2019 and 2022 as well as Best Community and Charity Engagement in 2017, 2019 and 2022.

“We are so proud to witness the incredible impact of CP Has Heart on the lives of countless youth in the host communities of the CP Women’s Open,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada. “There is a real excitement among golf fans and event enthusiasts in the celebrated return of the CP Women’s Open to Vancouver, highlighted by world-class golf, a week-long festival experience and a meaningful legacy gift in support of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.”

CP has helped raise more than $16 million to support children’s heart health in Canada during the nine years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open.

Former Right to Play Chief People Officer to lead Golf Canada’s People & Culture functions in addition to core activities that support the organization’s commitment to DEI & Safe Sport

Golf Canada announced that experienced people and culture executive Niki da Silva has joined the organization as its new Chief People Officer, beginning January 23, 2023.

Da Silva joins the Executive Team of the National Sport Federation after a successful five-year chapter with Right to Play International in Toronto, most recently serving as their Chief People Officer, Global.

In the newly created role, da Silva will collaborate with the Executive Team, Board of Directors, staff, and national volunteer network to lead all people operations strategy, programs and functions including employment practices, recruitment, talent management, performance management, compliance, administration, training, benefits and compensation, and health and safety.

As CPO, da Silva will also work closely with Golf Canada’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Safe Sport to advance the organization-wide commitment to DEI and Safe Sport. Da Silva will also have oversight for all staff and HR functions for Golf Canada, the Golf Canada Foundation and First Tee Canada.

“Niki is going to be an amazing partner and resource for every area and department of Golf Canada’s operations. Her infectious enthusiasm and energy will drive a world-class people function for our organization,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Niki is an exceptional leader in global sport and will bring tremendous experience and leadership developed at Right to Play and previous executive roles.”

Da Silva is enthusiastic about reimagining the future of work, inspired by the challenge of developing high-performing organizations and energized by building a world-class employee experience.

“I am thrilled to be joining Golf Canada, supporting our people and the critical work happening across the organization to advance our vision to be a world leader in golf,” said da Silva. “Throughout my career, I have had a first-hand view of the transformative power of sport and I look forward to helping grow the game and make it accessible for even more Canadians.”

As a member of the global executive team at Right to Play, da Silva’s responsibilities included developing the vision for a five-year strategic plan and driving two organizational redesigns that aligned talent and strategic operation from two regional offices to one global office. The Toronto resident led a transformation and scaling of the People and Culture function including talent acquisition and performance management along with learning and talent development programs. During da Silva’s tenure, Right to Play was recognized as “Top for Culture and Values” by Glassdoor and received its first-ever Global Staff Award nomination for “Team of the Year” and three consecutive years of “Great Place to Work” Certifications™.

Da Silva earned a Masters Business Administration with the Rotman School of Management     and BA, Honours Business Administration with the Ivey School of Business. Da Silva is also a Certified Leadership Coach with the Third Factor 3×4 Program and is in progress to become a Certified Human Resource Executive (CHRE) with the Human Resource Professional Association.

Married with two children, da Silva has also contributed to several community groups including the Islington Rangers Soccer Club, Brampton Minor Lacrosse Association, and Toronto Ski Club in addition to past Board positions with Sunnylea Childcare Centre and the YWCA.

DECEMBER 21, 2022 – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the names of the 57 athletes and eight coaches named to Team Canada as major enhancements to Golf Canada’s national team program continue to take effect.

Golf Canada’s 2023 national team system now features three program tiers: Team Canada (both amateur and professionals); Team Canada – NextGen (U21 amateurs); and a national talent identification system aimed at growing the pool of future national team prospects.

The updated program tiers for 2023 including a record-breaking number of athletes and coaches reflect the enhancements to the high-performance program announced last year to accelerate Canada’s position in the global professional golf landscape with a goal to increase the number of Canadians on the LPGA and PGA Tours to 30 by 2032.

The Team Canada tier (formerly the Young Pro Squad and Amateur Squad) now includes both professionals and amateurs with training focused on helping players reach the major tours. Feeding into Team Canada is a new tier called Team Canada – NextGen (formerly the Junior Squad) focused on supporting top juniors and bridging the gap for players transitioning into amateur golf and the U.S. college system.

“Thanks to the Golf Canada Foundation as well as our generous donors and partners, the enhanced Team Canada program structure is well positioned to support more of this country’s top athletes towards our goal of getting 30 Canadians to the major tours over the next decade,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer Kevin Blue. “We have continued to evaluate and analyze the current player development system, have made refinements to competition and training environments, and are working collaboratively with athletes, parents and PGA of Canada coaches toward a shared goal of enhanced Canadian excellence on the global golf stage. Canada has made significant progress in the development of world-class golfers and is poised to take another step forward.”

The enhancements to Golf Canada’s high-performance program, which were outlined in a detailed update authored by Blue in 2022, were made possible through major gift funding support from the Golf Canada Foundation’s network of Trustee donors.

TEAM CANADA – MEN                                                  

A.J. Ewart (23)	Coquitlam, BC	Barry University (Sr.)	The Vancouver GC [AM]
Ashton McCulloch (20)	Kingston, ON	Michigan St. (So.)	Cataraqui G&CC [AM]
Johnny Travale (22)	Hamilton, ON	UCF (5th Yr.)	Hamilton G&CC [AM]
Laurent Desmarchais (21)	Bromont, QC	Tennessee (So.)	Vallée Du Richelieu Golf Club [AM]
Matt Anderson (22)	Mississauga, ON	San Francisco (5th Yr.)	Credit Valley G&CC [AM]
Piercen Hunt (21)	Hartland, WI	Illinois (Jr.)	The Club at Lac la Belle [AM]
Remi Chartier (21)	Naples, FL	East Tennessee State (Sr.)	Royal Montreal GC [AM]
Brendan MacDougall (25)	Calgary, AB	High Point/Nevada (’21)	The Glencoe C&CC [PRO]
Chris Crisologo (27)	Richmond, BC	Simon Fraser (’18)	Marine Drive GC [PRO]
Chris R. Wilson (27)	Toronto, ON	Colgate University (’17)	|N/A| [PRO]
Etienne Papineau (26)	Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC	West Virginia (’21)	Pinegrove CC [PRO]
Henry Lee (24)	Coquitlam, BC	University of Washington (’21) [PRO]
Jared du Toit (27)	Kimberly, BC	ASU (’16)	[PRO]
Jeevan Sihota (18)	Victoria, BC	turned pro after high school [PRO]
Joey Savoie (28)	La Prairie, QC	MTSU (’17) [PRO]
Max Sekulic (23)	Rycroft, AB	Washington State (’22)	The Glencoe C&CC [PRO]
Myles Creighton (27)	Digby, NS	Radford (’18)	Banyan GC [PRO]
Noah Steele (25)	Kingston, ON	Sam Houston State (’20)	Cataraqui G&CC [PRO]
Stuart Macdonald (28)	Vancouver, BC	Purdue (’16)	[PRO]
Sudarshan Yellamaraju (21)	Mississauga, ON	turned pro after high school [PRO]

TEAM CANADA – WOMEN                                                        

Angela Arora (18)	Surrey, BC	Tennessee (Jan 2023)	Marine Drive GC [AM]
Brooke Rivers (17)	Brampton, ON	Wake Forest (2023)	Brampton GC [AM]
Celeste Dao (21)	Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, QC	Georgia (Sr.)	Summerlea G&CC [AM]
Katie Cranston (18)	Oakville, ON	Auburn (Jan 2023)	Oakville GC [AM]
Lauren Kim (17)	Surrey, BC	Texas (2023)	Morgan Creek GC [AM]
Lauren Zaretsky (18)	Thornhill, ON	Texas Tech (Fr.)	Maple Downs G&CC [AM]
Leah John (22)	Vancouver, BC	Nevada (Sr.)	Marine Drive GC [AM]
Michelle Liu (16)	Vancouver, BC	High School (grade 11)	Shaugnessy GC [AM]
Monet Chun (21)	Richmond Hill, ON	Michigan (Jr.)	Summit GC [AM]
Nicole Gal (18)	Oakville, ON	Ole Miss (Fr.)	Oakville GC [AM]
Sarah-Eve Rhéaume (22)	Boischatel, QC	Furman (5th Yr.)	Royal Quebec [AM]
Savannah Grewal (21)	Mississauga, ON	Clemson (Sr.)	Piper’s Heath GC [AM]
Brigitte Thibault (24)	Rosemere, QC	Fresno/Texas (’22)	Rosemère Golf Club [PRO]
Maddie Szeryk (26)	London, ON	Texas A&M (’18) [PRO]
Selena Costabile (24)	Thornhill, ON	turned pro after high school	Ladies GC of Toronto [PRO]

The 2023 Team Canada roster is comprised of 35 players who are competing at the highest levels of amateur golf and refining their games on developmental professional tours. The program provides individualized training and competition support by collaborating with players’ support teams, including personal and college coaches, and adding value where gaps are identified. Members of Team Canada have access to The Legacy Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz. where players can live and train in the winter months.

Salimah Mussani returns as the Stollery Family Team Canada Women’s Head Coach supported by Associate Coach and fellow PGA of Canada professional Jennifer Greggain. Derek Ingram returns as Men’s Team Head Coach and will be supported by Assistant Coaches Louis Melanson and Benoit Lemieux.

The Team Canada coaching staff will be joined by an integrated support team that includes Greg Redman (Strength, Conditioning & Physio, Men’s Team), Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood (Mental Performance & Psychologist, Men’s Team), Andrea Kosa (Strength, Conditioning & Physio, Women’s Team), Lindsay Berard (Mental Performance & Psychologist, Women’s Team), and Kelly Anne Erdman (Performance Dietician).

TEAM CANADA – NEXTGEN (BOYS)                                                    

Alex Zhang (14)	Richmond, BC	High School (grade 9)	Marine Drive GC
Ben MacLean (18)	Niagara Falls, ON	Kent St. (Fr.)	Cherry Hill Club
Cooper Humphreys (17)	Vernon, BC	Oregon St. (2023)	The Harvest Golf Club
Eric Zhao (15)	Toronto, ON	High School (grade 10)	Bayview G&CC
Ethan Wilson (18)	St. Albert, AB	University of Illinois (2023)	Glendale G&CC
Félix Bouchard (19)	Otterburn Park, QC	Univ. of Kansas (2024)	La Vallée du Richelieu GC
Gavyn Knight (18)	Parksville, BC	Boise St. (Fr.)	Morningstar GC
Hunter Thomson (19)	Calgary, AB	University of Michigan (So.)	Calgary G&CC
James Newton (19)	Ottawa, ON	Rutgers (Fr.)	Royal Ottawa
JP Parr (18)	Saint-Celestin, QC	University of Tennessee (2023)	Club de Golf Ki-8-Eb
Owen Kim (18)	Oakville, ON	Coastal Carolina University (Fr.)	Hamilton G&CC
Owen Mullen (19)	Shortts Lake, NS	University of Notre Dame (So.)	Truro Golf Club

TEAM CANADA – NEXTGEN (GIRLS)

Alissa Xu (17)	Richmond Hill, ON	Dartmouth (2023)	Station Creek GC
Anna Huang (14)	Coto de Caza, CA	Junior High (grade 8)	Coto De Caza G&RC
Carlee Meilleur (14)	Lansdowne, ON	High school (grade 9)	Loyalist G&CC
Lindsay McGrath (15)	Oakville, ON	High School (grade 10)	RattleSnake Point GC
Luna Lu (15)	Burnaby, BC	High School (grade 10)	Pitt Meadows GC
Martina Yu (16)	Coquitlam, BC	High School (grade 11)
Michelle Xing (14)	Richmond Hill, ON	High School (grade 9)	Station Creek GC
Vanessa Borovilos (16)	Etobicoke, ON	High School (grade 11)	Weston G&CC
Vanessa Zhang (16)	Vancouver, BC	High School (grade 11)	Marine Drive GC
Yeji Kwon (16)	Port Coquitlam, BC	High School (grade 11)	Swaneset Bay Resort & CC

The 22-player Team Canada – NextGen roster will include both top junior golfers and U21 amateurs in a program to support their transition from junior competition to high-level amateur golf.

The NextGen coaching staff will be led by Head Coach Robert Ratcliffe with support from Assistant Coaches Jennifer Ha and Jeff MacDonald.  The coaches will be joined by an integrated support team that includes Dr. Emily Wiggin (Strength & Conditioning) and Dr. Adam Kingsbury (Mental Performance & Psychologist).

Supporting the overall growth of elite golf in Canada is the national talent identification system, established in 2022 and led by Tristan Mullally, Head of National Talent Identification. The talent identification system provides assistance to younger juniors (11-16 years old) and their existing coaching support teams to grow the pool of future Team Canada prospects.

A key activity within the talent identification system will be the engagement of the National Talent ID Network, a group of more than 80 coaches across Canada working towards collaborative player development initiatives. Additionally, 2023 will see a broader introduction of talent ID camps across the country led by network members to deliver educational and skill-building opportunities to players, parents, and coaches.

The strategic enhancements for Golf Canada’s player development program were shaped by in-depth feedback from numerous stakeholders in Canadian high-performance golf and a global comparative analysis of other countries’ efficiency success in producing world top-200 players. The analysis considered factors such as participation base, culture, and financial investment into high-performance golf, with a particular focus on countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Australia, and England that are geopolitically and culturally similar to Canada.

Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field vying for the US$8.7 million purse at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-12 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in partnership with nearby Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. 

After a wait of 1,093 days and two years of cancellation due to the global pandemic, 2019 champion and world no. 7 Rory McIlroy returns to Canada looking to defend his title against a stellar field of PGA TOUR stars led by world no. 1 and 2022 Master champion Scottie Scheffler, world no. 3 and 2022 The Players champion Cam Smith, world no. 4 and 2022 PGA champion Justin Thomas and world no. 9 Sam Burns, a 3-time PGA TOUR winner in 2022.

Other notable additions to the field for the 111th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship include world no. 15 Matthew Fitzpatrick, world no. 16 Tony Finau, world no. 23 Tyrell Hatton and big-hitter Cameron Champ along with past Major winners, Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Jason Dufner and Danny Willet. 

Team RBC will be represented at St. George’s by a collection of international and Canadian talents including world no. 38 Harold Varner III and 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker along with world no. 34 Corey Conners and fellow Canadian PGA TOUR players Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Hadwin, Nick Taylor, Roger Sloan, Michael Gligic, Adam Svensson, and Taylor Pendrith.

The field for the celebrated return of the 2022 RBC Canadian Open includes five of the top-10 players in the world (Scheffler, Smith, Thomas, McIlroy, and Burns) and the top-four players on the current FedEx Cup ranking. Seven major championship winners (accounting for 11 titles) will compete along with eight 2021-22 PGA TOUR in-year winners, six past champions of the RBC Canadian Open, and 21 Canadians. 

“We are extremely pleased with the field of world-class competitors that make their way to Canada to join us in the celebrated return of the RBC Canadian Open and challenge for the 111^th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bryan Crawford. “Led by our defending champion Rory McIlroy, this year’s championship features a strong mix of stars from all around the world and the deepest field of Canadian talent ever to challenge for our National Men’s Open title. Along with great golf, fans will be treated to an incredible festival environment with terrific on-site activities including the Recipe Unlimited Fareway food and beverage experience and the RBCxMusic Concert series featuring Flo Rida (June 10) and Maroon 5 (June 11). It is the return that Canadian golf fans deserve as we get set to kick off summer.” 

In total, 156 players will compete for the US$8.7 million purse next week in Toronto when the RBC Canadian Open returns to the storied Stanley Thompson design for the sixth time and first since 2010. 

Due to current Government of Canada travel restrictions extending beyond June 1, Team RBC ambassadors Webb Simpson and Matt Kuchar are not able to participate in the championship and have officially withdrawn from the 2022 RBC Canadian Open. Golf Canada and RBC look forward welcoming Simpson and Kuchar back to Canada for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club.

Click here for a full field list for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open.

PGA TOUR Season Winners…

A total of eight in-year PGA TOUR winners accounting for 14 PGA TOUR titles in 2021-22 will compete at St. George’s led by 4-time winner Scottie Scheffler, 3-time winner Sam Burns, and 2-time winner Cam Smith. Other in-year PGA TOUR winners in the field include Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Luke List, JJ Spaun, and Chad Ramey. 

Past Champions…

Six past RBC Canadian Open champions will compete at St. George’s including Chez Reavie (2008), Sean O’Hair (2011), Scott Piercy (2012) Brandt Snedeker (2013), Jhonattan Vegas (2016-17) and defending champion Rory McIlroy (2019). 

Twenty-one Canadians to compete for their National Men’s Open Title…

Current PGA TOUR players Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Hadwin, Nick Taylor, Adam Svensson, Michael Gligic, Taylor Pendrith and Roger Sloan will lead a talented roster of 21 Canadians competing in the RBC Canadian Open. The 2022 event welcomes home a legend as 8-time PGA TOUR and Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Mike Weir will make his 29^th start in the RBC Canadian Open. Other Canadians competing on exemption include David Hearn, Aaron Cockerill, Stuart MacDonald, Albin Choi, Myles Creighton, Jared du Toit, Brendan Leonard, Wes Heffernan, Callum Davison, and Max Sekulic along with Team Canada amateurs AJ Ewart and Johnny Travale. 

Final Tournament Exemptions to be Named…

The final four exemptions into the field for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open will be handed out at the Monday Qualifier on Monday June 6, to be played at Oakdale Golf and Country in Toronto, host site of the 2023 and 2026 RBC Canadian Open. 

Click here for the full current list of competitors competing in the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-12 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in partnership with nearby Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. 

Tickets for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open are available here.