Sask. Golf Hall of Fame officially welcomes four more inductees

THE SASKATCHEWAN GOLF HALL OF FAME WELCOMED FOUR NEW INDUCTEES ON SATURDAY OCT. 22 AT THE RIVERSIDE COUNTRY CLUB. LEFT TO RIGHT; BRAD PHELPS, PAT BUGLASS, AND BLAINE FAGNOU. (UNAVAILABLE - BRAD BIRNIE)

After a couple years of cancellations four more inductees into the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame were able to officially be enshrined.

On Oct. 22 at Riverside Country Club Pat Buglass, Brad Birnie, Blaine Fagnou, and Brad Phelps were inducted as part of the last couple years of announcements.

The group join four more that were honoured in Regina on Oct. 1.

The three acceptance speeches delivered during the gala can be seen below.

For more details on the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame including the nomination process and the inductees click here.

Boyle being enshrined in Moose Jaw Sports Hall of Fame

Lorie Boyle is being inducted into the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame.

Already a Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame inductee, Moose Jaw’s Lorie Boyle is being honoured by the same recognition in her hometown.

Last Thursday the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame announced members for both 2020 and 2021. The 2020 induction was cancelled due to COVID-19. Boyle was distinguished with the provincial hall of fame honour for her excellent golf career in 2017. She said now being recognized by her hometown is special.

“What can I say? I’m extremely honoured to be chosen for this. You know for something you love to do and to have this on top of that, it’s just, wow,” Boyle said.

Boyle is being honoured alongside football player Levi Steinhauer, wrestler Frank Abdou, and the 1992 Amber Holland junior women’s curling rink. Boyle said being included in the group of deserving athletes is humbling.

“It’s pretty cool to be in with these people,” she beamed. “I still can’t believe that I’m being chosen for this. Honest to god, this is just amazing.”

The induction ceremony will take place in the fall of 2022. The committee will also enshrine a 2022 class with the 2020 and 2021 inductees as well.

More details on the announcement can be seen here.

Timing is Wright for Hall of Fame induction

Tyler Wright is one of three Sask. Golf Hall of Fame inductees this year.

Despite turning 41-years-old at the end of the year, Tyler Wright has had a Hall of Fame worthy amateur golf career. The Regina product is one of three inductees that will be enshrined into the Saskatchewan Hall later this month in Saskatoon.

Wright was an active child living in the Queen City playing sports 12 months of the year including golf, a pastime he picked up from his grandpa Louie who lived a few doors down the street. Grandpa Louie made Wright a set of clubs from some of his dad’s clubs and he’d hit balls in the backyard or alley when he was about six or seven years old. When Wright was nine he attended a junior clinic at the Regent Par 3 course that included a couple rounds at the Royal Regina Golf Club (RRGC) under the tutelage of Joe Trudell. As they say, the rest is history. Wright got his first membership at the Royal when he was 10 and played an estimated 25 to 30 rounds. From the next year through high school he averaged well over 100 rounds per summer. In 1990 he won his first organized tournament and the fire simply burned brighter for him.

“I don’t know if there was ever a conscious moment where I thought I was going to be good at this game until much later,” Wright explained to Golf Saskatchewan. “I started just loving the game and then I started playing tournaments. I won in my eyes, my first significant tournament, the James Tire Junior Invitational was the name of it, it was at the Wascana Country Club. It was provincial class golf course and tournament. I managed to beat Luke Sheard coming down the stretch, I shot 90-90. That was kind of the beginning of when I thought, you know what? I could be pretty good at this game.”

Junior success continued to follow Wright, he won the gold medal at the 1993 Saskatchewan Summer Games and his team won the under-13 gold medal. He began to win his age group around Regina in events and club championships, but his first provincial tournament turned out to be a real ‘watershed’ moment and turning point in his young career in Yorkton.

“It was the first time where I went, well I’m capable of this but if I don’t put the work in,” Wright admitted. “I think that spring I was spending a little more time hanging out with my grade 8 friends and getting ready for that high school transition. Once I came back from that I realized that if I want to do this it’s going to have to be a more of a full commitment.”

He went on to win the Regina High School Championship in 1995, the City Junior Championship in 1997 and the provincial high school gold medal in 1996. Wright also made the Saskatchewan juvenile team in 1995. His provincial high school victory caught the eyes of several American colleges and he chose to attend Idaho State University on a Div. 1 scholarship. Along with the scholarship he was awarded the Leddy-Heywood Scholarship on two occasions. The substantial financial bursary was given to students that excelled at sport and other aspects of high school life. Wright contributed his time playing golf to that accomplishment.

“It’s not meant to be a cliché that golf is a gentleman’s sport. You learn a lot of life lessons, learning to manage yourself in an individual sport like golf is a completely different experience than managing yourself on a team. You have people to pick you up or a coach to take care of you, you have several supports, in golf’s case you don’t have those supports. You must learn to be self confident, to be resilient, when you are struggling on a course, we all know this. When you play you are going to have a bad shot or bad holes, how you respond to that directly correlates with life,” Wright said.

Wright redirected his college career to the University of Regina and played basketball for the Cougars for five seasons while still playing competitive golf in the summers. He is a five-time member of the Saskatchewan Willingdon Cup team (2001, 2005, 14, 15, and 17). He finished in seventh at the Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship in 2015, at that point the highest ever finish for a Saskatchewanian at the mid-am. He bettered that with a fifth-place finish at the Wascana in 2017. A lengthy list of wins kept piling up in and around Regina as well including just this year when he won the second provincial Mid-Master’s (40+) title at the RRGC. Wright was already selected for the Hall before that win given his success. When he heard the news from SGHOF secretary Brian Lee, he was speechless.

“You wish to leave a legacy in all walks of life,” he said. “In this case leaving a legacy in a sense for my family, friends, and children making the Hall is hard to put into words. I dreamed of winning golf tournaments and fortunately the legacy has resulted with me being honoured with this induction, it’s very special. When Brian called me it was absolute elation,” he beamed.

Wright will be enshrined along with fellow Wascana member and mentor Randy Gilewich and Gary Brandon on Sept. 21 at the Riverside Country Club. He said going in with those two and joining the prestigious list of past inductees is remarkable.

“There is so many of them that have supported me and sent their congratulations,” he said. “Guys that you emulate, you want to be like. You probably want to compete with them in tournaments and beat them in tournaments, to be in the Hall with them is very special. Those individuals will forever be people I aspire to be like on and off the golf course.”

Wright was able to win his most recent event this summer with his daughters Scarlett and Indyana at his side along with his wife Jennifer. His father, Larry was his caddy and his mother walked the grounds of the Royal showing her support. Wright said their support has been immeasurable through out his career and life and any future wins is more about them than his own selfishness.

“I don’t think it’s as much about modelling the winning, of course I want to win, of course I will set those goals, of course I’m going to play provincial tournaments and represent Golf Saskatchewan at national tournaments. I think it’s the process to get there that needs to be modelled. The practice I put in I think is something that I think is of the most value to children. It’s what I valued as a young kid,” he said.

Wright is currently the vice-principal at O’Neill High School in Regina. He was inducted into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame alongside his father in 1995.

Tickets for the gala in Saskatoon are on sale now and available here.

You can hear much more from Wright who spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork following the announcement.

Regina golfer gets call to hall

Shannon McGeady is a 2019 Regina Sports Hall of Fame inductee.

Regina born golfer Shannon McGeady is being enshrined in the Queen City’s Sports Hall of Fame.

The 2007 provincial amateur champion and current professional at Tobiano Golf Course in Kamloops, B.C. is one of six 2019 inductees into the Hall of Fame. McGeady said her career path in the sport got started when her family built a house near the Wascana Country Club.

“I was a member when I was ten and started playing there with my family,” she explained to Golf Saskatchewan following the announcement. “It was a great place, they would pretty much drop me off at the golf course on their way to work and pick me up on their way home, it was a pretty good way to spend a summer as a kid.”

McGeady didn’t start playing competitively until her mid to late teens. When she was about 15 years old she started competing on the junior Saskatchewan circuit and the provincial championships. She won three Regina high school girl’s championships during her days at Leboldus High School. She had a chance to attend Marshall University in the United States following graduation but made the choice to stay home, something McGeady still stands by.

“I am so lucky where I am today that if I think I would have gone my life would have taken a completely different path,” she explained. “It could have been equally as good but I’m just very happy where I am today. No regrets.”

McGeady went on to post-secondary education in Lethbridge and studied under the Professional Golf Management (PGM) program in hopes to pursue a career in the industry. In 2007, after four consecutive Regina women’s championships McGeady claimed the Saskatchewan amateur title.

“It was surreal moment, I was going to school at the time taking the PGM program to be a professional and it was my last summer before I finished school so I knew it would be my last summer of amateur golf if I wanted to pursue the professional route,” she explained. “It was a pretty cool experience to know it was my last big summer as an amateur and I was able to play well enough in Swift Current that year to get the win so that was pretty cool.”

The Regina Sports Hall of Fame made the induction announcement in early August. Her credentials include one junior national experience and six Canadian Amateur Championship appearances. Long-time Rider Neal Hughes, famed University of Regina basketball coach James Hillis and athletics great Georgette Reed are among the class. McGeady said when she received the phone call with the news it was hard to believe.

“At first I thought it was a joke,” she laughed. “I didn’t expect it and when I realized it wasn’t I was so shocked I didn’t know what to say. I was honoured and grateful and it still feels surreal. It’s weird to think of myself with those other amazing people, I can’t even find words for it.”

McGeady and the rest of the 2019 class will be enshrined at a gala event in Regina on Oct. 12 at Evraz Place.

Looking back, McGeady knows this honour wouldn’t have been possible without positive support from her family and the Regina golf community, especially the Wascana. She hopes future junior golfers continue to grow and excel at the game.

“Kids at a young age just want to have that, I go to a golf course and I have fun,” she said. “As they get older they will want to play more and hit balls more. It’s all about parents bringing them to the course and creating a positive environment where they get to run around outside with their friends or mom and dad and as they get older they want to do what dad is doing or see what mom is doing. They will then create it on their own as to I want to play this, I want to compete, I want to be this person.”

McGeady is optimistic with the way women’s golf is headed, she said the sport is much more popular now than it was when she was young growing up in Saskatchewan. She credits Brooke Henderson for a large part of the growth but also the other five female pros in B.C. as well as the women she grew up with in Saskatchewan.

“I’m just grateful and honoured about the induction, it’s very surreal. Golf in Saskatchewan shaped and molded me for the profession that I’ve chosen,” she concluded.

McGeady spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork after the announcement.

Rod Spittle and Herb Page to be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum today announced that amateur and professional golf standout, Rod Spittle, as well as celebrated collegiate golf coach Herb Page have been selected for 2019 induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Spittle, 63, from Niagara Falls, Ont., will be inducted in the player category, while the 67-year-old Page, who is a native of Markham, Ont., will be inducted as a builder for his accomplishments as a collegiate golf coach with the NCAA Division I Kent State Golden Flashes. With their inductions, the pair become the 82nd and 83rd honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

“The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame strives to recognize the outstanding achievements of golf’s greatest players and supporters and it’s an absolute privilege to welcome Rod Spittle and Herb Page as our newest honoured members,” said Sandra Post, Chair of the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee. “Rod was an accomplished player at the amateur level and later as a professional, while Herb has made a significant impact in the lives of countless student-athletes through his long tenure with Kent State’s golf program. I know I speak on behalf of the entire selection committee as well as the honoured members when I say they are both very deserved of their appointments.”

“I am humbled and thrilled beyond words to be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame,” said Spittle. “It is an honour to be recognized and included in this group of golf ambassadors and elite players,  The induction will be even more special for me since the ceremony will be hosted at Hamilton Golf Club, where my dad caddied as a youngster and where I won my first Canadian Amateur in 1977.”

 

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With his induction, Page becomes the 25th person inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame’s builder category and the first-ever coach.

“It’s been an honour and a pleasure to have the opportunity to help so many young student-athletes grow both on and off the course,” said Page from his home in Ohio. “It’s always great to be recognized for your hard work and this nomination is extra special, but the real gratification comes from seeing players mature into outstanding people.”

Spittle and Page officially join the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony that will take place Tuesday, June 4th, 2019 during RBC Hall of Fame Day as part of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open on the grounds of Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Click here to listen to the media teleconference announcement.

Rod Spittle

Born July 18, 1955 in St. Catharines, Ont., Rod Spittle had a successful amateur career, finishing runner-up at the 1973 Canadian Junior and winning the 1977 and 1978 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championships while playing Division I golf at Ohio State.  Provincially he also helped Ontario win back to back Willingdon Cups (1977-78). During his collegiate golf career, Spittle helped the Buckeyes win the BIG Ten Championship three consecutive years (1976-1978) alongside teammates John Cook and Joey Sindelar, who both went on to enjoy successful professional golf careers that included PGA TOUR victories.

After graduating in 1978 with a degree in Business Administration, Spittle opted to focus on supporting his family by selling insurance for 25 years and continuing his passion for the game in amateur golf. He won a pair of Columbus (Ohio) District Amateur Championships (1989 and 1987) and three Columbus (Ohio) District Mid-Amateur titles (1994, 1995 and 1997). He went on to claim the Ohio Mid-Am Championship three times (2000, 2001 and 2003) prior to turning professional in 2004, shortly before turning 50.

Rod Spittle

Spittle and his wife, Ann, left their regular jobs behind and made a 5-year plan to fulfill the dream of playing professional golf. In 2009, four years into that plan, Spittle’s goal of being a full-time Tour professional took a severe hit after he failed to secure PGA TOUR Champions status and did not play in a single event.

In 2010, the final year of the five-year plan, Spittle was forced to Monday qualify into events. Playing with limited status, Spittle got into only five events the entire 2010 season. He Monday qualified into the final event of the year, the AT&T Championship, and in a storybook ending, he played stellar golf all week and beat Jeff Sluman in a playoff for his first-ever professional title. Just like that, his dream of playing professional golf, nearly dead and gone, gained new life with a full exemption for 2011 as a PGA TOUR Champions winner.

In 195 starts over his 13-year PGA TOUR Champions career, Spittle missed just five cuts and earned more than $4M in prize money. He never missed more than one cut in any year, and played nine full seasons without missing a single cut. He had a pair of runner-up finishes, a pair of third-place finishes and had 23 top-10s. He played his final PGA TOUR Champions event on home soil, finishing T17 at the 2018 Shaw Charity Classic.

On a personal level, he and his wife Ann have three children (Leslie, Steve and John) and seven grandchildren. The Spittle’s proudly support Special Olympics initiatives in their hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Spittle was inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in 2013.

Herb Page

Born March 16, 1951 in Markham, Ont., Herb Page has been a fixture on the Kent State University campus since arriving as an undergraduate three-sport student-athlete (golf, football and hockey) in 1970. Nearly 50 years later, now the university’s director of golf, Page has grown to become one of the most respected golf coaches in the world.

For more than 40 years, Page has been an untiring coach to his players and a terrific ambassador for the game of golf. Even after decades of significant accomplishments under his direction, the Kent State Golden Flashes golf program continues to reach new heights. He has built an empire in the Mid-American Conference with a legacy that seems to grow stronger with each passing year. He has led the Golden Flashes to 23 Mid-American Conference (MAC) titles and 28 NCAA Regional appearances – advancing to the NCAA Championship 18 times during that span. Kent State won three NCAA Regional titles (1993, 2001 and 2010) and earned top-10 National finishes in 2000 (9th), 2008 (6th), 2012 (5th)  and 2018 (10th). Page has garnered 24 MAC Coach of the Year awards (1983-1984, 1990-1996, 1998-2001, 2003, 2005-2006, 2009-2010, 2012-2014, 2016-2018) during his distinguished career.

Herb Page & Corey Conners

Herb Page & Corey Conners

He helped to develop countless golfers who have gone on to enjoy successful professional golf careers and opened a pathway for numerous Canadians to pursue NCAA post-secondary golf. Canuck alums who have been coached and recruited by Page include David Morland IV (1987–1991), Bryan DeCorso (1991–1995), Ryan Yip (2002–2006), Mackenzie Hughes (2008–2012), Corey Conners (2010-2014), Taylor Pendrith (2010-2014) and Jon Mills (1998–2002), who now serves as Page’s assistant coach with Kent State. Other notables among the nearly 30 Canadians from B.C., Alberta, Ontario, Quebec or New Brunswick to play at Kent State include  Brian Tisdelle, Paul DeCorso, Ron Reycraft, Chuck Crawford, Spencer Dobbs, Josh Whalen, Billy Walsh, Danny Sahl, Mark Bourgeois J.P. Paiement and Dustin Risdon as well as current player Johnny Travale and Chris Vandette who has committed to the school starting next year.

Page, who coached two PGA TOUR winners, also mentored Kent State graduate Ben Curtis, who claimed the 2003 Open Championship as well as a runner-up finish at the 2008 PGA Championship, before retiring from competitive golf to open his own golf academy.

He also played an instrumental role in the 1997 launch of the women’s golf program at Kent State, opening a post-secondary for path for Canadian women from B.C., Alberta, Ontario and Quebec including Jennifer Ha, Kira Miexner, Josee Doyon, Taylor Kim and Kirby Dreher as well as Veronique Drouin who is Women’s Head Coach at Oklahoma and Jan Dowling who is Women’s Head Coach at Michigan.

Among his many career honours and achievements, Page has been inducted into the Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame (2003), Northern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame (2005), Northern Ohio Golf Association Hall of Fame (2012) and Ontario Golf Hall of Fame (2012). He is a past winner of the Golf Coaches of America Labron Harris Award (2008) and was selected to coach the International team at the 2018 Arnold Palmer Cup.

Page and his wife, Dr. Paula Treckel, reside in Kent, Ohio.

Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame

2020/2021 inductees |  WAYNE & MARJ BERNAKEVITCH (Representing son lindsay), KEN RODGERS, BRUCE KLAASSEN, MELODIE LAWREK, brad phelps, pat buglass, blaine fagnou (not pictured, brad birnie)
  • Nomination Details

    The Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of extraordinary contributions and accomplishments in the game of golf in Saskatchewan. The purpose is to provide role models and icons for upcoming generations of golfers in Saskatchewan while setting standards for them to aspire to. Honoured members, including amateur and professional golfers and builders of the sport, will be inducted annually starting in 2010.

    *note: the SGHF reserves the right not to induct a nominee(s) in a given year.

    A committee comprised of representatives from Golf Saskatchewan (Golf Sask), the Canadian Professional Golfer’s Association of Saskatchewan (PGA of Sask.), the Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association (STA) and individuals appointed by the presidents of the three organizations or their designates is responsible for reviewing nominations and selecting inductees.

    Once elected to the Hall of Fame, nominees are officially inducted at a special ceremony by the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame. The honoured member’s portrait is then enshrined at the Golf Saskatchewan office and available for viewing on the Golf Saskatchewan website.

    Deadline for nominations is the second Friday of June of the current calendar year.

    Player Nomination Form (Word)
    Player Nomination Form (PDF)

    Distinguished Service Nomination Form (Word)
    Distinguished Service Nomination Form (PDF)
     

  • Player Inductee Category
    1. Be an adult, female/male/individual, of any race, colour or creed, not necessarily living at the time of consideration;
    2. Be at least, 40 years of age (unless already deceased) at the time of consideration;
    3. Be a resident, or former resident with substantial connections to Saskatchewan;
    4. Be an amateur or professional golfer during the period of accomplishments; and
    5. Be a person who has brought recognition to Saskatchewan primarily through excellence in golf championship play at the international, national, regional, and/or provincial level.
  • Distinguished Service Category
    1. Be an adult, male/female/individual, of any race, colour or creed, not necessarily living at the time of consideration;
    2. Have resided and provided a minimum of 10 years of distinguished service in Saskatchewan when the majority of extraordinary contributions to golf were made;
    3. Have made a significant contribution to golf in Saskatchewan. However, service to other national, regional, provincial, state or local golf associations may be taken into account;
    4. Be selfless and have devoted service “Above and beyond the call of duty.”
  • Team Inductions

    For teams to be considered for induction:

    1. Provincial teams who win or have won a national/international  Championship conducted by Golf Canada or the like.
  • SGHF Committee

    The Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame committee consists of:

    1. Kevin Bloski, Sask Turf
    2. Ken Bradley
    3. Byron Harvie, Chair of the SGHF
    4. Rob Lee, PGA of Saskatchewan
    5. Doug Mader
    6. Terry Meier
    7. Keith Rever
    8. Judy Sefton
    9. Joe Trudelle
    10. Brian Lee, Secretary
    11. Vacant spot on the SGHF Committee

    * Lori Harvie – Researcher

SGHF MEMBERS

History of the SGHF

Golf Canada partners with Osprey Valley
to build a new home for Canadian golf

Golf Canada and Osprey Valley have announced a major partnership and bold vision to build a new Home for Canadian Golf – a momentous project that will see the National Sport Federation relocate its corporate base of operations to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont.
 
In addition to Golf Canada’s national headquarters and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, the vision for the Canadian golf campus on the grounds of TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley will feature the national headquarters for First Tee – Canada which will include a publicly accessible community putting green and an indoor training centre.
 
Golf Ontario and the Club Management Association of Canada (CMAC) have committed to relocate their corporate headquarters to Caledon, Ont., collaborating with Golf Canada to embrace the golf community and develop a dynamic home campus for Canadian golf. The PGA of Canada has also committed to a strategic partnership with Golf Canada to assist in executing grassroots component along with coaching and training activities.
 
The invitation for Canadian golf industry partners as well as government stakeholders, and long-time global affiliates at the R&A, PGA TOUR, and LPGA Tour to plug into the Home for Canadian Golf, will be signature moment in the advancement of the sport of golf in Canada.
 
“Our vision to be a world leader in golf contemplates more than just a physical building—culture, collaboration, and innovation are critical elements,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Establishing a new headquarters and a Canadian golf campus with our partners to meet, play, train, plan, celebrate and collaborate, represents a transformative moment to advance the sport. The vision that the Humeniuk family and the leadership group at Osprey Valley have invited us to be a part of with this world-class property is progressive and incredibly exciting.”
 
TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is a renowned 54-hole golf facility in Peel Region, located in the heart of Caledon, Ont. The property is currently undergoing a significant privately funded expansion and commercial development that includes the construction of new clubhouse and conference amenities as well as improvements to the practice facility and guest experience with accommodations and hosting facilities onsite.
 
For Osprey Valley President Chris Humeniuk, partnering with Golf Canada and industry partners to bring a Canadian golf campus to life is part of the ongoing story of Osprey Valley becoming a signature destination for Canadian golf and an effort to uplift the game of golf in Canada.
 
“We’re thrilled by the vision presented by Laurence and the entire Golf Canada team and are elated to collaborate with partners who share our vision of elevating golf to new heights in this country,” said Humeniuk. “Our family has long dreamed of Osprey Valley as a great Canadian golf destination, and we believe this announcement is a wonderful addition to the momentum we’ve been fortunate to experience in recent years.”
 
TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley has welcomed a number of signature events in Canadian golf including the Osprey Valley Open on PGA TOUR Canada as well as Golf Canada’s Junior Skills Challenge National Event. The facility has also hosted qualifier events for both the RBC Canadian Open and the US Open and has committed to host the 2026 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO.
 
In 2021, the Humeniuk Family Foundation and TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley made a major chapter-founding gift to Golf Canada Foundation that aligns with the property serving as the national headquarters for First Tee – Canada.
 
Phase one of the Home for Canadian Golf project—which will include the corporate headquarters, a reinvigoration of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, and a 30,000 square foot community putting green inspired by the Himalayas Putting Course in St. Andrews – will break ground in 2023 with an expected completion by 2025.
 
 The vision for phase two includes the development of First Tee – Canada National Headquarters that will support coaching education and programming for First Tee chapters across Canada. The indoor short game complex will double as a national talent identification centre for the next generation of Canadian players, bolstering Golf Canada’s goal to advance 30 Canadians to the LPGA and PGA Tours by 2032. 
 
For the leadership group at Golf Ontario and the Club Management Association of Canada, joining forces on the Canadian golf campus was an opportunity for deeper collaboration across the sport.
 
“We are thrilled to rally and support this tremendous project and new home for Canadian golf, helping to unify and provide the golf community a true base which will no doubt create efficiencies, inspire collaboration, and help introduce more participants to our great sport,” said Golf Ontario CEO Mike Kelly.
 
“Our purpose is to develop, promote and support the profession of club management by providing educational and networking opportunities for our members, including golf, city, multi-sport, yacht, faculty and social clubs,” said Suzanne Godbehere, CEO of the Club Management Association of Canada. “Integrating CMAC’s operation into the Canadian golf campus really is a special opportunity for thought sharing with our partners.”
 
The PGA of Canada and their members will plug into the Canadian golf campus with the delivery of grassroots programs as well as training, education, and coaching upon the completion of phase two.
 
“Having a destination for PGA of Canada professionals to come together for education and junior golf program development including First Tee – Canada training will be a huge boost for the growth of our sport,” said Kevin Thistle, CEO of the PGA of Canada. “Collaboration and innovation with partners have always been driving forces in Canadian golf and there is no doubt that a campus environment will bolster these experiences.” 
 
Cost for phase one of the Home for Canadian Golf project is estimated at approx. $20M and the financial funding model will be led by Golf Canada along with a donation from Osprey Valley. Phase two of development is expected to cost $10M and will only proceed upon successful fundraising campaigns supported by the Golf Canada Foundation and private donors as well as through naming rights, contributions from industry partners, and government support.
 
The Home for Canadian Golf project aligns with a multi-million-dollar Drive Campaign launched by the Golf Canada Foundation to fund First Tee – Canada headquarters, chapters, and programming along with enhancements to Team Canada’s high-performance program. To date, $36.9M of the $70M fundraising goal has been secured through major gift donations.
 
“We’re excited to partner with the Humeniuk family, TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, and Golf Canada on a new Home for Canadian Golf,” said Golf Canada Foundation CEO Martin Barnard. “Not only will this become home for the Foundation, but it will also anchor the Drive Campaign, unprecedented in Canadian sport. Our major donor Trustees have a long history of supporting up-and-coming Canadian players and have now also put substantial support behind launching First Tee in Canada, ensuring broad access for all young Canadians to the character-building life lessons the sport of golf can provide.”
 
The Town of Caledon has already extended its support towards becoming a hub community for Canadian golf with a recommendation to the Regional Municipality of Peel to approve a $2.5M investment towards bringing the project to life.
 
“I am thrilled that Caledon will be the new home of Golf Canada’s National Headquarters and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum,” said Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson. “In addition to the significant economic benefits to our community, the campus will also feature the youth development program, First Tee, an accessible program designed to empower and inspire youth through sport – This is GREAT news for Caledon.”
 
Hicks Design Studio has been selected by Golf Canada as the architect of record to bring the Canadian golf campus to life.
 
The announcement of the Home for Canadian Golf follows several years of due diligence by Golf Canada to explore a long-term solution and forward-looking vision for the relocation of its corporate headquarters as well as the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, which are currently located on the grounds of Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.
 
Once complete, the Home for Canadian Golf will be a multifaceted, world-class tourist facility that will support community recreational benefits; drive inclusivity and community among equity-deserving youth; and become a foundational pillar that supports grassroots participation and high-performance golf.

Regina Ladies Open prepares for centennial event

It’s now been 103 years in the waiting but after two announcements of cancellations the Regina Ladies Open will take place for the 100th time this summer.

The 36-hole tournament will take place at the Wascana Country Club and Royal Regina Golf Club on July 18 and 19 with an estimated 100 players of all calibers in the field.

In 2019 a small fire at the Royal Regina Golf Club after the event was washed out by rain was the last time the event was held. After two years of cancellations the organizing committee and competitors are excited to have the event back.

To learn more and register for the event prior to the early bird deadline of Friday evening click here.

Golf Saskatchewan chatted with committee member Aggie Potapinski and longtime RLO competitor, past champion, and Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame member Lorie Boyle to hear more about the upcoming tournament.

Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club to host CP Women’s Open in 2022

2022 CP Women's Open returns to Ottawa Hunt

OTTAWA (Golf Canada) – The stars of the LPGA Tour will once again head to the nation’s capital as Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) have announced the 2022 CP Women’s Open will return to the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.

The 2022 edition of the CP Women’s Open will be held August 22-28 and will mark the championship’s fifth visit to the nation’s capital, as well as the fourth visit to Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, which previously hosted in 1994, 2008 and 2017. Canadian star Brooke Henderson from nearby Smiths Falls, Ont. will be a power draw once again as the nine-time LPGA Tour winner is an honorary member of Ottawa Hunt.

“We are extremely thrilled and enthusiastic for the return of the CP Women’s Open to Ottawa and the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club in 2022,” said Laurence Applebaum, Golf Canada’s CEO. “The CP Women’s Open always receives terrific community support, but when we’re in Ottawa that backing is intensified. With our 2017 event in Ottawa for Canada’s 150 celebration and the excitement around Brooke competing so close to home, we set records for attendance, volunteer enrollment and left a meaningful charitable contribution. I’m certain the community will embrace all facets of the event when the stars of the LPGA Tour return to Ottawa.”

Through its CP Has Heart campaign, CP will once again be making a significant charitable donation to the host community. In the first six years of CP’s title sponsorship of the event, more than $10.7 million has been raised in support of children’s heart health across Canada.

CP’s community investment program has proven itself an award-winning initiative, earning the CP Women’s Open Gold Driver Awards for Best Charity & Community Engagement among all LPGA Tour events in 2017 and 2019.

“Through terrific events like the CP Women’s Open we’re able to shine a spotlight on local heart charities that make a big impact in their communities,” said CP President and CEO, Keith Creel. “Together, with all involved with the event, including our CP Golf Ambassadors Brooke Henderson and Lorie Kane, we look forward to raising money for a worthy cause and leaving a lasting charitable legacy in Ottawa through CP Has Heart.”

The announcement of Ottawa as the 2022 host city is the core of a partnership between the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism and Golf Canada.

“It is great news that Golf Canada and CP have decided to return to Ottawa in 2022 for the CP Women’s Open at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club,” said City of Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. “The tournament was a major success in 2017, attracting a record number of fans and putting Ottawa on the map as a fantastic golf destination. We look forward to, once again, welcoming the best talent from across the world for this exciting event in 2022.”

“Ottawa Tourism looks forward to welcoming the CP Women’s Open back to Canada’s Capital in 2022 and to hosting the stars of the LPGA once more at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club,” said Ottawa Tourism President and CEO, Michael Crockatt. “We thank Golf Canada for choosing to return to Ottawa for this prestigious event which will build on the success of the 2017 CP Women’s Open. We will show off the best of our city to the athletes and spectators and are honoured to bring this exciting event once more to the passionate golf community in Ottawa”.

More than 50,000 people attended the event in 2017, where Sung Hyun Park earned a two-shot victory at Ottawa Hunt as part of an amazing season that saw her capture several LPGA Tour awards, including Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year, Rolex Player of the Year and the Season Money Title.

The Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club has welcomed numerous notable championships since its incorporation in 1908, including the three CP Women’s Open Championships in 1994, 2008 and 2017; the 1932 Canadian Open; and three Canadian Amateur Championships in 1937, 1960 and 1970.

The 18-hole championship course that will challenge the world’s best women golfers in 2022 was originally crafted by famed architect Willie Park and redesigned by international course designer, Dr. Michael Hurdzan prior to the 2017 event.

Gino Picciano, President of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club Board of Directors recalls how the club and the community embraced the tournament in 2017 and anticipates it doing so once again in 2022.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to host the prestigious CP Women’s Open again in 2022 and welcome the top players in the world, including our own honorary member Brooke Henderson,” said Picciano. “Hosting the world-class event provides us with another opportunity to showcase our club as a challenging test and one of the premiere golf experiences in all of Canada.”

For CP Women’s Open Tournament Director Ryan Paul, a return to the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club is reason for excitement given the event’s past success in the nation’s capital.

“The City of Ottawa and Ottawa Hunt have hosted some of the most memorable and successful CP Women’s Opens in history,” said Paul. “The response from LPGA Tour players as well as golf fans, volunteers and community supporters has always been tremendous and with two years of runway, we have the opportunity make the return of our National Open to Ottawa in 2022 very special.”

Volunteers CP Women's Open Ottawa Hunt 2017

The CP Women’s Open consistently draws one of the strongest fields in women’s golf vying for the largest purse (US $2.35 million) on the LPGA Tour aside from the five majors and CME Group Tour Championship.

Due to continued travel and border restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 CP Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver was postponed until 2021. Shaughnessy and the province of British Columbia will now host the event August 23-29, 2021.

First conducted in 1973, Canada’s Women’s Open Championship has allowed the brightest stars of the LPGA Tour to shine on Canadian soil and has inspired the nation’s next generation of female golfers.

Information regarding tickets, volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality for the 2021 and 2022 CP Women’s Opens will be available online at www.cpwomensopen.com at a later date.

9 golf things we’re still thinking about from the 2020 PGA Show ⛳️?

PGA Show 2020

The PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando is one of the most vibrant opportunities for golf industry members to connect in the New Year.

This year’s edition was no different.

Thousands of attendees packed the floor of the Orange County Convention Center – they say there are 10 miles worth of walkable area on the convention floor – and pushed through a windy and cold (by Orlando standards) demo day at Orange County National Golf Center’s 400-yard-in-diameter driving range.

The PGA of Canada put on a spectacular evening, as it does every year, to honour many deserving award winners from the year-that-was in Canadian golf, including a special award in 2020 to the president of Golf Canada, Charlie Beaulieu.

Charlie Beaulieu - Golf Canada president

That wasn’t the only Canadian connection at this year’s show, as you’ll see when you read on.

The PGA Show is a unique event, and Golf Canada wants to give you an inside look at the goings on from Florida.

Here are the nine things we’re still thinking about from the 2020 PGA Merchandise Show.

1. CELEBRATING CANADA

The PGA Show draws attendees and exhibitors from all around the world, but it was great to see some strong Canadian connections in 2020.

Dormie Workshop – founded by some brothers in Nova Scotia – has quickly become the authoritative name in leather goods. Dormie’s headcovers are world class (you can buy yours from Golf Canada’s website) and this year brothers Jeff and Todd Bishop announced they would be expanding Dormie’s line to include golf bags, luggage, glove covers and more. Dormie has also entered into a partnership called “The Collective” with two other hip golf companies, Foray (clothing) and Asher (gloves).

Dormie Headcovers

While Dormie is expanding its assets line, 2UNDR remains committed to supporting the assets of the male golfers out there.

The British Columbia-based underwear company has continued its relationship with star Rickie Fowler and its line of performance undergarments have continued to be well received by many on the PGA TOUR as well as on the course and off.

2UNDR

2. LEGENDS LAUNCH NEW GEAR

Once you’ve reached legend status in golf you just need one name. Tiger, Jack, Arnie, Rory, Annika… you know exactly who they are.

The same goes for Scotty (Cameron) and (Bob) Vokey.

Vokey, a Canadian Golf Hall of Famer, was on-hand this year to launch the new Vokey SM8 wedges, while Cameron happily showed off his new line called Special Select.

The Special Select line blends timeless design with modern craftsmanship, while the SM8’s have seen innovation in three key areas – distance & trajectory control, spin, and grinds.

Both the SM8 line of wedges and the Special Select putters are Tour-proven, look amazing, and are perfect for your bags in 2020.

3. OUTFITTING OUR STARS

Canadian golf had a banner year in 2019 and as we look ahead to 2020, our stars will not only be playing well, but looking good too.

During the PGA Show Levelwear announced it had re-signed some of Canada’s biggest stars in golf including Corey Conners, Michael Gligic, and Taylor Pendrith. The company, based just north of Toronto, had re-signed Adam Hadwin – Canada’s top-ranked male golfer – last year, and its new gear for men and women was on display in Orlando.

It’s likely that Conners and Hadwin will be representing Canada at the Olympics later this summer, and adidas had in its booth the uniforms that Team USA and Team Canada would be wearing on the golf course in Tokyo – with some solid red-and-white accents (of course).

2020 Canadian Olympic Golf Uniforms from adidas

4. GOLF GETS… GREENER

While 2020 will mark the third year Canada has legalized cannabis, it’s not nationally legal across the United States. However, 2020 was a big year at the PGA Show for vendors who produce a variety of CBD products aimed at calming the mind and body of golfers, as many states are starting to legalize it.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a product derived from cannabis but doesn’t cause a ‘high’ like another cannabinoid, THC. Instead, CBD oil – when mixed in chewing gum or edibles has the potential to relax its chewer. When combined with other oils or muscle creams, it provides a new kind of soothing feeling.

While not for everybody, the lines at each of the CBD booths showed that people were at least interested in trying something different.

And, since both CBD and THC are fully legal across Canada, it won’t be the only time interest in the products will be sparked.

5. ON-COURSE FUN

You’re supposed to have fun playing golf. While there were plenty of products at the PGA Show that promoted this, there were two that really stood out.

The first were pushcarts from Walker Trolleys. Brad Payne, who used to work as a designer for Apple, designed the cart. It made its debut at the PGA Show, and it’s a combination of sleek and practical, with whitewall tires, a polished aluminum frame, and a leather handle – plus a customizable canvas storage system. Look for them at some premium golf facilities across North America this summer.

Many golfers – while they’re walking or riding – like to listen to music on the course these days. But Bushnell has invented a new product for 2020 that combines the world of tunes with the world of tight approaches. The Bushnell Wingman is a Bluetooth speaker that doubles as a GPS yardage device. So while you’re rocking out to Rush or The Tragically Hip this summer, you’ll only be interrupted by a voice telling you how far it is to the front, middle, or back of the green you’re staring down.

6. DOING OUR PART FOR THE PLANET

A big trend not just in golf but also in the worlds of retail, technology, and more, is encouraging companies and the general public to be more environmentally friendly.

At the PGA Show this year, for the first time, there were shirts and shoes made out of recycled plastic water bottles. That’s just one example of clothing companies making a concerted effort to try to be more environmentally conscious.

Canadian shaft maker ACCRA also announced at the PGA Show it would be launching a new shaft called the Eco-Satin (a version of its i-Series shaft). Eco-Satin uses fewer chemicals on the finish and nearly 40 litres less water than normal.

Accra shafts

7. GOLF GOES DIGITAL

One of the largest – and most impressive – booths on the PGA Show floor in 2020 was that of Foresight. Foresight has made golf launch monitors and HD simulators for nearly a decade. The San Diego-based company now has more than 10,000 of their products in retailers, courses, homes, and driving ranges across North America.

Foresight

In 2020 it was focused on launching the GCHawk, which is actually an overhead-mounted launch monitor (versus setting the machine on the ground). The GCHawk captures data from every club in the bag, and no matter if you’re a lefty or righty, you don’t need to set yourself up any differently.

It’s hard to beat the Foresight digital experience, and seeing it in action at the PGA Show was truly impressive.

8. SHOES FROM THE SHOW

There is only one part of a golfer’s gear that is used on every single shot plus every single step during a round – his or her shoes.

This year at the PGA Show we saw copious kicks, from modern to classic. If they were tech-first or comfort-first, all the shoes we saw were designed for golfers in mind and to make every swing and every step even more comfortable.

A couple of shoes that really stood out were from FootJoy. The company literally has ‘foot’ in the name – so you know every year you’ll see some solid options. New for 2020 is the Tour X, a shoe inspired by FJ’s vast network of Tour players. You’ll also see an expansion of its FJ Flex line (including another custom design coming for the RBC Canadian Open…) including the Coastal and LE1 – perfect for on-course or off.

Also jumping out at us for 2020 given their fresh design concepts were the Ignite PWRADAPT CAGED shoe from Puma – with a focus on locked-in stability and comfort – and adidas’ new CODECHAOS line, which features several spikeless models with style inspired by running shoes.

Puma CAGED

9. IT’S A GLOBAL GAME

One thing for certain whenever thousands of golfers and golf industry professionals get together – it’s clear the game has gone global.

Many of the companies above have headquarters in the U.S., with key offices across Canada, Europe, and into Asia. You could sit at a table with people from five different countries, and three or four different languages could be spoken. The PGA of America put on plenty of informative discussions during the show that tapped into global knowledge, while representatives from the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, European Tour, Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada, and the USGA – amongst many others – were all mixing it up during the week.

The USGA, in particular, had a special new announcement for 2020. Just weeks prior to the show it, along with the R&A and Golf Canada, brought forth the World Handicap System (WHS), and it was a hot topic at the PGA Show. Industry professionals learned more about how they can best work with their members and public players this year and moving forward. The WHS provides all golfers a consistent measure of playing ability (more here).

Just like many new and innovated pieces of technology at the PGA Show, the World Handicap System is built to make golf more fun.