For the next half decade funding is locked in for eligible sport, culture, and recreation organizations in Saskatchewan after an agreement was signed with stakeholders and Saskatchewan Lotteries.

Last week, the provincial government signed an agreement along with Sask Sport, SaskCulture, and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association that will see 3.75 per cent of annual lottery sales be generated back into organizations that maintain programs and services that benefit Saskatchewan.

Golf Saskatchewan is one of over 1,200 groups that benefit from lottery proceeds annually. One of the largest financial contributions provided to member clubs is the Member Assistance Program (MAP) grant program. Funding is available to courses to grow the game and without Saskatchewan Lotteries’ funding the help wouldn’t be possible. Golf Saskatchewan President Delbert Betnar said he’s personally witnessed the benefits of the program.

“Golf Saskatchewan has been able to provide over $1.1 million back to our member clubs to help them provide services for our members.  I have seen first hand appreciation of this at my own club with the ongoing offering of group lessons to our members for a very reasonable amount from them.  These lessons usually fill up very quickly and allow a person to take a lesson in a group environment with their friends,” Betnar said.

Over 1,000 Saskatchewan communities are beneficiaries of funding through the agreement. 12,000 groups are involved creating active and healthy lifestyles. The funding also spills into volunteerism, another trait Saskatchewan excels in, over 330,000 residents assist in events and organizations funded by the partnership. Organizations such as Golf Saskatchewan need staff to fulfill tasks and apply funding to the correct area. Betnar said growth within Golf Saskatchewan and the organizations’ reach is helped by the funding.

“With the funding we get we are able to attract personal that truly have a passion for the game. With the investment in staff this past year we can showcase what our member clubs are up to be it from the communications point of view.  This allows us to go out to our member clubs to convey the message of why you want to be a member of Golf Saskatchewan,” he said.

The announcement of the partnership was made on Jan. 30. Parks, Culture, and Sport Minister Gene Makowsky was on hand for the presentation. He said all the stakeholders deserve credit for the agreement.

“The Saskatchewan Lotteries provides opportunities to more than 600,000 participants in many communities across our province.  These far-reaching benefits would not be possible without our partners, Sask Sport, SaskCulture and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, and of course thousands of volunteers.”

Golf Saskatchewan is presumably one of the larger governed amateur sport organizations in Saskatchewan therefore long-term planning is crucial to success of the organization and the sport it governs. Sask Sport Chair Leslie Blyth said a five-year deal is critical for planning among organizations.

“Long-term planning is essential to non-profit organizations and their ability to deliver quality, sustainable programs, services and events.  This agreement will continue to positively impact our communities and provide more opportunities for all.  Together, we all win,” she said.

In the last fiscal year of the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund, over $54.2 million was handed back to sport, culture, and recreational organizations in Saskatchewan.

Above photo: (l;r): Leslie Blyth, Sask Sport Chair; James Rose, SaskCulture President; Coralie Bueckert, Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association President; and, Gene Makowsky, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister.

Coming off potentially one of their best years yet, the Evergreen Golf Course has high hopes again for 2019.

Located in Nipawin, the 18-hole course was in pristine shape from opening day last May until the snow came early in September. Head professional Derrick Tallon said the club had a memorable year.

“We hit the ground running, got started about on average and the course was in great shape right off the bat,” Tallon told Golf Saskatchewan. “It was in as good as shape as it’s ever been tee to green. We hear it everyday but coming from our greenskeeper Ken Lintott, the turf conditions have never been as good as last year. Word got out we were in phenomenal condition.”

Recognizing the Evergreen as one of the province’s top facilities, Golf Saskatchewan will return to the northern Saskatchewan community for the first time since 2015 for a provincial championship. The 93^rd Junior Men’s and 69^th Junior Women’s Championships will be held from July 9 – 11. Tallon said the course and community are suited for the junior and mixed championship that they hosted in 2014.

“They fit the best with our facility,” he said. “The juniors attract families and they can do other activities in the area and with the mixed I think people like to get away and unwind and have a good time in Nipawin, and the golf course is just good.”

The course opened in 1957 and was designed by Les Furber. The Evergreen plays between just under 5,300 yards up to over 6,500 from the tips. Players are faced with a narrow, daunting 600-yard monster to start but the track rarely plays well into a long bombers’ style. Tallon said the yardage tends to throw players off if they aren’t familiar with the tricky layout.

“The greens are challenging, it’s placement off the tee and where to approach the greens from. Some holes you think it’s wide open but it’s definitely not that,” he chuckled. “The course is a good challenge.”

Aside from playing host to the junior provincials the Evergreen will have their annual Bob Dow Memorial Tournament to begin the year. Approximately 160 golfers with play the two-person team event. The Scotia Wealth, a stop on the Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit Tour is held annually at the facility plus upwards of 200 golfers are expected for the Nipawin Hawks Hall of Fame tournament over the August long weekend. Several other events pepper the summer schedule as well. Tallon said with The Spot Restaurant one-year into their operations and Lintott’s three-decades of experience, the Evergreen is ready to host any event.

“When Mother Nature cooperates and Ken’s (Lintott) expertise the course is tough to beat. Year in, year out we’re in the discussion of the best conditioned golf course in the province. We did struggle without a food operation for too long, but The Spot stepped up and they’ve matched the golf course with the product we put out. When a visitor comes there is no let down,” Tallon said.

Also highlighting a busy season for the Evergreen is the 2019 PGA of Saskatchewan provincial championship.

Registration for the junior events will be open in April.

Jack Eisner left his mark on numerous organizations over his nearly nine decades on earth including the golf industry in Saskatchewan.

Eisner passed away on Jan. 9 at the age of 89.

Eisner was born in Togo, Sask. in 1929, leaving the small community for Luther College in Regina where he received his high school diploma. Eisner went on to obtain a law degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

Eisner eventually settled in eastern Saskatchewan and developed into a highly recruited athlete across many sports including baseball and golf. According to Eisner’s obituary his baseball career climaxed after outduelling Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Satchel Paige in a game in the 1940’s. He was a member of the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame.

Once settled in Melfort, Eisner developed a love for the game of golf. Aside from performing maintenance tasks at the Melfort Golf Course and assisting in the course’s development Eisner played at a high level. He was a member of the 1984 Saskatchewan Senior Men’s team that represented the province at the national championship in Prince Edward Island. At one point in Eisner’s playing career he held the course record at the Melfort Golf Club. He also served a term as the president of the Saskatchewan Golf Association.

Eisner’s accomplishments expanded beyond sports, he served his community in various aspects including being the mayor of Melfort from 1967-1970. Current Melfort Mayor, Rick Lang told local news outlet, northeastnow.com that Eisner drove positive initiatives for Melfort.

“Jack did identify some things he wanted to see with respect to progress in Melfort and he stepped forward and took the reins, and by that I mean he put his name forward to run for mayor in the community, he won, and that enabled him to do things that a normal person doesn’t get to do. So certainly [Eisner] put a good portion of his thoughts and his life into making the city of Melfort a great place to live,” Lang said.

Eisner was laid to rest on Jan. 13.

If you’ve been on social media following the new Rules of Golf you’ve likely come across several videos with golfers looking to take advantage of the new “double-hit” rule.

Previously under the Rules of Golf if you accidentally struck the ball twice with your club during a shot you were penalized another stroke. The rule has been amended to only count one shot and no penalty if a player accidentally hits the ball twice.

Trick shot artists have used the new rule to try and get around trees, but the shot is illegal.

https://www.facebook.com/tambagolf/videos/1845791905550507/

https://www.facebook.com/teamgolfgods/videos/360617061402353/
Double-hits do occur, even professionals have suffered from the unfortunate incident but under today’s rules TC Chen’s double chip at the 1985 US Open wouldn’t cause another stroke on his scorecard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76QRludSXgo

Saskatoon’s Anna Young was taking some time off golf, enjoying a family vacation in Africa when an Instagram message quickly changed her plans. An LPGA colleague requested Young’s attendance at the Taiwan Women’s Golf Open, with not much time to spare the 25-year-old began planning.

Young spent last year playing the Symetra Tour in the United States and took part in the CP Women’s Open in Regina. Young said she touched her clubs once in the month of December and was taking a break and recuperating but was satisfied where her game was at to compete in the first ever open in the Asian country.

“I’ve been playing well, the stuff I have been working on with my swing the last year and a half has made my swing consistent and I was confident,” she told Golf Saskatchewan. “Whatever I had when I got there wasn’t going to be terrible, I could work with it, that was my mindset going in.”

Young shot an opening round of nine-over, 81 followed by a second round plus-11, 83. Despite the numbers she said physically her game was good, but her mental approach let her down.

“I was surprised how well I was playing, and I wasn’t mentally prepared to not have to grind for a good number. I know that sounds funny because I didn’t have a good number, but I wasn’t mentally prepared to play well and after the tournament I realized that held me back,” Young said.

She said there was two holes during the first round where she suffered some bad luck allowing her to reflect on the 36 holes she played. Overall, she said the experience will be a big boost for her game.

“Even if it was a bad tournament, it doesn’t mean you have to be upset or sad about it. Learning from what you did wrong is the only thing that’s going to make you better so that’s what I’ve been focusing on,” Young said.

Young said she had about a two-week gap to prepare for the event and finalize her travel and accommodations on limited Wi-Fi in Africa. She returned home for approximately 36 hours before flying to Taiwan. During the season the five-time Saskatchewan women’s amateur champion routinely lives from a suitcase travelling to events and entering tournaments at the last second. She said being prepared is key and she will be ahead of future professional events.

“You have to believe in yourself and be mentally ready for anything. You don’t have to be physically ready for everything but if you are mentally ready you will be as ready for anything as you can be,” she said.

Young entered the tournament with about ten other North American born players and several former Symetra and college players. She was able to stay for a couple days after the event in Taiwan and become a tourist with a few friends. Young expects to be back in the Open in the future, but she made sure to soak in some of the culture during the trip.

“It was really cool to see the culture while I was there because that’s something I am really interested in and the food was the highlight of the trip. It was so good,” she laughed.

Young returned to her home base in Orlando, Florida following the event late last week. She will be entering mini-tour events and Florida state opens this year while continuing to chase her dream of acquiring an LPGA Tour card.

Young spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork upon returning to Canada from the event.

As you have heard, a historic reworking of the Rules of Golf came into effect on Jan. 1.

To gain a better understanding of how it affects recreational golfers like me, I invited Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s director of Rules, competitions and amateur status, to play nine holes with me at my home club. While the round is fictional—it is minus 8 in Central Ontario and Midland G&CC is snow-covered as I write this—the new Rules are anything but.

The intent and, in my opinion, well achieved, is to make the Rules more understandable and relevant for everyone who enjoys the sport. A new Player’s Edition of the Rules and an app for your smartphone make it easy to play by the new Rules. Visit www.golfcanada.ca/rules

Hole #1 (395-yard downhill par-4)

As usual, I crank my drive into the heavily wooded area on the left of the fairway. Although, again as usual, I am sure I will find it, Helmer reminds me I now have three minutes, not five as under the former Rule, to locate it. Nevertheless, with the unwarranted optimism that has always defined my game, I decline to hit a provisional and we walk down to the bush. No luck after the prescribed three minutes. I start the walk of shame back to the tee to accept the stroke-and-distance penalty. Wait, says Helmer, now there’s an alternative. Your club has decided to institute a Local Rule which allows you to drop a ball in the nearest fairway under penalty of two strokes so you don’t have to hike back to the teeing ground.  Ball lost. Time saved. The foursome behind us applauds the new Rules. You guys owe Helmer a beer. So do I.

Hole #2 (178-yard par-3 with water in front and to the left of the green)

Indecisive over club selection (I’ve only been a member here for 30 years), I come up short and my ball dribbles into the hazard, not quite in and possibly playable. Oops, says Helmer, that’s no longer termed a “hazard,” but now called a “penalty area,” pointing out I now can ground my club, make practice swings touching the ground or growing objects and I can remove that pine cone or any other loose impediment near the ball.

Hole #3 (well-bunkered 290-yard uphill par-4)

Instead of taking the 5-iron and laying up to the 100-yard marker, I try to impress Helmer, knocking the driver into one of the four bunkers protecting this (theoretically) drivable par-4. My ball is right up against the lip of the bunker and with my sand game being what it is, I ask Helmer what my options are. With a penalty of one stroke, I can drop the ball inside the bunker or, under the new Rules, drop it outside the bunker, taking a two-shot penalty.  Additionally under the new Rules, you can remove loose impediments and touch the sand (provided you’re not testing the condition of the sand). You are still prohibited from touching the sand during a practice swing, or right in front or behind the ball and during your backswing for your stroke.

Hole #4 (389-yard dogleg-right par-4)

One of the toughest tee shots on the course to a kidney-shaped green that slopes severely from back to front and left to right. Uncharacteristically, I mash a drive but then hit a mid-iron to the back left of the green. Did I mention the pin position was front right? As I stand over the putt, I ask Helmer to tend the flagstick. Are you sure, he asks. Under the new Rules, you can leave the flagstick in. I gratefully accept his advice. And, if my putt had come anywhere near the hole, I am sure it would have hit the stick and gone in.

Hole #5 (419-yard uphill par-4)

A nest of bunkers on the right always makes me err to the left where, of course, my ball is somewhere in the deep rough. As we are searching, I step on my ball and move it. No penalty under the new Rules!  Just replace it where it was originally or estimate the spot if it’s unknown.

Hole #6 (344-yard dogleg-left par-4)

Finally on a hole in regulation, only to discover that someone has dragged their shoes across my line of putt, making my putt more of a guessing game than Plinko. But, as Helmer points out, the new Rules allow me to tamp down these and other man-made damage to the green. Which I do. And miss the putt anyhow.

Hole #7 (195-yard par-3)

Hook the tee shot into the trees left of the green. My imagined recovery shot, a low-running 4-iron off the back foot to inches, hits the only tree in front of me and ricochets off my bag. No penalty under the new Rules, says Helmer, even if it had hit me.

Hole #8 (401-yard par-4)

My approach shot lands on the cart path to the right of the green. I take the proper relief and then start to drop the ball from shoulder height, as under the old Rules. Wait, says Helmer. The new Rule says you must drop the ball from knee height.  Which I do. And then double-hit the ball. No penalty under the new Rules!

Hole #9 (402-yard uphill par-4)

As we wind up our round, I walk over to shake hands with Helmer and accidentally move my ball marker on the green. No problem under the new Rules. Just replace and carry on.

We walked our nine holes in well under two hours thanks in large part to a commitment to “ready golf,” a practice that is emphasized under the new Rules.

To learn more about the new Rules of Golf, visit www.golfcanada.ca/rules.  You’ll impress your fellow golfers and save strokes at the same time.

TORONTO – Brooke Henderson’s two LPGA Tour victories in 2018, including her historic win on home soil at the CP Women’s Open, earned her two additional honours to add to her rapidly-expanding resumé.

The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) has announced Henderson, Adam Hadwin, Garrett Rank and Jaclyn Lee as its 2018 Players of the Year as voted by GJAC members across the country. Henderson’s victory at the national open, the first by a Canadian in 45 years, was also voted Canadian Golf Story of the Year by an overwhelming margin.

“GJAC is thrilled to honour these outstanding players and highlight their remarkable accomplishments in the game in 2018,” said David McPherson, GJAC President. “Canadian players continue to produce incredible results at every level of the game and write stories with their achievements that captivate fans from across the country and beyond.”

Henderson’s triumph at Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask., which was punctuated by a 72^nd hole birdie to give her a four-stroke win over American Angel Yin, was the second win of a two-victory season (her other title came four months earlier at the Lotte Championship) that propelled her to a runner-up finish in the Race to the CME Globe. The 21-year old’s seven LPGA wins put her one title behind Mike Weir, George Knudson and Sandra Post for most all-time by a Canadian professional.

Adam Hadwin was named Male Professional of the Year after continuing his ascendancy as one of the world’s premier players, notching 10 top-25 results for the 2017-18 PGA TOUR season and finishing 36^thin the FedExCup Standings. He and fellow Abbotsford, British Columbia product Nick Taylor also lifted Canada to a T4 finish at the World Cup of Golf, the nation’s best finish at the event since 1985.

Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee earned honours as Female Amateur of the Year after a standout season that culminated with a sixth-place finish at the LPGA’s Q-Series, earning her a tour card for her first professional season in 2019. The former Golf Canada National Amateur Team and Ohio State standout had a strong final season as an amateur, reaching the semifinals of the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship and the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Finally, Elmira, Ontario’s Garrett Rank earned Male Amateur of the Year honours after a remarkable run that included qualifying for the U.S. Open – earning the NHL Referee widespread attention and media coverage – and victories at the Ontario Mid-Amateur and Ontario Amateur, along with top-three results at the Canadian Amateur and Canadian Mid-Amateur.

Saskatoon’s Anna Young has concluded her professional debut tournament overseas.

The 25-year-old five-time Saskatchewan Amateur Women’s champion competed in the Taiwan Women’s Golf Open in Kaohsiung City. Young shot an opening round of plus-9, 81. She followed her opening round with an 11-over, 83 in the second round.

Young didn’t make the cut in the championship.

Mi Jeong Jeon won the event at minus 12. The tournament was a stop on the LPGA of Taiwan.

Saskatoon’s Anna Young is experiencing a professional tour event on the far side of the globe this week.

Young, 25, is in the field at the Taiwan Women’s Golf Open in Kaohsiung City. After round one, the five-time Saskatchewan amateur women’s champion is 13 shots back of the leader. Young fired a trio of bogeys in both the front and back nine to cap round one with a plus-9, 81. Young birdied the par-4 14th hole, she parred the rest of the course. Pei-Ying Tsai is the leader at minus-4.

Round two will take place on Friday.

Young has two professional victories on her resume on North American soil and also competed in the the CP Women’s Open in Regina this past summer with a sponsor quota spot.

Harbor Golf Club & Resort professional Mark Patterson enjoyed his first year as the president of the PGA of Canada.

Sharing his time between Harbor and the association since May, the Elbow, Saskatchewan resident is happy with his work since he was nominated at the President of the PGA of Canada in May. Patterson said the Harbor staff has been very supportive of his role at a national level.

“It’s very exciting but at the time it’s very time consuming,” Patterson explained. “There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not answering an email or a phone call or setting up a meeting anywhere from discipline to a board meeting. It’s easy to get away but in the back of your mind that you can hardly wait to get back to the normal grind.”

Patterson’s position allowed him to travel and take in some memorable events including the British Open and the Ryder Cup. Cross country trips became routine over the year whether it was for meetings or events. Patterson said when he did frequent other centres Elbow and Harbor were well advertised.

“Our facility, our owners, the people that work there, they are all very supportive and I feel they are with me all the way. Whether I’m in Saskatoon or Scotland, it’s the same pride,” he said.

Patterson lived a year in Germany and received a year of education. He said while in Europe he was able to go back to the house he lived in and met people from his past in the country. The Ryder Cup was in Paris allowing him and his wife a chance to visit the France city.

Travel wasn’t the entire focus for the position, Patterson said he’s proud of what the national PGA accomplished. Membership fees dropped for the first time in history and they launched a new mobile membership card for smart phones. Patterson said the organization is working on getting more professionals on golf courses that potentially don’t have the membership or the means to do so.

“We’re trying to match a facility that doesn’t have a PGA professional and match them with a pro. We will ask them what they are looking for and the club will give us a list of things and we say okay; here’s a guy or a lady that has those qualifications. We will help them understand the benefit of a professional being there and help them with job posting strategies as well,” he said.

The PGA of Canada launched a new website in 2018 and had 9,000 people take part in over 170 tournaments across the nation leading up to the national RBC Scramble that took place in Nova Scotia in October. The involvement increased by 60 percent from 2017. He said the PGA is also collaborating with the National Golf Course Owners Association and the Canadian Golf Course Superintendents Association on a combined industry tradeshow. Patterson said the conjoining of the groups for one show can make all the organizations stronger and save money working in agreement.

Another highlight for Patterson was providing the news to Swift Current professional Jeff Chambers that he was the 2018 PGA of Canada Coach of the Year winner. He said the Elmwood Golf Club professional is a worthy recipient.

“He does wonders for our association, he does wonders for kids golf, any golf, it’s his passion. For him to win this award, we have many great people, but Jeff is one of those people and I look forward to shaking his hand again in Orlando,” Patterson said.

Looking ahead to the 2019 year, the last of Patterson’s two-year term he said he has a few goals in mind. Sustaining the membership level is important to him. He said their members aren’t staying long enough. To combat that Patterson said the PGA is working to increase their “entry level memberships.” Keeping the members over three years is tricky he said, his idea is to potentially allow the first two years free and pushing off the current playability test as well. Patterson said a stroke or two on the golf course shouldn’t disallow a potentially strong member to be left out. Overall Patterson said he wants to leave a positive mark on the organization.

“I’d like to leave the Association healthy, increase the membership and the RBC Scramble as a highlight of the year as it is now, those things aren’t out of reach,” he said.

Patterson added one more highlight is coming this year, as part of his duties he will be attending the Masters in Augusta, Georgia which he is excited to take in.