When it comes to golf injuries, the back seems to be the number one issue for players no matter what level of play.

Tiger Woods, arguably the greatest golfer of all time has had his fair share of back problems, as has Saskatchewan’s best player of all time Graham DeLaet, but without the fanfare hundreds of thousands of amateur and recreational players have likely dealt with back injuries. For most the trouble comes from muscle strains in the lower portion of the back. Dr. Trevor Erdie is a chiropractor in Estevan. He said his office sees an abundance of golfers suffering from back pain.

“Obviously chiropractic ties in with all kinds of sports, but definitely golf,” Erdie told Golf Saskatchewan. “We see our fair share of golfers. Everyone is trying to make changes to their game and improvements in different areas so we try to help out wherever we can.”

According to the Saskatchewan Chiropractors’ Association website chiropractors work with clients to develop a plan together to relieve pain and restore mobility through different tactics.

When it comes to playing golf, and Erdie being an avid golfer himself and member at TS&M Woodlawn, he suggests that prevention is the first step in having a healthy back.

“You want to make sure you are swinging properly,” he said. “Talking to your local golf pro, doing a lesson, making sure everything that is moving the way it should be, and you have the proper transfer of energy is probably the most important thing. Is the golf swing natural? I think it can be. It’s the repetition that we worry about, especially if you don’t have a good golf swing.”

Erdie went on to stress the importance of preparing for playing a round or even hitting a bucket of balls at the range. Proper warm up practices is key in keeping your back well over the season.

“There’s lots of things people can do to help prevent golf injuries, but I think a good, dynamic stretching routine prior to your round or range session can really prime your body and reduce the chance of injury,” Erdie explained.

Some other key preventative measures include:

• Take it slow, don’t jump right into a full 18 holes or 100 balls on the range on day one
• Proper swing mechanics and posture
• Good weight transfer
• Not overswinging
• Don’t overlook the dangers of transferring clubs or carrying them around the course if you are a walker

The provincial association provides a great summary of exercises on their website as well as a pamphlet they distribute to golf courses across Saskatchewan.

Erdie understands the excitement of a round of golf on a beautiful summer day but making sure your body is ready is the number one way to battle an injury.

“The best injury I always say is the one that doesn’t occur,” he stressed. “Doing the appropriate things to prevent the injuries, seeing a healthcare provider whether it be a chiropractor, physiotherapy, or massage therapist to make sure you are working on things if they do get injured. The education side of things as well, make sure you are ready for that round before you hit the links.”

This past November, at the 2019 MJT National Championship presented by TaylorMade & adidas Golf held at Reunion Resort in Florida, Maple Leaf Junior Tour member Alex Swinnerton showed off his skill in the bean bag toss competition and was the lucky winner of a golf camp at Sean Foley Performance golf academy in Orlando.

During his Spring Break, Alex made the trip from Saskatchewan to Orlando, Florida, to take part in a week-long high-performance training camp. Touching on all aspects of the game, including putting, short-game, full-swing, course management and golf fitness, Alex and some friends from Saskatchewan got a sneak peek of what it’s like to live and train at Sean Foley’s junior academy.

Alex said afterwards, “My time at Sean Foley Performance Academy was unbelievable. I was treated by each coach like I was right at home and I learnt so much during my week at the Academy.  Whether it was training or playing golf, I didn’t feel like I missed a beat… Overall, this week was a lot of fun, but more importantly I learnt some key tools that will elevate my game to the next level.  I’m excited to get the season started and I want to thank Sean Foley for the opportunity.”

“It was great to have the guys from Saskatchewan here,” said camp organizer, Chris Bennett. “We have more kids coming from Ontario and Alberta in the next few weeks, and we are all really excited to have more Canadians around.”

The academy is running Spring Break Camps now through to the end of May and is also taking applications for next year’s full-time program now. The full-time program combines a private academic school education with elite golf performance training.

For details on camp availability or the full-time program, email or call Chris Bennett at chris@eaglesdream.com or 407-399-5590.

Story authoured by Chris Bennet and originally posted at https://www.maplejt.com/news.php?id=2653 

About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is Canada’s number one-played Junior Golf Tour as well as the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada. The organization is supported by valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts close to 90 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 12U and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11-19 which also offer qualifiers for international tournaments. The program has annual awards, scholarships and incentives to help reward performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include many Professional Tour players and PGA of Canada Professionals, as well as Canadian Amateur, National and Provincial Junior Champions. The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to the provincial, national, university and professional levels.

About Sean Foley Performance: Sean Foley Performance at Orlando is a residential golf academy located just outside of Orlando, Florida that offers elite golf training and experience for junior players. The juniors at Sean Foley Performance at Orlando work with Sean’s world class team of coaches and often work with Sean Foley himself, when he is not out travelling on the PGA Tour. The academy’s coaches, student-athletes and staff are united by their passion for pursuing greatness not just in sport, but in all aspects of life, believing that quality over quantity is the best way to allow everyone to succeed. For more details on Sean Foley Performance please visit www.foleyperformance.com

About Sean Foley: Born and raised outside of Toronto, he played college golf at Tennessee State University, and went on to begin his teaching career at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, ON. Today, Foley teaches out of Sean Foley Performance at Timacuan Golf and Country Club, offering elite golf training and a world-class experience for junior players that train there. Sean’s core teaching philosophy is driven by a passion to help golfers evolve into the best they can be, incorporating biomechanics, physiology, performance psychology and philosophy into his instruction.

The 2020 Men’s Order of Merit schedule has been finalized.

This year’s tour includes 15 events at 14 different courses across Saskatchewan. Prince Albert’s Danny Klughart was the runaway winner last year collecting four championships and almost 3,600 Order of Merit (OMT) points.

Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Championships Steve Ryde said the competitors will see a great mix of challenges and amenities at all the stops.

“We’re very happy to partner with courses across the Saskatchewan for the 15 events this year,” he said. “Every course has their own intrigue and highlights plus the overall experiences from tee to clubhouse and post round meals will all be part of a memorable 2020 season.”

The Regina Dental Group Men’s City Amateur in Regina kicks off the year on May 23 and 24. Tor Hill will play host to round one, the Wascana Country Club is the site of the second round.

The Legends in Warman will have their annual 2 Man Scramble the same weekend.

On May 30 – 31 the Evergreen Golf Course in Nipawin will see the province’s best amateurs and pros for the Scotia Wealth Open.

The fabled Lobstick at Waskesiu takes place from June 8 -13.

Weyburn’s “Crocus” Men’s Open will be played at the city’s golf club on June 13 and 14.

Tor Hill is back on the schedule for June 20 and 21 for the Saskatchewan Publinx Championship. Saskatoon’s Reliance Gregg’s Central Amateur will take over the Golf & Country Club from June 27 – 29.

The Scotia Wealth Management Saskatoon Amateur Championship on July 4 and 5 will be played at Dakota Dunes Golf Links and Riverside Country Club.

The Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships return the Legends in Warman for the third time and first since 2016. The am will be a 72-hole tournament running from July 21 – 24, the mid-am will begin on the 21^st and conclude on July 23.

The Men’s Northern in Prince Albert at the Cooke Municipal is slated for Aug. 1 – 3. Estevan’s TS&M Woodlawn FrameTech Classic will be played at the same time.

On Aug. 7 – 9 Deer Park in Yorkton will host the Mark’s Blue Owl Men’s Open.

Wrapping up the schedule on the weekend of Aug. 15 and 16 is the North Battleford Auto Dealers NW Amateur at the North Battleford Golf Course and the annual Moose Mountain Classic at Golf Kenosee.

All the details regarding all the OMT’s can be found here.

Residence
Regina

Home Club
Royal Regina Golf Club

Handicap Factor/Index
16.5

Rounds per Year
60 to 70

Left/Right
Right

Years with Golf Saskatchewan
35

Areas of Service
Board member (1985 to 1999), President (1993 and 1994), Level 4 Rules Official (1988 to 2007 – Official or Chair at over 60 provincial and national tournaments), Rules Chair (1989 to 1992 and 1999), Instructed Rules clinics, Course Rater/Team Leader (1997 to the present) Involved in the rating of about 75 courses.

Favorite Player
Rory McIlroy

Favorite Golf Quote
“Golf’s ugliest words: still your shot” – Dave Marr

How did you get involved with Golf Saskatchewan?
“Represented my club at a Saskatchewan Golf Association annual general meeting and made the mistake of opening my mouth at the meeting.”

What do you like about volunteering?
“My involvement with golf at both the provincial and national levels has been my number one hobby. It is enjoyable because of the number of people you meet and get to know by seeing them year after year at tournaments. Course rating is fun because of the great group of people on the rating teams and the many courses we get to play as part of the rating process.”

What would you say to others about volunteering, not only for Golf Saskatchewan but any organization?
“In rules and/or course rating you get out to see the province, play some different golf courses and have a lot of fun.”

For years, with the occasional exception, our best golfers have come from smaller communities. The most recent notable examples are Brooke Henderson from Smiths Falls, Ont., and Corey Conners, born and bred in Listowel, Ont.

And that serves my message well, as I live in Midland, Ont., with about as many citizens as Listowel, and just a couple of kilometres down the road from Penetanguishene, population close to that of Smiths Falls.

I may have just seen their successors.

A couple of years ago, local business owner Kirk Ruston converted some unused space in his Penetanguishene warehouse into a golf practice and training facility he called the Infinity Golf Lab. In partnership with Mary-Pat Quilty, the facility now welcomes more than 70 girls and boys from ages four to 15 to a series of 10-week sessions during the winter.

The brightly lit area contains, among other amenities, a couple of hitting bays, putting area, simulator, exercise equipment and, perhaps just as important, inspirational quotes painted on the walls. And there are pylons, stuffed animals, hula hoops, an obstacle course, and a plethora of other fun paraphernalia to occupy young minds and bodies.

Much of Ruston’s motivation came as the father of two athletic daughters who needed something to do when not playing hockey in the winter. A five-handicapper, Ruston, now 45, came late to the game after focusing on water sports and other activities when he was younger.

He teamed with Mary-Pat Quilty to deliver a quality experience to what has become a growing stream of kids who want to learn how to golf. Quilty, a PGA of Canada member who is the director of golf at nearby Settlers’ Ghost Golf Club, has solid credentials as a two-time PGA of Ontario Teacher of the Year who played for years on pro tours around the world.

They are ably assisted by Jerry Bogosky, a volunteer with not only a great golf game but an admirable ability to connect with youngsters. Bogosky, a noted range rat, sums up one of the project’s themes: “Practising golf can be the most boring thing ever. You have to make it fun while making sure the kids are learning something at the same time.”

While the program began as a “girls only” initiative, it has expanded to include boys as well.

A perfect example exists in 12-year-old twins Josée and Jacques Desroches, who are in their second season at the Infinity Golf Lab. While father Serge says, “it’s great for the kids to learn new skills,” Josée focuses on the fact that she gets to hang out with her friends and “have fun” on chilly winter evenings.

Julie Baxter agrees. Like the Desroches twins, her daughter Breanna is in her second season and “she loves it. They do a phenomenal job here. It’s inspiring for the girls, really.”

In addition to honing her skills during the winter, Breanna plays in a summer league organized by Ruston and Quilty. Along with access to the range at Brooklea Golf and Country Club on Tuesdays, the girls can sign up for a nine-hole round at Midland Golf and Country Club on Monday evenings. For $20, the kids get golf, a hot dog and a soft drink. Often, their parents join them.

“When they come on Mondays, they get free range access, we give the parents a free cart if they want to follow their kids, and some of our members volunteer to walk with the groups to help them along,” says Ian Kirkpatrick, general manager of Midland Golf and Country Club. “We see this as a partnership, an investment in the future of the game.”

The Infinity Golf Lab initiative reinforces other efforts in a community where just about every school has been adopted under Golf Canada’s Golf in Schools program. For example, Midland Golf and Country Club offers an outreach program to local Grade 5 classes where, for a small fee and with the support of sponsor Central Taxi, kids who want to participate are picked up after class in a mini-bus and taken to the course for instruction and golf. Their parents pick them up after the session.

Despite being relatively new, Infinity Golf has already started to show impressive results.

Last year, 16 girls played in events such as club championships, 19 played on various junior tours, six competed in the U.S. Drive, Chip and Putt events, and three played in Golf Ontario championships.

Head’s up, Brooke and Conner. These kids are gunning for you.

Local champions across the country, like the folks at Infinity Golf Lab, supplement terrific junior golf programs offered by Golf Canada, provincial golf associations and PGA of Canada pros at golf clubs and driving ranges. Future Links presented by Acura, Golf in Schools and the Community Golf Coach initiative are great examples of programs available across Canada. Not every facility has to be as involved as Infinity Golf Lab, although their model makes an excellent case study. All you need to develop and encourage junior golfers in your community is an appropriate space, basic equipment, and dedicated and qualified instructors and volunteers.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI), together with Golf Canada, are thrilled to announce the extension of their long-standing partnership, through the 2022 Canadian golf season. SCI will continue as presenting sponsor of Golf Fore the Cure.

The Golf Fore the Cure program was created by Golf Canada, together with the Canadian Cancer Society and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. It drives women’s participation in the game of golf through fundraising and awareness to support the fight against breast cancer. The program focuses on using the sheer power of women playing golf in a non-competitive environment to make a difference. Last year, one hundred and seventy-six Golf Fore the Cure events took place at golf facilities across Canada, raising over $390,000 for breast cancer research. In 2020, Golf Canada looks forward to growing that and further contributing to over $6.8 million raised since the program’s inception.

“Subaru Canada has supported women’s golf in this country in a major way and we are pleased to extend their commitment as presenting sponsor of Golf Fore the Cure,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Golf Fore the Cure has helped to drive women’s participation in the game while raising money and awareness for a meaningful cause close to Canadian hearts—breast cancer research.”

Subaru Canada has been a proud presenting sponsor of Golf Fore the Cure since 2005 and is proud to help grow the game of golf in Canada, standing alongside thousands of compassionate women to help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. SCI is just as passionate about keeping their customers happy and safe for long or short drives as they are about their customers’ well being outside of their Subaru vehicles. The announcement continues to signify a commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles through various sponsorships from coast to coast.

“As presenting sponsor, Subaru Canada will continue to offer the support needed to drive the program forward,” said SCI president, chairman and CEO Yasushi Enami. It’s an extremely important initiative and we are proud to be involved with such a great cause – the fight against breast cancer.”

For more information on Golf Fore the Cure visit golfcanada.ca/golfforethecure. For more information on Subaru Canada, Inc., visit www.subaru.ca.

Changes are coming to the format of the Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur Golf Championship slated for the Legends Golf Course in July.

For the previous two years the men’s amateur and mid-amateur events were played together over three days and 54 holes. Beginning in 2020, the amateur will become a 72-hole championship. The mid-amateur, for players 25 years old and over, will continue to be played over three rounds. Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Sport and Championships Steve Ryde said the province’s top men’s players wanted changes to the event.

“Reading some of the feedback from the questionnaires the players filled out there was a big demand for a four-day championship for the men’s am title and we felt the same way,” Ryde explained. “We wanted to keep the two events together, we find we get the best field in the province. Not everybody has four weeks of holidays to burn up, so we felt it was best to keep them together.”

The tournament will run from July 21 – 24. The mid-amateur champion will be crowned after the round on July 23. The top-18 players and ties will continue to the fourth round and compete for the 109^th amateur crown. Ryde said the organization hopes to witness an extra day of thrilling golf involving the best amateurs in Saskatchewan.

“We’re hoping to witness is an exciting day, it’s going to be a great championship. I hope it’s close and there are a bunch of guys vying for the title. The Legends is a difficult challenge and it could come down to the 72^nd hole of the event,” Ryde said.

Under the current format, which includes the championships at Dakota Dunes Golf Links and The Saskatoon Golf and Country Club the results have varied. Kade Johnson was the amateur champion two years ago while Mike Herperger won the mid-am. Last year Danny Klughart won both events. Ryde said speaking to competitors around Saskatoon, including a multi-winner of the am, the alteration could be popular.

“I run into a lot of players that play in the event, I have thrown the extra day cut idea at them and they think it’s a great idea,” Ryde said. “I think it’s going to be a great adjustment; people hopefully have that week booked off anyways so hopefully one more day doesn’t make or break their decision to play.”

Klughart is also a member of the Golf Saskatchewan board of directors. He brings thoughts from both the player’s side and the organizations. He said there are several positives to making the changes.

“Last year it wasn’t really fair for me to win both championships in one playoff,” the Prince Albert product admitted. “We’re trying to accommodate people to only to take one week off work, but we still want to treat it as two different championships, and this is the only way we can do it. The am is the one everybody wants to win; it is the most prestigious. By having it the same length of the national championships it brings that prestige back.”

Registration for the championships, and the official opening of the golf season in Saskatchewan is April 15.

Visit our competition page for more dates and details.

Long-time Golf Saskatchewan volunteer Richard Smith has been honoured by the nation’s governing body of the sport at the amateur level.

Originally announced by Golf Canada on Feb. 21, Smith was officially recognized on Feb. 28 at the Golf Canada annual general meeting in Mississauga, Ont. The Katepwa Beach resident has been involved with Golf Saskatchewan for 20 years and Golf Canada for another 10. Smith has been involved in several areas of the game including course rating, scoring, starting, the executive, and others. Always humble, Smith didn’t take too much credit to the award.

“We volunteer because we love what we do,” he said.

Golf Saskatchewan Executive Director Brian Lee has worked alongside Smith for almost the entire 20 years of Smith’s tenure assisting the organization across all areas. Lee said Smith has provided countless hours and knowledge throughout his experience with Golf Saskatchewan.

“When you talk about Richard Smith you have an individual who has given almost 20 years of his life assisting the game of golf in the province,” Lee said. “He is one of those individuals you wish associations could make more of. His dedication to policies, bylaws, and other matters for our organization are up to speed, whether it is his countless hours towards course rating and ensuring all the courses have been rated with adequate teams and spearheading that; or becoming president. He’s just been a tremendous asset to our association. On behalf of our organization and all our member clubs, congratulations Richard, you are well deserving of this award.”

Most recently Smith has been a guiding light during the release of the new World Handicap System working with multi international golf groups to roll the extensive program out earlier this year. Golf Canada President Charlie Beaulieu thanked Smith for his work at the awards banquet in Ontario.

“This has been a huge undertaking by the international golf community and Richard has played an important role. Richard’s commitment to handicapping and course rating has been felt across the country,” Beaulieu said.

Smith was recognized alongside long-time golf journalist Ian Hutchinson.

The Golf Canada Distinguished Service Award has been handed out since 1993.

(Left to right;) Smith, Beaulieu, and Hutchinson

Mississauga, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada’s 2020 Annual Meeting culminated on Saturday, February 29 with the re-election of Charlie Beaulieu of Lorraine, Qué., to serve a second term as the National Sport Federation’s President.

Beaulieu will continue to lead Golf Canada’s Board of Directors with Liz Hoffman of Thornhill, Ont., remaining in the position of 1st Vice-President and Dale Jackson of Victoria continuing in the role of 2nd Vice-President.

Based on the report of Golf Canada’s Nominating Committee, Beaulieu, Hoffman and Jackson will be joined on Golf Canada’s 2020 Board of Directors by Rob MacDonald of Winnipeg, Man., Susan MacKinnon of Calgary, David McCarthy of Toronto, Adam Daifallah of Montreal, Jean Stone-Seguin of Ottawa and Patrick Kelly of Vancouver. Paul Beaudry of Calgary and Alison Chisholm of Miramichi, N.B. have also joined the Board as Directors at Large.

Annual Report & Financial Statements

Click here to read Golf Canada’s 2019 Annual Report, which includes a recap of the past season, as well as the organization’s 2019 Financial Statements, which were released during Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting.

Bill MacMillan selected as Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year

Bill MacMillan of Eastern Passage, N.S., was named the 2019 recipient of the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award. MacMillan has been a golf tournament official and major contributor to Handicap and Course Rating for more than three decades. This marks the 14th year in which the association has honoured volunteers for their efforts and commitment to grow the game in their community. Going forward, the citation has been renamed the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award in honour of Toronto native Bruce Mitchell who in 2017-18, became the first Canada to serve as Captain of the R&A. Click here for more on Volunteer of the Year honouree Bill MacMillan.

Richard Smith and Ian Hutchinson honoured as Recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award

This year’s recipients are a pair of long-time contributors to the sport of golf – volunteer Richard Smith of Regina, Sask. and golf journalist Ian Hutchinson of Newmarket, Ont. Created in 1993, Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually to recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to the game of golf in Canada. Click here for more information on the 2020 Distinguished Service Award honourees.

Golf Canada’s 2020 Annual Meeting took place February 28-29 at the Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel and Suites in Mississauga, Ont. It was conducted in partnership with Golf Ontario, who scheduled their respective Annual General Meeting activities to take place in conjunction.

Residence
Regina

Home club
Joanne Goulet Golf Course

Handicap
12.7

Rounds per year
40 +

Left/Right
Right

Years with Golf Saskatchewan
15

Service
Rules Official, Course Rating, Past-President (2010 during transition to Golf Sask. from Sask. Golf Association)

Favourite player
Justin Rose

Favourite golf quote
“The most important shot in golf is the next one” – Ben Hogan

How did you get involved with Golf Saskatchewan?

The Golf Association was something we knew of in Tisdale, but nobody really did much around it. I was on the board of the Tisdale Golf Club and decided I would attend an annual general meeting just to see what was going on. That was the early 2000’s, I liked what I saw, and I just continued with it. It was something that was needed, something I believed in and something I followed. Past president Lynne Lacroix was there, I grew up with her, we graduated together, we had some conversations after the fact and that’s what got my feet in the door.”

What do you like about volunteering?

“I think friendships and comradery. I’ve met a lot of people through the game in Canada that I actually still stay in touch with. Not as much as I’d like to, but we still do. That and watching the game grow and watching our juniors. Being able to be indirectly part of some of those legacies and being part of some of the things that we did in the past that have led to where we are today. I think those are the memorable things and that I am proud of the most.”

What would you say to others about volunteering, not only for Golf Saskatchewan but any organization?

If you are thinking there is a need for a change or you think you want to know more then there is no reason why you shouldn’t be involved as a volunteer. You don’t have to be active on a day-to-day basis but if you are curious attend a meeting, get some information, be curious and see what it’s all about. It’s a surprise, and certainly was a surprise to me with some of the stuff. Things I never realized that we would or could do and all of a sudden I am finding out more information which really helped making a decision to stay involved as a volunteer. Reach out, ask questions, go to a meeting, find out what it’s all about and try it. The worst thing that can happen is you don’t like it and you back away, that’s the worst that can happen.”