The host committee of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) announced Wednesday the 2020 event is postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.

The Games were scheduled for Halifax, Nova Scotia from July 12 – 18.

The host committee made the announcement on their Facebook page. In the statement the committee said making the decision is important to “flattening the curve” of the global pandemic.

“The health and safety for all communities across Turtle Island has been and remains our top-priority, and we would like to let you know the Games have been postponed,” the post said.

The host team is hoping the Games can go forward in 2021 and are now working with stakeholders on the next plans of action.

Team Saskatchewan was going to send eight golfers plus coaches to the event. Athletes that will “age out” before the rescheduled Games will still be eligible.

More details will be available in the future.

As for the 2020 Saskatchewan Summer Games in Lloydminster, the host committee is still in a “wait-and-see” state regarding their event. Golf Saskatchewan will be following that group’s decision in the coming weeks.

Residence:
North Battleford

Home Club:
North Battleford Golf & Country Club

Handicap Factor/Index:
7.8

Rounds per year:
About 100

Left/Right:
Right

Years with Golf Saskatchewan:
At least 20

Areas of Service:
Course Rating, Board of Directors for three years, Rules Official

Favourite Player:
Graham DeLaet

Favourite Quote:
“Swing easy and accept the greater distance”

How did you get involved with Golf Saskatchewan?
“My brother talked me into joining the executive.”

What do you like about volunteering?
The fellowship, serving fellow golfers, visiting other courses.”

What would you say about volunteering, not only for Golf Saskatchewan but any organization?
“The reasons are essentially the same, the people, helping the game and seeing different places.”

TOKYO – The Tokyo Olympics were postponed until 2021 on Tuesday, ending weeks of speculation that the games could not go ahead as scheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The International Olympic Committee made the decision after speaking with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and local organizers.

The IOC said the games will be held “not later than summer 2021” but they will still be called the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“In the present circumstances and based on the information provided by the WHO today, the IOC President and the Prime Minister of Japan have concluded that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community,” the IOC said in a statement.

Before the official announcement, Abe said Bach had agreed with his proposal for a one-year postponement.

“President Bach said he will agree `100%,’ and we agreed to hold the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in the summer of 2021 at the latest,” Abe said, saying holding the games next year would be “proof of a victory by human beings against the coronavirus infections.”

On Sunday, Bach said a decision on postponing the games would be made in the next four weeks. But pressure grew as national federations, sports governing bodies and athletes spoke out against having the opening ceremony as planned on July 24.

Four-time Olympic hockey champion Hayley Wickenheiser was the first IOC member to break ranks with Bach’s stance that the games would go ahead as planned when she publicly criticized the body’s unwavering strategy.

After the announcement to postpone the game, she wrote on Twitter that the decision was the “message athletes deserved to hear.”

“To all the athletes: take a breath, regroup, take care of yourself and your families. Your time will come,” she wrote.

The decision came only a few hours after local organizers said the torch relay would start as planned on Thursday. It was expected to start in northeastern Fukushima prefecture, but with no torch, no torchbearers and no public. Those plans also changed.

“For the time being, the flame will be stored and displayed in Fukushima,” organizing committee president Yoshiro Mori said.

The Olympics have never before been postponed, and have only ever previously been cancelled in wartime.

Organizers will now have to figure out how to keep things running for another year, while making sure venues are up to date for possible another 12 months.

“A lot can happen in one year, so we have to think about what we have to do,” said Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the organizing committee. “The decision came upon us all of a sudden.”

The IOC and Tokyo organizers said they hope the decision to postpone will help the world heal from the pandemic.

“The leaders agreed that the Olympic Games in Tokyo could stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times and that the Olympic flame could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present,” the IOC statement said. “Therefore, it was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan. It was also agreed that the Games will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.”

Based on the continued information being received from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Canadian Olympic Committee recognizes that due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, it is not safe for athletes to train in their ordinary training environments to prepare for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Games.

Therefore, for the health and safety of our Canadian athletes, Canada will not be in a position to send a team to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games starting on July 24 or the immediate period thereafter. The Canadian Olympic Committee will continue to encourage the International Olympic Committee to postpone the Tokyo Games for one year.

Golf Canada is fully aligned with the position of the Canadian Olympic Committee and will continue to work with our Olympic sport partners to ensure that the health and safety of athletes is the number one priority.

Click here for the full statement from the Canadian Olympic Committee

TORONTO – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), backed by their Athletes’ Commissions, National Sports Organizations and the Government of Canada, have made the difficult decision to not send Canadian teams to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the summer of 2020.

The COC and CPC urgently call on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to postpone the Games for one year and we offer them our full support in helping navigate all the complexities that rescheduling the Games will bring. While we recognize the inherent complexities around a postponement, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our athletes and the world community.

This is not solely about athlete health – it is about public health. With COVID-19 and the associated risks, it is not safe for our athletes, and the health and safety of their families and the broader Canadian community for athletes to continue training towards these Games. In fact, it runs counter to the public health advice which we urge all Canadians to follow.

The COC and CPC reviewed the letter and news release sent Sunday by the IOC. We are thankful to the IOC for its assurance that it will not be cancelling the Tokyo 2020 Games and appreciative that it understands the importance of accelerating its decision-making regarding a possible postponement.

We also applaud the IOC for acknowledging that safeguarding the health and wellness of nations and containing the virus must be our paramount concern. We are in the midst of a global health crisis that is far more significant than sport.

The COC and CPC would like to thank our athletes, partners and the Canadian sport community for their patience and for lending us their voices during these unprecedented times. We remain hopeful that the IOC and IPC will agree with the decision to postpone the Games as a part of our collective responsibility to protect our communities and work to contain the spread of the virus.

Click here for Golf Canada’s statement on the Canadian Olympic Committee’s decision to not send Team Canada to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

With serious restrictions in place across the world to help “flatten the curve” and slow down the spread of Covid-19, Golf Canada’s Chief Executive Officer is asking golfers to put down the clubs, for now.

Speaking to John Chidley-Hill of the Canadian Press, Laurence Applebaum said despite previous reports of a course being relatively safe he urges players to stay home.

“I think it’s really a normal thought to see golf as a great activity with regards to some of the social distancing guidelines that were given, but I would give further thought to the fact that it’s a lot more interactive than you may think at the outset. Everyone has to do their duty to not come into contact with others,” he said in the story published on several different media platforms this weekend.

Here in Saskatchewan courses aren’t open for play but several all-year facilities have shuttered their doors while health officials and governments set parameters and laws to curb the spread of Coronavirus. City owned or operated facilities including golf courses such as the Humboldt Golf Club and The Spot Restaurant at the Evergreen Golf Course closed this week. Private all year-club’s like The Willows in Saskatoon and The Wascana Country Club in Regina also closed their restaurants and proshops. Simulator venues are amid shutting down likely until next winter. Applebaum said the courses assisting to slow the pandemic by closing is unfortunate but needed.

“We’ll refer to the experts who are giving these guidelines and give Canada a chance to really plank the curve, not just flatten it,” Applebaum added.

For Golf Saskatchewan, the season officially opens on April 15. Scores can be posted from local courses beginning on that date, plus registration will open for the 2020 championships. The provincial governing body for amateur golf in the province will monitor the situation and follow the direction of health officials and other professionals leading up to the season. Executive Director Brian Lee said there is a chance the season could be delayed.

“Similarly to Golf Canada’s response, we need to follow the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s lead in this matter and flatten the curve across the province and Canada. We might lose some playing days in 2020, but we will be better off in the long run,” Lee said.

There are some Golf Saskatchewan events postponed. The organization’s annual general meeting slated for The Saskatoon Golf & Country Club will now be a video and teleconference amongst the registered member clubs, board and staff on April 18. An upcoming course rating seminar (May 12 – 14) in Saskatoon is postponed. Our Rules of Golf seminars, scheduled to be in person are postponed until we are given the green light to return to normal operations.

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour has postponed events, as of now the Saskatchewan Order of Merit events haven’t been postponed. The Waskesiu Golf Course posted they will suspend registrations for the Men’s and Senior Men’s Lobstick until further notice.

Stay tuned to our website, Facebook, and Twitter channels for updates in the coming weeks.

The Moose Jaw Police Service is investigating a case of vandalism and theft at the Hillcrest Golf Club.

The incident occurred sometime Monday night. Hillcrest General Manager Jasmine Cameron told discovermoosejaw.com that some outbuildings were broken into leading to damage and theft.

“It happened behind where our maintenance area is,” she said. “We had two of our sheds broken into and vandalized, along with several pieces of equipment, supplies, and some of our chemicals. Our gas tank was also vandalized, the locks were cut, the hose was cut and our gas was taken. It’s a very unfortunate situation obviously, no one wants to see that happen. We’re still trying to figure out why.”

The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) is continuing their investigation.

If you have any information regarding this incident contact the MJPS or Crime Stoppers.

People with varying degrees of sight ability came out to the Golf Dome on March 7 for a day of golf in preparation of the season.

The Saskatchewan Blind Sports Association (SBSA) has been setting aside a day for experienced golfers and newcomers to try the sport for over three decades. Judy Ursulan is the golf coordinator for the SBSA, she said the attendees are always excited for the event especially when PGA of Saskatchewan professionals help out.

“It was good, we had Steve (Ryde) and Brent (Eikelenboom) as instructors and they watch what you do, and they try to correct you or give you advice on how you can do better. The golfers look forward to it every year, it’s kind of our kickoff to the season,” she said.

Ursulan has been involved with the SBSA for approximately 30 years. She said the event is great for long time golfers with sight impairments or players new to the sport.

“We had one new golfer out this year, she’s very excited,” Ursulan said. “She’s been out hitting some balls and she was excited about it so that’s great. We need more women in it, I was the only women for years so I’m glad. I encourage her to take it up, golf is a good sport.”

Ryde is the tournament and sport manager with Golf Saskatchewan, and a PGA of Saskatchewan professional, as is Eikelenboom who works out of The Legends in Warman. He’s been involved wit the SBSA golfers for about seven years. He said he looks forward to assisting the players when they meet up.

“It’s fun for me teaching people with a disability,” Eikelenboom told Golf Saskatchewan. “It’s a different form of teaching. It’s a rewarding thing right. It’s pretty rewarding watching someone hit a golf ball who can barely see it.”

The golfers that came out vary is sight levels. They also differ in skill levels. For the beginners the professionals worked with basic tips, the advanced players were given instruction with feet placement, swing techniques, and gripping of the club. Eikelenboom said he appreciates taking the day to work with the SBSA and their athletes.

“The appreciation they have that someone is willing to help them out,” he said. “There’s a lot of stereotypes in sports that if you have a disability you can’t do it. Over the years I’ve developed a relationship with these people. A lot of people come back every year, they know who I am, and I know them by name and where they are from. I look forward to it every year, going back and seeing how they have progressed and how they’ve applied what we’ve taught them to do so it’s good that way.”

A pair of the attendees were using the day for a refresher ahead of an event in Arizona, it’s been cancelled due to Covid-19. The Western Canadian Blind Golf Championships in Calgary in July is also cancelled for what Ursulan says is the first time in the history of the event.

It’s a known fact golfing is a great way to exercise, enjoy the company of others, play a sport alone, manage decision making, help yourself live longer and simply enjoy life.

The listed aspects of golf benefits all trickle into another area of personal health, that’s mental health and well-being. Dr. Kim Dorsch is a Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the University of Regina. She said most golf courses are tight-knit communities which complies with one of the most crucial aspects to mental health, the sense of being wanted.

“There is a real sense of community, everyone seems to know everybody and there is a feeling of belonging,” Dorsch told Golf Saskatchewan. “That’s really one of the basic psychological needs in order to have a higher level of well-being. We need to feel we belong.”

Other prominent aspects of golf and mental well-being Dorsch outlined was the handicapping and allowing everyone to compete on a level playing field as well as getting exercise at a leisurely pace and not particularly feeling like exercise.

Many sports are played outdoors but most have similar logistics such as a baseball diamond, football field, or soccer stadium. Golf is unique as no two courses are identical. Dorsch said being one with nature certainly increases mental health.

“You’re outside and when you do anything outside and get that connection to nature it has a definite positive aspect on well-being. There’s a lot of benefits to playing golf for sure,” she added.

Dorsch said sports in general can have positive effects on mental health. There is concerns to be weary of however, especially in team environments including alcohol abuse, unsafe sex, peer pressure and constant pressure to win. She said whatever people tend to become involved in there is positives and there isn’t a perfect prescription.

“There’s this whole push now that exercise is medicine,” Dorsch said. “It’s hard to generalize, there isn’t one specific personality that fits any one sports in particular. It depends on people’s preferences but obviously the benefits of physical activity are numerous.”

Another factor Dorsch highlighted for golf is the ability to play alone or within a small group. She said mentally large crowds is unpleasant for people, but golf allows time to self reflect and rest your mind.

“That was another reason in a study I saw, there is time for both being alone if that’s your preference or time for a small group. I know a lot of people like playing on their own. Just that time to get away, and think, just some alone time if that’s what you wish,” she explained.

Golf is also unique in the aspect you keep score on your own if you aren’t playing competitively. In tournament play you do as well but there is always someone watching over your shoulder to assist. Dorsch said being able to work on your own mind on the course whether it’s keeping score or making the decision of how to approach a shot bears fruit in everyday life choices.

“There is a lot of self teaching that goes on in a round of golf,” she said. “Taking that opportunity to recognize the potential of negative self talk and how that is impacting your performance. Realizing that in a golf situation can help you in other situations by recognizing negative thoughts. Just realizing negative goes on and is it ruining your enjoyment?”

For much more information on mental health and golf, click here.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) have shut down sports including the spring golf season.

Kindersley’s Brody Istace is in his second season as Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina. Istace and his Ram teammates recently played an event in Alabama, but the season was scrapped shortly after. Istace is on his way home to Kindersley on Tuesday and will take online courses. He said the news was upsetting.

“It’s disappointing for sure because golf is what we love to do and this takes it away,” Istace said. “I’m just lucky I’m not a senior, I have two years left.”

Istace added that he feels for his teammates and other seniors across the nation.

“You expect it at the end of your season, but you don’t expect it midseason to be taken away from you,” he said. “I don’t know how I’d deal with that if I was in my final season. It’s hard enough knowing you are done at the end of the season little own having it taken away from you.”

Southern Arkansas University senior Kade Johnson is in that predicament. The Yorkton product is in his fourth and final year of collegiate golf. The NCAA is allowing another year of eligibility for students due to the shut down. Johnson said the team was in a great place to start the spring campaign.

“We won our first tournament of the season on Tuesday and then two days later our coach called us together during practice to tell us we’re done,” Johnson told Golf Saskatchewan. “It’s pretty crazy how it’s turned. It hasn’t sunk in yet, there’s a lot of decisions that need to be made. It’s pretty crazy right now.”

The 2018 Saskatchewan amateur men’s champion has a college win and has helped the Muleriders become a force on the NCAA Div. 2 golf circuit. He said his future is up in the air, but he’s satisfied with his career in Arkansas if this is the end.

“It’s awesome. I got that win and then we have a good coach, we all get along really well, it just sucks the way it ended. We have some guys playing well, Roman (Timmerman) just won, we have a freshman this year that is freshman of the year if our season didn’t end. It’s been great, if I don’t come back I’m very happy with how it went. If I do come back we will get after it with more experience,” Johnson said.

Regina’s Alex Schmidt plays for the Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho. Her second season is also at an end. Schmidt is coming off a fourth-place finish which makes the shut down discouraging.

“It was definitely disappointing with the timing, unfortunately we were only able to play one tournament,” Schmidt said. “I shot 81-76 and placed fourth but our team didn’t play the best ever so we’re disappointed we couldn’t host and play in our own tournament that was scheduled for yesterday and today.”

Schmidt, like most students across North America has been receiving updates via email regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. She said the Lewis-Clark golf coach gathered the team on Monday and notified the squad that the season was over. The NAIA is giving athletes a year back meaning Schmidt will have three years left of eligibly. She said there is some positives.

“That is the nice thing, honestly I have more time now to practice, play, and get better. I hope to come back next year and help my team get better,” she said.