Plenty of Sask. talent among PGA of Canada award nominees
The PGA of Canada has announced their annual award nominees for 2019.
The organization will announce the winners on Facebook live on Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. Saskatchewan time. PGA of Canada CEO Kevin Thistle said the nominees are all worthy candidates.
“Such an amazing group of finalists,” Thistle said in a news release. “The PGA of Canada has truly incredible members, and without everything you do for your clubs, communities, and zones, we wouldn’t be who we are today. We want to thank you for moving our great game forward and representing the PGA of Canada with the utmost class.”
Below is the list of Saskatchewan PGA members and their nominations:
Murray Tucker, Club Professional of the Year Award
Gus Vogelsang, Murray Golf Course, Regina
Dick Munn, Executive Professional of the Year Award
McLaren Taylor, Saskatoon Golf & Country Club
George Knudson, Teacher of the Year
Clinton Schmaltz, The Willows Golf & Country Club, Saskatoon
Jack McLaughlin, Junior Leader of the Year Award
Paul Schatz, Tor Hill Golf Course, Regina
Bill Kern, Coach of the Year Award
Jeff Chambers, Elmwood Golf Club, Swift Current
Pat Fletcher, Retailer of the Year Award
Craig Prentice, The Willows Golf & Country Club
*Four-time Saskatchewan amateur champion Lindsay Bernakevitch (Victoria Golf Club) is also up for the award.
Moe Norman, Apprentice Professional of the Year Award
Mark Sheardown, The Willows Golf & Country Club, Saskatoon
Stan Leonard, Class “A” Professional of the Year Award
Ryan Wells, Cooke Municipal Golf Club, Prince Albert
Tex Noble, Professional Development Award
Jeff Chambers, Elmwood Golf Club, Swift Current
*Former Regina resident Cory Kartusch (St. Charles Country Club) is also up for the award.
The winners will be recognized in January during the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida.
Canadian Golf Industry Show announced for November 2020
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. – It was announced today that the Canadian Golf Industry Show (CGIS) will take place the week of November 9, 2020 in Vancouver, B.C. The CGIS will feature The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference, presented by the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA); The Golf Business Canada Conference, presented by National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada) and the Tee Talks National Teaching and Coaching Conference, presented by the PGA of Canada alongside supporting partners; Golf Canada, BCGSA, NGCOA Canada BC Chapter and PGA of BC.
The event will see the individual conferences of the presenting partners coincide at the same location at the same time. The selected location for the conference events is the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel. This location will allow each individual conference to take place under one roof. The trade show that is an integral part of each event will see exhibitors from all sectors including turf, business and the pro-shop. This approach is a great benefit to the delegates and broadens the marketing value for suppliers. The show is branded as the Canadian Golf Industry Show and will take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
“CGSA is very excited about this partnership. Our positions as owner/operators, superintendents and golf professionals compliment each other in our workplaces, so bringing our associations together is a natural fit. There is much to learn from each other and bringing the whole industry together is paramount in a day and age when we’re all so easily separated. We’ve been looking at this opportunity for some time, so to be able to see it come together for the betterment of golf business in Canada is exciting” said CGSA President, Greg Austin.
“The NGCOA Canada is honoured to be partnering with the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and the PGA of Canada for the inaugural Canadian Golf Industry Show in Vancouver” said Lesley McMahon, President of NGCOA Canada. “This kind of collaboration is what the NGCOA Canada is all about and bringing together these three events under the same roof alongside a shared trade show will benefit the entire industry.”
“We’re excited to congregate in Vancouver for this ground-breaking event that will undoubtedly be a game-changer for golf in Canada. Bringing together the business leaders across the various sectors of our industry under one roof aligns perfectly with our vision of increased collaboration to continue to grow the game and business of golf in Canada” said PGA of Canada President, Mark Paterson.
Watch for additional information on the Canadian Golf Industry Show to be released in the coming months.
The USGA and The R&A announce modifications to World Amateur Golf Ranking
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. and ST ANDREWS, Scotland – The USGA and The R&A today announced the World Amateur Golf Ranking ® (WAGR ®) will be determined by a new system called the Power Method beginning with the first update in January 2020.
The Power Method aims to better reflect the current performance of golfers by placing greater emphasis on current form and results by improving the algorithms used to determine the WAGR.
In the new structure, every event in the world will earn a Power based on the strength of its starting field which will then determine the total number of ranking points on offer to the field. This will extend to a maximum of 1000 for amateur events with players also able to gain ranking points from playing in professional tournaments.
The Power Method can be applied to all competitive events: amateur, professional, stroke play, match play, and can also cater to formats the previous system would not accommodate, such as Stableford.
Ranking points will be allocated to players based on their overall finishing position in the tournament rather than on the previous round-based allocation.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Power Method which will significantly improve the World Amateur Golf Ranking,” said Jeff Holzschuh, Chairman of the WAGR Committee. “We have listened to feedback about WAGR since its inception and we believe this change addresses many of the challenges within the previous system.”
Professor Steve Otto, Director of Equipment Standards and Chief Technology Officer for The R&A, commented, “The simplicity and elegance of the revised WAGR system will be of great benefit to competitive players at every level.
“It will be easier for players to become ranked under the Power Method but with the system recognizing current form and rewarding recent top results it will be tougher to remain ranked compared to the previous system.
“The Power Method will make WAGR a true indication of the ranking of the world’s best and leading amateur golfers.”
To ensure WAGR is truly representative of the current competitive environment, event aging will also be introduced as part of the Power Method to best reflect and reward players’ current form. Points from events within the most recent 52 weeks of a player’s record will count at full value. From there, event points will reduce proportionately, approximately two percent, per week before their removal after 104 weeks.
The divisors under the Power Method will also become event based versus the previous round-based divisor scheme. Like the points, divisors will also be aged after 52 weeks. The new minimum divisors will be seven for women and eight for men. Due to the aging of points and divisors under the Power Method, unlike the previous system, minimum divisors will be the same for newly ranked and long-established players.
“We are grateful to our colleagues at The R&A for their work in developing this effort and their partnership in bringing it to life,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA Senior Managing Director, Championships.
“As we have begun to discuss the upcoming changes to WAGR with various constituents, we have received great feedback and believe this will be very warmly received by players and event organizers.”
Hilton named Official Hotel Partner of Golf Canada
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Today, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced a new multi-year integrated partnership with Golf Canada as the official hotel partner for the National Sport Federation and its members.
Hilton is proud to support Canada’s legendary National Open Golf Championships – the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open. As a result of the partnership, Hilton is now also the official hotel partner for Golf Canada’s National Team Program, Canadian Amateur Golf Championships and the World Junior Girls Championship.
As part of the partnership, Golf Canada members receive access to an array of travel benefits through Hilton including exclusive discounts and special offers.
“We are thrilled to partner with Golf Canada and their world-class golf programs, national team and championships,” said Andrew Flack, vice president, regional marketing & eCommerce Americas, Hilton. “Canada offers golf enthusiasts some of the most pristine courses in the world and we look forward to welcoming golfers from all over the destination with our signature Hilton hospitality.”
“Hilton is deeply engaged, and we are pleased to integrate their commitment to Canadian golf across so many pillars of our organization,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada. “Hilton represents the highest quality in hospitality with premium offerings for both serious and recreational golfers. Our robust partnership has a touchpoint with so many levels of Canadian golf and its exciting for our members across Canada to begin accessing a meaningful suite of travel and lifestyle benefits.”
To plan a Canadian getaway, guests can click here.
Henderson voted as 2019 LPGA Founders Award winner
In a comfortable floral jumpsuit and with her parents in the audience, Brooke Henderson added another award to her ever-growing trophy case.
The 22-year-old won the 2019 Founders Award at the Rolex LPGA Awards ceremony Thursday night in Naples, Fla. during the week of the CME Group Tour Championship.
The Founders Award is newly named for 2019. Formerly called the William & Mousie Powell Award, it was renamed for this year to celebrate the 13 founders of the LPGA.
Henderson told golfcanada.ca that the win was extra special since the winner of the award comes from a vote by fellow golfers on the LPGA Tour. It’s annually given to, in the opinion of her peers, someone “whose behaviour and deeds best exemplifies the spirit, ideals, and values of the LPGA.”
The nine-time LPGA Tour winner said she first found out at an LPGA Tour Players’ Meeting earlier in the year that she was one of the nominees, and said to know people were voting for her was ‘pretty crazy.’
“It means a lot,” Henderson said. “I spend so much time with these girls that it’s really a great honour to be given the Founders Award.
“To be considered in the same sentence as (the founders)… their passion and perseverance and what they did this Tour was amazing. This is really cool for me.”
Henderson has made a habit of capturing awards-by-votes in 2019.
Earlier in the year she became the first Canadian golfer to win an ESPY award (she won for ‘Best Female Golfer’) and in October she won the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame People’s Choice Award – a new award designed to recognize ‘future Hall of Famers who are a champion of their sport and a champion for their community.’
“This year has been really crazy for the awards. I didn’t expect any of them,” Henderson said, flashing her recognizable smile. “To get them is just amazing. I’m honoured, humbled… and it’s just an amazing feeling.”
Henderson, who sat at a table with Lexi Thompson and executives from Rolex at the awards dinner, has won twice in 2019. Her victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic was the ninth in her young career. Win no. 9 gave her more than any other Canadian in the history of the LPGA or PGA Tour.
“This award that Brooke got is maybe one of the most special ones because it’s voted on by her peers and we’re so impressed and thrilled for Brooke to be recognized. We know how special she is,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “For all of her peers on the LPGA Tour to give her this award is phenomenal. It’s great for herself and her family and for all of Canadian golf.”
The native of Smiths Falls, Ont. has become a driving force for young golfers across the country – but even this week in Florida there are plenty of girls dressing with a visor and ponytail like Henderson walking outside the ropes – and she said being able to play in front of Canadians no matter where she goes makes her even more grateful for the support.
Henderson said she’s recognized her role and is happy to have an opportunity to be an inspiration both on the golf course with her record-breaking play, and off the course as well, as someone people can look up to.
“I’m always trying to become a better golfer, but I’m always trying to become a better person every day, too,” said Henderson. “When you work hard and are focused on achieving some goals, good things happen. This year is definitely proof of that.”
2019 CP Women’s Open winner Jin Young Ko was the night’s big winner, as she took home the Rolex Annika Major Award, and Rolex Player of the Year. With just three rounds left in the LPGA Tour season, she has nearly wrapped up the Vare Trophy (for lowest scoring average) as well.
Henderson sits T5 after the first round of the CME Group Tour Championship.
Rule of the Week; Nov. 21 – 28
Is it us or has there been an influx of Rules violations among the world’s best golfers in recent weeks?
This past week at the Mayakoba Golf Classic the latest Rules of Golf vandalizer was Russell Henley. At seven-under par, Henley thought, after two rounds in Mexico he was near the top of the leaderboard. Henley signed for a 69 after his second round, but……
When searching his bag for balls to sign and pass out to fans the Macon, Georgia product realized he had used a different type of Titleist Pro V1x during the round violating the PGA TOUR’s One Ball Rule.
The penalty calls for two strokes per hole the ball is used. Admitting to his mistake immediately to Referees, Henley recollected he used the ineligible ball on holes 9, 10, 11, and 12 costing him eight shots and taking his 69 to a 77 leaving him outside the cut line.
Note- The One Ball Rule does not apply to Saskatchewan or national amateur events. Highly competitive USGA events such as the PGA, LPGA and Korn Ferry Tours do implement the Rule.
Saskatchewan did have the Rule in place one year, 2004.
Here is the 2019 Rules & Interpretations G-4 One Ball Rule:
G-4 One Ball Rule
Purpose. To prevent a player from using balls with different playing characteristics depending on the nature of the hole or shot to be played during a round, the Committee can choose to require that a player use only a single type of ball that is on the List of Conforming Golf Balls.
Each individual listing on the List of Conforming Golf Balls is considered a different ball. Golf balls of different colours with identical markings are considered different balls.
This Local Rule is recommended for use only in competitions limited to highly skilled players (that is, professional competitions and elite amateur competitions).
Model Local Rule G-4
“During an entire round, each ball at which the player makes a stroke must be the same brand and model as found in a single entry on the current List of Conforming Balls.
If a different brand and/or model is dropped, replaced or placed but has not yet been played, the player may correct the mistake by stopping use of that ball, without penalty, under Rule 14.5. The player must drop, replace or place a ball of the same brand and model as used at the start of the round.
When the player discovers he or she has played a ball in breach of this Local Rule, he or she must stop using that ball before playing from the next teeing area and complete the round with a ball of the same brand and model as used at the start of the round; otherwise the player is disqualified.
If the discovery is made during the play of a hole, the player may complete play of this hole with the ball played in breach or place a ball of the correct brand and model on the spot where the ball played in breach of this Local Rule was lifted from.
Penalty for Making a Stroke at a Ball in Breach of Local Rule:
The player gets the general penalty for each hole during which he or she is in breach of this Local Rule.”
Remember, no matter what the Rule, they all matter!
Golf Canada reminding amateurs of Rules
Golf Canada recently sent an email to members across the nation reminding amateur players of some key Rules.
A focus of the notice was prizing, gambling, and fundraising and how it effects your amateur playing status. Under the Rules of Golf amateur players can not play for prize money or prizes worth more than $1,000 in an amateur event.
You can see more details regarding the guidelines for prizing here.
When it comes to betting on a course the Rules are slightly relaxed. Provided the gambling is for enjoyment and not financial gain players that:
- Know each other
- Participation is optional and limited to the players
- The players pay the debt
- The funds are not excessive
More guidelines on gambling can be seen here.
Amateur players can fund raise under the Rules of Golf, but there are limitations to that as well.
Funding can come from a family member or legal guardian. Other sources such as an individual or business can also assist an amateur if the amount is “reasonable.” Revenue from an outside source valuing more than $300 needs to be reported to your provincial golf organization.
More details on funding can be seen here.
With the new Rules of Golf introduced last year the R&A took the opportunity to utilize online training for people to receive Level 1 status. For anyone that has completed the first level and is looking to advance their knowledge dates are being set for seminars in 2020.
If you are interested in furthering your Rules knowledge contact Brian Lee at 306.975.0841 or email blee@golfsk.org. More details can be found here.
Experiences enhancing McNab’s love of golf
When Saskatoon’s Keighton McNab started golfing at eight years old he wasn’t expected to travel to parts of Canada and the United States, but he has and will continue to do so.
McNab, 20, got his start in the game like millions of others who play the sport.
“It was because of my dad,” McNab told Golf Saskatchewan about his start in golf. “I always saw him going to the golf course and I just figured I would give it a shot and see how it goes. I liked it and just kept going with it. I just like getting out, hanging with friends and buddies, playing a round and just having fun.”
He continued to play the game for fun in the Bridge City and when McNab was 12 years old he participated in his first Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) event. He’s continued to compete competitively ever since. He said entering tournaments and competing against other players brings a different perspective to the game, but a side he still enjoys.
“I like playing with other people, I don’t really like playing by myself. Then I can add on the extra challenge of making you play better. I love it,” he said.
McNab has been a fixture on the MJT schedule over the past few years, this year he competed in the collegiate (19 – 23) age division. He attended the MJT National Championship in Florida a couple weeks ago. Last year he travelled to Phoenix, Arizona for the same event. He has played an event in San Diego, California in the past and in 2018 he competed in the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in Duncan, British Columbia. McNab said travelling to the tournaments and visiting different cities is an extended benefit of playing a game he enjoys.
“Oh yeah, definitely, absolutely” he said. “It’s just another bonus of playing a game I love.”
He added that qualifying for the national amateur through a quota spot, after finishing tied for 15th at the Saskatchewan Amateur Championship was the highlight of his amateur career.
“It was a good learning experience seeing where I am against the top amateurs in Canada. This year I had a good experience at the MJT nationals. I was with some good guys and having a chance to win it was nice,” he admitted.
McNab was the collegiate division leader after the first two days of the 54-hole championship. He ended up placing third, just a shot behind Dakota Smith and Mitchell Desjarlais. Smith won the category in a playoff. McNab said his 77 on the third day was a learning experience going forward.
“I got to learn that nerves are big part of playing in the last round, that’s for sure. I have the physical tools, I just need to fix upstairs,” he said.
McNab is currently taking classes in Saskatoon preparing for post-secondary education. He has worked at Dakota Dunes Golf Links for the past four years and calls the club home in the summer. He said he will continue to work there, plan his education and be a fixture on the Saskatchewan Order of Merit Tour.
Golf Canada names 2020 National Amateur and Junior Squads
OAKVILLE, ONT. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the names of the 18 athletes, male and female, who have been selected to represent Team Canada as part of the 2020 National Amateur and Junior Squads.
Nine athletes will compete for Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad, consisting of five players on the men’s squad and four on the women’s squad.
Team Canada’s 2020 Squad members have competed and achieved impressive results at regional, national and international competitions, including medals at the Pan-Am Games, NCAA Tournament wins and victories at prestigious amateur competitions.
“Golf Canada is thrilled to welcome an outstanding roster of elite athletes to represent Team Canada in 2020—they are truly deserving as evidenced by their strong performances this past season,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s chief sport officer.
“The athletes selected represent a mix of returning team members as well as talented up and coming athletes who have come through provincial or regional high-performance programs. Each of them will be fantastic ambassadors representing Canada on the global golf stage.”
The following athletes have been selected to Team Canada’s 2020 Amateur Squad:
Men’s Amateur Squad
Étienne Papineau | St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Qué. – Club de golf Pinegrove
Cougar Collins | Caledon, Ont. – TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley
Sam Meek | Peterborough, Ont. – Public Player
Brendan MacDougall* | Calgary, Alta. – Glencoe Golf and Country Club
Noah Steele | Kingston, Ont. – Cataraqui Golf and Country Club
Women’s Amateur Squad
Brigitte Thibault* | Rosemère, Qué. – Club de golf de Rosemère
Mary Parsons | Delta, BC – Mayfair Lakes Golf Club
Sarah-Ève Rhéaume | Québec, Qué. – Club de golf Royal Québec
Noémie Paré | Victoriaville, Qué. – Club de golf de Victoriaville
Click here to read full player bios.
The National Junior Squad—a U19 program—also features nine athletes (four women and five men).
From February through early June, the nine-member Junior Squad will practice out of Golf Canada’s National Training Centre at Bear Mountain Golf Resort in Victoria—the third year that the program has provided centralized training, accommodation and education for athletes during the second semester of their high school year. Team members will be immersed in a focused centre of excellence, surrounded by world-class technical coaching staff and experts in the areas of mental performance, physiotherapy, biomechanics and nutrition.
The following athletes have been selected to Team Canada’s 2020 Junior Squad:
Junior Boys Squad
Laurent Desmarchais* | Longueuil, Qué. – Club de golf de la Vallée du Richelieu
Jace Minni | Delta, BC – Beach Grove Golf and Country Club
JP Parr | St-Célestin, Qué. – Club de golf Ki-8-eb Golf
Bennett Ruby | Waterloo, Ont. – Westmount Golf and Country Club
Malik Dao | Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Qué. – Summerlea Golf and Country Club
Junior Girls Squad
Emily Zhu* | Richmond Hill, Ont. – National Pines Golf Club
Angela Arora | Surrey, BC – Beach Grove Golf and Country Club
Angel (Mu Chen) Lin | Surrey, BC – Morgan Creek Golf Club
Monet Chun* | Richmond Hill, Ont. – Summit Golf Club
*Denotes 2019 National Team returning members
Click here to read full player bios.
Team Canada Coaching Staff Announced
Golf Canada is pleased to announce the 2020 Team Canada coaching staff that will support both the National Amateur and Junior Squads.
On the men’s side, Derek Ingram of Winnipeg, Man. returns as Men’s Amateur Squad Head Coach. Robert Ratcliffe of Comox, B.C. will lead the Junior Boy’s Squad.
On the women’s side, Tristan Mullally of Dundas, Ont., returns as Women’s Amateur Squad Head Coach. Matt Wilson, from Newmarket, Ont., will oversee the Junior Girls’ Squads.
Wilson, who doubles as Golf Canada’s director of next generation performance, will resume leadership of the Junior Squad centralized program at Bear Mountain, alongside Ratcliffe.
The Men’s and Women’s Amateur Squads will each be adding an assistant coach to support the high-performance needs of the program and athletes. Candidates will be chosen in January.
“Derek and Tristan have had tremendous success with Team Canada athletes and the evolution of our national team program will see Robert and Matt continue in their significant role of leading the centralized training program at Bear Mountain,” added Thompson. “We look forward to expanding our roster of coaches and building on the success of Team Canada to help more of our elite level golfers realize their fullest potential.”
Mullally, Ingram, Ratcliffe and Wilson are all Class “A” professionals with the PGA of Canada.
Golf Canada expects to announce the selection of the 2020 Team Canada Young Pro Squad in December.
Hillcrest clubhouse to see expansive upgrades
The Hillcrest Golf Club in Moose Jaw is getting a massive, desperately needed clubhouse upgrade.
At the city’s council meeting on Nov. 12, members agreed to allow the club to borrow $400,000 for the expansion. The club leases the property from the city of Moose Jaw. According to that contract, the club cannot hold debt higher than $75,000. Hillcrest manager Jasmine Cameron said the renovations that include washroom facilities, a new kitchen, upgrades to the bar and serving area, storage space, and an extended deck with 70 per cent coverage from the elements along with more seating capacity are crucial to the club’s success.
“We have functioned for the past eight years with no washroom facilities and utilizing a food trailer to both cook and serve food from,” Cameron explained to Golf Saskatchewan. “This project was based on a proactive versus reactive plan as it was 100 per cent needed to function and to have a secure future at the course.”
Despite the current hindrances at the facility 2018 was a successful year for the club, their profits increased nearly 200 per cent from 2017. A modest $2,900 surplus in 2017 ballooned to over $360,000 last year. Cameron said the management staff put every inch of their operations under the microscope.
“A decrease in expenses by taking the time to assess needs, purchases, staffing and overall operations was priority. On the revenue side, seeking out sponsorship and creative advertising opportunities peaked this year. Community support is growing with efforts to create a welcoming community atmosphere for all to enjoy the sport of golf. We are trying to understand and keep up with growing tends within society. Time, family, work, interests, and costs are all factors that can affect your bottom line at a golf club. Offering new programs that allow all ages to enjoy the game is key,” she said.
During the council meeting, Councillor Crystal Froese praised the club’s work in stabilizing their finances.
“Their financials I feel are very healthy and strong. I think this’ll be a great thing not only for the golf course but for Moose Jaw,” Froese said.
The Hillcrest is expecting a profit of an estimated $200,000 in 2019. That will be used to help pay down the loan over the next couple years. The club also has over $200,000 in a low-interest GIC fund that can be used.
Cameron said the renovations are underway and outside of some final finishing touches the clubhouse will be open and ready for use at the start of the 2020 season. She added the club is excited for the future and more is planned.
“Membership and users are very excited to see progress. We now need supporters in regards to fundraising and donations to finalize the projects financial repayment and to move forward in other priority future improvements,” she concluded.
With files from www.discovermoosejaw.com and Theresa Simon-Worobec.