It’s been slightly over a year since Brooke Henderson made history at the CP Women’s Open and Regina’s Wascana Country Club.

It’s a moment Canadian golf fans won’t forget when Henderson became the first Canadian to win the event since Jocelyne Bourassa in 1973 on Aug. 26, 2018. Wascana Chief Executive Officer Greg Dukart said the club, and city is still beaming about how the event played out.

“The membership at large totally embraced the event when it was here, as did the community,” Dukart said. “That whole sense of pride and ownership has just continued into this year. The efforts all the volunteers made in making the event happen and then in combination with Chad Fawcett (superintendent) and his team getting the course playable, it jived together perfectly. The after effect is still very positive.”

No one knew who was going to win the event but when Henderson hit her approach shot on hole 18 and got it to within a couple feet of the hole, the gallery knew history was upon them. Dukart said the Wascana has now immortalized the spot on the fairway where she hit from. The staff placed a plague in the turf commemorating the moment In Canadian sports history.

“When members now play it’s a constant reminder that they are part of history with her winning on home soil and being the first in 45 years,” Dukart explained. “Not only history of that but the LPGA coming to Regina and Wascana which arguable may or may not never happen again. To have a Canadian win, everything around that is pretty unique.”

The many people behind the event have every reason to be proud of the event from the staff to hundreds of volunteers. Dukart said the commitment wasn’t lost on the LPGA brass as well.

“We put a lot of energy in trying to land the even and that’s all good, now you can’t take it away from our members and our club, it’s been held here and successfully. I just received an email from LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan commenting on how great the event was when it was held in Regina,” Dukart beamed.

The Wascana opened in 1911 and has had extraordinary moments in its history. Hosting the Canadian Mid-Amateur Men’s Championship in 2017 was a highlight. Saskatchewan had 37 players in the field including long-time Wascana member Tyler Wright placing fifth, the highest ever for a Saskatchewan competitor at the national event. Dukart said speaking with local historians, Henderson’s win might trump everything in their legacy.

“Without exception aside from the monumental task of opening the course in 1911 I think they are putting this at the top of the many significant moments in our history. This has to be pretty close to number one in those moments,” Dukart said.

The Wascana honoured Henderson with a lifetime membership at the club as well.

An estimated 45,000 people passed through gates over the four days on the event.

We’re going to dive into the pro ranks again for this edition of the rule of the week.

Last week we detailed an unfortunate incident on the LPGA Q-Series, this week we investigate an incident at the PGA Tour Champions Schwab Cup Championship. Billy Mayfair opened the event with a sparkling round of six-under, 66 but his second round wasn’t as clean. In fact a pair of Rules violation led to the veteran player’s disqualification from the event.

After hitting his ball into the rough on a par 5, the 11^th hole at Sherwood Country Club Mayfair used the assistance of his playing partner, his caddie, and spectators to find his ball. He thought he found it and hit it within the three-minute allotment. Before striking his ball he asked a Referee if the ball was embedded, it was deemed not to be. Mayfair carded a seven, a double bogey on the hole.

He rebounded and posted five straight pars before complications on the 17^th hole.

Laying on a severe upslope in grass about four inches long Mayfair put his 60-degree wedge behind the ball, it moved, about six inches. Mayfair believed he didn’t cause his ball to move, the television crew felt differently. He finished the hole with a bogey four.

Mayfair was confronted by a referee following the round, once questioned about the time of his search on the 11^th hole, he was then interrogated for the ball movement on hole 17. He admitted his actions moved the ball causing a two-stroke penalty.

After posting a 76 during Friday’s round Mayfair realized he needed to go low in Sunday to be a factor. He never got the chance; Mayfair was informed by Rules officials the search for his ball on hole 11 took 4:50 seconds. He was disqualified.

Remember under the 2019 Rules:

• In 2019, you are allowed three minutes to search for a ball. Upon further review, Mayfair took somewhere between four to just under five minutes to find his ball.
• When he played the ball, it was not his Ball in Play but a Wrong Ball under Rule 6.3c (Wrong Ball). After completing the hole and not correcting the mistake, Mayfair was disqualified on the tee shot on the 12^th Any additional penalties on other holes were irrelevant.

Rule 6-3c Wrong Ball

(1) Making Stroke at Wrong Ball. A player must not make a stroke at a wrong ball.

Exception – Ball Moving in Water: There is no penalty if a player makes a stroke at a wrong ball that is moving in water in a penalty area or in temporary water:

• The stroke does not count, and
• The player must correct the mistake under the Rules by playing the right ball from its original spot or by taking relief under the Rules.

Penalty for Playing wrong ball in Breach of Rule 6.3c(1): General Penalty.

In Stroke Play:

In stroke play, the player must correct the mistake by continuing play with the original ball by playing it as it lies or taking relief under the Rules:

• The stroke made with the wrong ball and any more strokes before the mistake is corrected (including strokes made and any penalty strokes solely from playing that ball) do not count.
• If the player does not correct the mistake before making a stroke to begin another hole or, for the final hole of the round, before returning his or her scorecard, the player is disqualified.

The second Rules infraction on 17^th may also be concerning, because he stated, “he did not cause the ball to move, and then retracted it later saying he did.” Under Rule 9.4b is where we find the ruling if Hole 11 didn’t happen first.

9.4 Ball Lifted or Moved by Player

This Rule applies only when it is known or virtually certain that a player (including the player’s caddie) lifted his or her ball at rest or caused it to move.

b. Penalty for Lifting or Deliberately Touching Ball or Causing It to Move

If the player lifts or deliberately touches his or her ball at rest or causes it to move, the player gets one penalty stroke.

But there are four exceptions: and you can review them here.

Overall, Mayfair may what to do a quick refresher on the new code and prepare for his next event.

Remember, the Rules Matter!

Saskatchewan winters are long, for avid golfers the season seems to last forever.

The long offseason can not only bring people down mentally, becoming “stagnant” over the cold, dark days can also affect your physical health, and your golf game. With a degree in Sport and Exercise Science and a Level 3 Certified Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) professional, Tanner White is hired by clients in Regina and southern Saskatchewan to work on their bodies, and game. He said starting a winter fitness program shouldn’t have you diving right in.

“You need to start slow,” White told Golf Saskatchewan. “If someone does have an injury or an ailment let’s first figure that out, what’s causing that? Once that’s covered we can look at how do we get stronger? More powerful, more speed?”

White said no one knows your own body and golf game better than yourself. You need to identify what part of your body needs to be stretched more or more mobile. He added many clients start shaking the winter blues by simply walking on the treadmill just to get their body moving. White does guide his clients or anybody working out to begin slow and as you elevate your program you need an end purpose.

“Having structure is important to keep individuals accountable for what they are trying to do,” he explained. “You need to understand what each individual is capable of doing and what their body is capable of handling and what their goal is. What is the main intention you are looking to get out of your program? Let’s build it around that.”

For golf, building your body is unique. White said not many sports incorporate the opposite side of your dominant hand needing to be stronger due to the core motion of a golf swing. Naturally our bodies are stronger on our dominant sides. White said you need to find a balance if you hope to elevate your game and swing.

“It is important over the off-season that you have a focus on getting your body as equally as strong and mobile as both sides as you can. The body will then be more efficient when it’s equal,” he added.

There are many benefits to having a winter program, the most sought-after result is hopefully less rust at the start of the season and potentially lower scores. Additional side effects will include better overall health and being less prone to an injury.

“Injuries come from one or multiple muscles are over stimulated and opposed to the other side and that’s what’s causing injuries. That’s why a well-balanced strength training program is very important. That’s what is ultimately going to help minimize injuries,” he explained.

The next phase of your winter conditioning program should be keeping it fun and interesting. Golf is a game that prides itself on never being the same. Courses are different, weather is never identical, lies will be different for every stroke keeping the sport fresh. White said that’s important in your program as well to keep your mind fresh and engaged.

“There’s some individuals that will say do the same workout plan for five years, you lose that mental drive,” White proclaimed. “That’s why getting on some type of program is important for people. It keeps you structured and keeps you motivated for what you need to do.”

White is a firm believer in keeping workouts fresh. At 1621 Club where he’s a trainer he will alter the focus area of the body every few weeks for group workouts. He said that keeps the attendees engaged, and they don’t get bored with the same workout for months or years on end.

White works with clients of all ages, and all sporting backgrounds in Regina at the 1621 Club. He is also a member of the PGA of Canada so there is a golf focus and he can provide top-notch training for anyone looking to get better, improve their health or get stronger. In the end he said golf has many factors we can’t control such as weather, the course, or other players. He said you need to look after the limitations you can control, and your game will be better for it.

“What is your nutrition like? You have full control of that, make sure that’s in line. Hydration, you have full control of that, make sure that’s in line. Exercise, you have full control of that, make sure that’s in line. Then we have the mental side of things which you have full control of as well. If more golfers took care of all those items those other variables on the golf course are less impactful. Take control of your life and improve on those variables,” he concluded.

Golf Saskatchewan reached out to several golfers, of all skill level who have made a serious commitment to working on their body and game over the winter months. Tony B. (the subjects preferred to not use their last names) said he doesn’t need to use the first few rounds to shake off the “rust.”

“It has made me feel far less rusty in terms of physical abilities in the early parts of the golf season whereas in previous years, it had taken a few rounds to get the golf muscles back in shape. This way, I feel more prepared and able to play golf with an improved physical ability at an earlier time in our short season. I would also argue that with consistently doing some work on mobility and rotation, my swing has become much more consistent and dare I say powerful with less effort or strain,” Tony said.

Jason G. is a former collegiate golfer. It’s been 15 years since he played on the college level, but he said going back to working over the winter on his game has helped him get back to that level.

“Over the last two years I have found greater consistency in my golf game and just completed the 2019 season with my game being the best it is has been since graduating from playing collegiate golf back in 2005. I did not practice any more or harder on the golf swing or game specifically, so I have to attribute some or most of the improvement to my game to the overall mobility and strength I have developed working with golf specific training,” Jason explained.

Saskatoon’s Tommy Danielson doesn’t have an extended competitive junior golf career yet, but he’s going to change that.

The 14-year-old just competed in the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT) National Championship in Kissimmee, Florida and placed third in his bantam (13 – 14) age group. Danielson got into golf through the Wildwood Golf Course junior program in grade 4. By the time the sixth grade arrived, Danielson had quit hockey and turned his focus to golf.

“I just love how you can play for the rest of your life,” he responded when asked about why golf. “In hockey you can be done early, even earlier if you get hurt. With golf, you have a way better chance of doing it for the rest of your life.”

Danielson has competed in some club championships at The Willows and Riverside plus other city-wide events. His first provincial championship was in 2018 in North Battleford for an MJT tournament. He played much more this year entering 12 events across the MJT, Future Links, and Saskatchewan Order of Merit Tour. In 2018 he played just two events. The heavier workload culminated with the third-place finish in Florida. He said the result was a pleasant surprise.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” he admitted. “After the first day I knew I had a chance at top-three. My putting was not very good, but I will take third anytime.”

He was tied for second after the first of three rounds at Reunion Resort. He was in third going into the final round. Overall he shot 236 (79, 79, 78). Danielson said he learned plenty about his own game competing in the 112-player field.

“I have the strength and the ball striking ability, but their short game is unreal. They get up-and-down from anywhere and that’s where I lost some of my strokes,” he explained.

World-renowned coach Sean Foley, who has Tiger Woods on his client list, attended the event and spoke to the competitors at a pre-tournament function. Danielson said some words from the Canadian golf coach resonated with him in potentially helping with his short game.

“Sean was saying you should always practice with a purpose. Don’t just go hit balls, always have a purpose that you are practicing for,” he said.

Danielson still has three years left of high school and junior golf but he’s already eyeing a chance to play collegiate golf. He knows there’s still time to decide a post-secondary future, but he’s already at work.

“I watch a lot of YouTube videos on college golfers and learn what they need to do to become who they are with marks and everything else. I’m really into that sort of stuff,” he said.

Danielson (red shirt) was the youngest competitor at the Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur Championship at the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club. He finished in a respectable 66^th place. During round two of the event he was in a group with Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Famer Colin Coben, also the elder statesman of the field at 69 years old. Danielson said the one thing he learned from Coben is how he never seemed uneasy on the course.

“He always had a smile on his face,” Danielson chuckled. “I remember he struggled on one hole, but he came back with a couple birdies and back on his round. He never gave up, he was always going, always smiling.”

Danielson added that he’s been to Florida in the past and played recreational golf with his family but overall the MJT championship was a great experience.

“It was awesome, I had so much fun,” he said.

Saskatoon’s Tommy Danielson and Keighton McNab are bringing home hardware from the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour National Championship in Florida this weekend.

14 Saskatchewan golfers were in the 112-player field of the MJT season ending event in Kissimmee, Florida and two are coming home with bronze medals.

McNab, 20, led the collegiate age group after the first two rounds but couldn’t hold onto the lead during the final 18 holes and will bring a third-place finish back to Dakota Dunes Golf Links. McNab shot a 77 during the third round Sunday to finish with a score of 232 over 54-holes.

Edmonton’s Dakota Smith won the age group in a playoff.

Danielson was in the hunt for a medal all weekend long in the bantam boy’s division and will leave the Sunshine State with a third-place finish. His score of 78 on Sunday rounded out a three-day total of 236, 10 strokes up on fellow Saskatonian Max Regier who finished fourth at 246 (84, 82, 80).

Weyburn’s Derien Herlick finished in ninth place in the age group at 264 (88, 87,98).

Vernon’s Ryan Vest was the winner.

Juvenile Boys

Saskatoon’s Alex Swinnerton finished tied for 16^th in the juvenile boy’s category but he has a couple other memories to take from the event. Swinnerton won closest to the hole at the event and won a week of instruction from renowned coach Sean Foley. Swinnerton posted a three-round score of 241 (81,82,78) in Florida.

Chase Pochylko, also of Saskatoon placed 22^nd in the juvenile age group with a three-round score of 245.

Junior Boys

Regina’s Adam Husli rebounded on Sunday and climbed a couple spots on the leaderboard to claim a top-15 finish. Husli, 17, posted an 80 on day three, he climbed from 17^th after the second round to 15^th after carding 82 and 84 in the first two days.

Prince Albert’s Cole Jenkins finished tied for 19^th at 249 (84, 87,78). Noah Parent, also of Prince Albert was 23^rd with a three-round total of 251. Parent’s 91 on Sunday dropped him from 10^th to 23^rd on the final day.

Peewee Boys

Sunday wasn’t Dane Giesbrecht’s day as the Warman golfer couldn’t hold onto a podium placement.

Going into the final day of the event Giesbrecht was third overall in the age group but he shot 86 on day three and allowed other players to bypass him. The 12-year-old ended up placing tied for fourth at 248 (81,81,86).

Beuna Vista’s Elias Haukeness placed ninth in the age group with a 54-hole total of 293. La Ronge’s Dade Bernatchez was 10^th with rounds of 97, 98, and 100.

15 – 18 Girls

Saskatchewan’s junior girl’s champion will head back to Regina with a sixth-place finish in the 15 to 18 age group.

Autumn Neiszner climbed one position on day three after a round of 80 on Sunday. The Wascana Country Club member finished the tournament with a score of 243 (81, 82, 80).

Under – 15 Girls

13-year-old Yorkton golfer Ella Kozak will come home with a fifth-place finish in the under-15 girl’s category.

Kozak capped her tournament with a third-round score of 84 going with her 79 in round one and 85 during the middle round.

The final results can be seen here.

Yorkton’s Ella Kozak is four shots off the podium going into the final round of the Maple Leaf Junior Tour National Championship in Kissimmee, Florida.

The 13-year-old Deer Park member shot 85 on Saturday at Reunion Resort for a two-day total of 164. She sits in fourth place in the under-15 girl’s category.

15 – 18 Girls

Autumn Neiszner was just a stroke higher during the second round of the event, the Regina athlete carded an 82 during the second round. Her 36-hole total of 163 leaves her in seventh in the division.

Collegiate

Saskatoon’s Keighton McNab holds onto the lead he held after the first day of the championship. The Dakota Dunes Golf Links player shot 80 during round two, combined with an opening round of 75, he is a stroke ahead of St. Albert’s Connor Ackroyd.

Peewee Boys

Dane Giesbrecht is in a medal position heading into Sunday’s final round. The Warman product’s 36-hole total of 162 after back-to-back 81’s is 10 strokes off combined leaders out of Vancouver. Giesbrecht is four shots clear of fourth.

La Ronge’s Dade Bernatchez is ninth overall in the division with a two-day score of 195 (97, 98). Elias Haukeness of Buena Vista is in 10^th at 198 (96, 102).

Bantam Boys

Tommy Danielson is also in a podium placing going into Sunday’s third round. The 14-year-old shot 79 for the second straight day and sits third at 158.

Danielson has another Saskatoon competitor chasing him down for a potential medal, Max Regier is tied for fourth at 166 (84, 82).

Derien Herlick of Weyburn is sixth overall at 175 thanks to an 87 on Saturday, a shot lower than round one.

The Bantam leader is at 146 (Aaron Huang, Vancouver).

Juvenile Boys

Saskatoon’s Chase Pochylko is the top local juvenile division player. He’s sitting in a tie for 16^th at 162. The 15-year-old carved two strokes off his opening round 82.

Alex Swinnerton shot 82 on Saturday, add his opening round score of 81, he sits tied for 19^th at 163.

Junior Boys

Prince Albert’s Noah Parent has a score of 160 through 36 holes. The 18-year-old opened with a 78 and stroked an 82 Saturday. He’s in 10^th place.

Adam Husli of Regina is tied for 17^th place at 166. He carded rounds of 82 and 84 over the first couple days. Prince Albert’s Cole Jenkins sits five back of Husli at 171. Jenkins is tied for 19^th with an 84 and 87 on his scorecard.

All the results can be found here.

The championship round will go Sunday.

Day one of the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship is in the books in Kissimmee, Florida.

Of the 14 Saskatchewan competitors Saskatoon’s Keighton McNab is sitting the best after round one at Reunion Resort. McNab, 20, leads the collegiate division after shooting three-over, 75 on Friday. He is two strokes up on Edmonton’s Dakota Smith for the lead.

Junior Boys

Noah Parent of Prince Albert is the top local in the junior boy’s category. Parent shot an opening round of 78 leaving him in eighth place in the group. 17-year-old Adam Husli of Regina sits tied for 12^th in the junior age group. Husli carded a round of 82. Cole Jenkins, also of Prince Albert shot an 84 in round one, he is tied for 18^th.

Bantam Boys

In the bantam boy’s division Saskatoon’s Tommy Danielson is right in the hunt. The 14-year-old shot 79 Friday and sits tied for second in the category, just six shots off the leader going into the second of three rounds. Saskatoon’s Max Regier, 14, fired an 84 and is tied for fourth. Derien Herlick of Weyburn is tied for eighth after an opening round score of 88.

Juvenile Boys

Two Saskatoon products are competing in the juvenile boy’s division, Alex Swinnerton and Chase Pochylko. Swinnerton, 15, shot 81 Friday and is in a tie for 17^th. Pochylko, also 15-years-old carded an 82, he’s in tie for 18^th.

Peewee Boys

Warman’s Dane Giesbrecht put himself near the top of the top of the peewee boy’s division with an opening round score of 81. He sits in third-place five strokes back of the leader. Buena Vista golfer Elias Haukeness posted an opening round of 96, he’s in ninth place. La Ronge’s Dade Bernatchez (pictured above) is in 10^th with a round one score of 97.

Under-15 Girls

Yorkton’s Ella Kozak is sitting in a good spot after day one in the under-15 girl’s category. The Deer Park member shot 79 on Friday putting herself in a tie for second three shots behind the leader, Anna Huang of Vancouver.

15 – 18 Girls

Reigning Saskatchewan junior girl’s champion Autumn Neiszner is the lone Saskatchewan competitor in the girls 15 to 18 division. The Regina golfer fired a round of 81 and sits in ninth place. She will try to close the gap on leader Sarah Gallagher who shot 75.

The complete results can be found here.

Round two will again be a shotgun start with all players on the tees at 7 a.m. Saskatchewan time. The champions will be crowned after Sunday’s 54^th hole.

Whether you’re a club member, an avid public player or a new enthusiast to the game, spending on the sport of golf drives massive benefit to communities across Canada.

The impact of golf on the Canadian economy is enormous—an economic impact in excess of $14B is only part of the story. Golf courses and the industry at large account for hundreds of thousands of jobs. Canadians and international visitors plan golf vacations to communities that market themselves as golf destinations and resorts offer golf packages that result in millions of tourism dollars. Tens of thousands of charitable causes use golf as the platform to general $500M annually for worthwhile causes. The golf industry—including more than 5M golfers, nearly 2,300 facilities and local retailers plus countless superintendents, PGA of Canada professionals and industry stakeholders—play a vital role in the continued growth and health of the sport.

Understanding the full scope of Canadian golf including the economic, employment, environmental, tourism and charitable impact of the game in communities from coast to coast is critical. Evaluating that impact is why We Are Golf, a coalition of Canadian golf associations, are inviting Canadians to participate in the latest iteration of the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

The survey, which takes approximately 12-15 minutes to complete, will generate incredible insights, spending trends and meaningful data towards understanding the current impact of golf in Canada.

As part of the survey, We Are Golf wants to know how much you have or expect to spend on golf and golf related activities or purchases. From green fees and equipment to trips or other golf related spending, the confidential information and insights you share will help estimate the economic impact of golf in your community.

The Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study will be carried out by Group ATN Consulting and your privacy as well as any personal or proprietary information shared will be protected in strict confidence. Results of the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study will be reported in early 2020 and the information gathered will only be used to report aggregate results both at the national and provincial level.

We Are Golf includes Golf Canada, the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, the PGA of Canada, the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and the Canadian Society of Club Managers. The results of the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study will be shared across the Canadian golf community and used to advocate the benefits of our sport.

Thank you for your participation in the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study.

MELBOURNE, Victoria, Australia – Ernie Els has selected British Columbia’s Adam Hadwin as one of his final four picks for the International Team at next month’s Presidents Cup, the captain announced today via teleconference. Hadwin joins Jason Day of Australia, Joaquin Niemann of Chile and Sungjae Im of South Korea as the final international representatives.

The Presidents Cup returns to Melbourne, Australia and The Royal Melbourne Golf Club for the third time, December 9-15, when the International Team will take on the U.S. Team led by Captain Tiger Woods.

Hadwin will make his second consecutive Presidents Cup appearance and first as a captain’s pick. The 31-year-old finished with five top-10 finishes during the 2018-19 PGA TOUR season but made his best case for a captain’s pick after finishing runner-up in his first start of the 2019-20 season at the Safeway Open. That was followed up with a T4 at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

“With this Presidents Cup approaching and me starting to play some good golf again, I was just hungry for a second chance,” Hadwin said. “That’s not how I would like my contribution to The Presidents Cup to be remembered and I’m looking forward to having a second chance down at Royal Melbourne, a part of an incredible International Team, and hopefully we can right some of the wrongs that we’ve had in the past and do Captain Els proud.”

The Abbotsford, British Columbia, native is just one of three Canadians to compete in the Presidents Cup, joining 2019 captain’s assistant Mike Weir and Graham DeLaet.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

BIG congrats to Canada’s @ahadwingolf on earning a captain’s selection to the #PresidentsCup International Team. Play well, Adam! ??? #TeamRBC

A post shared by RBC Canadian Open (@rbccanadianopen) on Nov 6, 2019 at 5:13pm PST

Hadwin finished with a 0-2-1 record in his Presidents Cup debut at Liberty National.

The International Team has 22 previous Presidents Cup appearances amongst its members with six players making their Presidents Cup debuts, which matches the second-most first-timers in team history (7, 2013).

Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Marc Leishman, Abraham Ancer, Haotong Li, Cameron Smith and C.T. Pan round out the rest of the international team. Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., was strongly considered by Els to join the team but just missed the final cut.

“Between (Hadwin) and Corey Conners, it was a very, very tight race,” said Els. “One of the difficult calls I had to make was to Corey. He was very gracious and he wished us good luck heading into these matches.

“But Adam, I love his game. He’s just very solid all around. There’s not really any weakness there.”

Conners missed the cut at the Sanderson Farms Championship but then tied for 13th at the Safeway Open, tied for 12th at the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges, tied for sixth at the ZOZO Championship and tied for 20th at the World Golf Championship-HSBC Champions. He’s ranked 55th in the world _ one spot below Niemann _ and 24th on the FedExCup rankings.

Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Matt Kuchar, Xander Schauffele, Webb Simpson, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Cantlay will represent the United States. Tiger Woods will announce his four captain’s picks _ potentially including himself _ on Thursday.

Captain Els will lead the youngest International Team in Presidents Cup history, with the average age of his 12 players totaling just over 29 years old. This is the fourth consecutive International Team that has been younger than the previous team.

Let’s get it! ??#PresidentsCup https://t.co/UeKUYkoBKe

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) November 7, 2019

Canadians in the Presidents Cup

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J., and ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (Nov. 4, 2019) – The World Handicap System (WHS) is ready to be launched in January 2020 and will provide golfers with a unified and more inclusive handicapping system for the first time.

Though many countries are planning to adopt the new system in January, the system will go live in other parts of the world throughout the year to accommodate different implementation plans and variations in the golf calendar.

Developed by the USGA and The R&A in close coordination with existing handicapping authorities, the WHS will provide all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability, with handicaps calculated in the same way wherever they are in the world.

A key objective of the initiative was to develop a modern system, enabling as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index. Golfers will be able to transport their Handicap Index globally and compete or play a casual round with players from other regions on a fair basis. It will also indicate the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving the next time they go out to play.

The table lists the estimated implementation timeframes for a selection of countries:

The WHS has two main components – the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System. The Rules of Handicapping are encompassed within seven Rules to inform administrators and golfers on how an official Handicap Index is calculated and administered, with some flexibility given to national associations based on how the sport is played and enjoyed in their region. The Course Rating System, based on the USGA Course Rating System first adopted nearly 50 years ago and already adopted on nearly every continent, sets out a consistent method of determining a course’s difficulty. Together, these components become the foundational elements in determining a golfer’s Handicap Index.

“When the golf community works together, everyone benefits,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA.  “We have seen the benefit that handicapping has provided for decades, providing greater enjoyment for all who play. To have a single set of Rules of Handicapping for the game will connect golfers from country to country, and we are excited to bring the best of all worlds together through this initiative.

“It is one of the many ways we are investing in golf’s future, to strengthen and foster growth of the entire game for years to come.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The game of golf is transforming to meet the needs of the modern-day golfer; modernizing the Rules this year was an important step forward in that regard and the World Handicap System will be another.

“Our hope is that the launch of the WHS will be a catalyst for change; signalling the start of a new era of golfer engagement, being inclusive by embracing all golfers, whatever their level of ability, and broadening its appeal to a much wider audience.”

“Change also means opportunity and, managed appropriately, this can only be good for the game. It does mean there will be a period of adjustment, as we saw with the new Rules, but once it beds in golfers and golf clubs will benefit in many ways from the new system.”

In preparation for the launch of the WHS, more than 3,000 golf courses have been rated for the first time and an extensive education program has been delivered. By the end of 2019, more than 90 National Associations will have attended an educational seminar and a robust library of resources is hosted on WHS.com to support regional education.

Rules of Handicapping books are being produced and will be translated and delivered through national associations.

In addition, the USGA and The R&A have developed a series of golfer-focused materials, including videos, infographics and posters, which can be used by national associations and shared with golf clubs for the benefit of golfers.

This includes a promotional video which can be seen here featuring Annika Sorenstam, Gary Player and voices of recreational golfers from around the world to encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a handicap.

The materials explain the system’s key features, including:

• Flexibility in formats of play, allowing both competitive and recreational rounds to count for handicap purposes and ensuring that a Handicap Index reflects demonstrated ability
• A minimal number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap; with the number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap being 54 holes from any combination of 18-hole and 9-hole rounds (with some discretion available for national or regional associations)
• An average-based calculation of a handicap, taken from the best eight out of the last 20 scores and factoring in memory of demonstrated ability for better responsiveness/control
• A calculation that considers the impact that abnormal course and weather conditions might have on a player’s performance each day
• Timely handicap revisions
• A limit of Net Double Bogey on the maximum hole score (for handicapping purposes only)
• A maximum handicap limit of 54.0, regardless of gender, to encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance to increase their enjoyment of the game
• The formation of a World Handicap System was first conceived in 2011 between the USGA and The R&A in an effort to engage more golfers in the game and promote equity, no matter where golf is played. The effort unites six existing handicapping systems into one, while embracing the many ways the game is played across cultures.

Beginning in 2020, the new WHS will be governed by the USGA and The R&A and administered by national and regional golf associations around the world.

The existing six handicapping authorities, Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA), the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) and the USGA, represent approximately 15 million golfers in 80 countries who currently maintain a golf handicap.

As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support the USGA’s and The R&A’s efforts to implement the World Handicap System.