Prince Albert’s TJ Baker is going to continue his education and play golf while doing it.

The 17-year-old Carlton Comprehensive High School student has committed to the University of Arkansas at Monticello for next year.

For Baker, getting started in golf was simple, his father Tyler was the manager at Nipawin’s Evergreen Golf Course before taking that position at Waskesiu where Baker now spends his summers. He said he’s been fortunate to grow up on two of Saskatchewan’s premiere tracks.

“We’re going into my dad’s 11^th year at Waskesiu and before that he was at the Evergreen where the junior provincials were held this year. That’s where I really started, I’ve been lucky to grow up on some pretty sweet courses,” Baker said.

Baker played his first competitive event when he was 10 years old, that was the Junior Lobstick. His first Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour event was when he was 12. Baker admitted he’s always had a competitive edge allowing a seamless transition into tournament golf.

“I really like the competitiveness,” he said. “Knowing you’re in contention to win any tournament in the province, it makes you feel so much better about the game of golf. If you aren’t very good at it that’s when people say it’s no fun, I like the competitiveness the most.”

Baker’s competitiveness and confidence are key components in him taking his game to the college level. He has been thinking about playing college golf since he started attending high school.

“I was on the 17^th tee at Waskesiu, on a fall day with my cousin and she watched me hit a ball. She said, wow, you’re really good. That’s when I really started to think, I kind of am, I could really do something with this,” he said.

After doing some research on schools, Baker had his choice narrowed done to either Arkansas at Monticello or Minot State University but in the end the chance to play all year solidified his decision to attend the NCAA Div. II school.

“The thing that made up my mind between the two is in Arkansas I can play and practice year-round” he explained. I don’t want to say better schooling, but the student-teacher ratio is better too, but basically there is snow in Minot and barely snow in Arkansas.”

Baker will graduate in 2020 from Carlton before playing out his final year of junior golf in Saskatchewan. He wanted to recognize his high school coach, Baker credited Taryn Rieger and her efforts as a large part of his success.

Baker will study business in university, he said he wants to work in the golf industry and follow in his father’s footsteps.

The USGA and The R&A are conducting a review of the Rules of Amateur Status to make them easier to understand and apply.

The comprehensive evaluation is part of the continued joint effort to modernize the Rules by reducing complexity and ensuring the Rules effectively guide how the game is played today.

As part of a review process that began earlier this year, the governing bodies will seek the perspectives of golf’s stakeholders as an integral component of the review process, including elite amateur golfers, golf event organizers, national golf associations, professional golf associations and other industry partners.

The aim is to provide the golf community with a modernized set of the Amateur Status Rules in late 2021, with the goal of an effective date of January 1, 2022.

Adam Helmer, director of Rules and Amateur Status for Golf Canada, said, “We are embarking on an important review with golf’s governing bodies to take a fundamental examination of the implications of the Rules of Amateur Status to our sport. We will work closely with our provincial and national association partners to gain valuable feedback from all our stakeholders to ensure the best interests of our golfers and being met. As our sport evolves, it’s paramount the Rules remain relevant to provide fair competition and help with our continued efforts to grow the game.”

Thomas Pagel, senior managing director of Governance at the USGA, said, “One of golf’s greatest benefits is that it can be played by all ages and played for a lifetime. It is our goal to ensure that the fundamental concept of what it means to be an amateur golfer is clear and retained to promote fair competition and enjoyment for everyone, while still addressing many issues that seek to protect the game. This is a forward-thinking approach and engaging golfers is a key component of doing what’s best for golf.”

Grant Moir, director – Rules at The R&A, said, “We will be looking at the Rules of Amateur Status carefully and considering ways in which we can modernize them and bring them more into line with the way the modern sport is played. The code remains a fundamental framework for amateur golf and we will be listening to the views of players, officials and associations to give us a fully rounded view of how we can improve them.”

In a separate move, effective January 1, 2020, the USGA and The R&A will introduce one change to Rule 3-2b of the Rules of Amateur Status, which regulates hole-in-one prizes. The Rules will no longer limit the prize an amateur golfer may win when making a hole-in-one outside a round of golf, including “stand-alone” and “multiple-entry” hole-in-one events. It is hoped the change will help to promote the game and cater to new audiences as well, and eliminate unnecessary restrictions for event organizers.

New Rule 3-2b will read as follows:

Rule 3-2b. Hole-in-One Prizes

An amateur golfer may accept a prize in excess of the limit in Rule 3-2a, including a cash prize, for making a hole-in-one during a round of golf on a golf course.

An amateur golfer may also accept a prize in excess of the limit in Rule 3-2a, including a cash prize, for making a hole-in-one during contests held outside a round of golf, including multiple-entry contests and contests conducted other than on a golf course (e.g., on a driving range, golf simulator or putting green) provided in all cases that the length of the shot is at least 50 yards.

Swift Current’s Brennan Rumancik is coming home with a top-20 performace at the PGA Head Professional Championship this week at Wigwam Resort.

The Elmwood Golf Course pro went even par (72, 74, 70) over 54 holes at the event to finish in a tie for 19^th.

Regina’s Kevin Dietz tied for 56^th at 13-over par. The Tor Hill Golf Course professional shot rounds of 78, 76, and 75 this week. Jeff Chambers, also from Swift Current finished in a tie for 60^th place at plus-14 (75, 78, 77).

John Greenough, the professional at Deer Valley Golf & Estates finished at 19-over (78, 77, 80) good enough for a placing of 67^th.

Former Regina resident Lindsay Bernakevitch tied for 11^th at five-under.

Ontario’s Gordon Burns led wire to wire and ran away from the field winning the individual championship by seven strokes at 21-under par. Burns’ win nets himself $9,000.

Shadow Ridge Golf Club pro Mark Kitts was the Low Club professional winner at minus-eight.

The complete results can be found here.

Elmwood Golf Club professional Brennan Rumancik is still the low Saskatchewan golfer at the PGA Head Professional Championship after two rounds.

Rumancik followed his opening round of even par  shooting two-over, 74 on Wednesday to sit at plus-two after 36 holes at Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona. Rumancik is tied for 29^th, well above the cut line of the top 70 golfers.

Jeff Chambers, also out of Elmwood is tied for 56^th at nine-over par. He carded a six-over, 78 during round two.

Regina’s Kevin Dietz, playing out of Tor Hill Golf Course is at 10-over, he’s tied for 62 following a 76 in the second round.

John Greenough, the pro at Deer Valley Golf and Estates is at 11-over, he’s tied for 64^th.

All four golfers made the cut. Former Regina resident Lindsay Bernakevitch is at plus-one through 36 holes. He’s the head pro at Victoria Golf Club.

Ontario’s Gordon Burns continues to scorch the field and course, he leads at minus-17 going into Thursday’s championship round.

The Interzone competition concluded on Wednesday, Saskatchewan placed eighth.

The complete results can be seen here.

Swift Current’s Brennan Rumancik shot even par Tuesday at the PGA Head Professional Championship and sits tied for 22^nd after round one of the 54-hole event.

The Elmwood Golf & Country Club pro is the lead local of four Saskatchewan competitors in the 90-player field.

Jeff Chambers, also from Elmwood shot plus-three, 75 in round one, he is tied for 44^th.

Kevin Dietz (Tor Hill Golf Course) and John Greenough (Deer Valley Golf & Estates) both carded rounds of six-over, 78 at Wigwam Golf Resort in Arizona.

Former Regina resident, Lindsay Bernakevitch, Victoria Golf Club’s head professional is tied for 35^th after shooting 74.

Saskatchewan sits eighth in the Interzone competition.

Gordon burns leads the event at minus-10. Ontario is the Interzone leader after the first 18 holes.

Round two goes on Wednesday from Litchfield Park.

The full results can be found here.

Growing up in Melfort, and then Saskatoon, Troy Bulmer golfed, a lot, most of the time with his father.

Rod Bulmer was an accountant by day, by night a father on the course with his son as much as possible, and between the two of them, they were often found in the winner’s circle. The Melfort Men’s Open was a huge tournament for western Canadian golfers, the elder Bulmer won the event “several” times according to Troy. Rod was also the Saskatchewan amateur champion in 1984. Troy won the 2005 under-15 provincial title, a year later he was the under-17 victor.

Rod had a stellar amateur career, Troy was on his way to more wins, then everything changed.

In August of 2010, Rod was driving his son back to college in Misenheimer, N.C. when their car was toss from the road by a tornado in North Dakota. Rod was killed, Troy suffered serious injuries, but survived.

In July of 2011, Troy won the Saskatchewan amateur title as well putting his name on the same trophy as his late father.

“That’s obviously a huge point of personal pride as well as for my family and friends, that was a very significant moment,” Troy said to Golf Saskatchewan last week. “Twelve, thirteen months before that it didn’t look like I was going to be able to play golf again because of the damage I sustained. That was a huge piece. To have the same championship as my dad has, that’s hugely important, it’s very meaningful. Especially now, it’s something I can look back on and say as much as it was a point of satisfaction or goal I had, it was almost a personal reassurance that I was going to be ok. Regardless of losing dad or not, our names will be tied to a piece of history.”

The Bulmers joined the Stewarts (Ron and Dave) as the only other father-son combo to win the amateur championship.

(Troy with his dad, Rod in 2006)

Bulmer now calls Vernon, B.C. home and is still very involved in golf playing “as much, wherever possible.” He enters events in the Vancouver Golf Tour, State Opens and the McKenzie Tour keeping the 28-year-old busy. This past summer he won his first event as a professional, the storied Ogopogo at the Kelowna Golf & Country Club. The Predator Ridge member stormed back from four shots down on the final day to win the 68^th running of the tournament that had a field of 162. Bulmer said the win had significance thanks to Mike Smith, a long-time friend of his dad’s as his caddy during the championship.

“By proxy that’s the closest thing that I could get to having dad around, it was really nice having Mike out there caddying. Someone to talk with and after the completion of the event basically realizing it would be my trophy and my tournament that I had won, it was very nice of him to say, your dad would be very proud of you. It was very nice for Mike to remind me of that,” Bulmer said.

Still healing from his injuries after the amateur win, Bulmer felt a warmer climate would be beneficial for his health, and his game. Only practicing a couple times per week, he started to play more in the B.C. and had success pushing him on.

“Over a span of a couple weeks I set five course records, and that was without practicing or playing that much,” Bulmer explained. “I figured I would go down south and play a couple Mini-Tour events and just see where the game is actually at. Those Mini-Tour guys grinders are good. Whatever the mental hang-up or getting out of their comfort zone, whatever the case me be that they don’t progress further, those guys that have made money on the Mini-Tour are good golfers.”

Chasing a PGA TOUR card is still the goal for Bulmer. He will continue to play through the qualifying school of the McKenzie Tour and work from there. He did admit that as determined as he is to make the dream work, time doesn’t stop.

“It’s something that is within grasp, but at the same time you need to see it in a timely matter,” Bulmer explained. “You can’t spend three, four years grinding it out on the McKenzie Tour and another handful on the Korn Ferry Tour. Playing professional golf isn’t a cheap thing to do, so it’s going to be one of those with results and success becomes that much more exposure to yourself and that much more opportunity to pursue it. Right now I’m all in on progressing my game.”

Saskatchewan currently has about ten players, both men and women playing college golf in Canada and the United States. Some may have professional aspirations; others might be using the game to get their education. Whatever the reason and their goals, Bulmer said his eyes were opened once he climbed to the higher level after his college career was complete.

“When you go out and play, yeah your short game, your putting can be great, but you are not shooting 63 each day hitting it to 25 feet or putting it up-and-down for par all day. My greatest recommendation which when I was first out there I caught on really quick, we’re finding ball striking and trying to get closer to the hole is. Sixty-nine isn’t good golf anymore at this level. If you are shooting 69 or 70 everyday you are going to go awfully hungry,” he said.

Bulmer works at Predator Ridge during the season and has a girlfriend who also plays golf out of the Okanagan course. In the off-season Bulmer works for one of the resorts in the Vernon area.

You can hear more from Bulmer below in his interview with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork.

Almost 100 of Canada’s top golf professionals have converged on Wigwam Golf in Litchfield Park, Arizona for the annual PGA Head Professional Championship this week.

The 54-hole stroke play championship opens Tuesday with the players chasing a $55,000 prize purse for the next few days. Moose Jaw born Adam Hadwin, a rising star on the PGA Tour was on hand for the practice round on Monday.

Saskatchewan has four players in the field of 90 players. Brennan Rumancik, Jeff Chambers, Kevin Dietz, and John Greenough. Former Regina resident and four-time Saskatchewan amateur champion Lindsay Bernakevitch is also in the field. Rumancik tees off at 11:33 a.m., Chambers is in the 11:42 a.m. group, Dietz will begin at 11:51 a.m., and Greenough starts at noon.

Aside from the individual championship, the event features a two-day Interzone competition. The club’s represented in that portion of the tournament are the Elmwood Golf Club (Chambers, Rumancik), Tor Hill Golf Course (Dietz) and Deer Valley Golf & Estates (Greenough).

The leaderboard can be found here.

We recently received a Rules inquiry about substituting a ball on the putting surface from a reader.

“I have seen golfers use a different golf ball on the greens; is this allowed? He asked.

ANSWER: No. You may not substitute a ball on the putting green unless your ball is cut, cracked or out of shape (see Rule 4.2c(2)).

Rule 4-2 The Ball:

Rule 4-2 c. Ball Becomes Cut or Cracked While Playing Hole

(2) When Another Ball May Be Substituted. The player may only substitute another ball if it can be clearly seen that the original ball is cut or cracked and this damage happened during the hole being played – but not if it is only scratched or scraped or its paint is only damaged or discoloured.

• If the original ball is cut or cracked, the player must replace either another ball or the original ball on the original spot (see Rule 14.2).
• If the original ball is not cut or cracked, the player must replace it on its original spot (see Rule 14.2).

Nothing in this Rule prohibits a player from substituting another ball under any other Rule or changing balls between two holes.

Penalty for Playing Incorrectly Substituted Ball or Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Rule 4.2c: General Penalty Under Rule 6.3b or 14.7a.

Therefore, if a player on the putting green changes her/his ball to their “lucky ball,” it will cost them the general penalty (two strokes) in match play. Therefore, it is not recommended they do such an action.

Remember, the Rules matter!

NAPLES, FLA. (Golf Canada) – ​The success of the 2019 CP Women’s Open at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont., was recently recognized as the Tournament Partners of the LPGA presented Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) with two Gold Driver Awards for delivering best-in-class elements among all LPGA Tour events.

The annual Gold Driver Awards were hosted in conjunction with the LPGA Tour’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Fla. The Tournament Partners of the LPGA (formally Tournament Owners Association) have a long standing tradition of recognizing best in class tournaments with Gold Driver Awards at the season ending event on the LPGA Tour calendar.

At the formal ceremony, the CP Women’s Open received Gold Driver Awards for Best Community and Charity Engagement and Best Sponsor Activation.

The award for Best Community and Charity Engagement was earned for the CP Has Heart community investment campaign, which raised nearly $2.5 million for children’s charities in the Greater Toronto Area – the largest donation in the history of the CP Women’s Open. As part of the program, $2.2 million was presented to the SickKids Foundation in Toronto, while a $250,000 donation was made to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ont., to support paediatric cardiac care. In the six years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, more than $10.5 million has now been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada. This is the second time in the last three years that the CP Women’s Open was awarded the Gold Driver for Best Community and Charity Engagement.

The CP Women’s Open netted Best Sponsor Activation for the Levelwear Caddy Lounge. Headed by Canadian apparel company and Golf Canada partner, Levelwear, the activation delivered a first of its kind hangout for LPGA Tour caddies. The Lounge featured a host of amenities, from food and drinks to post-round massages, haircuts, games and more.

“It is humbling to see the CP Women’s Open honoured with two Gold Driver Awards,” said CP Women’s Open Tournament Director, Ryan Paul. “This year’s event was a true team effort. Thanks to tremendous fan, player and partner support, the 2019 CP Women’s Open was a resounding success and it is rewarding to be recognized with these meaningful awards.”

In August, Rolex World No. 1 Jin Young Ko fired a 26-under 262 over four rounds to best a stellar field of golfers, including 96 of the top 100 golfers in the world and become the 2019 CP Women’s Open champion. By doing so, she would take home US$337,500 of the US$2.25 million purse, the largest purse on the LPGA Tour outside Major Championships and the CME Group Tour Championship.

The 2019 CP Women’s Open enjoyed record walk-up and corporate hospitality sales and was the third-most attended CP Women’s Open in history.

The stars of the LPGA Tour are headed back to Vancouver as the 2020 CP Women’s Open will be contested at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club from August 31- September 6, 2020. The championship will mark the sixth time that the province of British Columbia has hosted Canada’s Women’s Open Championship, with the last time being 2015 at The Vancouver Golf Club, where Lydia Ko won her third CP Women’s Open title.

Information regarding tickets and corporate hospitality for 2020 can be found at www.cpwomensopen.com/tickets.

VANCOUVER (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor Canadian Pacific (CP), are pleased to announce that tickets are now available for the 2020 CP Women’s Open, taking place August 31 to September 6 at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver. 

One of Canada’s premier annual sporting events, the CP Women’s Open features miles of front row seating for golf fans to experience Canada’s lone stop on the LPGA Tour. Cheer on Canadian sensation and CP Ambassador Brooke Henderson as she leads the stars of the LPGA Tour back to Vancouver alongside defending champion and world No. 1 Jin Young Ko, past champions Ariya Jutanugarn, Sung Hyun Park and So Yeon Ryu and rising stars Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda, Danielle Kang and Minjee Lee.  

The 2020 CP Women’s Open will mark the sixth time that the province of British Columbia has hosted Canada’s Women’s Open Golf Championship, with the last time being 2015 at The Vancouver Golf Club, where Lydia Ko won her third CP Women’s Open title.  

CLICK HERE to get your tickets for the 2020 CP Women’s Open 

General admission tickets, starting at just $20 for early week admission, provide access to the grounds to get an up-close look at the stars of the LPGA Tour. 

Tournament rounds for Thursday, Friday and Saturday are just $50; a Sunday final-round ticket is $60; and a week–long, fully transferable badge is $130. A $60 Anyday Grounds ticket is also available for those looking for ticket flexibility.  

A specially-priced youth ticket (13-17 years old) is also available while juniors aged 12-and-under gain FREE grounds admission all week long.  

In addition to general admission tickets and corporate hospitality products, the CP Women’s Open also offers a premium ticket product – The Heritage Lounge. 

The Heritage Lounge delivers an elevated fan experience within the Clubhouse of the prestigious Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club. This premium destination is the perfect home base to sit, relax and map out your experience following the stars of the LPGA Tour! It offers upgraded food and beverage for purchase, ample televisions with a live feed of the broadcast and private washrooms.  Heritage Lounge tickets cost $100 for single day access or $250 for a fully transferable tournament (Thursday – Sunday) pass.

Volunteer opportunities to be a part of the 2020 CP Women’s Open are also available with a full listing of committee positions here. 

For an elevated experience, the CP Women’s Open offers many great hospitality packages to fit any budget. All corporate hospitality comes with private seating on one of Shaughnessy’s closing holes and all-inclusive food & beverage. A full list of offerings can be found here.   

The CP Women’s Open is so much more than a sporting event. Enjoy world-class golf and a premium hospitality experience at a signature Canadian sporting event that will leave a meaningful charitable legacy through CP Has Heart in support of children’s heart health.

Get your tickets today at www.cpwomensopen.com/tickets.

* Prices do not include applicable taxes or Ticketmaster fees.