RBC Canadian Open returns as qualifying site for The Open
The road to The 149th Open at Royal St George’s will stop in Canada once again, as the 2020 RBC Canadian at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto will be among 16 events in 11 countries to make up The Open Qualifying Series for 2020.
The Emirates Australian Open, which is being played from 5-8 December at The Australian in Sydney, will be the first opportunity for players to secure their place at Royal St George’s next year.
The Open Qualifying Series will visit Morocco for the first time with the European Tour’s Trophee Hassan II event offering one qualifying place for golf’s original championship, while the Travelers Championship on the PGA TOUR returns to the schedule for the first time since 2015 with two qualifying spots available.
A minimum of 46 places in The Open are available through the Series, which provides golfers with opportunities to qualify at events around the world on the PGA TOUR, the European Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Asian Tour, the Korean Tour, the Japan Golf Tour and the Sunshine Tour.
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said, “We have agreed an exciting schedule of events with our colleagues at the leading professional tours around the world and we will look forward to finding out which golfers qualify for Royal St George’s.
“We know there is real excitement among fans at the prospect of The Open returning to Royal St George’s which will undoubtedly spur on players to qualify to compete over the famous Kent links come July next year.”
The South African Open hosted by The City of Joburg will be played at Randpark, Johannesburg from 9-12 January and three qualifying places will be on offer.
Four places in The Open will be available at both the SMBC Singapore Open, which is being played at Sentosa Golf Club, and The Mizuno Open taking place at The Royal Golf Club in Japan.
On the PGA TOUR, the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard and RBC Canadian Open will each have three qualifying places, while the last qualifying place will be confirmed at the John Deere Classic on the eve of The 149th Open.
On the European Tour, four places at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open will be available.
Two places will also be available at the KOLON Korea Open in June.
Regional Qualifying events will take place throughout Great Britain and Ireland with Caldy, Rochester & Cobham Park and Moor Park confirmed as three new venues for 2020. A minimum of 12 places will then be available at Final Qualifying events taking place at Fairmont St Andrews, Notts (Hollinwell), Prince’s and St Annes Old Links.
Sask. resident climbing volunteer ladder at PGA TOUR event
David Larwood’s golf experiences have substantially evolved from his “homemade” three-hole course near Porcupine Plain to rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s best.
Larwood told Golf Saskatchewan he used his parent’s pasture to hit the ball around growing up. Joking the greens were “grazing height” and broken hockey sticks were utilized as flag sticks Larwood’s love of golf grew. Now a retired teacher he has taken up the game again and volunteers annually for the PGA TOUR’s Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. Larwood said he’s taken on more responsibility with his continued attendance.
“We spend a few months each winter in Maui and I volunteered for the PGA Tournament of Champions,” he explained. “I started as a marshall in a very low-profile role, over the last five years being available and not saying no, I have moved into a chairman role. It’s still a volunteer role but comes with a few more perks.”
Now known as a chairman at large, Larwood is the “floater” of the group of nine chair people. One person leads the group, seven other volunteers look after a certain committee and Larwood provides support where needed. He is also a mentor to incoming chairs. He said his overall job description is “loose” and his tasks are everchanging. He admitted the volunteering brings along neat experiences.
“Dustin Johnson (and all other golfers) couldn’t tee off on hole six until the guy from Saskatchewan who had never read a rule book or shot under 100 said he could,” he chuckled. “I waved a flag to show the sixth green was clear.”
He mentioned the time he was asked to switch out Johnson’s vehicle he was using for the week.
“I got to park his new SUV in the VIP section, last year winner’s parking spot. I did have to move the seat ahead 18 inches to reach the pedal,” Larwood joked.
He said meeting other volunteers from across North America and sharing short conversations with the players is part of the perks. He said they are all very appreciative of what the volunteers do at the events.
Larwood wanted to share his story and experiences with potential volunteers, perhaps from Saskatchewan. If you are going to be spending your January on the island state volunteering could be for you. He said they never reach a full capacity of helpers and the roles and shifts vary. Volunteers hold “quiet” signs, scan tickets at admission, shuttle players and their families, or can work on a computer to assist the spectators or broadcasters with their analysis. More details can be seen here.
Larwood said events in Saskatchewan such as the Brier or World Junior Hockey Championships, people may have to provide some financial contribution for your uniform or other fees. The volunteer process in Hawaii is much different and the TOUR makes it worth your while.
“In Maui, the volunteering is completely free. Five days of volunteering gets you a hat, two shirts, daily meal and a free round of golf on the Kapalua Bay Course,” he explained. “You also get a week pass to attend the tournament when you are not working. Maui isn’t Saskatchewan, there isn’t much money for public recreation and facilities. The sponsors of the tournament put huge dollars into public service groups and infrastructure. As a retired teacher, this is a win-win situation for volunteers.”
For anyone potentially thinking about volunteering, Larwood encouraged them to reach out to him, he can be contacted via email at larwoodd@gmail.com.
Golf Saskatchewan finalizes 2020 championship schedule
Golf Saskatchewan has signed off on the championship host sites for the 2020 season.
The provincial amateur golf governing body will host nine Saskatchewan championships at six different clubs across the province. Manager of Sport Development and Championships Steve Ryde said the players will get a chance to compete at some of the province’s top facilities.
“We are very excited to release our championship schedule for 2020, Ryde said. “Saskatchewan is full of great golf courses and we feel that the venues we chose for the events are among some of the best.”
The Amateur Women’s Championship at The Willows Golf & Country Club will kick the season off, the final tournament will be the ever-popular Mixed Championship at Candle Lake Golf Resort. Ryde said planning the schedule and finding hosts is a pleasant process as clubs look forward to showcasing their facilities to locals and newcomers.
“Kudos to the managers and golf professionals for working together on selecting dates that fit both parties’ schedules. We continue to work towards solidifying future sites and hope to share these venues so competitors and facilities can plan their busy summers well in advance,” he said.
102nd Women’s Amateur Championship – The Willows Golf & Country Club, Saskatoon (July 9 – 11)
94th Junior Men’s and 70th Junior Women’s Championships – Elmwood Golf & Country Club, Swift Current (July 14 – 16)
109th Men’s Amateur Championship and 34th Mid-Amateur Championship – Legends Golf Club,, Warman (July 21 – 23)
101st Senior Men’s Championship and 57th Senior Women’s Championship – Cooke Municipal Golf Course, Prince Albert (July 28 – 30)
50th Women’s Rosebowl – Katepwa Beach Golf Club, Katepwa Beach (Aug. 12 – 13)
22nd Mixed Championship – Candle Lake Golf Course, Candle Lake (Aug. 22 – 23)
Registration for the events will open in April.
Other events coming up this season include the Saskatchewan Summer Games in Lloydminster, the golf takes place from July 29 to Aug. 1. The North American Indigenous Games are scheduled for July 12 -18 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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.