Most golfers in Saskatchewan and many parts of Canada are forced to take long breaks from the game over the winter, the long layoffs can have consequences more than high scores if you aren’t prepared.

Injuries and ailments can derail a golf season with one swing if you aren’t prepared when you tee it up for the first time.

Tanner White is a certified physical trainer at 1621 Club in Regina. White has a degree in Sport and Exercise Science from West Texas A&M and he’s also a Level 3 certified Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) professional. White works with golfers all year round at the Queen City fitness facility. He told Golf Saskatchewan that if you don’t stay physically active over the winter months issues can easily occur during the early part of the season.

“Far too often, especially in Saskatchewan you have people that golf all summer and they become sedentary over the winter and then it warms up and they are just itching to get outside,” he said. “The first warm day of the year they go try and smash drives, right? That’s where some injuries fall.”

White said the number one injury he sees daily is lower back issues. He said joint ailments are quite common in the wrist and elbow regions. Abdominal injuries are also frequent for players who don’t take the proper precautions. He said some people are more fortunate than others and don’t have to put as much work in during the offseason, but that group isn’t completely off the hook.

“You can have someone who is in fabulous shape and their body is not going to make a whole lot of compensation, but you can have someone that has no back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, they know their body will move to produce a golf swing. That’s where I come in, I try to help them become more efficient with their body,” White said.

Preventing injuries goes back to being physically active during the long winters in Saskatchewan according to White. He said there are ways to alleviate back pain during a round if you do feel some discomfort. White cautioned people need to use proper methods of stretching.

“For there I’d recommend people stretching their hip flexors. Generally, people assume they need to stretch their hamstrings to help with their lower back but it’s the opposite,” he said. “You need to stretch the front side of your hips and strengthen the back side. Getting down on one knee and pushing your hip forward from your bottom knee, that’s going to help lengthen those hip flexors and alleviate the back pain.”

White added that the older generation, he said 65 plus should be much more cautious about how they deal with aches and pains. He works with that age group at his club too and focuses on their core areas to keep them safe and healthy on a course. He also has clients from across all levels of golf skill. He said their training regiments stay along the same lines.

“The 20 handicapper, like I worked with this winter, we’ve went through the proper steps and now their body is in a decent place so they can start working on their power and increase club head speed. That goes right back to the scratch golfer as well, I work with a tonne of scratch golfers and honestly, we stayed down in that level one where we are continuing to get that body more mobile and efficient. We’re slowly trying to get more into that power factor,” White explained.

White also cautioned against people practicing exercises that don’t work for a golfer. He said its positive people are being active over the winter but it’s important to work the same muscles used in golf.

“When it comes to golf, our body move in three plains of motion,” White said. “The exercises most people do in the gym generally are in one plain of motion. If they are doing it a lot they are hurting themselves more than benefitting themselves. If you are looking to get into a golf focused regimen then I would highly recommend someone who understands what the body needs to do to help connect the dots between a golf swing and a body.”

For golfers not located in a major market such as Regina or Saskatoon and don’t have access to a trainer or professional White recommends the 1621’s Instagram or the TPI website. He said they both include videos, tips, blogs, and other excellent information pertaining to golfers of all levels.

White provides much more insight in his interview with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork that you can hear below.

The Rules encourage prompt pace of play by all players as it has a huge impact on your group and everyone on the course.

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Although there is no historical data Unity’s Justin Wood could potentially be one of the youngest Hall of Famers in Saskatchewan, or perhaps Canada. The 24-year-old was inducted into the Unity Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Like many young golfers Wood got his start by going to the course with his dad who he said wasn’t an avid player but liked the “get out with his buddies.” Playing several sports growing up Wood eventually chose golf as his focus. He said taking the golf route wasn’t easy, but he stuck with it.

“I was pretty athletic growing up and golf is a tough sport to get into and be good at right away, so I think it was kind of frustrating that way. I just kept going and going and got addicted. I caught the golf bug,” he said.

Around the age of 12 Wood started taking part in local tournaments and having success. At the age of 14 he started branching out and participating in provincial Golf Saskatchewan events. Once he had finished high school Wood went on to Lethbridge College and played on their golf team. He won their conference championship and caught the eyes of schools in the United States. He went on to play at the University of Montevallo. He didn’t win any tournaments in the US but had several top five finishes.

He did win the one of the province’s most coveted trophy in 2016 at The Legends in Warman when he took the Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur Championship. He said that win was a highlight knowing the names that came before him.

“It’s kind of cool to have my name mentioned on the same trophy as Graham DeLaet,” he said. “Dave Stewart, Lindsay Bernakevitch has won quite a few times. Just to be mentioned in the same sentence is a good thing for golf in Saskatchewan. It’s been a cool journey. I have picked up a lot of different things from a lot of different people along the way and I still think I’m learning.”

As for the Hall of Fame induction in his hometown, Wood said the honour may be coming a little early but that doesn’t tarnish the achievement one bit.

“It was an interesting feeling seeing my name going in with some of the other people that have done good things for the sporting community in Unity. I think I have a long way to go and championships to hopefully win. Even outside sport there are a lot of things I can bring back to the community,” Wood said.

He was able to share the evening on Saturday with his parents and some friends. He was especially happy that his grandmother was able to attend from Manitoba.

“My grandma came from Brandon to take it in with me, that was really nice of her,” he said. They’ve made a lot of sacrifices for me taking me all over the province and the country. They’ve put a lot of resources and energy into my golf career, so it was nice to share that with them.”

Wood is currently working in an administrative capacity with ATCO Structures. He said it was a golf connection that landed him that position and is enjoying the role. As for the summer Wood will participate in a good portion of the Men’s Order of Merit Tour events and chase another amateur championship. He said having the sport and playing at a high level has helped him in every aspect of his life.

“I’m thankful I got recognized in my community, I love going back there. Golf Saskatchewan has had a big impact on my life as well. A thanks to you guys for all the work you do for golf in the province, we all appreciate it,” Wood concluded.

You can hear more from Wood who spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork following the induction.

The first Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT) and Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit (OMT) event took place at Estevan’s TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club May 4 and 5.

Almost 50 junior golfers from Saskatchewan and two from Manitoba took part in the 36-hole event.

The largest field consisted of the juvenile boy’s (15-16 years old) category with 17 athletes entered. Hometown product Jayden Dudas was a six-stroke winner over Kindersley’s Cort Tunall shooting a 149 (76, 73). Regina’s Drayjon Sparvier placed third carding a 160 (76, 84).

There were 14 golfers in the bantam (13-14) boy’s division. Saskatoon’s Alex Swinnerton edged Max Reiger, also of the Bridge City by one stroke to take first place. Swinnerton carded a 156 (81,75) just ahead of Reiger’s 157 (79, 78). Thomas Danielson, another Saskatoon golfer placed third at 158 (86, 72).

In the junior boys age group, that’s golfers aged 17 and 18, 10 boys competed. Reigning provincial junior champion Josh Nagy started his season on the right foot shooting a 144 (75, 69) outlasting Estevan’s Chase Gedack by seven shots. Woodlawn member Jace Carlisle and Winnipeg’s Jacob Armstrong tied for third place at 155.

Half a dozen peewee (under-12) boys took part in the tournament, Warman’s Dane Giesbrecht was the winner posting a 167 (81, 86). Cashton Yaremko of Orkney finished just a shot back at 168 with back-to-back 84’s. La Ronge golfer Dade Bernatchez finished in third place at 173 (88, 85).

Ella Kozak of Yorkton was the lone competitor in the U15 girl’s category, she shot 164 (78, 86).

In the 15-18 girl’s age group, Autumn Neiszner of Regina edged Carey McLean by one stroke for the victory. Neiszner posted a 174 (86, 88), McLean fired rounds of 88 and 87.

Full results can be seen here.

The next MJT and junior OMT event is May 19 and 20 at Swift Current’s Elmwood Golf Club.

A group of Saskatchewan junior golfers are basking in the experience of travelling to New Orleans, Louisiana last week for an Easter golf experience.

Austin Krupski, Darien Herlick, Cashton Yaremko, Keaton Cote, Cort Tunall, Alex Swinnerton, Brett Leonard, Josh Nagy, Ethan Fizell, and Micah Tangjerd all took part in the camp under the tutelage of Jeff Chambers and Jehremy Ryde. During the trip the golfers were involved with training and practice exercises, off course seminars, they played a few rounds in the southern state plus attended the Zurich Classic of New Orleans FedEx Cup event. Swinnerton, 14, said the trip was a fantastic experience.

“It was unbelievable. We saw Brooks Koepka, and a lot of the top guys. The golf, the places Jeff took us were in great shape and great courses. It was a great experience,” the Saskatoon resident beamed.

Swinnerton went on to say the group was able to soak in some New Orleans culture as well during the trip.

“We went to Bourbon Street, it was Easter Sunday there so there was lots of parades and stuff, that was cool. After golf we went and had supper and hung out in the hotel, it was great,” he said.

Swinnerton, like many young golfers in Saskatchewan will get their competitive season underway this weekend at the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT) stop at TS&M Woodlawn in Estevan. He said his summer will be full of tournaments on the Order of Merit Tour (OMT).

“I will be going to pretty much all the Saskatchewan events plus I work at the Waskesiu Golf Course,” Swinnerton said. “I have been playing there forever so I will play in the Junior Lobstick, I came in fourth last year. It’s great, I’m going to play in as many tournaments as I can.”

Weyburn product, Derian Herlick was one of the youngest golfers on the trip at just 13. He also noted attending the camp was a tremendous way to spend the week of the Easter break from school.

“It was really fun, we all got to work together and go watch a golf tournament and play all those private courses,” Herlick said. “My favourite part was the nice weather, the courses, and also the hotel.”

Herlick started playing golf with his dad at the Weyburn Golf Club and will also have a full summer on the MJT and OMT circuits starting in Estevan. With many developmental years ahead of his, he said seeing the PGA Tour players up close made him believe he potentially could be a professional one day like Weyburn’s Graham DeLaet.

“There was an interview and autograph spot set up, so we got to talk to them for a little bit too, they were all pretty nice,” Herlick said.

Overall, Chambers said “It was a pretty awesome trip with some great kids.”

Golfers and residents alike in North Battleford, and across Saskatchewan are mourning the loss of Herb Weinmeyer.

The long-time member of the North Battleford Golf and Country Club (NBGCC) passed away peacefully on Monday, April 29. Weinmeyer was 75. NGGCC Director of Golf Dana Johnson arrived at the course in 1990, at the time Weinmeyer was president of the club. Johnson said the community has lost an inspiring person in Herb.

“A true gentleman in the game of golf,” Johnson told Golf Saskatchewan Friday. “He was always a competitor in Golf Sask. provincial events whether it was the amateur or seniors, he competed as an individual, but he wanted to see his playing partners do well too. He was always so generous; his sportsmanship was above and beyond.”

Weinmeyer last competed in the men’s senior championship in 2017 at his home course. In 2005 he finished in second at the provincial senior men’s championship behind Jim Scissons. He attended national championships as part of Team Saskatchewan on three occasions, 2000, 2006, and 2009.

Johnson said he was fortunate enough to play with Weinmeyer last year at the Calloway ProAm in North Battleford. Despite not winning Herb always saw the good in the game.

“In previous years we’ve won but last year we didn’t. Everybody gets frustrated but he was the first to say the sun is going to rise again and tomorrow is a new day. We lost, not just a man and a member but an all-out true gentleman,” Johnson said.

“We lost, not just a man and a member but an all-out true gentleman.”

An endless volunteer on the NBGCC board plus at events Weinmeyer always gave back to the game. Johnson said he was a constant ambassador of what golf is all about.

“The biggest thing is Herb was a great promoter of the game. Herb was an accomplished player but one of his strengths, Herb played with anybody. If he was playing a hole and someone was by themselves, he’d ask them to join. I don’t know what else to say, it breaks my heart. You just don’t that in everybody, yes it’s a gentlemen’s sport but he was above and beyond,” Johnson concluded.

His celebration of life will take place in North Battleford on Saturday. His obituary can be seen here.

All players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by acting with integrity, showing consideration for others and taking care of the course.

Click here to learn more on the Modernized Rules of golf.

OTTAWA – On the second annual National Golf Day, the Canadian golf industry, represented by We Are Golf, is launching a national campaign to encourage Canadians to get involved in the sport. Industry leaders are meeting with Parliamentarians throughout the day, while golf stakeholders are working to spread the word in municipalities nationwide.

“Golf is a sport that brings so many benefits to Canadians – not just through the health aspect, but as a significant economic driver,” said Kathryn Wood, Chair of We Are Golf and COO of Canadian Golf Superintendents Association “Golf in Canada sees $14.3 billion in annual economic impact, and supports over 300,000 jobs – nearly 40% of which are summer students.”

“Our counterparts in the USA are undertaking a similar initiative in Washington, with the goal to broaden participation in the sport across the continent,” added Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada, “On National Golf Day, we’re encouraging all Canadians to get involved by playing a round of golf, enjoying family time at the local course, introducing a new player to the game, adopting a school in their community through Golf in Schools, taking a lesson, or making a purchase at their local pro shop.”

#Golf‘s economic impact in Canada ????#WeAreCanadianGolf pic.twitter.com/tWpfhdTCUz

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) May 1, 2019

We Are Golf launched the inaugural National Golf Day in 2018 with advocacy meetings in Ottawa, a public junior golf activity on the Parliament Hill lawn, and various golf activities at clubs across Canada. The continuation of National Golf Day in Canada in 2019 will again incorporate meetings by We Are Golf stakeholders with MPs, Senators, and government officials.

“We are looking forward to building upon the success of our 2018 National Golf Day and government advocacy efforts in Ottawa, and hope to continue to bring the positive value of the game of golf to the forefront,” said We Are Golf chair, Kathryn Wood.

By all accounts the 2019 Golf Saskatchewan Easter Camp at Crown Isle Resort in Courtenay, British Columbia was a rousing success.

Autumn Neiszner, Ella Kozak, Jackson Wingert, Cole Jenkins, Kaiden McNabb, and Hudson Malinoski along with coaches Steve Ryde and Jason Schneider took part in the trip. Each day the group was introduced to the “top 20” new rules code for 2019 during breakfast, this helped stimulate the conversation about the changes to the rules in golf. During the week, the players also learned how to prep for tournaments, such as pre shot routines, warmups, time management, mental training, multiple skills challenges. Jenkins, 17, received the trip as a Christmas present from his parents. He said the week was a fantastic experience.

“That was probably one of the most fun trips I’ve ever had,” he told Golf Saskatchewan. “It was awesome knowing you are going to have a full week to golf in B.C. at such a nice course.”

One of the reasons Ryde chose Crown Isle for the trip was the course conditions. The resort is hosting a Mackenzie Tour event in the days following the week off school for students allowing them to take part. During the final day of the trip, Jenkins played his last round alongside upcoming professional Mike Perchak. Jenkins (pictured above) said he was very accommodating, and they continue to be in touch.

“We found out the Q-school event was going so that was cool meeting one of the pros. I’ve been messaging him over Instagram a couple times seeing how he’s doing and talking to him about university in the States. He’s a super cool guy,” Jenkins said.

The grade 11 Prince Albert student is also a member of the Golf Saskatchewan High-Performance Team (HPP) this year. He will play his first Order of Merit (OMT) event this weekend in Estevan at the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT) at TS&M Woodlawn. He said reaching nationals in the juniors is a goal over the next couple years and getting a scholarship. Overall, he said golf is a sport he absolutely loves to play.

“I’ve been golfing since I have been walking pretty much,” he said. “It has been one of those sports you are never satisfied with, you always want to get better. I love everything about it, it’s so interesting to me.”

As for the Easter Camp, he highly recommends other junior golfers to take advantage of the experience in future years.

“Golfing everyday was awesome, super fun. Steven and Jason were awesome coaches to have there. We did lots of practicing after rounds too which is helpful. It was just the best thing ever, it was super fun,” Jenkins said.

Wingert, 15, was also very pleased with the weeklong trip. The grade 9 Saskatoon resident got his start playing Wildwood and Silverwood in the Bridge City. He is also a member of the HPP squad. He said the camp was a bonus to what he’s already learned to start the season.

“At first I joined the HPP program and thought the camp would be fun and a good learning experience and my parents let me go. It was really fun, lots of golf, practice, staying at the hotels, it was a really nice place,” he said.

Wingert (pictured below) will also get his OMT season underway in Estevan this upcoming weekend. With a few years left of high school and a chance to improve his game he said post secondary golf is hopefully in his future.

“I would like to go far and get a scholarship, that would be awesome. I hope to also do well at juniors and go to nationals,” he said.

For Wingert, golf is also a release from school and other sports.

“It’s time to think about other things, have fun, practice is fun, you learn more and you get to play with your buddies,” he said.

Ryde and Schneider are already in the planning stages for the 2020 Easter Camp trip.

The Canadian golf industry represented by We Are Golf (formerly the National Allied Golf Association) has officially announced that May 1, 2019 has been tabbed as National Golf Day in Canada.

The date aligns with the We Are Golf initiative spearheaded out of the United States—also set for May 1, 2019—and will bring further attention to the game of golf and its significant community impact within not only Canada, but across North America.

We are Golf is comprised of all the national golf associations within Canada—Golf Canada, the Canadian Society of Club Managers, the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, the PGA of Canada and the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada.

Planning for National Golf Day is underway with several activities to build upon the success of the inaugural 2018 event which included government advocacy and discussion with MPs in Ottawa, a public junior golf activity on the Parliament Hill lawn and various golf activities at clubs across Canada. The continuation of National Golf Day in Canada in 2019 will again incorporate meetings by We Are Golf stakeholders with MPs and government officials.

“We are looking forward to building upon the success of our 2018 National Golf Day and government advocacy efforts in Ottawa and continue to bring the positive value of the game of golf to the forefront,” said We Are Golf chair, Kathryn Wood. “National Golf Day will be a tremendous catalyst for golf enthusiasts to rally and celebrate what the sport of golf means to them and their community.”

Each member association representing We Are Golf is also encouraging their respective memberships, partners and stakeholders to participate in National Golf Day in their own way to celebrate the significant economic, health, recreational, charitable and tourism benefits that golf drives in communities from coast to coast.

We Are Golf is calling on the entire golf community as well as partner associations and golfers to engage in National Golf Day as a can’t miss event on the Canadian golf calendar.

Golf enthusiasts across Canada are encouraged to get involved in National Golf Day by playing a round of golf, visiting a course or practice facility, enjoying family time at the course, introducing a new player to the game, adopting a school in their community through Golf in Schools, hosting a school golf field trip, taking a lesson, or making a purchase at their local pro shop.

Please visit http://wearegolf.ca/ to learn more, and to access a social media toolkit to promote the day and get involved!

Golf in Canada – A Snapshot:

In Canada, more than five million golfers play close to 60 million rounds annually at nearly 2,300 golf facilities from coast to coast—the most participated sport in this country.

Golf is a significant economic driver generating more than $14.3 billion in economic impact and employing more than 300,000 jobs, nearly 40% of which are summer students. Direct revenues generated by golf courses and their facilities ($5.0 billion) rivals the revenues generated by all other participation sports and recreation facilities combined ($4.8 billion). Golf courses also steward essential greenspace in the community in addition to hosting more than 37,000 charity events that raise more than $533 million annually to support important causes.

The health benefits of moderate-intensity physical activity, burning 850 to 1,500 calories as well as muscle endurance, blood circulation, flexibility and mental health along with respiratory, metabolic and cardiovascular improvements can’t be discounted. Golf as a safe and inclusive family sport is good for our children, instilling etiquette and values such as integrity, honest, fair play and the spirit of camaraderie.