DORVAL, Qué. – Golf Canada’s 2019 Annual Meeting culminated on Saturday, March 2 with the election of Charlie Beaulieu of Lorraine, Qué., to serve as the National Sport Federation’s President.

Beaulieu succeeds 2018 President Leslie Dunning in leading Golf Canada’s Board of Directors. Liz Hoffman of Thornhill, Ont., becomes 1^st Vice-President and Dale Jackson of Victoria assumes the role of 2^nd Vice-President.

“I am honoured to assume this post as the 115^th president of Golf Canada,” said Beaulieu. “There is a great enthusiasm in the game right now and I believe we have a real opportunity to be innovative in how we advance the sport and make the game more accessible. Together with the Board of Directors, I am looking forward to working closely with CEO Laurence Applebaum and our committed staff, volunteers and partners for the betterment of golf in Canada.”

Charlie Beaulieu joined Golf Canada’s Board of Directors in 2011 and has  served the organization on a variety of committees during his tenure. Formerly the President of the Fédération québécoise de golf, he chaired a special taskforce which led to the amalgamation of the Fédération québécoise de golf and Golf Québec. The Québec Golf Federation includes representatives from the golf course owner’s association, the provincial professional golf association, the regional golf associations and amateur golfers, all aligned in promoting the development of the game.

A member of Le Mirage Golf Club, Beaulieu brings more than 30 years of corporate, real estate and entrepreneurial experience across a variety of businesses. Together with his family—through an annual golf tournament held in honour of their late father—he has helped the Roland Beaulieu Foundation, raise over $1.2 M over the past 20 years for various charitable causes in Québec.

Left to right: Leslie Dunning, Charlie Beaulieu, Laurence Applebaum

Beaulieu, Hoffman and Jackson will lead Golf Canada’s 2019 Board of Directors which also includes Rob MacDonald of Winnipeg, Man., David Atkinson of Vancouver, B.C. Susan MacKinnon of Calgary, David McCarthy of Toronto and Adam Daifallah of Montreal as well as new Directors Jean Stone-Seguin of Ottawa and Patrick Kelly of Vancouver. Also remaining on the Board is past President Leslie Dunning of Calgary.

Golf Canada Releases Strategic Plan (2019-2022)

During the Annual Meeting, CEO Laurence Applebaum also presented Golf Canada’s three-year Strategic Plan (2019-2022) to increase Canadian participation and excellence in golf.

Annual Report & Financial Statements

Click here to read Golf Canada’s 2018 Annual Report, which includes a recap of the past season, as well as the organization’s 2018 Financial Statements, which were both released during Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting.

Raymonde Michaud Honoured with Volunteer of the Year Award
Raymonde Michaud of Rivière-du-Loup, Qué. was recognized as Golf Canada’s 2018 recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award. This marks the 13^th year in which the association has honoured volunteers for their efforts and commitment to grow the game in their community. Click here for more on Volunteer of the Year honouree Raymonde Michaud.

Raymond Gaudet, Daniel Caza and Jean-Claude Gagné honoured as Recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award:
Created in 1993, Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually to recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to the game of golf in Canada. This year’s recipients  respected Québec golf club owner and industry advocate Raymond Gaudet, veteran golf journalist Daniel Caza and long-time volunteer Jean-Claude Gagné. Gaudet, Caza and Gagné were recognized during Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting dinner on Saturday, March 2. Click here for more information on the 2019 Distinguished Service Award honourees.

Images, Panel Sessions & Presentations from Golf Canada’s 2019 Annual Meeting:

A snapshot of photos from Golf Canada’s 2019 Annual Meeting is available here while a link to the various panel sessions and presentations that took place is available here.

Golf Canada’s 2019 Annual Meeting took place February 28 to March 2 at the Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel in Dorval, Québec.

Leslie Dunning might be expected, as she leaves the presidency of Golf Canada after an eventful year, to focus just on the milestones.

And there were some notable moments, including trophy presentations to the likes of the world’s top-ranked male golfer, Dustin Johnson, at the RBC Canadian Open and, even more memorable, the presentation to Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., who became just the second Canadian to win the CP Women’s Open.

How about the announcement of a new, more preferable date for the 2019 RBC Canadian Open? Seeing a historic modernization of the Rules of Golf come into effect? Or travelling to iconic tournaments such as The Masters and the U.S. Open?

While Dunning acknowledges those were wonderful experiences, she chooses to highlight themes, rather than events. And that should come as no surprise, if you recall her “mantra” when she was elected a year ago.

“I’m trying to make sure that I’m doing something every day to grow the game in Canada,” she told me at that time.

Leslie Dunning looks on during the inaugural CP Women’s Leadership Summit at Hotel Saskatchewan during the week of the 2018 CP Women’s Open

As a result, she harks back to attending historic events such as the inaugural CP Women’s Leadership Summit, the first Women’s Summit hosted by the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, and others, such as when Golf Canada invited some long-overdue guests to the RBC Canadian Open.

In an effort to “walk the talk” expressed in Golf Canada’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy (the outcome of a task force Dunning spearheaded), representatives of about a dozen golf organizations were invited to Glen Abbey to share information about their organizations and learn about Golf Canada..

“These diverse groups are well-functioning organizations; some have been around for decades,” said Dunning. “They are just a small sample of the many groups of golfers across the country who love the game; but few of them have been engaged as part of Golf Canada.”

“We learned from those first meetings that, just like traditional golf associations and clubs, these groups want to grow their membership, grow the game, have fun and educate players about the Rules so they can maintain good pace of play and accurate handicaps for net competitions.”

Once learning about the benefits of Golf Canada membership, some groups, not already members, committed to join Golf Canada.  As well, a few new governance volunteers were recruited, including one for Golf Canada’s Investment Committee and another for its Human Resources Committee.  Some groups have expressed interest to “adopt” a hole for the RBC Canadian Open or CP Women’s Open.  “It has been an encouraging start and we will continue to work with these groups, and others, to involve them and their members as part of Golf Canada.”

While perhaps not as exciting as meeting DJ and Brooke or walking the hallowed grounds of Augusta National, Dunning’s dedication to staying true to her “mantra” is undoubtedly more impressive and impactful.

To say her calendar was full is an understatement and many of the occasions were focused on expanding diversity and inclusion in golf in Canada. It started with hosting last year’s Golf Canada annual general meeting on the Tsuutina Nation near her home in Calgary where Golf in Schools kits were gifted to the Nation’s elementary and high schools. And the pace seldom slowed.

“I tried my best to do something every day whether it was meeting with organizations, reading to expand my knowledge and understanding, attending events, speaking with people or exchanging information..”

She is optimistic about the commitment to diversity and inclusion by everyone involved in golf in Canada. “We are seeing diversity and inclusion on conference agendas, in magazine articles and in policy and program development.”  Not only did she write an article on equity, diversity and inclusion for the Canadian Society of Club Managers magazine, she also gave a number of interviews and presentations focusing on the topic.

Dunning was gratified, by an article on diversity in golf in a major magazine.  “The writer did a terrific job researching the true diversity that already exists in golf.  It is now up to Golf Canada, other organizations and clubs to ensure that we are as diverse as the golfing public.”

Sandwiched between all this were Golf Canada Board of Directors meetings and other governance responsibilities, something Dunning takes very seriously, especially as she was working with the association’s new CEO, Laurence Applebaum, though his first full year on the job.

“As president, my primary responsibility has been to provide leadership to the Board and to work in partnership with the CEO to prepare for and follow up after Board meetings.”

She says working with Applebaum has been “a real pleasure” and credits “a great and hard-working Board, committed volunteers and talented staff” for their invaluable contributions.

Dunning will hand over the reins to Charlie Beaulieu of Montreal at Golf Canada’s annual general meeting on March 2, 2019 in Montreal.

Brian Dueck has been hired as the new general manager of the Royal Regina Golf Club (RRGC).

The board of directors overlooking the province’s oldest course made the announcement on Feb. 22. The Royal Regina has been without a GM for the past six months. Dueck began his career in 1989 at the Murray Golf Course in Regina, he worked for a year at the Tor Hill Golf Course before moving to Estevan to be the head professional at the TS&M Woodlawn. Dueck took some time off golf taking over as the GM of Power Dodge in Estevan but he said returning to the industry at the Royal Regina was the perfect fit.

“I’ve always found the social atmosphere of the club intriguing,” Dueck told Golf Saskatchewan. “The welcoming feeling when you get from the membership is a great fit, when the opportunity arose, here I am.”

Head professional Dean Brown had been pulling double duty acting as the interim GM until the position was filled. The timing is important for the club as they get set for a busy year including hosting the 100 Golf Saskatchewan Senior Men’s Championship. Dueck said he is looking forward to getting started.

“Absolutely, we’re looking forward to hosting the senior men this year. We’re five years away from our 125^th anniversary so looking out for that. They are doing renovations in the lounge and dining area, so yeah, it’s exciting,” he said.

RRGC president Chris Frohlick said the board of directors were confident with Brown filling the void in the interim. He said that allowed the group to find the right candidate.

“It took some time but in the end we wanted to make sure that we got the right guy in place and we’re obviously excited to have Brian join our management team. He has served as a GM and head pro for several years and he understands our market. He’s a Regina guy and understands some of the challenges we face in our market and what our club has to offer. I think he’s going to be a great fit” Frolick said.

Dueck’s already on the job, his first day was Feb. 25.

Yorkton’s Kade Johnson and Saskatoon’s Roman Timmerman got their collegiate golf season’s off to a great start this week.

The Southern Arkansas University Mulerider golf team opened their campaign with a win at the 54-hole Hurricane Invitational. Johnson shot an opening round of 74, followed by a one-under, 71 and minus-three, 69 to finish tied for fifth overall in the 73-golfer and 13 school field.

Johnson was recognized for his play with the Great American Golfer of the Week award, the first honour of his college career.

Timmerman wasn’t far back, he shot a three total of 216 (75, 71, 70) to finish in a tie for seventh at even par. The leaderboard can be seen here.

The Saskatchewan pairs scores helped the Muleriders finish with their sixth lowest team score since 1995-1996.

Golf Saskatchewan is once again offering their Easter Camp to junior golfers that will take them to Crown Isle Resort in Comox, British Columbia.

The program is back after a year hiatus and registration is now open to golfers 12 to 18 years of age and eligible to compete in either the provincial junior men’s or women’s championships. The camp runs from April 21 to 26. Chloe Sies, a two-time attendee said the camp helped develop her into a better player.

“It was nice, you would go at Easter and there is usually still snow on the ground in Saskatchewan and it’s cold. You have the itch to golf, you can go, and you are able to work on your game and get those first few rounds out of the way when you are rusty,” she said.

“I think the camp is super beneficial,” Sies added.

The camp includes five rounds at the Crown Isle Resort, where the attendees will stay. Crown Isle will be hosting a Web.com Tour event the following week, so course conditions are expected to be world class. The camp is designed to assist in the development of junior golfers, not only at the junior provincial championships this summer but overall. Sies said her experiences did exactly that.

“You learn a lot, there is drills and other aspects. You were learning drills that you could take back to your home course and work on even without a coach or professional.

PGA of Canada professionals attending the camp and providing coaching will be Steve Ryde and Jason Schneider. Ryde will be attending his first camp but has several years experience coaching junior golfers, Schneider has attended in the past including the years Sies was a participant. Sies is a past junior women’s provincial champion and was part of Team Sask’s amateur women’s team last year. She said taking part in the Easter Camp helped launch her to becoming one of the province’s best women golfers.

“I think so, it was about getting the early start and learning a lot from the two coaches and being able to bring that back home and play and put what you learn in action,” she said.

Aside from the five rounds on a world-class course the camp includes individual team challenges, confidence building development, and mental training. Included in the camp fee is transportation via air from Saskatoon, accommodations, and meals.

The deadline to register is March 15. Only 16 golfers will be allowed to attend. The application form can be downloaded here.

“It’s really fun, I still talk about stories we have from the trips,” Sies said. “You learn a lot, it definitely makes you better in the long run.”

“It would not be a bad idea to require each golfer to pass a written examination on the Rules of Golf…”

Don’t panic. That was just the opinion of J.T. Clark, editor of the Toronto Star.

In 1915.

His comments were reported in Canadian Golfer magazine and the editor concluded the article with these timeless words: “Play up, play up, and play the game. And conscientiously observe the Rules and etiquette.”

Not much has changed since then. If anything, the recent renovation of the Rules of Golf, which went into effect on Jan. 1, has put a laser focus on the Rules and their implementation. (You can review the new Rules here.)

Recent incidents on the professional tours have impacted this greatly. Penalties for having a caddie helping line up a player and a disqualification for Sergio Garcia’s inexcusable behaviour at a European Tour event have garnered widespread and disparate reactions.

That, in my opinion, is not a bad thing. If anything, it’s positive.

Let’s take it for granted that many recreational golfers observe the mere minimum of the Rules and etiquette. That’s fine as long as they don’t impact the enjoyment and safety of their fellow golfers and they are not posting scores for an official handicap. Any score posted for handicap purposes must be played under the Rules of Golf.

Why?

In Clark’s words:  “Players sometimes bring in weird scores, procured in weird ways that would disqualify them 10 times over.”  Plus ca change, plus c’est la même chose, n’est pas?

But at the very least, every golfer, recreational and competitive, should have access to knowing and understanding the Rules.

While I’m not agreeing with Clark’s assertion that every golfer passes a written Rules exam, I think it is incumbent on anyone who is serious about the game to avail them of the opportunity offered by Golf Canada.

That’s my personal opinion, just like I feel every touring and club professional, golf coach at any level and the appropriate instructor at every Professional Golf Management program should be Rules certified.

If that isn’t the case, then ideally there would be a Rules expert (now called “referees” under the new Rules) at every course.

It’s an initiative that at least one provincial association is trying to encourage.

Anne Balser is the Manager of Sport Development and Championships at the Nova Scotia Golf Association. Aside from being an accomplished player (two-time Nova Scotia Amateur champion, 2010 Canadian University/College champion, four-time All-Canadian and twice an All-American while attending the University of Victoria), she learned the importance of the Rules at an early age. She recently obtained her national Rules certification.

“My mom was a golfer and a teacher, so any time my sisters and I went out with her, she took the opportunity to show us not only how the Rules worked, but how they could help us. I learned the Rules are not there to penalize you but that knowing the Rules can actually help you save strokes.”

This year, the NSGA is conducting introductory Rules seminars around the province. The first, at Ken-Wo Country Club, drew more than 70 golfers interested in learning the basics.

“It showed us that there is great interest among golfers to understand not only the new version of the Rules but how the average golfer can benefit from knowing the basic Rules,” said Balser.

In addition to these onsite visits, Balser pointed out that golfers can dig into the Rules while digging out of the snow before the season starts in much of Canada through various online opportunities such as webinars, YouTube videos and other supports.

Alison Murdoch, an honoured member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame with an incredible national and international resume, has been Rules-accredited at the national level for more than a decade. Her incentive to do so was obvious.

“As a player, it would be incredibly embarrassing to make a ruling for myself or another player and get it wrong, so I took it upon myself back in 2008 to take the Rules seminar and exam. I’ve never regretted it.”

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

She lauds the camaraderie of the Rules teams she is part of at tournaments, using compliments such as “welcoming, supportive, helpful, educational, rewarding, challenging” to encourage others to achieve their Rules certification.

“At my club, where they know I am a certified Rules referee, I am often asked about a ruling. It’s great to be recognized as a resource and I am happy to help. Perhaps the greatest reward is when I make a ruling and someone comes up to me after and thanks me because I saved them from an unfortunate situation because they were unaware of the Rule.”

Not only has the new Rules code become more understandable and user-friendly, but Golf Canada has changed their Rules Education System to three levels from the previous four to make it more accessible.

“Level 1 is an online platform to educate all golfers about the basics of the Rules and explain commonly encountered situations on the course,” says Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s Director of Rules, Competitions and Amateur Status.

If you love the game, know the Rules.

Click here to register for Level 1.

Lindsay Bernakevitch has come a long way from the sandy greens of the Kelliher Golf and Country Club where he fell in love with the game that has taken him around the world.

The Regina product, and four-time Saskatchewan men’s amateur champion has made a career out of the sport and currently has one of the most marquee positions the nation could offer, Bernakevitch, 38,  is the head professional at the prestigious Victoria Golf Club. Bernakevitch has been at the course for almost five years on the coast of the Pacific Ocean but he credits his start to Saskatchewan.

“I was the kid that my mom would drop me off at the course and I would stay there all day and she’d pick me up at the end of the day,” he told Golf Saskatchewan. “It was definitely a love affair with golf.”

As mentioned, Bernakevitch played plenty of golf in Kelliher growing up but frequented several courses in Regina as a youngster, mostly the Wascana Country Club which was near his family’s house in the Queen City. Bernakevitch’s father was, and still is an avid player. Bernakevitch played throughout high school and made several provincial junior teams before going on to college at the University of British Columbia and Western Washington. He said moving to B.C. and playing golf more frequently was important for his development. Bernakevitch said technology involving simulators and equipment is evening the landscape for golfers but climate is still the number one factor in improving your game but, it’s not the be all, end all.

“Try to get somewhere where there is a climate that’s going to be conducive to it, but also you don’t have to rush it,” he said. “You don’t have to be a superstar in high school, there is a lot of late bloomers in this game and obviously you see a lot of young guys on tour, but you also see old guys that compete out there. You don’t have to become a world beater over night.”

Bernakevitch speaks from experience when it comes to developing later in life, yes, he did have success as a junior golfer, but it wasn’t until his post-college days where the championships began piling up including in the Saskatchewan men’s amateur four straight years. His first of four wins came, fittingly, at the Wascana Country Club in Regina in 2000. Bernakevitch followed that with championships at the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club, Nipawin’s Evergreen Golf Course and the Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon. He said those tournaments helped vault him to an excellent career.

“The first one was almost a surprise, I loved golf and I was working hard for it and suddenly, I was like oh, I am better than I think I am. After the first one it became a driving force for me to do it again and that was a huge motivator for me to try and be the best,” Bernakevitch said.

Along with representing Saskatchewan on Willingdon Cup teams four times he played for Team Canada on several occasions and represented the nation at nine different international events over the years. Bernakevitch spent another five years playing professionally on the Canadian Tour but eventually wanted to settle into a career and “stop living from a suitcase.” Still wanting to stay in golf he chose the path of course management and head professional. Based on the advice from his mentor, Dave Wood, the current CEO of Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, Bernakevitch began his career at that course as the backshop manager. He recalled the advice Wood passed along to him, “take the worst job at the best course.” He followed that path and eventually he landed the position in Victoria.

“Timing is everything, big jobs in Canada don’t come available all the time. For that I was in the right place at the right time. I was at a place in my career I could handle it and the job was available. To have those things go hand in hand were fortunate for sure,” Bernakevitch said.

He does count his blessings daily, growing up in Saskatchewan playing golf about five months per year doesn’t compare to the Victoria Club that closes one day per year, Christmas Day, but Bernakevitch credits his time in the province to allow him to be where he is today.

“Saskatchewan is a special place. Your members and readers know this but the people in the province are second to none, they’re the best that are out there. I still have a soft spot in my heart for the prairies,” he said.

Bernakevitch said proof of that statement was evident when Brooke Henderson won the CP Women’s Open at the Wascana this past summer. Although not at the event itself, Bernakevitch had returned to the Wascana just prior to the tournament to play during a family visit. He said witnessing the championship on television at his one-time home course was special.

“It was neat to see a championship being played on a course I was familiar with and obviously to have Brooke win was super special for Canadians everywhere. To see a Canadian win on home soil is always special,” he said.

Bernakevitch still finds time to play despite his busy career, he is coming off his second PGA of BC Club Professional Championship last September.

You can hear much more from Bernakevitch who spoke with Golf Saskatchewan`s Clark Stork this week.

I’m the anti J.B. Holmes.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not “anti” J.B. Holmes.

When he won the Genesis Open for his fifth PGA Tour victory, I applauded the resurgence of someone who, by most accounts, is a good guy, a great husband and father who has survived brain surgery. Former Ryder Cupper, long hitter, great ball striker.

Also, alas, human rain delay.

On the other hand, I am the definition of the “dew sweeper.” At my club, Midland Golf and Country Club in Ontario, my group is given the first tee time on Sundays by default, by a unanimous vote by the rest of the members. We play in three hours or less.

“Ready golf” is our mantra but we may take the pace of play concept to extremes, admittedly. Last season, someone in our group couldn’t make it and we had a friend fill in. After completing the first hole, he said he made a par 4.

“Nope,” I said. “In this group, we count practice swings as strokes. You took three, so that’s a seven.”

So, as I said, a touch extreme.

You want to talk about extreme?

In the final round at the Genesis, Holmes’s threesome needed—no, that’s wrong—endured five hours and 28 minutes to complete their 18 holes. Thirteen minutes on the 13^th green alone. Twenty minutes behind the group in front. Professional golfers. Plumb-bobbing putts of less than a foot. (At least Holmes knew how to plumb bob. In my experience, most amateurs might as well close both eyes when they try that.)

At a time when it is widely acknowledged that one of the major challenges facing the game is pace of play, Holmes’s glacial approach deservedly lit up social media. Even his peers criticized him.

Taking my usual contrarian approach, perhaps Holmes should be applauded for elevating this debate.

None of us, except me, is exempt from this finger pointing.

At every level, from recreational golfer to the pro tours, slow play is a pernicious disease afflicting golf.

In 2018, the European Tour’s Shot Clock Masters addressed this by implementing a 40- or 50-second limit depending on the type of shot being played. Just four players received one-shot penalties for exceeding that limit. The reaction from the players was overwhelmingly positive.

“Rule 5.6b (3) lets a Committee set a specific pace of play policy,” says Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s Director of Rules, Competitions and Amateur Status. “This policy may set a maximum time to complete a round, a hole or series of holes and a stroke, and it may set penalties for not following the Policy. The PGA Tour uses a hybrid of fines and penalties in their policy.

“Golf Canada adopts a group pace of play policy which outlines the allotted time for groups to play specific holes (1-5, 6-9, 10-14, 15-18). Groups are given warnings if they are over the allotted time and 14 minutes behind the group in front. If they miss a second checkpoint, they are liable to a one stroke penalty (and the penalty increases as they miss a third and potential fourth checkpoint). We only use individual pace of play at our qualifiers (Open and amateur events).”

I’m not advocating the kind of speed golf my group plays but if we—well, you all—paid more attention to pace of play, the game would be more enjoyable for everyone.

The new Rules recognize this through efforts like reducing the time allowed looking for a ball from five minutes to three and encouraging ready golf. What is ready golf?

Dispense with the “who’s away” concept. Hit when ready and when it is safe to do so. Prepare for your shot as you approach the ball. Have the appropriate club in hand. Putt out continuously. Mark your score at the next tee. Keep up with the group in front. Do your socializing after the round.

My well-learned lesson came years ago at Scotland’s North Berwick when our threesome, all male golfers of decent ability, let a foursome of lady members, with their bags on pull carts, play through. By the time we finished, they were enjoying a sandwich and a pint, accompanied by well-deserved withering glances in our direction.

I now enjoy directing those same glances at the pokey golfers at my club. Thanks, ladies.

Rule 5.6b advises that “A round of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace. Each player should recognize that his or her pace of play is likely to affect how long it will take other players to play their rounds, including both those in the player’s own group and those in following groups.” The Rule also outlines pace of play recommendations.

Pace of play. It’s not about playing fast. It’s about playing efficiently and with consideration for others.

Golf has its own Saskatchewan Hall of Fame that features over 50 inductees and a few teams, but the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHOF) has honoured several prominent golfers as well.

Established in 1996, the SSHOF was developed to honour outstanding athletes, championship teams, builders of sport in the province and to archive the history of Saskatchewan sports. The inaugural class consisted of six individuals; Cal Bricker; Ethel Catherwood; Dr. George Genereux; Al Ritchie; James Trifunov; and Dorothy Walton. Although none of the distinguished members of the first class were honoured for golf prowess, as of today there are 10 individual golf standouts enshrined as well as two teams. SSHOF Communications Coordinator, Autumn McDowell said the inductees are recognizable to provincial golf fans and historians.

“Not only are these inductees’ incredible athletes but they have also done so much to grow the game of golf in the province. Golf Saskatchewan members will certainly recognize Joanne Goulet, the namesake for the Goulet Golf Course in Regina. The golf category also contains our only visually impaired inductee, Phil Lederhouse,” McDowell explained to Golf Saskatchewan.

Other golf inductees include Barbara (Stone) Turnbull; Geraldine (Evans) Street; James “Jim” Scissons; Tom Ross; Keith Rever; Dr. Robert Reid; Dr. John “Jack” Leddy; and Pat Fletcher. The two teams inducted are the 1992 Saskatchewan Senior Men’s Team (Fred Clark, Ray Marsh, Ron Corrins, Ron Whiteside) and the 1964 Saskatchewan Willingdon Cup Team (Alec Bland (the non-playing captain), Ernie Greenley, Ed Ross, Keith Rever, and Jim Scissons). More details can be found on all the inductees on the SSHOF website.

Former Lobstick winner Gordie Howe is also a member of the Hall. “Mr. Hockey” is clearly enshrined for his illustrious hockey career, but McDowell says the Floral, Sask. product, although the most well-known inductee is among over 500 well deserving recipients.

“Gordie Howe is probably our most famous inductee to the general public. However, there are very popular inductees in each sport, even superstars in each sport, but they just might not be as well known to the general public,” she said.

Members of the public are encouraged to nominate anyone they feel is worthy of induction. Nominations close annually on Oct. 31.

McDowell said golf enthusiasts will find a pair of displays interesting aside from the inductees themselves and their stories. The Hall has a 1910 golf bag (pictured below) used by R.H. Williams at the Wascana Country Club and the organization possesses a set of clubs (pictured above) that once belonged to Saskatchewan’s first Premier, Thomas Walter Scott.

Another popular exhibit currently displayed (pictured below) according to McDowell is, “Diamond Girls’ Diamond Anniversary: 75 Years of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. “In 2018 the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) celebrated their 75^th anniversary. Over its eleven years of operation more than 600 women played professionally for the first time. Of those 600, 10 per cent were from Canada and 40 per cent were from Saskatchewan.

Golf Saskatchewan members receive free entry into the Hall at 2205 Victoria Ave. in Regina. The facility also includes a multi-sport simulator with an extensive golf feature. The Hall has clubs to use or attendees can bring their own.

The SSHOF is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Hours are extended during the third Thursday of every month.

Tours are also available by calling 306.780.9232.

Golf Saskatchewan’s High-Performance Program (HPP) is busy preparing a handful of young golfers to succeed with their goals.

Carey McLean (Deer Valley), Cole Jenkins (Prince Albert), Jackson Wingert (Saskatoon), Autumn Neiszner (Regina), and Max Regier (Saskatoon) are the junior golfers involved in the program this year. During the first two Sundays of February, the players met with coaches Jason Schneider and Steve Ryde at facilities in both Warman and Regina. McLean, 17, is back in the HPP for the second straight year. She said golf has provided several opportunities to travel and meet new people. McLean hopes taking part in the HPP elevates her game to pursue more highlights.

“I never thought I would be able to go to national championships with golf, I thought I’d just play the sport for fun. I never thought I’d be able to get a scholarship or go to Phoenix and play for Saskatchewan,” she said.

Through the first two sessions the players worked on goal setting, shot visualization, putting and full swing, plus their nutrition and physical training. Tanner White, the general manager at Regina’s 1621 worked with the group, sports mental trainer Lisa Hoffart was also involved. McLean said having a sports psychologist work with her is important for her game.

“My mental part of the game isn’t that good, getting one on one with Lisa helped me last year to get out of my head and focus on my game and not the outcome,” she said.

McLean starting golfing under her dad’s guidance at Deer Valley and over time developed a passion for the sport. She attended the Canadian Junior Women’s Championship last year as part of Team Saskatchewan and hopes to return to the national tournament as she enters her last year of juniors. Her goal is to reach the next level and play college golf following graduation. She said the HPP is a key cog in her future plans.

Jason Schneider has been involved in coaching the HPP for three years. He said without partners such as 1621, First Tee, and the Legends (Darryl Czuy), providing top notch programming would be harder to come by and he’s thankful for the assistance.

“Tanner and I work well together with what we want to focus on, and we have fun with the athletes,” he said. “Lisa definitely improves their mental game too as we go forward.”

The athletes will take part in two more training sessions before the golf season begins an April. There is also a two-day camp scheduled in Regina mid-May where more, on-course learning will take place. The coaches will also work with the students throughout the summer as well, preparing them for events and tournaments leading up to the provincial championships. Schneider said they approach each student differently preparing them for unique goals.

“There is a good mixture this year, we have a few younger ones, and we have a couple that are older. We’re hoping Carey and Cole can continue to develop their skills. For the younger ones we want to help them develop, have fun on the golf course, learn what competitive golf is like and have them ready for when it counts,” he said.

Steve Ryde coached the junior women’s team this past summer at the national event in Vancouver. He is also the Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Sport Development. He said providing the HPP through the provincial governing body has several benefits to up and coming golfers in the province.

“We want to promote an idea of hard work and dedication towards golf and improving golfer’s abilities in Saskatchewan,” Ryde said. “It’s an opportunity for younger athletes who may not have a coach yet and want to improve. We want to have kids compete and do well and ultimately get to the national stage where they will be recognized for scholarships and other opportunities down the road.”