Courtesy Golf Canada – Canadians needing a social outlet and a sense of recreational normalcy during the uncertainty of the pandemic in 2020 turned to golf in a major way. Now Golf Canada, with the support of industry partners, will build on the excitement, increased interest, and elevated levels of play with a national golfer retention campaign to welcome new and returning players back to the golf course in 2021.

The campaign – GOLF IS CALLING – is a Canada-wide marketing initiative to speak to new, younger golfers as well as the community of avid players, each uniquely drawn to the game whether it be for exercise, the social experience or the challenge of the sport.

The golfer retention campaign is being led in partnership with Golf Canada’s Industry Advisory Council, a group of industry professionals that includes course owners, operators, general managers, PGA of Canada professionals, superintendents, and other stakeholders in the game.

For Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum, golf’s emergence through the pandemic as a safe, social, and inclusive activity during an extremely challenging period was a silver lining for a sport enjoyed by nearly 6M Canadians annually.

“For so many Canadians who needed an outlet to play, be social and feel a sense of normal, golf was there for us,” said Applebaum.

“Golf is a sport of invitation, where we bring others along to experience and enjoy the game for a lifetime. GOLF IS CALLING is also a return invitation to the avid players and new enthusiasts who enjoyed the game in record numbers this past year. It is also an outreach and welcome to young and diverse audiences and a powerful confirmation that our sport offers the healthy attributes, safe environment, and industry capacity of nearly 2,300 facilities to support physical, social, and mental well-being in a meaningful way.”

GOLF IS CALLING features a vibrant and new look for golf. The campaign messaging and creative was informed by deep market research as well as creative trends from across industries and broader sport to reflect an industry-wide effort to promote golf participation. This season long, national marketing campaign features a fresh and inviting energy as the calling for Canadians to play more golf.

“As marketers and sport leaders, we look for moments to connect with golfers, and this past year has offered an unparalleled signature moment for the golf community to influence and entrench behaviours that will benefit our sport for the long run,” said Golf Canada Chief Marketing Officer Vanessa Morbi. “With more than 700 customizable assets that golf facilities and industry partners can leverage in their marketing efforts, this is a special moment to rally the full weight and collective voice of our sport to inspire more play in 2021.”

The suite of tools is available to golf courses and industry stakeholders to share in national roll-out of the golfer retention campaign. The bilingual campaign will be presented as SORTEZ, GOLFEZ across all French language assets and Golf Canada will support the campaign with a paid media buy executed across social and digital channels.

In conjunction with the campaign, Golf Canada has also relaunched its website as a portal to enhance the golfer experience and support tee-time booking through a national course look-up tool. This feature can be found on www.golfcanada.ca and will connect golfers with facilities across the country.

Despite a season suspended in most parts of Canada through early May, data from the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) of Canada reported a 18.9% increase in total rounds played across the country in 2020. Golf Canada members as well as public players who track an official handicap index experienced a significant lift in play, posting a record 7.8M scores to the Golf Canada Score Centre, a 7% lift over the prior year with monthly score posting records set from June through October.

Canadian levels of engagement in the sport mirrored strong growth metrics across North America as new and avid players invested in tee times as well as memberships, equipment, league play, junior golf, and instruction.

As Canadian golf facilities continue to manage the impact of the pandemic on non-golf revenues, the game is thriving as a safe and healthy recreational option that drives significant economic, employment, tourism, environmental and charity benefits to communities across Canada.

Supported by comprehensive healthy and safety protocols enacted by the golf community as well as adjustments made to the golf course experience, the sport is well positioned with momentum.

“Creating a national campaign that speaks to golfers of varying abilities and connection to the game is no easy feat, and we continue to be extremely sensitive to the disastrous impact of the pandemic which has taken a significant emotional, economic and mental toll,” added Shawn Evans, President and CEO of GolfNorth Properties who is also Chair of the Golf Industry Advisory Council. “At the same time, we see the opportunity in golf’s emergence through the pandemic to present our sport in a fresh way to new audiences with a visceral consumer experience that will be noticed.”

Matt Bean was born in Calgary and called Alberta home for the majority of his life but the five years he did spend in Saskatoon were crucial for his golf development.

Bean, 22, started swing clubs in Canmore as a youngster but it wasn’t until he joined the junior program at Wildwood Golf Course that his game started to develop.

Bean’s family moved back to Canmore ahead of grade 12 but he was still able to earn a scholarship at Minot State and play for four years. He’s now trying to earn a spot on the McKenzie Tour. He recently sat down with Golf Saskatchewan to discuss his start in the game and where he hopes it takes him.

There is also a GoFundMe account set up to help offset the costs of trying to launch his career.

Matt Bean was born in Calgary and called Alberta home for the majority of his life but the five years he did spend in Saskatoon were crucial for his golf development.

Bean, 22, started swing clubs in Canmore as a youngster but it wasn’t until he joined the junior program at Wildwood Golf Course that his game started to develop.

Bean’s family moved back to Canmore ahead of grade 12 but he was still able to earn a scholarship at Minot State and play for four years. He’s now trying to earn a spot on the McKenzie Tour. He recently sat down with Golf Saskatchewan to discuss his start in the game and where he hopes it takes him.

There is also a GoFundMe account set up to help offset the costs of trying to launch his career.

The Mixed Championship plans to return to the Golf Saskatchewan schedule this year.

After being cancelled last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic the provincial amateur governing association announced Friday that the event will be played at Candle Lake Golf Resort on Aug. 28 and 29. Steve Ryde, the manager of sport and championships said Don Ludwig and the entire ownership group at Candle Lake was fantastic to work with in deciding to host the event.

“Candle Lake was supposed to host the 22^nd Mixed Championship last year, however with a customary shotgun start, encouraged gathering and a banquet part of the event’s program running it last year would have been irresponsible,” Ryde said. “Don and the entire crew worked around the cancellation last year and are excited to welcome the event this year.”

The provincial guidelines updated March 9 say shotgun starts are still prohibited. Golf Saskatchewan is going to begin planning for the co-ed team event using a tee time format for the two rounds but is prepared to adjust.

Golf Saskatchewan is in discussions with the province’s Business Response Team (BRT) hoping to see an updated version of the golf course/restaurant/retail sectors ahead of a quickly approaching season.

More details will be announced with updated guidelines. For now, Ryde said it is exciting to be planning for the golf season and having the mixed back on the schedule is good news.

“The mixed, in normal years is one of our larger events and most enjoyed. Couples from across Saskatchewan, some friends, others married, or partners make a holiday of the event and have been playing for years. We felt as an organization it was important to get the mixed back on track and Candle Lake is one of the most beautiful resorts in the province to restore the annual event,” he said.

A decision on the 50th Rosebowl is still pending as Golf Saskatchewan continues to work with potential host Katepwa Beach Golf Club.

***Golf Saskatchewan has released the 2021 individual championship schedule. All events are pending provincial health guidelines.

The Mixed Championship plans to return to the Golf Saskatchewan schedule this year.

After being cancelled last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic the provincial amateur governing association announced Friday that the event will be played at Candle Lake Golf Resort on Aug. 28 and 29. Steve Ryde, the manager of sport and championships said Don Ludwig and the entire ownership group at Candle Lake was fantastic to work with in deciding to host the event.

“Candle Lake was supposed to host the 22^nd Mixed Championship last year, however with a customary shotgun start, encouraged gathering and a banquet part of the event’s program running it last year would have been irresponsible,” Ryde said. “Don and the entire crew worked around the cancellation last year and are excited to welcome the event this year.”

The provincial guidelines updated March 9 say shotgun starts are still prohibited. Golf Saskatchewan is going to begin planning for the co-ed team event using a tee time format for the two rounds but is prepared to adjust.

Golf Saskatchewan is in discussions with the province’s Business Response Team (BRT) hoping to see an updated version of the golf course/restaurant/retail sectors ahead of a quickly approaching season.

More details will be announced with updated guidelines. For now, Ryde said it is exciting to be planning for the golf season and having the mixed back on the schedule is good news.

“The mixed, in normal years is one of our larger events and most enjoyed. Couples from across Saskatchewan, some friends, others married, or partners make a holiday of the event and have been playing for years. We felt as an organization it was important to get the mixed back on track and Candle Lake is one of the most beautiful resorts in the province to restore the annual event,” he said.

A decision on the 50th Rosebowl is still pending as Golf Saskatchewan continues to work with potential host Katepwa Beach Golf Club.

***Golf Saskatchewan has released the 2021 individual championship schedule. All events are pending provincial health guidelines.

Regina’s Alex Schmidt continued her strong play south of the border with a third place finish at the Warrior Spring Invite in Clarkston, Washington on Tuesday.

Schmidt, a junior at Lewis-Clark State College shot rounds of 79 and 82 to finish at plus-17, good enough for the podium finish at the 36-hole event. She is building off a solid 12th place performance a week ago in the Warriors’ spring season opening tournament.

As a team the Warriors were a shot back of Northwest Nazarene in the competition.

Next up for Schmidt is the LC State Invite at their home course in Lewiston, Idaho on March 22 and 23.

Prince Albert’s TJ Baker improved on his 34th place finish in his college debut last week with a tie for 19th showing this week at the Dancing Rabbit Intercollegiate in Philadelphia, Mississippi.

Baker carded rounds of 80, 72, and 37 (nine holes, shortened due to weather) to finish at plus-9, 189. Baker’s school, Arkansas at Monticello placed sixth in the team standings. Their next action is the Bulldog Bash in Athens, Alabama on March 29 and 30.

Inclement weather also played a factor in both Ty Campbell’s and Brody Istace’s events this week. Campbell, out of Saskatoon and his Southern Wesleyan University teammates were in Greenville, South Carolina. Campbell fired a first round score of 74 that led his team and put him in a tie for 11th where he stayed. Day two of the tournament was cancelled. The team placed seventh.

They will wrap up their regular spring season on March 29 and 30 in Harrogate, Tennessee for the LMU River Rumble.

As for Kindersley’s Istace, the Columbia International University Rams were in Gainesville, Georgia at the Golden Tiger Invitational for their first event since February. Istace carded a first round score of 80. The second round was cancelled due to weather. The final placings were not available.

Istace and the Rams will compete in the Bob Jones Competitive Cup on April 5 and 6.

Regina’s Alex Schmidt continued her strong play south of the border with a third place finish at the Warrior Spring Invite in Clarkston, Washington on Tuesday.

Schmidt, a junior at Lewis-Clark State College shot rounds of 79 and 82 to finish at plus-17, good enough for the podium finish at the 36-hole event. She is building off a solid 12th place performance a week ago in the Warriors’ spring season opening tournament.

As a team the Warriors were a shot back of Northwest Nazarene in the competition.

Next up for Schmidt is the LC State Invite at their home course in Lewiston, Idaho on March 22 and 23.

Prince Albert’s TJ Baker improved on his 34th place finish in his college debut last week with a tie for 19th showing this week at the Dancing Rabbit Intercollegiate in Philadelphia, Mississippi.

Baker carded rounds of 80, 72, and 37 (nine holes, shortened due to weather) to finish at plus-9, 189. Baker’s school, Arkansas at Monticello placed sixth in the team standings. Their next action is the Bulldog Bash in Athens, Alabama on March 29 and 30.

Inclement weather also played a factor in both Ty Campbell’s and Brody Istace’s events this week. Campbell, out of Saskatoon and his Southern Wesleyan University teammates were in Greenville, South Carolina. Campbell fired a first round score of 74 that led his team and put him in a tie for 11th where he stayed. Day two of the tournament was cancelled. The team placed seventh.

They will wrap up their regular spring season on March 29 and 30 in Harrogate, Tennessee for the LMU River Rumble.

As for Kindersley’s Istace, the Columbia International University Rams were in Gainesville, Georgia at the Golden Tiger Invitational for their first event since February. Istace carded a first round score of 80. The second round was cancelled due to weather. The final placings were not available.

Istace and the Rams will compete in the Bob Jones Competitive Cup on April 5 and 6.

“It’s about time” Prince Albert’s TJ Baker said about taking part in a competitive tournament.

The 18-year-old made his collegiate debut for the University of Arkansas at Monticello on Monday and Tuesday. Climbing as high as a tie for 22^nd, Baker finished the 54-hole event in a tie for 34^th at 19-over par. Baker shot rounds of 78, 75 and 82. He said his nerves got the best of him during the tournament.

“I didn’t really know what to expect, I didn’t have any goals for this tournament,” he said. “Obviously my nerves were super high, I was really nervous. In my first college tournament I wanted to do well but nerves got the best of me today and I did not play well. I was happy to get the monkey off my back and play.”

Yorkton’s Kade Johnson and Saskatoon product Roman Timmerman were also in the field of 60 at the ‘Battle for the Belt’ in Hot Springs, Arkansas for Southern Arkansas University. Johnson finished in a tie for seventh at 220, plus-4 and Timmerman was three strokes back at 9-over in a ninth-place tie. Baker said he had a chance to see the college veterans on the course.

“It eased my mind and it’s super cool too. Guys from Saskatchewan in Arkansas seeing each other on the course and putting green is pretty cool,” Baker said.

As a team the Muleriders placed second in the event. Baker was competing as an individual. Next up for the Weevils is their host tournament on March 15 and 16. Baker said he is excited for the event and the rest of the season.

“It’s been a really good year so far. With COVID it has not been the full college experience yet, but it has been really good so far,” he said.

Johnson and Timmerman will travel to Kansas City in late March for the Muleriders next tournament.

Ty Campbell of Saskatoon was in action this week as well alongside his Southern Wesleyan University teammates in Greenwood, South Carolina.

Campbell shot rounds of 70, 72, and 73 to finish 1-under, good enough for a 13^th place tie. The team heads to the North Greenville Invitational on March 15 and 16.

Regina’s Alex Schmidt got her junior season underway for Lewis-Clark State College.

Schmidt was in Eagle Point, Oregon for the Oregon Tech Spring Invite. She finished in 12^th place after carding rounds of 87 and 84. As a team the Warriors placed second.

Schmidt’s next event is the Warrior Spring Invitational on March 15 and 16.

“It’s about time” Prince Albert’s TJ Baker said about taking part in a competitive tournament.

The 18-year-old made his collegiate debut for the University of Arkansas at Monticello on Monday and Tuesday. Climbing as high as a tie for 22^nd, Baker finished the 54-hole event in a tie for 34^th at 19-over par. Baker shot rounds of 78, 75 and 82. He said his nerves got the best of him during the tournament.

“I didn’t really know what to expect, I didn’t have any goals for this tournament,” he said. “Obviously my nerves were super high, I was really nervous. In my first college tournament I wanted to do well but nerves got the best of me today and I did not play well. I was happy to get the monkey off my back and play.”

Yorkton’s Kade Johnson and Saskatoon product Roman Timmerman were also in the field of 60 at the ‘Battle for the Belt’ in Hot Springs, Arkansas for Southern Arkansas University. Johnson finished in a tie for seventh at 220, plus-4 and Timmerman was three strokes back at 9-over in a ninth-place tie. Baker said he had a chance to see the college veterans on the course.

“It eased my mind and it’s super cool too. Guys from Saskatchewan in Arkansas seeing each other on the course and putting green is pretty cool,” Baker said.

As a team the Muleriders placed second in the event. Baker was competing as an individual. Next up for the Weevils is their host tournament on March 15 and 16. Baker said he is excited for the event and the rest of the season.

“It’s been a really good year so far. With COVID it has not been the full college experience yet, but it has been really good so far,” he said.

Johnson and Timmerman will travel to Kansas City in late March for the Muleriders next tournament.

Ty Campbell of Saskatoon was in action this week as well alongside his Southern Wesleyan University teammates in Greenwood, South Carolina.

Campbell shot rounds of 70, 72, and 73 to finish 1-under, good enough for a 13^th place tie. The team heads to the North Greenville Invitational on March 15 and 16.

Regina’s Alex Schmidt got her junior season underway for Lewis-Clark State College.

Schmidt was in Eagle Point, Oregon for the Oregon Tech Spring Invite. She finished in 12^th place after carding rounds of 87 and 84. As a team the Warriors placed second.

Schmidt’s next event is the Warrior Spring Invitational on March 15 and 16.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA AND TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA – Due to logistical challenges related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the PGA TOUR, title sponsor Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Golf Canada announced today that the 2021 RBC Canadian Open, scheduled for June 7-13 at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Etobicoke, Ontario, has been cancelled.

“Even with an extensive health and safety plan in place, we faced a number of significant logistical challenges that led us to this decision,” said PGA TOUR President Tyler Dennis. “While we are disappointed to cancel Canada’s National Championship, we are thankful to our partners RBC and Golf Canada – along with our Canadian fans — for their unwavering support and cooperation throughout this process. We look forward to the RBC Canadian Open returning to our schedule next year.”

The RBC Canadian Open had put together a comprehensive health operation protocol with consultation and direction from local, provincial, and federal government and health officials, and was working together with a multitude of partners to navigate the impact of the travel restrictions and quarantine measures currently in effect, given the number of stakeholders required to cross the border for the week of the event. A decision timeline was also established to allow the PGA TOUR a sufficient window to fill the event date.

Tournament organizers will now redirect efforts to the return of the RBC Canadian Open to the PGA TOUR schedule in 2022.

“Together with RBC and the PGA TOUR, we set a decision timeline based on the most up to date travel and quarantine restrictions in effect along with consideration for the TOUR’s ability to pivot and successfully fill a significant date on the schedule,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “It was also important to be respectful partners to the health leaders and government officials who have helped inform our operation protocols and provided great direction on this journey. The timing simply did not align for us and we are deeply disappointed that the celebrated return of the RBC Canadian Open will have to wait another year.”

Since assuming sponsorship of Canada’s National Golf Championship in 2008 and the RBC Heritage in 2012, RBC continues to be a strong advocate for the game, supporting PGA TOUR and LPGA players through Team RBC, and funding youth and amateur golf initiatives in Canada through the Golf Canada Foundation.

“We share in the disappointment with our RBC Canadian Open community over the cancellation of this year’s tournament,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “Persistent challenges and health and safety considerations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including international travel restrictions, quarantine measures and government mandates, presented significant logistical challenges for this year’s tournament. We are immensely proud to be title sponsor of Canada’s National Open Championship, and to promote this great sport. We are more excited than ever to return in 2022 and bring this world-class event to new and existing Canadian golf fans.”

Established in 1904, the RBC Canadian Open — the third-oldest national championship in golf behind The Open Championship and the United States Open — had been previously conducted every year since 1904, with the exception of wartime cancellations from 1915-18 and 1943-44, and as the result of complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The RBC Canadian Open was last played in June 2019 at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Ontario, with Rory McIlroy winning in his debut appearance.

To fill the week left open on the calendar, the PGA TOUR will secure an alternative venue in the United States to host an official FedExCup event for one year only. Details on the replacement event are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.