A couple more Saskatchewan born student-athletes kicked of their college golf seasons in the United States on President’s Day weekend.

Regina product Jacob Kydd and his Indiana Wesleyen University (IWU) teammates were in Davenport, Florida competing in the Champions Gate Spring Invite. Kydd carded rounds of 82, 79, and 77 for a 54-hole score of 238, 22-over par. He placed 40th overall. As a team IWU placed fifth overall at plus-42.

Next up for the Wildcats is an event in Kentucky in late March.

Kindersley’s Brody Istace also returned to competitive golf with the Columbus International University Rams this week. Istace was in Brunswick, Georgia taking part in the College of Coastal Georgia Winter Invite. Over 36 holes Istace shot 81-82 tying for 55th spot in the event. The Rams team was eighth out of 15 at the tournament.

Their next action is heads home for their spring tournament at Columbia Country Club on Feb. 22 and 23.

Kade Johnson and Roman Timmerman were scheduled to play over the weekend as well but their event was postponed until March 8 – 9.

Ernie Greenley is a Saskatchewan amateur champion (1966) and also a member of the 1964 Willingdon Cup championship team, still the only provincial team to win the title.

In 2008, Access Communications sat down with Greenley to discuss his career and that spanned 50 years at the Royal Regina Golf Club.

Greenley passed away in 2017.

For the first time since March of last year, the University of Southern Arkansas Muleriders were back on the golf course in a competition.

That included Yorkton’s Kade Johnson and Saskatoon’s Roman Timmerman as the school competed in the Houston Classic in Humble, Texas.

Over the first day of the event on Monday  where the players played 36 holes it was Timmerman leading the charge at two-under par with back to back 71’s on the scorecard, he took a one stroke lead into Tuesday’s final round. Unable to stay in front Timmerman posted a round of 80 and fell back to a tie for 14th place.

Johnson was tied for 18th after the first day of the tournament but rallied to shoot a 71 of his own over the final 18 holes to climb into a tie for ninth place.

49 individuals were in the field. The Muleriders as a team placed third out of nine schools.

Southern Arkansas will be back in action on Feb. 15 – 16 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Several other Saskatchewan golfers playing in college will get their seasons underway this month or in early March. For more information on student-athletes from Saskatchewan click here.

Saskatoon’s Caden Loeppky has signed a commitment letter to play collegiate golf in the United States.

Loeppky, 18, will attend Waldorf University in Forrest City, Iowa next fall. Despite only playing competitive golf for one summer and taking lessons for a couple years Loeppky said he has always enjoyed the sport.

“Honestly it’s hard to say what I like about the game because I like every aspect about it,” he said to Golf Saskatchewan. “I like that I’m in full control of every shot and you can’t put the blame on anybody else but yourself.”

Loeppky did play some golf when he was “super little” but it was on the advice from a friend in 2019 that he get involved in lessons with Clinton Schmaltz at The Willows in Saskatoon. The grade 12 student at Centennial Collegiate was a quick learner and he said Schmaltz sensed that and pushed him to pursue a spot on a college team.

“Clinton saw potential with me immediately after I started to take lessons with him,” he said. “I was super new to competitive golf, but I knew that I had a chance and that’s when I started to take it seriously. I was at the course everyday.”

Loeppky set up a profile on the recruiting website Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) and coaches started to reach out to him. After several discussions with coaches it was the talk with Mark Clouse at Waldorf that he decided to commit to.

“When I had that talk with Coach Clouse at Waldorf I knew immediately. Everything he had to say lined up perfectly with what I wanted. I knew immediately when I was talking to him,” Loeppky said.

He will enter his final year of junior golf this upcoming summer and will expand on his career tournament rounds. Loeppky said he will work hard to improve his game ahead of heading south in August.

“My goals for this season is be as consistent as I can be on the course and continue to work on my mental game as that’s a huge part of golf,” he said.

In the classroom Loeppky is going to study Exercise Science with the plan to become a physical therapist.

“I want to thank my parents for supporting me and encouraging me in this process and I want to thank Clinton for pushing me and believing in me,” he concluded.

Cam Forrester had an incredible career as a golf manager and professional which included stops at premiere courses such as Waskesiu and Riverside.

Now retired from the industry he has taken his talents from the course to the canvas becoming a full-time artist and one of the five men who make up the group Men Who Paint.

Golf Saskatchewan sat down with the Saskatoon resident and learned more about his careers.

For more information on the group, visit their Facebook page of check out their Youtube videos.

The R&A and the USGA have re-engaged with the golf industry on the Distance Insights project, which aims to help achieve a more sustainable long-term future for golf.

2 February 2021, St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, N.J., USA: The governing bodies are issuing specific Areas of Interest to help mitigate continuing distance increases and three proposed changes to the Equipment Rules to ensure their effectiveness in relation to distance limits.

The delivery of research topics related to hitting distances and golf’s sustainability was delayed in 2020 to allow the golf industry to focus on the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Areas of Interest notice, sent yesterday to golf equipment manufacturers, follows the conclusions of the Distance Insights Report delivered last February. It is the first step of the established Equipment Rulemaking Procedures, which give the opportunity for golf’s stakeholders to provide research and perspectives on topics that might lead to equipment rules changes.

In addition, three proposals related to equipment standards were also sent to the manufacturers yesterday and have been published – two to modernise equipment testing protocols and the other to consider the adoption of a Model Local Rule that would provide flexibility for committees, if they so choose, to limit the maximum length for clubs other than putters from 48 to 46 inches. Notice and comment periods have begun immediately to invite feedback on each of the three proposals from golf industry stakeholders.

Research Topics/Areas of Interest
Download Here (Research due by 2 November 2021)
The Areas of Interest notice addresses two specific Areas of Interest:

• The potential use of a Local Rule that would specify the use of clubs and/or balls intended to result in shorter hitting distances. This would enable committees conducting competitions to stipulate whether such equipment should be used. It could be available at all levels of play and would also allow golfers playing outside of competition to choose for themselves.
• A review of the overall conformance specifications for both clubs and balls, including specifications that both directly and indirectly affect hitting distances. This review would consider whether any existing specifications should be adjusted or any new specifications created to help mitigate continuing distance increases. It would not consider revising the overall specifications to produce substantial reductions in hitting distances at all levels of the sport.  A list of club and ball specifications to be reviewed can be found in the official notice.

Stakeholders are invited to participate in the process by sharing any data or perspectives they might have on these topics by 2 November 2021.

The topics are purely areas for research. No solutions or decisions are being proposed at this stage. Any proposals for Rule changes that might result from this research will be communicated in accordance with the Equipment Rulemaking Procedures.

Proposed Equipment Standards changes 
Download Here

The R&A and the USGA are addressing the effectiveness of current equipment testing processes, protocols and standards with respect to distance limits. As a result, the governing bodies are seeking comment from equipment manufacturers on three proposed Equipment Standards changes, as follows:

Proposal 1: Club length – reduction to 46 inches available as Model Local Rule (MLR) (Original proposal delivered in 2016 and paused in 2017 due to the Distance Insights project). Comment period ends on 4 March 2021.

Proposal 2: Update on testing method for golf balls. Comment period ends on 2 August 2021.

Proposal 3: Change to testing tolerance – Characteristic Time. Comment period ends on 2 August 2021.
The 2020 Annual Driving Distance Report

The R&A and the USGA also today released the 2020 Annual Driving Distance Report. The full report can be found here.

The R&A and USGA comments

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We are now able to progress with the work on this critical topic and are beginning the next phase as expeditiously as possible. The research topics and the proposed changes we have announced will be the focus of our attention in the coming months and we look forward to gaining insights from the golf industry and fully understanding their perspectives on these key areas. We remain fully committed to conducting this hugely important exercise for the sport thoroughly, efficiently and collaboratively.”

Mike Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the USGA, said, “The research conducted through Distance Insights clearly shows that hitting distances have consistently increased through time and, if left unchecked, could threaten the long-term future of our game at every level and every golf course on which it is played. This is the first forward step in a journey and a responsibility the USGA and The R&A share with the worldwide golf community, to ensure that golf continues to thrive for the next hundred years and beyond.”

Updates Since February 2020

During the pause in distance-related research caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, The R&A and the USGA completed their regular review of equipment testing processes, protocols and standards to ensure their effectiveness in relation to distance limits.  The proposals detailed above are the outcome of this regular review of equipment testing processes, protocols and standards to ensure their effectiveness.

As such, these proposals were not conceived and are not intended to be solutions to the distance issues identified in the Distance Insights Report.

All notices related to golf equipment follow the Equipment Rulemaking Procedures adopted in 2011 by The R&A, the USGA and golf equipment manufacturers, which provide an open process of dialogue for all involved. The procedures can be reviewed here.

The Distance Insights Report released last year highlighted the impact of long-term hitting distance increases on some of golf’s essential elements, including changing the strategic challenge of the game, altering the variety of skills needed to be successful and risking courses becoming less challenging or obsolete. Further, the report states that the overall trend of golf courses becoming longer has adverse consequences that ultimately affect golfers at all levels of the game. The governing bodies are working with the key stakeholders in golf to address these issues in a way that brings the game together and which ensures it continues to thrive for many years to come.

Work is also currently being conducted to develop industry-wide recommendations and best management practices on course design, set-up and course conditions related to distance for all golf courses and golfers, as detailed among next steps in the Distance Insights conclusions document delivered last year.  The USGA is currently conducting field testing and research, with outcomes to be delivered throughout 2021.
For more information visit www.RandA.org and www.usga.org.

OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the 10 athletes who have been selected to represent the 2021 Team Canada Young Pro Squad.

Comprising the 2021 Women’s Young Pro Squad will be returnees Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.), Jaclyn Lee (Calgary, Alta.), and Maddie Szeryk (London, Ont.). After becoming a first-time mom in July, Golf Canada is also pleased to welcome back Anne-Catherine Tanguay (Quebec City, Que.) to the Young Pro Squad as she makes her return to the LPGA Tour.

The 2021 Men’s Young Pro Squad features a six-pack of familiar athletes led by Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.). Other members of the Men’s Young Pro Squad for 2021 include Jared du Toit (Kimberley, B.C.), Chris Crisologo (Richmond, B.C.), Stuart Macdonald (Vancouver, B.C.), Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.), and Hugo Bernard (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.).

For the bulk of the athletes returning to the Young Pro Squad, 2021 is an opportunity to build of off the adversity of 2020 and take a next step in their developing careers.

“This is a very exciting time for young professional golfers in Canada, and we are really looking forward to seeing their continued success in 2021,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer Kevin Blue. “For most of the athletes returning to the Squad, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on scheduling, training, and competition in 2020. With the support of our key partners and the drive these athletes have to overcome adversity and succeed, I’m positive we’ll see even more great results from this talented group of athletes.”

Men’s and Women’s National Team coaches Derek Ingram and Tristan Mullally – both award-winning PGA of Canada members – will continue as head coaches for the Young Pro Squad.

Now in its eighth year, the Team Canada Young Pro Squad helps to bridge the gap for top-performing amateurs transitioning into professional golf.

Click here to read Team Canada Young Pro Squad player bios.

Emerging Player of the Year Award

The Golf Canada Foundation has also announced the creation of a new award – the Emerging Professional Player of the Year Award, presented by Andrew Cook. The inaugural recipients of the award are Young Pro athletes Taylor Pendrith and Maddie Szeryk who will each receive $10,000 towards their continued development in professional golf.

Andrew Cook, a proud Trustee of the Golf Canada Foundation and past President with Golf Canada, established a $20,000 fund to annually recognize a top male and female emerging Canadian professional golfer from the Young Pro Squad having success on golf’s developmental.

“I am very pleased to partner with Golf Canada and Golf Canada Foundation to launch the Emerging Pro Player of the Year Award, as an additional incentive to Canadian professionals around the globe,” said Cook. “As a long-time volunteer of the game, I appreciate the power our heroes have in inspiring the next generation of young players, and my wife (Anne) and I are excited to help continue the tremendous success of the Young Pro Program.”

“We are so excited to announce Taylor and Maddie as our first Emerging Professional Players of the Year,” said Martin Barnard, CEO of the Canada Foundation. “Thanks to the continued generosity of Andrew Cook, we are able to reward these two deserving young professionals with additional financial support that will have an important impact as they chase their dreams.”

Pendrith, a long-time part of Golf Canada’s National Team as an amateur and now a professional, had a breakout year on the Korn Ferry Tour. He currently sits second on the Korn Ferry Tour’s Season Long Points List thanks to five top-3 finishes in 2020. Pendrith also finished T23 at the U.S. Open (finishing as Low Canadian) and jumped from 399th to 128th in the Official World Golf Ranking – all of this just one year after he played on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada.

Szeryk notched her second win as a professional in 2020 in her second year as a pro. In 2020, she also recorded her career-low Symetra Tour finish (T11, FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship) and ended the year as Top Canadian on the Symetra Tour. There were only 10 events on the Symetra Tour last year and the gap between men’s and women’s professional golf opportunities widened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current and former team members of the Young Pro Squad, which was established in 2014, have accounted for 43 wins across various professional golf tours including a record nine LPGA Tour wins by Brooke Henderson along with PGA TOUR wins from Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Conners.

Funding for this program, in large part, comes from the Golf Canada Foundation with generous contributions from founding partners RBC and Canadian Pacific, as well as supporting partners Citi Canada and Bear Mountain Resort – the Official Training Centre of Golf Canada’s National Team program.

“RBC is proud to support the next generation of Canadian golfers through the Young Pro program” said David Agnew, CEO, RBC Wealth Management Canada, “It’s exciting for us to watch golfers we supported as amateurs, like Corey Conners, Brooke Henderson and Mackenzie Hughes, succeed as professionals.”

“From the CP Women’s Open and our deep involvement with Team Canada to ambassador partnerships with Brooke Henderson and Lorie Kane, CP is proud to support these talented athletes representing Canada on the world stage,” added James Clements, Canadian Pacific. “As the best team in the railroading business knows, precision and excellence require a strong team. We are extremely proud to be part of the great team supporting these young professionals in their golf journey.”

It’s the end of an era at Elmwood Golf Club in Swift Current. Long-time General Manager Sheldon Reinhart has moved on from the position after a career that originally started when the now 46-year-old was just 14.

Reinhart got his start in the golf industry after his cousin Dwight Reinhart who worked at the course called him with an offer to pick the range, wash clubs, and conduct other back shop duties. With his first paycheque Reinhart purchased a set of clubs and has been involved in the sport ever since. He continued to work at Elmwood through high school before junior hockey took him to Saskatoon, Yorkton, Billings, and Kimberly, B.C. Reinhart had scholarship offers to play hockey, but he wanted to become a golf professional, so he attended Lethbridge College. Following his schooling, Reinhart went to work in Kimberly at Trickle Creek under former Elmwood professional Kevin May. He spent three years there before a year at Riverside. He went on to get his commerce degree at the University of Saskatchewan. Once that was completed Reinhart started at Elmwood and was there until late 2020, a career that spanned over two decades in Swift Current.

“Without a doubt, the four years of renovations and changing the golf course,” Reinhart told Golf Saskatchewan when asked about the highlight of his time at the southwest Saskatchewan course. “We did $2.6 million in renovations, to go from running a golf course to having a massive renovation project thrown on your lap was a tough thing, but it was exciting. I’m very excited with the results and I’m glad our members can play a new course and greens for the next 25 to 30 years.”

Elmwood is a premiere course in Saskatchewan, it also shares the spotlight with the Chinook Golf Course. Reinhart, who hails from Moose Jaw but has called Swift Current home since his early school days said having two marquee courses in a city of just over 16,000 is something to be proud of.

“I don’t know of a place in western Canada that has two beautiful golf courses like we have. We are so lucky to have these courses. Talking to people that come from Winnipeg or Calgary, all over the place, if we could pick up Elmwood Golf Club and plant it in the city of Calgary for example it would be extraordinary. People can’t believe how lucky we are to have the elevation changes and everything here in Swift Current on the prairies,” he said.

Reinhart is still weighing his future career options but said he would like to use his commerce background and venture into the banking industry.

Elmwood has announced that Mike McEvay will take over the general manager duties at Elmwood beginning on March 1.

Toronto (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada and The Good Beer Folks at Steam Whistle have announced the renewal of a multi-year partnership that will see Steam Whistle continue on as the Official Beer of Golf Canada, the RBC Canadian Open, and the CP Women’s Open.

Through the multi-year partnership – which began in 2018 – Steam Whistle will continue to work with Golf Canada to grow their brand amongst golfers and golf enthusiasts across the country.

Through the partnership, Steam Whistle’s premium product line will be served at Golf Canada’s PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour events—the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open.

“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Steam Whistle as Golf Canada’s Official Beer Partner,” said John Sibley, Chief Commercial Officer of Golf Canada.  “There is tremendous interest in golf right now and we are fortunate to have the continued support of Steam Whistle who have aligned their premium brand with our sport. Their commitment to quality craftsmanship and proud Canadian identity are well positioned as the beer of choice to enjoy at our National Open Championships or after a round at golf courses from coast to coast.”

The renewed agreement builds on Steam Whistle’s largest partnership in company history – a significant milestone for the independent Canadian brewer.

“Steam Whistle is committed to supporting the game of golf in Canada and our partnership with Golf Canada is the best example of that,” said Tim McLaughlin, Steam Whistle’s Vice-President of Marketing. “There is so much momentum behind the sport in our country thanks to the great work Golf Canada has done at the grassroots, amateur and professional level, and we are thrilled to be a long-term partner to support their efforts.”

In the first year of the partnership, beer sales at the 2018 RBC Canadian Open were up 200 per cent to the year prior. Founded in 2000, Steam Whistle’s Premium Pilsner has long been a staple of golf courses and refrigerators across the country. The Toronto-based brewery launched a Premium Pale Ale in 2019 and a Premium Session Lager in 2020 to go along with its award-winning Premium Pilsner.

The 2021 RBC Canadian Open will be contested at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto, with nearby Islington Golf Club housing the official tournament practice facility. It is scheduled for June 7-13. The 2021 CP Women’s Open is scheduled for August 23-29 at Vancouver’s Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.