The Province of Manitoba has announced additional public health order restrictions will take effect Saturday, May 22 at 12:01 a.m.

Outdoor gatherings with anyone from outside a household are no longer allowed, which applies to all recreation spaces including playgrounds, golf courses, parks and sports fields.

Additionally, only one person per household will be allowed to enter a business, with some exceptions, such as a single parent with children, or someone who requires a caregiver.

The new changes to public health orders will be in place until 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, May 26.

As golf courses in Manitoba remain open, the Manitoba Allied Golf Associations (Canadian Society of Club Managers, Golf Manitoba, Manitoba Golf Superintendents Association, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada and PGA of Manitoba), continue to encourage all member clubs to remain vigilant to ensure that all public health measures are met or exceeded at all of our golf courses.

Physical distancing (2 meters / 6 feet) is mandatory with people from outside your household across the province.

OAKVILLE, ONT. – Team Canada member, Brigitte Thibault has advanced to the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship.

Thibault, a senior at Fresno State, secured her spot in the Championship, shooting 2-under par 211 (70-73-68) at Standford Golf Course in Stanford, Calif.

The Rosemère, Que. native shot her best round on Wednesday with a 3-under 68 driving her to a qualifying spot at the National Championship.

Thibault’s 211 was the lowest score by a Fresno State Bulldog at an NCAA regional event, beating her own record of 216 set in 2019.

Brigitte won the 2020 Women’s Western Amateur Championship and was T3 up at the 2020 Arizona Wildcat Invitational.

The 2021 NCAA Women’s Golf National Championship will be played at the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. on May 21-26.

TORONTO — Ontario is extending its stay-at-home order until June 2 to bring down high rates of COVID-19, a move Premier Doug Ford said was necessary to bring infection cases down and “save the summer.”

That means thousands of businesses and public schools will remain closed until the order is lifted. Outdoor recreational facilities will also remain closed, a decision public health experts have said is misguided and has consequences for people’s physical and mental health.

The government’s science advisers have said banning outdoor activities will not control COVID-19 and disproportionately harm children and those who don’t have access to their own green space. And Golf Ontario has told the Ford government that “golf is safe” and urged it reopen courses.

Ford acknowledged the criticism but said that measure would stay in place to limit mobility and other behaviour that could contribute to spread of the virus.

“They pick up another buddy, two or three go out, go golfing, there’s nothing wrong with golfing,” he said. “The problem is, then after golf they go back, they have some pops. That’s the problem.”

Ford said the goal was to vaccinate as many people as possible against COVID-19 in the next few weeks.

“These are precious weeks,” he said. “By June 2, so long as we stay the course, we will be able to reopen outdoor recreation. And by then, we will provide more details on our plan to carefully and safely begin to reopen.”

The premier blamed Ottawa for the third wave of the pandemic, suggesting a significant number of cases of the COVID-19 variants had entered Ontario through its land, air and water borders a claim that has been disputed by experts.

“The reality is, existing border measures have failed to keep the contagious variants out of Canada,” Ford said. “This brutal third wave is fuelled almost entirely by variants that pass too easily through our borders.”

Ontario declared a state of emergency and invoked the stay-at-home order in early April amid skyrocketing cases.

It initially gave police sweeping new powers to enforce the order but rolled those back amid intense backlash.

The National Allied Golf Association (NAGA) Alberta chapter has informed industry stakeholders of new rules for golf in the province that go into effect Sunday, May 9th at 11:59 pm.

To be part of the solution and battle the third wave of COVID-19, golfing in Alberta will be limited to members of your household or if living alone, to two close contacts.

“With the recent announcements based on surging case numbers, we are fortunate to have been provided with an opportunity to remain open for the enjoyment by Albertans. However, this needs to be done responsibly,” said Erica Beck, the president of NAGA Alberta, in her letter to stakeholders. “Today, we were informed that golf was on the list of industries to be closed, however, the industry’s commitment to being responsible and ensuring protocols were put into place to maintain the safety and well-being of golfers were the key deciding factors in the industry being permitted to remain open. We strongly urge all golf courses to continue to remain vigilant as the safety of staff and guests remains our utmost priority and we ask that all facilities do their part to adhere to all AHS guidelines.”

To read the full statement from May 6th, click here.

OAKVILLE, ONT. – Canadians Megan Osland and Noémie Paré clinched their spots in the field for the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open by capturing one of the precious tickets available in their respective qualifying events.

Noémie Paré, member of Team Canada’s amateur squad, won the 2020 Québec Women’s Amateur Championship and was runner up at the 2020 Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship.

Native of Victoriaville, Que., Paré qualified in Massachusetts on May 5^th after tying Christina Kim with 137 total strokes at Dedham Golf & Polo Club.

In a post round interview with MassGolf.org, Paré said:

The 2021 U.S. Women’s Open will be Paré’s first major championship appearance.

After making her first appearance in 2019, Osland will be returning to the U.S. Women’s Open in 2021 as a result of placing second at a qualifying tournament in Ormond Beach, Florida.

The Kelowna, B.C. native remained close behind Kim Metraux of Switzerland, shooting a pair of 71s and finishing second at the 36-hole qualifier held at Oceanside Country Club.

The U.S. Women’s Open takes place from Thursday, June 3 to Sunday, June 6 at The Olympic Club in San Fransico, Calif.

Golf Canada is pleased to announce it will host a U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Junior Qualifier at the Oshawa Golf & Curling Club on Monday, June 21^st.

Held for the first time in Canada, the Qualifier will offer an opportunity for Canadian players to qualify for the respective USGA Championships. 

Eligibility to compete in the Qualifiers and details on the Championships can be found below. 

73rd U.S. Junior Amateur Championship
The Country Club of North Carolina
Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina
July 19^th – 24^th

U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifier Eligibility
Handicap Index Limit: 4.4
Age Limit: Cannot be 19 on or before July 24, 2021
Entry Fee: $100
Entries Close: May 26^th at 5:00pm EDT 

72nd U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship
Columbia Country Club
Chevy Chase, Maryland
July 12^th – 17^th

U.S. Girl’s Junior Qualifier Eligibility
Handicap Index Limit: 9.4
Age Limit: Cannot be 19 on or before July 17, 2021
Entry Fee: $100
Entries Close: May 19^th at 5:00pm EDT 

Eligible players can register here.

For any questions pertaining to entry or registration, please contact the USGA at champs@usga.org or (908) 326-1950.

***Golf Canada championships only proceed with the authorization of local and provincial health authorities***

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his government have announced further restrictions to multiple industries across the province as they deal with the COVID-19 pandemic effective at 12:01am on Saturday April 17^th. Included in this announcement is the unfortunate news that outdoor golf courses and driving ranges in the province must be closed as of 12:01 am on Saturday, April 17^th. This is in conjunction with the stay-at-home order that has been extended by a further 2 weeks to May 20.

Ontario’s We Are Golf partners have been actively engaged with the Ontario government throughout this process, right up to and including this morning. The key message is that:

We have reiterated our commitment as a golf industry to continue to be a leader in Ontario in providing one of these safe recreational activities that will be so important in the coming weeks. 

Golf organisations are disappointed the Ontario government made the decision today to close golf courses and driving ranges as of April 17th. But it is clear they made a broad decision with health and safety as the top priority to eliminate any non-essential activities, including removing access to outdoor recreational amenities.

The Ontario We Are Golf team, comprised of Golf Ontario, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, PGA of Ontario, Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association and the Ontario Branch Director Canadian Society of Club Managers, will continue to communicate with the government in an appropriate manner to ensure they fully understand the benefits of having golf open as a recreational option.

Golf is an important outlet and will continue to make this case with the hope that we are able return to allowing courses to open as soon as possible. Some important factors to remember about golf – the most played sport in Canada.

• Golf is naturally aligned to physical distancing. It takes place in vast outdoor spaces and is played with 4 people or less. Perhaps no other sport is this well positioned against this terrible virus.
• Our protocols are well established and safe. We proved in 2020 that with the right protocols golf had no COVID outbreaks. We are committed to these (and more) protocols in 2021. Here is a link to the NGCOA Canada’s Best Practices & Operational Resources that was created last season, updated for 2021.
• Clear and consistent screening procedures – golfers must book a tee-time, can pre-pay, and are screened before entering facilities.
• Golf has important health benefits – studies are clear about golf … it gets people outside, it is good for your heart, it relieves stress, and it can improve mental health.

Ontario’s We are Golf partners will continue to push for the safe inclusion of golf courses and driving ranges as options that can be open in this stay-at-home order. Golf is an important to the well being of so many and it is safe to play.

TORONTO – Premier Doug Ford and the Ontario government announced today that the province will be under a stay-at-home order effective 12:01am Thursday, April 8th. Included in this announcement is confirmation that outdoor golf courses and driving ranges can remain open.

Provincial golf bodies have been actively engaged with the Ontario government conveying the message that golf is safe and that now, more than ever, safe outdoor recreational options will be critical to ensure the physical and mental well-being of Ontarians.

The golf industry continues to be a leader in providing one of the few safe recreational outlets that are vital during these challenging times.

 All Ontario golfers and facilities are required to adhere to the following mandates:

• If two riders from different households are on a cart, they must wear a mask while in the cart.
• All staff and players must stay at least 6 feet apart.
• Courses are required to have clear and consistent screening protocols.
• Pre or post game gatherings at not permitted. 
• Limiting the majority of non-essential retailers to only operate for curbside pick-up and delivery, via appointment, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., with delivery of goods to patrons permitted between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm, and other restrictions.
• During the current Stay-At-Home Order, indoor or outdoor (patio) food service is not permitted. Facilities are allowed to proceed with pick up, take out and delivery service (including halfway hut and beverage cart service). All seating must be removed.

AUGUSTA, Ga – Canadian girls continued their success at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship once again on Sunday with a victory from Cambridge, Ont., native Alexis Card.

Card, 8, won the girls 7-9 division with a total of 23 points for a two-point victory over fellow Canadian Anna Wu of Victoria, B.C. Card impressed getting full points in both the driving and putting categories (10) while rounding it out with three points at the chipping station.

It was Wu stole the show at the chipping station, chipping one in and giving off a memorable reaction which caught the attention of star Phil Mickelson.

With the win, Card becomes the fourth Canadian (all females) to win a Drive, Chip and Putt title in as many years. Savannah Grewal (Mississauga, Ont.) won in 2017, followed by Vanessa Borovilos (Toronto) in 2018 and Nicole Gal (Oakville, Ont.) in 2019.

Cole Roberts of Oshawa, Ont., was the lone male to play in the event, finishing in 7th place in the boys 7-9 division.

Click here to view final scoring.

(Acton, ON) – The PGA of Canada is pleased to announce that some of Canada’s top venues have been secured as host sites for the 2021 RBC PGA Scramble Regional Finals. 

The excitement of the RBC PGA Scramble is growing with the addition of these great facilities from coast-to-coast:

As the premier amateur team golf tournament in the country for teams of family, friends and colleagues, the 2021 edition of the RBC PGA Scramble expects to once again see more than 10,000 golfers participate in local and regional qualifying. 

In 2020, the RBC PGA Scramble saw a 73% year-over-year increase in female participation, a number the program hopes to further improve this season. There will be a spot in each regional final reserved for an all-female team. 

COVID-19 protocols will be in place at each qualifier in accordance with provincial health authority guidelines. There were no reported cases from any of the 140 RBC PGA Scramble qualifiers in 2020. 

The program is also pleased to announce the following updates and highlights for 2021:

• Open Local Qualifiers will run as 8-somes where permissible by local health authorities. Select open events will have volunteer scorers, instead.
• A Handicap and Scoring Committee is being formed to examine handicap and scoring inaccuracies.
• Through our partners at Titleist and FootJoy, prizes for the top teams at Local Qualifiers will have more options for male and female competitors.
• Teams that have qualified for Regional Finals three out of the past five years are required to split up by 50% to expand the program and allow more opportunities for all teams to enjoy the experience that the RBC PGA Scramble provides. 
• There will continue to be a female wild card team offered in any region where an all-female team does not qualify, ensuring representation in every Regional Final.
• Like in 2020, in any region where less than 18 teams qualify, alternate teams will be invited based on their performance in Local Qualifiers.
• New partners that will be announced shortly will offer exciting perks for competitors. 

• Additional staff have been hired in response to the additional demand as the program continues to grow. 
• Local qualifying events with 16 or less teams will qualify one team, 17 or more teams will qualify two teams.

For more information about the RBC PGA Scramble, visit:

 www.rbcpgascramble.com