For four decades Greg Dukart has lived what he describes a “blessed life” in the Canadian golf industry. He’s managed some of the finest clubs from coast-to-coast. But now, after 40 years in the business, he’s calling it a career.

Dukart, whose career started in Regina in 1981, has worked in Vancouver, Kamloops, Calgary, on Prince Edward Island and overseas in London, England. For the last 12 years, he has returned to his Regina roots as Chief Executive Officer of Wascana Country Club.

“It’s been a tremendous journey,” said Dukart. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought it (golf) would have taken me across this great country of Canada and its provinces. It’s been a total life experience beyond my family and my expectations.”

Dukart said while his final year in the golf industry has been unlike any in his career due to COVID-19, his thoughts of retirement began to creep in last fall. He and his wife talked about the potential for him to retire for a few weeks and realized it was time to call it a career. He has a new grandson and is keen to pursue other interests.

“Golf has opened up so many different things, but golf is an all-immersive lifestyle choice. You don’t play golf four times a week like many people think,” said Dukart with a laugh. “It’s a lot of work!”

Still, Dukart said what he loves most about the sport is that it’s generational game for everyone. He’s witnessed people starting their golf careers at just three or four years old. He’s seen junior golfers under the age of 10 start to beat balls on the driving range and five years later they’d become junior club champion. And he recalls fondly a 103-year-old member at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club who played 27 holes per week.

Dukart’s hobbies outside of golf include working on a muscle car project he’s been tinkering away at and he’s also a proud collector of antiques. He’ll frequent estate sales. Every place he’s travelled, he said, he’d bring something back home. Other opportunities in golf have popped up but he’s not quite sure what he’ll end up doing – but he for sure he will be spending more time with his family.

“There are a lot of people that need to be thanked for this,” he said.

One of the biggest moments of Dukart’s career came in 2018 at the CP Women’s Open – a project he had been working on for a number of years. He was hopeful the event would come to Regina and when the week wrapped up that Sunday afternoon in August, Wascana would own a piece of history.

Canadian golf sensation Brooke Henderson won the tournament in a pinch-me moment for Dukart, he said. The club made Henderson an honourary member for life a week or so after the tournament and it installed a 300-pound marble plaque in the 18th fairway where she hit her last shot – which set up the putt to win the tournament.

“That was living the dream on that one. Someone asked me before the event, ‘what would be your dream journey this week’ and I said, ‘well of course Brooke Henderson winning.’ She went on and did that,” said Dukart. “Sometimes you have to pinch yourself wondering if that just happened – we talk about that all the time because to even think that could happen on our home soil in tiny Regina, Saskatchewan. It’s part of history now, forever.”

Dukart has the finish line in his sights after an impressively successful career. And he’s content to know how many people he’s worked with, how many special moments he’s had and what time is to come with his family.

He got into the business thinking he wanted to be a player, but instead that journey transformed into management. He’s leaving the golf industry in Canada better than how he found it.

“I’ve just been incredibly blessed to have this journey and I would have never in my imagination thought I could work in the places I’ve worked, and the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met,” said Dukart. “It’s surreal to me.”

FRANKFORT, Ill. – Brigitte Thibault, 21, of Rosemere, Quebec, defeated Jackie Lucena, 19, of Chico, California, 4 & 3, Saturday at Prestwick Country Club in Frankfort, Illinois, to become the second Canadian in four years to win the Women’s Western Amateur.

Thibault, a Fresno State senior and 2019 Mountain West Conference champion, prevailed despite a slow start on the front nine. “I didn’t want to get my hopes up, because I know that my game right now is kind of on a rollercoaster,” Thibault said.

“I feel like I gained a lot of momentum from yesterday. I just kept the faith. I kept fighting and didn’t give up.”

Thibault grabbed a 2-up lead through seven holes, but Lucena rebounded to win the next two holes and square the match heading into the back nine. Undaunted, Thibault regained the lead with a par on No. 10, then took the 13th, 14th and 15th with back-to-back pars and a closing birdie to secure the win and add her name to the list of champions on the Women’s Western Amateur’s W.A. Alexander Cup. Looking back on her front nine struggles, Thibault said she had to change her mind set at the turn. “I think it was just like a switch. I had missed a lot on the front, and I could feel how close I was to hitting it really good,” she said. “I just switched it in my head and went into full focus mode.”

Lucena, a University of California-Davis sophomore, never led in the match. “It was definitely a grind,” she said. “I wasn’t having my best game. I was just trying to roll with what I had, and it ended up not working out. I definitely realized that I wasn’t as free and as comfortable as in my previous rounds.” “Besides today, I felt phenomenal this week,” Lucena added. “I had a lot of confidence in my game coming into this, and I think I wavered a little bit (in the final match) when I hit some bad shots. I was just so excited to make it to the finals.”

Thibault and Lucena both earned exemptions into the U.S. Women’s Amateur set for Aug. 3-9 at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland. “I’ve never been to a USGA event, so I’m super excited,” Lucena said. Thibault said she’s looking forward to playing in the U.S. Women’s Amateur, but is waiting to hear what the rest of the year holds for her. “I’ll go to the U.S. Women’s Am, and then it depends on school,” she explained. “If school is back, then I’ll be competing in college. If not, I’ll be heading to Europe for the British Am.”

Thibault follows in the footsteps of fellow Canadian and Team Canada member Maddie Szeryk, who won the championship in 2017. They are the only two Canadians in the 120-year history of the event to claim the title. A member of the Golf Canada’s national amateur squad, Thibault advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2018 Women’s Western Amateur at Mistwood Country Club in Romeoville, Illinois, before losing 6 and 5 to eventual champ Emilee Hoffman. In 2019, Thibault won the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship in addition to her Mountain West Conference Championship victory. She also was a part of Canada’s bronze medal team at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, and was named the female amateur of the year by the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.

Canadians Mary Parsons and Taylor Kehoe both had impressive finishes, both exiting in the quarter-final round.

Also to note strong performances this week from @GolfCanada team member @maryyparsons and Ontario native @_taylorkehoe @wwgagolf. 3 Canadians in the 1/4 finals this week ?????

— Tristan Mullally (@tmullallygolf) July 25, 2020

The list of past Women’s Western Amateur champions reads like a “Who’s Who” in women’s golf, including current LPGA stars Ariya Jutanugarn, Stacy Lewis, Brittany Lang and Cristie Kerr. This was Prestwick’s first WWGA tournament since the 1972 Junior Championship – won by a 15-year-old Nancy Lopez. She went on to become one of the best players in the history of professional golf and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1987. For complete tournament results, visit womenswesternamateur.com.

The 118th playing of the B.C. Amateur Championship later this month is going to be missing a very familiar face. After playing in the event for 53 straight years – and winning it 13 times – Doug Roxburgh will not be there.

The date for this year’s B.C. Amateur, which is being played at the Okanagan Golf Club’s Bear course in Kelowna, was recently moved from mid-July to July 28-30. That created a problem for Roxburgh, whose son James is getting married on Aug. 1.

“It absolutely was a tough decision,” Roxburgh said. If the date hadn’t been changed, it would have worked out. James is still going ahead with his wedding, on a much much smaller basis, on Aug. 1.”

Roxburgh also said all the COVID-19 protocols for the tournament, which he completely understands and supports, played a minor role in his decision. Roxburgh’s wife, Lorna, always caddies for him at the B.C. Amateur and she would not have been able to do so at this summer’s event.

“I just think it was the right time to make this decision,” he said. “I would have loved to keep it going, but these are very strange and difficult times right now and I certainly understand all the policies and things that B.C. Golf has had to put in place. It is great that they are going to be able to pull off an event.”

image credit: Bryan Outram/BC Golf

Doug’s Wife Lorna Has Been His Caddy At Many B.C. Amateur And Men’s Senior Championships

Roxburgh played in his first B.C. Amateur as a 15-year-old in 1967 at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club. He hasn’t missed one since. His first win came in 1969 at Richmond Country Club where he beat John Morgan 4&3 in the 36-hole match play final. A couple of weeks later, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon.

Roxburgh has only missed three cuts in his 53 B.C. Amateur appearances. Over the years, the tournament became a big part of his summer. “I always looked forward to the B.C. Am,” he said. “I always tried to get my game ready so I could have a good performance and try and make the cut and what not. I still had that in my mindset this year until they changed the date. I was looking forward to it and would have played, but it’s just not in the cards this year.”

Roxburgh said he particularly enjoyed seeing so many parts of British Columbia while travelling to and from the event. “When I first started way back it was basically Vancouver two years, Victoria one year, Vancouver two years, Victoria one year,” he said. “And we were always at a private club back then. But they started to move it around the province and it was great. We have travelled all around the province, to the Kootenays, up to Golden, to Fort St. John, all over the place. It has been a lot of fun that way for sure. It has given myself and my family the opportunity to see the province.”

The 68-year-old Roxburgh, a longtime member of Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, said his game is in fairly good shape. “It comes and goes,” he said. “I have had some good games. I have been able to shoot my age twice in the last month which to be honest was my only goal this year.”

Kris Jonasson, chief executive officer of British Columbia Golf, said he fully understands Roxburgh’s decision not to play this year’s B.C. Amateur. “What a wonderful way to end a streak with your son’s wedding,” Jonasson said. “It’s not ending because he is not competitive. It’s ending because he made a commitment to his family a long time ago and that commitment remains the most important thing in his world.”

Roxburgh, whose resumé also includes four Canadian Amateur championships and a Canadian Seniors title, has a lifetime exemption into the B.C. Amateur. The hope is he begins another streak in 2021.

There is a good chance he will play in the B.C. Senior Men’s Championship in mid-September at Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club, where he would be the three-time defending champion.

If it seems like it’s been harder to get a tee time this summer, it’s not just your imagination.

Golf Canada reports that there were 17 per cent more scores registered with the national sport body this June compared to the same month last year. A total of 1,483,506 rounds were submitted to Golf Canada’s handicap calculator last month compared to 1,271,782 in June 2019.

“It was a pretty big jump from last year, comparing 2019 numbers to this year,” said Adam Helmer, senior director of golf services for Golf Canada, on Wednesday. “We were expecting that as golf has emerged as one of the safest activities, where people can be physically distant and we’ve reduced touchpoints.”

 

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What a month CANADA! June 2020 was the greatest month of scores posted to the Golf Canada Score Centre in recorded history ? Special thanks to all golfers, member clubs and operators for accomplishing this while keeping everybody safe. Here’s to beating this number in July – go low Canada! ??

A post shared by Laurence Applebaum (@laurence.applebaum) on Jul 14, 2020 at 7:44pm PDT

The surge in June ended a streak of three months when recreational rounds played in Canada dropped precipitously due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As restrictions were lifted across the country in May, the number of scores registered increased.

In May, 165,026 rounds were registered between the 1st and the 15th but 265,480 scores were submitted in the final two weeks of that month. The May 1-15 numbers are a nearly 40 per cent drop from the same period in 2019 (211,809) but the May 16-30 numbers are just five per cent lower than last year (269,266).

Helmer said he expects the number of rounds submitted to Golf Canada to continue to climb through July and into August.

“We’ve heard anecdotally that a lot of newcomers have joined the sport, especially now that school is done we’re going to see an increase in juniors too. We think the trend is going to continue,” said Helmer. “Golf has seen a pretty big lift and it’s emerged as the sport of the summer.”

The upward trend comes even as Golf Canada had to cancel all of its amateur and professional championships due to travel restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

A shift in how scores are registered has also been seen, with most recreational players entering their scores online instead of in the course’s clubhouse or pro shop, which have largely been closed this summer because of physical distancing protocols.

Golf Canada plans to launch an updated version of its scoring app later this month, helping to keep players physically distant and improve their game.

As each provincial golf association has planned its respective amateur championships, organizers have had to take a back-to-basics approach to keep players, officials, and volunteers safe from COVID-19.

“It’s all about the players, the golf course, and the tournament,” said John Deneer, events and tournament manager for Alberta Golf. “No excess, no nothing. Just the players, so I’m glad we can do that.”

Alberta began its championship season on Tuesday with its men’s mid-amateur championship at Coyote Creek Golf & RV Resort in Sundre.

That province has implemented strict rules for its championships including no caddies, no guardians accompanying juniors and no spectators at its championship tournaments. Volunteer commitments have been reduced as much as possible and scorecards won’t be signed by both players, all in an effort to “reduce multiple touch points.”

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Take a look at the COVID-19 PROTOCOLS competitors this week at the Alberta Mens Mid Am are playing under at Coyote Creek Golf and RV Resort in Sundre. June 24th, 2020.

A post shared by Alberta Golf (@alberta_golf) on Jun 24, 2020 at 12:12pm PDT

Deneer said that although he expected there would be slightly lower registration for the provincial championships, it was actually higher than usual.

“When we announced that we were going to run the championships we felt comfortable that we could run them in a safe manner,” said Deneer. “(The men’s mid-amateur) was full with a waitlist. … We’re getting full fields, a lot of participation.”

Golf Ontario opened registration for its championships on Wednesday morning, with executive director Mike Kelly confirming that its men’s amateur sold out in eight minutes. Ontario’s provincial association actually had to split up registration times for its amateur and junior championships – which open Thursday – in an effort to make sure its web servers didn’t crash.

Ontario is taking similar precautionary steps to safeguarding participants at its amateur championships, although its junior players will be permitted one guardian to walk the course with them.

Trophy ceremonies in Ontario will be limited to the winners and one official, although Golf Ontario plans to broadcast the championship celebrations online.

“The first championship trophy won’t be handed out until the very end of July so we have a bit of time to figure it out,” said Kelly, who noted that tournaments like the men’s and women’s senior championships would be held at the same venue so joint ceremonies can be held. “One of the things we’re looking at is using Zoom so we’re able to provide a link.”

Manitoba has also begun its championship schedule, with Bobbi Uhl (amateur women), Carl Lechman (senior men) and Austin Dobrescu (amateur men) being crowned provincial match play champions on Sunday.

These provincial championships will be the biggest golf tournaments of 2020 as Golf Canada had to cancel all of its national championships due to travel restrictions. The RBC Canadian Open, Canada’s men’s professional championship, was also cancelled, although the CP Women’s Open is still scheduled for early September in Vancouver.

Many provincial championships serve as qualifiers for national tournaments, so the cancelling of Canada-wide events have freed up dates later in the summer. British Columbia Golf CEO Kris Jonasson said his organization plans to make the most of those open weekends.

“We had very early in the competitive season determined that we would make a decision on each of our individual events four weeks in advance of the start of that particular championship,” said Jonasson, who noted that the first four events of B.C.’s season were cancelled but will now be rescheduled, likely into those slots left open by Golf Canada.

Jonasson also said that B.C.’s men’s amateur – slated for three weeks from now – may also be postponed, depending on when health authorities lift their ban on non-essential within the province.

“We’re now hopeful that in some type of a modified format we can get all of our championships in or at least enough championships that we can crown an individual winner in each of our respective categories.”

Caledon, Ont. – TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley announced on Wednesday the creation of The Face-off, a new one-day celebrity competition on June 30 between teams captained by TSN host James Duthie and Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, with $60,000 in donations to local charities on the line.

Managed by and in collaboration with One Eleven Management Group, The Face-off will see Team Duthie and Team Dubas compete against one another in an 18-hole match on TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley’s Hoot course, with each team member competing on behalf of selected charities.

The match will be covered live on social media and captured for a feature-length video to be shared shortly after the competition.

A total of $60,000 will be donated to charitable organizations of each player’s choosing, adding to the $350,000 in donations already announced by TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley and the Humeniuk Foundation towards COVID-19 relief efforts and community services this spring.

“This opportunity to raise support and awareness for important local causes and play a fantastic golf course with James is going to be a ton of fun,” said Dubas. “I’m happy to be a part of this event and look forward to some laughs, hopefully some good golf and a memorable day on the course.”

“I’m used to putting Kyle in the hot seat with questions about the Maple Leafs, but now I’m looking forward to putting the heat to him and his teammate on the course,” said Duthie. “To have a chance to do this on the Hoot course at TPC Toronto while raising some awareness and for some great organizations makes it even more special.”

An initial donation of $10,000 will be made to each of the four charities selected by event participants. Following the 18-hole match between teams, which will consist of six holes of net best-ball, six holes of alternate shot and six holes of scramble, the winning team will earn an additional $5,000 donation. Four on-course competitions worth $2,500 will also be on the line for each player.

Dubas will be competing on behalf of the You Can Play Project, which works to ensure the safety and inclusion of all LGBTQ+ people in sports, including athletes, coaches, staff and fans.

Duthie will be competing for The Frontline Fund, which represents Canadian hospital foundations dealing with COVID-19 all across the country and helps to meet the highest-priority needs of hospitals across Canada, including urgent measures to combat COVID-19, as well as to support the Northern communities and Indigenous health.

Teammates selected were TSN personality Jeff O’Neill and Canadian comedian and actor Gerry Dee. O’Neill will compete alongside Duthie, while Dee, the star of the hit series Mr. D and CBC’s Family Feud Canada, will team up with Dubas.

O’Neill will compete for the Down Syndrome Association of York Region, which promotes inclusiveness and awareness for children with Down Syndrome, while Dee will play for KidSport Ontario, a Canadian non-profit organization.

For more information on The Face-off, visit ospreyvalley.com/thefaceoff.

It was another frustrating day on the golf course, where a round that had shown considerable early promise was derailed once again by sloppy play. But my numbers were not all bad. Despite my less than stellar score, there were some positives about that recent round at Peace Portal Golf Course in Surrey.

When I checked the step-counter on my phone, it told me that I had taken more than 13,000 steps during the round and walked about nine kilometres. (Clearly, I did not hit every shot straight down the middle).

I also climbed the equivalent of 23 floors, which is testament to Peace Portal’s hilly terrain. It is numbers like these, rather than the ones I mark on my scorecard, that have convinced me that golf is good for me.

The medical experts agree.

“Both physically and mentally, it is a wonderful sport for men and women and it definitely promotes health,” says Dr. Larry Goldenberg, a Vancouver urologist who is co-founder of the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation. “From a pure health point of view it’s an exercise and exercise equals longevity, it equals better mental health at all ages.

“I like to put it this way when it comes to exercise. If I said I had a pill that you had to take every day and it would decrease your risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, heart attacks, stroke, would you take that pill? Well, that pill is called exercise. There is enough literature out there, there are enough studies out there to prove that without any doubt regular exercise can promote every form of health, including decreasing the risk of dementia and slowing the progress of many neurological diseases.”

Regular golfers don’t have to be convinced about how good the game has been for them. It can certainly be frustrating on those days when the ball just won’t go where it’s supposed to, but they know that even on the bad days the game gives them back so much.

Doug Stone, a 75-year-old White Rock resident, doesn’t have many bad days on the golf course. His handicap is in the low single digits and he often shoots his age at his home course, Peace Portal, where he frustrates his fellow members who regularly must dig into their wallets following a round with Stone.

Stone is in great physical shape and he credits golf with helping him stay that way. “Golf has been an important factor in my physical and mental health,” Stone says. “I currently play three times a week at Peace Portal. Each round is in a competitive environment. I push my cart and never ride. Peace Portal has a number of short, steep hills that are perfect for increasing my cardio-vascular capacity.

“Mentally, golf demands constant focus and decision-making that can only be helpful for one’s mental health. It also provides for socialization with fellow competitors. This has proven to be a godsend during the current pandemic crisis. . .without my ridiculous obsession with golf, this 75-year-old body would not be as healthy as it is today.”

Kris Jonasson, chief executive officer of British Columbia Golf, knows from personal experience that golf has significant health benefits. “It’s not a secret I have multiple sclerosis,” Jonasson says. “I walk today because I wanted to play golf, so it has had a huge benefit to me. I also read the research on golfandhealth.org and am amazed at all the positive benefits we have the data to prove. Parkinson’s, dementia and hundreds of other health issues can be helped with a little exposure to golf. It’s not how good you are at golf, it’s how well golf improves your life.”

Jonasson says most golfers recognize the health benefits they get from playing the game. But he knows the industry still has work to do in promoting those mental and physical health benefits to others. “I think we are just starting to discuss the health benefits of golf,” he says. “Golf and Health Week was launched in 2019 and Brooke Henderson is one of the ambassadors. Ironically, Golf and Health week in 2020 was postponed because of the pandemic.”

Goldenberg, through his work with prostate cancer patients, also knows golf can play a role in recovering from a major illness. “There are a lot of men who have had prostate cancer who golf regularly,” he says. “That is the demographic I work in, the 50- to 80-year-old male and a lot of them play golf. And I think golf helps in the healing process, it helps get them outside, it helps them adapt to the new cancer world they are now in. So I think it helps people fight off depression, anxiety and stress.”

Don Griffiths can attest to that. Griffiths, a former president of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada), has had a life-long love affair with the game. He played on the University of B.C. golf team back in late 1950s and early 1960s and now, at age 82, still plays three or four times a week at his home course, Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver. He walks every step of the way and carries his own clubs.

Griffiths thinks golf has helped him live a long life. It also aided in his recovery from a major health issue, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer 13 years ago. “There was a bit of a delay after surgery until I was able get back to playing, but once I did I felt it was doing me good to get out there and play,” Griffiths says.

“I think golf was one of the things that kept me going. To me, golf is a wonderful game, not only the physical aspect of it, but the mental aspect of it. Getting out there and communicating with my golfing friends is something I really enjoy.”

Dr. Saul Isserow, director of the Centre for Cardiovascular Health at Vancouver General Hospital, says simple common sense suggests that golf, as an exercise, has profound benefits for one’s cardiovascular health. But Isserow, himself an avid player, knows the game also has immense social benefits, “One would think the benefit of social interaction are as much of a benefit as the exercise,” Isserow says.

So the fact is, golf is far from a good walk spoiled. No matter your score or skill level, just remember the game is good for you.

Golf has always been a positive addition to anyone’s healthy active lifestyle. More so now, as the world navigates the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, adding golf into one’s physical and mental health routines can provide a litany of benefits.

While the sport is a positive addition for these times, it’s also an idyllic activity for millennials who are perhaps feeling the pull of wanting to see friends, enjoy a cold Steam Whistle outdoors, and feel a part of nature again.

The only place all three of those things can happen these days is on the golf course.

Here are seven reasons why golf is the perfect sport of now for millennials:

1. The ability to get together with friends

The only place to get a group of guys or group of girls together—all from outside their family/household bubbles—for a couple of hours and have fun is on the golf course.

“The reality is that there are few activities available right now where people can get together and enjoy the company of friends and family,” says Brian Decker, the director of marketing and communications at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.  “Golf is uniquely positioned to give people a safe way to do just that, and we feel that if we can give people an outlet to get away from the stresses of this crisis, we’re playing a small role in our collective recovery,”

As millennials, we’re used to having constant connection with people.

Sure, we have been able to digitally connect with our colleagues and have made headway in virtual game nights or catch-up drinks over the last 90 days or so, but there’s nothing like in-person connection. Playing golf allows for that.

2. Digital-first communication

Millennials are strapped to their phone—there’s no way around that. It’s not as though phone usage should be looked as a negative, either. Phones these days are used for banking and work connections, not just games or dating apps.

Golf courses have done a fantastic job with their digital communication strategies as they open across Canada in the time of COVID-19.

You’d be hard-pressed not to find courses using new features on Instagram, like the ‘Story’ function to show the different things golfers can expect at clubs upon arrival and through their round during the time of COVID-19.

“All of our member communication about our COVID-19 procedures has been done through our broadcast emails.  We have also used video and provided the links,” says Dave Fox, the general manager at Islington Golf Club.

While many golf courses struggled to dedicate time and personal to marketing and communications, one thing COVID-19 has helped to boost is the social and digital relevancy of golf clubs.

This is a positive as many millennials, and many for the first time, will be searching and following golf courses they want to play. The information provided, through digital and social channels, is the perfect way to connect with millennials.

3. Social Sharing

Millennials are the earliest adaptors of social media, and as such, there are approximately 3.5 billion millennial social media users in the world. Golf provides the perfect canvas for millennials to want to share their experiences on social media.

Whether you’ve been able to get together with your friends for the first time in months, you’ve been able to buy a beer from a bar (or in this case, a halfway house or clubhouse) for the first time this summer, or you’ve caught the perfect late-afternoon light—posting about your day on a golf course is millennial friendly.

“Social media has always been a priority for us in communicating/marketing to the travelling golfer,” says Mark McLane, the executive director of Golf Prince Edward Island, who says the agency’s Facebook page prompted nearly 20,000 website views in April alone.

McLane says—with only 27 coronavirus cases on PEI and no deaths—the islands reputation for safety and tranquility has promoted groups who usually travel internationally (including to the U.S.) for golf wishing to come to the island.

A Canadian golf trip experience is an ideal platform for social sharing, and whether it’s wrapped in food, friendship, or, of course, the golf, millennials love the opportunity to snap a picture and click share.

4. Exercise

With no gym facilities open across Canada, millennials are looking for places to exercise that isn’t usually their kitchen, bedroom, or basement.

Golf Canada research suggests players burn approximately 2000-2500 calories during a round while walking a minimum of 9,000 metres. Golfers will exceed 10,000 steps over 18 holes.

My scores haven’t been great and that’s an understatement. But there were some numbers I liked from a recent round: 13,000 steps taken and 9 kilometres walked while climbing the equivalent of 23 floors. My mantra: Golf is good for me. https://t.co/lEm7xfuRVF

— Brad Ziemer (@BradZiemer) June 16, 2020

The golf course is not just a place to get together with friends for a hot dog at the turn, but it’s a place to burn off the one-too-many hotdogs from being quarantined.

5. Sense of Normalcy

If there were one place where millennials could feel as if they were participating in a “normal” activity, it would be the golf course.

Those lucky enough to have access to a car can jump in it, see their friends or family members at the parking lot of the golf course, play 18 holes together and catch up, and then drive home.

“The tee sheet has been busy. We couldn’t accommodate all the requests to play the first weekend,” says Fox from Islington, showing that people are just anxious to get back to something that makes them feel as if they are doing something as normal as possible these days.

From a business standpoint as well, the golf industry in Canada has a $19.7-billion impact on economic activity in the country. According to recent Carleton University COVID-19 stats, younger Canadians are more bullish about reopening the economy.

“Golf employs a ton of people,” says Sam Wills, a PGA of Canada Assistant Professional at Deer Valley Golf Club in Regina. “From an economic standpoint, getting golf courses getting open is a great thing.”

6. Responsibility for the greater good

A new 10-year-long study from the Case Foundation of 150,000 millennials revealed that one of the top-10 takeaways is that millennials care about social issues.

The ability for millennials to be part of the safe reopening of the economy while caring for the health and safety of their fellow man makes golf so important in the millennial ethos.

“We continue to evaluate our protocols daily in such an evolving landscape,” says Brian Mossop, the general manager of Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club. The club was closed for several weeks to have the opportunity to completely re-evaluate its services and service-related items. 

And while millennials continue to practice physical distancing, it can be done with aplomb on the golf course.

“Golf,” Wills from Deer Valley says, “is safer than going into a grocery store right now.“

7. Hope

While millennials have been blamed for everything from the demise of chain restaurants to cereal, one thing is true—this group has hope.

During an unprecedented time in our history, when you combine all the good things about golf (social health, physical health, mental health, fun, positive economic impact, environmental benefits, and more) it gives millennials hope for what can come on the other side of this pandemic.

“Shortly after we opened earlier this month, we received an email from someone who had played here and thanked the staff for a great experience and helping them to feel ‘normal for the first time in two months,’” says Decker at TPC Toronto. “That really hit home for our team and confirmed for us that golf can play a really positive role in these times.”

Whether you’re picking up the game for the first time, returning to golf after a bit of a break, or if you’re a long-time player just thrilled to be able to get back out there again for the 2020 season, it’s imperative to follow the guidelines as listed by your golf course or club. The new rules are in place to reflect government and health organization best practices as we all navigate this global pandemic safely. And although your time at a golf course may look different than in year’s past, one thing should remain the same: be sure to treat the golf-course staff with respect and understanding. We’re all in this together.

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Due to continued health concerns as well as government restrictions on travel and group gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Golf Canada has cancelled all of its amateur golf competitions for the duration of the 2020 season.

The National Sport Federation had previously announced the cancellation or postponement of a number of its junior and amateur competitions scheduled through mid-June.

“National amateur competitions have been a proud focus throughout our 125-year history and while we share in the disappointment of competitors, our host clubs and event volunteers, the most important consideration is the health and safety of the people who come together at our championships,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Ongoing travel restrictions—both international and across some provincial borders—in addition to continued restrictions on larger group gatherings and limitations on player training were significant contributors to this decision. We are also sensitive to the needs of our host clubs to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their staff and members.”

The 107th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, one of the top-ranked women’s amateur events in the world that attracts many international athletes, was scheduled to begin in five weeks at The Royal Montreal Golf Club from July 21-24. In addition, the 116th Canadian Men’s Amateur which features a 264-player field was scheduled to take place at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alta. from August 3-6 – marking the 125th anniversary of this storied championship. The cancellations will mark the first time since the second World War where these two national championships will not be conducted.

Golf Canada has also announced that the National Orders of Merit will not be awarded in 2020. The purpose of the points-based rankings is to identify and give recognition top-performing male and female amateur and junior golfers across Canada who have achieved success in the golf season. The decision to not award the Orders of Merit was made recognizing the varying access Canadian golfers will have to domestic and international competitions, and the resulting difficulty in running an equitable ranking system. Golf Canada will look to resume the Orders of Merit on September 1st, 2020 for the 2021 rankings. For more information, please visit the National Orders of Merit page by clicking here.

Golf Canada and Golf Ontario previously announced the cancellation of the 7th annual World Junior Girls Championship, scheduled for September 30 – October 3, 2020 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 20 championships nation-wide which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf referees, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by RBC, Canadian Pacific, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist and FootJoy. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions.

With all golf courses across Canada permitted to open, golfers are encouraged to post their scores when they tee it up this season.

Posting your scores is important to maintain a consistent Handicap Index as part of the unified World Handicap System.

As a safety measure under COVID-19 protocols, golfers are not permitted to use kiosks found at local clubs or pro shops until further notice to reduce social touch points.

Login at golfcanada.ca 

• Visit golfcanada.ca
• Click “Post a Score”
• Login using your member credentials
  • If you have forgotten your password, follow the prompts or click here
    

    

Post your score

• Choose the golf course
• Enter all applicable information
• Members are encouraged to post scores hole-by-hole in order to ensure the correct adjustment of Net Double Bogey (your maximum hole score for handicap purposes)

Post using the Golf Canada mobile app 

• Open the mobile app on your Apple or Android device
• Tap the Post a Score button
• Choose the golf course
• Members are encouraged to enter hole-by-hole scores
• Post your score

How do I track my stats?

• Members can enter their statistics for each game by selecting which stats they wish to maintain such as Fairways in Regulation (FIR), Putts, Penalty Strokes, Driving Distance etc.
• Post their score Hole-By-Hole and select “Yes” in the “Track Stats” bar.
• Enter in the statistical fields they wish to track and click “Post Score.”

How do I delete or edit a score?

Members can edit their scores at any time but can only delete an unedited score within 24 hours from the time the score was posted. After 24 hours or if an edit has been made, only the club administrator can delete a score. Scores that are edited will be denoted by a “#” beside the score in the scoring record.

• Click on the “Pencil” icon to the right of the appropriate score.
• Make the adjustment(s) to the score and click “Post Score.”
  • There may be some clubs that have changed their default setting (which may not allow golfers to edit or delete at all).

What if the course I played isn’t found in the directory?

If the club a golfer is looking for is not listed, please notify Golf Canada at members@golfcanada.ca or 1.800.263.0009 x4520. All member courses in Canada will appear in the course directory. Please note that courses that are not current members in Canada do not have valid course and slope ratings and scores from these courses cannot be entered for handicap purposes.

Not a member? Join Canada’s largest golf community here.