LIBERTY CORNER, N.J., and ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (Nov. 4, 2019) – The World Handicap System (WHS) is ready to be launched in January 2020 and will provide golfers with a unified and more inclusive handicapping system for the first time.

Though many countries are planning to adopt the new system in January, the system will go live in other parts of the world throughout the year to accommodate different implementation plans and variations in the golf calendar.

Developed by the USGA and The R&A in close coordination with existing handicapping authorities, the WHS will provide all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability, with handicaps calculated in the same way wherever they are in the world.

A key objective of the initiative was to develop a modern system, enabling as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index. Golfers will be able to transport their Handicap Index globally and compete or play a casual round with players from other regions on a fair basis. It will also indicate the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving the next time they go out to play.

The table lists the estimated implementation timeframes for a selection of countries:

The WHS has two main components – the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System. The Rules of Handicapping are encompassed within seven Rules to inform administrators and golfers on how an official Handicap Index is calculated and administered, with some flexibility given to national associations based on how the sport is played and enjoyed in their region. The Course Rating System, based on the USGA Course Rating System first adopted nearly 50 years ago and already adopted on nearly every continent, sets out a consistent method of determining a course’s difficulty. Together, these components become the foundational elements in determining a golfer’s Handicap Index.

“When the golf community works together, everyone benefits,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA.  “We have seen the benefit that handicapping has provided for decades, providing greater enjoyment for all who play. To have a single set of Rules of Handicapping for the game will connect golfers from country to country, and we are excited to bring the best of all worlds together through this initiative.

“It is one of the many ways we are investing in golf’s future, to strengthen and foster growth of the entire game for years to come.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The game of golf is transforming to meet the needs of the modern-day golfer; modernizing the Rules this year was an important step forward in that regard and the World Handicap System will be another.

“Our hope is that the launch of the WHS will be a catalyst for change; signalling the start of a new era of golfer engagement, being inclusive by embracing all golfers, whatever their level of ability, and broadening its appeal to a much wider audience.”

“Change also means opportunity and, managed appropriately, this can only be good for the game. It does mean there will be a period of adjustment, as we saw with the new Rules, but once it beds in golfers and golf clubs will benefit in many ways from the new system.”

In preparation for the launch of the WHS, more than 3,000 golf courses have been rated for the first time and an extensive education program has been delivered. By the end of 2019, more than 90 National Associations will have attended an educational seminar and a robust library of resources is hosted on WHS.com to support regional education.

Rules of Handicapping books are being produced and will be translated and delivered through national associations.

In addition, the USGA and The R&A have developed a series of golfer-focused materials, including videos, infographics and posters, which can be used by national associations and shared with golf clubs for the benefit of golfers.

This includes a promotional video which can be seen here featuring Annika Sorenstam, Gary Player and voices of recreational golfers from around the world to encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a handicap.

The materials explain the system’s key features, including:

• Flexibility in formats of play, allowing both competitive and recreational rounds to count for handicap purposes and ensuring that a Handicap Index reflects demonstrated ability
• A minimal number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap; with the number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap being 54 holes from any combination of 18-hole and 9-hole rounds (with some discretion available for national or regional associations)
• An average-based calculation of a handicap, taken from the best eight out of the last 20 scores and factoring in memory of demonstrated ability for better responsiveness/control
• A calculation that considers the impact that abnormal course and weather conditions might have on a player’s performance each day
• Timely handicap revisions
• A limit of Net Double Bogey on the maximum hole score (for handicapping purposes only)
• A maximum handicap limit of 54.0, regardless of gender, to encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance to increase their enjoyment of the game
• The formation of a World Handicap System was first conceived in 2011 between the USGA and The R&A in an effort to engage more golfers in the game and promote equity, no matter where golf is played. The effort unites six existing handicapping systems into one, while embracing the many ways the game is played across cultures.

Beginning in 2020, the new WHS will be governed by the USGA and The R&A and administered by national and regional golf associations around the world.

The existing six handicapping authorities, Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA), the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) and the USGA, represent approximately 15 million golfers in 80 countries who currently maintain a golf handicap.

As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support the USGA’s and The R&A’s efforts to implement the World Handicap System.

MISSISSAUGA, ON – The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and Bayer Environmental Science (Bayer) have announced James Beebe from Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club in Priddis, Alta. as the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year for 2019.

The annual award recognizes a member of the CGSA who has held the position of golf course superintendent for a minimum of five years and who has distinguished her or himself through dedication to the profession, performance as a golf course superintendent and contributions to their profession and their community.

“The CGSA is incredibly proud to bestow this recognition to James; he epitomizes leadership and professionalism in his role as Golf Course Manager,” said Greg Austin, CGSA President. I’m one of dozens of golf industry people that have worked with James at Priddis Greens, and all will tell you of his great mentorship and humble leadership. I’m extremely lucky to call James not only a colleague but a friend. Congratulations on this well-deserved award, James.”

“It is truly a great honour to be recognized as the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the year,” said Beebe. I feel very thankful to have been surrounded by incredibly supportive people throughout my career without whom this award would not have been possible. Receiving this prestigious award from the CGSA & Bayer is made special because of my long standing relationship and friendships with the wonderful people in these two organizations.”

As the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year winner, James receives the following:

• Attendance at and participation in the 2019 Fall Field Day from October 9-11 including golfing both days at Cabot Resort. This includes registration fee, travel costs, car rental, if necessary, and hotel accommodation for up to three nights;
• James and his wife Janet will receive an “All-Access” registration to The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference, 4 nights’ accommodation at the Westin Ottawa Hotel and transportation to the conference from March 2-5, 2020;
• A site visit with a written agronomic report from a Bayer Green Solution Specialist;
• Including a $5,000 Bayer plant protection package for the golf course; and
• A trip for two to attend a Bayer educational opportunity that would include golf.

James has been a CGSA member since 1992. He served as the CGSA President in 2016 and was the Alberta Golf Superintendents Association (AGSA) President in 2004. James has received several awards and recognitions including the CGSA Environmental Achievement Award in 2005, the AGSA Walt Gooder Distinguished Award in 2017, GCSAA/Golf Industry Environmental Leader Award in 2006, as well as making Priddis Greens the first Alberta golf course to be a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 1998. He has sat on numerous committees for both the CGSA and the AGSA.

James graduated from Seneca College in 1989 with a diploma in Golf Course Technology. His early work experience took him from Riverside Golf Club in Saskatoon, to East Essex Golf Club in England from 1989-1991. In 1991 James moved to Alberta where he worked at Woodside Golf Course for two years. He then honed his skills in a role at D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club before moving to Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club. Still into his young career, James elected to return to school and attended Penn State University where in 1995 graduated as valedictorian with an Associates Degree in Golf Course Turfgrass Management. In 1996 James was promoted to Golf Course Superintendent at Priddis Greens.

Over the last 25 plus years James has been known for providing elite playing conditions for his membership and has hosted three LPGA Tour events, including the CP Women’s Open in 1999, 2009 and 2016.

Beebe will receive the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year award on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 during the Awards Lunch at the Westin Ottawa Hotel as part of The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference.

Inverness, N.S. – A year removed from finishing dead last in a local qualifying event in Manitoba, the team from The Carman Golf and Curling Club is now tops in the country, winning the 2019 RBC PGA Scramble National Final at Cabot Links.

“Honestly, we’re probably about as surprised as anyone,” said the team from Carman about the win Tuesday at Cabot Links. “We came here this week with literally zero expectations. Our goal was to embrace the Cabot Links experience and we just happened to play really well, too.

At 59.4-under-par through three rounds (two at Cabot Links and one at Cabot Cliffs), they certainly played well. The four amateurs—Jared Aubin, Josh McCharles, Brett Maloney and Bobby McNair—and PGA of Canada professional Dean North dominated the championship from start to finish, winning by an astounding 6.9 shots over the second place team from The Landings of Kingston, Ont.

Ottawa’s Rideau View Golf and Country Club rounded out the top three with a cumulative net-score of -51.4.

FULL LEADERBOARD

Taking place Oct 6-8 at the world-renowned Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs, the RBC PGA Scramble National Final sees 21 teams—comprised of four amateur golfers and one PGA of Canada professional—playing in a 54-hole national championship.

“Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs are without a doubt the most amazing two-golf course experience in Canada, if not the entire world,” Carman said about the week’s host venues. “And it’s not just the golf courses that are amazing this week, either,” they admitted, adding, “we’ve been treated like tour players from the second we got here.”

Cabot Cliffs ranked No. 1, while Cabot Links ranked No. 4 on SCOREGolf’s 2018 Best Golf Courses in Canada list. Cabot Cliffs also debuted 19th on the World’s Top 100 Courses list by Golf Digest.

“We here at Cabot were thrilled to host the RBC PGA Scramble,” said Cabot Links’ General Manager Andrew Alkenbrack. “I feel our team put on a fantastic show over the past number of days for all of the amateurs and PGA of Canada professionals from around the country. I know our team will have incredible memories of this experience and I do hope that our guests for this very special event will feel the same.”

Located in Inverness, N.S., Cabot Links is Canada’s first and only authentic links golf resort. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the picturesque town of Inverness, the Cabot Links course represents a dramatic departure from the typical golf excursion. With six holes playing directly alongside the water and every hole offers an ocean view, Cabot Links is where traditional links-land golf comes to life against the spectacular Nova Scotia landscape.

The Cabot Cliffs course, designed by the decorated team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is the newest addition to Cabot. Exquisitely carved out of the breathtaking Cape Breton landscape, with postcard-worthy panoramas vying for your attention and every hole calling out to the sea, it is links-land golf at its best.

The RBC PGA Scramble National Final promises to be a golf trip of a lifetime and includes numerous receptions, an authentic east coast kitchen party, hole-in-one shootout, glow-in-dark golf, unique scotch tastings, prizing, meals, activations and much more.

Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member and golf media personality Bob Weeks will be on-site during championship week as an honorary starter for the final round at Cabot Links, as well as host emcee for the championship’s closing ceremonies. PGA TOUR player Ben Silverman will also be on hand at Cabot, adding to the overall atmosphere and experience of the event.

To learn more about the RBC PGA Scramble , click here.

TORONTO – It turns out Friday the 13^th isn’t an unlucky date for American Gene Elliott. The West Des Moines, IA, native, carded a 3-over par 74 today to capture the 2019 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship title at Cedar Brae Golf Club.

At No. 294, Elliott is the top ranked senior aged golfer (55+ years) on the World Amateur Golf Rankings. He finished the event 6-under (278) for a comfortable 5-stroke victory.

“I’m relieved more than anything,” said Elliott. “Even with a six-shot lead coming into today, it’s still hard to win. I’m absolutely thrilled.”

Elliott wasn’t just battling the field, as winds were gusting up to 35 km/h Friday at Cedar Brae.

“You’ll find fourth-round scores are much higher than the rest of the week. It played very tough today, which is another reason I’m relieved,” added Elliott. “Because on a cold and windy day a guy can go out and shoot 80. I’m glad that it didn’t happen. I’m very excited.”

This is the second Canadian Men’s senior title for Elliott. The 57-year-old previously had his name etched on the John Rankin Memorial Trophy when he won the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship in 2017. He also finished third in 2018.

Gene Elliott following his #CDNSenior win today @CedarBraeGolf. pic.twitter.com/MYXPE45yz1

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) September 13, 2019

“I’ve always liked Canada, since I was a small boy. My parents and I used to go fishing in Lake of the Woods, Ontario,” added Elliott. “I’m thrilled to be able to compete up here. I’ve just always been a big, big fan of Canada.”

With the win, Elliott receives an exemption into the 2020 U.S. Senior Amateur championship to be contested at The Country Club of Detroit, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.

There will be little time for Elliott to catch his breath, as he’s leaving Toronto this evening in order to make his 1 p.m. tee-time tomorrow at the U.S. Mid-Amateur, which is taking place in Colorado.

Ashley Chinner of Brooklin, Ont., finished runner up at 1-under (283), while Lars Melander of Oakville, Ont., finished third at even-par (284).

A 65-and-over Super Senior Championship ran concurrently throughout the championship. Melander’s final round 1-under par 70 helped him win the title and hoist the Governor’s Cup.

“This is something I’ve worked towards for 13 years,” stated Melander. “Last year I finished third and this year I got it done. It was exhilarating to finally win another Canadian championship. The last one I won was the PGA of Canada’s Assistant’s Championship in Vancouver in 1974.”

Finishing runner-up in the Senior Division was Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C. Simson won the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship in 2010 and the Super Senior title in 2017. He finished the event 3-over (287), 3-shots back of Melander.

Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Alta., finished third at +8 (292).

The 2020 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship will be held September 8-11 at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach, B.C.

2019 CANADIAN MEN’S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL SCORES

1. Gene Elliott, West Des Moines, IA, *71-66-67-74-278 -6
   2. Ashley Chinner, Brooklin, ON, *75-67-72-69-283 -1
   3. Lars Melander, Oakville, ON, *74-67-73-70-284 E
   4. Paul Simson, Raleigh, NC, *76-71-72-68-287 +3
   4. Sandy Harper, Nanaimo, BC, *72-69-69-77-287 +3

2019 CANADIAN MEN’S SUPER-SENIOR DIVISION FINAL SCORES

1. Lars Melander, Oakville, ON, *74-67-73-70-284 E
   2. Paul Simson, Raleigh, NC, *76-71-72-68-287 +3
   3. Frank Van Dornick, Camrose, AB, *75-69-74-74-292 +8
   4. Doug Roxburgh, Vancouver, BC, *74-75-77-73-299 +15
   5. John Gallacher, Burnaby, BC, *78-77-73-73-301 +17

Additional information, including a full list of competitors and scores can be found here.

TORONTO – American Gene Elliott edged closer to winning his second Canadian Men’s Senior Championship title on Thursday. The West Des Moines, IA, native fired a 4-under par 67 to sit 9-under (204) at Cedar Brae Golf Club and take a commanding 6-shot lead into tomorrow’s final round.

Elliott, who plays out of Glen Oaks Country Club, has enjoyed great success north of the border. The 57-year old won the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship in 2017 and finished third in 2018.

“Well, there’s still a lot of golf left – 18 holes – and no lead is big enough as far as I’m concerned,” said Elliott following his round. “Cedar Brae is a tough golf course; you’ve got to stay below the hole. If you can putt well, you can do well.”

Elliott is playing better than “well”. He’s one of just two players to sit under par after three rounds. Sandy Harper of Nanaimo, B.C., shot 69 Thursday and sits second at -3 (210).

?? Gene Elliott holds a 6-shot lead heading into the final round of the #CDNSenior.

Full scores: https://t.co/i9xB3XQWoT pic.twitter.com/41fb3MmrnM

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) September 12, 2019

Tom Cameron of Oromocto, N.B.; Ashley Chinner of Brooklin, Ont.; Doug Hanzel of Savannah, GA,; and Lars Melander of Oakville all have a share of 3^rd at 1-over par.

A 65-and-over Super Senior Championship is running concurrently throughout the championship. After 54 holes of play, Melander leads the pack at +1 (214).

“I’ve kept my head down this week and just tried to play as good as I can. Not get too excited or too down,” stated Melander. “That’s why I am where I am. Overall, I’m pretty pleased.”

Melander holds a 4-shot lead over Frank Van Dornick ofCamrose, Alta., who is 5-over (218). Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C. is third at 6-over (219).

The final round will begin Friday at 8:30 a.m. EDT.

The individual champion receives an exemption into the 2020 U.S. Senior Amateur championship to be contested at The Country Club of Detroit, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.

2019 CANADIAN MEN’S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 3 LEADERS

1. Gene Elliott, West Des Moines, IA, *71-66-67-204 -9
   2. Sandy Harper, Nanaimo, BC, *72-69-69-210 -3
   3. Tom Cameron, Oromocto, NB, *70-73-71-214 +1
   3. Ashley Chinner, Brooklin, ON, *75-67-72-214 +1
   3. Doug Hanzel, Savannah, GA, *74-70-70-214 +1
   3. Lars Melander, Oakville, ON, *74-67-73-214 +1

2019 CANADIAN MEN’S SUPER-SENIOR DIVISION ROUND 3 LEADERS

1. Lars Melander, Oakville, ON, *74-67-73-214 +1
   2. Frank Van Dornick, Camrose, AB, *75-69-74-218 +5
   3. Paul Simson, Raleigh, NC, *76-71-72-219 +6
   4. Doug Roxburgh, Vancouver, BC, *74-75-77-226 +13
   4. Alan Stewart, Grande Praire, AB, *78-74-74-226 +13

Additional information, including a full list of competitors and scores can be found here.

TORONTO – Tom Cameron of Oromocto, N.B., carded a 1-under 70 that included five birdies to take sole possession of the lead following the opening-round of the 2019 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Cedar Brae Golf Club.

There was no doubting Cedar Brae proved itself a solid test as Cameron was the lone competitor in the stellar 156-player field to sit under par. The average score on the day was 8-over 79.

Four players share second including three Canadians and an American. Garth Collings of Matlock, Man., Toronto’s Robert Gibson, Ken Griffith of Red Deer, Alta. and Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, IA all carded even par 71s to sit a single shot off the lead.

A 65-and-over Super Senior Championship is running concurrently throughout the championship, crowning a champion after 72 holes of play. After 18 holes of play, Ken Warwick of Winnipeg led the field after a 1-over par 72.

Warwick, a member of Niakwa Country Club who is President-elect of Golf Manitoba, holds a 2-shot lead over Vancouver’s Doug Roxburgh and Oakville, Ont.’s Lars Melander. Roxburgh – a Canadian Golf Hall of Famer and the reigning Canadian Super Senior Champion – and Melander shot matching 74s Tuesday.
An inter-provincial team competition is also being contested over the tournament’s first two rounds.

Team Alberta combined for a team score of 144 (+2) to share the lead with Team Ontario.

Team Alberta is comprised of Red Deer’s Ken Griffith, Edmonton’s Brian Laubman and Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, while Team Ontario consists of David Greenaway from Barrie, Robert Gibson of Toronto and Ashley Chinner of Brooklin.

The team title will come down to the wire Wednesday afternoon as Team British Columbia and Team Quebec are just two-shots back of the leaders at 146 (+4).

Following the opening two rounds, the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties.

The individual champion receives an exemption into the 2020 U.S. Senior Amateur championship to be contested at The Country Club of Detroit, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.

2019 CANADIAN MEN’S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 LEADERS

1. Tom Cameron, Oromocto, NB, *37-33-70 -1
   2. Garth Collings, Matlock, MB, *35-36-71 E
   2. Gene Elliott, West Des Moines, IA, *35-36-71 E
   2. Robert Gibson, Toronto, ON, *35-36-71 E
   2. Ken Griffith, Red Deer, AB, *35-36-71 E

2019 CANADIAN MEN’S SUPER-SENIOR DIVISION ROUND 1 LEADERS

1. Ken Warwick, Winnipeg, MB, *36-36-72 +1
   2. Lars Melander, Oakville, ON, *35-39-74 +3
   2. Doug Roxburgh, Vancouver, BC, *36-38-74 +3
   4. Frank Van Dornick, Camrose, AB, *35-40-75 +4
   5. Lance Lundy, Pemberton, BC, *40-36-76 +5
   5. Bruce McEwen, Scarborough, ON, *37-39-76 +5
   5. Michel Roy, Québec, QC, *37-39-76 +5
   5. Paul Simson, Raleigh, NC, *35-41-76 +5

INTER-PROVINCIAL FIRST ROUND LEADERS

1. Team Alberta – Ken Griffith (Red Deer), Brian Laubman (Edmonton), Frank Van Dornick (Camrose) * 70-74-144 +2
   1. Team Ontario – David Greenaway (Barrie), Robert Gibson (Toronto), Ashley Chinner (Brooklin) * 71-73-144 +2
   3. Team British Columbia – Doug Roxburgh (Vancouver), Jim Shaw (Sooke), Sandy Harper (Nanaimo) *71-75-146 +4
   3. Team Quebec – Jean-Guy Garnier (Lévis), Peter Harrison (Ottawa), Serge Amyot (St. Constant) *73-73-146 +4
   5. Team Manitoba – Mike Walker (Winnipeg), Bruce North (Carman), Garth Collings (Matlock) *73-76-149 +7

Additional information, including a full list of competitors and scores can be found here.

– Winner receives exemption into USGA’s 2020 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship –

– Eight past champions and three Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Honoured Members in the field –

TORONTO – The 2019 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, conducted by Golf Canada, will be contested at Cedar Brae Golf Club from September 10-13, marking the 58^th playing of the national championship.

A full field of 156 competitors aged 55-and-over will take to Cedar Brae in hopes of joining the championship’s stellar list of notable winners. Returning to defend his Canadian Men’s Senior title is Brady Exber of Las Vegas, who cruised to a 7-stroke victory in 2018 with a score of 10-under par (278).

Also looking to hoist the John Rankin Memorial Trophy at Cedar Brae are seven additional past champions, including Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured members Gary Cowan of Kitchener, Ont., Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que. and Doug Roxburgh of Vancouver. Other past champions in the field include Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C.; David Schultz of Calgary; Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga; Michael Mercier of Juno Beach, Fla.; and Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, Ill.

“We have exceptionally talented and accomplished golfers who are ready to take on a stellar golf course in Cedar Brae,” said Tournament Director Akash Patel. “Our hosts at Cedar Brae Golf Club have pulled together a great team of volunteers and the course is sure to provide North America’s best senior golfers with a solid test of their skills. The 2019 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship will undoubtedly be an exciting competition.”

Practice rounds take place Monday, September 9. Championship play will be conducted Tuesday, September 10 through Friday, September 13, with 18 holes of stroke play each day. Following the opening two rounds, the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties. The champion receives an exemption into the 2020 U.S. Senior Amateur championship to be contested at The Country Club of Detroit, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.

A 65-and-over Super Senior Championship will run concurrently throughout the championship, crowning a champion after 72 holes of play. In 2018, Doug Roxburgh claimed a two-shot victory in the division over Quebec City’s Michel Roy.

An inter-provincial team competition for the Phil Farley Memorial Trophy will also be contested over the tournament’s first two rounds. In 2018, Team British Columbia captured the inter-provincial team championship with a score of 9 over par. Team Alberta and Team Quebec finished a single shot back to tie for second.

Originally opened in 1922, Cedar Brae has proven itself a revered destination for golfers seeking one of the best golf course experiences in Toronto. The club has evolved from its early beginnings, moving locations and changing its name before spreading its roots at its current location. The course was designed by Mr. C.E. (Robbie) Robinson.

Visiting golfers regularly praise Cedar Brae’s layout, course conditioning and large fast greens that require a deft putting touch.

“Cedar Brae is proud and excited to host the 2019 Canadian Men’s Senior Golf Championship,” said Cedar Brae’s General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, Martin Piché. “Our staff and member-based volunteer team have been working hard to prepare for the event. We know the players will enjoy the amenities and pure golf experience Cedar Brae has to offer.”

Additional information, including a full list of competitors, can be found here.

NOTABLE COMPETITORS

Gary Cowan of Kitchener, Ont.
Cowan, 80, was named the Canadian Male Golfer of the 20th Century in 2000 by Golf Canada – then known as the Royal Canadian Golf Association. A former Canadian Junior Boy’s (1956) and Canadian Amateur (1961) Champion, Cowan went on to win the United States Amateur Championship on two occasions (1966 and 1971). He turned professional at age 52 and played on the PGA TOUR Champions where he earned three top-10 finishes. Cowan’s amateur status was reinstated in October, 2018.

Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, Ill.
The 57-year-old won five titles in 2018. In addition, he finished 3^rd at last year’s Canadian Men’s Senior.

Brady Exber of Las Vegas, Nev.
The 63-year-old is back north of the border to defend his Canadian Men’s Senior Championship title. Exber, a member of the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame, was a quarterfinalist at the 2019 U.S. Senior Amateur.

Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que.
The 72-year-old is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and has won the event four times (2001, 2002, 2008 and 2009). Cooke holds the record number of wins at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship with seven.

Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga.
The 62-year-old won the event in 2015 and finished 4^th last year. In 2018, he won both the National Senior Amateur Hall of Fame and the Georgia Senior Match Play Championships.

Doug Roxburgh of Vancouver B.C.
The 2014 winner of the event is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and was the Super Senior Champion in last year’s tournament. The 67-year-old won the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship four times (1972, 1974, 1982 and 1988). He also has the record for most wins at the B.C. Men’s Amateur Championship with 13.

FAST FACTS
Conducted since 1962.

Golfers must be 55 and over to be eligible.

In 1995, the 70 and over Canadian Super Senior division was added and is contested through the first two rounds.

The 2018 playing marked the first time this competition was contested over 72 holes.

The inter-provincial competition, which began in 1977, occurs concurrently over the first two rounds.

The champion is awarded the John Rankin Memorial Trophy.

The winner of the Super Senior division is awarded the Governor’s Cup.

Calgary’s Bob Wylie has won the event seven times since 1985.

Nick Weslock won the event six times between 1973 and 1983.

Paul Simson became the first person to win the British, U.S. and Canadian senior titles in the same year in 2010.

The winner receives an exemption into the 2020 U.S. Men’s Senior Amateur Championship.

ABOUT THE COURSE
Located in the scenic Rouge Valley in the north east part of Toronto, Cedar Brae boasts a challenging and award winning 18-hole course designed by renowned golf course architect and Stanley Thompson disciple, CE (Robbie) Robinson.

Cedar Brae’s layout boasts mature trees and natural tranquility bordered to the east by Rouge National Urban Park – Canada’s only Urban National Park.

The club hosted the 1976 CP Women’s Open, then known as the Peter Jackson Classic, as well as other provincial championships and qualifiers.

Cedar Brae, par 71, will be set up to play 6,463 yards. Par 3s will average 192 yards, par 4s will average 380 yards and the par 5s will average 520 yards.

Cégep Champlain St. Lawrence will host the 2020 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Golf National Championships, presented by PING.

The Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) institution will host the event Oct. 12-16, 2020 at the Club de Golf Le Lorette in Loretteville, QC.

“The CCAA is excited to be returning to Quebec City and Club de Golf Le Lorette,” said Jim Knight, CCAA Golf Convenor. “Champlain St. Lawrence has hosted multiple CCAA Golf Championships in the past 10 years and this course is very familiar to our student-athletes.”

The Champlain St. Lawrence Lions last hosted CCAA Nationals in 2014, at Club de Golf Le Lorette. The institution also hosted in 2006 and 2013.

“The organizing committee at Champlain St. Lawrence has the experience of hosting CCAA Golf Nationals and are looking at elevating this event to showcase the countries best College and University golfers in the CCAA,” said Knight.

Club de Golf Le Lorette is one of the most reputable courses in the Québec City region. The 6,600-yard, par 72 course will offer CCAA golfers many challenges.

Since 2014, the course has undergone alterations and improvements, just in time for its 100^th anniversary in 2020. Club de Golf Le Lorette, which has hosted numerous provincial and national events, will also play host to the Women’s Junior Nationals in Summer 2020.

The Lions golf program has been quite successful in the last 20 years, winning five provincial championships and four CCAA National Championships.

Of the four CCAA National titles, two of them have come on home soil. The Champlain St. Lawrence women’s team captured gold medals in 2006 and 2014.

The Lions are a source of great pride for Champlain St. Lawrence.

“Our golf program has a rich history of success ranking among the top teams in the country every year,” said Edward Berryman, Campus Director at Champlain St. Lawrence. “Our student-athletes benefit from the expertise of an outstanding coaching staff and we strive in providing them the best learning experiences possible.”

The 2019 CCAA Golf National Championships will be also be held in Quebec, hosted by Cégep André-Laurendeau in Sorel-Tracy, QC, from Oct. 14-18, 2019.

VICTORIA, B.C. – They wore all-black, of course, and just like their country’s famous rugby team, the New Zealand women took care of business in a very efficient manner Sunday at Royal Colwood Golf Club.

The Astor Trophy, a five-country competition which has been played every four years since 1959, had never been won by New Zealand. Until now.

And the fact New Zealand earned it with a victory Sunday over Australia made it that much sweeter. This was a little like the All Blacks beating the Wallabies in rugby, albeit on a smaller scale, but in a much more civilized setting.

The New Zealand team of Julianne Alvarez, Amelia Garvey, Wenyung Keh and Carmen Lim played splendidly all week and clinched the Astor Trophy with a 3-1 victory in their winner-take-all singles matches Sunday.

“You don’t get many events like this and to win one for your country is special,” Garvey said. “New Zealand doesn’t usually win many, so I am really stoked.

“It was especially sweet to beat Australia. We were all laughing that it was coming down to New Zealand and Aussie on the last day in the last group. It is always a good battle between us.”

Garvey helped clinch the match with a dramatic  comeback. She won her last three holes to win her match against Australian Kirsty Hodgkins on the 18th green.

At about the same time, Keh was clinching her match 2&1 over Stacey White. The trophy was theirs as New Zealand only needed to win two of the four singles matches to clinch the competition.

Garvey came racing down the 18th fairway, leaping in the air and screaming, to congratulate Keh on the 17th green.

“I won my last three (holes) mate,” Garvey shouted. “I was shaking on the 18th. I was so nervous.”

New Zealand finished the five-country competition with 3.5 points. Australia, South Africa and Great Britain & Ireland all had two points, while Canada finished with a half-point.

Sunday’s final match was a winner-take-all affair. Only New Zealand and Australia had a chance to win the Astor Trophy on the final day.

After the two countries split their two morning foursomes matches, it came down the four singles matches. Australia needed to win three of them to take the trophy.

For a while it looked like they might do it. But Garvey’s comeback tilted the match in New Zealand’s favour. Shortly after Keh clinched her match, Alvarez won her match 3&1.

Keh was New Zealand’s top player. She didn’t lose a match all week and combined with Alvarez, her former University of Washington teammate, to win all four of their foursomes matches.

“Wenyung has been the smiling assassin all week,’ said New Zealand coach Jay Carter.

Keh played brilliantly all day Sunday and hit what looked like an impossible 5-iron out of trees and onto the 17th green to put the finishing touches on her match.

“Yeah, I was pretty solid,” she said with a smile. “I didn’t take any shots for granted today. I knew we had to play solidly against Australia because you knew they were going to come out fighting. I am glad we won in the end, because we lost to them last time.”

The Astor Trophy began as the Commonwealth Trophy and was first held at The Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland in 1959. The name was changed to the Astor Trophy in 2007 to allow Irish players to compete on a Great Britain & Ireland team.

It is played every four years and during the five-day competition each four-woman team played one another once.

Carter was proud of the way his players played and the spirit they displayed during the competition.

“Winning is always the goal, but at the start of the week we talked about how the things we wanted to be known for were having fun, having courage, showing kindness and having integrity,” Carter said. “And I’d like to think we have nailed that.”

The Canadian team of Noémie Paré of Victoriaville, Que, Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C., Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont., and Emily Zhu of Richmond Hill, Ont. closed the competition with a match against Great Britain & Ireland. They dropped the match 4-2, but got big singles victories from Rivers and Paré. Rivers knocked off Olivia Mehaffey 2&1 and Paré beat Alice Hewson 6&5. Both Mehaffey and Hewson are ranked inside the top 20 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Paré, who is heading into her senior year at Barry University in south Florida, said she’ll never forget her Astor Trophy experience.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Paré said. “I wasn’t familiar with Golf Canada and I have been a little starry-eyed this week. I have just tried to take everything in and I have been so happy with the experience.”

The next Astor Trophy will be held in New Zealand in 2023.

Royal Colwood Golf Club, which drew rave reviews from Astor Trophy participants, is confirmed to play host to the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

Designed by noted golf architect Arthur Vernon Macan in 1913, Royal Colwood has a rich history of hosting notable golf championships.

Most recently, it played host to the 2013 Canadian Amateur Championship. In 2020 it will play host to the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship.

All that is standing in the way of New Zealand’s first Astor Trophy win is Australia.

Or as New Zealand coach Jay Carter likes to call his neighbours, “our little brother.”

New Zealand picked up a half-point Saturday at Royal Colwood Golf Club by tying its match with Great Britain & Ireland in rather dramatic fashion. New Zealand has two-and-half points heading into Sunday’s final day of the competition. Australia, with two points, is the only team that can catch them. The two countries face one another in the final matches on Sunday with the Astor Trophy on the line.

There is just a ‘little’ sporting rivalry between the two countries.

“For it to come down to us and Australia is quite funny, to be honest,” said New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey, who has been her country’s lead player this week. “It is probably the biggest rivalry between the teams here. It is going to be a big day and I am sure both of us are excited to get out there and try to beat the heck out of each other. But we’re friends at the end of the day. It will be interesting to see what happens.”

The Astor Trophy, which has been played every four years since 1959, features teams from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Great Britain & Ireland. Each four-woman team plays one another once during the five-day competition.

New Zealand earned its half-point on the 18th green in the final singles match of the day with Great Britain & Ireland. After winning its two morning foursomes matches, New Zealand struggled in singles and it looked like they could be blanked.

But New Zealand’s Julianne Alvarez earned a tie on the 18th hole when GB&I’s Emily Toy got into trouble with her approach shot. It bounced hard over the green and ended up under a rhododendron. It took her a couple of shots to extricate herself from that situation and Alvarez won the hole with a par and tied the match. Each side earned half a point.

“I can’t believe what just happened, really,” Garvey said. “I think the luck of the Irish was with us, not them, today.”

GB&I needed a full point to hold on to a slim hope of winning the competition. South Africa is tied with Australia with two points, but is off Sunday after having played all four of its matches. GB&I has one point and Canada, which dropped its match with South Africa on Saturday, has a half-point.

Carter once again watched his team rally from behind on Saturday and hopes his players will make it less exciting on Sunday versus Australia.

“It was a gutsy comeback today,” Carter said. “We have pulled a lot of rabbits out of the hat this week and I think all the rabbits have disappeared. So I think we are going to have to front-up tomorrow and own it. But it was something else today.”

Canada had a tough time in its match with South Africa. It lost both of its morning foursomes matches by identical 2&1 margins. The team of Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont., and Noémie Paré of Victoriaville, Que., made a spirited comeback in their match. They rebounded from being four-down through 13 holes to climb within one of their opponents, before faltering on the 17th hole.

Paré, who is heading into her senior year at Barry University in south Florida, did win her singles match in the afternoon. She took control of the match with three straight birdies late on the front nine.

“I got a good rhythm going,” Paré said. “I actually made a couple of putts for par of about 10 feet that really got me going. I chipped in on No. 7 and wedged it to a foot on 8. It was a good couple of holes that put me up a bit in the match.”

Paré and teammates Rivers, Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C., and Emily Zhu of Richmond Hill, Ont. haven’t gained the results they had hoped for, but Paré said they want to close strong Sunday when they meet Great Britain & Ireland.

“We are having a lot of fun and we want to come out of here with a good experience,” she said.

The Astor Trophy began as the Commonwealth Trophy and was first held at The Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland in 1959. The name was changed to the Astor Trophy in 2007 to allow Irish players to compete on a Great Britain & Ireland team.

Australia won the event when it was last contested in 2015 at the Grange Golf Club in southern Australia. Canada has won the Astor Trophy on two occasions, in 1987 and 1979.

Sunday’s foursomes will begin at 8 a.m. and the singles matches are scheduled between 12:30 and 1:40 p.m. Admission is free for spectators.