The Canadian Deaf Sports Association and Canadian Deaf Golf Association are excited to send a national team to the 12th World Deaf Golf Championships that will be held from July 21 – 28 at the Carton House Golf Club in Maynooth, Ireland.

Team Canada will compete in the men’s event, Senior Men’s event and Ladies’ event.

Jonathan Rose, Ont., Alexandre Ouellet, Que., Ryan Mobberley and Sheldon Dueck, Man., and Dale Proctor, B.C. will take part in the Men’s event while British Columbia’s Jim Cranswick, Michael Parkes and Paul Landry as well as Denis Marchand (Que.) will compete in the Senior Men’s event. Sasha Laoun, of Quebec and Janette Lyon of Ontario will take part in the Ladies’ event.

Team Canada’s coach Stan Smith of Ontario will travel with the Canadian golfers.

In 2019, the Canadian Deaf Golf Championships will take place at the Mayfair Lakes Golf and Country Club in Richmond, B.C. The best Canadian golfers will be selected to represent Canada at the 2020 World Deaf Golf Championships in England.

This event is open to all Deaf and hard of hearing men and women. Note that a hearing loss of at least 55 dB in the better ear is required to compete in Canadian and international golf tournaments.

St Andrews, Scotland- A significant growth opportunity exists for golf if it can attract more women, girls and families into playing the sport more often according to a new research report published by The R&A.

Many countries are seeing a fall in the number of both males and females playing golf and the research report analyses the factors which affect whole family participation in the sport, including women and girls, and details a number of useful practical recommendations for national golf bodies and golf clubs to help them encourage more women and girls to play.

The R&A commissioned the International Institute for Golf Education to carry out the research, which brings together the findings of existing academic and industry research with the individual views of a wide-ranging group of golf experts.

The key themes identified in the report, which was produced by Dr. John Fry and Philip Hall, include:

• The importance of establishing the optimum environment for family participation by being aware of the make-up of the modern family
• A direct link between equality in sports participation and wider measures of gender equality such as women in influential decision-making positions in golf
• That parents are the chief factor underpinning families’ likelihood to play golf and that their motivations for their children taking part include having fun, improving health and developing friendships
• The increasing desire for golf to provide opportunities for socialising and to be adaptable and flexible given the time and cost constraints placed on the modern family
• The need for the sport to evolve to meet the demands of contemporary society and for clubs to encourage memorable events for their customers, as that memory itself or the ‘experience’, is increasingly replacing the ‘product’ of playing golf

The research reflects The R&A’s continued drive to encourage more women, girls and families to play golf more regularly, working with its affiliates around the world to enhance golf’s appeal.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The research demonstrates there is a tremendous opportunity for golf to grow its participation numbers and generate more income if it can attract more women, girls and families into playing the sport.

“We know that more work needs to be done to achieve this outcome at a time when there are concerns about declining participation levels and this report provides useful actions and guidance for our affiliates and clubs that can lead to tangible, positive outcomes for golf.”

Dr John Fry, added, “The report brings together for the first time in one place the key academic and industry research articles conducted on family sports participation.

“The process involved searching scientific databases containing more than one million citations, peer-reviewed research papers and selecting the most appropriate evidence based studies that can help underpin strategies to increase participation in golf.

“The research is supplemented with case studies of best practice, analysis from a number of industry experts and offers a series of practical actions which golf clubs can adopt.”

The full report on ‘Women’s, Girls’ and Family Participation in Golf: An Overview of Existing Research (2018)’ can be viewed here. Click here for the R&A research summary

A video interview with Dr John Fry of the International Institute for Golf Education can be viewed below.

UXBRIDGE, Ont. — Golf Ontario is pleased to announce this year’s Class of the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame. Terrill Samuel, Dave Bunker and Warren Crosbie, will become the newest members of the Hall at the official induction ceremony on May 2, 2018 at Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge. In addition, Wayne Redshaw will be receiving the Lorne Rubenstein Media Award, presented annually to accredited members of the Ontario media for “major contributions to golf.” In addition there will be a first for the Hall of Fame this year, a group of individuals will be recognized representing the early history of golf in Ontario.

Terrill Samuel

Toronto resident Terrill Samuel, 57, enters the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in the Amateur Golfer category. Samuel has captured many titles both provincially and nationally throughout her career. Provincially she has won the Ontario Women’s Amateur twice, Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur three times and the Ontario Senior Women’s. In addition, she has claimed the Ontario Women’s Match Play and Mixed 4-ball championships. On the national level, she has won the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur, the Canadian Women’s Mid Master, and the Canadian Women’s Senior twice. She also finished second in the 2004 C.P.G.A. Ladies Open.

Samuel also represented Canada on the international stage multiple times. Highlights include winning the Mellsop Stroke Play at the 1990 New Zealand Ladies Golf Championship and defeating Annika Sorenstam in a match play event in the 1992 Ladies British Open Amateur Championship.

Samuel has been a member of Weston Golf and Country Club since 1983.

Dave Bunker

Entering the Hall in the Amateur Golfer category is Woodbridge’s Dave Bunker. Bunker, 53, has amassed an almost immeasurable amount of championships and accolades. Just some highlights of his career include capturing 15 provincial titles including three Ontario Mid-Master titles, countless course Championships and 8 Canadian titles including The Canadian Mid-Master and Mid-Amateur for three straight seasons.

Bunker has also achieved international success playing in the U.S. Senior Open twice, the Canadian Open twice and has been a part of Team Ontario playing international events around the world.

In 2010, Bunker was named Fairways Magazine’s Amateur Player of the Year and 2010 GJAC Canadian Male Amateur Player of the Year.

He has also topped the Ontario Mid-Amateur ranking an incredible eight times. Bunker also holds the club record at six different courses. He is a member of Brampton Golf Club and is a middle school teacher.

Warren Crosbie

Niagara-on-the-Lake resident Warren Crosbie is well known as one of Canada’s most respected golf developers and maintains significant involvement in the associations guiding his profession. He enters the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in the Builder category.

Crosbie has been a Golf Professional for 44 years including 32 years at Bayview Golf and Country Club. One of the remarkable aspects of Warren’s career is the number of golf professionals who he’s trained and mentored. Further Warren supports the junior program at Bayview and continues to teach young aspiring golf professionals.

His credentials include PGA of Canada President present 2006-08, Member of Professional Golfers’ Association since 1976 including honorary status in 2008, Honorary Director of PGA of America 2006-08, and board member of Golf Management Institute of Canada 2010-present (current chair). Crosbie is also currently the chair for the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame.

Wayne Redshaw – Lorne Rubenstein Media Award

Wayne Redshaw is a veteran sports writer and sports editor whose career began as a sports beat writer in 1962. His history in sports writing includes an extensive background including covering the Buffalo Sabres. Redshaw has covered the team since its inception in 1970, on many game nights doing triple duty by filing separate stories to the Canadian Press and the Associated Press.

Besides covering 30 Canadian Opens on the golf scene, he also covered the World Series in 1968 and again in 1992-93, when the Toronto Blue Jays won back-to-back titles, as well as Grey Cup games played in Hamilton and Toronto.

Redshaw left the newspaper world in 1995 but not the industry. FORE! Golfers Only was launched a year later and for the next eight years he wrote stories that his late wife Dianne proof read, compiled columns of stats and sold ads for what at the time was Canada’s only weekly golf publication. As boss of DWR Sports Publications Redshaw would deliver as many as 20,000 magazines to golf courses and Avondale stores across the Niagara peninsula.

Redshaw is also a member of the Sabres Hall of Fame and life member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

RICHMOND HILL, Ont. – The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 CJGA National Order of Merit, presented by TaylorMade. The CJGA National Order of Merit, presented by TaylorMade is a ranking system that awards points based on a player’s position at each CJGA event. Events are tiered based on the size and strength of the field.

Additionally, the CJGA would like to congratulate Sarah Gallagher of Burlington, Ontario this year’s recipient of the Helena Harbridge Award.The award is named after Helena Harbridge, an outstanding junior golfer and CJGA alum that passed away in 2006 during her freshman year at West Georgia University.

“I am honored to have been named this year’s recipient of the Helena Harbridge Award. This past year I have worked very hard on my game with my coach Bradlee Ryall” said Gallagher. “I was very pleased with my seasons results and enjoyed playing in many CJGA events. One of the highlights of my season was being chosen to play for Team East in the DeLaet Cup held in Saskatoon” Gallagher added. “Helena was an amazing young golfer, an exceptional student, and a role model for all junior golfers. It is great that the CJGA helps her legacy continue through this award. I would like to thank my parents, grandparents, and coach for all their help and support.”

Winners of the Helena Harbridge Sportsmanship Award receive a gorgeous custom trophy courtesy of Lorry Moffatt at Classic Awards as well as a complimentary life time membership to the CJGA.

2006 – Lauren Bowerman-Ritchie (Ontario)
2007 – Juanita Rico (Alberta)
2008 – Jocelyn Alford (Alberta)
2009 – Thea Hedemann (Saskatchewan)
2010 – Shannon Lee Greenshields (Quebec)
2011 – Marlies Klekner-Alt (Ontario)
2012 – Molly Molyneaux (Prince Edward Island)
2013 – Genevieve Stelmacovich (Ontario)
2014 – Bria Jansen (Alberta)
2015 – Michelle Kim (British Columbia)
2016 – Emily Romancew (Quebec)
2017 – Sarah Gallagher (Ontario)

“We are excited to announce the 2017 award winners and recognize them for their achievement” said Reegan Price, CJGA Director of Tour Operations. “Our Helena Harbridge Award embodies the characteristics of Helena in sportsmanship, dedication, and contribution to the game. The CJGA National Order of Merit adds depth to our competitions and allows juniors to challenge their abilities and strive for success.”

CJGA JUNIOR TOUR

Bantam Boys U15
The winner of the Bantam Boys (U15) division Peter Blazevic from Mississauga, ON played a full season with the CJGA with wins at the David Hearn Junior Championship, presented by KIA, the Larry Ungerman Cup, the DeLaet Cup Team East Qualifier and CJGA Junior at Heron Point.

Bantam Girls U15
Sarah Gallagher from Burlington, ON finished the season on top of the Order of Merit with wins at the David Hearn Junior Championship, presented by KIA, the Larry Ungerman Cup & the CJGA Mizuno National Junior Golf Championship.

Junior Boys U19
Romi Dilawri from Ottawa, ON worked his way up on the Order of Merit with a pair of runner up finishes at the David Hearn Junior Championship, presented by KIA and the Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy Series. Romi also won one of the David Hearn Junior Series, presented by KIA events.

Junior Girls U19
Tiana Cruz from Richmond Hill, ON finished atop the Junior Girls Order of Merit with wins at the Golfweek Canadian Junior Invitational, the Larry Ungerman Cup, the David Hearn Junior Championship, presented by KIA and the CJGA Mizuno National Junior Golf Championship.

CJGA LINKSTER TOUR

Novice Boys U9
Eddie Gu from Aurora, ON claims the Novice Boys Order of Merit title with first place finishes at the following events CJGA ClubLink Linkster Series at Rattlesnake, CJGA ClubLink Linkster Series at Wyndance & the CJGA Linkster Mid-Season Championship.

Novice Girls U9
Tierra Elchuk from Kelowna, BC has won the Novice Girls Order of Merit with wins at the CJGA BC Linkster Fall Series at Pitt Meadows, IMG Academy Junior World Championships Qualifier & CJGA BC Linkster Series at Greenacres.

Atom Boys U11
Jager Pain from Toronto, ON closes out the 2017 season on top of the Atom Boys Order of Merit. Jager had first place finishes at the US Kids Golf World Golf Championship Qualifier, the CJGA Linkster Mid-Season Championship & the CJGA Linkster Tour National Championship.

Atom Girls U11
Alexa Oullet from Toronto, ON finished in 1st place in the following events to move her to the top of the Aton Girls Order of Merit. CJGA Ontario Linkster Series at Turnberry, CJGA ClubLink Linkster Series at Rattlesnake, CJGA Ontario Linkster Fall Series at Rolling Hills, US Kids Golf World Championship Qualifier & the CJGA Linkster Tour National Championship.

Peewee Boys U13
Jordan Hwang from Richmond Hill, ON wins the Peewee Boys Order of Merit with wins at the FCG Callaway World Championship Qualifier & CJGA Ontario Linkster Series at Rolling Hills.

Peewee Girls U13
Mia Wong has won the Peewee Girls Order of Merit, winning the CJGA Ontario Linkster Series at Conestoga, CJGA Ontario Linkster Series at Bathurst Glen & CJGA Ontario Linkster Fall Series at Rolling Hills.

Bantam Boys U15
Ryan Nelson from Pickering, ON has won the Linksters Bantam Boys Order of Merit after first place finishes at the CJGA Ontario Linkster Series at Winchester & CJGA Ontario Linkster Series at Rolling Hills.

Bantam Girls U15
Roycee Southerland from Unionville, ON finishes atop the Linkster Bantam Girls Order after finishing atop the field at the following events: The US Kids Golf World Golf Championship Qualifier, CJGA Ontario Linksters at Maples of Ballantree & CJGA ClubLink Linkster Series at Country Club.

Helena Harbridge Award
The Helena Harbridge Award is an award dedicated to the memory of Helena Harbridge, a CJGA alumna, who passed away in 2006 during her freshman year at West Georgia University. The award exemplifies the traits that Helena exhibited throughout her career, both on and off the course: sportsmanship, dedication, and contribution to the game of golf. Each year, the Canadian Junior Golf Association selects one female junior member for this award. The award recipient will be one that holds the same characteristics that Helena exemplified. The recipient of the award will also receive a lifetime membership with the CJGA.

CALGARY, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – Alberta Golf is proud to announce our High Performance Squad for 2018. These players have not only shown an excellent ability to play and compete in the sport of golf, but they are also high quality individuals who proudly represent Alberta Golf nationally and internationally. The High Performance Squad is Tier 4 of our overall High Performance Athlete Development Strategy.

These players all met or exceeded a number of criteria to be invited on to this squad, which included being ranked in the Top 2500 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) and being highly ranked on the Golf Canada Order of Merit, among numerous other benchmarks.

2018 High Performance Squad

Matt Williams, Calgary (2017 Mens Amateur Player of the Year)
Ethan Choi, Pincher Creek (2017 Junior Boys Player of the Year)
Brendan MacDougall, Calgary
Emmett Oh, Calgary
Max Sekulic, Rycroft
Patrick Murphy, Calgary
Andrew Harrison, Camrose
AJ Armstrong, St. Albert
Jack Wood, Banff
Jaxon Lynn, Sylvan Lake
Jaclyn Lee, Calgary (Team Canada & 2017 Ladies Amateur Player of the Year)
Kehler Koss, Calgary (2017 Junior Girls Player of the Year)
Sabrine Garrison, Calgary
Kat Kennedy, Okotoks
Kenna Hughes, Calgary
Devon Spriddle, Lethbridge
Cassidy Laidlaw, Calgary

Alberta Golf is also proud to announce our Team Alberta Boys for 2018. This talented group of players are all under 19 years of age and are striving to take their game to the next level. Under the supervision of Provincial Head Coach Randy Robb, these players meet regularly throughout the year to work on becoming the best, well-rounded athlete they can be. Given that most of these players have their sights set on post-secondary opportunities in golf, their competitive track record made them eligible for the team, once they applied for the program. The Team Alberta program is Tier 3 of our overall High Performance Strategy.

The Team Alberta Provincial program is the marquee component of Alberta Golf’s Player Support Program. 2018 marks the program’s tenth year with a proven track record of success enjoyed by athletes currently on the post-secondary circuit. Virtually all of the High Performance Squad athletes are graduates of the Team Alberta program.

2018 Team Alberta Boys

Carter Graf, Sylvan Lake
Ben Farrington, Fort McMurray
Kai Iguchi, Banff
Ethan De Graaf, Edmonton
Ty Steinbring, Barrhead
Brady McKinlay, Lacombe
Jordan Bean, Canmore

The Regional Development program introduces coaching on a regional basis to individuals registered for selected camps which are offered four times throughout the season. Players in the Regional Development program are invited to participate in provincial team challenges and competitions organized by regional coaches. All players who have qualified for an interprovincial team at any time in their playing career are invited to participate in the Regional Player Development program. This program is ideal for individuals looking for additional coaching without the time commitment of Team Alberta, or those who are over the age of 19.

PERTH, Australia – National Amateur Squad’s Hugo Bernard was eliminated from the Australian Amateur on Friday after falling to Shae Wools-Cobb on the first extra hole at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club.

Bernard, of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., put up a back-and-forth affair against the Australian, exchanging leads for the duration of the match before draining a six-foot par putt on 18 to force a playoff.

CLUTCH! @hbernard63 gets it done when he needed it. This for par to extend match to overtime against @ShaeWoolsCobb #AusAm @TheGolfCanada pic.twitter.com/Y6UzG4h7sy

— Golf Australia (@GolfAust) January 19, 2018

It took one extra hole for the match to be decided, with Wools-Cobb capitalizing on Bernard missing the green with his approach. Bernard gave one last effort to make a breaking 10-foot putt for a chance to extend the match, but left it short by a couple inches.

This marks the end of a two-event Australian swing for the former Canadian Men’s Amateur champion. Bernard will head to Sea Island, Ga., to compete in the Jones Cup from Jan. 26-28 along with Team Canada teammates Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont. and Joey Savoie of La Prairie, Que.

Click here for scores.

PERTH, Australia – National Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard posted a 1-under 71 on Wednesday to advance to the match play draw in the Australian Amateur.

Bernard, of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., finished the opening 36 holes of stroke play in a tie for 6th at 5 under par. The 23-year-old will square off against Australia’s Kiran Day in Thursday’s first round of match play.

Co-hosted by the Wanneroo Golf Club and Lake Karrinyup Golf Club, the Australian Amateur features a 264-player field from 15 countries, cut to the top 64 for match play.

Team Canada teammates Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.) and Josh Whalen (Napanee, Ont.) fell short of the mark and were eliminated from play. Australia’s Connor McKinney and Darcy Boyd shared medallist honours at 9 under par.

In the women’s division, Korea’s Yean Cho medalled with a score of 9 under par (70-67).

Click here for full scoring.
Click here for the match play draw.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – National Amateur Squad member Chris Crisologo hoisted the South American Amateur trophy on Tuesday following a four-stroke victory at the Martindale Country Club.

The Richmond, B.C., native struggled early in the final round, going 4 over par through his first five holes before recovering on the back nine with four birdies. Crisologo, 23, recorded the tournament’s two lowest rounds (64-66) to hold a lead as large as seven. He went on to close the event at 13 under par, four strokes clear of runner-up Alejandro Tosti of Argentina.

With the win, the Simon Fraser University junior becomes the first Canadian male to capture the event. LPGA star Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., captured the women’s division in 2013. The victory also marks Crisologo’s first win as a member of Team Canada—he joined the National Amateur Squad back in October.

pic.twitter.com/D83j7SnULp

— AAG (@GolfAAG) January 16, 2018

Fellow countryman Matt Williams of Calgary finished the 13th edition of the event with a 3-under-par 69—his best score of the tournament. The University of Houston of Houston junior finished the event at 4 under par in a tie for 12th.

In the women’s division, Team Canada Development Squad member Céleste Dao finished T8 at 1 over par. The Notre-Dame-de-lÎle-Perrot, Que., product carded four birdies in her final round to record her best score of the tournament with a 3-under 69.

Teammate Ellie Szeryk of London, Ont., finished tied for 22nd at 9 over par (72-79-74-72).

Click here for full scoring.

Chris Crisologo campeón del Abierto Sudamericano Amateur! Congratulaciones ! pic.twitter.com/0fJVQBp75E

— AAG (@GolfAAG) January 16, 2018

PERTH, Australia – Team Canada’s Hugo Bernard opened the Australian Amateur on Tuesday with a 4-under-par 68 at the Wanneroo Golf Club to hold a share of 4th place.

The Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., product jumped to a hot start, going birdie-eagle-birdie in his first three holes to sit inside the top-five against competitors from 15 countries across the world. Bernard, 24, will tee-it-up Wednesday at co-host Lake Karrinyup Golf Club for the second and final stroke play round.

Team Canada teammates Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.) and Josh Whalen (Napanee, Ont.) sit T20 and T55, respectively.

The top 64 men and 32 women will advance to Thursday’s match play draw.

Impressive opening 68 by @Hbernard63 at @Wanneroogc to start #AusAm. And some bonus weather advice for those shivering at home in @TheGolfCanada. pic.twitter.com/l7sIYe8vgL

— Golf Australia (@GolfAust) January 16, 2018

Japan’s Yuna Nishimura leads the women’s division at 6 under par; there are no Canadians in the field.

The Amateur Championships are Australia’s oldest golfing events, dating back to 1894.

Past winners include Michael Clayton, Michael Campbell, Mat Goggin, Brett Rumford, Kristie Smith and Nikki Campbell, and more recently Cameron Smith, newly crowned Australian Open champion Cameron Davis, former world No.1 Lydia Ko, Minjee Lee and current world No.12 Hye-Jin Choi, who won in 2017.

With both champions receiving exemptions into their respective Australian Opens, they are the most prized titles in Australian amateur golf.

Click here for full scoring.