Fifty-nine regional golf associations have entered into a new relationship with the United States Golf Association to enhance the golfer experience at the state and local levels in the United States. These Allied Golf Associations (AGAs), supported by the USGA’s five existing regional affairs offices, will administer the USGA Handicap and Course Rating Systems within defined geographic areas across the country. In addition, they will serve as the community’s primary resource for USGA services such as championship qualifiers, governance, golf facility support and programs that help grow and improve the long-term health of the game.

“Regional golf associations are a vital part of the golf community and the USGA,” said Mike Davis, USGA CEO. “As the game moves forward into the future, we feel this formalized new alliance of working together on grassroots programs will improve how we serve golfers and providing a healthy foundation from which the entire golf community can grow.”

Newly recognized AGAs were identified through a nearly year-long discovery process that encouraged collaboration among existing golf organizations within each state and region, sharing best practices and leveraging programs that have made a positive impact.

The resulting relationship will enable AGAs to provide a variety of competitive playing opportunities that engage more golfers of all levels within their region. The AGAs will also serve as local experts for education on topics such as modernizing golf’s rules, the new World Handicap System and related governance functions.

Each AGA will also have direct access to USGA research, funding for programs such as USGA P.J. Boatwright Internships, data and technology, additional expertise to better serve the health of golf facilities and support of national grow-the-game initiatives including PLAY9.

One of the alliance’s most significant benefits to golfers will be the centralized computation of USGA Handicap Indexes in the United States to improve efficiency, consistency and governance oversight. The move to a more modernized, digital platform will also empower Allied Golf Associations to more deeply engage golfers within their community through rich, real-time player data.

An AGA Council has been formed to share information, help ongoing service delivery and provide continuous feedback directly to the USGA to better serve golfers and golf clubs. The 12-member council consists of AGA executive directors who will represent regions and markets throughout the United States.

The alliance marks the latest step by the USGA to more deeply engage the local and regional golf community. It complements the USGA’s existing presence in all five major golf regions in the United States – Northeast, Great Lakes, Southeast, Central and West – where dedicated Regional Affairs directors currently serve in residence.

In addition to its five Regional Affairs directors, the USGA also supports golf clubs and facilities through the USGA Green Section, providing agronomic expertise through 13 regional offices.

Adam Hadwin had a career year in 2017, and as the calendar changes, he added two more honours.

The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) is proud to announce Hadwin, Josh Whalen, Judith Kyrinis, and Brooke Henderson are the 2017 Players of the Year as voted by GJAC members across the country. Hadwin’s magical season where he notched his first PGA Tour victory, shot 59, and played on the Presidents Cup team was also named the Canadian Golf Story of the Year.

“GJAC is happy to honour these golfers and their accomplishments in 2017,” said Robert Thompson, GJAC president. “The accomplishments of the winners – and each of the nominees – show how strong Canadian golf is right now. GJAC wishes the best of luck to in the year ahead.”

Hadwin’s first PGA Tour victory came in March after a thrilling Sunday at the Valspar Championship, where he won by one over Patrick Cantlay. In January, Hadwin became the eighth golfer in PGA Tour history to shoot a sub-60 round.

Just weeks after his win, Hadwin got married and closed on his first home to cap a whirlwind start to 2017. He ascended to inside the Top 50 in the world (becoming Canada’s highest-ranked male golfer in the process), played all four majors, and participated in the Presidents Cup in September.

Henderson continued her impressive start to her LPGA Tour career, winning twice – at the Meijer LPGA Classic and the McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open – and nearly defending her title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She finished sixth on the LPGA Tour’s 2017 money list, earning just over $1.5 million in 30 events (the most on Tour).

She was the only unanimous choice out of the four winners.

Kyrinis had a stellar 2017 campaign capped off with a victory in an all-Canadian final at the U.S. Senior Amateur. She also won the Ontario Women’s Senior Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships, along with finishing runner-up at the prestigious North and South Senior Women’s Amateur, and fifth at the Canadian Women’s Senior Amateur.

Whalen finished No. 1 on the Golf Canada Amateur Order of Merit for his fine campaign in 2017. He finished third at the Canadian Men’s Amateur and notched six top-20 finishes during his senior year at Kent State University.

VICTORIA, Australia – National Squad members Hugo Bernard, Joey Savoie and Josh Whalen will be among the 78 elite amateur golfers competing in the 21st Australian Master of the Amateurs from Jan. 9-12 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

The Canadian trio will look to make their mark in their first competitive action of 2018 when the 72-hole stroke play event gets underway Tuesday. Savoie (La Prairie, Que.) will lead the contingent at 8:10 a.m. local time, followed by Bernard (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.) 8:40 a.m. and Whalen (Napanee, Ont.) at 12:20 p.m.

Defending champion and local native Charlie Dann will tee off at 11:50 a.m.

The 2018 Men’s Australian Master of the Amateurs champion receives exemptions into the 2018 Amateur Championship (UK), Porter Cup (USA), The Players Amateur (USA), and The Dogwood Invitational (USA).

For the first time in its 20-year history, the event will feature a female division with 21 athletes. The 2018 Women’s Australian Master of the Amateurs Champion will receive exemptions into the 2018 Women’s Western Amateur Championship (USA) and the 2018 Women’s Porter Cup Championship (USA).

The event marks the beginning of a popular two-tournament swing down under, which also includes the Australian Amateur in the week following.

Click here for tee times.
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The British Columbia golf community is mourning the passing of Harry White, a tireless promoter of junior golf who influenced the lives of countless youngsters and made an enormous contribution to the game.

White died Tuesday in Vancouver following a lengthy illness. He was 72. White was a longtime member of Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver and ran the Junior Linkster Golf Tour where kids as young as five years old learned the game.

“Nobody has given more to junior golf in Vancouver than Harry White,” said Tim Tait, the head professional at Marine Drive, where White had been a member since 1957.

“Harry is responsible for introducing thousands of kids to the game of golf in B.C.,” added fellow Marine Drive member Doug Roxburgh, the 13-time B.C. Amateur champion. “He put forward non-member kids for membership at the club that he came across and felt could benefit from being there.”

One of those kids was Richmond’s Chris Crisologo, who is now a member of Golf Canada’s national amateur team. Crisologo, a senior on the Simon Fraser University golf team, said White had a profound influence on his life that extends far beyond golf.

“I will always remember the passion he had for the game and the way he gave back to the community and kids,” Crisologo said in an interview. “He spoke a lot to us about the integrity of the game. That kind of passion and integrity has carried on through my golf and how I view the game.

“And it was more than just golf. He helped me get into Marine Drive as a junior and from there you learn respect and everything. He graduated from Vancouver College and he wrote me a nice little letter to help me get into the high school. There were just so many small things he did for me over the years that have touched and influenced my life.”

White was a huge supporter and organizer of the annual Junior America’s Cup competition that features 18 teams from 12 western U.S. states, two Canadian provinces and Mexico.
Crisologo played on two America’s Cup teams captained by White — in 2011 in Colorado and again in 2013 in Hawaii. Crisologo visited with White just days before his passing.

White, along with his late brother Dick and Michael Riste were founding members of the B.C. Golf Museum, which opened its doors on the grounds of University Golf Club in Vancouver in May of 1989.

Riste, whose tireless efforts have helped keep the golf museum afloat, said White’s support was crucial in getting the museum up and running. “When we built the golf museum, all I’d have to do was tell Harry, we need some insulation or I need drywall, and the next thing I knew it would arrive,” Riste said.

But Riste said White’s legacy will definitely be his contribution to junior golf. In addition to the Junior Linksters Tour, White and his late business partner Fred Wellsby started a Junior Zone tour in the Vancouver area that helped produce many top players.

“I wouldn’t even want to guess how many guys at Marine Drive played the junior tour, were good players and Harry got them into Marine Drive as junior members,” Riste said. “If there were 100 down there it wouldn’t shock me. . .Junior golf will definitely miss Harry White.”

While best known for his work supporting junior golf, White was also a fine player in his day. He played alongside Roxburgh on two Willingdon Cup teams for British Columbia. The team of White, Roxburgh, Johnny Russell and Dave Mick won the Willingdon Cup in 1972 at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary.

White was the stroke-play medallist at the 1969 B.C. Amateur Championship at Richmond Golf Club, but fell to Roxburgh in the match play semi-finals. Roxburgh, who visited with White just days before his passing, remembers winning that match on the 20th hole. He chuckled while reminiscing about the match.

“I think on the second hole I hit a wedge six inches from the hole and Harry turns to me and says, ‘I never give birdie putts.’ He made me putt it. I also remember he got it up and down on 18 to take it to extra holes and I beat him on the 20th.

“He was a very good player. He kind of had a funny swing. He had a dip in his backswing, he dipped his head down and his left knee down. But he was a strong guy and could hit the ball pretty solid. Back in his heyday he was a very good putter.”

White was also a past Vancouver City Amateur champion. Later in life, he turned pro and made an unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the Senior Tour. “Harry was a fine player and in his prime always a contender,” said Kris Jonasson, longtime executive director of British Columbia Golf. “As a builder, Harry was an unequalled champion. Golfers will miss his passion, his mentorship, but will always remember the legacy he leaves behind.”

Riste said a celebration of White’s life will be held later this month at Marine Drive Golf Club. Riste also hopes to set up a junior golf scholarship in White’s name.

The Golf Coaches Association of Canada, in partnership with Golf Canada, have announced the mid-season poll rankings for both the men’s and women’s University/College golf teams.

WOMEN

The defending Canadian University/College champion University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and RSEQ’s Laval Rouge et Or women’s golf teams (57 points) were chosen as the No. 1 University/College golf teams in Canada at the mid-season point of the 2017-18 golf season.

The T-Birds and Rouge et Or both earned three of six 1st place votes based on results from various conference championships and fall team scoring averages. The OUA Champion Toronto Varsity Blues (48 points) came in third, followed by the UFV Cascades Thunderbirds (40 points) who slot in 4th place. The Victoria Vikes (35 points) round out the top 5.

MEN

The Canada West Golf Champion University Victoria Vikes Golf Team (59 points) were chosen as the top University/College golf team in Canada at the mid-season point of the 2017-18 golf season. The Vikes earned five of six 1st place votes based on results from various conference championships and fall team scoring averages.

The RSEQ Champion and reigning Canadian University/College champions Laval Rouge et Or (54 points) came in second, followed by the UBC Thunderbirds (45 points). The UFV Cascasdes (42 points), and Western Mustangs (37) round out the top 5.

The Golf Canada University/College Golf Championship will run May 28 – June 1, in Chilliwack, B.C. at the Chilliwack Golf Club.

Alberta Golf is pleased to announce an expanded high performance athlete development offering in 2018. In all, five tiers of programs will provide a circle of support for golf athletes in the province.

“Supporting athletes who intend on competing at the highest levels in their chosen sport begins with the establishment and management of an organization-wide commitment to high performance,” said Phil Berube, Alberta Golf’s CEO. “These athletes, from the introduction to competition to the compete to win stages of Long-Term Player Development, are a product of a circle of support that includes personal instructors, coaches, parents and club programs and will proudly represent Alberta as they compete on the provincial and national stages.”

Alberta Golf invests $280,000 annually in sport development programs and services. The goal is to support 100% of athletes who make an application to enter the program at any tier, with the superior level of coaching they desire and the resources to assist them succeed in their journey.

2018 PLAYER, COACH AND CLUB SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Alberta Golf provides investment to players, clubs and coaches in support of our athlete development programs. Our objective is to ensure that all athletes who have been identified on world golf rankings have access to High Performance Coaching. Alberta Golf monitors ranking systems from around the globe as well as our National Golf Canada Rankings and invites players to apply to our tiered support programs.

PLAYER SUPPORT

If you are interested in pursuing a pathway to becoming an elite golfer, speak with your local golf professional about Alberta Golf’s Player Support Program. Our staff work with athletes by providing funding and resources to assist individuals in reaching their performance objectives. This includes: skills assessment, performance planning, sports psychology, nutrition, strength & conditioning, travel, equipment, grants and scholarships.

CLUB SUPPORT

If your club is interested in Alberta Golf’s High Performance strategy, please contact us to learn how we can work together to grow your facility’s development programs. Our Get-Linked granting program provides facilities with co-operative funding to complement existing golf programs and our Future Links, driven by Acura resource library outlines a pathway to help golf facilities initiate and promote a successful program.

COACH SUPPORT

If you are interested in pursuing a career in coaching and developing local athletes in your region, contact us to find out more about Alberta Golf’s High Performance strategy. Our staff work with coaches by providing funding and resources to assist individuals in reaching their career objectives. This includes: coaching requirements, training, career planning, team support, travel, equipment, contract fees.

Alberta Golf will be inviting identified athletes and interested clubs and coaches to apply to the High Performance Athlete Development programs throughout the remainder of 2017. For more information please follow the links below:

2018 High Performance Athlete Development Program Outline
2018 Application Form

2018 PLAYER SUPPORT TIERS

TIER 1: NextGen Local Program

• The NextGen program is a local club level program designed by Alberta Golf to initiate a relationship between athletes showing interest in developing their skills and the local golf professional. Resources are made available by Alberta Golf to assist the local golf professional in showcasing golfers at their facility and provide athletes with a roadmap to success. This includes available competitions, clinics, training programs and shadowing opportunities.

• Athletes registered for the NextGen local program are invited (along with their parents) to two optional team competitions throughout the year (spring and fall) which are followed by an information session about Alberta Golf’s High Performance Athlete Development Program.

TIER 2: Regional Player Development Program

• 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.

TIER 3: Team Alberta Provincial Program

• 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.

• Alberta Golf’s stable of world class coaches meet with all qualifying athletes on a regular basis to provide performance plans and review feedback during camps, competitions and at practice sessions on a year-round basis.

TIER 4: Alberta High Performance Squad Program

• The High Performance Squad program aims to support athletes who have met or surpassed the Tier 3 requirements but are ineligible for the support category based on age restrictions.

• Access to coaching, equipment, apparel and grants is made available to athletes who are invited to participate in this program.

TIER 5: Alumni Program

• The High Performance Alumni program aims to support athletes who have qualified for an interprovincial team during their playing career with Alberta Golf and/or have been in the top 50 on Golf Canada’s Order of Merit.

• High Performance Alumni Athletes will be invited to events throughout the season, as well as training camps at various locations in the province.

• Access to coaching, equipment, apparel and grants is made available to athletes who are invited to participate in this program.

Global Golf Post (GGP) publication named their selections to the fifth annual All-Amateur teams. GGP named 195 players in total from 25 countries, based primarily on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).

Among those selected were nine Canadian standouts:

Also making the list were Jennifer Kupcho (Westminster, Colo.), Sue Wooster (Australia) and Gene Elliot (West Des Moines, Iowa) — winners of the Canadian Women’s Amateur, Women’s Senior, and Men’s Senior championships, respectively.

Click here for the full listing.

HOUSTON, Texas – Three of four Canadians advanced in Monday’s opening round of match play in the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur on Cypress Creek Golf Course at Champions Club.

Reining U.S. Women’s Senior champion Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., defeated fellow countrywoman Patti Hogeboom of Kingston, Ont., 2 up. She drew No.53 seed Eleanor Tucker of Savannah, Ga., in Tuesday’s second round, starting at 8:33 a.m.

Julia Hodgson of Unionville, Ont., defeated Courtney Stiles of Pinehurst, N.C., 3 and 1. She’ll square off against No. 4 seeded Shannon Johnson of Norton, Mass., at 8:06 a.m. local time.

Rounding out the Canadians to advance was Etobicoke, Ont., native Terrill Samuel, who won her match 1 up over Susan Roh of Denver, Colo. Samuel will take on No. 10 seed Hayley Hammond of Mooresville, N.C. beginning at 9:18 a.m.

The USGA relocated the championship from Quail Creek Country Club in Naples, Fla., to Champions Golf Club due to extensive flood damage from Hurricane Irma. The Women’s Mid-Amateur was originally scheduled to be played Oct. 7-12.

Click here for full scoring.

HOUSTON, Texas – Four Canadians are among the 64 competitors to advance to Monday’s first round of match play in the 2017 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship on Cypress Creek Course at Champions Golf Club.

The reigning U.S. Women’s Senior champion Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., along with friend and runner-up Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont., lead the Canadian contingent as seed Nos. 21 and 23, respectively. They are joined by Unionville, Ont., product Julia Hodgson and Patti Hogeboom of Kingston, Ont.

Kyrinis and Hogeboom drew each other in Monday’s opening match, beginning at 10:15 a.m. local time.

Lauren Greenlief shot a 4-under-par 68 on Sunday to share medallist honours with Katie Miller and Marissa Mar in the 2017 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship on the par-72, 6,022-yard Cypress Creek Course at Champions Golf Club. All three players posted 36-hole scores of 2-under 142.

It is the third time in U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur history that three or more players were co-medalists. In 2009, four-time champion Meghan Stasi was among four players who ended up tied following two rounds of stroke play. Ellen Port, who has also won four Women’s Mid-Amateurs, and two other players shared medalist in 2002.

Greenlief, who won the 2015 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, matched the lowest 18-hole score in championship history. Dawn Woodard shot a 68 in the first round at Shadow Hawk Golf Club in Richmond, Texas, in 2005. Greenlief, who is competing in her 15th USGA championship, also eclipsed the competitive course record that was equaled yesterday when the first-round leaders each fired a 69.

“The game plan today was to be aggressive,” said Greenlief, whose bogey-free round included three of her four birdies on the inward nine. “Fire at pins and see if I could make some putts.”

Greenlief, 27, of Ashburn, Va., jump-started her record round with the putter by draining a 35-footer for birdie on No. 7. She later punched a 6-iron approach from the trees that ran up onto the green on the par-4 10th to within 20 feet to set up another birdie. Greenlief, the youngest winner in Women’s Mid-Amateur history, added birdie putts of 10 and 15 feet, respectively, on holes 14 and 16.

“I always want to play well and get a better seed,” said Greenlief, who offered that she is more clearly focused this year than when she was defending her title. “It makes match play a little easier, at least in the earlier rounds.”

The USGA relocated the championship from Quail Creek Country Club in Naples, Fla., to Champions Golf Club due to extensive flood damage from Hurricane Irma. The Women’s Mid-Amateur was originally scheduled to be played Oct. 7-12.

The U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship consists of 36 holes of stroke play followed by six rounds of match play, with the championship scheduled to conclude with an 18-hole final on Thursday, Nov. 16, starting at 9 a.m. CST.

Miller, 32, of Jeannette, Pa., and Mar, 25, of San Francisco, Calif., took different paths in earning medalist honors. Miller, who shared the first-round lead with Shannon Johnson, rallied on her second nine for a 1-over 73. She made a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-3 fourth and stuck a gap wedge to within 3 feet on the par-4 sixth.

Mar, who was a member of the Stanford University team from 2010-14 and opened with a 72, birdied both par 5s on the inward nine. She delivered a 4-hybrid to within 20 feet to set up an eagle attempt on No. 11 before holing a 10-foot putt at No. 13. After making bogey on the following hole, she regrouped with a birdie by hitting an 8-iron approach to within 15 feet on 15.

“It’s been a few years since college golf,” said Mar, who works in corporate development for a financial services company. “I have a whole new perspective on life. The expectations are way lower. I go to a 9-to-5 job every day. Getting to be out here is really fun.”

Eight players tied for 58th place at 16-over 160, resulting in a playoff for the final five match-play berths. The playoff will start on Monday at 7 a.m. on Cypress Creek’s 10th hole. The Round-of-64 matches begin at 8 a.m.

The U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs. Live scoring and updates are available throughout the championship on usga.org.