Amateur

Alberta Golf announces 2016 championship schedule

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CALGARY – Alberta Golf has announced its competition schedule, including host clubs and dates, for the 2016 championship season. A total of 12 provincial amateur championships will be conducted – along with qualifying events – that lead to entry into Canada’s national amateur championships.

“Nearly 1,500 talented Albertan and regional golfers will gather at some of Alberta’s top golf facilities to compete for a provincial golf championship,” said Alberta Golf’s COO, Jack Lane.

“It is Alberta Golf’s honor and privilege to conduct these championships in partnership with our host clubs, committed sponsors and the hundreds of devoted volunteers from communities across Alberta. We are pleased that our championships offer an opportunity for all members to compete, whether that be for the simple enjoyment of the challenge, or for our athletes who are hoping to add their name to the history books.”


The complete 2016 schedule and registration information can be found here.

Amateur

British Columbia Golf hires Brad Ziemer as staff writer/reporter

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Brad Ziemer [PNG Merlin Archive]

Richmond, BC – British Columbia Golf has announced the addition of Brad Ziemer to their staff in the capacity of writer/reporter.

During a 30 year career with the Vancouver Sun newspaper, which began in 1985 and included the role of Sports Editor for five years before returning to his true passion of sports reporting, Ziemer established himself as one of the Canada’s premier golf writers.

He has covered every significant golf event in British Columbia, both amateur and professional over the last few decades including seven PGA TOUR events. In 2013, Golf Canada presented him with its Distinguished Service Award, making him only the second B.C. golf writer to receive the award, following in the footsteps of his esteemed colleague, Arv Olson.

“I have always had a passion for writing about golf and the people who play the game, particularly at the amateur level,” said Ziemer, “I look forward to sharing some of those stories this spring and summer in my new role with British Columbia Golf.”

Ziemer will begin his new role by providing coverage from the Annual General Meeting for British Columbia Golf, taking place April 2nd at Tsawwassen Springs in Delta, B.C.

His role will begin in earnest in May as BC Golf prepares for its Championship Season starting later that month.

Amateur

Laurier offers first MBA with golf and resort management specialization

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(Bernard Brault/ Golf Canada)

Waterloo, Ont.  – Wilfrid Laurier University’s School of Business & Economics, with the support of the Golf Management Institute of Canada (GMIC), is introducing a new field within its MBA program: Management in the Golf and Resort Industry.

“We are excited to be working with our golf and resort industry partners to be the first in Canada to offer this kind of specialization in an MBA program,” said Dr. Hugh Munro, Director of Laurier’s MBA program. “Our goal is to develop managerial talent to enhance the performance of those firms operating in this challenging global industry, and to provide exciting career opportunities for our graduates in the golf and resort sector.”

Laurier prides itself on preparing graduates who are adaptive and able to handle the increasing complexity and dynamics of business. The golf industry is no exception.

A big part of this new specialization is designing immersive learning opportunities into the curriculum that help to ground theoretical concepts in business practice. The Golf and Resort Industry constitutes a fertile domain for both applying management knowledge, and for developing management talent. With over 32,000 golf facilities around the world, the industry is global, dynamic, and strategically complex. It faces transformative challenges in the mature developed markets, yet is an important growing economic development engine in many developing economies. Both situations require managers who have the requisite business acumen, and industry specific knowledge to effectively address the inherent challenges and opportunities.

Applications are now being accepted for the August 2016 intake of The Lazaridis School of Business & Economics new specialization, Golf & Resort Management, within the Full-time & Full-time Co-op MBA programs.

In Canada alone, the Golf and Resort Industry employs over 300,000 workers at more than 2,500 golf courses and resorts across the country. In the United States, the numbers are exponentially larger, with more than 15,000 golf facilities, with the total economic impact of golf in America reaching $176.8 billion, and supporting approximately two million jobs.

“I’m excited about the Golf and Resort Management specialization being offered within Laurier’s MBA program,” said Grant Fraser, founder of the GMIC and Laurier BBA graduate. “The GMIC is thrilled to be working in partnership with Laurier on the delivery of this unique program. This will be the only MBA program in Canada designed to train the next generation of golf business leaders, here at home, and around the world. That will be the focus, to create a specialization that will enable graduates to work in a variety of golf businesses anywhere in the world.”

By working closely with a wide range of industry partners and organizations, there are a variety of exciting career paths awaiting Laurier MBA graduates. Companies such as Nike, Titleist, and TaylorMade-Adidas are a few of the powerful brands the program will align with. In addition, international golf and resort property owners and managers such as Fairmont, Marriott, Troon Golf, Pacific Links, and Mission Hills in China will all have a role to play shaping the next generation of global golf industry leaders.

Here at home, the Canadian golf industry is fully supportive of Laurier’s new MBA specialization. Industry leaders such as Bruce Simmonds, CEO of Pacific Links International, Scott Simmons, CEO of Golf Canada, and Keith Keindel, Executive Director of the Canadian Golf Industry Association have all been instrumental in moving the program forward. In addition, an industry specific Advisory Board comprised of representatives from equipment manufacturers and retailers, facility owners and managers, industry consultants, golf course designers, and club managers has been formed to assist with this exciting initiative.

All involved are committed to developing a program that meets the needs of the global golf and resort sector. This includes providing direction and support with marketing, curriculum development, project opportunities, co-op positions, and post-graduate careers.

In addition to the specialization being offered in the Full-time MBA and Full-time with Co-op MBA, plans are underway to develop, design, and deliver the Golf & Resort Management specialization within a part-time schedule, targeting managers currently working in the industry anywhere in the world.

For more information about the Laurier MBA program, and the Golf & Resort Management Specialization please visit www.lauriermba.ca.

Amateur

Canadian trio set for Drive, Chip & Putt Championship

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2015 Drive Chip & Putt Regional (Kent Horner/ Getty Images)

A trio of Canadian girls are set to head south for the 2016 Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on April 3—the Sunday prior to the Masters tournament week.

Canadians Vanessa Borovilos, Jayla Kucy and Elaine Giantsopolous will be among the 80 qualifiers (40 male, 40 female) vying to be crowned champions of their respective age divisions at the third annual national championship.

Toronto’s Borovilos will compete in the 7­–9 age group for a second consecutive year—she finished fourth in 2015, just four points off the lead. The aspiring LPGA golfer and Trafalgar Golf & Country Club member punched her ticket to Augusta by winning the regional qualifier held at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa.

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Vanessa Borovilos (Dave Reginek/ Getty Images) and Jayla Kucy (Steve Dykes/ Getty Images)

Camrose, Alta., native Jayla Kucy will also make her return to Augusta National in the 2016 event. The year prior, Kucy (9-years-old at the time) posted a final score of 13 to finish T8 in the 7­–9 group. With another year of experience under her belt, Jayla will take the all-expenses-paid trip once more to golf’s hallowed ground. Kucy and Borovilos are among four competitors set to return for a second straight year.

Competing in the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship for the first time is Elaine Giantsopolous of Richmond Hill, Ont. Giantsopolous earned her spot in the final with a one-point victory at her regional qualifier—also held at Oakmont. Playing out of York Downs Golf & Country Club, Giantsopolous will compete in the 12–13 division.

The journey to the final event is no easy task. Amongst tens of thousands of entrants in 250 qualifying events, all three girls secured top-three spots at their local qualifiers, top-two finishes at their sub-regionals, followed by wins at their regional events. Results of all qualifying events can be found here.

A joint initiative by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Masters and the PGA of America, the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship is a free nationwide youth golf development program open to girls and boys aged 7-15 – competing in separate divisions in four age categories – focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf and tapping the creativity and enthusiasm of young golfers.

Coverage of the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship will be broadcast live on the Golf Channel on April 3.


The Canadian equivalent, the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event, will be contested on July 16 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., the Sunday prior to the 2016 RBC Canadian Open.

Amateur Team Canada

Team Canada’s A.J. Ewart posts T4 finish at AJGA event

AJ Ewart Team Canada
A.J. Ewart

MESA, Ariz. – Team Canada Development Squad member A.J. Ewart carded a bogey-free final round 71 on Sunday to finish tied for fourth at the Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic hosted by Longbow Golf Club.

The 16-year-old Coquitlam, B.C., product finished at 4-under par (71-67-71) in the 54-hole event conducted by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). He trailed the trio of leaders by just one stroke, with Ricky Castillo of Yorba Linda, Calif., emerging to win the two-hole playoff.

The result marks the third Top-5 AJGA finish for Ewart—he won the Sunriver Junior Open in 2015 and finished T5 at the AJGA/CJGA Junior Championship in 2014.

Fellow Canadian James Song was also in action at Longbow, posting a 77-69-71 (+4) to finish T22. Development Squad teammate Jack Simpson of Aurora, Ont., missed the cut after struggling with scores of 71 and 78.

Click here for full scoring.

Amateur

“Dress Like a Golfer” to kick off Ontario golf season

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UXBRIDGE, Ont. – To help build excitement for the first day of the 2016 golf season, the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) is encouraging golfers and non-golfers alike to dress like a golfer on April 15, 2016.

The GAO is encouraging everyone to wear their best golf attire and to take photos and tag the GAO on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or by using the hashtag #DressLikeAGolfer. The best dressed male and female will win a complete golf outfit courtesy of adidas golf Canada. Winners will be selected by the GAO and announced April 17, 2016.

Also, watch for members of the GAO who will be at busy intersections throughout downtown Toronto, during the morning rush hour, wearing their golf gear and helping to search for the best-dressed golfers.

Remember, on April 15 dress in your finest golf attire, snap a picture, tag the GAO on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and help kick off the 2016 golf season for your chance to win great golf clothing from adidas golf Canada.

Amateur

CN Future Links hits road with Mobile Clinics presented by Acura

CN Future Links Mobile Clinics presented by Acura

Whether in a gym, a community centre or a park, Mobile Clinics presented by Acura is dedicated to making CN Future Links programming accessible any time, anywhere.

Equipped with the latest Acura MDX model, PGA of Canada teaching professionals conducted CN Future Links lessons to over 63,000 juniors in 2015. With a trunk full of golf equipment, teaching professionals travel all over Canada to deliver best-in-class programming, regardless of the setting.

For Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer, Jeff Thompson, mobile clinics are the bridge to reaching those who are limited in terms of access to a golf course.

“With mobile clinics, we are able to extend the outreach of CN Future Links and connect with Canadian youth where they are—schools, recreation centres, summer camps and more—all with the intent of igniting interest in the sport and letting them experience it,” he said. “We are thankful to both Acura and CN for their involvement in helping deliver lessons to those who may otherwise have limited access to a golf facility.”

The initiative is nation-wide, with all ten Provincial Associations leading the way with their own CN Future Links branded Acura MDX.

Since Acura jumped on board in 2014, over 120,000 juniors have received lessons through the program. The material taught through mobile clinics aligns with the latest Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) model, which provides research, statistic and insight into Canada’s player development pathway.

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2016 Mobile Clinics will kick off when each province’s respective golf season gets underway.

To register a mobile clinic, parents, volunteers, teachers and community leaders are encouraged to contact their Provincial Association by clicking here.

Amateur Team Canada

Bernard rattles off third straight top-5 collegiate result

Hugo Bernard - Golf Canada
Hugo Bernard

EATONTON, Ga. – Team Canada’s Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard finished T4 on Tuesday at the Bobcat Invitational to record his third consecutive top-5 collegiate finish.

Bernard, a freshman with the Div II Saint Leo Lions, finished at 4-over par (71-69-74) to share a three-way tie of 4th place at the Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee course. The group was chasing Lynn University’s Jose Andres Miranda, who ran away with a three-stroke victory thanks to a tournament-low 66 in Sunday’s opening round.

Collectively, Bernard led the Lions to a 6th place finish overall, with Lynn University taking home the hardware.

Since joining the Lions in January, Bernard has made a significant impact. The 21 year-old Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., product notched a T20, 4th, and two T4 finishes in his first four events.

Canadian standout and Team Canada graduate Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., won medalist honours for Barry University in 2014.

Bernard, last year’s Canadian Men’s Amateur runner-up, will look to keep up his hot play when the Lions hit the Argonaut Invivational from Apr. 4–5.

Click here for full scoring.

Amateur

Two Canadian clubs to host U.S. Amateur qualifiers

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Marine Drive Golf Club

There will be a first for Canadian golf in 2016. For the first time ever, two Canadian clubs will play host to U.S. Amateur championship qualifiers.

Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver will host a qualifier for the men on July 18, while Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont., will host a qualifier for the women on June 27.

“Golf Canada has been working on several initiatives with the USGA to strengthen our partnership and these qualifiers are the beginning of what we hope to be larger collaborations,” says Mary Beth McKenna, manager of rules and competitions for Golf Canada. “With Canadian golfers experiencing more and more success on the professional and amateur level, it was likely a natural fit for the USGA to expand these qualifiers into Canada.”

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Brampton Golf Club

 

At Brampton, Head Professional Emerson Mahoney says the club is “very excited” to host the qualifier and is “looking forward to having the best women amateurs in the area vying for a spot in the very prestigious event.”

Built in 1963, the Robbie Robinson layout also hosted the 2014 Ontario Women’s Amateur. And unlike hosting a weeklong event and coordinating course availability with members, the qualifier is only a one-day event.

“The club has been very supportive of the idea,” Mahoney continues. “The management is very excited to showcase the golf course, and it’s an opportunity that’s good for golf overall, which is something our membership is all about.”

Meanwhile, at Marine Drive, the longtime director of golf Tim Tait told the Vancouver Province that he was contacted and asked if the club would be interested in hosting a sectional qualifier in Canada for the U.S. Amateur, and of course he said yes.

“Actually, I said yes and then I went to my board and they said yes. It happened quite quickly,” he tells the newspaper.

Marine Drive has long been a hotbed for Canadian golf greatness, as a number of Canadian Golf Hall of Famers like Richard Zokol and Stan Leonard have been involved with the club for a number of years.

According to McKenna, this year is hopefully just the start of a long-standing relationship between the USGA and Golf Canada in terms of qualifiers for their historic championships.

“Golf Canada is excited to offer the opportunity for Canadian players to compete at home to earn their way into the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur,” says McKenna.

The U.S. Amateur will take place from Aug. 15-21 at Oakland Hills Golf Club in Michigan, while the U.S. Women’s Amateur goes Aug. 1-7 at Rolling Green Golf Club in Pennsylvania.

In 1988, the Cherry Hill Club in Ridgeway, Ont., hosted a qualifier for the U.S. Amateur qualifier.


For more information on USGA championships, click here.

Amateur Team Canada

Lee and Gil capture titles at CJGA Western Junior Championship

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Hannah Lee

SURREY, B.C. – Team Canada’s Development Squad wrapped up a two-tournament stint in B.C. on Saturday by collecting two additional wins at the CJGA Western Junior Championship presented by the Tour Performance LAB at the Northview Golf & Country Club.

In the Junior Girls (U19) Division, Development Squad member and Surrey, B.C., product Hannah Lee collected her second consecutive CJGA victory with a three-stroke victory over fellow Surrey native Susan Xiao. Lee, 16, captured the U19 Division despite being eligible for the U17 category. She proved to be up to the test, posting her second straight wire-to-wire victory with a 6-under (69-69-72) finish.

Team Canada’s Tiffany Kong of Vancouver came in at 2-under (76-68-70) to climb to a third place finish. Teammates and Richmond, B.C., natives Alisha Lau and Kathrine Chan finished 6th and 9th, respectively. All three Canucks also competed in the older U19 division despite being eligible for U17.

Vaughan, Ont., native and Development Squad member Tony Gil led the way for the Junior Boys (U19) Division, posting a 14-under (68-67-67) par score for the wire-to-wire victory. Fellow teammate A.J. Ewart of Coquitlam, B.C., trailed by three strokes to finish as runner-up at 11-under (70-71-64). Jae Wook Lee of Langley, B.C., rounded out the top-three by finishing at 9-under (74-69-64) to finish two back of Ewart.

Jack Simpson (Aurora, Ont.) and Charles-Éric Bélanger (Québec) were also in action for Team Canada, finishing T12 and 14th, respectively. Bélanger struggled down the stretch after a come-from-behind victory at the CJGA Junior at Cordova Bay a week earlier.

Click here for full scoring.