[TORONTO] – On Thursday, September 22, the 2023 Sponsorship Marketing Awards (SMAs) illuminated the Globe & Mail Centre in Toronto, and Golf Canada, along with several of its valued partners, took centre stage, securing numerous accolades at the prestigious annual event hosted by the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada (SMCC).

The SMAs, considered the Canadian sport marketing industry’s most esteemed recognition, span across various sectors, including sports, arts, and culture. Golf Canada was proud to garner recognition in multiple categories honouring 2022 activities, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to working collaboratively with partners to enhance the golf and festival experience at its two signature golf properties—the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open.

The distinguished recognition achieved by Golf Canada and its partners for 2022 activities include:

PROPERTY OF THE YEAR

Gold – Golf Canada (RBC Canadian Open & CPKC Women’s Open)

BEST NEW INITIATIVE

Gold – Hilton on the Green

EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Award of Distinction – RBC Canadian Open

SPORTS (over $500K)

Award of Distinction – theScore Bet Skyline Seats

SUSTAINED SUCCESS

Award of Distinction – CPKC Women’s Open

In addition to these outstanding achievements, Golf Canada’s partners earned the following recognitions:

MUSIC

Gold – RBCxMusic

AGENCY OF THE YEAR

Gold – Wasserman

Golf Canada and its partners were proud to secure more awards than any other organization at this year’s event, providing an emphatic testament of success for these outstanding activities throughout 2022.

Of note is the coveted “Property of the Year” award, a reflection of Golf Canada’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the world of sponsorship marketing.

“These remarkable achievements are a direct result of the unwavering dedication, collaboration, and passion demonstrated by each member of the Golf Canada team and innovative partners,” said Lisa Ferkul, Golf Canada’s Chief Commercial Officer. “These accolades are a testament to a collective commitment to elevate the sponsorship marketing landscape and enhance the festival experience for our partners, fans, and stakeholders.”

Golf Canada extends heartfelt congratulations to every organization involved in these remarkable achievements and looks forward to continuing its journey of excellence and innovation in sponsorship marketing across its signature properties.

Deadline of November 5 for Canadian golf community to submit nominations for Community Leader Award & Future Leader Award to recognize individuals’ impact through golf.

(September 27, 2023) – Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are pleased to announce that nominations for the 2023 Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards are now being accepted through to Sunday, November 5.

The inaugural Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards launched in the summer of 2022 and the Canadian golf community is invited to submit nominations for one of two signature recognitions  – the Community Leader Award as well as the Junior Leader Award.

The Lorie Kane Community Leader Award celebrates individuals over the age of 19 with a demonstrated ability to lead community initiatives; who have contributed a measurable impact through volunteerism or charity; or have showcased excellence in their involvement with, or support of youth programs such as First Tee – Canada or other junior golf activities.

The recipient of the Lorie Kane Community Leader Award will receive a $5,000 donation from the Golf Canada Foundation to advance a golf program or golf-related initiative of their choice.

To recognize youth who are making an impact in their community, the Lorie Kane Future Leader Award will honour an individual 19 years of age or younger who embodies community leadership; has a history of sportsmanship or demonstrated activities to make the game more inclusive; or an individual who has used golf to create a meaningful impact in their community.

The recipient of the Lorie Kane Future Leader Award will be awarded a $5,000 donation towards their post-secondary education and will also be offered a paid work internship with Golf Canada.

The Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards were named to honour the Canadian golf icon for a longstanding commitment to advancing the sport, charitable work and giving back to the game that defined her Hall of Fame career. Kane is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Canada Sports Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Order of Canada.

“On behalf of Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation, we are pleased to begin accepting nominations from the Canadian golf community for the 2023 Lorie Kane Community Spirt Awards,” said Golf Canada President David McCarthy. “Lorie Kane is a Canadian golf icon who has given back so much to numerous communities across Canada through her charitable work and to the continued growth of our sport. We look forward to recognizing similarly committed individuals including youth leaders for their positive impact on the sport in their community.”

In 2022, Fareen Samij of Burlington, Ont. and Bob Beauchemin of Brampton, Ont. were named the inaugural co-recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Award.

A 5-time Canadian Women’s Long Drive champion and former golf touring professional, Samij is a respected entrepreneur, speaker, and author who founded the Smashing the Grass Ceiling golf program to engage women and young girls to connect and be inspired on the golf course.

Beauchemin, a PGA of Canada professional and Head Teaching Professional at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, was nominated for his efforts to advance junior golf including First Tee Canada, as well as his mentorship to countless golf industry professionals through the Humber College Professional Golf Management Program.  

The Canadian golf community is invited to submit individual nominations for the 2023 Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards through an online nomination form. The nomination period will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 5.

Click here to nominate an individual for the Lorie Kane Community Leader Award.

Click here to nominate an individual for the Lorie Kane Future Leader Award.

At the conclusion of the nomination period, all Lorie Kane Community Spirit Award submissions will be compiled and evaluated by a selection committee that includes representatives from Golf Canada, the Golf Canada Foundation, Honoured Members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, industry representatives and the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. 

Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada is proud to announce the six athletes that will represent Team Canada at the 2023 World Amateur Team Championships. The tournament is being held at the National Course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates with the men’s competition take place October 18 – 21 and the women’s tournament running October 25 – 28.

Representing Canada on the men’s side competing for the Eisenhower Trophy will be Piercen Hunt, 22, of Hartland, Wis., Ashton McCulloch, 21, of Kingston, Ont., and Brady McKinlay, 22, of Lacombe, Alta. The team will be led by Team Canada Men’s Assistant Coach, Benoit Lemieux.

On the women’s team, competing for the Espirito Santo Trophy will be Lauren Kim, 18, of Surrey, B.C., Monet Chun, 22, of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Katie Cranston, 19, of Oakville, Ont. The team will be led by Team Canada Stollery Family Women’s Head Coach, Salimah Mussani.

“The 2023 editions of Team Canada feature deserving players that have had successful seasons and we are excited to watch them compete in Abu Dhabi and know that they will represent Canada proudly,” said Emily Phoenix, Golf Canada Manager of High Performance. “The World Amateur Team Championships provides our athletes with an incredible opportunity to test their skills against the top amateur golfers from around the world.”

Team Canada has enjoyed past success with both the men’s and women’s teams earning multiple podium finishes. The men’s side has won one gold medal (1986), five silver medals (2014, 2006, 1978, 1964, 1962) and one bronze (1986). The women’s team has won four silver medals in tournament history (2014, 2004, 1978, 1966).

The biennial international amateur competition is conducted by the International Golf Federation, which comprises the national governing bodies of golf in 149 countries. Each team will feature three players and will compete over 72-holes of stroke play. In each round, the two lowest scores will count towards the team’s score for the day.

The 2025 World Amateur Team Championship will be held in Singapore and the top-10 teams from 2023 will earn automatic qualification.

Men’s Team Bios:

Piercen Hunt – 22 years old – Hartland, Wis.

Hunt is in his second year as a Team Canada member and is currently the highest ranked Canadian male player on the World Amateur Golf Rankings. The senior at the University of Illinois, earned two top-5 finishes last season in NCAA tournament play.

Ashton McCulloch – 21 years old – Kingston, Ont.

McCulloch is currently in his third year with Team Canada and won the 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur, earning an exemption into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open. The Michigan State Junior also finished T2 in the Ontario Men’s Amateur and earned a 7th place finish at the Glencoe Invitational earlier this summer.

Brady McKinlay – 22 years old – Lacombe, Alta.

McKinlay won four individual collegiate events as a senior at Utah Valley and qualified for the 2023 NCAA Championships as an individual. This summer, McKinlay finished T5 at the Canadian Men’s Amateur and third in the Alberta Men’s Amateur.

Women’s Team Bios:

Lauren Kim – 18 years old – Surrey, B.C.

Kim is in her third year as a member of Team Canada, and just entered her first year at the University of Texas at Austin. Kim won the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur in Halifax and is the low Canadian on the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking. This season, Kim qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Women’s Amateur and U.S. Junior Girls championships in addition to competing at the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. This marks the second year that Kim has been selected for the World Amateur Team.

Monet Chun – 22 years old – Richmond Hill, Ont.

Chun is in her sixth year as a member of Team Canada, and in her senior year at the University of Michigan. This season Chun became the first Canadian to make the cut at the Augusta Women’s National Amateur, earning a top-20 finish. In addition, Chun made the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open and finished T7 at the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur where she was defending champion.

Katie Cranston – 19 years old – Oakville, Ont.

Cranston, a three-year member of Team Canada is a sophomore at Auburn University. This season, Cranston advanced to the round of 32 at both the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and The R&A Women’s Amateur Championship, along with finishing 9th at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. This summer, Cranston also competed at her second consecutive CPKC Women’s Open.

Golf Canada is now accepting nominations for its 2023 National Facility Awards for Junior Golf.

This award program was created with the intention of celebrating and recognizing facilities making outstanding contributions to junior golf in their communities. Our hope is that these awards will shine a spotlight on the extraordinary support of junior golf by these facilities and set a positive example for others to follow.

Please consider nominating your facility based on the six categories below:

Junior Golf Opportunity Award

Awarded to a facility that provides exceptional access and membership opportunities for junior golfers. Special consideration is given to facilities with strong non-family sponsored junior programs and facilities with fundraising programs to help athletes compete at provincial, national, and international competitions.

2022 Winner: Sawmill Golf Club

Competitive Junior Program of the Year

Awarded to a facility or academy program with many junior athletes competing in provincial and national championships and earning strong results in those championships.

2022 Winner: Académie de Golf Fred Colgan

Grassroots Junior Program of the Year

Awarded to a facility or academy program that is excelling at creating new junior golfers through local programming.

2022 Winner: Blomidon Golf and Country Club

Tournament Host of the Year

Awarded to a facility that gives back to junior golf by embracing the opportunity to host junior competitions. The facility creates an excellent tournament experience for players and involves the local community through volunteers and fundraising support.

2022 Winner: Royal Regina Golf Club

First Tee – Canada Program Location of the Year

Awarded to a First Tee – Canada Program Location that demonstrates excellent enrolment in First Tee – Canada programming and makes a significant impact on growing participation among new juniors within its community.

2022 Winner: Club de Golf Municipal Dallaire

Youth on Course Program Location of the Year

Awarded to the facility that provides the largest number of Youth on Course green fee subsidies to junior golfers in the calendar year. 

2022 Winner: Shaganappi Point Golf Course

National Facility Awards for Junior Golf

Nominations are set to close Monday, October 16th 2023 and we will announce the 2023 Awards Winners at the Golf Canada Annual General Meeting in early 2024.

If you have any questions in regard to the awards or nomination process, please feel free to email NFAJG@golfcanada.ca.

If you scroll through a golfer’s smartphone, you’ll undoubtedly find a myriad of golf course images and swing videos. Most golfers enjoy capturing their golf experiences with their smartphone and sharing them with their friends via their favourite social networks – and now the Golf Canada Mobile App can be one of them.

The most recent version of Golf Canada’s Mobile App includes several enhancements that help golfers stay connected off the course, including a new friending system. The new version of the mobile app will also enable golfers to post images and videos to document, log and share great moments from their rounds.

Once you become friends with another Golf Canada Mobile App user, you’ll be able to follow their golfing experiences seeing their scores, photos and videos on your new in-app home screen feed. This home screen feed will also feature relevant news and stories from Canadian Golf. You’ll have the ability to like or comment on updates and also have the option to be notified of their updates via email or app push notifications.

“We recognize that many Canadians journeys with the game of golf are inherently social, this exciting update to the Golf Canada Mobile App, will enable golfers across the country to stay connected with their friends in a new and engaging way,” said Golf Canada Chief Marketing Officer Tim McLaughlin. “Whether it’s photos from a bucket-list course, a new career-low score, or telling your friends you’re headed out on a sunny Friday afternoon for a round, those conversations can all happen right within the Golf Canada Mobile App. We aim to create the largest golf centric social network in Canada.”

Golf Canada’s Mobile App is free for everyone, with an enhanced version available for Golf Canada members.

There are plenty of exciting features that already exist in the app. A major redesign and rebuild in 2020 introduced several enhancements including course GPS, enhanced stats tracking, game modes and Apple Watch compatibility. In 2022, live event features were added for patrons attending Golf Canada’s national golf championships – the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open.

Golf Canada also hopes the new features will encourage more Canadians to get outside, play golf and share their experiences. Research recently conducted by Golf Canada shows that while the No. 1 reason Canadians play golf was for physical activity, No. 2 is for socializing.

Golf Canada first launched its mobile app in 2013 as a member-only app that featured handicapping and scoring as its primary function.

The mobile app is a key component of Golf Canada’s digital marketing strategy designed to draw more people to the sport, improve the in-game experience and increase membership. It has also been developed in consultation with the provincial golf associations across Canada to ensure a grassroots connection.

“You are likely already talking with your golf buddies in a group chat, so Golf Canada wanted to help make it so you can add media and post in a place where everyone is alerted,” added McLaughlin. “This new friend functionality will give golfers even more reason to spend time engaging with what is already the #1 golf app in Canada.”

Golf Canada will continue to work on adding even more exciting updates in 2024. For now, the new update will let golfers from coast-to-coast share their photos, updates and start conversations with all those who love golf just as much as they do.  

The Golf Canada Mobile App is available for download for both IOS and Android operating systems from both the App Store and Google Play at no cost.

Learn more about these new enhancements.

May 18, 2023 – Golf Canada and The Keg have announced that The Keg will become the official restaurant partner of Golf Canada for 2023 and 2024, which includes the RBC Canadian Open and the CPKC Women’s Open events.

The Fare Way featuring The Keg

As part of the agreement, The Keg will be the featured brand of the Fare Wayoffering re-imagined Keg classics on site. Originally introduced at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, the Fare Way is a food and beverage experience for fans to enjoy throughout the week at both tournaments.

The Fare Way featuring The Keg will be located on course at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto and the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.

“As Canada’s favourite steakhouse, we are thrilled to become Golf Canada’s official restaurant partner,” said Chantal Chiarelli, The Keg’s Vice President, Marketing. “We look forward to celebrating the RBC Canadian Open and the CPKC Women’s Open with an elevated sense of hospitality and delicious food and beverage offerings for everyone to enjoy during these fantastic events. With over 100 locations across Canada and the USA, we can’t wait to bring The Keg’s famous experience to Golf Canada.”

“We are excited to have The Keg become the official restaurant partner of Golf Canada,” said Lisa Ferkul, Chief Commercial Officer, Golf Canada. “The Fare Way has become a destination experience for fans at both the RBC Canadian Open and the CPKC Women’s Open and we look forward to The Keg along with all of our premium food and beverage partners delivering an exceptional festival vibe onsite at our National Open Championships.”

Golf Canada joins the Canadian golf community in extending our deepest respect and condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of golf writer and industry contributor Ian Hutchinson of Newmarket, Ont. on the news of his sudden passing.

Hutch had a meaningful impact over four decades chronicling the game of golf for a variety of outlets and trade publications during his respected career as a reporter and columnist.

In 2020, his contributions to Canadian golf were celebrated as a proud recipient of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award. He was also honoured by the Golf Ontario Hall of Fame in 2017 as a recipient of the Lorne Rubenstein Media Award. 

In 2008, Hutch reinvented himself in the digital space when he founded Golf News Now, a Canadian website and daily newsletter devoted to covering the golf industry. With GNN, he had become a trusted voice in the Canadian golf industry with daily insights and reporting on all facets of the game.

Hutch’s career began in 1978, covering a multitude of sports including golf for community newspapers including the Newmarket Era, Mississauga Times, and Mississauga News before moving on to become an associate editor at MVP, Canada’s national sports magazine at the time.

He also covered the NHL, CFL, NFL and MLB, before transitioning into full-time golf as an editor with ScoreGolf Magazine. Hutch would go to become managing editor of World of Women’s Golf Magazine before beginning a 14-year run as golf columnist for the Toronto Sun and other Sun Media newspapers.

Over a distinguished media career, Hutch contributed to various Canadian and US golf publications as an editor or writer including Pro Shop Magazine, Ontario Golf Magazine, Golf Scene Magazine, and Golf Canada Magazine in addition to writing for Golf Channel’s website.

He was also a long-time supporter of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, both as a frequent nominator as well a recent contributing member to the CGHF Selection Committee.

Hutch will be remembered and celebrated a tremendous contributor, storyteller, and supporter of Canadian golf.

A Celebration Of Life is planned for Monday, May 15 from 1pm – 4pm at Woodington lake Golf Course in Tottenham, Ont.

I’m devasted to have to report the passing of Ian Hutchinson.
The president of Golf News Now apparently died this morning of heart failure at his home in Newmarket.
The family says details of a Celebration of Life will be provided later.
Golf wont be the same without Hutch. RIP. pic.twitter.com/NPoaVyZWQ4

— Garry McKay (@GarryMcKay5) April 30, 2023

A favorite image of Hutch.
Man had a smile that could light up St Andrews. From our media trip to Scotland in 1995.
? Chris Gallow pic.twitter.com/y9YaaQCn62

— Rick Young (@YoungerGolf) April 30, 2023

April 4, 2023 – Golf Canada and Hilton have announced the renewal of their multi-year integrated partnership with Hilton as the official hotel partner for the National Sport Federation and its members. 

Golf Canada is proud to have Hilton’s continued support of Canada’s signature National Open Golf Championships – the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open as well as a new integrated partnership with Team Canada. Through this new partnership, Hilton will be featured prominently on Team Canada athlete uniforms and will be the official hotel partner for Golf Canada’s National Team Program, Canadian Amateur Golf Championships presented by BDO and the World Junior Girls Championship presented by Sargent Farms. 

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Golf Canada as Official Hotel Partner and look forward to building on our relationship with their sponsorship of Team Canada,” said Jennifer White Hilton’s Director of Destination Marketing for US and Canada. “Golf is becoming an increasingly popular sport in Canada, and we look forward to welcoming Golf Canada members, fans, and players from all around the world to stay with us and experience our signature Hilton hospitality.”  

Hilton is deeply engaged, and we are pleased to continue to expand their commitment to Canadian golf across so many areas of our organization, specifically on Team Canada,” said Craig Sharp, Golf Canada Senior Director, Partnerships. “Their new commitment to the development of the team will no doubt have a lasting effect as we work towards our goal of 30 Canadian players of the LPGA and PGA Tours by 2032.  Our robust partnership has a premium touchpoint with so many levels of Canadian golf and its exciting for our members across Canada to continue accessing a meaningful suite of travel and lifestyle benefits.”

Your League Levelled Up!

(April 3, 2023) – Golf Canada has announced the launch of The National Golf League (NGL), a nationwide network of existing recreational golf leagues designed to enhance the league experience for participants and generate charitable support for First Tee – Canada.

Built for golfers of all skill levels, the National Golf League will feature a six-week regular season that takes place within existing recreational league play during the summer. A series of regional playoff tournaments across Canada will take place in the fall at premium golf courses. The National Golf League will culminate with the NGL National Championship at Hamilton Golf and Country Club as part of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open tournament week celebration.

The National Golf League will also contribute to the development of a more sustainable and inclusive future for the sport by supporting a charitable component through First Tee – Canada. First Tee is a youth development program that provides accessible pathways to golf participation at schools, community centres, and golf courses across the country.

“League play is one of the most popular ways that Canadians engage with golf. The National Golf League will build on the fun that league golfers already have by supplementing and levelling up existing leagues through a national platform for regular season play and an exciting and unique playoff format,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer, Kevin Blue. “The National Golf League will also provide important charitable support to First Tee – Canada, a program that creates youth participation opportunities for the next generation of recreational golfers.”

National Golf League competitions will utilize an official Golf Canada Handicap applied towards a net Stableford scoring system that allows golfers to earn points for the net score they record on each hole.

Regular season NGL competition will take place over nine holes during six weeks of identified league play called “NGL Majors” that are integrated into existing league play and scheduled at the convenience of the local league operator. A golfer’s best four net Stableford point totals of the six NGL Majors will count towards their season-long points total on the NGL leaderboard.

A portion of the top regular season finishers in each participating league will qualify for the NGL Regional Playoffs, which will take place at premium courses across Canada. Qualifying golfers will select a guest teammate who also played in their regular season league and participate as a team of two in a best-ball net Stableford competition over 18 holes. Successful teams in the NGL Regional Playoffs will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the NGL National Championship.

The NGL is open to recreational golf leagues played at both private and public courses. Participants must be Golf Canada members to ensure an official handicap is used. There is no registration fee for golfers or leagues to join the National Golf League. Participants will be asked to support First Tee – Canada in their home province by way of donation.

The size of the National Golf League will be limited in its launch year to ensure a positive experience for players and league operators. A limited number of spots remain for leagues to join the National Golf League in 2023—interested league operators should contact Ryan Logan (rlogan@golfcanada.ca) to express interest before April 15. For more information visit NationalGolfLeague.ca.

Golf Canada is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to join Abuse-Free Sport, the new independent program to prevent and address maltreatment in sport.

Golf Canada will initially adopt Abuse-Free Sport specifically for Team Canada athletes, athlete support personnel, and staff. Other participants will continue to report Safe Sport concerns through ITP Sport, the independent third-party reporting service that is used by Golf Canada.

Team Canada stakeholders will have access to the services of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), which serves as the central hub of Abuse-Free Sport, following a transition period which will end no later than June 30, 2023.

“Golf Canada remains fully committed to Safe Sport and supports the creation of a national oversight mechanism. As part of that commitment, we’re pleased to sign on to Abuse-Free Sport and to soon have the OSIC to administer Safe Sport reporting and review processes for our national team athletes, support personnel, and staff,” said Laura Wilson, Golf Canada’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Safe Sport.

Golf Canada is in the final stages of updating its internal policies to reflect the most recent version of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), which it must do before operationally implementing the Abuse-Free Sport program.

Prior to June 30, 2023 all participants who have experienced or witnessed abuse will continue to have access to independent third-party services through ITP Sport by using the phone number and links at the bottom of Golf Canada’s Safe Sport website.

GOLF CANADA’S COMMITMENT TO SAFE SPORT

Golf Canada is fully aligned with the important work of Sport Canada and recognizes our obligation and responsibility to protect the health, safety and physical and mental well-being of athletes, staff, volunteers, and other participants involved in our sport. The organization recognizes that Safe Sport is everyone’s responsibility and has taken important steps to foster safer environments in golf including:  preventative education through the Respect Group; enhanced screening practices for all employees and volunteers; a full suite of Safe Sport Policies including the adoption of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport; and an Independent Third Party to manage the intake of complaints and determine the appropriate manner and forum to address the allegations. All golf enthusiasts deserve to participate and compete in an environment free from harassment, abuse, or discrimination, regardless of gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, religion, language, age, and ability. Golf Canada takes any situation involving misconduct or maltreatment very seriously. We are committed to enacting and enforcing strong, clear, and effective policies and processes so anyone participating in golf can do so within a culture of inclusivity and respect.