Winnipeg, MB – The Board of Directors of the Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund are pleased to announce the award recipients for 2020. These outstanding individuals are active in the Manitoba golf community, have demonstrated academic excellence and are pursuing post-secondary studies at Canadian universities and colleges.

Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund awards are available to all Golf Manitoba/Canada members in addition to those young people who are currently involved with golf either through employment or participation. Scholarships are awarded based on a combination of academic achievement, golf ability and community involvement.

For 2020, the Board is pleased to present awards to the following individuals:

Dr. Dwight Parkinson Award | $2,000 – Eric Strick

The Dr. Dwight Parkinson Award has been made possible by Mr. Dave Hill of the St. Charles Country Club.  The award recognizes Dr. Parkinson’s long-time commitment to the sport of golf. This award is available to a student entering their first year of studies at a post-secondary institution.

Erick Strick
Home club: Rossmere Country Club
School: River East Collegiate, attending Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba in fall of 2020
Golf highlights:

• 2019 Maple Leaf Junior Tour Manitoba Series: 2nd, 3rd and two 5th place finishes
• 2019 Maple Leaf Junior Tour: 4th on the Manitoba Series Order of Merit
• 2019 Golf Manitoba Junior Boy’s Championship: 26th
• 2018 Maple Leaf Junior Tour: two 4th place finishes and three 5th place finishes
• 2018 Golf Manitoba Junior Boy’s Championship: 17th

Brian Gilhuly Award | $2,000 – Jacob Armstrong

The Brian Gilhuly Memorial Scholarship was made possible by the generous donation from the estate of the long-time Golf Manitoba volunteer, Mr. Brian Gilhuly. Brian started his volunteerism with Golf Manitoba in 1986 where he served in a variety of capacities for over 30 years until his passing in 2017. This award is available to students who are currently in the process of continuing with post-secondary studies.

Jacob Armstrong
Home club: St. Boniface Golf Club
School: University of Fraser Valley, Business Administration, 1st
Golf highlights:

• 2019 Canada West Fall Championships: T25, individual team champions
• 2019 Golf Manitoba Junior Boy’s Championship: 1st
• 2019 Golf Manitoba Provincial Junior Boys Team Member
• 2019 Golf Manitoba Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship: T12
• 2019 Golf Canada Junior Men’s Championship: T59
• Finalist 2019 Golf Manitoba Male Golfer of the Year
• 2018 Golf Manitoba Junior Boy’s Championship: 3rd
• 2018 Golf Manitoba Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship: T7

Open Scholarship Awards | $1,500 x 5 – Lachlan Allerton, Brett Asseltine, Brent Ingram, Anthony Leicht & Brynn Todd

The Open Scholarship Awards are made possible each year by the Scholarship Fund. These awards are made available to both high school and post-secondary students who are pursuing studies in Canada. Scholarships are awarded based largely on academic achievement; however, golf ability and community involvement are also considered. The number and size of the awards are determined each year by the Scholarship Fund Board of Directors.

Lachlan Allerton
Home club: Rossmere Country Club
School: Kildonan-East Collegiate, attending University of Manitoba in fall of 2020
Golf highlights:

• 2019 Golf Manitoba Junior Development Team
• 2019 Maple Leaf Junior Tour Order of Merit runner-up
• 2019 MHSAA Provincial Golf Team Champions
• 2019 Golf Manitoba Junior Boy’s Championship: T15
• 2019 Golf Manitoba Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur: T45
• 2018 MHSAA Provincial Golf Championship low individual
• 2018 MHSAA Provincial Golf Team Champions
• 2019 Golf Manitoba Junior Boy’s Championship: 19th

Brett Asseltine
Home club: Niakwa Country Club
School: University of Manitoba, 3rd
Golf highlights:

• Competed in the 2019 Niakwa Country Club Club Championship
• Competed in the 2018 Golf Manitoba Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur
• Employed for three seasons at Niakwa Country Club

Brent Ingram
Home club: Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
School: University of Manitoba, 1st
Golf highlights:

• 2019 Golf Manitoba Junior Development Team
• 2019 Golf Canada Future Links Prairie Championship: 8th
• 2019 Golf Manitoba Junior Boy’s Championship: 11th
• 2018 Golf Manitoba Junior Development Team
• 2018 Golf Manitoba Junior Boy’s Championship: 28th
• 2018 Golf Canada Future Links Prairie Championship: 14th

Anthony Leicht
Home club: St. Charles Country Club
School: University of Manitoba, 2nd
Golf highlights:

• Member of University of Manitoba Men’s Golf Team
• 2019 Golf Manitoba Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur: T14
• 2018 Golf Manitoba Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur: T34

Brynn Todd
Home club: St. Charles Country Club
School: University of Manitoba, 3rd
Golf highlights:

• Member of University of Manitoba Women’s Golf Team
• 2019 Golf Manitoba Women’s Amateur: 20th
• 2019 U Sport CanWest Championships: 22nd
• 2018 Golf Manitoba Women’s Amateur: T21
• 2018 Jamestown Invitational: 5th
• 2018 University of Victoria Vikes Shootout: 21

Craig Yahiro Memorial Scholarship Award | $1,000 x 2 – Kayla Barnabe & Aaron Macdonell 

The Craig Yahiro Memorial Scholarship Award is made possible through the generosity of the Yahiro Family and in memory of the late Craig Yahiro. Craig Yahiro was a long-time member of the PGA of Canada where his skillful instruction and great personality and sense of humour helped many improve their game. This award is available for students who are either Golf Manitoba members or who are currently involved with golf either through employment or participation.

Kayla Barnabe
Home club: Southside Golf Course
School: University of Manitoba, Faculty of Arts, 1st
Golf highlights:

• 2018 High School Golf Team, Centre Scolaire Léo-Remillard
• Employed at Southside Golf Course for two seasons

Aaron Macdonell
Home club: Niakwa Country Club
School: St. Paul’s High School, attending University of Manitoba in fall of 2020
Golf highlights:

• Member of the Golf Manitoba Junior Development Team
• 2019 Golf Manitoba Junior Boy’s Championship: 34th
• Employed at Niakwa Country Club for two seasons

About the Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund

The Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund (GMSF), formerly known as the Manitoba Golf Scholarship Fund, is a registered charity, the object of which is to provide financial assistance to young golfers entering or continuing in a post-secondary educational institution in Canada. Since 1986, the Fund has awarded over 180 scholarships totalling over $205,000 to students associated with 36 different golf clubs throughout Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

For more information about the Scholarship Fund including information on how to apply or to make a donation, please visit the Fund’s website at golfmb.ca/scholarship.

For more information:

Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director, Golf Manitoba
204-925-5729
jared@golfmb.ca

– 30 –

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada and First Tee announced today a new partnership to launch First Tee –  Canada. First Tee’s Board Chairman, PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan, shared the news during a global announcement that Presidents Cup will return to Royal Montreal Golf Club in 2024.

Together, the partnership will bring First Tee’s youth development emphasis to strengthen Golf Canada’s junior golf activities – previously conducted under the Future Links brand – that reach kids in schools and at golf facilities. The innovative First Tee curriculum will focus on empowering young people to build their strength of character through the game of golf. Golf Canada will serve as the national headquarters of First Tee – Canada.

“Partnering with First Tee towards the 2021 launch of First Tee – Canada will provide Canadian youth and especially those in underrepresented groups access to affordable and meaningful character education programs through golf,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada have developed a strong foundation for junior golf programming over the past twenty plus years through Future Links. We are excited going forward to partner with the globally recognized First Tee brand and work collaboratively with the Golf Canada Foundation to strengthen our youth development activities.”

“Golf Canada has made a significant impact on the growth of the sport in Canada through their multi-faceted junior golf initiatives and was a natural fit for us to partner with the launch of  First Tee – Canada,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO, First Tee. “Together, we will bring the First Tee youth development program nationwide and build on Golf Canada’s impressive grassroots success with programming that reaches kids via nearly 600 golf facilities and 4,100 participating schools.”

The PGA of Canada will play a leading role in the training of coaches who will serve as mentors to the kids and teens in the program. Coaches will help bring the curriculum to life by introducing youth to fun and active experiences that help them build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that can carry to everything they do.

“We are proud that PGA of Canada professionals will play an important role in utilizing golf to teach First Tee core values of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, judgement and courtesy,” said Kevin Thistle, CEO of PGA of Canada. “We look forward to supporting the development of youth and junior golfers through the coaching and mentorship of PGA of Canada professionals in alignment with the National Coaching Certification Program.”

First Tee – Canada will target to launch multiple chapters in 2021 with a growth strategy to establish First Tee chapters in markets across Canada through 2023. The inaugural First Tee – Canada chapter launching in 2021 will be located in Victoria, British Columbia at the Bear Mountain Golf & Tennis Resort Community which is also home to Golf Canada’s National Training Centre. This was made possible by the support of the Matthews and Kusumoto families. Dan Matthews is a global Trustee and a member of the Board of Governors of the First Tee and a member of the Board of Directors of the Golf Canada Foundation.  A First Tee chapter in Quebec will also be launched shortly thereafter, continuing the incredible legacy of past  Presidents Cups. With support from the Presidents Cup, First Tee has successfully launched global chapters in Australia (2019) and Korea (2015).

Through its deep network of donors and trustees, Golf Canada Foundation will be a critical partner in supporting the launch and advancement of First Tee – Canada through its fundraising and philanthropic efforts. Canada’s Provincial Golf Associations will also play a role in the advancement of First Tee – Canada as chapters begin to form in markets across Canada. In addition, Golf Canada will continue to work with the NGCOA Canada (National Golf Course Owner’s Association) and other key industry stakeholders towards a more inclusive golf experience for Canadian youth.

Since its inception in 1997, First Tee has impacted more than 15 million young people through its character-building programs on golf courses, in schools and at youth-serving locations.

The First Tee network has grown to over 150 chapters and more than 1,200 program locations across the United States as well as six international chapters—Australia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco and Canada—delivering programs that help young people build character and develop life skills through the game of golf. A First Tee chapter out of Vancouver is operating independently out of Vancouver, and previously out of Montreal, prior to the launch of First Tee – Canada.

To learn more about First Tee, visit thefirsttee.org.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan announced today that the Presidents Cup will return to The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal when the Presidents Cup shifts internationally in 2024. As host of the 2007 Presidents Cup, The Royal Montreal Golf Club will become the second international venue to host the Presidents Cup more than once, joining The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia.

The 2007 Presidents Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club saw two legendary captains lead their respective teams for the final time, with four-time captain Jack Nicklaus guiding the U.S. Team to victory over three-time captain Gary Player and the International Team by a score of 19 ½ – 14 ½. Despite falling short, the highlight for the week for International Team fans was a Sunday Singles victory by Mike Weir over World No. 1 Tiger Woods, with the Canadian being supported by a massive and supercharged gallery of spectators.

“The people of Canada are some of the most loyal and passionate sports fans in the world, and given the overwhelming success of the Presidents Cup in 2007, it was a natural next step for the event to return to The Royal Montreal in 2024,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Our thanks go out to our global partners, Citi and Rolex, for making the Presidents Cup possible and to the leadership and membership of The Royal Montreal Golf Club, a venue that has already shown it can challenge and highlight the best players in the world. The Presidents Cup continues to grow and expand along with the global growth of our sport while leaving an indelible legacy of giving back throughout the world. I have no doubt that with the support of our fans, the corporate community and governments of Quebec and Canada and the City of Montreal, the Presidents Cup 2024 will continue to the positive trajectory of this event.”

The @PresidentsCup is coming to Canada in 2024 ?? pic.twitter.com/PcZh0Miv4r

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) August 10, 2020

As part of the news, Monahan announced a partnership between First Tee, Golf Canada and Golf Canada Foundation to launch First Tee – Canada. With plans to expand across the nation, the partnership will add First Tee’s youth development program to Golf Canada’s already impressive platform that reaches kids in schools and at golf facilities, helping to empower kids through a lifetime of new challenges and personal growth.

Founded in 1873, The Royal Montreal Golf Club is the oldest golf club in North America. Its Blue Course was designed by Dick Wilson and updated by Rees Jones in 2004 and 2005. In addition to hosting the Presidents Cup, The Royal Montreal has also held the RBC Canadian Open on 10 occasions, most recently in 2014.

“We are excited and more than pleased that we have been selected to host the Presidents Cup again, and we are thrilled that we will be welcoming the world’s best golfers to our club in 2024,” said Michael Richards, Chair of The Royal Montreal Golf Club’s bid committee. “Our club has experienced leadership and great members, and our goal is to make the 2024 Presidents Cup the best ever. With widespread support from leaders of the golf and business communities and from various levels of government and with the help of Tourisme Montreal, we are confident we will succeed.”

Graham DeLaet, Adam Hadwin and Mike Weir are the three Canadians who have competed in the Presidents Cup.

Weir, a five-time Presidents Cup participant, amassed a 13-9-2 record before spending the 2017 and 2019 Presidents Cup serving in the role of a captain’s assistant. Weir was famously drawn against Woods in his Sunday Singles match in 2007, which concluded with Weir winning the final two holes to capture the match, 1-up.

“I was very proud to be part of the Presidents Cup as a player in 2007, and to see it come back after being so well-supported the first time just speaks to how passionate we are in Canada about golf,” Weir said. “The fan turnout was tremendous, and as a Canadian I am very proud to have the Presidents Cup come back.”

Weir, the first Canadian to compete in the Presidents Cup, was later followed by DeLaet, who made his debut for Captain Nick Price in 2013. DeLaet, 31 years old at the time, delivered an inspiring 3-1-1 performance at Muirfield Village Golf Club, which included a Singles match victory over Jordan Spieth.

“I can only imagine the roars that will be heard around Royal Montreal, especially if a few Canadians are on the team,” DeLaet said. “Having the Presidents Cup is such a great way to grow the game in Canada and it’d be nice to see the International Team lift the Presidents Cup on Canadian soil.”

Hadwin became the third Canadian to participate in the Presidents Cup after qualifying for the 2017 International Team at Liberty National Golf Club. He then returned for the 2019 team thanks to one of four captain’s picks from Ernie Els, which he converted into a 1-1-1 record at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

“This is huge for Canadian golf,” Hadwin said. “The state of Canadian golf could not be better and I think it is such an appropriate time to bring it back into Canada. There’s a good chance that a few of us could end up representing the International Team there at Royal Montreal, so that adds to the excitement as well.

“I feel like we have some of the best golf fans in the world in Canada, and to bring a world-class event up to Canada is big for them and I know they’ll be excited to have it back.”

Also announced, Ryan Hart has been named as Executive Director of the 2024 Presidents Cup. Ryan has worked at the TOUR’s Headquarters for over 3 years, most recently as the Tournament Director of THE PLAYERS Championship. Raised in Winnipeg, Canada, Ryan returns home where he previously ran The Players Cup on Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada for seven years while leading a local marketing firm. Ryan will be returning to Canada to lead the TOUR’s efforts over the next four years.

Tournament dates for the 2024 Presidents Cup will be announced at later date.

The 2020 Golf Manitoba junior development program has come to a close. It was another fantastic year of learning and competition despite the challenges faced from COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s program was led by Golf Manitoba’s Director of Player Development and PGA of Canada professional, Garth Goodbrandson. Golf Manitoba intern Seth McMahon also assisted throughout the season.

The junior boys’ team season started in May with testing sessions led by Golf Canada men’s amateur and Olympic coach Derek Ingram.

The season continued with two teams competing in the 2020 Mundie Putter league. Team Gold lost in the semi-finals and team Black had a solid season as well.  Congratulations to all members of our boy’s development program!

2020 Junior Development Gold Team:

• Jacob Armstrong – St Boniface Golf Club/Southwood Golf & Country Club
• Braxton Kuntz – Breezy Bend Country Club
• Jordon McDonald – Breezy Bend Country Club
• Noah Fiks – Pine Ridge Golf Club
• Ryan Blair – Pine Ridge Golf Club
• Adam Ingram – Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
• Trey Ross – Rossmere Country Club
• Carter Johnson – Rossmere Country Club
• Lachlan Allerton – Rossmere Country Club
• Jack Taylor – St Charles Country Club
• Ryden Hargreaves – Wheat City Golf Course

2020 Junior Development Black Team:

• Grady Chuback – St Charles Country Club
• Nolan Watson – St Charles Country Club
• Jack Rudick – St Charles Country Club
• Dylan Moon – St Charles Country Club
• Thomas Scott – St Charles Country Club/Dauphin Lake Golf Club
• Scott Miner – St Charles Country Club/St Boniface Golf Club
• Tazio Ciaflone – Breezy Bend Country Club
• Hayden Deleloye – Neepawa Golf & Country Club
• Aaron Macdonell – Niakwa Country Club
• Eric Strick – Rossmere Country Club
• Austin Boge – Rossmere Country Club

The Juniors Girls Development Team also began practicing at the end of May and continued through the summer working with PGA of Canada professional Bri-Ann Tokariwski of the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club.

The team was also fortunate to work with PGA of Canada head professional Cory Kartusch of the St. Charles Country Club early in the season. Special thanks also to Golf Manitoba volunteer Lori Russell for her help throughout the year!

2020 Junior Girls Development Team:

• Crystal Zamzow – Swan River Golf & Country Club
• Cala Korman – Golf Manitoba
• Addison Kartusch – St Charles Country Club
• Sarah Farmer – St Charles Country Club
• Jeri Lafleche – Clear Lake Golf Course
• Jewel Lafleche – Clear Lake Golf Course
• Mackenzie Forsythe – Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
• Armaan Dhillon – Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
• Annika Russell – St Boniface Golf Club
• Elle Wood – St Boniface Golf Club
• Payton Oakden – Glendale Golf & Country Club

Congratulations to all team members and coaches and we look forward to doing it all again in 2021!

The new Golf Canada app sets the stage for a greatly enhanced digital experience

Canada’s largest golf community is about to become more connected with the launch of the new Golf Canada app.

The user-friendly app launched August 5 is now available to all golfers nationwide to record and track their scores, trace where they have played and provide detailed game statistics as a game improvement tool. The app is free to download and can be used by golfers at any level of skill.

“The app is designed to connect individual golfers and their friends with the more than the 1,400-member golf courses we have in Canada,” says Vanessa Morbi, Senior Director of Marketing at Golf Canada. “Among the many exciting features, golfers will be able to follow their favourite golf courses to stay connected and up to date. The app will also provide additional value to our member clubs as a platform to engage with golfers.”

All golfers will be able to enter their scores on the app as they play hole-by-hole or at the end of a round. They can track a variety of stats including driving accuracy, greens in regulation, putting strokes, sand saves and up & downs. Golfers will also be able to add friends, follow their favourite courses and track their scores throughout the round. As the app rolls out this summer, additional features will be added to enhance the user experience for Golf Canada members.

“We are proud to launch the new Golf Canada app with an enhanced user experience that anyone who plays golf in Canada can enjoy,” says Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s Senior Director of Golf Services. “It has been developed with a fresh look and feel to allow app users to better understand their individual game and connect with other golfers and their favourite clubs across the country.”

With heath and safety being top of mind during COVID-19, the digital scorecard on your Smartphone replaces the need for a traditional scorecard and pencil. It may be a way of the future as many clubs across Canada have limited printed scorecard usage this year to reduce physical touchpoints at golf courses during the pandemic.

While enhancing the current benefits of being a Golf Canada member is a key component of the app, it has also been designed with the non-member, public player in mind to increase their engagement with the sport.

Golf Canada members will be able to enjoy a unique package of additional features that will be part of a three-stage rollout throughout the summer including, golf games like Wolf or Skins, as well as real-time Course GPS and Shot Tracer technology.

“What I think sets the new Golf Canada app apart from anything else in the marketplace is our ability to combine scoring, stats, Course GPS, Shot Tracer, and golf games, in one app. You won’t find that anywhere else in the world, so it truly is leading edge digital technology,” added Morbi.

Canada’s go-to golf app has been in development since the fall of 2019. It 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.

The Golf Canada app has been designed in partnership with Mirego, a Quebec City-based company that is an expert in the app development space. It replaces the original Golf Canada app, a member-only app that featured handicapping and scoring as its primary function. Member profiles and previous scoring is being transferred to the new app, so there will be no loss of information for long-time members.

“Apps are commonplace today—all of us have our favourite apps and the majority of golfers bring a Smartphone to the golf course,” Morbi says. “We’re hoping golfers will fall in love with all of the great features of the new app and have a lot of fun with it. It will give us an opportunity to connect with more golfers and create a deeper connection to the sport they love.”

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

An annual Golf Canada membership sells for $49.95. The benefits of being a Golf Canada member include handicapping, incident protection, personalized equipment labels, discounts on tickets for the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open savings from partners like Avis, Hilton and RBC, and some of the soon to be released features on the new app.

Golf Canada member features

Golf Canada members will enjoy a suite of additional features in the app as part of a three-stage rollout throughout the summer including golf games like Wolf or Skins, real-time course GPS and Shot Tracer technology.

• Click here to download and install the app from the App Store
• Click here to download and install the app from Google Play

You will definitely not see the best golfers in the world with tunes coming from their bags as they are trying to win a PGA or LPGA Tour title, but more and more you will hear music played at your local golf course.

Nearly 90 percent of Canadians own a smartphone, which means almost everyone who is playing golf has the ability to play music on the course these days. While it may not be for everyone, a trend is apparent.

At a great many clubs, golf has embraced its casual side – dress codes are relaxed, new golfers are emerging and places like TopGolf as well as short courses are popping up in the U.S. – and with that, it shouldn’t be surprising to hear notes of The Tragically Hip, Shania Twain, or Justin Bieber (depending on your preference, of course) floating over the sounds of birds chirping.

A recent survey from Golf Digest said 37 percent of respondents between 18-34 bring a portable speaker to the course. Others might prefer to keep their music to themselves and go the earphone route to avoid disrupting others.

what are some of your favourite songs to listen to while golfing?

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) July 2, 2020

“Golf is one of those sports where it takes up a good amount of time, so I have no issue with listening to music, even while playing, but I don’t think it should be 100 percent of the time,” says Golf Canada Men’s National Team Head Coach Derek Ingram.

He says for the athletes he works with, he’s training them to practice and play “under the gun” and they tend not to play tunes during the final round on the PGA Tour, he jokes. But while there may still be discomfort with cranking it up on the course, listening to music while practicing may have some benefits.

“I think it actually accesses part of the brain that allows us to be more creative and more athletic as well,” Ingram says. “There’s no issue with a portion of the practice listening to music and enjoying music, but I would say the right percentage depending on the individual.”

It’s nearly unavoidable to go a week on the PGA or LPGA Tour without having music be part of the tournament in some capacity.

The PGA and LPGA Tour have both introduced music into their tournament schedules over the last couple of seasons. Both tours have introduced team events (with Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes teeing it up in New Orleans while Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp got together in Michigan) and the Canadian duos arrived at the first tee to “walk-up music” not unlike what you see at a baseball game before a hitter steps into the box.

Music has become a key part of many successful PGA Tour events where DJs (not Dustin Johnson, in this case) will play sets or keep music going between groups if appropriate, and concerts have become a staple event during tournament week.

At least year’s RBC Canadian Open the RBCxMusic Concert Series brought Canadian rockers The Glorious Sons and country mega-duo Florida-Georgia Line to Hamilton Golf and Country Club, which helped sell out both days of the event.

RBCxMusic Concert Series at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open featuring Florida Georgia Line and the Glorious Sons

And a couple of years ago while Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Smylie Kaufman, and Rickie Fowler went on their infamous buddies trip to the Caribbean all of their rounds of golf were filled with music (and were without shirts).

If you’ve got a Bluetooth speaker in your cart or dangling from your trolley, just be mindful of those around you.

While many come to the golf course for fun or frivolity, there’s a good portion of courses and golfers who prefer to have Mother Nature play her own music – so understand your golf environment and keep the volume to just what you and your group can hear.

But this summer while celebrating all of Canada’s fabulous layouts, why not experiment with listening to some of country’s finest musical acts?

Bands like The Tragically Hip, The Arkells, and Rush are perfect for the cottage, they’re great for the course, too – and who knows, you might even improve your game thanks to music.

Some Tune Tips

1. Always ask other players if you can play music and what they might want to hear
2. Understand your environment – not every course and golfer feel the same about music during a round
3. Make sure the music is at a manageable volume
4. Consider earphones to enjoy tunes without disrupting others
5. Have fun with it – music makes almost every situation (a BBQ, the beach, a backyard party) better. The golf course should be no different.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Introducing the new Golf Canada App – a free tool for Canadian golfers to enhance their course experience and go digital with their game!

The Golf Canada App is connecting Canada’s golf community with an engaging digital platform for golfers from coast to coast. It is an app for golfers to track their scores, manage their on-course experience and identify areas to improve their game.

The app is a powerful tool with a completely new look and feel that goes well beyond the handicap reporting and score posting system that was the central focus of the previous member-only Golf Canada App. It’s a totally new experience that connects golfers to their friends as well as 1,400+ golf courses across Canada.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

How to navigate the new Golf Canada App experience: 

• Home Screen NEW – features personalized content and updates from you and your golfing friends
• Golfer Profile – features number of rounds played, personal golfing statistics, recent scores, Golf Canada membership information and more
• Find a Course – search the Golf Canada course database to plan your next game or a golf holiday, as well as follow your favourite courses
• Start a Round – select the course, choose a tee based on your skill level and add friends to a digital course scorecard
• Track Your Stats – everything from driving accuracy, greens in regulation and putting strokes to bunker shots and up & downs

Click here for a full user guide[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_images_carousel images=”98984,98983,98982,98981″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_no” speed=”3000″ autoplay=”yes” hide_pagination_control=”yes” hide_prev_next_buttons=”yes” wrap=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Golf Canada member features

Golf Canada members will enjoy a suite of additional features in the app as part of a three-stage rollout throughout the summer including golf games like Wolf or Skins, real-time course GPS and Shot Tracer technology.

• Click here to download and install the app from the App Store
• Click here to download and install the app from Google Play

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation have joined together to launch the COVID-19 GOLF RELIEF FUND, to support golf courses in helping employees and golfers stay safe while also thanking front-line workers through encouraging additional play and welcoming juniors to further experience the game.

During the pandemic, golf has experienced a booming resurgence, emerging as one of the safest recreational activities for Canadians to enjoy and highlighting the physical and mental benefits that the sport provides.

Developed in consultation with key stakeholders, the RELIEF FUND will focus on two primary areas:

1) SAFETY: To help maintain the momentum of golf, the RELIEF FUND will subsidize non-medical PPE (personal protective equipment) for golf course employees, as well as sanitization, hygiene, and protective material expenses.

2) FUN: To thank front-line workers and help juniors increase social interactions and outdoor activity during the pandemic, the RELIEF FUND will subsidize rounds for both groups to enjoy playing golf.

“We find ourselves in a very surprising but special moment for golf and we wanted to show appreciation to the courses providing a safe golf experience and to all Canadians who are coming out and playing. We also wanted to thank our incredible front-line workers who are leading us through unprecedented adversity,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “We are sensitive to the ongoing pandemic and amongst the crushing impact, golf has been a bright spot. This has also been a difficult year for so many kids who have had their summers disrupted and we wanted to support our member clubs in providing youth a healthy outlet through golf.”

Golf Canada member clubs who apply for the RELIEF FUND will be eligible for subsidies up to a maximum of $1,000 per club, with applications opening on August 12 on a first-come, first-served basis.

The RELIEF FUND will launch to the public July 28, across Golf Canada’s digital network, throughout Golf Canada member clubs, Ascend Fundraising Solutions’ marketing platforms, and the Provincial Golf Associations.

In addition to welcoming donations to support the RELIEF FUND, golfers and golf fans across the country will be able to support by participating in a four-week digital sweepstakes campaign featuring significant prizing across Canada and the U.S. in 2021.

“We have taken the challenge of the pandemic to pivot our donation efforts as a rallying point for the Canadian golf community,” said Martin Barnard, CEO of the Golf Canada Foundation. “Golf has always been a driver for significant charitable giving and the cancellation of so many fundraising events through the pandemic has been difficult. Partners and donors have embraced the idea of a golf specific relief fund that supports front-line workers and juniors, and also helps to keep industry employees safe throughout the season.”

The Grand prize includes a VIP hospitality experience at the 2021 RBC Canadian Open at St. Georges Golf and Country Club. The early-bird prize package to be drawn on August 12 features a spectacular stay-and-play experience at Cabot Links and Cliffs. Tickets for the sweepstakes can be purchased at www.golfcanadasweeps.com and will be available for sale until August 27.

Currently at close to $350,000 before launching to the public, the RELIEF FUND is proudly and graciously supported by the R&A, PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of Canada, Bear Mountain Resort, Cabot Cape Breton, and TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

Team Canada alumni and PGA TOUR winner Adam Hadwin has personally supported the RELIEF FUND, as part of his effort to give back once the RBC Canadian Open had been cancelled.

RBC Ambassador and three-time PGA TOUR winner Ryan Palmer also has donated to the RELIEF FUND through a fundraising challenge specifically created to help the charities of tournaments that were cancelled due to the pandemic.

Donations to the RELIEF FUND will be accepted throughout the golf season and more contributions will be announced over the course of the campaign as partners and donors join in supporting the cause.

Golf Manitoba (Carman, MB) – The conditions were absolutely perfect in Carman for the third and final round of the 2020 Senior Women’s & Men’s Championships, the final major of the Golf Manitoba event season.

In the women’s championship event, Rhonda Orr of the Southwood Golf & Country Club went wire-to-wire to win her fifth straight senior women’s championship and her seventh in the past eight years. Orr, started the day with a two shot lead over Tammy Gibson of the Niakwa Country Club. Orr put together her best round of the 54-hole event with a 8-over par score of 79 for a three day total of 240. Gibson posted an 86 for a 249 total to finish alone in second place while Gail Kennedy of the St. Charles Country Club also posted 86 to move her into solo third at 261.

In the forward tee division, Karen Saarimaki of the Kenagomisis Golf Club took top honours by shooting a final round 81 to close her tournament with a 248 total. Nancy Porth of the Niakwa Country Club started the day in second place where she finished closing with an 88 and a 261 total.  Saarimaki also took top spot in the Super Senior (60+) division.

Senior women’s leaderboard >>

In the men’s championship event, Bruce North of the Carman Golf & Curling Club came back from a two shot deficit to capture his second senior title. North, carded an even par round of 71, the low of the day, to edge defending champion Mike Walker of the St. Boniface Golf Club by a single shot. It was a tight finish with North and Walker coming to the last hole tied after Walker dunked his approach shot on the 53rd hole for an eagle two.  On the 54th hole, North holed a 12-foot birdie putt to take the title and the second senior championship that he has won while playing on his home course.

Rounding out the top five was John Multan of the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club who finished alone in third, Allan Wheeler of the Rossmere Country Club took fourth spot, and Al Briscoe of the St. Boniface Golf Club finished in fifth.

In the forward tee division, Barry Minish of the Niakwa Country Club finished with his best round of the event shooting 75 for a 232 total to win by a single shot over Steve Wallace of the Transcona Country Club. Minish also captured the Super Senior title (65+).

Senior men’s final leaderboard >>

The 9th hole at the Carman Golf & Curling Club on day three of the 2020 Senior Women’s & Men’s Championships

Golf Manitoba wishes to extend a sincere thank you to the membership, management and staff at the Carman Golf & Curling Club for being incredible hosts over the past three days. Thank you to PGA of Canada head professional Dean North, MGSA superintendent Rob Hamm and Food and Beverage Manager Robynn Salter.

Special thanks also to Golf Manitoba performance partners Eric Johnson of TaylorMade Golf Canada and Paige Lawrence of adidas golf Canada for their support of our provincial championships.

And last but not least, thank you to all the competitors for your support and your fine play this past week!!!

Golf Manitoba (Carman, MB) – It was another sunny but windy day at the Carman Golf & Curling Club for round two of the 2020 Senior Women’s & Men’s Championships.

In the women’s overall championship event, defending champion Rhonda Orr of the Southwood Golf & Country Club was able to protect her first round lead by posting a 10-over par round of 81 for a 161 two-day total. Tammy Gibson of the Niakwa Country Club countered with the low round of the day with an 8-over par score of 79 and good enough for solo second place at 163. Cathy Adams of the Carman Golf & Curling Club sits in solo third at 173.

In the all new forward tee division, Karen Saarimaki of the Kenagomisis Golf Club continues her hold on first spot at 167 and Nancy Porth of the Niakwa Country Club is in second place and just six shots back of Saarimaki at 173.  Both Saarimaki and Porth are also in first and second respectively in the Super Senior (60+) division.

Senior women’s leaderboard >>

In the men’s overall championship event, Garth Collings of the Breezy Bend Country Club moved into first place after carding a second round score of 73 for a 147 total. Mike Walker of the St. Boniface Golf Club slipped down a spot and into second place after shooting a 78 for a 148 total. There is a three-way tie for third at 149 that includes Russel Slobodian of the Rossmere Country Club, defending champion Bruce North of the Carman Golf & Country Club and John Multan of the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club. North had the move of the day by posting the day’s lowest score with an even-par round of 71.

In the forward tee division, Mike Berney of the Transcona Country Club continues to hold his lead after shooting 77 for a 151 total. Berney also leads in the Super Senior Division (65+).

Senior men’s leaderboard >>

The final round of the 54-hole championships resumes tomorrow at Carman with the men’s field starting at 10am.