Welcome to Golf Handicaps for Dummies: Why having a handicap is not a handicap.

No, I’m not calling you a dummy, but if you’re a golfer of any ability who doesn’t maintain an accurate and consistent handicap, you’re not taking advantage of one of the fundamentals that makes golf the most democratic of sports. And that’s just dumb.

With all due respect, you can’t go one-on-one with a pro basketball player or hope to score on an NHL goalie. They’re not going to let you shoot at a basket that’s lower than regulation or a net that’s 10 feet wide and six feet high.

But golf’s handicap system allows you to compete on an equitable basis with players who are more or less accomplished than you are. Maintaining a handicap also allows you to monitor your progress every time you play. It’s an integral part of your golf experience.

And, starting Jan. 8, the new World Handicap System makes that scenario even more attractive. More user-friendly, in other words.

“The new system gives golfers an increased opportunity to have fun and compete equitably across all skill levels and ages,” says Shaun Hall, Golf Canada’s senior manager of handicap & course rating.

“You don’t have to be a competitive golfer. If you simply enjoy playing, having a handicap makes the game more enjoyable and allows you to track whether you’re improving.”

I reached out on Twitter with the question, “Do you maintain a handicap and why?”  and received some testimonials.

Ontario golfer Donal Byrne says, “I’m a huge fan of keeping a handicap. I was thrilled to have closed the season inside of 20 [Handicap Index] for the first time. We should celebrate everyone who plays, no matter how they play. I just won’t play anyone who doesn’t have a handicap for money!”

And from Charlottetown, Jeff Craig, whose Twitter profile says he’s “dedicated in my quest to break par,” says, “It bugs the Hell out of me when someone [without a handicap] says, ‘Well, I usually shoot in the mid-80s and wants to play for something.’”

On a personal note, my wife loves the game and posts every score. Her pride in seeing her handicap decrease is evident. Because she is diligent about maintaining her handicap and improving her skills, she was able to win the ladies’ net championship at her club. As a side note, she plays annually in a member-guest at another club where you must have an official Golf Canada Handicap Index to participate.

When she first took up golf, she had waffled about establishing a handicap because, in her words, “I don’t think I’m good enough to have a handicap.”

And that’s the most common excuse recreational golfers give for not caring about a handicap. “I’m not good enough.” Hall disputes that, especially given the fact that under the new system the maximum Handicap Index (which replaces the previous “Handicap Factor” in Canada) has been raised to 54.0 for both men and women. Previously, it was 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women.

Another significant change is to Equitable Stroke Control (ESC). Starting in 2020, net double bogey on any hole is the maximum allowed, whether it’s a par 3, par 4 or par 5. So, for handicap purposes, you can count a maximum of two strokes over par plus any strokes you are entitled to, based on the stroke allowance for that hole.

Obviously, from its name, the World Handicap System is now accepted globally, meaning the same parameters are in place no matter where you play, a boon for Canadians who travel and golf outside the country. As before, all scores can be conveniently posted on the Golf Canada Score Centre, club kiosk or Golf Canada app from your phone or tablet.

3 more significant innovations

1. Only three 18-hole scores (or the equivalent combination of nine-hole scores) are needed to establish a Handicap Index. Previously, the minimum was five. What golfer doesn’t play more than 54 holes in a season?
2. Only eight of your lowest 20 most recent scores will be used to calculate your Handicap Index, rather than the previous 10.
3. And a Playing Conditions Calculation will analyze how you played that day compared to your expected performance on that particular course, taking into account weather and course setup.

Don’t ask me how that last one works, because I’m a tech dummy.

If you want to delve deeper into the mechanics and details of the new World Handicap System, click here.

But even if you don’t, don’t be a dummy. Take advantage of the new World Handicap System in 2020.

As the decade drew to a close, 2019 marked yet another significant year for Canadian golf milestones on and off the course and around the world. These are just some of the headlines. Details on these stories and many others are available under News on the Golf Canada website.

January

A sweeping revision and updating of the Rules of Golf comes into effect as of Jan. 1.

The Golf Journalists Association of Canada names Brooke Henderson, Adam Hadwin, Garrett Rank and Jaclyn Lee as their picks for 2018 players of the year.

Golf Canada names the 2019 Team Canada Young Pro Squad: Brittany Marchand, Anne-Catherine Tanguay, Maddie Szeryk, Augusta James, Jennifer Ha, Jaclyn Lee, Jared du Toit, Hugo Bernard, Taylor Pendrith and Stuart Macdonald.

Chris Crisologo of Richmond, B.C., successfully defends his South American Amateur title in Chile.

Rod Spittle, an outstanding amateur and pro golfer, and celebrated U.S. collegiate coach Herb Page are named as the 2019 honourees to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

February

Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont., wins the Korn Ferry Tour’s Panama Championship.

March

Youth on Course, the non-profit organization providing young people with subsidized golf, college scholarships, caddie programs and paid internships in partnership with Golf Canada and Alberta Golf, announces a pilot project in the province of Alberta.

Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum kicks off the organization’s annual meeting with a presentation on Golf Canada’s new Strategic Plan 2019-2022, focused on advancing the sport and driving Golf Canada’s vision to be a world leader in golf. The AGM concluded with Charlie Beaulieu of Lorraine, Que., being elected as president, succeeding Leslie Dunning. Three gentlemen received Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award: Raymond Gaudet, Jean-Claude Gagne and Daniel Caza.

April

Brooke Henderson ties the all-time Canadian record for pro victories (eight) with her win at the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship.

Golf Canada and the RBC Canadian Open announce a five-year Youth Initiative to make the RBC Canadian Open more junior-accessible than ever before.

Team Canada’s Brigitte Thibault goes wire-to-wire to win the NCAA’s Mountain West Conference at Mission Hills in California.

Brigitte Thibault represents Canada in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Nicole Gal of Oakville, Ont., wins the girls’ 14-15 age division at the Drive, Chip and Putt championship at Augusta National.

Golf Canada celebrates 70 adoptions of Golf in Schools sites during its annual Adopt a School Week.

The RBC Canadian Open and Tourism Hamilton partner to launch the Hamilton Fare Way, bringing several of the city’s pre-eminent restaurants to deliver a unique culinary experience to fans.

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., claims his first PGA TOUR title at the Valero Texas Open after qualifying for the event on the Monday of tournament week.

May

The University of British Columbia wins both the men’s and women’s team titles at the Canadian University/College Championship at FireRock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont.

Canadians from coast-to-coast celebrate National Golf Day on May 1. The day brought further attention to the game of golf and its significant community impact within not only Canada, but across North America.

Golf Canada and Audi Canada announce a multi-year integrated partnership that will see the luxury automotive brand become the exclusive Premier Automotive Partner for Canada’s national Open championships as well as the Official Automotive Partner of Golf Canada’s National Team Program.

Golf Canada names St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Toronto, Ont., as host club of the 2020 and 2024 RBC Canadian Open alongside co-host Islington Golf Club.

Drew Nesbitt of Barrie, Ont., wins the PGA Tour Latinoamerica’s Abierto Mexicano de Golf tournament.

Tristan Renaud of Sudbury, Ont., and Angela Arora of Surrey, B.C., win their respective divisions at the Future Links driven by Acura Ontario Championship at Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club in Thornton.

Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., shares low-amateur honours with American Sally Krueger at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., and Michael Crisologo of Richmond, B.C., win their respective divisions at the Future Links driven by Acura Pacific Championship at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in B.C.

Richard Jung of Toronto, a former Team Canada member, wins the PGA TOUR Series-China Beijing Championship.

June

Alberta’s Dustin Risdon wins the PGA Championship of Canada at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ont.

Brooke Henderson wins the CVS Health Charity Classic in Rhode Island with teammates Keegan Bradley and Billy Andrade.

Brooke Henderson collects her ninth LPGA Tour title at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan. With the win, the 21-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., broke a tie with Sandra Post for the Canadian record for wins on the LPGA Tour and moved ahead of George Knudson and Mike Weir on the PGA TOUR.

Josh Nagy and Hyeji Yang win their respective divisions at the Future Links driven by Acura Prairie Championship at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course in Yorkton, Sask.

Eric (Joohyung) Byun of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont., win their respective divisions at the Future Links driven by Acura Quebec Championship at Club de golf Les Boises de Joly.

Rory McIlroy wins the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club with a record-setting 22-under 258 total for four rounds, aided by a final-round 61.

Florida Georgia Line and The Glorious Sons headline new RBCxMusic Concert Series at the RBC Canadian Open, helping draw record crowds.

The RBC Canadian Open featured one of its strongest fields, including World No. 1 Brooks Koepka, World No. 2 Dustin Johnson, World No. 4 Rory McIlroy and World No. 6 Justin Thomas. Twenty Canadians teed it up at Hamilton.

Rod Spittle and Herb Page join the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame during the induction ceremony at RBC Hall of Fame Day during the RBC Canadian Open.

The RBC Canadian Open was added to the British Open Qualifying Series— Canadian Adam Hadwin and RBC Ambassador Graeme McDowell earned exemptions in 2019.

Calgarians Annabelle Ackroyd and Tommy McKenzie win their respective divisions at the Future Links driven by Acura Western Championship at Wolf Creek Golf Resort in Ponoka, Alta.

July

Brianna Navarrosa of San Diego, Calif., shot 4 under 68, overcoming a four-stroke deficit to capture the 106th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship held at Red Deer Golf & Country Club on Friday.

After almost 43 years of commitment and dedication to Golf Canada, Bill Paul steps down from his role as Chief Championship Officer.

Isabellla Ferguson of Ottawa and Malik Dao of Notre-Dame-de-I’lle-Perrot, Que., win their respective divisions in the Future Links driven by Acura Atlantic Championship at Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club in New Brunswick.

Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont., locks up his PGA TOUR card for the 2019-2020 season, the first of his career, by finishing in the top 25 on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Margaret (Sutcliffe) Todd, a pioneer of Canadian women’s golf and a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, passes away at the age of 101.

Brooke Henderson wins the ESPY Award for the best female golfer of 2019, having won her ninth LPGA Tour title this year, making her the winningest Canadian pro golfer of all time.

August

Jin Young Ko sets a tournament record en route to winning the CP Women’s Open at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont. Brooke Henderson tied for third as the top Canadian.

Title sponsor Canadian Pacific announces a record $2.5 million raised for the SickKids Foundation as a result of several fundraising efforts under the CP Has Heart program.

Canadian Michelle Liu, 12, earns berth into 2019 CP Women’s Open through the Canadian Women’s Amateur.

The second annual CP Women’s Leadership Summit took place the Tuesday of CP Women’s Open tournament week and featured keynote speaker Roberta Bowman (Chief Brand and Communications Officer for LPGA) as well as a new athlete panel.

Golf Canada announces Vancouver’s Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club as host of the 2020 CP Women’s Open.

Canada took home the bronze medal in mixed team event at Pan Am Games—the first ever for Canada. The team was made up of Mary Parsons (Delta, B.C.), Brigitte Thibault (Rosemère, Que.), Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.) and Austin Connelly (Lake Doucette, N.S.).

Joseph Deraney of Belden, Miss., successfully defends his Canadian Mid-Amateur title at Summit Golf Club in Richmond Hill, Ont.

Golf Canada and Levelwear announce an extension of their official apparel partnership through 2022.

Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., wins the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship at Osoyoos Golf Club in B.C.

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., finishes T7 at the BMW Championship to earn full PGA TOUR playing privileges for 2019-2020, including a spot in all four majors and the World Golf Championships.

Golf Canada names the winners of the Future Links driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event: Liam McLaren, Ari Tur, Noah Turner, Claira Frizzell, Gabe Bugden, Alissa Xu, Emile Journault and Keighan Decoff.

Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., wins the Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club in Nova Scotia. Luke DelGobbo of Fonthill, Ont., won the Juvenile title.

Jim Rutledge of Victoria wins his sixth PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada title.

William Buhl of Fairhope, Ala., wins the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Glen Arbour Golf Course in Nova Scotia.

Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., a full-time NHL referee and Team Canada alumnus, wins the Western Amateur in Michigan, the first mid-amateur to do so since 1997.

Emily Zhu of Richmond Hill, Ont., wins the Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Lethbridge Country Club in Alberta. She also won the Juvenile title for the second straight year.

September

Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand successfully defends her World Junior Girls Championship title at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.

Rory McIlroy, champion of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, was named PGA TOUR Player of the Year.

Luna Lu of Burnaby, B.C., and Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont., win their divisions at the BC Future Links driven by Acura Fall Series at Crown Isle Golf Resort.

Erin Kim of Toronto and Jean-Philippe Parr of Saint-Celestin, Que., claim their respective titles at the Quebec Future Links driven by Acura Fall Series at Lachute Golf Club.

Wes Heffernan of Calgary wins the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., wins the Canada Life Canadian Player of the Year title on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada for the second time in four years.

New Zealand captures the Astor Trophy, hosted at Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C. The women’s event is a five-country competition played every four years since 1959.

Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, Ind., wins the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Cedar Brae Golf Club in Toronto. Alberta—Ken Griffith, Brian Laubman and Frank Dornick—wins the provincial team title.

Gord Nixon is named the inaugural recipient of the Legacy Award for exceptional contribution to the sport of golf in Canada by the Golf Canada Foundation in partnership with Golf Canada.

The Canadian golf industry mourns the passing of longtime golf industry stalwart Ian Webb after a brave battle with cancer.

David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., performs well at the Korn Ferry Tour’s season-ending championship, earning him status for the 2019-2020 PGA TOUR season.

Wes Short Jr. of Austin, Texas, wins the PGA TOUR Champions Shaw Charity Classic in Calgary.

October

Brooke Henderson wins the inaugural People’s Choice Award from Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que., retires from professional golf at the age of 30.

James Beebe of Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Alberta is named the superintendent of the year by the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and Bayer Environmental Science.

The Golf Management Institute of Canada celebrates its 20^th anniversary.

The team from The Carman Golf and Curling Club in Manitoba wins the RBC PGA Scramble National Final at Cabot Links in Nova Scotia.

Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C., wins his second career PGA TOUR Series-China title.

Graham DeLaet attempts his return to the PGA TOUR at the Houston Open after more than two years off due to injury.

November

Aaron Cockerill of Stony Mountain, Man., finishes seventh at the European Tour qualifying school, earning him a partial exemption into nest season’s Euro Tour events.

Her fellow LPGA players vote to award Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., the Tour’s Founders Award given to the player “whose behaviour and deeds best exemplify the spirit, ideals and values of the LPGA.”

Hilton announces a new multi-year integrated partnership with Golf Canada as the official hotel partner for the organization and its members.

Alena Sharp of Brantford, Ont., is named to the LPGA’s Board as a Player Director.

Golf Canada names the 18 athletes who will represent Team Canada on the 2020 National Amateur and Junior Squads. Men’s Amateur: Étienne Papineau, Cougar Collins, Sam Meek, Brendan MacDougall, Noah Steele. Women’s Amateur: Brigitte Thibault, Mary Parsons, Sarah-Eve Rhéaume, Noemie Paré.  Junior Boys: Laurent Desmarchais, Jace Minni, JP Parr, Bennett Ruby, Malik Dao. Junior Girls: Emily Zhu, Angela Arora, Angel (Mu Chen) Lin, Monet Chun.

 

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Meet the 2020 Team Canada dragons ??? – Nine athletes will compete for Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad, consisting of five players on the men’s squad and four on the women’s squad. – The National Junior Squad—a U19 program—also features nine athletes (four women and five men). – #TeamCanada #golf

A post shared by Golf Canada (@thegolfcanada) on Nov 18, 2019 at 9:08am PST

Jin Young Ko, champion of the 2019 CP Women’s Open, was named the LPGA Rolex Player of the Year.

Golf Canada sells Golf Canada Calgary Golf Centre to Golfuture YYC.

December

Golf Canada announces the winners of its 2019 National Orders of Merit. On the amateur side, Julien Sale of Gatineau, Que., was the top male followed by Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont. Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que., earned top spot in the women’s Order of Merit with Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C., finishing second. Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., was the top-ranked junior boy in Canada, followed by Victoria’s Jeevan Sihota. Celeste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-I’lle-Perrot, Que., led the junior girls’ ranking. Emily Zhu of Richmond Hill, Ont., was second.

Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru announces it raised more than $380,000 for breast cancer research in 2019 at 175 events across Canada.

The Shaw Charity Classic announces donations by Canadians during the PGA TOUR Champions event in Calgary raised a record $14,071,188 for 200 youth-based charities across Alberta.

The LPGA presents the CP Women’s Open, held at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont., with two Gold Driver Awards for delivering best-in-class elements—Best Community and Charity Engagement and Best Sponsor Activation—among all LPGA Tour events.

 

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WINNER x3!! The #CPWO is taking home some hardware from this year’s @lpga_tour awards ?? – ? Best Community & Charity Engagement (@CPhasHeart) – ? Best Sponsor Activation (@LevelwearGolf) – ? Best Blooper ??‍♀️?

A post shared by CP Women’s Open (@cpwomensopen) on Nov 20, 2019 at 5:12pm PST

The RBC Canadian Open, held at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Hamilton, Ont., was named a finalist for Tournament of the Year—among all PGA TOUR events.

Adam Hadwin represents Canada at the Presidents Cup, finishing 1-1-1.

Canadian Kurtis Barkley finishes runner-up at the All Abilities Championship held in conjunction with the Australian Open.

Jim Fraser passes away on Dec. 9, shortly after the Golf Canada Foundation and the Canadian Seniors Golf Association unveiled a golf scholarship named in honour of the long-time golf supporter who, among other honours, was a member of the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame. Mr. Fraser was a highly respected volunteer and then employee with Golf Canada over a career of more than 40 years.

Looking for a last minute gift idea for the golfer on your list?

Give the gift of golf this holiday season with a Golf Canada/Manitoba Gold membership!

The Golf Canada Membership is a must-have for every Canadian golfer. Members enjoy the following suite of game-enhancing benefits:

The entire staff at Golf Manitoba hopes you enjoy a safe and happy holiday season and we extend our best wishes for the New Year.

Please be advised of our hours of operation for the Golf Manitoba office during the holidays:

• Closed beginning Friday, December 20, 2019 at 3 p.m. and will reopen at 9 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2020.

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J., and ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (Nov. 4, 2019) – The World Handicap System (WHS) is ready to be launched in January 2020 and will provide golfers with a unified and more inclusive handicapping system for the first time.

Though many countries are planning to adopt the new system in January, the system will go live in other parts of the world throughout the year to accommodate different implementation plans and variations in the golf calendar.

Developed by the USGA and The R&A in close coordination with existing handicapping authorities, the WHS will provide all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability, with handicaps calculated in the same way wherever they are in the world.

A key objective of the initiative was to develop a modern system, enabling as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index. Golfers will be able to transport their Handicap Index globally and compete or play a casual round with players from other regions on a fair basis. It will also indicate the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving the next time they go out to play.

The table lists the estimated implementation timeframes for a selection of countries:

The WHS has two main components – the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System. The Rules of Handicapping are encompassed within seven Rules to inform administrators and golfers on how an official Handicap Index is calculated and administered, with some flexibility given to national associations based on how the sport is played and enjoyed in their region. The Course Rating System, based on the USGA Course Rating System first adopted nearly 50 years ago and already adopted on nearly every continent, sets out a consistent method of determining a course’s difficulty. Together, these components become the foundational elements in determining a golfer’s Handicap Index.

“When the golf community works together, everyone benefits,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA.  “We have seen the benefit that handicapping has provided for decades, providing greater enjoyment for all who play. To have a single set of Rules of Handicapping for the game will connect golfers from country to country, and we are excited to bring the best of all worlds together through this initiative.

“It is one of the many ways we are investing in golf’s future, to strengthen and foster growth of the entire game for years to come.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The game of golf is transforming to meet the needs of the modern-day golfer; modernizing the Rules this year was an important step forward in that regard and the World Handicap System will be another.

“Our hope is that the launch of the WHS will be a catalyst for change; signalling the start of a new era of golfer engagement, being inclusive by embracing all golfers, whatever their level of ability, and broadening its appeal to a much wider audience.”

“Change also means opportunity and, managed appropriately, this can only be good for the game. It does mean there will be a period of adjustment, as we saw with the new Rules, but once it beds in golfers and golf clubs will benefit in many ways from the new system.”

In preparation for the launch of the WHS, more than 3,000 golf courses have been rated for the first time and an extensive education program has been delivered. By the end of 2019, more than 90 National Associations will have attended an educational seminar and a robust library of resources is hosted on WHS.com to support regional education.

Rules of Handicapping books are being produced and will be translated and delivered through national associations.

In addition, the USGA and The R&A have developed a series of golfer-focused materials, including videos, infographics and posters, which can be used by national associations and shared with golf clubs for the benefit of golfers.

This includes a promotional video which can be seen here featuring Annika Sorenstam, Gary Player and voices of recreational golfers from around the world to encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a handicap.

The materials explain the system’s key features, including:

• Flexibility in formats of play, allowing both competitive and recreational rounds to count for handicap purposes and ensuring that a Handicap Index reflects demonstrated ability
• A minimal number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap; with the number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap being 54 holes from any combination of 18-hole and 9-hole rounds (with some discretion available for national or regional associations)
• An average-based calculation of a handicap, taken from the best eight out of the last 20 scores and factoring in memory of demonstrated ability for better responsiveness/control
• A calculation that considers the impact that abnormal course and weather conditions might have on a player’s performance each day
• Timely handicap revisions
• A limit of Net Double Bogey on the maximum hole score (for handicapping purposes only)
• A maximum handicap limit of 54.0, regardless of gender, to encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance to increase their enjoyment of the game
• The formation of a World Handicap System was first conceived in 2011 between the USGA and The R&A in an effort to engage more golfers in the game and promote equity, no matter where golf is played. The effort unites six existing handicapping systems into one, while embracing the many ways the game is played across cultures.

Beginning in 2020, the new WHS will be governed by the USGA and The R&A and administered by national and regional golf associations around the world.

The existing six handicapping authorities, Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA), the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) and the USGA, represent approximately 15 million golfers in 80 countries who currently maintain a golf handicap.

As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support the USGA’s and The R&A’s efforts to implement the World Handicap System.

Golf Manitoba wishes to extend our sincere thanks to our member clubs who have made their golf facilities available to host Golf Manitoba events in 2019:

• Carman Golf & Curling Club
• Breezy Bend Country Club
• Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
• Glendale Golf & Country Club
• Links at the Lake
• Minnewasta Golf & Country Club
• Neepawa Golf & Country Club
• Pine Ridge Golf Club
• Portage Golf Club
• Quarry Oaks Golf Course
• Rossmere Country Club
• Selkirk Golf & Country Club

TARRAGONA, Spain – Canadian golfer Aaron Cockerill has earned a European Tour playing card for the 2019-20 season.

The native of Stony Mountain, Man., finished Wednesday’s sixth and final round tied for fifth at the tour’s final qualifying tournament, putting him well inside the top-25 cutoff for a full card.

Cockerill, 27, was 16 under for the tournament, nine strokes behind winner Benjamin Poke of Denmark.

Cockerill played on the Challenge Tour, the top feeder to the European Tour, this year. He finished 49th in the standings.

Cockerill made the trek overseas after spending the past three years on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada following a four-year NCAA run at the University of Idaho.

The European Tour often is called the second best tour in the world, behind the PGA Tour.

The 2019-20 season begins Nov. 28-Dec. 1 with the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

Golf Manitoba is pleased to introduce the 2019/2020 Board of Directors. Five members of the eleven member board were recently re-elected and two new members were elected at the Golf Manitoba Annual General Meeting held on October 23, 2019 at the St. Charles Country Club. The Board includes the following individuals (in alphabetical order):

Michael Berney (Director) has served as a member of the Golf Manitoba Board since 2016 and has been active in the Manitoba golf community since the early 80s. Mike has competed in numerous Golf Manitoba and Golf Canada sanctioned events both regionally and nationally.

Mike has been a member of Transcona Golf Club for over 35 years and has served on their Board of Directors both in the 90s and most recently from 2011 until 2017 in the role of Golf Director. He has extensive experience organizing successful tournaments.

Mike is a life long Manitoban residing in Winnipeg retired from the railroad in 2010 after 37 years of service.

Susan Wright Cassan (Vice-President) has been an active Board member since 2016. She is also on the Tournament Committee and Chair of the Membership Committee. Sue earned her Community Coaching Certificate in the spring of 2018 and has been organizing Golf in School programs in Thunder Bay for the last 4 years. Sue also organizes and runs a mixed fun event with all raised funds supporting the Golf in Schools program.

Some additional golf, volunteer and career highlights include the following:

• President of the Superior North Ladies Golf Association.
• Chair on the McKenzie Tour Staal Open in Thunder Bay for the last 5 years.
• Volunteered for the Ryder Cup in 2016 and the LPGA event held at St. Charles.
• Past President (15 years) of Emerald Greens Golf Course
• Course rating for 14 years with Golf Manitoba and also an active tournament participant in provincial women’s championships.
• Sue grew up in Hamiota, Manitoba and currently resides in Thunder Bay where she retired from CIBC as a Manager.

Michelle Gisiger (Director) joined the Board in the fall of 2019.  Michelle was a former elementary school teacher with the Pembina Trails School Division for 29 years in the areas of physical education, counselling and head teaching. Michelle is a former lacrosse player and represented Canada playing in two world cups. Michelle also has an extensive coaching background with both elementary and high school aged student athletes. She has also coached lacrosse at the provincial junior and senior levels.

Michelle is an avid golfer and currently plays out of Quarry Oaks Golf Course in Steinbach, Manitoba. In 2019, Michelle finished in 4th place in the Senior Women’s Championship and went on to represent Manitoba as a member of the Senior Women’s Provincial Team that competed in the 2019 Golf Canada Senior Women’s Championship.

James (Jim) Gosman (Director) has served as a Golf Manitoba board director since 2014 and the Rules Chairman for 1 year. He started with GM as a rules official in 2012 and has since obtained a level 4 ranking, officiating, 6-8 golf tournaments each year.  Jim was a teacher for 32 years and has been associated with sport as a player, coach, and referee for over 60 years.  He has coached basketball at the Junior High, High School, and the Provincial Levels and was the coach of a silver medal team at the Canada Games. Jim spent 30 years as a NCCP Theory of Coaching facilitator at all levels receiving the 2014 Community NCCP Coach Development Award from Sport Canada. In addition to officiating golf, he has refereed basketball and volleyball for many years. James has been part of the mission staff for Sport Manitoba at the Manitoba Games, the Western Canada Games, and the Canada Games.  He is a long-time member of the Southwood Golf and Country Club and since retirement has maintained a membership in the EDG (every day golfers) group.

Vince Mariani (Past-President) has been a Golf Manitoba board member since 2011 and has served as Treasurer and Vice-President.  Vince has been a proud member of Elmhurst Golf and Country Club since 1992 and served on the board of directors for several years and as president in 2009 and 2010.  A CPA, CMA, Vince is currently the Secretary-Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the River East Transcona School Division.

Craig Martin (Treasurer) is an Assistant Professor of Business and Organizational Administration in the Redekop School of Business at Canadian Mennonite University.  He has a PhD in Agricultural Economics and Business from the University of Guelph and is a CPA, CMA.  He joined the Board of Assiniboine Golf Club in July of 2016.  He became President of the Assiniboine Golf Club in 2017.  He joined the Board of Golf Manitoba in 2017.

Wayne McWhirter (President Elect) has been a Golf Manitoba Board Member since 2015 and is currently the Treasurer and Vice President. He also is the Chair of the Course Rating Committee. Wayne is a member of Southwood Golf and Country Club, and was President of the Club in 2013-2014. As part of his Community involvement, he was Chair of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and a Board member of Winnipeg and Canadian Chambers of Commerce. He retired in 2016 as a partner in MNP LLP , a national accounting firm.  He was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

F. (Bob) Peters (Director) has served as a Golf Manitoba Director since 2017 and was appointed Chair of the Sponsorship Committee this year. Bob is a Partner with the law firm Fillmore Riley LLP. and practices primarily in the area of Regulatory Law and Administrative Law representing clients in the relationship between government and its citizens. Bob has, throughout his advocacy practice, appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Manitoba Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Court of Queen’s Bench, the Public Utilities Board, Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission, and numerous other Administrative Tribunals. Bob is involved with golf through St. Charles Country Club where he was a member of the committee that brought Brooke Henderson to Winnipeg in July 2018 in support of junior golf in Manitoba.

Fred Smith (Director) joined the Board in the fall of 2019. Fred spent 30 years in the public education system where he spent 15 years as a teacher in early years and post-secondary studies, 15 years as a school administrator and 17 years in private consulting.

Fred has served on many Boards including the Director/Vice-chair of the Lake of the Woods & District Property Owners Association, Director/Vice-chair for the Organization for Cooperation in Overseas Development, Director for the CanAsia Educational Teacher Exchange and as a Director for the Condominium Corporation at 703 Riverwood Avenue in Winnipeg.

In the 1970’s, while teaching at the Kelvin High School, Fred initiated, organized and supervised the first Winnipeg School Division Annual High School Golf Championship with 10 schools competing. This event has since grown annually to include all high schools in the Greater Winnipeg area.

Fred currently is a member at the Wildewood Golf Club in Winnipeg.

Kathy Turner (Director) – retired Assistant Commissioner Canada Revenue Agency. Kathy’s working background is in accounting, finance, information technology and tax policy and she has significant senior management experience. She has board and volunteer experience in golf at the club level and with the former CLGA.  Kathy also has board experience with charitable organizations such as the United Way and Citizen’s Advocacy of Ottawa (an organization that works with adults with disabilities).  Kathy was a founding director of Camelot Golf and Country Club.

Ken Warwick (President) has served as a Golf Manitoba Board member since 2014. Has represented Manitoba Golf on many occasions at the National level. Member of Niakwa Country Club since 1986 and has been on the Social and Competition Committee for 10 years. Greens Committee for many years before that. Current Captain of the Senior Putter Golf Team and Past Captain of the Mundie Putter Team. A Licensed Realtor since 1988 and has been with Century 21 Bachman & Associates since 1993.

About Golf Manitoba – Golf Manitoba is the governing body for golf in the province of Manitoba and North West Ontario. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the game of golf in Manitoba and North West Ontario for the benefit of all participants.  To learn more about Golf Manitoba or programs and services available to amateur golfers, visit Golf Manitoba at golfmb.ca.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204-925-5729
jared@golfmb.ca

Neel Soni of the St. Charles Country Club, has won the 2019 Maple Leaf Junior Tour Junior Boys National Championship.

The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, concluded its 21st season on November 10th with the final round of the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf at The Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, FL, which played host to four days of golf including a practice round and three rounds of competition and a record-sized field of elite young golfers from across Canada.

Eight Manitobans were in the season ending championship with Soni taking top honours in the Junior Boys division as well posting the top finish of all Manitobans in the field.  Soni, the 2019 Manitoba Order of Merit winner, shot a total score 2019 including an final round 71 that propelled him to a four shot victory over Nicholas Rimmer of Edmonton, Alberta.

Ryan Hargreaves of the Shilo Country Club was next in the Junior Boys division finishing in 9th place with 239. Rossmere Country Club clubmates Lachlan Allerton and Carter Johnson finished T19th and 24th place respectively.

In the Juvenile Boys division, Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club finished 5 shots back of the winner and in 4th place overall for a 219 total. Noah Fiks of Bel Acres was the next Manitoban in the field finishing in 9th and Trey Ross of Rossmere finished T19th.

In the Pee Wee division, Spence Mott of Shilo Country Club finished in 6th place with a 251 total.

Complete final round results are available HERE >>.

WINNIPEG, MB – Southwood Golf & Country Club’s Rhonda Orr and Colwyn Abgrall were awarded the Golf Manitoba Female and Male Golfer of the Year Awards at the Golf Manitoba Annual Awards Reception on Wednesday, October 23 at the St. Charles Country Club.

Rhonda Orr started her 2019 campaign with a 5th place finish in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship. Orr then went on to win the Manitoba Women’s Senior Championship; her fourth straight title in the event and 6th in the last 7 years. The win helped secure a spot for Orr to represent Manitoba at the 2019 Golf Canada Senior Women’s Inter-provincial Team Competition where the team finished in 5th. Individually, Orr was the low Manitoban finishing in 11th place overall.  Orr also went on to qualify for a second straight year to compete in the 2019 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship where she qualified for the match play portion of the event and winning her first match and making it to the round of 32. The Golfer of the Year Award is Orr’s second in a row and third in the last four years.

The other finalists for Female Amateur Golfer of the Year were Hannah Diamond of St. Charles Country Club and Charmaine Mackid of Breezy Bend Country Club. Four female golfers received honourable mention for their performance in 2019 and include Kate Gregoire of Quarry Oaks Golf Club,  Cala Korman of Killarney Lakeside Golf Club, Marissa Naylor of Pine Ridge  and Crystal Zamzow of Swan River Golf Club.

Colwyn Abgrall had a successful start to his year with a runner-up finish in the Match Play Championship. He followed that performance with a 7th place finish in the Grey Owl and a T3rd finish at the Elmhurst Invitational. At the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur, Abgrall led the event after the second round and completed the run for his first Amateur title. The win earned Abgrall a spot on Team Manitoba and the chance to compete at the 2019 Golf Canada Men’s Amateur Championship; the team finished in 5th place. Abgrall continued his fine play by tying for medallist honours at the regional Qualifier in Fargo, ND and earning a spot in the United States Amateur that was held at the Pinehurst Golf Resort in North Carolina, USA. The Golfer of the Year Award is the first for Abgrall.

The finalists for the Male Golfer of the Year Award included Jacob Armstrong of the St. Boniface Golf Club and Austin Dobrescu of Shilo County Club. Six male golfers received honourable mention for their play in 2019 and include Garth Collings, Eric Johnson and Braxton Kuntz of Bend Country Club, Drew Jones of Shilo Country Club,  Jordy Lutz of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club and Neel Soni of St. Charles Country Club.

The Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award was presented for the 45th time at this year’s Award Ceremony.

About the Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award – The Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year award recognizes outstanding performance by Manitoba golfers in all levels of competition with the first award presented in 1975. In 2015, the award was re-established to include both a female and male category.

About Golf Manitoba – Golf Manitoba is the governing body for golf in the province of Manitoba and North West Ontario. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf in Manitoba and North West Ontario for the benefit of all participants.

For more information:

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