Oakville, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce that Nancy Spineti Delle Donne of Montreal has been named the 2020 recipient of the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award. A presentation of the award will take place on Thursday, March 4 as part of Golf Canada’s Virtual Annual Meeting.

For more than 20 years, Nancy has been a major contributor to Golf Quebec and Golf Canada as an expert in Handicapping and Course Rating.

In 2014, Nancy was named Chair of the Golf Canada Course Rating and Handicap Committee, a position she held proudly until the end of 2020. During this time, she played an integral  role in the national launch of the new World Handicap System which was rolled globally in 2020.

“Volunteers are a driving force behind golf in this country and we are proud to recognize Nancy Spineti Delle Donne for her deep contributions to Handicapping and Course Rating this past year and over the last 20 years,” said Liz Hoffman, Golf Canada’s 1^st Vice President who will sworn in as the Association’s 119^th President during the Annual Meeting. “Nancy’s contribution to the game and her support in the execution of an important golf service has made and major impact. She has carried those responsibilities with excellence and is truly deserving of this recognition.”

Nancy was Chair of the Golf Québec Course Rating and Handicap Committee from 2008 to 2020 and served on the Golf Québec Board of Director from 2008 to 2015.

During her tenure with Golf Quebec, Nancy helped to train course rating teams across eight regional associations. She would visit 40+ member clubs a year and has rated nearly 90 courses. Her commitment to the craft included meticulous data collection and support documentation to ensure the highest standard of Golf Quebec’s course rating services.

Nancy has also served as Golf Quebec’s feature presenter for handicap seminars and played an instrumental role in training a province-wide network of club Handicap Committees who supported countless members in establishing a valid Handicap Index. From 2011 to 2014, she was also Chairperson of the Golf Québec Membership Committee.

A public player with provincial contributions dating back to 1997, Nancy was recognized for her exceptional service as Golf Quebec’s 2004 Volunteer of the Year, and in 2020, Golf Québec Board of Directors celebrated her retirement from the association by naming her an Honorary Governor.

Now in its 15^th year, candidates for the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award are put forth to Golf Canada for consideration by the respective provincial golf associations in acknowledgment of significant contributions to the game of golf in their community.

The Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award is named in recognition of Toronto native Bruce Mitchell who in 2017-18 was the first Canadian to serve as captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A). Born in Victoria and raised in Edmonton, the former president of the Toronto Golf Club and R&A member since 1988 was just the ninth internationally appointed captain of the R&A, one of the most prestigious volunteer positions in the world of golf. Duties as captain included representing the R&A as a global ambassador and aiding in the R&A’s effort to develop golf around the world.

Congratulations to Nancy Spineti Delle Donne of Montreal, Que. on being named the 2020 Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year!

Golf Manitoba wishes to extend a warm welcome to La Broquerie Golf Course, our newest member club!

La Broquerie Golf Course (formerly La Verendrye Golf Course) is located in the ever-growing bilingual community of La Broquerie, approximately 45 minutes southeast of Winnipeg.

La Broquerie Golf opened in 1991 and has since undergone numerous improvements. These upgrades, along with the course’s natural beauty and maturing process, have helped make it what it is today.

Designed by renowned golf course architect David Wagner, the course offers an array of challenges for every age and ability. Golfers can choose between 4 sets of tees, ranging from over 6,906 yards from the back tees to a very manageable 5,114 yards from the advanced tees.

La Broquerie Golf caters to all types of corporate and group tournaments and the restaurant is sure to please every type of palate with an abundance of choices. Come try the La Broquerie Golf experience!

As an official Golf Manitoba/Canada member club, all games played at La Broquerie Golf Course are acceptable for handicap purposes and may be recorded toward establishing or maintaining an official Golf Canada Handicap Index.

For more information about La Broquerie Golf Course including online tee-time reservations, please visit labgolf.ca.

Liz Hoffman has served on Golf Canada’s Board of Directors since 2012 and has been a recognized leader in Canadian sport as an athlete, coach, and administrator.

She honed her executive leadership skills over a 39-year career with the University of Toronto including 16 years as Director of Athletics and High-Performance. She has been active with many sport organizations, serving as a past president of Canadian USport and Ontario University Athletics and as an officer and board member of both Ontario and Field Hockey Canada. She also served on the Board of Directors of Coaches of Canada and as a member of the Sport Development Committee of Swim Canada.

During her time with Golf Canada, she has contributed across a multitude of committees, councils and working groups including most recently serving as Chair of the Compensation Committee, the World Junior Girls Steering Committee and as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Governance Renewal. She has previously chaired the Amateur Competitions, Sport Development and Human Resources Committees, as well as the Ad Hoc Committee to Review the COC Report. She has been a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Diversity Enhancement Working Group, and the Volunteer Services Working Group. Hoffman is also a member the Board of Directors of the Golf Canada Foundation, serving on the Executive Committee as Secretary and chairing both the Scholarships & Grants and the Women’s Fund Committees.

A past President of the Golf Association of Ontario, she was also the non-playing captain of Canada’s Women’s Team at the 2012, 2014 and 2016 World Amateur Team Championships and served as Golf Canada’s delegate to the Biennial meeting of the International Golf Federation in 2018. In 2020, she participated as a program mentor in the R&A’s Women in Golf Leadership Development Program and also joined the PGA of Canada’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. She has been active as a tournament chair and starting & scoring official at Golf Canada amateur, professional, and international competitions.

A former provincial, national, and international golfer who won both the Ontario Junior and Quebec Women’s Amateur Championship, Hoffman is a member of both the Thornhill Golf Club and the Mad River Golf Club and shares her passion for the game with her husband Rick and their sons Matt and Mark.

In early January, TaylorMade Golf released their new line of SIM2 metals woods to the market.

Manitoba Territory Sales and Marketing Manager Eric Johnson met with Golf Manitoba at the Gallagher Golf Studio at the Niakwa Country Club in Winnipeg to showcase the new Sim2 line of drivers. In the video below, Eric walks us through some of the technology behind the new Sim2 driver.

With the original SIM, the company focused on reshaping the driver to deliver speed and aerodynamics at the most critical stage of the swing – those milliseconds right before impact. Embracing the evolution of design, now TaylorMade has reinvented the way drivers are constructed with an increased focus on enhanced forgiveness while maintaining speed and optimal launch conditions.

For more information on the new Sim2 line of drivers, please click HERE.

About TaylorMade Golf

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, TaylorMade Golf is a leading manufacturer of high performance golf equipment with industry-leading innovative products like SIM2 metalwoods, SIM2 irons, P Series irons, TP5/TP5X golf balls and Spider putters. A major force on the PGA TOUR, TaylorMade has an unrivaled athlete portfolio that includes Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Rickie Fowler, Matthew Wolff, Collin Morikawa, Harry Higgs, Nick Taylor, Michael Gligic, SH Park, Charley Hull, Maria Fassi and Sierra Brooks.

TaylorMade Golf Canada is the official equipment performance partner of Golf Manitoba.

Golf Manitoba, on behalf of its member club community, recently applied for was was approved for sport community funding under the federal Emergency Support Fund for Sport. Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce that $28,500 has been distributed to member clubs to help support operational challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Qualifying operational expenses covered by the fund include the following:

• Ongoing operational expenses (office rent, storage, insurance, accounting/legal, IT, communications, staffing that was not covered by any federal programs i.e. CEWS)
• COVID-19 related supplies (cleaning & protective equipment, signage)
• COVID-19 related staffing (increases due to return to play ratios, safety staff/volunteer monitors)
• Equipment expenses related to return to play guidelines

Golf Manitoba wishes to extend its sincere thanks to Sport Manitoba for their assistance with the application.

For more information on the Golf Manitoba/Canada club membership program, please visit our membership page.

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Feb. 17, 2021) – The USGA announced today that Mike Whan will join the organization this summer as CEO, and will become the eighth top executive in USGA history.

Last month, Whan announced his intention to step down as LPGA Commissioner in 2021, after his organization completes a search for the next Commissioner. His transition follows an impressive 11 years at the helm of the LPGA, during which the organization experienced historic growth in virtually every aspect of the business.

As USGA CEO, Whan will be responsible for leading all aspects of the association’s operations, including its core functions, essential programs, and human and financial resources. He will also represent the USGA on a variety of national and international boards.

Laurence Applebaum and Mike Whan at 2019 CP Women’s Open

“Mike Whan is a proven, successful and transformative leader, not only in the golf industry but throughout his entire career,” said USGA President Stu Francis, who oversaw the CEO search process. “He has shown a unique ability to understand how the environment is changing in global golf and how to quickly and thoughtfully adapt an organization to meet those changes. Importantly, Mike is already a trusted peer for so many key stakeholders in the industry, and his existing relationships will not only help the USGA, but will also help advance the game.”

Whan started his career at the Procter & Gamble Company in 1987, where he rose to Director of Marketing for Oral Care before leaving to pursue a passion for sports. Whan’s sports business career began at Wilson Sporting Goods as a Vice President and General Manager in the golf division. He joined the TaylorMade Golf Company as Vice President of Marketing in 1995 and later served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Executive Vice President/General Manager for Taylormade-adidas Golf. In 2002, Whan became the President and CEO of Mission Hockey, a hockey equipment company.

Since joining the Ladies Professional Golf Association in 2010, Whan increased the number of tournaments on the LPGA Tour’s schedule to 34 from 24, increased purses from $41.4 million to $76.5 million, and grew television hours from 125 hours per season, to over 500 hours. Under his leadership, the LPGA became a truly global business – with players, tournaments, sponsors and fans coming from all over the world. Currently, the LPGA Tour is televised in over 170 countries each week. Whan’s leadership resulted in the expansion of the LPGA to now include both the Symetra Tour, the recently announced joint venture with the Ladies European Tour, as well as a nearly 50% increase in LPGA’s teaching division. Whan’s focus on growing the game for junior girls has led to a significant expansion of the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Program, which had 5,000 members when he joined the organization to 90,000 girls now engaged in the program.“As someone who grew up loving this game, I have always had huge respect for the USGA and its role in leading our sport,” said Whan. “The game has given me so much throughout my life, both personally and professionally. I know I have a lot to learn, but I’m truly excited about this role, as it gives me the opportunity to not only give back to the game, but to also work hard to leave it stronger.”

Current USGA CEO Mike Davis, who joined the USGA in 1990 and became the Association’s seventh executive director in 2011 and first CEO in 2016, will depart later this year to team with Tom Fazio II in a new course design venture, Fazio & Davis Golf Design.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mike Whan for many years and I view him as a trusted, strategic leader who has a proven track record of building collaborative partnerships,” said Davis. “I know the USGA will be in great hands, and I look forward to partnering with Mike to ensure a smooth and successful transition for the USGA.”

The USGA and The R&A have announced proposals for significant changes to the Rules of Amateur Status that govern the game worldwide.

These proposals result from a modernization initiative that has identified a clear need to bring the Rules up to date to reflect today’s global amateur game and ensure that the Rules are easier to understand and apply.

The proposed Rules, along with explanations to key changes, have been posted on usga.org and randa.org and the organizations are now inviting feedback from golfers and stakeholders. Comments will be accepted through Friday, March 26, with the new Rules scheduled to be adopted on January 1, 2022.

A comprehensive review of the Rules of Amateur Status began in late 2017, focusing on three main goals: to ensure the Rules are in the best interests of the game, reflect the modern game, and are easily understood and applied.

This review reaffirmed amateur golf’s important position in the game and the value in maintaining amateur status Rules to safeguard all the ways golf is played and enjoyed.

The result is a set of Rules that redefine the distinction between amateur and professional golf and provide a condition of eligibility – amateur status – for amateurs who compete in golf competitions.

As part of the modernization effort, it is proposed that the new Rules will identify only three acts that will result in a golfer losing their amateur status:

• Accepting a prize in excess of the prize limit
• Accepting payment for giving instruction
• Accepting employment as a golf club professional or membership of an association of professional golfers

To achieve this simplified approach, the following key changes are proposed:

• Eliminating the distinction between cash prizes and other prizes.
• Using the prize limit as the only way an amateur can lose amateur status through their play (meaning that entering or playing a competition as a professional would not, of itself, result in the loss of amateur status).
• Removing restrictions from the Rules surrounding competitions such as long-drive events, putting competitions and skills competitions that are not played as part of a tee-to-hole competition; and
• Eliminating all sponsorship restrictions.

“Golf is unique in its broad appeal to both recreational and competitive golfers,” said Craig Winter, USGA Senior Director, Rules of Golf and Amateur Status. “We understand and value how important amateur status is, not only to those who compete at the highest level of the amateur game, but for the millions of golfers at every age and skill level who enjoy competitive events at their home courses. These updates should help simplify these Rules and ensure the health of the amateur game.”

Grant Moir, Director of Rules at The R&A, said, “The Rules of Amateur Status play an important role in protecting the integrity of our self-regulating sport but the code must continue to evolve. This is particularly so in relation to the modern elite amateur game, where many of the players need financial support to compete and develop to their full potential, and the proposed new Rules will give much greater scope for this.”

“Today marks another important step in the process to modernize the Rules of Amateur Status,” said Akash Patel, Rules and Competitions Manager at Golf Canada. “A great amount of work has gone into making the Rules easier to understand and apply for both the recreational and competitive golfer. We are confident that the proposed changes reflect the modern game and will help with our continued efforts to grow the game.”

The proposed new Rules are accompanied by an overview document and explanations that detail the rationale for why changes are being proposed and, in some instances, why they have stayed the same.

Get ready for the 2021 golf season by learning more about the Rules of Golf and the World Handicap System!

GENERAL RULES OF GOLF & HANDICAPPING EDUCATION

WEBINARS

• Tuesday, February 16 – Rules of Golf RULES 1 – 13
• Tuesday, March 16 – World Handicap System
• Tuesday, April 13 – Rules of Golf RULES 14 – 24

SELF-GUIDED LEARNING

Rules of Golf Level 1

Level 1 focuses on easy ways to learn the basics of the Rules of Golf with its main interest on Etiquette, the principle definitions and commonly encountered situations on the course. Level 1 is available online and students will be able to test their knowledge by taking the review questions at the end of each section before attempting the online Level 1 Exam. There is no cost to take the Level 1 course and certification.

Register for Level 1

World Handicap System

Visit our World Handicap System resources page at golfmb.ca. This page provides a number of digital, print and video resources to help the golfer to better under the World Handicap System. The resources are available at no cost.

RULES OF HANDICAPPING CERTIFICATION

As part of the Handicap License Agreement, Golf Canada requires that every member club and league have a Handicap Committee in place, and that one person (ideally the Chairperson of the Committee) has successfully completed a Handicapping certification seminar.

Since 2003, Golf Manitoba and Golf Canada have been providing member clubs with educational sessions relating to the handicap system.  These seminars provide and more in-depth look into Handicapping and will give attendees a thorough knowledge of the World Handicap System. The Handicap Seminars are beneficial for Handicap Committee members, Golf Professionals, Superintendents, General Managers, Club Members and others interested in learning more about Handicapping in general.

Participation in the Handicapping Seminar ensures that the individual is educated about the World Handicap System and can oversee and implement policies at their home club.  Once an individual has successfully completed the seminar their certification is valid for 4 years (with the individual and club), after which they must re-certify.

ONLINE RULES OF HANDICAPPING CERTIFICATION

Golf Canada is pleased to launch the Online Rules of Handicapping Certification — a series of videos will guide you through the Rules of Handicapping, providing the knowledge necessary to achieve certification and successfully oversee handicap duties at your club. Click here to access the Rules of Handicapping certification videos.

A short quiz will test your knowledge, and successful completion will provide you with certification.

*Please note that there is no cost to certify online.

2021 HANDICAP INFORMATION & CERTIFICATION WEBINARS

• Wednesday March 10, 2021 from 6:30pm-8:30pm (EST)
• Saturday March 20, 2021 from 9:00am- 11:00am (EST)
• Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 2:00pm- 4:00pm (EST)
• Wednesday, May 5, 2021 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm (EST)

Cost of each webinar is $35 + HST. For information and to register, please click HERE. When registering, please indicate you are a member of Golf Manitoba when it asks for the member club designation.

For more information on any of the above education and certification programs, please contact us at info@golfmb.ca or at 204.925.5730.

TaylorMade Canada has agreed to extend its partnership with Golf Manitoba as the association’s official performance partner.  Under the agreement, TaylorMade Canada will continue as the sole provider of performance equipment for Golf Manitoba for the 2021 season.

“TaylorMade Canada is excited to continue our partnership with Golf Manitoba in 2021,” said Eric Johnson, Territory Sales Manager for Manitoba and Ontario, Lake Head. “Our partnerships with many of the provincial golf associations around the country like Golf Manitoba is something we are very proud of here at TaylorMade Golf Canada,” said TaylorMade Golf Canada GM David Bradley. “We are so excited about continuing our partnership this year and supporting amateur and junior golf in the province of Manitoba.”

“We are pleased to announce that TaylorMade will continue as the official equipment performance partner for Golf Manitoba in 2021,” said Jared Ladobruk, Executive Director of Golf Manitoba. “TaylorMade continues to provide innovative ball and equipment solutions to help golfers of all skill level achieve their best and we are excited to again extend the benefits of this relationship to our competitors and provincial teams.”

Since 2018, TaylorMade Golf Canada has equipped all provincial teams with TaylorMade high-performance carry bags, TP5 balls and headwear.

About TaylorMade Golf Company

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, TaylorMade Golf is a leading manufacturer of high performance golf equipment with industry-leading innovative products like SIM2 metalwoods, SIM2 irons, P Series irons, TP5/TP5X golf balls and Spider putters. A major force on the PGA TOUR, TaylorMade has an unrivaled athlete portfolio that includes Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Rickie Fowler, Matthew Wolff, Collin Morikawa, Harry Higgs, Nick Taylor, Michael Gligic, SH Park, Charley Hull, Maria Fassi and Sierra Brooks.

Follow TaylorMade Canada at taylormadegolf.ca

About Golf Manitoba

Golf Manitoba is recognized by Sport Manitoba as the Provincial Sport Organization and governing body of amateur for golf in the province. 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

Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce its 2021 Championship schedule. The provincial amateur golf governing body will host 14 championships at member clubs from across Manitoba.

“We are very excited to announce our 2021 championship schedule,“ said Lisa Andersen, Director of Competitions for Golf Manitoba. “We have an excellent line up of venues from across the province and are very appreciative of the support we have received from those member clubs who committed to hosting this year.”

Of special note for 2021 will be the 100th awarding of the Manitoba Free Press trophy to this year’s men’s amateur champion.  “The Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship has an incredible history and we are pleased to bring this event back to the Neepawa Golf & Country Club,” said Golf Manitoba Executive Director, Jared Ladobruk.  “Neepawa is a fantastic venue and will provide an excellent test of golf for our men’s amateur field and we are very excited about the milestone we are recognizing for this championship.”

As with this past championship season, the health and safety of all involved will continue to be of paramount importance as COVID-19 protocols continue to adjust. “The safety of our member clubs, players, volunteers, and staff is our top priority,” explained Ladobruk. “We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust the season accordingly.”

The 2021 championship season will officially kick off with the Match Play Championship qualifier and matches being held at the Grand Pines Golf Club May 29 & 30 and June 5, 6, 12 & 13.

2021 Championship Schedule

• Match Play Championship – Grand Pines Golf Course (May 29-June 13)
• Women’s City & District & Junior Bantam Championships – Transcona Golf Club (June 26 & 27)
• Manitoba Junior Men’s & Women’s Championships – Shilo Country Club (July 5-7)
• Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur and Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships – Niakwa Country Club (July 9-11)
• Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship – Neepawa Golf & Country Club (July 15-18)
• Senior Men’s & Women’s Championship – Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club (August 4-6)
• Ladies Interclub Championship – Larters at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club (August 27)
• Men’s Provincial Interclub Championship – Neepawa Golf & Country Club (August 28)
• Men’s Senior Interclub Championship – Minnedosa Golf & Country Club (September 1)

Also on the local golf calendar for 2021 is the Golf Canada junior NexGen Prairie Championship being held at the Quarry Oaks Golf Course from June 10-13 in Steinbach, Manitoba. Golf Canada’s NextGen program aims to support and develop Canada’s next wave of future Team Canada athletes.

More information on Golf Manitoba championships including dates, times, eligibility, how to register and host venue will be available in the coming weeks on the competitions schedule page at golfmb.ca. Entry for registration for most Golf Manitoba championships is set to open online on April 15, 2021.

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About Golf Manitoba

Golf Manitoba is provincial sport organization (PSO) for amateur golf in Manitoba. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario for the benefit of all participants.