Ruthie Maxwell

Ruthie Maxwell has been racking up awards and championships since she learned to swing a golf club at the age of 10.

From her first junior provincial competition in 1969 to her most recent senior nationals in 2019, Maxwell has earned various accolades at the provincial, national and state level throughout her 50-year career and is said to be one of the best amateur golfers in Maritime history.

“She certainly does have an impressive list of accomplishments in golf and has been a tremendously positive representative for our small town,” writes Sue Seaborn in her nomination letter for Ruthie.

Ruthie’s passion for the game of golf and her drive to excel at it has been evident for the past five decades. Her highlights include winning both the New Brunswick Junior Provincial Championship and the Ontario Junior Amateur title in 1971, and the following year bringing home the New Brunswick banner again. In 1975, she was named the New Brunswick Ladies’ Amateur Champion.

Ruthie has won the Nova Scotia women’s Amateur Championships four times – in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2005 – and finished second three times. She has also earned provincial titles five times from the Nova Scotia Women’s Senior Championships – in 2005, 2006, 2014, 2015 and 2016. As a member of the Nova Scotia team, she has also competed at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championships eight times and the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship seven times. Over the span of four decades, Ruthie has also won the Nova Scotia Two-Ball Championships a total of 10 times. She earned gold at the Canadian Super Senior in 2014.

In 2017, Ruthie brought home the gold from the Nevada State Championships and earned silver in the Northern Nevada Women’s Amateur Championships in 2018 and 2019. She was also a member of the four-person team that earned the win at the Nevada State Quad Championships in 2019.

Born and raised in Sackville, Ruthie moved to Nova Scotia to attend Saint Francis Xavier

University, where she graduated in 1976. She then made Nova Scotia her home, with the exception of six years when she lived and worked in the US.

“I never realized that the young lady I knew as a golfer and later as a friend would ever turn out to be one of the finest lady golfers in Sackville, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and many United States and countries around the world,” writes Kevin Read, an honourary member and champion of the Sackville Golf Club, in his letter of support for Ruthie’s nomination.

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Due to continued health concerns as well as government restrictions on travel and group gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Golf Canada has cancelled all of its amateur golf competitions for the duration of the 2020 season.

The National Sport Federation had previously announced the cancellation or postponement of a number of its junior and amateur competitions scheduled through mid-June.

“National amateur competitions have been a proud focus throughout our 125-year history and while we share in the disappointment of competitors, our host clubs and event volunteers, the most important consideration is the health and safety of the people who come together at our championships,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Ongoing travel restrictions—both international and across some provincial borders—in addition to continued restrictions on larger group gatherings and limitations on player training were significant contributors to this decision. We are also sensitive to the needs of our host clubs to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their staff and members.”

The 107th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, one of the top-ranked women’s amateur events in the world that attracts many international athletes, was scheduled to begin in five weeks at The Royal Montreal Golf Club from July 21-24. In addition, the 116th Canadian Men’s Amateur which features a 264-player field was scheduled to take place at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alta. from August 3-6 – marking the 125th anniversary of this storied championship. The cancellations will mark the first time since the second World War where these two national championships will not be conducted.

Golf Canada has also announced that the National Orders of Merit will not be awarded in 2020. The purpose of the points-based rankings is to identify and give recognition top-performing male and female amateur and junior golfers across Canada who have achieved success in the golf season. The decision to not award the Orders of Merit was made recognizing the varying access Canadian golfers will have to domestic and international competitions, and the resulting difficulty in running an equitable ranking system. Golf Canada will look to resume the Orders of Merit on September 1st, 2020 for the 2021 rankings. For more information, please visit the National Orders of Merit page by clicking here.

Golf Canada and Golf Ontario previously announced the cancellation of the 7th annual World Junior Girls Championship, scheduled for September 30 – October 3, 2020 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 20 championships nation-wide which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf referees, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by RBC, Canadian Pacific, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist and FootJoy. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions.

The Nova Scotia Golf Association is pleased to announce that the Return to Activity Phase 2 Plan for golf has been reviewed and reasonably demonstrates that Nova Scotia Sport Guidelines will be met.

Golf clubs may now expand their golf activities as outlined in Phase 2 of the ‘Return to Activity Plan’.

It is important to review both the Phase 2 Return to Activity Plan and the Covid-19 Nova Scotia Sport Guidelines.

Included in this plan are the guidelines for the return to golf competitions. Golf competitions must be modified to comply with the Covid-19 Nova Scotia Sport Guidelines. All golf competitions are now permitted provided that social distancing can be maintained. Please note that shotgun starts will not be permitted. Clubs hosting competitions and all competitors are responsible for knowing and following the Covid-19 protocols prior to the competition. These protocols will be updated periodically as further restrictions are lifted.

The NSGA is pleased to announce plans to host the following championships in 2020.

Women’s Amateur and Senior Championship
July 3-5, 2020
Oakfield Golf Club

MCT Men’s Amateur Championship
July 3-5, 2020
Ken Wo Golf Club

Jaguar Land Rover Halifax Junior Boys and Girls Championship
July 8-10, 2020
The Lakes Golf Club

MCT Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship
July 17-19, 2020
The Amherst Golf Club

#GolfBeattieStrong Men’s Senior Championship
August 5-7, 2020
The Clare Golf Club

Please note that the host club for the Women’s Two Ball has decided to not host this event in 2020. The NSGA is considering other options for this event.

The NSGA will make a final decision on hosting the following championships within 30 days of the competition start date:

NSGA Women’s Bronze Championship

August 4, 2020

Chester Golf

NSGA Senior Four Ball Championship

August 20-21, 2020 Eden Golf Club

For more information on the 2020 NSGA Championships schedule or register now please CLICK HERE

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – The PGA TOUR announced today a new program designed to strengthen and elevate the path to the PGA TOUR through the Korn Ferry Tour, Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and PGA TOUR Series – China. PGA TOUR University will reward elite collegiate play with varying levels of playing access to Tours operated under the PGA TOUR umbrella, while upholding the principles and virtues of collegiate athletics.

Players eligible for the PGA TOUR University Ranking List will be NCAA Division I golfers who complete a minimum of four years in college.

“With the level of immediate success from the top collegiate players in the last decade, our team has done extensive research over time and developed a plan to provide a pathway for those players as they begin their journeys into the professional ranks,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “By focusing our efforts on players who have completed a minimum of four years, PGA TOUR University will not deter from the college game while ensuring its graduates benefit from their maturity and experience.”

The top 15 finishers from the final Official PGA TOUR University Ranking List at the conclusion of each NCAA collegiate spring season (defined by the conclusion of the NCAA Men’s Division I Golf Championship) will be awarded exempt status to the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Series – China, based on their respective finish.

The top five finishers from the final Official PGA TOUR University Ranking List will receive Korn Ferry Tour membership and will be exempt into all open, full-field events beginning the week following the conclusion of the NCAA Division I Men’s National Championship through the conclusion of the Korn Ferry Tour regular season. The top five finishers will also be exempt into the Final Stage of that year’s Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament.

Finishers Nos. 6-15 will secure membership on one of the International Tours for the current season and a spot in the Second Stage of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament (if necessary). At that point, these players will have their choice of which International Tour their exempt status applies to.

The eligibility for each respective Tour will begin the week following the conclusion of the NCAA Men’s Division I Golf Championship. The 2021 NCAA Men’s Championship is scheduled to be held at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, from May 28 – June 2.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for these players to begin their professional careers on a path to the PGA TOUR. Just as importantly, we are able to continue building on the great momentum the Korn Ferry Tour and our International Tours have enjoyed in recent years by strengthening the field of competition with the addition of these collegiate stars,” said Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin.

“We have always been proud of the talent level on our International Tours and have enjoyed observing the success players have had as they’ve moved on to both the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR after competing in Latin America, Canada and China,” said Rob Ohno, PGA TOUR Senior Vice President, International Tours. “Now with the addition of these accomplished college golfers entering the professional ranks, we are grateful that many of them will choose the International Tours as their desired path. As they start their careers, we will warmly welcome those who choose to pursue their dreams on any of our Tours.”

The PGA TOUR will partner with the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®), which is administered by The R&A and the USGA, to create the PGA TOUR University Ranking List. The WAGR system ranks the top amateurs on the basis of their average performance in counting events on a rolling cycle over the previous 104 weeks. The list will be filtered to include those players and results meeting the PGA TOUR University eligibility criteria.

Events which will count towards the Official PGA TOUR University Ranking List include NCAA Division I Men’s Golf events and official PGA TOUR events, including the Masters, U.S. Open and The Open Championship.

The first Official PGA TOUR University Ranking List will be unveiled this summer leading into the start of the 2020-21 Division I season, with the Ranking List updated each week during the season.

PGA TOUR University will partner with GOLF Channel to provide extensive coverage of NCAA Division I golf to complement the Ranking List and showcase the race to the top 15. GOLF Channel is the television home for college golf, televising six college golf championships, including the men’s NCAA Championships since 2014.

For more information on PGA TOUR University, including a Frequently Asked Questions page, please visit PGATOUR.com/University.

The NSGA, our member clubs and our Allied Golf Associations have worked very hard to create a plan that has been implemented so that golf courses can re-open here in Nova Scotia. We are very pleased with the outcome of this process. Our thanks to each of you for your patience during this difficult time.

As expected, this update comes with a few restrictions. Along with the opening of courses, Dr. Strang also announced the guidelines that golf clubs and golfers alike will have to follow when teeing it up.

As of Saturday, May 16, 2020, golf courses around the province will be allowed to open.

The announcement was made during Friday, May 15, 2020 press conference with Premier Stephen MacNeil, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Strang.

Our golfers need to be prepared of the many protocols that are in place to ensure the health and safety of our golfers, our golf course staff and our communities. As a golfer it is your responsibility to know and understand these rules.

For a complete list of protocols please CLICK HERE – updated May 29, 2020

If you have questions about golfing under these new Covid-19 safety protocols please contact your home club or the course where you are planning to play. It is important that we all play our part to ensure that we maintain physical distancing and adhere to these practices.

Please stay safe and make sure to maintain social distancing at all times.

Here is a list of member clubs, and their opening dates:

To All NSGA Members:

As the weather continues to improve and we see New Brunswick and PEI prepare to open their golf courses, we recognize the growing frustration of the golfing community here in Nova Scotia.

We have been working hard in cooperation with other key golf industry stakeholders to communicate that golf is well positioned to open safely. Our clubs, PGA Professionals, Superintendents, General Managers, owners and operators are all working collaboratively to ensure that we will be ready to open when the time comes.

This afternoon Dr. Strang announced a slow and steady reopening of outdoor activities, and golf is part of this plan. Effective today driving ranges will be open, however courses will remain closed. It is very encouraging that golf has taken the first step towards re-opening. Our course will open soon.

That said, we know that Nova Scotia’s battle against COVID-19 has resulted in greater a number of cases than other provinces. While our neighbouring provinces have successfully gone more than a week without any new cases, we continue to see our number of cases grow. Now is the time that we must continue to practice physical distancing and do our part to stop the spread. We are almost there and we need to be patient.

Now, if hitting the range isn’t enough, I bet you’re wondering: “may I drive cross provincial borders and play?” In short, the answer is NO. Strict travel restrictions between maritime provinces are still in place. Making personal and most business travel basically impossible, and at this time no date has been set for re-opening. If there is an off chance you may meet the restrictions of inter-provincial travel with the Health Measures Act still in place, you will still be required to self-isolate for 14 days once you return.

For more information on the resources used for this release, please see the links below:

• https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/alerts-notices/
• https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/travel-restrictions-between-maritime-provinces-could-remain-in-place-for-some-time-1.4911118
• http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-19-faq-families-and-members-public

Update on the Men’s Four Ball Championship

The 2020 is schedule for June 13-14 at the Hartlen Point Forces Golf Club. A final decision to host this championship on this date will be made on or before May 12, 2020.

NSGA Championship Registration – NOW OPEN

Registration for all NSGA Provincial Championships are now open!

We are very excited to have MCT Insurance a Division of Brokerlink as the Title Sponsor of the MCT Men’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championship. The MCT Men’s Amateur will be played at the Ken Wo Golf Club on July 3-5 and the MCT Men’s Mid-Amateur will be played at the Amherst Golf Club on July 17-19.

We would like to welcome TaylorMade as out new equipment supplier for the 2020 Championship Season. This year all competitors will receive a welcome gift from TaylorMade upon checking in before the first round at each event.

We would also like to thank Jaguar Land Rover Halifax for sponsoring a hole-in-one prize at each of our 2020 competitions. During Amateur events, participants will have a chance to win a new car, and during the Junior Championship, participants will have the chance to win a $50,000 education fund.

To register, please visit: http://nsga.ns.ca/competitions/

NSGA’s COVID-19 Resource Page

The NSGA is committed to fostering a safe sport environment. Through this difficult and unprecedented crisis, that commitment includes the health and well-being of golfers as well as every Nova Scotian in the communities where we live and play. Our thoughts are with those personally affected by the virus including their families, our most vulnerable citizens and the incredible health care workers who are facing the pandemic on the front lines.

Our industry is fortunate to have a wide-ranging support network of provincial, national and international partners bringing together their expertise to help us navigate through the uncertainty of COVID-19.

Collaboration and information sharing are critical during this challenging time and the NSGA has created the resource page below with helpful links to support our member clubs, golfers and our many industry partners coming together during this crisis. The resource page will be updated regularly as information and updates become available.

Canadian professional golfers came together to send a video message expressing their gratitude to frontline workers for their courage and sacrifice.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Big thanks to the frontline workers for your courage and sacrifice during this difficult time ❤️ ⁣ ⁣ ? @bobweekstsn

A post shared by Golf Canada (@thegolfcanada) on Apr 23, 2020 at 7:24pm PDT

Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, We Are Golf (The National Allied Golf Associations/NAGA) has postponed National Golf Day in Canada, originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2020.

The postponement of National Golf Day in Canada includes the We Are Golf government advocacy visit to Parliament Hill in Ottawa—an event aimed at raising awareness among government decision makers on the many positive impacts of the golf industry. An alternate date has not been selected at this time.

We appreciate that all government officials are directing their full attention and resources to support the health and safety of Canadians during this unprecedented health crisis. When the time is right, the Canadian golf industry will be ready to share the significant economic, health, employment, tourism and charitable impact of golf in communities from coast to coast.

We Are Golf is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our members, golfers, staff, volunteers and industry stakeholders as well as every Canadian in the communities where we live, work and play.

Wendy Sentner has been elected President of the Nova Scotia Golf Association for the 2020-2021 season. The election took place on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at the Nova Scotia Golf Association (NSGA) Annual General Meeting.

Ms. Sentner is the first Public Player to serve as President of the NSGA.

Wendy joined the NSGA Board in 2018 and has served as 2nd Vice President and 1st Vice President, as well as Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. Wendy championed the initiative to bring the inaugural NSGA Atlantic University/College Championship to fruition in September of 2019.

The following new board members where also elected during the Annual General Meeting

Karla Wilms – Director 

Karla is a member of River Hills Golf and Country Club in Clyde River, NS, and is an active both as a volunteer and a competitor. She has served on numerous volunteer committees from Ladies Division President to Tournament Director.

Over the past 25 years, she has worked for the Nova Scotia Community College, and is currently the Academic Chair and Site Manager for the Shelburne Campus. She has served on numerous community boards including the Community Business Development Corporation, Barrington and Shelburne Chamber of Commerce and the Nova Scotia Stick Curling Association. Karla has a Bachelor of Arts from Acadia and Bachelor of Education from Dalhousie.

Karla has won the River Hills Club Championship a record 32 times and has represented Nova Scotia three times as a member of the Women’s Amateur Team.

Karla lives in Clyde River with husband Dan.

Alix Digout – Director 

Born and raised in Halifax, Alix is an Associate Lawyer within MDW Law’s personal injury law practice; A ten-lawyer firm run by an all-female partnership in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

After graduating from Saint Mary’s in 2010 with a B.A, Alix moved to London, England to complete her Law Degree. Where she used her time abroad to gain a global perspective and to interact with individuals from all walks of life.

Outside of the office Alix is a massive sports fan, and grew up playing competitive soccer and curling. She has now turned her sights on “perfecting” her golf game. Despite being a lifelong golf fan and avid viewer, Alix only began her golfing journey within the last five years (still humbly learning the game, but with enthusiasm).

Sean is a member of Ashburn Golf Club in Halifax N.S, and is an active competitor during the summer months, and is no stranger to the NSGA. In 2019 Sean won the NSGA Men’s 4-Ball, and the MCT Men’s MID-Amateur in 2016 and 2019. Over the years, he has represented Nova Scotia at numerous National Championships, including the 2019 Canadian Men’s Amateur at Glen Arbour, N.S.

• President – Wendy Sentner, Public Player
• Vice President – David Bolton, Ken-Wo
• 2nd Vice President – Geoff Baker, Ashburn
• Past President – David Acker, Ken Wo
• VP Finance – Sean Stuart, Ashburn
• Director – Jim Ogilvie, Hartlen Point
• Director – Bill MacMillan, Hartlen Point
• Director – Rob Collins, Clare
• Director – Ernie Muise, Clare
• Director – Cathy Beaton, Antigonish
• Director – Bruce Smith, Ashburn
• Director – Karla Wilms, River Hills
• Director – Alix Digout, NSPPC
• Director – Kent Rodgers, Brightwood

April 24, 2020

During these challenging times in Atlantic Canada, golf associations have come together to pool resources and expertise in order to clearly define a safe path for the golf industry as we navigate through the current challenges that we face. 

The Atlantic Allied Golf Associations applaud the work of our health officials, our essential workers and various Government Agencies and Health Authorities for their active roles in ensuring the continued safety of our citizens, our communities, our provinces and our nation.

With no immediate end to the current health crisis on the horizon and the impacts on our citizens, businesses and communities mounting daily, we appreciate the challenges government officials are facing when deciding on the movement of people and the operation of businesses.

With the start to the Atlantic Canadian golf season just around the corner, the Atlantic Allied Golf Associations are working closely with our golf courses and our national and international partners to ensure that the health and safety of our facility staff and the general public is our top priority. 

There is a great deal of information readily available from multiple jurisdictions however the specific governmental and health requirements vary greatly from region to region, province to province and country to country. We are currently compiling relevant best practices and are consulting with various provincial governments and health authorities to identify key benchmarks and health and safety guidelines. These will be distributed to our partner facilities once they are identified and properly vetted so that they meet the appropriate requirements from the Government of Canada, our specific provinces and the various municipalities in our provinces.

We are all anxious to get the golf season up and running but we understand the dilemmas that our government and health officials face, especially when determining whether to allow some businesses to operate and the financial impacts these decisions will have on our communities moving forward. 

It is our goal that golf can be one of the businesses allowed to open during the first wave of openings given its ability to include guidelines for our clubs to follow that will allow for safe operation while offering an opportunity for the physical and mental well-being of our citizens.

The Atlantic Allied Golf Associations will continue to respect and support the positions of the federal and provincial Governments and the Chief Medical Officers of Health as we look forward to the time when the golf industry can help our communities heal by playing its part in providing a safe and responsible recreational opportunity for our citizens while also getting individuals back to work.

We will continue to work together with our partner facilities to prepare for the 2020 season and ensure that, once golf courses are allowed to safely open, clubs in Atlantic Canada are organized and well prepared to operate with the health and safety of players and staff members as a top priority. 

Sincerely,

Atlantic Allied Golf Associations

Lindon Garron – Executive Director, PGA Atlantic

Jim Thompson – Regional Director, Atlantic Chapter National Golf Course Owners Association of Canada
Jim Nix – Executive Director, Atlantic Golf Superintendents Association

Tyson Flinn – Executive Director, Golf New Brunswick

David Campbell – Executive Director, Nova Scotia Golf Association

Sean Joyce – Representative, Prince Edward Island Golf Association

Greg Hillier – Executive Director, Golf Newfoundland Labrador

Jeffrey Hutt – Regional Director, Atlantic Canada, Golf Canada