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BC Golf Junior Education Webinar Series

Join us for this April and May, as Golf, Fitness, Nutrition and Mental Performance professionals share their expertise with all BC Junior Golfers for the first BC Junior Golf Education Summit via online webinars.

The 2020 Summit will bring together leaders in junior golf development to discuss the pillars of performance along the competitive pathway, centered around this year’s theme of “Resilience and Adaptability.”

The 2020 BC Junior Golf Education Summit is an amazing opportunity for competitive juniors of all ages and ability to come together to learn from some of the best coaches in Canada on how to succeed along the path to becoming the best possible golfer you can be. There has never been an online event that has brought together such a qualified group of presenters who are truly passionate about golf.

Click here to Register  All Webinars are free of charge!

Schedule:
All webinars will be approximately 45 to 60 min and start at 4:00 p.m. PST (8:00 pm AST)
  • Thu, April 16th  – College Golf – the right school for you
  • Tues, April 21st  – Adapting Your Fitness Routine
  • Thur, April 23rd  – Rules and How to Benefit Part 1
  • Tues, April 28th  – Self Awareness and Attentional Control
  • Thur, April 30th  – Emotional Control and Stress Management
  • Wed, May 5th   – Your Mental Skill Toolkit
  • Fri, May 7th   – Rules and How to Benefit Part 2
  • Wed, May 12th  – Versatility and Tactics
  • Fri, May 14th  – Building your foundation – Nutrition, Hydration, Recovery
  • Wed, May 19th  – Being Adaptable and Resilient during Competition
For more information on each webinar, and speaker bios, please see below.
 
April 16th – College Golf – the right school for you
Jonnie will go over what is out there, how it works, how your priorities can change things, and more. He will then be joined by the coaches of the 4 top programs in B.C. for a question and answer period.
Speakers – Jonnie Motomochi – Jonnie’s success as a golfer at the Provincial, National and International stage, led him to earn a College Golf Scholarship to Oregon State University. After graduating, Jonnie realized his true passion was in coaching, and at that time he accepted the position as the Assistant Men’s Golf Coach of Oregon State University.
You can find Jonnie here https://www.morgancreekgolf.com/teaching-academy/our-coaches and @jtmoto9
Matthew Steinbach was appointed Head Coach of the Simon Fraser University men’s and women’s golf programs in 2017. Matt can be found here https://athletics.sfu.ca/coaches.aspx?rc=578 and @GolfCoachSteiny
Chris MacDonald is the Head Coach of both the men’s and women’s teams at UBC and has been there since 2000. He can be found here https://gothunderbirds.ca/sports/womens-golf/roster/coaches/chris-macdonald/684
Justin Clews has been the Head Coach of the UVic Men’s and Women’s teams since 2013 – Justin can be found here https://govikesgo.com/staff-directory/justin-clews/87 and @jpclews
Dr. Chris Bertram has served as head coach of the golf program at the University of the Fraser Valley since 2005. Chris can be found here https://gocascades.ca/sports/mens-golf/roster/coaches/chris-bertram/47 and @drchrisbertram 
April 21st – Adapting Your Fitness Routine
Lindsay Manion will give you the tools you need to continue your physical training in different conditions including at home, and to make a plan, so that you come out of this in better shape than you started.
Speaker – Lindsay Manion – Lindsay is considered one of the top Golf Performance Fitness Coaches in Canada. Lindsay’s background in golf as a Varsity athlete at the University of British Columbia and a student of the Bachelor of Human Kinetics program has led her into some of the top high-performance coaching roles in BC. She can be found here https://www.lindsaymanionperformance.com/ and @lmanion13
April 23rd – Rules and How to Benefit Part 1
This interactive webinar will get you thinking and really see what you know about the Rules. It is designed to help prepare someone for Level 1 certification. Doug will go over common situations that come up and the procedures to take. You might be surprised at how the Rules can actually help you!
Speaker – Doug Hastie – Doug served as Assistant Coach for the UBC golf teams from 2002-2008 and was named Teacher of the Year of the PGA of BC in 2007. He currently serves as Tournament Director for B.C. Golf.
He is a Provincially Certified Referee and serves on the Order of Merit Committee with Golf Canada. Doug can be found here http://britishcolumbiagolf.org/about/board or @dwhgolf
April 28th – Self Awareness and Attentional Control
Have you ever been in the middle of your backswing and were suddenly distracted by movement or someone talking? Do you wonder how the best of the best never seem to let anything interfere with their performance? Two things all elite athletes have in common is a high level of self-awareness and the ability to ignore distractions and focus their attention on what is most important. They are always ready to perform and know how to focus on the right things at the right time. In this session we will explore Ideal Performance States and the factors that influence them as well key concepts of attentional control so you can always perform your best. 
Speaker – Kim Senecal, Decata Performance Group – Kim Senecal is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach who’s been helping teams and individuals achieve greatness for more than 20 years. Kim holds a Master’s of Arts Degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sport Psychology and has passionately applied this knowledge in his work with entrepreneurs, businesses, and athletes to help them reach their full potential.
Kim can be found here https://dacataperformancegroup.com/our-team-kim-senecal-and-bradford-walterhouse/
April 30th – Emotional Control and Stress Management
Have you ever lost your cool in a high pressure moment or after a poor shot?  It can happen to anyone. We all experience stress and on occasion can let our emotions get the better of us. In this session we will examine the link between stress and emotions and explore strategies used by elite performers to ensure your emotions work for you on the golf course instead of against you.
Speaker – Kim Senecal, Decata Performance Group – Kim Senecal is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach who’s been helping teams and individuals achieve greatness for more than 20 years. Kim holds a Master’s of Arts Degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sport Psychology and has passionately applied this knowledge in his work with entrepreneurs, businesses, and athletes to help them reach their full potential.
May 5th – Your Mental Skill Toolkit
Can you imagine playing 18 holes with only a putter? Every athlete needs a variety of skills they can call on when needed. Just like you need to be comfortable with the various clubs in your bag, you also need to be able to adapt and access a number of mental skills to improve your game. In this session we will examine how to use mental skills such as self-talk, relaxation / activation, and imagery to improve your performance when it matters most.  
Speaker – Kim Senecal, Decata Performance Group – Kim Senecal is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach who’s been helping teams and individuals achieve greatness for more than 20 years. Kim holds a Master’s of Arts Degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sport Psychology and has passionately applied this knowledge in his work with entrepreneurs, businesses, and athletes to help them reach their full potential.
May 7th – Rules and How to Benefit Part 2
This interactive webinar will get you thinking and really see what you know about the Rules. It is designed to help prepare someone for Level 1 certification. Doug will go over common situations that come up and the procedures to take. You might be surprised at how the Rules can actually help you!
Speaker – Doug Hastie – Doug served as Assistant Coach for the UBC golf teams from 2002-2008 and was named Teacher of the Year of the PGA of BC in 2007. He currently serves as Tournament Director for B.C. Golf. He is a Provincially Certified Referee and serves on the Order of Merit Committee with Golf Canada. Doug can be found here http://britishcolumbiagolf.org/about/board or @dwhgolf
May 12th – Versatility and Tactics
This webinar will go over some surprising statistics from the game and show how, by making good decisions and understanding, where good scoring comes from and how you can improve without changing your physical skill set. We will also go over how a committee sets up a golf course, how they produce a hole location sheet and how this knowledge can help you play better tournament golf.
Speakers – Colin Lavers – Originally from Edmonton, Colin has captained Team BC at numerous events. Lavers has also led and/or assisted at multiple BC Golf training camps around the province and currently serves as coach for Team B.C. Colin can be found here https://seymourgolf.com/golf-country-club/pro-shop/professionals/colin-lavers-biography/ and @lavsgolf
Doug Hastie – Doug served as Assistant Coach for the UBC golf teams from 2002-2008 and was named Teacher of the Year of the PGA of BC in 2007. He currently serves as Tournament Director for B.C. Golf.
May 14th – Building your foundation – Nutrition, Hydration, Recovery 
There are many important components that go into playing a solid competitive round of golf. In addition to your technical skills, fitness, and game management plan, you need to be properly rested, recovered, fueled, hydrated, and have the right mindset. All of these are interconnected. Learn about how to prepare properly and take care of yourself when playing and practicing during your golf season.
Speakers – Ann Holmes – Ann is living in Prince George where she is a full-time faculty member at the College of New Caledonia in the Kinesiology program. She has a Masters in Human Kinetics (from UBC) and is a Certified Personal Trainer with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). Ann is also a PGA of Canada Class “A” member. Ann is finishing up her Canadian School of Natural Nutrition diploma and has a keen interest in nutrition for golfers and working with people of all ages to improve their health. Ann can be found here https://www.pggolfandcurling.com/golf-2/jr-program
May 19th – Being Adaptable and Resilient during Competition
What does a tournament week look like for an elite player? What does a practice round day consist of? What about an early time vs. a late time? These and many more questions will be answered by Canada’s best coaches.
Speakers – Robert Ratcliffe – Robert is currently the Head Coach of the Men’s National Junior Team for Golf Canada, a role which has him working with Canada’s top junior golfers. Ratcliffe has received several awards for his work over the years, including the 2009 PGA of BC Teacher of the Year Award, as well as the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2017 PGA of B.C. Coach of the Year Award. Robert can be found here http://www.ratcliffegolf.com/index.html and @ratcliffegolf
Derek Ingram – A two-time recipient of the PGA of Canada’s Teacher of the Year Award (2003 & 2007), Ingram spent two years as Women’s Head Coach for Team Canada. Prior to being named Women’s Head Coach at the end of 2009, Ingram served five years as Men’s Assistant Coach for Team Canada. A seven-time winner of the Manitoba PGA Teacher of the Year Award, Ingram has been involved with Golf Canada’s High-Performance Program for over 10 years. Derek can be found here https://elmhurstcc.ca/golf-clinics-lessons/ and @dingramgolf (Twitter) @dingramgolf  (Instagram)
Jennifer Greggain – Jennifer’s career includes competitive play at the highest levels of amateur and professional golf, making her playing experience one of the best in British Columbia. She earned a scholarship at the University of Washington, where she then pursued over ten years of tour experience, including two years on the LPGA Tour. She is the recipient of the 2019 PGA of Canada Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year award and is currently Assistant Coach for Team Canada. Jennifer can be found here http://www.pgabc.org/members/greggain-jennifer and @jengreggaingolf

Rules of Golf & Rules of Handicapping COVID-19 Guidelines

CLICK HERE FOR COVID-19 RULES OF GOLF AND RULES OF HANDICAPPING FAQs

The COVID-19 global pandemic is an unprecedented and difficult time for Canadians and Golf Canada stands with our entire golf community during this unprecedented time.

We all love the game for the escape it provides and its positive impact on our physical, social and mental well-being. We look forward to better and healthier days and when the time is right for Canadians to return to recreational normalcy, clubs and courses will be ready to welcome golfers back to the tee.

We continue to urge golfers to follow the guidelines from health and governmental officials to keep you and those around you safe, and to minimize any possible exposure to coronavirus. This is especially true on a golf course, where golfers, workers and operators should heighten their level of awareness on exposure to surfaces like flagsticks, golf balls, bunker rakes, tees, carts and scorecards. We all need to do our part to respect expert advice and make the right decisions to protect each other.

It is not the intended purpose of the below guidance to either encourage or discourage anyone from playing the game, but rather, in our governance role, to help golf course operators, committees and golfers better understand how the Rules of Golf and Rules of Handicapping apply to the various questions received by the governing bodies.

The Modernized Rules of Golf were drafted to offer each Committee the flexibility to make decisions as to how golf is played at their course or in competition and the Committee Procedures section of the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf (available online here) offers a significant amount of guidance and recommendations on how to address circumstances unique to each course or competition.

This flexibility will prove to be very helpful as Committees look to address many of the challenges they are facing within the current environment. While the Committee Procedures section is a tremendous resource and has much to offer, many of the current questions were not originally contemplated under the Rules of Golf and therefore there is no history or guidance provided. To better address the questions that have come about because of these unique circumstances and the related challenges, additional guidance can be accessed by clicking here. This will continue to be updated as additional questions are received.

As active seasons start to open across the country, we would like to discuss impacts on Handicapping.  From the perspective of the Rules of Handicapping, the most frequent questions received are primarily related to the acceptability of scores for posting to a player’s scoring record. In particular, to modifying the hole and not requiring the player to “hole out” as required under the Rules of Golf. These are founded in a desire to minimize the possibility of exposing golfers to coronavirus and have included leaving the hole liner raised above the putting surface or placing various objects into the hole so the ball can be more easily removed. In these specific cases, ensuring guidance from health and governmental officials is being followed, a temporary measure is in place in Canada to accept scores played under these conditions for handicap purposes using the most likely score guidelines (Rule 3.3, Rules of Handicapping), even though the player has not holed out.

Please remember that this temporary measure is now in effect within Canada until advised otherwise by Golf Canada.

For more information and detailed guidance, please contact your Provincial Golf Association or Golf Canada.

A message from Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum

Laurence Applebaum & family

To All Golf Canada Members and Member Clubs,

Along with the rest of the globe, Canada is dealing with a debilitating health crisis with COVID-19.

Golf Canada is committed to fostering a safe sport environment. Together with our partners at the Provincial Golf Associations, that commitment includes the health and well-being of golfers as well as every Canadian in the communities where we live and play.

I think constantly about those personally affected by the virus including their families, our most vulnerable citizens and the incredible health care workers confronting the pandemic on the front lines. I worry about the impact to the golf community—owners, operators, PGA of Canada professionals, club managers, superintendents, industry stakeholders, fans and supporters of our championships and every Canadian golf enthusiast that just wants to get out and play. I also applaud the superintendents and their teams, who are taking the strictest precautions to maintain our essential golf properties during this crisis.  

Golf Canada fully supports the recommendations and guidelines of Health Canada, the World Health Organization and regional public health experts to prevent the community spread of COVID-19. Currently, most provinces have enacted complete suspensions on all recreational activities and gatherings, including golf facilities. Many clubs throughout Canada have, on their own initiative, instituted temporary suspensions of operations for the wellness of their staff, their golfers and their community at large. I know that those not yet mandated to close are taking every precaution and I respect the pressure felt by those with that immense responsibility.  

Golf Canada continues to evaluate all aspects of our business and take measures to protect  our athletes, staff, coaches, partners and volunteers. Severe cost controls and risk mitigation protocols have been enacted and we are in constant consultation with provincial, national and international experts along with our member clubs to gather the information we need to make informed and responsible decisions through the crisis.  

You will find a toolkit of information here in our COVID-19 Resource Page, which we hope will serve as a  reference for everything that can be done today and, in the future, when it is safe to return to golf. I am incredibly proud of the work done by our team, our partners and global stakeholders to put this compendium of information together for all golfers.

This is a turbulent moment and Golf Canada is committed to supporting the golf community through these challenges to the best of our ability. I am encouraged to see the resiliency of our industry—people and facilities engaging to share ideas and best practices, further professional development and provide levity and support for each other through this difficult period.

When the time is right for Canadians to return to recreational normalcy, golf will be well positioned to emerge and thrive, with possible attributes recommended by the appropriate authorities including physical distancing, exaggerated tee-times, personal protective equipment, and the many precautionary health measures that club operators will have in place. I also know that when that recovery comes, courses will be ready to safely welcome golfers back to the tee. Golf will bring us closer together.

For now, as we all make our way through a time of unprecedented uncertainty, let’s commit to what is in our control—to take every precaution to ensure our physical and mental health; to protect our families, staff, volunteers and golfers; and to rally as a community to keep each other safe.
—
Laurence Applebaum
Chief Executive Officer
Golf Canada

Update on NSGA Championship Registration – delayed to May 1

 March 30, 2020

To All NSGA Members:

As the COVID-19 epidemic continues to spread throughout our province, and country,

the Nova Scotia Golf Association will monitor and review the impact it will have on our members, clubs, and championships. Our primary focus this summer is the health and safety of our members, and the golfing community.

We are working hard to ensure we are prepared and ready for the golf season to begin, whenever that date may come.

The COVID-19 crisis is an unprecedented and difficult time for us all. The NSGA fully supports the recommendations and guidelines of Health Canada, the World Health Organization and regional public health experts advice, as to stop the spread of the virus. Please maintain physical distancing and self-isolation, so that our front-line health workers have the greatest opportunity to deal with this crisis.

We want to communicate today our plans for our 2020 NSGA Championship schedule. The NSGA has developed a contingency plan that will allow us to adapt to the crisis as it evolves. The plan is fluid, and hard decisions will be made as the season approaches. It is our hope that we will have the capacity to safely conduct all our provincial championships in 2020. However, during these uncertain times, we have to be prepared for anything.

Below is more information pertaining to our championships, including registration information, cancellation policies, and our communication plan moving forward.

Registration
Registrations for all championships will now open on May 1 (except the Men’s Four Ball, which will open on April 15). Once registration is open, we will be taking competitors information and payment information, as per usual. All competitors will then be put into “eligibility pending,” until we are certain the championships is happening.

A notice to competitors will be circulated a minimum of 21-days prior to the event, on the status of the championship. Please note: credit card payments will not be processed until the event is confirmed, and not until the 21-days prior.

Cancellation Policy

The NSGA reserves the right to cancel a championship at any time. In the event the NSGA cancels the championship, or the competitor needs to withdraw, entry fees will be 100% refunded. Unless the competition has already begun, where no refund will be issued.

The NSGA will process full refunds to participants within 5-days of the notice of cancellation. Championships will be cancelled, not postponed. These procedures will remain in place for the duration of the 2020 championship season.

Communications Moving Forward
The NSGA will be updating its membership on the 1st and 15th of every month, addressing championship status, Government updates pertaining to golf, and other areas of interest/concerns etc. This will be done via e-mail, website articles, and social media posts.

Beginning on April 1, the NSGA will be hosting “Virtual Coffee Rooms,” every Wednesday, from 11am-12pm. It will be an open forum for members to ask questions on championships, handicapping, rules, or to just chat about golf with people who love the game. All are welcome. To join us in our Virtual Coffee Room please CLICK HERE on Wednesday starting at 11am.

In conclusion, if you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming golf season, or NSGA Championships, please contact us!

Be safe,

David, Bryce and Anne
Stay Connected

Golf Canada announces event cancellations and postponements

With heightened uncertainty and global concern related to COVID-19, Golf Canada continues to evaluate all aspects of our business to operate and make informed and responsible decisions within the best interests of our athletes, staff, volunteers, host clubs, partners and other stakeholders health and well-being.

Today (March 30, 2020), Golf Canada is announcing its decision to cancel or postpone the events listed below.

Golf Canada has cancelled the following 2020 NextGen Championships: 

  • NextGen Pacific | May 14-17 | Pheasant Glen Golf Resort, Qualicum Beach, B.C.
  • NextGen Ontario | May 21-24 | Listowel Golf Club, Listowel, Ont.
  • NextGen Western | May 27-30 | River Spirit Golf Club, Calgary, Alta.
  • NextGen Québec | June 4-7 | Owl’s Head Golf Club, Mansonville, Qué.

Golf Canada has postponed the following 2020 RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers: 

  • Ontario Qualifier | May 14 | TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Caledon, Ont.
  • British Columbia Qualifier | May 19 | Meadow Gardens Golf Club, Pitt Meadows, B.C.
  • Québec Qualifier | May 21 | Club de golf Pinegrove, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Qué.

Golf Canada has also decided to postpone the 2020 Canadian University/College Championship:

Canadian University/College Championship | May 24-28 | Club de golf Les Quatre Domaines, Mirabel, Qué.

Golf Canada has cancelled all National Rules and Course Ratings Seminars:

  • National Rules Seminar (BC) | March 27-29 | Marine Drive Golf Club, Vancouver, B.C.
  • National Rules Seminar (NB) | March 27-29 | Royal Oaks Golf Club, Moncton, N.B.
  • National Rules Seminar (ON) | April 3-5 | St. George’s Golf & Country Club, Toronto, Ont.
  • National Rules Seminar (QC) | April 24-26 | Elm Ridge Country Club, Montreal, Qué.
  • National Rules Seminar (SK) | April 24-26 | Riverside Country Club, Saskatoon, Sask.
  • National Course Rating Seminar April 26-27

The USGA previously announced the cancellation of local (first stage) qualifying for the 2020 U.S. Open in its current form. They are working with their Allied Golf Association (AGA) partners and International Federations to redesign qualifying going forward.

The decision to cancel or postpone these events was not taken lightly, but given unprecedented times, we believe it is the best course of action. The safety and well-being of our championship competitors, tournament staff and volunteers along with our host site members and staff are paramount to Golf Canada. We also appreciate that all Canadians are dealing with health and travel concerns along with more pressing matters of uncertainty.

We share in the disappointment of those affected and thank all for their understanding during this extraordinary time.

A complete list of Golf Canada’s competitions is available here.

Department of Finance announces Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Department of Finance announces
Canada Emergency Response Benefit
Recent announcements concerning the impact of COVID-19 will be of interest to the sector.
Canada Emergency Response Benefit
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) announced March 26 will provide up to $2,000 a month for “full-time, contract or self-employed” workers. This program replaces two previously announced programs, the emergency support benefit and the emergency care benefit. The portal for accessing the CERB would be available in early April.
Canadians would begin to receive their CERB payments within 10 days of application. The CERB would be paid every four weeks and be available from March 15, 2020 until October 3, 2020.
Health Protection Act (Nova Scotia)
In March 24, the province issued the Health Protection Act Order
Rent Deferral Agreement
The ability of many businesses and the cultural sector to generate revenue has been negatively impacted by the recent Order and they are left wondering how they will pay their bills. Government is encouraging landlords to defer rent for their tenants. A form for the rent deferral agreement program is linked here.The form as presented defers rent for April, May and June and spreads it over the remaining period of the lease commencing on July 1st, 2020.
Government Business Navigators
Our Business Navigators are available to help you with any questions you may have. Find out more about the service at https://novascotia.ca/regulatoryopportunity/business-navigators.asp
They can be reached Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm at:
1-844-628-7347 or 902-424-4475 or by email BusNavigation@novascotia.ca
Useful Resources

Statement from ‘We Are Golf’ about COVID-19

We Are Golf

We Are Golf (The National Allied Golf Associations/NAGA) are 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.

The COVID-19 crisis is an unprecedented and difficult time for Canadians. We Are Golf fully supports the recommendations and guidelines of Health Canada, the World Health Organization and regional public health experts to stop the community spread of the virus. As leaders in an industry that employs more than 300,000 Canadians and includes nearly six million golfers from coast to coast, our priority above all else is the health and safety of our people and our communities.

Where governments have not mandated the temporary closure of golf courses, operators of those facilities should take every health and safety precaution. We Are Golf also advocates for the essential need for golf course property maintenance during any of the temporary closures to be ready for operation while taking every health and safety precaution.

We look forward to better and healthier days and when the time is right for Canadians to return to recreational normalcy, clubs and courses will be ready to welcome golfers back to the tee.

By order of Medical Officer of Health, all golf courses in Nova Scotia must close

By the order of Medical Officer of Health, under the Health Protection Act 2004, section 32, all courses in Nova Scotia are required to close. Please see section 19 of the order which states:

Effective March 23, 2020 all golf courses must close during the period this Order remains in effect.
 

Tokyo Olympics officially postponed until 2021

2020 Olympics
Olympic Rings are seen a the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne on March 24, 2020 amid the spread of the COVID-19. - The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been postponed to no later than the summer of 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on March 24, 2020. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

TOKYO – The Tokyo Olympics were postponed until 2021 on Tuesday, ending weeks of speculation that the games could not go ahead as scheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The International Olympic Committee made the decision after speaking with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and local organizers.

The IOC said the games will be held “not later than summer 2021” but they will still be called the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“In the present circumstances and based on the information provided by the WHO today, the IOC President and the Prime Minister of Japan have concluded that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community,” the IOC said in a statement.

Before the official announcement, Abe said Bach had agreed with his proposal for a one-year postponement.

“President Bach said he will agree `100%,’ and we agreed to hold the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in the summer of 2021 at the latest,” Abe said, saying holding the games next year would be “proof of a victory by human beings against the coronavirus infections.”

On Sunday, Bach said a decision on postponing the games would be made in the next four weeks. But pressure grew as national federations, sports governing bodies and athletes spoke out against having the opening ceremony as planned on July 24.

Four-time Olympic hockey champion Hayley Wickenheiser was the first IOC member to break ranks with Bach’s stance that the games would go ahead as planned when she publicly criticized the body’s unwavering strategy.

After the announcement to postpone the game, she wrote on Twitter that the decision was the “message athletes deserved to hear.”

“To all the athletes: take a breath, regroup, take care of yourself and your families. Your time will come,” she wrote.

The decision came only a few hours after local organizers said the torch relay would start as planned on Thursday. It was expected to start in northeastern Fukushima prefecture, but with no torch, no torchbearers and no public. Those plans also changed.

“For the time being, the flame will be stored and displayed in Fukushima,” organizing committee president Yoshiro Mori said.

The Olympics have never before been postponed, and have only ever previously been cancelled in wartime.

Organizers will now have to figure out how to keep things running for another year, while making sure venues are up to date for possible another 12 months.

“A lot can happen in one year, so we have to think about what we have to do,” said Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the organizing committee. “The decision came upon us all of a sudden.”

The IOC and Tokyo organizers said they hope the decision to postpone will help the world heal from the pandemic.

“The leaders agreed that the Olympic Games in Tokyo could stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times and that the Olympic flame could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present,” the IOC statement said. “Therefore, it was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan. It was also agreed that the Games will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.”

Update from the NSGA regarding Covid-19

March 18, 2020 

Memo from the Nova Scotia Golf Association 

In light of the heightened global concerns surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the NSGA is closely monitoring Health Canada and provincial resources as well as consulting with various partners including Golf Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour and others. 

COVID-19 is something that the entire sport and golf community both internationally and domestically are taking seriously, especially with respect to the health and well-being of our people as well as any potential impact on our athletes or events. 

Immediate Travel, Meetings and Workplace Safety 

As an immediate precaution, the NSGA has cancelled all in-person meetings until further notice. In addition, all staff have been asked to work remotely in order to support social distancing measures. 

Educational Seminars 

To support social distancing the NSGA is developing additional online seminars for rules and handicap education and we will be exploring the capacity to conduct online testing for certifications.

Annual General Meeting

Our operations will move forward and so will our need to operate under our bylaws. As such we are required to host an Annual General Meeting which has been tentatively scheduled for the weekend of April 18 & 19, 2020. Our plan is to move forward with this date, however the meeting will be conducted via a web conference to maintain social distancing.

A final decision and further details regarding the AGM will be circulated on or before March 29, 2020.

Championships 

The 2020 championship schedule is set to open on April 1st. The following procedures have been established for all NSGA Championships during the 2020 season. We recommend competitors enter any events scheduled in which they intend to play this season. In the event NSGA cancels the championship or the competitor needs to withdraw, entry fees will be 100% refunded. 

Should the NSGA be required to cancel championships a notice to competitors will be circulated 21-days prior to the start of the Championship. In the event of a cancelation the NSGA will process full refunds to all participants within 5-days of the notice to cancel. 

Championships will be cancelled not postponed. These procedures will remain in place through the duration of the 2020 championship season. 

Preventative Measures 

The following are a number of safety precautions that all of us should take into consideration as pro-active health measures for themselves and others:

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-hand sanitizer, 

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, 

• If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve, 

• Stay at home when you are sick. 

These measures may seem simple, but they are very powerful ways to protect yourself and others from getting sick, especially during a heightened period where health and wellness are top of mind. 

COVID-19 Information and Resources

Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness has additional resources available for individuals including the online COVID-19 resources which can be found HERE

Further resources and information regarding the outbreak can found on the Health Canada website 

Individuals interested in learning more can also find regular global updates related to COVID-19 distributed by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Protecting Our People 

The health and wellness of our volunteers, staff, athletes, and stakeholders is our top priority. We thank everyone for their cooperation with the outlined precautionary measures as we learn more about, and react to, the ongoing developments around COVID19. 

Should anyone have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. 

David Campbell 

Executive Director 

Nova Scotia Golf Association 

902-468-8844 ex 1 

david@nsga.ns.ca