Peter Campbell from Baddeck Nova Scotia fired a 68 (-4) at the Mission Inn Golf Resort in Orlando to win a regional qualifier for the U.S. Open Championship on Thursday, May 2.

Peter will now advance to the sectional qualifier on June 3 at Old Oak Country Club & the Century Country Club in Westchester, New York.

Campbell made history last summer when he became the first Nova Scotian to win on a PGA Tour in China. He won the Beijing Open in July 2018 and is currently a member of the PGA Tour China. He is currently 47th on the Order of Merit with ￥28160 in earnings this year. He has made three cuts in three starts in 2019.

To follow Peter on the PGA Tour China please CLICK HERE

On Saturday afternoons this past winter, while many Nova Scotians were just dreaming of golf, a group of dedicated young players were hard at work on their games.

There was stretching, weight work and, of course, hitting lots and lots of balls.

Such was the so-called “off-season” for the Nova Scotia Golf Association’s provincial junior team.

“The players put in a lot of effort during the off-season to prepare for the upcoming season,” says Jeff MacDonald, the NSGA’s head provincial coach.

“They work hard with the TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) exercises, the mental skills and the technical aspects of their game. Their competitive season begins in May and is over by mid-August so we do everything possible to have them game ready for the start of the tournament season.”

MacDonald, who also serves as head teaching professional at Ashburn Golf Club, was named head provincial coach in 2013. The team targets the top junior players in the province for specialized training and instruction throughout the year.

The team is selected each fall for the next year’s season based on the previous year’s play. MacDonald uses Golf Canada’s order of merit, as well as scoring average and head-to-head results to select the top eight to 12 young players.

“I try to look at each year and figure out the number based on an elite group – how many are going to fit into that elite group,” MacDonald says.

That means the size of the team could change each year. This year there are three girls on the team while in 2018 there were five. “It’s not an exact science.”

MacDonald is proud of the success of the program to date.

“Since 2013, the majority of players who have graduated through the program – have gone right through – have gone on to play college golf in either the U.S. or Canada,” he says.

He’s especially proud of the girls who have gone through the program, like Chester’s Allison Chandler, as well as sisters Megan and Heather McLean.

“What impresses me most about them is that they are all playing (NCAA) Division 1 college golf and they are all No. 1 or No. 2 players on their team.”

“They’re really contributing, they’re not just there,” he says.

“We have such a small number of girls who play in Nova Scotia, but the ones that do and compete tend to do quite well.”

Golf fans need not look far to see the program is succeeding and producing champions. Last season Heather McLean and former team member Shaun Margeson of Oakfield won both their junior and amateur championships. It’s the first time the same junior girl and boy won both events in the same year.

This team success on the course is the result of a strong team off the course. While MacDonald handles the instruction, Dr. Lori Dithurbide works with the players on the mental side of the game and Dr. Emily Wiggin handles the physical preparation through the TPI program.

Dithurbide is a faculty member at Dalhousie University’s School of Health and Human Performance (Kinesiology) and was a mental performance consultant to Team Canada and the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Wiggin works with the junior team as chiropractor and sport science consultant, and trained under elite medical, fitness and golf professionals in Carlsbad, Calif., to obtain her TPI certification.

Golf Canada is proud to celebrate the 66 adoptions that occurred during Adopt a School Week thanks to the efforts of golf enthusiasts and industry partners across the country.

In total, the figure translates to an additional 7,920 students being introduced to the sport through the Future Links, driven by Acura Golf in Schools program. The coast-to-coast campaign was elevated by support from Canadian industry partners—the Provincial Associations, PGA of Canada, the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), Canadian Society of Club Managers and Canadian Golf Superintendents Association.

A matching program for the first 30 adoptions was made possible by the Canadian Seniors Golf Association, who continue to be a leader in supporting Adopt a School Week. In the campaign’s four years of running, the CSGA has helped to adopt over 100 schools in Canadian communities from coast-to-coast.

Since the program’s inception in 2009, adoptions have accounted for close to 50% of over 3,800 registered schools delivering the curriculum. For Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s chief sport officer, that number presents a great opportunity to build community relationships.

“The vision is to help establish a connection between golf facilities and schools in respective communities across Canada through the Golf in Schools program,” said Thompson. “Nurturing these relationships will enhance the delivery of the program and build a connection that will last for many years to come.”

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GOLF IN SCHOOLS.

OTTAWA – On the second annual National Golf Day, the Canadian golf industry, represented by We Are Golf, is launching a national campaign to encourage Canadians to get involved in the sport. Industry leaders are meeting with Parliamentarians throughout the day, while golf stakeholders are working to spread the word in municipalities nationwide.

“Golf is a sport that brings so many benefits to Canadians – not just through the health aspect, but as a significant economic driver,” said Kathryn Wood, Chair of We Are Golf and COO of Canadian Golf Superintendents Association “Golf in Canada sees $14.3 billion in annual economic impact, and supports over 300,000 jobs – nearly 40% of which are summer students.”

“Our counterparts in the USA are undertaking a similar initiative in Washington, with the goal to broaden participation in the sport across the continent,” added Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada, “On National Golf Day, we’re encouraging all Canadians to get involved by playing a round of golf, enjoying family time at the local course, introducing a new player to the game, adopting a school in their community through Golf in Schools, taking a lesson, or making a purchase at their local pro shop.”

We Are Golf launched the inaugural National Golf Day in 2018 with advocacy meetings in Ottawa, a public junior golf activity on the Parliament Hill lawn, and various golf activities at clubs across Canada. The continuation of National Golf Day in Canada in 2019 will again incorporate meetings by We Are Golf stakeholders with MPs, Senators, and government officials.

“We are looking forward to building upon the success of our 2018 National Golf Day and government advocacy efforts in Ottawa, and hope to continue to bring the positive value of the game of golf to the forefront,” said We Are Golf chair, Kathryn Wood.

KAPOLEI, Hawaii – Brooke Henderson didn’t join the LPGA Tour thinking she would end up amongst the best Canadian golfers of all-time. At least not so soon, anyway.

Henderson tied the Canadian record for most career victories on the LPGA or PGA Tour on Saturday when the 21-year-old captured her eighth career title by shooting a 2-under 70 to win the Lotte Championship for the second year in a row.

Sandra Post had eight career victories on the LPGA Tour between 1968 and 1981, while Mike Weir and George Knudson equalled that on the PGA Tour.

“When I was younger it was just a goal to be on the LPGA Tour, to win my first event,” Henderson said.

“And when that happened and I won my first major the year after, things kind of just started to fall into place. I knew the record was eight. Just kept creeping toward it the last three years, which was really exciting.”

Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., won last year’s event in Hawaii for her sixth Tour victory and followed that up in August 2018 as the first Canadian in 45 years to win the CP Women’s Open.

“I think starting last year I sort of saw that it was within my reach if I had two good seasons. Last year put me into great position, and coming back this year it’s been on the back of my mind every week that I tee it up. I’m just really happy that I have finally done it.

“Looking forward to overtaking it now.”

She finished 16 under on Saturday at Ko Olina Golf Club to beat South Korea’s Eun-Hee Ji by four strokes.

All the highlights from Brooke’s repeat performance in Hawaii ???? pic.twitter.com/XDRFo8KBht

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) April 21, 2019

Nelly Korda, tied with Henderson for the third-round lead, finished with a quadruple-bogey 8 for a 77 that left her seven strokes back at 9 under. She hit into the water twice on 18, then threw her ball in after finishing. The 20-year-old American also had a double bogey on the par-4 seventh.

“Pretty bad,” Korda said. “I mean, it was a tough day, but I ended really poorly and I’m pretty disappointed in that. … It was an unfortunate final round, but there is nothing I can do about it anymore.”

Ariya Jutanugarn (73) and 2016 winner Minjee Lee (74) tied for third at 11 under.

Henderson bogeyed her first hole, but that was the only blemish in the final round as she followed that up with three birdies and 14 pars.

She looked to be in some trouble on the par-4 16th, but saved par when she hit a put from off the green.

“It’s really amazing to even be mentioned in the same sentence as Mike Weir, George, and Sandra,” Henderson said. “This week was really special. I always love coming to Hawaii. Last year was such an incredible week for me, to be able to hoist that trophy for the first time. Coming back I knew I knew the golf course really well.”

Fellow Canadian and Olympic teammate Alena Sharp watched Henderson play out the round and joined her in celebration.

“Congrats my friend ?BrookeHenderson! Unbelievable title defense and tying Sandra Post’s record for most wins by a Canadian on the ?LPGA tour. So freaking proud of you!,” tweeted Sharp (72), who finished 2 under for 40th place.

Henderson takes home US$300,000 for the win. Through seven events in 2019, she has made six cuts, has one victory, three top-10 finishes and one top-15 finish for $498,151 total earnings.

Henderson, ranked No. 12 in the world, has one major among her tournament victories, winning the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship after beating Lydia Ko in a playoff when she was only 18.

The 115th edition of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is coming to The Glen Arbour Golf Course and The Links of Brunello in Halifax, Nova Scotia from August 3rd – 8th!

• Live Scoring
• Forecaddies (spotters)
• Standard Bearers
• Transportation
• Pace of Play Assistants

From April 22-26, Golf Canada will be celebrating all donations made towards the Future Links, driven by Acura Golf in Schools program in support of the third annual Adopt a School Week.

The week represents a coast-to-coast celebration to mark the efforts of all Golf in Schools adoptions. Since the program’s inception in 2009, adoptions have accounted for close to 50% of the over 3,800 registered schools delivering the curriculum. Together, Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), and all provincial partners have aligned to celebrate the generosity of golf enthusiasts across the country.

“Golf Canada recognizes the many investments made by Canadians across the country in support of the Golf in Schools program,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s chief sport officer. “It is in the industry’s best interest to support the continued growth of the sport at the grassroots level, which in turn benefits the future membership of facilities.”

For the first 30 adoptions, any golf facility, PGA of Canada professional or individual who adopts a school into the Golf in Schools program from April 22-26 will see their adoption matched with a school of their choice. This matching grant is possible due to Golf Canada’s partnership with the Canadian Seniors Golf Association (CSGA).

In 2018, 263 new schools were adopted, introducing an average of 120 students per school to golf.

A Golf in Schools donation includes the full program kit, which features safe, age-appropriate golf clubs along with a teacher-friendly learning resource. Developed in conjunction with the PGA of Canada and Physical Health Education (PHE) Canada, the learning resource incorporates Life Skills into the curriculum—placing added focus on transferrable skills both on and off the golf course.

The Intrapersonal Life Skills—perseverance, goal-setting and emotional regulation—are meant to instill focus while the Interpersonal Life Skills—honesty, teamwork and respect—embody a sense of sportspersonship.

Following Adopt a School Week, Golf Canada will be announcing all elementary, intermediate and high school adoptions conducted in 2019.

To adopt a school in your community, visit golfcanada.ca/adoptaschool

The NSGA will be traveling to member clubs to introduce the 2019 Rules of Golf. Presentations will review the old rules, and examine the new changes for the coming years. They will focus on how to understand and implement the rules from a player perspective. Attendance at the Level 1 presentations are open to ANY Golf Canada member (unless otherwise specified). The NSGA will also be conducting a Level II seminar on April 26-28 at the Glen Arbour Golf Club.

Please see times for scheduled club seminars. If you wish to attend any of the seminars below, please contact the host club.

Level 1 Seminar Schedule:

• Sat May 4 | 2pm – 4pm | Osprey Ridge GC
• Thurs May 9 | 4pm – 6pm | Truro G & CC
• Fri May 10 | 12pm – 2pm | Antigonish GC
• Fri May 10 | 6pm – 8pm | Seaview GC
• Sat May 11 | 10am – noon | Bell Bay GC | Seminar will be held at Inverary Resort Conference Centre
• Sat May 11 | 2pm – 4pm | Lingan GC 
• CANCELLED | Oakfield G & CC
• Mon June 3 | 7pm – 9pm | Brightwood G & CC | gsingleton@brightwood.ns.ca or 902-466-7688 x8 | MEMBERS ONLY

Level 1 – Online Certification: Free to all NSGA Members

Level 1 provides an interesting and easy way to learn the basics of the Rules of Golf. This level will focus on etiquette, the principle definitions and commonly encountered situations on the course.

As part of the Level 1 program, 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. This exam is not mandatory, and will NOT take place during the NSGA presentations. But as a member of Golf Canada, and the NSGA, you can register for the level 1 exam at any time, free of charge.

CLICK HERE to register for the level 1 online rules exam.

Note: When you register to participate in The R&A’s Rules Academy via https://www.randa.org/en/RulesAcademy, they will be sharing your contact details and other relevant information, including exam results, with Golf Canada. We may use your contact details to contact you about rules schools, golf education, volunteering opportunities and golf events. We will be using this information to promote and develop the sport of golf in Canada. For more information about how we may use and protect your personal information, please see our privacy policy by  clicking here

Level 2 NSGA Seminar – Provincial Certification ($75 for NSGA Members)

Level 2 (Provincial Certification) is a 2-day seminar conducted by provincial golf associations. This curriculum will look at the more important playing Rules in detail. Some of the complexities that are found in the Interpretations guide book are introduced, as well as executing on-course demonstrations. Level 2 (Provincial) is designed for those individuals with an involvement in tournament administration, or who may be interested in rules officiating.

Level 2 Seminar Schedule:

• April 27-28, 2019 @ Glen Arbour Golf Course
  • Day 1: 7:30am – 5:00pm
  • Day 2: 9:00am – 4:00pm

To register, and for more information on the Level 2 Rules Seminar, please CLICK HERE

For more information please see the Rule & Education page on the NSGA website, or contact the Anne at anne@nsga.ns.ca or 902-468-8844 ext. 2