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Rise and fall at Valspar provides wealth of experience for Corey Conners

After holding the 54-hole lead at the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship Saturday night, Corey Conners let his mind wander.

Conners was in a position to become just the second rookie to win on Tour in the 2017-18 season – and the first Canadian since Adam Hadwin captured the same event last year – and a win for the first-year golfer would go a long way. He’d secure his Tour card for two years, he’d get into the Masters and there would be a US$1.1 million payday.

Those thoughts faded as Sunday’s round wore on. Conners shot his worst round of the week, a 6-over-par 77, and finished tied for 16th well back of Paul Casey’s winning mark of 10-under.

The 26-year-old from Listowel, Ont., is looking at the tournament as a stepping stone as his rookie season continues.

“I always believed that I could contend and get myself in the mix, but to have done it is awesome. I take a lot of confidence from that,” he said Monday from his home in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Conners almost didn’t make it into the field last week, listed as the third alternate because of his status on the PGA TOUR’s priority list.

After a few golfers withdrew, Conners got a call from the PGA TOUR last Monday saying he was in. As he teed off in the first round, he felt he was playing with nothing to lose.

He only got to play one practice round, but Conners – who has a degree in actuary mathematics, essentially the study and analysis of risk – didn’t mind.

“I just tried to take some good notes on how to tackle the course and I feel like it was pretty effective,” he said.

Conners, who moved up 89 spots to No. 519 in the Official World Golf Ranking thanks to his finish, had a number of supporters last week in Tampa, Fla. Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum said he was impressed to see how Conners handled such a big moment so early in his career.

“There is no doubt he can take so much away from this experience and will be better for it,” Applebaum said.

A group from Conners’ home golf course in Listowel, about two hours from Toronto, flew down Saturday morning. Fellow Golf Canada team member (and fellow Kent State University alum) Taylor Pendrith also flew from Toronto to Tampa once it was confirmed Conners would be in the final group of the day.

Another Golf Canada and Kent State teammate, Mackenzie Hughes, had missed the cut Friday, but stuck around on the weekend. He was in the gallery Sunday to cheer on Conners, and, as a PGA Tour winner himself, said Conners has all the tools to eventually win as well.

“It doesn’t surprise me to see that Corey is good enough to win on the PGA TOUR? I knew that as soon as he got out here,” said Hughes. “But it probably takes him seeing that and being there to fully believe it. You always believe that you are (good enough), but until you put yourself there, around a lead, that’s when you fully grasp that you know you’re good enough.”

Conners said he received some words of encouragement from his fellow players and a lot of nice messages from his friends before teeing it up Sunday, calling the support “hard to describe.:

He admitted there wasn’t much for the crowd to cheer for Sunday as he made no birdies and didn’t recover from bogeys two of his first three holes, but what he learned this week will be invaluable moving forward.

“I was able to stay in the game pretty well. I was happy about that, but didn’t play like I wanted to,” he said of his round on Sunday.

“I’ll look back on the experience from the final round and just make sure I’m really focused the next time I’m in that position and make good decisions and commit to shots. It’s definitely an experience I’ll look back on in the future, and something I’ll get a lot of confidence from.”

Weir brings Canadian flavour to inaugural Major Champions Invitational

Mike Weir has been inspiring Canadian junior golfers his entire career.

Now the former Masters champion and eight-time PGA TOUR winner will deliver the golf experience of a lifetime to four aspiring young golfers who will participate in the inaugural Major Champions Invitational.

Led by Sir Nick Faldo, the 2018 Major Champions Invitational invites Major champions to sponsor a team of junior golfers and provide the unforgettable experience of being mentored by world-class champions and renowned golf professionals.

The inaugural event will be played at Bella Collina, in Montverde, FL near Orlando from March 11-14. Teams consist of four (4) top-tier junior golfers (male or female) sponsored by a major champion, their sponsor or an affiliated non-profit organization.

For Weir, sponsoring juniors from his home and native land to play alongside competitors from around the globe was a natural extension of his commitment to help support and develop the next generation of golfers.

“I am excited to support this great event put on by Sir Nick Faldo and to give this experience to the next generation of Canadian golfers,” said the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member and recent inductee into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. “I hope these junior athletes will be exposed to lots of great talent and quality people in the golf world, all while raising funds for a great cause.”

Team Weir will include sponsored Canadians Jeevan Sihota, of Victoria, BC (13), Taylor Kehoe of Strathroy, Ont. (14) and Luca Cimoroni of Toronto (13) along with 14-year old Berlin Long of Lehi, Utah, the state where Weir currently resides.

The Major Champions Invitational is an extension event of the Faldo Series, whose mission is to provide global opportunities to young people through golf and help identify and nurture the next generation of champions.  Past participants of the Faldo Series include Rory McIlroy, Yani Tseng, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley.

Participating and/or represented Major Champions supporting the inaugural Major Champions Invitational include:

Led by Faldo, a six-time Major winner who will be onsite all three days to host the junior participants, the legends of golf will share advice from years of experience at the highest level of the game.

All net proceeds will go toward the Faldo Trust for Tomorrow’s Children Inc., a U.S. 501c3 organization.

The Major Champions Invitational will also be featured in a one-hour special on CBS leading into Saturday’s coverage of the PGA Championship with a focus on players and their foundations giving back through the game of golf.

For more information visit www.majorchampionsinvitational.com.

Golf’s modernised Rules released

Rules of Golf

The USGA and The R&A have unveiled the new Rules of Golf, to be implemented on 1 January 2019.

The USGA and The R&A finalised golf’s new Rules this month after an extensive review that included a request for feedback from the global golf community on the proposed changes. Golfers can now access the official 2019 Rules of Golf by visiting www.RandA.org or www.usga.org/rules.

The process to modernise the Rules began in 2012 and was initiated to ensure that the Rules are easier to understand and apply for all golfers and to make the game more attractive and accessible for newcomers.

As the National Sport Federation and governing body, Golf Canada worked alongside The R&A and the USGA on the Rules modernisation initiative.

While the majority of proposed Rules remain intact in the final version, several important changes to the initial proposals and further clarification of many Rules were incorporated.

The most significant adjustments made following the review of feedback received from golfers around the world, includes:

“We’re thankful for the golfers, administrators and everyone in the game who took the time to provide us with great insight and thoughtful feedback,” said USGA Senior Director of Rules & Amateur Status, Thomas Pagel. “We couldn’t be more excited to introduce the new Rules ahead of their education and implementation.”

David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, “We are pleased to be introducing the new Rules of Golf after a collaborative and wide-ranging review process which has embraced the views of golfers, rules experts and administrators worldwide. We believe that the new Rules are more in tune with what golfers would like and are easier to understand and apply for everyone who enjoys playing this great game.”

“The approach and process to modernise the Rules was critical to make meaningful changes that are relevant to all golfers worldwide beginning in 2019,” said Golf Canada Director of Rules, Competitions & Amateur Status, Adam Helmer. “We are confident that the outcome of this important initiative will be well received and we will work closely with our club, provincial and national partners to inform and educate Canadian golfers.”

Major proposals introduced in 2017 that have been incorporated into the modernised Rules include:

Presented in digital, text-based form today, the new Rules will also now be translated into more than 30 languages and readied for final delivery via print and digital formats, including searchable Rules of Golf official apps developed by The R&A and the USGA. The full version of the new Rules of Golf in French will be available soon and posted on Golf Canada’s Rules of Golf website at  http://golfcanada.ca/rules-of-golf/

Introducing the new Rules of #golf. Effective Jan. 1, 2019 #GolfRules2019

A post shared by Golf Canada (@thegolfcanada) on

Three important publications, to be distributed this September, will help players and officials, who regulate the game, and provide interpretation and guidance in how the Rules are applied:

More than 30 “how-to apply” videos and a summary of the principal changes are now available at www.RandA.org and www.usga.org/rules.  Additional education tools will be released in September.

Players are reminded that the current edition of the Rules of Golf (2016) must be applied when playing, posting scores or competing for the remainder of 2018. The Rules of Amateur Status and the Rules of Equipment Standards were not part of this review process.

As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support The R&A and the USGA’s efforts to modernise golf’s Rules. The Swiss watchmaker’s contribution to excellence in golf is based on a rich heritage stretching back more than 50 years, forged through pivotal partnerships at every level of the game, from the sport’s leading professional and amateur competitions and organisations, to players at the pinnacle of their sport worldwide.

Leslie Dunning: Golf is a game for everyone

If ever there was a right person at the right time, it must be Leslie Dunning.

Dunning, Golf Canada’s new president, couldn’t have constructed a more appropriate resume for the position if she had started with it in mind all her life.

Golf credentials? Check.

She was introduced to the game by a forward-thinking teacher at her high school in Mississauga, Ont., who wanted to provide her students with skills they could use throughout life. Unlike team sports, golf could be enjoyed as an individual.

“That gave me confidence,” she recalled during a conversation following her ascendance to the presidency in February. “I don’t think I would have ever stepped on a golf course if I hadn’t had that early exposure to the game.”

Based on her experience, Dunning understandably is a strong proponent of Golf Canada’s Future Links and Golf in Schools program. “I would like to see a [Golf in Schools] kit in every school in the country and that every golf course is connected to at least one school.”

After moving to Calgary with her husband Neill in 1991, she became involved in the junior program at Earl Grey Golf Club where they are members.

Appropriate related background? Check.

Dunning holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from Queen’s University. She is a chartered professional accountant and certified management accountant. She was selected to the Governor-General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, was Canada’s representative on the World Health Organization’s study to the Navaho Reserve, and was named an honoured alumna by the University of Waterloo.

Volunteerism? Check.

Dunning first volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross as a high-school student. That continued as she moved on to the University of Waterloo. After graduation, she joined the international humanitarian organization full-time, serving more than 36 years in various senior positions. When she retired in 2014, she was Director General, Violence and Abuse Prevention, for Canada.

Her involvement at Earl Grey led to positions on the club captain’s committee and subsequently various roles as a volunteer with Alberta Golf, including serving as president in 2007 and 2008. It was during 2008 that she was asked to assist in Golf Canada’s governance reform efforts. The following year, she was elected to Golf Canada’s Board of Directors as the first Provincial Council Chair. Since then, she has served on and chaired many of the national association’s committees.

Since achieving her national Rules of Golf certification, she has officiated at numerous local, provincial and national events.

Understanding of golf’s challenges? Check.

While with the Canadian Red Cross, Dunning championed significant initiatives such as Indigenous engagement and cross-cultural training. That experience stood her in good stead as she was selected to lead a Golf Canada working group to develop the association’s new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Leslie Dunning

“There is tremendous diversity among golfers and there are numerous diverse groups that have organized themselves to play golf,” she said in her speech to the Golf Canada annual general meeting in Calgary.  “We want to engage with these groups, learn what they are doing, how we might support them and what we might do together. As we identify these groups, we will reach out to build relationships with them, helping us to understand their needs and interests.  It is our aim to create greater relevancy to more golfers and ensure welcoming environments for all.”

This outreach is not just to golfers, prospective Golf Canada members who want to play the game, Dunning said in our interview, but to welcome those who would like to get involved as volunteers, officials, on provincial and national committees and Boards, etc.

“Two of our Board’s main objectives are to make sure that Golf Canada is relevant and sustainable. Inclusion will help to ensure that programs and services are relevant to all golfers and financial health will help to ensure sustainability for the future.  We understand that our focus on priorities such as diversity and inclusion isn’t just like flicking a light switch. It’s a real cultural shift. And we are committed to that purpose.”

When we spoke, Dunning was in Florida getting ready to head to a meeting. When asked if that meeting was on the first tee at a nearby golf course, she chuckled. “No, it’s not.”

Actually, she was heading out to tour a golf development centre and then attending the annual meeting of the United States Golf Association.

“You’re the president for only one year so I am trying to make sure that every day I’m doing something to grow the game of golf in Canada. That’s my mantra.”

Dedicated? Driven? Absolutely.

New research outlines potential to grow women’s, girls’ and family golf

St Andrews, Scotland- A significant growth opportunity exists for golf if it can attract more women, girls and families into playing the sport more often according to a new research report published by The R&A.

Many countries are seeing a fall in the number of both males and females playing golf and the research report analyses the factors which affect whole family participation in the sport, including women and girls, and details a number of useful practical recommendations for national golf bodies and golf clubs to help them encourage more women and girls to play.

The R&A commissioned the International Institute for Golf Education to carry out the research, which brings together the findings of existing academic and industry research with the individual views of a wide-ranging group of golf experts.

The key themes identified in the report, which was produced by Dr. John Fry and Philip Hall, include:

The research reflects The R&A’s continued drive to encourage more women, girls and families to play golf more regularly, working with its affiliates around the world to enhance golf’s appeal.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The research demonstrates there is a tremendous opportunity for golf to grow its participation numbers and generate more income if it can attract more women, girls and families into playing the sport.

“We know that more work needs to be done to achieve this outcome at a time when there are concerns about declining participation levels and this report provides useful actions and guidance for our affiliates and clubs that can lead to tangible, positive outcomes for golf.”

Dr John Fry, added, “The report brings together for the first time in one place the key academic and industry research articles conducted on family sports participation.

“The process involved searching scientific databases containing more than one million citations, peer-reviewed research papers and selecting the most appropriate evidence based studies that can help underpin strategies to increase participation in golf.

“The research is supplemented with case studies of best practice, analysis from a number of industry experts and offers a series of practical actions which golf clubs can adopt.”

The full report on ‘Women’s, Girls’ and Family Participation in Golf: An Overview of Existing Research (2018)’ can be viewed here. Click here for the R&A research summary

A video interview with Dr John Fry of the International Institute for Golf Education can be viewed below.

Golf’s new World Handicap System designed to welcome more golfers

World Handicap System

USGA and The R&A Release Key Features
Golf Canada to adopt all features of the proposed new World Handicap System

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J., and ST ANDREWS, Scotland: The R&A and the USGA announce key features of the proposed new World Handicap System (WHS), designed to provide all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability globally.

The idea for a new, unified system was conceived by the USGA and The R&A and developed following an extensive review of systems administered by six existing handicapping authorities – Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA), the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) and the United States Golf Association (USGA).

The new system will feature the following:

Quantitative research was conducted in 15 countries around the world, through which 76 percent of the 52,000 respondents voiced their support for a World Handicap System, 22 percent were willing to consider its benefits, and only 2% were opposed. This was followed by a series of focus groups, in which more than 300 golf administrators and golfers from different regions around the world offered extensive feedback on the features of the proposed new system.

This feedback has helped shape the WHS, which has been developed by the USGA and The R&A with support from each handicapping authority as well as the Japan Golf Association and Golf Canada.

Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA, commented, “For some time, we’ve heard golfers say ‘I’m not good enough to have a handicap,” or ‘I don’t play enough to have a handicap.’ We want to make the right decisions now to encourage a more welcoming and social game. We’re excited to be taking another important step – along with modernizing Golf’s Rules – to provide a pathway into the sport, making golf easier to understand and more approachable and enjoyable for everyone to play.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We are working with our partners and National Associations to make golf more modern, more accessible and more enjoyable as a sport and the new World Handicap System represents a huge opportunity in this regard.

“We want to make it more attractive to golfers to obtain a handicap and strip away some of the complexity and variation which can be off-putting for newcomers. Having a handicap, which is easier to understand and is truly portable around the world, can make golf much more enjoyable and is one of the unique selling points of our sport.”

Laurence Applebaum, Golf Canada Chief Executive Officer added, “We are proud to have worked collaboratively with our partners at the R&A, USGA and other golf federations throughout the research process and development of a World Handicap System. We are fully committed to adopting the system and believe it will have a meaningful impact on the Canadian golf experience.”

Highlights of the World Handicap System

The tenets of the new system focus on three main objectives: to encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a handicap; to enable golfers of differing abilities, genders and nationalities to transport their handicap to any course globally and compete on a fair and equitable basis; and to indicate with sufficient accuracy the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving on any course around the world, playing under normal conditions.

Given worldwide alignment towards a single system, all parties will now embark on a two-year transition period targeting implementation in 2020. When adopted, the World Handicap System will be governed by the USGA and The R&A and administered locally by the six existing authorities and National Associations around the world, with safeguards included to ensure consistency as well as adaptability to differing golf cultures.

The six handicapping authorities represent approximately 15 million golfers in 80 countries who currently maintain a golf handicap.

The announcement is the latest step in a multi-year collaboration between The R&A and the USGA, handicap authorities and national and regional golf associations around the world to introduce one set of Rules for handicapping, aimed to support modernizing, growing and supporting accessibility of the sport.

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

To provide feedback on the new World Handicap System, visit www.usga.org or www.RandA.org.

Learn more about the World Handicap System here.

PETER CAMPBELL EARNS CARD FOR THE PGA TOUR CHINA

Peter Campbell of Baddeck has finished T-15 at PGA Tour China Q-School in Haikou, China.The 4 round event finished up over the weekend.. Campbell’s status will gain him entry to all events on the 14 event tour. Fighting injuries for the last two years brought Campbell to a crossroads. “I had surgery last June and pushed to get back too soon to maintain my status in Latin America.” Campbell stated. “I’m just now starting to feel good again and am looking forward to playing in China on this great Tour.’ He went on to say.  The considerable higher purse money and the link to his Chinese heritage was the lure that sent Campbell overseas. Campbell’s first cousin Jessica Wong currently plays with the Kunlun Red Stars in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. Kunlun is based in Shenzhen, China. The PGA Tour China schedule starts in early March in Chengdu, China.

Are golf courses too short?

Golf Course
Future Links Atlantic Golf tournament 2017

“Bifurcation” is word we’re hearing more and more in the world of golf. It means to divide into two parts. But don’t let that simple definition fool you. It’s an increasingly controversial concept that strikes at the heart of the game as we know it.

The first area of the current bifurcation debate relates to the Rules of Golf. Should there be one set of guidelines for recreational golfers and another for elite amateurs and professionals?

The second bone of contention, which has set off near panic among many of my colleagues in the golf media and some golf administrators, is this: Are golf courses too short? Do we need to stretch them to 8,000 yards? Do we need to rein in the ever-advancing ball and club technology?

No. And no.

Wally Uihlein, the recently retired CEO of Acushnet Co., makers of Titleist clubs and balls, is the standard bearer for the unification movement.

Back in 2013, he addressed the idea of two sets of Rules in a blog wherein he refutes the three arguments most popular among bifurcation advocates:

Today’s professional game does not mirror today’s amateur game; Golf participation has matured and the adoption of different sets of rules will allow the game to renew its participation growth; Golfers just want to have fun—They do not play by the rules and the formalization of multiple sets of rules is just sanctioning what is already reality.

In summary, his response was that amateurs enjoy trying to emulate their professional heroes, no matter what the disparity in ability; participation fluctuations in the game is a demographic issue, not a rules issue and, “if golfers don’t play by the one set of rules that exist today, why are two sets of rules required?”

On the second prong of the bifurcation tempest—the impact of technology—Uihlein spoke out last November, this time in response to comments that technology is making the game more expensive for everyone by requiring courses to be longer and longer to withstand the onslaught on par. In a letter published in the Wall Street Journal , he asked, “Is there any evidence to support this canard … the trickle-down cost argument? Where is the evidence to support the argument that golf course operating costs nationwide are being escalated due to advances in equipment technology?”

While there is no denying that Tour pros are hitting it farther every year, albeit incrementally, this has not caused a crisis among recreational golfers. Who among us has ever complained, “Dammit! I’m hitting the ball too far these days!”

Having said that, that specious argument spiked when Dustin Johnson hit a 433-yard drive to within inches of the cup on a par-4 in Hawaii a couple of weeks back. (Even though Johnson averages 333 yards per measured drive, it should be noted that there was a 30-mile-an-hour tailwind on the downhill hole with a firm, fast fairway.)

But even the world’s No.1-ranked player downplayed this perceived crisis. “It’s not like we’re dominating golf courses,” he said. “I don’t really understand what all the debate is about because it doesn’t matter how far it goes, it’s about getting it into the hole.”

While technology is important, many other factors such as fitness and course conditions impact how far top players are hitting it. Despite that reality, some at golf’s highest levels think a standardized reduced-distance ball should be required for all PGA TOUR events, arguing that some classic courses have been made “obsolete” by today’s longer players. While this would indeed protect the artificial concept of “par,” it would diminish greatly the entertainment value of professional golf. Who didn’t get a thrill out of DJ’s 433-yard poke?

Adam Helmer is Golf Canada’s Director of Rules, Competitions and Amateur Status. His view is that bifurcation “is not the answer at this point in time; golf must continue to evaluate trends and to evolve with advances in our sport.” For example, he points out that as of Jan. 1, 2019, sweeping changes will be made to the Rules of Golf. As well, distance-measuring devices are legal for even the highest echelon of amateur golf and are not allowed on most of the professional tours. And tournament committees are allowed to set specific Conditions of Competition and make local rules to make the competition fair.

Fewer than 0.1 per cent of the estimated 61 million golfers around the world are professionals. That they are the catalyst for this bifurcation brouhaha is, in my opinion, a classic case of a very small tail wagging a very big dog.

Click here to learn more about the upcoming changes to the Rules of golf.

Ally Tidcombe​ and Bradford Curren​ earn cards on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica​

Nova Scotia’s Ally Tidcombe, who grew up playing at the Ken Wo Golf Club has earned his full status for the first half of the 2018 season on the Lationamerica PGA Tour. This is the second year in a row that Tidcombe has earned his card on this tour.

Tidcombe captured his 2018 card after finishing T-10 yesterday (Feb 2) at the PGA Latinoamerica Tour Qualifying Tournament in Pilar, Argentina.  He finished in a four way tie for 10th place after carding a four round, six under par total of 282 (68-70-72-72). Tidcombe entered into a four man playoff for the last full exemption card that was being awarded. On the first playoff hole he put his tee shot in the water but was able to recover and managed to get up and down to make his par. He then went on to secure his card on the second playoff hole.

Hammonds Plains native and Oakfield member Brad Curren also competed in the Qualifying event and earned his conditional status for the first half of the 2018 season. Curren finished the event at one over par with a four day total of 289 (71-72-75-71). Curren was on hand to caddy for Tidcombe during his playoff holes.

The two bluenoser’s will now set their sights on the 2018 PGA Latinoamerica Tour first event which will take place at the Guatemala Open at the La Reunion Golf Resort,  Fuego Maya, Antigua on March 15-18

Golf Canada Annual meeting concludes with Leslie Dunning of Calgary elected to serve as president

Leslie Dunning

2017 Annual Report & Financial Statements are now available online

Tom Zariski Honoured with 2017 Volunteer of the Year Award;

Golf Canada presents Distinguished Service Awards to long-time golf volunteers Fran Marsden and Florin Bergh as well as golf historian Ron Lyons; Renowned golf columnist Cam Cole to be honoured in June;

CALGARY – Golf Canada’s 2018 Annual Meeting culminated on Saturday, January 27th with the election of Leslie Dunning to serve as the National Sport Federation’s volunteer President.

Dunning succeeds 2016-2017 President Roland A. Deveau in leading Golf Canada’s Board of Directors while Charlie Beaulieu of Lorraine, Que., becomes 1st Vice-President and Liz Hoffman of Thornhill, Ont. assumes the role of 2nd Vice-President. The group will work closely to support new Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum who joined the association in last July.

“I am humbled and extremely proud to assume this post as the 114th president of Golf Canada,” said Dunning. “There is a great enthusiasm in the game right now and I believe we have a real opportunity to connect with more of Canada’s current golfers and make the game more welcoming and accessible for new potential enthusiasts. Together with the Board of Directors, I am looking forward to working closely with Laurence (Applebaum) and our committed staff, volunteers and partners for the betterment of golf in Canada.”

Dunning spent more than 36 years in a variety of senior leadership roles for the Canadian Red Cross including 13 years as Director General for Western Canada and most recently as Director General, Violence and Abuse Prevention for Canada prior to her retirement in 2014. She is past president (2007-08) of Alberta Golf and has volunteered with Golf Canada since 2008 across a variety of committees including the past nine years on the Board of Directors. A distinguished alumna of the University of Waterloo, she also earned an MBA from Queen’s University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified Management Accountant registered in Alberta. Dunning has served several local, provincial and national organizations in various governance roles and is a member of Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary as well as Bigwin Island Golf Club in Muskoka.

Dunning, Beaulieu and Hoffman will lead Golf Canada’s 2018 Board of Directors which also includes Dale Jackson of Victoria, B.C., Rob MacDonald of Winnipeg, Man., Tom Sears of Port Hope, Ont. and David Atkinson of Vancouver, B.C. as well as new Directors Ben Cowan-Dewar of Toronto, Susan MacKinnon of Calgary and Adam Daifallah of Montreal. Also remaining on the Board is immediate past President Roland A. Deveau (2016-2017), only the fifth President to serve multiple or consecutive terms since the association’s formation in 1895. More information including bios for Golf Canada’s 2018 Board of Directors is available here.

Annual Report & Financial Statements:

Click here to read Golf Canada’s 2017 Annual Report, which includes a recap of the past season, as well as the association’s 2017 Financial Statements, which were both released during Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting.

Tom Zariski Honoured with Volunteer of the Year Award:

Tom Zariski of Drumheller, Alta. was recognized as Golf Canada’s 2017 recipients of the Volunteer of the Year Award. This marks the 12th year in which the association has honoured volunteers for their efforts and commitment to grow the game in their community.

Click here for more on Volunteer of the Year honourees Tom Zariski.

Florin Bergh, Fran Marsden, Ron Lyons and Cam Cole Honoured as Recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award(s):
Created in 1993, Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually to recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to the game of golf in Canada. This year’s recipients include long-time golf volunteers Florin Bergh and Fran Marsden of Edmonton along with golf historian Ron Lyons and acclaimed golf columnist Cam Cole.  Bergh, Marsden and Lyons were recognized during Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting dinner on Saturday, January 27 while Cole will be honoured as part of Golf Canada’s National Team media day on Monday, June 4th at Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria.

Click here for more information on the four honourees.

Images from Golf Canada’s 2018 Annual Meeting:

A snapshot of photos from Golf Canada’s 2018 Annual Meeting is available here

In addition to appointing its new President and members to the Board of Directors, the association gathered with stakeholders from the provincial golf associations and volunteers as well as national and international association partners including the R&A, USGA, LPGA Tour and PGA TOUR.

Golf Canada’s 2018 Annual Meeting took place January 25-27 at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino in Calgary, Alta.