Golf Canada is proud to announce that The R&A has become a supporting partner in Future Links, driven by Acura, Canada’s national junior golf program.

The decision to align with Canada’s national junior golf program was led by The R&A’s Golf Development Committee, a group that assesses applications and requests from the 152 worldwide affiliates of The R&A, including Golf Canada, and whose mandate is to support what is good for golf.

For Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer and interim CEO Jeff Thompson, welcoming The R&A as a supporting partner in Canadian junior golf is a natural extension of a strong working relationship that exists between the two organizations.

“We are tremendously proud to have The R&A as a partner in the Future Links program,” said Thompson.  “We share a common vision to engage more youth in golf and believe the strength of our junior golf curriculum and depth of the overall Future Links program are well aligned with The R&A’s goal for golf development.”

“We thought this was a good program and one that was worthy of our support,” explained Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf Development at The R&A, who see a possibility

for the model to be replicated in other countries. “Links are strong, dialogue is strong, Golf Canada has a strong track record and I’d like to think we have a decent track record of supporting Golf Canada’s good efforts. So this was really a continuation of that relationship and something that impressed us.”

Future Links, driven by Acura, is a joint grassroots initiative of Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada and the provincial golf associations which offer a full suite of junior golf programs for boys and girls ages 6 to 18—from beginners to those with more experience or greater playing ability.

Future Links, driven by Acura includes a comprehensive suite of junior golf activities for children of all ages and skill level. The program has been restructured under three core areas of focus—in-school programming, facility programming and community outreach.

Elements under the Future Links junior golf umbrella include Learn to Play, Junior League, Girl’s Club, Mobile Clinics, Junior Skills Competition, and Community Golf Coach, along with six regional Future Links Junior Championships.

Beginning in 2017, Golf Canada has also integrated the popular Golf in Schools program under the Future Links suite of junior golf activities. With more than 400,000 children currently learning golf at nearly 3,400 schools (elementary, intermediate and high schools) as part of the Canadian Physical Education curriculum, Future Links, driven by Acura is supporting quality junior golf experiences from in-schools to on-course at clubs across Canada.

Under the leadership of PGA of Canada golf professionals, Future Links driven by Acura programs help young golfers develop the technical skills, appropriate attitude and self-confidence to succeed on the golf course, while instilling positive life lessons to succeed off the course.

“On behalf of the PGA of Canada and our 3,700 members from around the country, I’d like to welcome and commend The R&A for supporting Canada’s junior golf program—Future Links,” said PGA of Canada CEO Gary Bernard. “With this new partnership, Future Links will only become stronger and continue to be a world-class junior golf program”

In 2016, 85,000 junior golfers participated in one or more elements of Future Links, including 60,000 juniors who took part in more than 750 Future Links Mobile Clinics across the country.

Future Links, driven by Acura junior golf programming is fully aligned with the Canadian golf Long-Term Player Development Guide. Developed by Golf Canada in partnership with the PGA of Canada, LTPD provides an age- and stage-based blueprint for golfer development rooted on research, statistics and expert insight.

Since launching in 1996, Canada’s national junior golf program has introduced golf to more than 1.3 million children, providing junior golfers across Canada with affordable and accessible golf activities in their community. More information is available at golfcanada.ca/futurelinks

Whose turn is it this week to treat golf as their whipping boy?

Mainstream media feed on the sport as a source of unsubstantiated headlines, many based on the fallacious stereotype of golfers as overweight entitled middle-aged men riding in golf carts while smoking a cigar and chugging a beer. (I do wish they would stop using my foursome as an example.)

For their edification, and yours, here are some verifiable facts about just one positive aspect of golf.

Last fall, Dr. Andrew Murray and his colleagues at Edinburgh University’s Physical Activity for Health Research Centre reported on the results of a review conducted by researchers into 5,000 existing studies about golf.

5,000 studies!

What they found was stunning.

Golf not only has physical and mental health benefits for everyone who plays, but those benefits increase with age. Older folks improve their balance and endurance as well as respiratory and cardiac health.

“We know that the moderate physical activity that golf provides increased life expectancy, has mental health benefits and can help prevent and treat more than 40 major chronic diseases such as heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, breast and colon cancer,” Murray told the BBC.

“Evidence suggests golfers live longer than non-golfers, enjoying improvements in cholesterol levels, body composition, wellness, self-esteem and self-worth.”

The Edinburgh University study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine and is part of the Golf and Health Project, which is led by the World Golf Foundation.

A visit to the Golf and Health web site www.golfandhealth.org is a revelation. (Highly recommended for those mainstream media types mentioned above.)

Other studies show that walking 18 holes is equivalent to an eight-kilometre hike. That hike can drop blood glucose levels by up to 30 per cent in older golfers and helps everyone with weight maintenance and physical fitness. Walking and carrying your clubs can burn up to 2,000 calories per round. Even if you can’t carry, get off the power cart and use a manual or electric push cart (what the Brits call “trolleys”).

Heck, even being a spectator at a golf tournament is good for you.

“Spectators at golf events have been reported to walk significantly further than the 7,500 to 10,000 steps recommended daily for health,” according to Golf and Health. So you don’t have to actually play the game to reap the health benefits associated with it.

Even if the preceding hasn’t persuaded you to get out and golf, how about this for a kicker?

The death rate for golfers is 40 per cent lower than for non-golfers of the same age, sex and socio-economic status, according to a study of 300,000 golfers by Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet. That equates to a five-year increase in life expectancy for regular golfers.

When the Edinburgh University study was released, the London Daily Mail ran this above the story:

“Play golf and you’ll live longer.”

Now, that’s a headline you can believe.

Interested in trying golf?

Here’s the best piece of advice ever: Don’t be intimidated. The object of the game is to have fun. Golf isn’t nearly as complicated as, say, quidditch, and just a little harder than dodge ball.

In fact, you can get going right now by keeping these hints in mind.

1. Go online. There are lots of sites that offer helpful tips for beginners on every topic from the basic rules to the fundamentals of the swing.

2. Go to a course. Even before you head to the tee for the very first time, do a little online research about the courses in your area. You will want to find a public or “semi-private” course (one that has members but also welcomes the public golfer). Drop into the golf shop, introduce yourself as a new golfer, and have a look around. Ask if they have a program to introduce new golfers to the game. If they do, sign up!

3. Go to a pro. Just about every course has a PGA of Canada professional. They’re helpful and knowledgeable. Even a half-hour lesson with a pro will get you started on the right path. Many courses offer lesson packages and some include playing a few holes as well. Taking a lesson is the best investment you can make if you want to enjoy the game and improve your skills.

4. Go get some clubs. Although most courses have clubs you can rent, you may want to have your own set. Pro shops at your local facility are a great place to start. Chain stores such as Costco, Giant Tiger, Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire also have inexpensive sets that include irons, woods, putter and a carry bag. They also sell inexpensive balls and tees. As long as you follow the course’s dress code (often published on their web site), you don’t even need golf shoes at this point. Running shoes will suffice.

5. Go to the driving range. If you’re taking lessons at a course, you no doubt have taken advantage of the practice facility, also called the driving range. If not, head for a local public driving range with a friend and hit some balls. Many facilities also have a practice putting green. As you will find out, putting is a very important part of the game!

6. Go to the first tee. You’ve hooked up with some friends or new acquaintances from your introductory program. You’ve asked the folks in the golf shop from which tees you should play as a beginner (generally, the most forward set of tees is appropriate).

7. Go hit the ball. Assuming you’ve followed these first few tips, you should be hitting the ball in the right general direction. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not as proficient as your more experienced companions. Just relax, swing, and don’t forget to breathe! From a safety perspective, make sure you are aware of where your friends are and when they are hitting. From a “pace of play” viewpoint, always be ready to hit your next shot when it’s your turn.

8. Go to the clubhouse. Much of the appeal of golf is the social aspect following a round. Reliving the game, good shots and not-so-good, with friends and family is an integral part of the game.

9. Go back. Golf has been called “the game for a lifetime.” You can play this game at whatever level you wish, from recreational to competitive, for years and years. It’s healthy, fun and a great way to meet new friends.

So there you go. Nine tips, just like the nine holes you will likely play the first few times you’re at the course.

But there is so much more!

Although you can learn the fundamentals of the swing, course etiquette and rules online, GolfCanada.ca is the best resource for anyone who enjoys the game at any level.

A Bronze Level Golf Canada membership is absolutely free! You get complimentary access to Level 1 online rules training, rewards for just playing the game, a Score Centre game and score tracking account, and other benefits.

As you play more golf, you’ll want an official handicap factor and the other benefits that come with a Golf Canada Gold Level membership.

But you have to start somewhere. So start now!

Many courses across Canada are offering special enticements and activities for new golfers on May 28, Canada’s Get Out and Golf Day. Check out golfcanada.ca/golfday for more details.

Our new address is:

Nova Scotia Golf Association

120 Brunello Bvld,
Timberlea, NS
B3T 0G9

Following a comprehensive search, Golf Canada has announced the appointment of Laurence Applebaum as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Applebaum, most recently the Executive Vice President of the Florida-based Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), will assume his new role as of July 10, 2017.

“Laurence Applebaum’s hiring marks the beginning of a new era for Golf Canada,” said Roland Deveau, President of the Golf Canada Board of Directors. “After an extensive search, Laurence stood out because of his previous leadership in sports organizations, proven senior management skills and visionary thinking. His drive and energy are infectious. We are so pleased to repatriate this outstanding Canadian leader to take Golf Canada forward.”

With a career in sports spanning more than 20 years in Canada, Europe and the United States, the senior executive and Toronto native is proud to return home to lead the national sport federation and governing body for golf in Canada.

“I am both honoured and humbled to be given the chance to lead Golf Canada at a crucial and exciting juncture in the organization’s history,” Applebaum said. “Throughout my career, I have had the chance to work with teams made up of great athletes, passionate partners and engaged stakeholders. I am eager to apply the lessons and experiences from past roles to this new challenge. Golf is such a passion for so many Canadians including myself, and I know the sport in this country is well positioned for growth and success going forward. As much as anything, I am also elated to be returning home with my family.”

Applebaum joins Golf Canada after serving in an extensive array of sports management roles around the globe.

For the past five years, he has been Executive Vice President of the WTA in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he oversaw a variety of strategic and operational initiatives.  During his tenure, Applebaum was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the women’s global professional tennis circuit, including tournament operations, on-site competition, player relations and development, sports science and medicine, broadcast operations and new business development.

Prior to joining the WTA, Applebaum served as the Toronto-based Vice President of Salomon Canada from 2006-2011. Previously, Applebaum served in a variety of progressively senior roles at Wilson Sports and the brands of its parent company, Amer Sports, including Atomic, Suunto and Precor, based in Europe. After starting his career at Wilson Sports Equipment Canada, Applebaum was the Sales & Marketing Manager at Nike Golf Canada from 1997-1999.

Married with two children, Applebaum is a 1994 graduate of the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University where he received an Honors Business Administration (HBA) degree.

Golf Canada President Roland Deveau also recognized the work of Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer, who has managed the day-to-day affairs of Golf Canada for the last several months as interim CEO.

“I would like to thank Jeff for his steady hand during this transition. We look forward to Jeff’s continued contributions as our Chief Sport Officer,” said Deveau.

Deveau added: “I would like to acknowledge all of the dedicated volunteers, staff and partners who work diligently every day to deliver programs and services across Canada to help grow the game of golf.  Golfers from novices to elite athletes benefit from the efforts of, and collaboration between, many stakeholders and I know that Laurence is looking forward to meeting them.”

Reporting to Golf Canada’s Board of Directors, Applebaum will lead the organization in the ongoing development and execution of its strategic plan.

NOTE TO MEDIA – click here for a high-resolution headshot and bio of Golf Canada Chief Executive Officer Laurence Applebaum.

Click here to download the teleconference audio file.