Canada’s Brad Fritsch explains violation of anti-doping policy
The PGA TOUR announced today that Brad Fritsch has violated the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Policy’s ban on the use of performance-enhancing substances and has been suspended for three months. Mr. Fritsch self-reported this information after discovering that an ingredient in a supplement that he was taking was on the prohibited list. He has acknowledged his inadvertent error and accepted his suspension. He will be eligible to return on February 28, 2018.
Statement from Brad Fritsch’s Facebook page:
“Alright. We start Monday.”
That was a text I sent to my good friend Alex on Saturday Nov 11, the same day I had failed to advance at Second Stage of the Web.com Tour Q-School. Alex is a chiropractor, and he operates a really successful weight loss program out of his office as well. I had seen his commercials that run during the daytime soap operas (my WIFE watches General Hospital, not me; promise), advertising “lose a pound of fat per day.” My wife had done the program once before and lost 25 pounds. It seemed like the perfect time to, finally, lose some weight – I had turned 40 two days prior; I was pretty much the heaviest I’d ever been (242 pounds); and my kids were getting really fast. Plus, it looked like I would have a good two months off. I would lose the weight and simultaneously adapt my golf swing throughout the program with my instructor.
The majority of Alex’s program is low calorie, highly disciplined eating. You eat two meals per day (I did noon and 6pm), consisting of a small protein and whatever vegetables you want. Yes, I almost died in the first two weeks. If it sounds awful, that’s because it was. I tried to drink 120oz of water per day, and then took the supplements that every other program participant takes – a liquid multivitamin, even more vitamin D, a “body detox” solution, a probiotic, and a spray called BioSom.
“Hey, it’s not that spray that got Vijay in trouble, right?”
That was a text from November 30, from one of my brothers. I was telling him and my other brother what I was doing with the weight loss program. It felt like my heart sank into my stomach. I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t checked all of the supplements against our Anti-Doping list. I immediately sent a text to Andy Levinson, head of the Tour’s Anti-Doping program.
I should give some background on my feelings about the Tour’s Anti-Doping program, because it has a lot to do with how this has come to this point. I’ve been a huge advocate in expanding its transparency, both in meetings for the Web and PGA Tour and also in private conversations with multiple PGA Tour employees. I like the truth, and I hate rumor and innuendo. I’ve been adamant that we should publicize every offender, no matter the offense. Truthfully, I was mainly thinking of recreational testing when I formulated my opinion, and never for one second considered I would one day be a part of a potential “performance enhancing” violation. The only thing I would ever test positive for is excessive Chick Fil A.
And so it was with my view of the Anti Doping program in mind that I texted Andy Levinson that day. Truthfully, it was 10% my assumption that everything was fine; however, it wasn’t fine. That last supplement ended up containing a substance called DHEA, and it is indeed banned on our Anti-Doping list. But 90% is my dislike of hypocrisy. How could I sit there all those times and say “if it happens, it’s the truth, and if it’s the truth, get it out there,” and when it was my turn, just lie about it?
I couldn’t. It’s not who I am. I believe in the program and if I’m to be suspended, then so be it. It is my own fault that I’m in this position.
I’m just so upset with myself that I didn’t think to question what was in the supplements. But I never did. And in the program rules, it stipulates that a self-report is the same as a positive test. I did know this when I sent the text to Andy Levinson – like I said above, I believe in the program. I’m a proud member of the PGA Tour and I don’t take that lightly. If there is any silver lining, it’s that I thankfully never played a competitive round during all of this. I don’t feel great about this situation, but I’ve had over a month to kind of process my feelings about it. I’m in a good place (and I’ve lost 28 pounds, so I’ve got that going for me). I’m not sure I’d feel exactly the same way if I had competed against my peers while using a banned substance, even if it was out of ignorance.
I just wish I had paid attention to the details. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t pay attention to the details.
I’d like to express my thanks and appreciation to my family, friends, and especially my sponsors, for their unwavering support.
I also want to thank the PGA Tour, Commissioner Jay Monahan, and Andy Levinson for bringing this to a speedy resolution.
To all those who believe in me, who cheer for me, who respect me – I hope those three things don’t change.
Sincerely,
Brad Fritsch
2017 in review: Milestones
The year 2017 is drawing to a close and what a year it was for Canadian golf. Our pros won literally around the world and on just about every tour imaginable. Our amateurs of all ages made Canada proud at home and abroad. And, off the course, there were significant moments that are well worth memorializing as 2018 looms on the horizon.
This is the third of a three-part series remembering most, if not all, of those memorable moments.(If we’ve unintentionally overlooked any—there were so many, after all!—please let us know on Twitter or Facebook.
February:
Roland Deveau of Nova Scotia returns as president of Golf Canada for a second one-year term.
Judy Darling Evans and Bob Vokey elected to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
More on Bob Vokey and Judy Darling Evans, our 2017 inductees into the @CGHF: https://t.co/moub4WZWyb pic.twitter.com/3cTksnSV9B
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) February 28, 2017
Bill Klein of Parkville, B.C., and George McLeod of Brandon, Man., named co-recipients of Golf Canada’s Volunteer of the Year award.
March:
Mike Weir, a five-time competitor in the event, is named assistant captain of the international team at the Presidents Cup.
Scott Simmons resigns as CEO of Golf Canada after 10 years.
May:
Laurence Applebaum succeeds Scott Simmons as Golf Canada’s chief executive officer.
Toronto’s Bruce Mitchell is named the first Canadian to serve as captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
June:
Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada publish the 2017 Golf Facilities in Canada Report.
September:
Golf Fore The Cure presented by Subaru announces it raised more than $300,000 for breast cancer research through more than 160 events from coast to coast in 2017.
A BIG thank you to all #GolfForetheCure participants for helping us reach $6M raised for breast cancer research??
? https://t.co/Ea7KnwH3jd pic.twitter.com/FK4L30HGn0
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) September 28, 2017
Following Adopt a School Week, Golf Canada announces an additional 240 school adoptions, representing an additional 28,800 elementary, intermediate and high-school students being introduced to the sport through the Future Links driven by Acura program.
#GolfinSchools totals 240 adoptions to date in 2017 thanks to collective efforts during Adopt a School Week ????
? https://t.co/inaE5cF4ln pic.twitter.com/fAHZ10hpre
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) September 27, 2017
The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association appoints Jeff Calderwood as its executive director, a post he will hold concurrently with his position as CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada.
October:
Golf Canada announces that in 2018, for the first time, the National Development Squad program will feature a centralized component which will be based out of Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, B.C.
Kevin Thistle is named CEO of the PGA of Canada to replace the retiring Gary Bernard.
New PGA of Canada CEO Named to Lead Association to a New Era of Success https://t.co/N7lQrg3GYd
— PGA of Canada (@pgaofcanada) October 10, 2017
November:
The 2017 CP Women’s Open, held in Ottawa, wins the Best Charity/Community Engagement award from the LPGA Tournament Owners Association.
A crowd-funding initiative by the Canadian Golf Museum and Hall of Fame raises thousands to digitize and preserve irreplaceable volumes of Canadian Golfer magazine.
Craig Loughry, Golf Canada’s director of handicap and course rating and Golf Ontario’s director of golf services, is named president of the International Association of Golf Administrators.
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir is inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
December:
Calgary’s Shaw Charity Classic wins the PGA TOUR Champions President’s Award for the third time in its five-year history.
Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada announce a partnership committed to the principles of the Responsible Coaching Movement, endorsed by the Coaching Association of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
Canadian Press names Brooke Henderson female athlete of the year
TORONTO – Canadian golfer Brooke Henderson is barely out of her teens and her list of accomplishments on the LPGA Tour is already a long one.
She won her first LPGA Tour event in 2015, added her first major championship last year and picked up two more tournament titles in 2017. Henderson capped her latest impressive season Wednesday by winning the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada’s female athlete of the year.
“I’ve always kind of felt like I belonged out there, which I think is a big part of why I’ve had so much success so early,” said Henderson, who turned 20 in September.
Henderson picked up 35 of 63 votes (56 per cent) in a poll of broadcasters and sports editors from across the country.
“Not only is the young golfer an international champion, but she’s also playing a monumental role in helping young children get into the game,” said Mitch Bach of CHAT TV news in Medicine Hat, Alta.
Swimmer Kylie Masse was a distant second with seven votes. Gymnast Ellie Black and soccer player Christine Sinclair were tied for third with four votes apiece.
Henderson, who also won the Rosenfeld award in 2015, is the first golfer to win the award on two occasions since Lorie Kane (1997, 2000). Swimmer Penny Oleksiak took the honour last year.
“(Henderson) captured the attention of Canadian golf fans in a way not seen since the adoration given previously to Mike Weir,” said Winnipeg Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons.
Henderson had a slow start to the season with just two top-10 finishes in her first 10 events. She found her form in June by winning the Meijer LPGA Classic and just missed out on a playoff at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship later that month.
Her second title came in September at the New Zealand Women’s Open.
“Patience I think is a key word that basically describes my whole season,” she said.
Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., finished sixth on the money list at just over US$1.5 million and was 13th in the world rankings. She did it by relying on her impressive long game and consistent accuracy from the fairways.
She finished 20th on Tour in driving distance this season (263.58 yards) and was 10th in greens in regulation (75.10 per cent). That helped her average just under 70 strokes a round (10th at 69.88).
Another big moment for Henderson came in August at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in Ottawa. She nearly missed the cut before giving her army of fans something to cheer about on the weekend.
Henderson surged up the leaderboard before finishing in a tie for 12th place.
“I can’t even really put into words what it meant to me to see all that support and those people cheering me on,” Henderson said from Naples, Fla. “To get that 63 course record on Saturday in front of all those people in my hometown was truly amazing and one of the highlights of my year for sure.”
Henderson’s five career LPGA Tour victories leaves her only three behind Sandra Post for most wins by a Canadian.
“She knows how to score and she’s not afraid to go low,” Post said. “Some people, they get to 5 under, and they quit. She keeps going.”
Henderson, who had eight top-10 finishes, plans to focus on improving her short game as she prepares for the season opener next month at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.
Her putting average of 29.77 per round was 58th overall and she sat 100th in sand saves at 42.67 per cent.
“I have big goals and hopefully in 2018 I’ll have my best year yet,” Henderson said. “But to have a year like 2017 to back up what I did in 2016 – which was really a miracle season for me, everything went perfect – so to grind it out in 2017 and to have the finishes that I did, I’m really proud of that.”
Tennis player Denis Shapovalov won the Lionel Conacher Award as Canada’s male athlete of the year on Tuesday. The CP team of the year will be announced Thursday.
Bobbie Rosenfeld, an Olympic medallist in track and field and a multi-sport athlete, was named Canada’s best female athlete of the half-century in 1950.
The first winner of the Rosenfeld award was golfer Ada Mackenzie in 1933. Marlene Stewart Streit leads all golfers by taking the honour on five occasions (1952, ’53, ’56, ’57, ’63).
“I’m extremely proud to be named Canada’s female athlete of the year,” Henderson said. “I was just looking at some of the names … Marlene Streit, Lorie Kane, Sandra Post, all golfers that have won this award. Even the last few years, I just saw Christine Sinclair, Hayley Wickenheiser, Eugenie Bouchard.
“Those names are huge names in all of sport and all of Canada. So to be amongst them is a great honour for me.”
Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year from the NSGA
Four Canadians earn Web.com status at Qualifying School
CHANDLER, Ariz. – Four Canadians finished inside the top 45 in the final stage of Qualifying School at the Whirlwind Golf Club on Sunday to earn guaranteed Web.com Tour starts next season.
Leading the Canadian contingent was Calgary’s Ryan Yip, who played his way into a six-way tie for 10th at 18 under (73-65-67-65), earning guaranteed starts for the first 12 events.
Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Albin Choi (Toronto) and graduate Stuart Macdonald (Vancouver) closed the 72-hole stroke play event at 16 under par, tied for 23rd. Rounding out the quartet was Vancouver’s Seann Harlingten, who finished tied for 30th at 15 under par.
Choi, Macdonald and Harlingten earned exempt status for the first eight events by finishing between places 11-45 (plus ties).
Champion Lee McCoy of Dunedin, Fla., will be fully-exempt next season.
#TeamCanada alum @stuart_mac_golf with a ?? chip-in on 18… In great position to earn #WebTour status.
? from @BlairHamilton12
Full scoring: https://t.co/hUUONo6sam pic.twitter.com/Ob210iWzRo
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) December 10, 2017
Click here for full scoring.
Josh Whalen and Maddie Szeryk named Golf Canada’s 2017 Amateur Players of the Year
OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont. and Maddie Szeryk, a dual citizen from London, Ont. and Allen, Texas, have been recognized as Canada’s top male and female amateur golfers for 2017 as Golf Canada announced the final standings for its National Orders of Merit.
Whalen claims top spot in the men’s National Order of Merit ranking after an impressive season highlighted by a 3rd place finish at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. The 22-year-old also posted a T6 finish at the Sunnehanna Amateur and recorded six NCAA top-20s in his senior year with the Kent State Golden Flashes, including a runner-up finish at the Boilermaker Invitational.
Hugo Bernard, 22, of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., finished second on the Order of Merit thanks in part to earning medallist honours at the USGA’s U.S. Amateur Qualifying event in Maine, as well as strong showings at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship (T4), the French Open (T3) and the Mackenzie Investments Open (T7).
Joey Savoie, 23, of La Prairie, Que., rounded out the top-3 after recording runner-up finishes at the Duke of Kent, the USGA’s U.S. Amateur Qualifying event in Maine and the Monroe Invitational.
Whalen, Bernard and Savoie were all recently named to the 2018 Team Canada National Amateur Squad.
The 2017 season marks the third straight year that Maddie Szeryk has finished atop the women’s National Order of Merit. The 21-year-old recorded three victories this season—the B.C. Women’s Amateur and Women’s Western Amateur Championships, as well as the NCAA’s Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational as part of the Texas A&M Women’s Golf Team.
Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., finished runner-up on the Order of Merit for the second consecutive time. In February, the 20-year-old picked up her first NCAA win at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic. Other notable showings included third place finishes at the Canadian Women’s Amateur and B.C. Women’s Amateur Championships, as well as the Women’s Porter Cup.
Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee finished third on the National Order of Merit. In 2017, the 20-year-old earned a runner-up finish at the B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship and two NCAA top-5s.
Szeryk, Ko and Lee are all returning members of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad for 2018.
On the Future Links, driven by Acura National Junior Order Merit, Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que. and Céleste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., took home top honours in their respective divisions.
Vandette, 16, tallied five victories this season, including the Quebec Men’s Amateur Championship, Canada Summer Games and the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship. He also finished third at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.
Rounding out the top three on the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Boys Order of Merit are Nolan Thoroughgood (17) of Victoria, B.C. and Ethan Choi (15) of Pincher Creek, Alta.
Vandette and Thoroughgood were recently named to the 2018 Team Canada Development Squad which will train out of Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria.
Dao topped the junior girl’s Order of Merit after a prolific 2017 season where she picked up wins at the Canada Summer Games, Quebec Junior Girls Championship, NIVO Quebec Women’s Provincial Championship, U.S. Junior Girls Qualifier at Fitchburg, Ma., Future Links, driven by Acura Quebec Championship and the CJGA Quebec Junior Open. The 16-year-old also represented Canada at the World Junior Girls Championship in late September.
Finishing runner-up behind Dao is 16-year-old Monet Chun from Richmond Hill, Ont., while Susan Xiao, a 15-year-old from Surrey, B.C., rounded out the top-3.
Dao and Chun were recently named to the 2018 Team Canada Development Squad.
Golf Canada’s National Orders of Merit are used to identify and give recognition to top-performing amateur golfers from across Canada. They also provide an objective national comparison and ranking system, enabling Canada’s top players to compare themselves to counterparts across Canada.
Golf Canada also uses the National Order of Merit to assist with the Team Canada player selection and International event player selection process. For full Order of Merit standings and a points breakdown, please visit www.golfcanada.ca/nationalordersofmerit/.
The following are top-10 National Order of Merit finishers from each respective division:
Men’s National Order of Merit Top-10
| Name | Hometown | Counting Events | Points | |
| 1. | Josh Whalen | Napanee, ON | 10 | 51,223.34 |
| 2. | Hugo Bernard | Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC | 10 | 48,162.93 |
| 3. | Joey Savoie | La Prairie, QC | 10 | 42,250.58 |
| 4. | Matt Williams | Calgary, AB | 10 | 32,472.50 |
| 5. | Garrett Rank | Elmira, ON | 8 | 31,795.00 |
| 6. | Henry Lee | Coquitlam, BC | 10 | 30,040.83 |
| 7. | Chris Crisologo | Richmond, BC | 9 | 27,766.25 |
| 8. | Luke Moser | Waterloo, ON | 10 | 27,010.14 |
| 9. | Blair Bursey | Gander, NL | 8 | 21,675.00 |
| 10. | Emmett Oh | Calgary, AB | 8 | 21,517.86 |
Women’s National Order of Merit Top-10
| Name | Hometown | Counting Events | Points | |
| 1. | Maddie Szeryk | London, ON | 10 | 63,646.67 |
| 2. | Naomi Ko | Victoria, BC | 10 | 54,018.33 |
| 3. | Jaclyn Lee | Calgary, AB | 10 | 44,576.10 |
| 4. | Grace St-Germain | Ottawa, ON | 10 | 43,812.50 |
| 5. | Valérie Tanguay | St-Hyacinthe, QC | 10 | 33,613.75 |
| 6. | Jessica Ip | Richmond Hill, ON | 9 | 29,417.50 |
| 7. | Sabrine Garrison | Calgary, AB | 9 | 20,751.72 |
| 8. | Michelle Kim | Surrey, BC | 8 | 19,592.17 |
| 9. | Sophie Liu | Surrey, BC | 9 | 18,423.50 |
| 10. | Vanessa Ha | Montreal, QC | 5 | 17,361.00 |
Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Boys Order of Merit Top-10
| Name | Hometown | Counting Events | Points | |
| 1. | Christopher Vandette | Beaconsfield, QC | 8 | 28,985.00 |
| 2. | Nolan Thoroughgood | Victoria, BC | 8 | 24,565.00 |
| 3. | Ethan Choi | Pincher Creek, AB | 8 | 23,430.00 |
| 4. | Tristan Mandur | Mill Bay, BC | 6 | 21,850.00 |
| 5. | Callum Davison | Duncan, BC | 8 | 21,115.00 |
| 6. | Calvin Ross | Fredericton, NB | 7 | 19,977.50 |
| 7. | Kelvin Lim | Thornhill, ON | 8 | 19,562.06 |
| 8. | Louis-Alexandre Jobin-Colgan | Québec, QC | 8 | 18,967.08 |
| 9. | Taylor Beckstead | Alliston, ON | 8 | 18,330.00 |
| 10. | Jeevan Sihota | Victoria, BC | 6 | 18,319.00 |
Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Girls Order of Merit Top-10
| Name | Hometown | Counting Events | Points | |
| 1. | Céleste Dao | Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que. | 8 | 32,840.00 |
| 2. | Monet Chun | Richmond Hill, ON | 8 | 31,156.88 |
| 3. | Susan Xiao | Surrey, BC | 8 | 28,262.00 |
| 4. | Ellie Szeryk | London, ON | 8 | 28,170.00 |
| 5. | Hannah Lee | Surrey, BC | 8 | 23,378.88 |
| 6. | Alyssa DiMarcantonio | Maple, OnN | 8 | 21,220.00 |
| 7. | Mary Parsons | Delta, BC | 7 | 21,115.00 |
| 8. | Euna Han | Coquitlam, BC | 8 | 18,160.00 |
| 9. | Emily Zhu | Richmond Hill, ON | 8 | 17,535.00 |
| 10. | Brigitte Thibault | Rosemère, QC | 7 | 17,445.00 |
Canadians LeBlanc, Marchand earn conditional LPGA Tour status
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Two Canadians will join the world’s best next season on the LPGA Tour after earning conditional status in the final stage of Qualifying School on Sunday.
Maude-Aimée LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que., posted a final-round 75 (+3) to tie for 32nd to earn her status by way of finishing between places 21-45.
Fellow Canadian Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., finished T32 alongside LeBlanc at 1 over par through 90 holes of stroke play at LPGA International’s Jones and Hills courses. Marchand is coming off a banner year which includes a win at Symetra Tour’s PHC Classic as well as a T30 finish at the CP Women’s Open in front of a hometown crowd at Ottawa Hunt.
Marchand and LeBlanc will join the Canadian contingent next season on Tour: Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.), Alena Sharp (Hamilton, Ont.), Anne-Catherine Tanguay (Quebec City, Que.).
The top 20 players in Sunday’s finale earned full status, while those finishing inside places 21-45 join Marchand and LeBlanc with conditional status.
Five Canadians fell short of making Saturday’s 72-hole cut: Jennifer Ha (Calgary), Elizabeth Tong (Thornhill, Ont.), Samantha Richdale (Kelowna, B.C.), Lorie Kane (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) and Augusta James (Bath, Ont.).
Click here for full scoring.
Peter Campbell Fires a final round 63 to finish T2 at the Riviera Open in Ormond Beach, Florida
Hard work takes Canada’s Silverman on ‘improbable’ path to PGA Tour
Ben Silverman has put in the work to climb nearly 1,000 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking since the end of 2016.
Now he’s ready for a break.
Silverman, from Thornhill, Ont., went through a whirlwind year both on the course and off in 2017. He and his wife Morgan welcomed a son – Jack Palmer Silverman – in July, and he won the first tournament he played in after becoming a father.
The 30-year-old’s victory at the Price Cutter Charity Championship propelled him into the top 25 on the Web.com Tour money list, earning him PGA Tour status for 2017-18.
In the five events of the PGA Tour’s Fall Series, he made the cut in four of them and notched two top-10 finishes, including last week at The RSM Classic in St. Simons Island, Ga.
Silverman admitted he couldn’t even remember where the PGA Tour played last week because of how much mental energy he had used up this past year.
“I was basically forcing myself each day to put every ounce of mental strength into it because after Sunday I knew I could just crash and let go. I was feeling completely exhausted,” he said.
Thanks to his recent results, he has moved up to sixth on the ranking of graduates from the Web.com Tour this year (from 49th), meaning there is a chance for him to get into even more tournaments next year.
He’ll play the first six events of the 2018 portion of the PGA Tour schedule with hopes of winning early and have the opportunity to take time off.
“A lot of hard work is starting to pay off,” he said. “I put together some good finishes and earned my way up to the PGA Tour the hard way.”
Silverman said his next big goal is to represent Canada at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
To do it, he’ll have to jump approximately another 100 spots in the World Golf Ranking to either match or pass Adam Hadwin, currently Canada’s highest-ranked male golfer at No. 55.
“It’s a long-term goal but there are a lot of little things to do in order to get there, like become a top-two player in Canada,” Silverman said. “Hopefully I can win one or two tournaments before 2019. Those things are in my head as a way to get to my ultimate goal.”
Silverman’s path to the PGA Tour was non-traditional, as he didn’t play golf seriously until he was 16. He was a high-level hockey player before, and he didn’t play on Golf Canada’s National Team like PGA Tour winners Mac Hughes and Hadwin.
But he knew what he wanted to do with his life, and said he put in lots of hard work to get where he is today.
“I didn’t have a Plan B,” he said.
Although Silverman called his ride to the PGA Tour “improbable,” Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum told The Canadian Press watching Silverman’s progress has been inspiring.
“His journey to the PGA Tour exemplifies resilience and dedication and he should be extremely proud to have earned his place alongside the world’s best golfers,” Applebaum said. “It has been exciting to see that strong play carry over to his first few PGA Tour starts and no doubt Ben has positioned himself for success going forward.”
Up next for Silverman will be captaining the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada team at the beginning of December at the second annual Aruba Cup competition – which pits the top 10 golfers from the Mackenzie Tour against the top 10 golfers from PGA Tour Latinoamerica – before hanging up the clubs for the holiday season.
His first tournament back in action on the PGA Tour will be the Sony Open in Hawaii, Jan. 11-14.
Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation named official beneficiary of CP Women’s Open
(REGINA) – When the CP Women’s Open takes to the links in Regina in August, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation will be the official beneficiary of the seven day tournament. Through its CP Has Heart campaign, Canadian Pacific (CP) will once again make a substantial donation to the host community by supporting pediatric cardiology at the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2019.
“CP is very proud to partner with Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital for the 2018 CP Women’s Open,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “This is a natural partnership as CP is focused on heart health through our community investment program, CP Has Heart, and the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital is focused on helping the youngest hearts across the great province of Saskatchewan – a province that has been integral to our network for more than 130 years.”
Funds raised through the CP Women’s Open will support a dedicated pediatric cardiology space and specialized equipment in the Pediatric Outpatients Clinic at the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. With a nature theme running throughout the hospital, the “Frog Pod” will be specifically used to treat pediatric cardiology patients and will include three echocardiography exam rooms, a pulmonary function technology lab, an exercise challenge room, and a regular exam room. Directly across the hall, included in the pod, is a staff echocardiology reading room.
“On behalf of Saskatchewan children and families, we offer our heartfelt thanks to CP and the CP Women’s Open for helping us further develop the provincial pediatric cardiology program at our new children’s hospital,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “It warms our hearts to know the impact this legacy gift will have for young patients, families, and the provincial pediatric cardiac team.”
The Pediatric Outpatients Clinic, which will see children for general pediatrics, cardiology, oncology, speech and language, hearing, and psychiatry, will offer three times more exam rooms than are available today. An anticipated 40,000 young patients will use this area of the hospital every year.
In the four years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, $6.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada.
“Together with our incredible partners at CP and the LPGA Tour, Golf Canada is proud to bring world-class professional golf to The Wascana Country Club, the city of Regina and the province of Saskatchewan in 2018,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “I can’t say enough about the great work that CP does through the CP Has Heart campaign and there is great reason for Saskatchewan residents to be excited about the charitable legacy in support of pediatric cardiac care at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital that will make a difference in people’s lives.”
This is the first time Saskatchewan will play host to a major LPGA Tour event. The CP Women’s Open will run from August 20-26, 2018 at Regina’s Wascana Country Club. Tickets and corporate hosting are available for purchase at www.cpwomensopen.com