From Golf Canada

Ottawa’s Camelot Golf & Country Club will open its fairways to elite talent from across the globe when it plays host to the World Junior Girls Championship from Sept. 9-14, 2018.

In addition to 72-hole team and individual golf competitions, the World Junior Girls Championship will be a celebration of the sport with a focus on developing the game. Prior to the tournament getting underway, the World Junior Girls Championship will host a coaching summit, a girl’s skill development clinic and a Junior-Amateur Event.

The opportunity to host the week-long event spurs a sense of pride for Camelot’s membership.

“We’re truly excited to be sharing our course with the top girls from around the world,” said Greg Richardson, Camelot’s general manager & chief operating officer. “We’re invested in the growth of the game at all levels and are our membership is proud to do our part in hosting world-class championships.”

The World Junior Girls Championship is conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with Golf Ontario, and supported by the R&A and International Golf Federation. Recognized as an ‘A’ ranked event by the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), the World Junior Girls Championship will run for its fifth time.

Nestled in Ottawa’s east end, Camelot is no stranger to running Golf Canada championships. The venerable club has hosted the 2012 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, a Canadian Women’s Tour event, the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, as well as final qualifying for the 2017 CP Women’s Open.

The 26-year-old club will provide an opportunity to showcase Canada’s capital to the world’s top 63 junior golfers from 20 countries across the globe.

“Being in the nation’s capital presents a lot of opportunities for visiting girls to explore, including museums, parliament buildings and embassies of their respective countries,” added Richardson. “We’re very proud to welcome competitors, coaches and spectators to Camelot and the great city of Ottawa.”

Many of the Canada’s top-ranked golfers have competed in the World Junior Girls Championship since its inception, including Team Canada Amateur Squad athlete and Camelot member, Grace St. Germain. LPGA superstar Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., who currently sits at No. 14 in the Women’s World Golf Rankings, competed in the 2014 inaugural competition.

“It’s a great tournament, a great championship… To be able to compete against the best in the world and represent Canada is really a dream come true,” said Henderson at a CP Women’s Open press conference in August. “I’ve been able to do that since I started my career. I think the best thing is just to have fun, to enjoy it, to embrace everything and try to use it as a learning experience.”

In 2017, Spain completed a thrilling comeback to overcome an eight-stroke deficit in the final round, unseating the 54-hole leading Koreans in the first team playoff in championship history. Seo-yun Kwon salvaged redemption for the Korean trio, capturing medallist honours in the individual competition – also in the first extra hole.

Admission to the championship is complimentary all week.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIP AT WWW.WORLDJUNIORGIRLS.COM

From Golf Canada

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:

• Flexibility in formats of play, allowing both competitive and recreational rounds to count for handicap purposes and ensuring a golfer’s handicap is more reflective of potential ability.
• A minimal number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap; a recommendation that the number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap be 54 holes from any combination of 18-hole and 9-hole rounds, but with some discretion available for handicapping authorities or National Associations to set a different minimum within their own jurisdiction.
• A consistent handicap that is portable from course to course and country to country through worldwide use of the USGA Course and Slope Rating System, already successfully used in more than 80 countries.
• An average-based calculation of a handicap, taken from the best eight out of the last 20 scores and factoring in memory of previous demonstrated ability for better responsiveness and control.
• A calculation that considers the impact that abnormal course and weather conditions might have on a player’s performance each day.
• Daily handicap revisions, taking account of the course and weather conditions calculation.
• A limit of Net Double Bogey on the maximum hole score (for handicapping purposes only).
• A maximum handicap limit of 54.0, regardless of gender, to encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance to increase their enjoyment of the game.

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.”

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.

February 9, 2018

For Immediate Release

Ontario Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2018 Announced

UXBRIDGE — Golf Ontario is pleased to announce this year’s Class of the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame. Terrill Samuel, Dave Bunker and Warren Crosbie, will become the newest members of the Hall at the official induction ceremony on May 2, 2018 at Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge. In addition, Wayne Redshaw will be receiving the Lorne Rubenstein Media Award, presented annually to accredited members of the Ontario media for “major contributions to golf.” In addition there will be a first for the Hall of Fame this year, a group of individuals will be recognized representing the early history of golf in Ontario.

2018 Ontario Golf Hall of Fame Inductees

Terrill Samuel

Toronto resident Terrill Samuel, 57, enters the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in the Amateur Golfer category. Samuel has captured many titles both provincially and nationally throughout her career. Provincially she has won the Ontario Women’s Amateur twice, Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur three times and the Ontario Senior Women’s. In addition, she has claimed the Ontario Women’s Match Play and Mixed 4-ball championships. On the national level, she has won the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur, the Canadian Women’s Mid Master, and the Canadian Women’s Senior twice. She also finished second in the 2004 C.P.G.A. Ladies Open.

Samuel also represented Canada on the international stage multiple times. Highlights include winning the Mellsop Stroke Play at the 1990 New Zealand Ladies Golf Championship and defeating Annika Sorenstam in a match play event in the 1992 Ladies British Open Amateur Championship.

Samuel has been a member of Weston Golf and Country Club since 1983.

Dave Bunker

Entering the Hall in the Amateur Golfer category is Brampton’s Dave Bunker. Bunker, 53, has amassed an almost immeasurable amount of championships and accolades. Just some highlights of his career include capturing 15 provincial titles including three Ontario Mid-Master titles, countless course Championships and 8 Canadian titles including The Canadian Mid-Master and Mid-Amateur for three straight seasons.

Bunker has also achieved international success playing in the U.S. Senior Open twice, the Canadian Open twice and has been a part of Team Ontario playing international events around the world.

In 2010, Bunker was named Fairways Magazine’s Amateur Player of the Year and 2010 GJAC Canadian Male Amateur Player of the Year.

He has also topped the Ontario Mid-Amateur ranking an incredible eight times. Bunker also holds the club record at six different courses. He is a member of Brampton Golf Club and is a middle school teacher.

Warren Crosbie

Niagara-on-the-Lake resident Warren Crosbie is well known as one of Canada’s most respected golf developers and maintains significant involvement in the associations guiding his profession. He enters the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in the Builder category.

Crosbie has been a Golf Professional for 44 years including 32 years at Bayview Golf and Country Club. One of the remarkable aspects of Warren’s career is the number of golf professionals who he’s trained and mentored. Further Warren supports the junior program at Bayview and continues to teach young aspiring golf professionals.

His credentials include PGA of Canada President present 2006-08, Member of Professional Golfers’ Association since 1967 including honorary status in 2008, Honorary Director of PGA of America 2006-08, and board member of Golf Management Institute of Canada 2010-present (current chair). Crosbie is also currently the chair for the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame.

Wayne Redshaw – Lorne Rubenstein Media Award

Wayne Redshaw is a veteran sports writer and sports editor whose career began as a sports beat writer in 1962. His history in sports writing includes an extensive background including covering the Buffalo Sabres. Redshaw has covered the team since its inception in 1970, on many game nights doing triple duty by filing separate stories to the Canadian Press and the Associated Press.
Besides covering 30 Canadian Opens on the golf scene, he also covered the World Series in 1968 and again in 1992-93, when the Toronto Blue Jays won back-to-back titles, as well as Grey Cup games played in Hamilton and Toronto.

Redshaw left the newspaper world in 1995 but not the industry. FORE! Golfers Only was launched a year later and for the next eight years he wrote stories that his late wife Dianne proof read, compiled columns of stats and sold ads for what at the time was Canada’s only weekly golf publication. As boss of DWR Sports Publications Redshaw would deliver as many as 20,000 magazines to golf courses and Avondale stores across the Niagara peninsula.
Redshaw is also a member of the Sabres Hall of Fame and life member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Posthumous Induction

This additional and special group represents the early history of golf in Ontario. Research going back to the early 1900’s identified individuals whose accomplishments would likely warrant membership in the HOF but were unlikely nominated due to their accomplishments being so far back. This class consists of seven amateur golfers; Muriel Dick, J. Cole, Frances Scott Gibson, Sydney Pepler Mulqueen, Mrs Cecil Hedstrom (Smith), Bill Thompson and Frank Thompson. Three professional golfers include Percy Barrett, Andy Kay and Jack Littler. Walter Hastings Webling will be inducted under the Lorne Rubenstein Media Award.

ABOUT THE ONTARIO GOLF HALL OF FAME

The Ontario Golf Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of extraordinary contributions and accomplishments in the game of golf in Ontario. Founded in 2000 by the Ontario Golf Association and the Ontario Ladies’ Golf Association, the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame is housed at Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge.

ABOUT GOLF ONTARIO

Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 450 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to shaping lives through Golf.

For more information, please contact:
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing Communications
Golf Ontario
905-852-1101 ext. 224
pmackellar@gao.ca

Golf Ontario and Golf Talk Canada are proud to announce a new travel partner sponsorship deal with PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com

UXBRIDGE—Golf Ontario and Golf Talk Canada are excited to announce a new sponsor to help support golf in Ontario. PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com, the official website of the Myrtle Beach golf community, will become a key marketing partner of both Golf Ontario and Golf Talk Canada.

“Golf Ontario is excited to welcome PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com as a key travel partner for our organization.” said Mike Kelly, Golf Ontario Executive Director. “Myrtle Beach is a very attractive destination for our Ontario golfers, and we look forward to partnering together to provide opportunities for our golfers to experience this fantastic golf destination.

“Golf Talk Canada is also thrilled to partner with PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com”, said Mark Zecchino, Executive Producer and Host of Golf Talk Canada. “Myrtle Beach holds a special place for me, it was my first ever golf vacation, and a place that I have visited with friends and family since I was 13 years old. We look forward to helping golfers across Canada learn more about this destination and we are also very excited about using this partnership to contribute funds to Golf Ontario’s Junior Golf Drive and Gala supporting Junior Golf Development in Ontario.”

“Golf Ontario is a great organization that helps build the game of golf in Ontario, and Golf Talk Canada is Canada’s only national golf talk program. This partnership allows us to connect with two of the strongest golf organizations in the country,” said Bill Golden, CEO of Golf Tourism Solutions, the agency responsible for promoting Myrtle Beach as a golf destination.

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“Myrtle Beach is a logical travel destination for Ontario golfers. Myrtle Beach also offers an array of other activities from great shopping and restaurants, to beaches and fishing” added Golden.

The basis of the sponsorship will see PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com become a travel partner to Golf Ontario and a media and content partner to Golf Talk Canada. Funding from this deal will help support Golf Ontario’s Junior Golf Drive and Gala to be held on May 28^th at Granite Golf Club in Stouffville.

About PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com

PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com is the official website of America’s most popular golf destination, providing one-click access to every area course and package provider, free quotes and tee times. The website is Myrtle Beach’s premier trip planning resource, showcasing everything the area has to offer from golf schools to where to go after the round. PlayMyrtleBeachGolf.com has one goal: to help golfers plan, book and enjoy a Myrtle Beach golf trip. For more information, go to www.PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com.

About Golf Ontario

Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 450 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world.  From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, to growing the game at the grassroots level and getting the game of golf into our school systems, to keeping the Ontario golf community aware of all relevant issues and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to making golf better for everyone in Ontario. We share a love and passion for golf, while preserving its past, fostering its future, and championing golf’s best interests for everyone who enjoys the sport.

About Golf Talk Canada

Golf Talk Canada is Canada’s only national golf talk program. With both Radio and TV programming almost year round, Golf Talk Canada is an authoritative resource on the game of golf in Canada. Co-hosted by Mark Zecchino and Bob Weeks, Golf Talk Canada broadcasts live from some of the most important events in all of golf, including the Masters and US Open.

For more information please contact:

Peter MacKellar
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Golf Ontario
905-852-1101 ext. 224
PMacKellar@gao.ca

UXBRIDGE, ON – Golf Ontario is excited to announce its 2018 tournament schedule featuring the best provincial championships in the country hosted at some of Ontario’s finest golf courses.

Heading into its 96^th season, the Golf Ontario tournament schedule will be highlighted by the addition of member/guest events, the Ontario Summer Games and the Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships.

“Golfers in Ontario will have no shortage of opportunities to compete next summer” said John Lawrence, Manager of Competitions. “Through the feedback of our members we are pleased to add some new championships and changes to our existing tournaments. I would like to thank our member clubs as a schedule of this magnitude could not have been done with out their support.”

The championship season officially begins on May 10^th with the Men’s Better-Ball hosted annually at Toronto’s Oakdale Golf & Country Club. Next season will also mark the playing of the Ontario Summer Games, as golfers will compete for the gold medal. The games will be hosted by the City of London and Thames Valley Golf Club will welcome golfers August 3-5.

Of course all eyes will be on the Investors Group Ontario Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships. The men will return to the historic St. Thomas Golf Club (July 10-13) for the first time since Master’s Champion Mike Weir’s victory in 1992. Meanwhile, the Ontario Women’s Amateur will come together with the Mid-Am competition and embark on beautiful Seguin Valley Golf Club in Parry Sound, which will host the event for the first time.

New to the schedule will be the addition of provincial Member/Guest Championships for both men and women providing a bonus opportunity to those winning their clubs member/guest championship. “After an overwhelming response from our member clubs we decided to add another playing opportunity for golfers in Ontario” said Lawrence. “These member/guest events will provide a fun yet competitive environment for golfers of all skill levels.”

The complete schedule including tournament formats and entry eligibility will be available February 1^st, 2018 when tournament registration opens. Early bird pricing will be available depending on tournament entry deadlines.

For more information or comments on the tournament schedule please contact John Lawrence at jlawrence@gao.ca.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW
THE CHAMPIONSHIP & QUALIFIER SCHEDULE

Josh Whalen and Maddie Szeryk named Golf Canada’s 2017 Amateur Players of the Year

Written by Terry Lenyk

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/.

Team Ontario athletes along with their coaches are heading to Winter Garden, Florida for the first winter training camp of 2017. The team will have five days of training and team bonding at Orange County National Golf Club and Lodge, one of the top training facilities in Florida.

The team will be training on and off the course including an inter team competition on Saturday and Sunday that all members are excited for. Team Ontario Head Coach Reggie Millage, echoed the same excitement as the players.

“I am really looking forward to training camp this week. We are at a great venue (Orange County National) where a year ago at this time they were hosting the final stage of PGA Tour Qualifying school. It has the biggest practice facility I have ever seen and boasts two Championship courses and a 9 hole short course. We will be training and playing every day. We want to take full advantage of the facility and weather to maximize our time down in Florida. It will be a busy camp and will allow us to gauge the off season progress and prepare the athletes who are competing over the winter holidays,” said Millage.

The team’s Strength and Conditioning coach and chiropractor, Dr. Nick Martichenko, also spoke of the squad.

“This year’s team has worked really hard in the gym to be physically better and more athletic.  This Florida camp allows us to evaluate progress, update programs and learn how to effectively train on the course and in the gym all in the same day.”

Afterwards they will also have a local camp at Peak Performance Golf, followed by two more winter warm weather camps including the Can/Am Matches, during March Break with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association at the Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.

Follow the team on twitter @teamontariogolf and on Instagram @teamontariogolf

For more information on the team click here.

UXBRIDGE— Golf Ontario is proud to announce the return of The 12 Days of Golf in support of the Future Links Golf In Schools program. In 2016, the fundraising campaign debuted and was met with overwhelming support, managing to raise more than $30,000.

With the holiday season right around the corner, Golf Ontario is ready to again help shoppers find the perfect gift for the golfer on their list. The 12 Days of Golf will once again officially begin on December 1st and run until December 12^th.

“The 12 Days of Golf gives all Ontario golfers the chance to purchase exclusive tee times and play some of the best courses in the province,” said Mike Kelly, Golf Ontario Executive Director. “This is a great way to treat the golfer on your holiday list and it is all thanks to the generosity of our great member clubs!”

Angus Glen, Copper Creek Golf Club and Muskoka Bay Golf Club are just some of the exciting courses that will be up for grabs. Golf Ontario has made it their goal to make the 12 Days of Golf online auction a one-stop shop for people looking for gifts for golf enthusiasts. Once a foursome has been purchased it will be sent directly to the purchaser in time for the holidays.

The best part about the campaign is that all of the proceeds will go towards the Future Links Golf In Schools Program in Ontario.

“The Future Links Golf In Schools program is a great grassroots program that Golf Canada and Ontario run in the province. Introducing young people to all that golf has to offer helps to shape our youth by reinforcing values like integrity, respect and perseverance,” added Kelly.

When the 12 Days of Golf begins on December 1, multiple foursomes will be available for auction every three days. The items will only be in the auction for those three days before being replaced by a new set of foursomes. Bidders are encouraged to check back regularly to see what foursomes are available. All items will have a minimum bid, depending on the course, and will have a Buy It Now feature, in case there is an item that is a must have.

Golf Ontario would like to thank the participating courses for supporting this outstanding initiative.

The auction will be accessible through Golf Ontario’s main webpage (gao.ca/12days) and will also be live on Golf Ontario’s eBay page at: http://www.ebay.ca/usr/golfontario.

About Golf In Schools

The national Future Links Golf in Schools program is offered in the province by Golf Ontario in partnership with Golf Canada, PGA of Canada, and Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada).

The goal of Future Links Golf in Schools is to introduce students and teachers to the game of golf in a fun and exciting environment, and to link them to local golf facilities where they can transition into the sport.

Future Links Golf in Schools includes equipment and programming that can be delivered by school teachers, community golf coaches, and local golf professionals at schools or golf facilities.

Below is a list of Ontario golfers who have signed their National Letter of Intent to attend NCAA schools during the 2017 early signing period. If you are or know of a student who has recently committed to an NCAA school to pursue their education and golf career please let us know by email (dmatte@gao.ca).

Matthew Anderson, Mississauga- University of San Francisco (San Francisco, CA)

Johnny Travale, Stoney Creek, Kent State (Kent, OH)

Dylann Armstrong, North Gower, Ball State (Muncie, Indiana)

Grace St-Germain, Ottawa, University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, Arkansas)

Tyler McDowell, Whitby, Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL)

Kristen Giles, Georgetown, Drake University (Des Moines, IA)

Joe MacNeil- Severn, Lindenwood University (St Charles, MO)

Peyton Callens, Langton, Texas A&M (College Station, TX)

Anthony Occhiuto, Guelph, University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit, MI)

Alexandra Naumovski, Hornby, Coastal Carolina University (Conway, SC)

Emily Ward, Niagara Falls, University of Richmond (Richmond, VA)

Abby White, Simcoe, Chadron State College (Chadron, NE)

Curtis Hughes, Belle River, Bowling Green (Bowling Green, OH)

Golf Ontario congratulates all Ontario golfers who have committed to a school during this signing period and wishes them the best as they further their academic and athletic careers.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) 51^st Annual Conference took place Nov. 5-8 in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the conference, the association named its President for 2018, Craig Loughry, Golf Ontario’s Director of Golf Services.

“Being President of the IAGA is quite the honour for me. It is an exciting time to be in the golf industry with so many new ideas and philosophies to better grow our game. I am excited to have this opportunity and am eager to face the challenges that come with it,” said Loughry.

Loughry, a resident of Courtice, has been with Golf Ontario since 1998 where he began overseeing Handicapping and Course Rating for the province. Since then his role has evolved but Loughry has continued to share his expertise in the field at multiple levels. He has held a similar role with Golf Canada and volunteered with the USGA on their Handicap Procedures Committee. In addition, he currently represents Canada on the World Handicap Committee.

Since 2012, Loughry has been a member of the IAGA Board of Directors. He becomes the fourth representative from a Canadian golf association and the first from Ontario.

Loughry has had a life-long passion for the game of golf. He has a well-accomplished playing career that includes the record for most Ontario Public Player Championship wins with four.

The IAGA has been in existence since 1968 with the goal of promoting and conserving the best interests and the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. The IAGA serves as a medium for golf administrators to exchange information, techniques and other data relating to the game of golf and establish channels of communication among all of the world’s golfing fraternities.

Loughry will serve as IAGA President until next year’s annual conference.