Brooke Henderson, Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Sue Kim, Taylor Pendrith, Mackenzie Hughes and
Albin Choi will comprise the 2015 Team Canada Young Pro Squad

OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the six athletes – three female and three male – who have been selected to the 2015 Team Canada Young Pro Squad for the program’s second year of operation.

Comprising the team for 2015 is: Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.); Rebecca Lee-Bentham (Toronto); Sue Kim (Langley, B.C.); Albin Choi (Toronto); Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ont.) and Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.).

Developed in partnership with the PGA of Canada and supported by founding partner Canadian Pacific, as well as supporting partners Citi Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation Women’s Fund, the Young Pro Squad program bridges the gap for top graduating amateurs transitioning into professional golf.

“We are very proud of the Team Canada Young Pro Squad initiative,” said Scott Simmons, Golf Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. “We’re well ahead of where we were just a couple years ago in terms of helping to make the transition from elite amateur to the professional ranks as seamless and successful as possible.”

Headlining the female contingent is Team Canada National Amateur Team graduate Brooke Henderson. The 17-year-old declared herself as a professional golfer in conjunction with signing on with IMG as her management group in December of 2014.

In September 2014, Henderson made history by becoming the first Canadian to occupy the world’s No. 1 spot on the Women’s World Amateur Ranking. Henderson earned spots in the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2015 ANA Inspiration Championship (formerly the Kraft Nabisco Championship) as a result of her tie for 10th at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open. In addition, Henderson is able to accept up to a maximum of six LPGA sponsor exemptions and is also eligible for Monday qualifiers.

“It’s been an unbelievable journey the past few years and now I’m excited for what lies ahead as a professional,” said Henderson, who won her first event as a professional (Suncoast Series Tour) and this past week qualified for the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic where she finished T-33. “I’ve been fortunate to be a part of the National Team program during my amateur career and now I’m proud to continue representing Team Canada as a pro.”

Joining Henderson are two returning members of the Team Canada Young Pro Squad – Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Sue Kim. Both Lee-Bentham and Kim are also graduates of Team Canada’s National Amateur Team and maintain conditional status on the LPGA Tour for the 2015 season.

Lee-Bentham, 22, was the second-highest earning Canadian on the LPGA Tour last season. She played 18 events on tour, highlighted by a tie for 12th at the Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning & O-I. She earned conditional status on the LPGA Tour in 2015 by finishing inside the top 125 on the LPGA Tour’s Race to the CME Globe. 

“I’m grateful to be back with a program that is undoubtedly working and continues to be dedicated to developing players,” said Lee-Bentham. “Golf Canada has been with me for most of my golfing career and I am honoured to represent Canada each week on the LPGA Tour.”

Sue Kim, 23, finished as No. 120 on the LPGA Tour’s Race to the CME Globe to earn conditional status for 2015. Her best finish, a tie for 35th, came at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic.

“The ongoing support from Golf Canada is a huge boost for me and my goals to improve my game and results on Tour,” added Kim. “I’m thankful to Head Coach Tristan (Mullally) and the rest of the support staff and really excited for what the future holds.”

Mackenzie Hughes and Albin Choi return as members of the Team Canada Young Pro Men’s Squad. They will be joined by newly turned professional Taylor Pendrith. 

All three athletes will attend PGA TOUR Canada qualifying school in April with hopes of earning full status. Hughes, 24, is a two-time former Canadian Amateur champion. This year he hopes to repeat the success he had in 2013, when he captured the No. 1 spot on PGA TOUR Canada’s Order of Merit.

“I’m thrilled to be back on the Young Pro squad and getting the support from those who share a passion for helping me become better,” said Hughes. “The program is a huge deal; it’s helped me to focus on my goal of being successful at the highest level.”

Choi, 22, is also a former Canadian Amateur champion. His 2014 season on the Web.com Tour was highlighted by four top-30 finishes and a tie for 19th at the United Leasing Championship presented by TPI. 

“Being with the Team Canada program for seven years now, it almost feels like a family,” said Choi. “Derek (Ingram), the coaching staff, and the other members of the squad are all so supportive of each other. Having that backing is a huge lift for the many challenges of competing professionally.”

Pendrith, 23, will look to hit the ground running after a successful amateur career which included winning the prestigious Monroe Invitational in 2014, as well as earning the Gary Cowan trophy (low amateur honours) at the 2014 RBC Canadian Open. 

“This is a big honour for me,” said Pendrith. “I have high goals and aspirations for my career and I couldn’t think of a better team to support me in my journey. The National Team program has done a lot for my amateur career and I’m excited to transition that success over to the professional ranks.”

Men’s National Squad coach Derek Ingram and Women’s National Team coach Tristan Mullally will provide coaching to their respective Young Pro players. In addition to funding as part of the program, the athletes will have access to Team Canada’s sport science staff which includes Psychologist Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood, Nutritionist Nicole Springle and Physiotherapist & Strength Coach Greg Redman.

“I’m excited to see these young athletes take the next stops as professional golfers,” said Gary Bernard, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Canada. “Golf Canada has shown great commitment in collaborating with the PGA of Canada in our world class teaching and coaching certification programs.”

Golf Canada’s ability to offer this program is due in large part to a focused fundraising effort on the part of the Golf Canada Foundation.

“Now in its second year, the board of the Golf Canada Foundation is excited to continue supporting these young athletes in their pursuit of golfing excellence,” said Golf Canada Foundation Chief Executive Officer Martin Barnard. “We are very proud to be behind this program and look forward to the future success of the Young Pro Squad.”

Throughout the season, Golf Canada will closely monitor the performance of elite Canadian amateurs transitioning to professional golf with the possibility of program expansion.

Click here for Team Canada bios.

UXBRIDGE— One of the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) member services is offering scholarship seminars designed to assist junior boys and girls, as well as their parents, in understanding all of the aspects of targeting a golf scholarship.

This year is no different as the GAO has planned five scholarship seminars and invites junior golfers to register in advance and attend.  This year’s dates are:

2015 Seminar Dates:

The seminars are aimed for junior players and their parents who are interested in the opportunities that are associated with a golf scholarship. It is an important process that individuals need to understand at least two years before their high school graduation. All interested athletes are invited to attend, specifically those in grades nine through 11.

The seminars will touch on the importance of academics; the costs associated with going to school in the United States; how to decide on the right program; how to introduce the player to coaches and share accomplishments; playing ability an how good players need to be; and the recruiting process: the use of recruiters, doing it yourself and NCAA criteria.

Seminars run for approximately 2.5 hours and the cost is $50.00 (plus HST) per family. Net proceeds will go to the GAO Junior Scholarship Fund. Registration fee includes various handouts, research information, a continental breakfast for morning sessions and refreshments for evening sessions.

Pre-Registration is required and can be done by visiting the online registration page.

For more information or questions concerning the seminars please contact Mary Ann Hayward, GAO Manager- Sport Performance, at mhayward@gao.ca.

OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada congratulates long-time Team Canada member Augusta James of Bath, Ont., for her decision to pursue a career in professional golf.

James, 21, makes the leap to the professional ranks following another strong season, highlighted by a six-stroke win at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in July. The N.C. State senior will join the Symetra Tour with full-status for 2015—earned by way of LPGA Qualifying School. The sports management major plans to complete her degree by collecting credits periodically throughout the season.

The decision comes just months after James played a pivotal role in guiding Canada to a silver medal at the World Amateur Team Championship in Karuizawa, Japan. She will look to hit the ground running at the Symetra Tour’s first event of 2015—The Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club—from Feb. 20-22 in Mesa, Ariz.

James, a three-time all-ACC player, has already gained some valuable experience playing in professional events as an amateur; her best finish saw her come away T108 at the 2011 Canadian Women’s Open.

As her four-year stint with Team Canada comes to a close, James is grateful for the support she has received and reflects positively on her time with the national team program.

“Being a part of Team Canada has prepared me in the best way possible to make this important jump in my career,” said James. “I look back and am so thankful for all the experience I’ve gained and the relationships I’ve built with coach Tristan (Mullally), the supporting staff and of course the other girls on the team.”

At such an important juncture in her life, James is playing with focus and confidence as she prepares to transition into the professional ranks.

“I’ve been playing really strong golf of late, and have no doubts that I am ready to take on this challenge. Now is the right time for me.”

UXBRIDGE — The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) 2015 season will offer a whole new look to female provincial tournaments and the changes are sure to not only increase participation but also enhance competition.

One of the first changes will be the qualifying structure for the Junior Girls’ Match Play Championship, June 29-30 at Woodington Lake Golf Club in Tottenham. Formerly, qualification and seeding took place a day before the matches began, but in 2015, that will be determined by the final results from the Investors Group Junior Girls’ Spring Classic, May 16-18 at Grey Silo Golf Club in Waterloo.

“This change should make for a stronger match play field, add more significance to finishing positions at the Junior Spring Classic and give players early notice that they have qualified for this tournament,” said Manager of Women’s Tournaments Larry Longo.

Changes have also been made to the Women’s Champion of Champions. First, it will now be played on May 14 at Galt Country Club in Cambridge after earlier scheduling conflicts. In addition, a Senior Women’s Champion of Champions will be played simultaneously at Galt Country Club.

Similarly, the Investors Group Senior Women’s and Mid-Amateur Championships have been combined to take place together, on July 21-23 at Loyalist Country Club in Bath.

The date of the Women’s Match Play Championship has also been moved to later in the season, Aug. 4-6 at Woodington Lake. This will allow those participating in the Canadian Senior Women’s Championship and college players more availability to participate in the event.

A new Player Priority Entry Rankings List for the Investors Group Women’s Amateur Championship has been created for 2015 to allow the top 90 players to enter online and be accepted into the tournament immediately. Those outside the top 90, may enter the championship but will be put on a wait list. The status of those on the wait list will not be known until after the entry deadline, unless they move into the top 90. Once the deadline passes and, if positions are available, those still on the wait list will be moved into the championship to fill the 90-player field. Remaining players not yet accepted at that point will be championship alternates and moved into the championship if a spot becomes available. A similar list has been created for the Investors Group Junior Girls’ Championship. More information can be found on the tournament page.

Finally, the GAO is pleased to announce that the Member Day event at the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto, June 22, will be a GAO Member Day for Women only.

With these new initiatives there even more reasons for women to get involved with GAO programming and enjoy all that golf has to offer.

UXBRIDGE— The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) continues to encourage more kids to pick up the game of golf at an early age. Building on the success of 2014 and the introduction of the NXTee Program, funded in part by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the GAO is pleased to offer a pair of events on the 2015 championship calendar aimed at golfers under 13 years of age. This summer, young golfers will have the opportunity to compete in the NXTee Pee Wee Preview, May 2, at Puslinch Lake Golf Course in Cambridge, and the inaugural Ontario Pee Wee Championship, Aug. 6-7, also at Puslinch Lake Golf Course.

“The GAO is thrilled with the success of our new NXTee initiative which furthers our commitment to providing quality golf experiences for Ontario’s youth and their parents while attracting new participants to the sport for the first time,” said Mike Kelly, GAO Sport Development Director.

The enhanced programming for golfers under 13-years-old began this past fall with the introduction of the NXTee initiative. A pilot project, NXTee aimed to increase the development and engagement of junior golfers (aged 8-13) in York Region, providing them with an opportunity to continue to practice and increase their skills throughout the winter months in preparation for the golf season in a fun and friendly environment. The program also aimed to educate and provide information to parents to help their junior golfers take the next steps.

The first season of NXTee was greatly successful and will conclude on May 2 with the Pee Wee Preview. The event is designed for not only players in the program but other Pee Wee aged players who would like to take the opportunity to play the championship site and experience on-course play with other golfers. It is also a great practice for those who are thinking about competing in the Pee Wee Championship.

The Pee Wee Preview is part of the launch of the inaugural Pee Wee Championship. This two-round tournament is open to both boys and girls in the age group and is sure to galvanize more young players to pick up the game. “We are excited about the implementation of the Pee Wee events into the 2015 competitive schedule and look forward to hosting and engaging with all of the U13 participants,” said Matt Gauld, NXTee Coordinator.

Registration for both the NXTee Pee Wee Preview and the Ontario Pee Wee Championship are now open at the GAO’s tournament page: http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/schedule/index.htm

Dave Mills, Bob Weeks and the late Gordon Stollery to be honoured Saturday, February 14th during Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting in Mississauga, Ont.

Paul McLean of King, Ont. to be introduced as the 112th President of Golf Canada

Oakville, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Former Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) Executive Director Dave Mills along with SCOREGolf Editorial Director and television personality Bob Weeks, and the late (Arthur) Gordon Stollery of Markham, Ont. will be honoured for their contributions to the game of golf as the 2015 co-recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award.

Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Awards will be presented on Saturday, February 14th as part of the National Sport Organization’s Annual General Meeting to be held at the Delta Meadowvale Hotel and Conference Centre in Mississauga, Ont.

“Golf Canada is proud to acknowledge Dave Mills, Bob Weeks and Gordon Stollery and celebrate their outstanding contributions to the game of golf as our 2015 Distinguished Service Award recipients,” said Golf Canada Chief Executive Officer Scott Simmons. “They’ve all made a significant impact on the game within their communities and across Canada. Their commitment and passion for our sport makes each of them a truly deserving recipient.”

Created in 1993, Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award has been awarded annually to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the game of golf in Canada.

Recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award are traditionally selected from within the province or region of the organization’s incoming President. On Saturday, February 14th, Paul McLean of King, Ont. will be sworn in as Golf Canada’s 112th President.

As President-elect, McLean will succeed 2014 President Doug Alexander of London, Ont.

Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting and presidential appointment will conclude four days of meetings, February 11-14 at the Delta Meadowvale Hotel and Conference Centre in Mississauga, Ont.

DAVE MILLS

In January 2014, after 27 years of involvement with the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO), Dave Mills retired as the association’s executive director, a post he had held since 1997. He began playing golf in Peterborough, Ont. at Pine Crest Golf and Country Club and then Kawartha Golf and Country Club. Mills first became part of the association in 1986 as club representative for the Bay of Quinte Golf and Country Club in Belleville. His initial involvement with the association focused on the growth of junior golf throughout the province, with Mills chairing the Junior Development Committee for a number of years prior to joining the Board of Directors. After concluding a 27-year career with Ontario Hydro in 1997, Mills became executive director, leading the formerly male-only Ontario Golf Association through amalgamation with the Ontario Ladies’ Golf Association in 2001 to form the Golf Association of Ontario. Since retiring as executive director, Mills has continued to serve the GAO in various activities as a proud volunteer.

BOB WEEKS

Bob Weeks has been with SCOREGolf since 1987 and is currently the Editorial Director, overseeing all content at the media company.  He was recently listed as the sixth most influential person and the No. 1 media person in the Canadian golf industry by the National Post.
Weeks is the host of SCOREGolf TV and the golf analyst for TSN, where he has covered more than 50 major championships as well as hundreds of top Canadian and international tournaments. For 20 years he has been the host of the SCOREGolf Show, a daily 90-second golf radio program heard in more than 70 markets across the country. An award-winning writer, Weeks also authors a highly popular blog on SCOREGolf.com, Canada’s leading golf web site, and has written for GOLF Magazine, Golf Digest, Golfweek, the Globe and Mail, Maclean’s as well as countless other publications throughout the world. Weeks, who began playing golf at the age of 11 in Prince Edward Island, has been a proud member of Weston Golf and Country Club in Toronto for more than 40 years. He is a member of the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame and winner of the Dick Grimm Award presented by the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.

GORDON STOLLERY (1947-2011)
Until his untimely accidental death, Gordon Stollery was a passionate golfer and dedicated supporter of the game in Canada. As a member of Rosedale Golf Club in Toronto, he won their club championship four times and was runner-up at the 1965 Canadian Junior Golf Championship. An all-round athlete, Stollery attended Princeton University and then the University of Toronto before moving to Alberta in 1979 to become involved in the oil and gas business.  In 1994, when his father Arthur passed away, he returned home and became involved in Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont., which his father had built. The club, which opened in 1995, saw the hosting of multiple championship events including the 2002 and 2007 RBC Canadian Opens. In 1996, following the opening of the golf club, he took the vision of his father one step further by building a community surrounding the Angus Glen Golf Club. In 2007, Goodwood Golf Club was completed—a course he enjoyed as his private sanctuary.

The GAO was saddened to learn that David Anthony had passed away. Anthony won the 1994 Ontario Junior Amateur Championship and the 1994 Junior Better Ball Championship. The GAO extends their condolences to his family.

Obituary from Lounsbury Funeral Home

March 17, 1977 – January 25, 2015
Passed away unexpectedly in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Cherished and loved son of Ted and Judy, dear brother of Stephen, brother-in-law of Aska and special uncle to Abby of Tokyo, Japan. Beloved grandson of Eleanor Verdone. David will be missed greatly by his loving girlfriend Fa Channarong of Chaiyaphum, Thailand. He leaves many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who will miss his beautiful smile and soft-spoken ways. He impacted the lives of so many people here and abroad.
Dave had a natural athletic ability and enjoyed hockey, baseball, tennis and most importantly, golf.
David’s family will welcome friends and family to Lounsbury Funeral Home, 1766 Franklin Boulevard on Sunday, February 1st from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. A celebration of our son’s life will be held at the funeral home on Monday, February 2nd at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, treat a friend to a round of golf. Dave would like that.

Check out the GAO’s highlights from 2014 including provincial teams, championships, national and international success, special events and more!

HALTON HILLS, ON – Oakville’s Christian Osborne will serve as the 2015 President of the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO). Osborne, who is a member of the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club, was named President at the GAO’s Annual General Meeting held Jan. 24, at Glencairn Golf Club in Halton Hills.

Osborne is the 13^th GAO President in the Association’s history, which was formed in 2001 with the amalgamation of the Ontario Ladies’ Golf Association and the Ontario Golf Association (OGA).

“With regards to this honour of being ‘Head Volunteer,’ as Past President Jim King often referred to the position as, it is an honour that I don’t deserve but certainly am very proud of and will work at it as hard as I can,” said Osborne.

“They say that golf is in trouble, but when we look at the portfolio of success (of Ontario golfers) that we saw this morning, how can it be?” Asked Osborne to those in attendance at the meeting. “There are challenges of course, but the game of golf that we love has survived world wars, depression, famine and recession. The challenges we face now are difficult but nothing compared to what the game faced in the past.”

Osborne went on to underline some of the challenges that the Association will tackle in 2015 and moving forward. “We are financially strong as an Association, but we can always be stronger. We need to look for new streams of revenue whether it be through funding or sponsorship.”

The relationship that the GAO has with Golf Canada was another talking point for Osborne as he emphasized how critical it will be for the two bodies to continue to work together. “We have to work with Golf Canada, they are working on a synergy program to come up with new ways for us to generate funds, to modify our membership model and to ensure we all have a future and we will support them, but not at the expense of our own identity, programs or existence.”

Osborne began volunteering with the GAO in 2011 and citied his experience with the GAO and the OGA as the reason he got involved. “I am a product of the OGA and GAO. My reason for volunteering is very self-serving because what I wanted to do was settle the score, with  an Association that gave me so much. I wouldn’t have had the opportunities in my life if it weren’t for the OGA and GAO.”

During his time with the GAO, Osborne has served on multiple committees. He has chair both the Finance and Risk Management and the Governance and Nominating committees. He has also been part of the Human Resources and Compensation, Marketing and Sponsorship, Scholarship, Sport Development, and Fundraising committees.

A collegiate golfer at Toledo, Osborne has also been a member at The National Golf Club of Canada before Mississaugua. He has served on the Mississaugua Board and as Club Captain. He also captured the Club Championship in 2000. Osborne is currently the Owner and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Kleen-Flo Tumbler Industries in Toronto.

Osborne summed up how special the game of golf is to him by sharing the friendship it helped to foster. “The game of golf is like nothing I have ever seen,” explained Osborne. “It brings people together in a manner that I just haven’t seen anything else do. Jim King would be the first to admit that we come from different generations and different parts of the world, but it is amazing that this game of golf has brought us together and we found out very quickly we’re very similar and in a short amount of time, Jim King became one of my best friends in the world.”

Osborne is an invaluable asset to the Association, and the GAO is proud to welcome him as President.

The GAO would like to thank 2013/2014 President Jim King for his commitment and dedication to the role of President over the past two years. King, a resident of Waterloo, served as the GAO’s 12th President and will continue to serve on the GAO Board as Director and Past President. Filling the role of Vice President in 2015 is Kent Trainor of Toronto.

The 2015 board also includes: John Turner (GAO Public Player), Alan Trivett (Glencarin GC), Ivy Steinberg (Granite GC), Peter Zakarow (Beacon Hall GC), Carol-Ann Goering (Toronto GC), Anthony Dunn (The Marshes), John Gallinger (Meadowbrook G&CC), Anna Wells (GAO Public Player), Mark Hayes (Rattlesnake Point), and Ottawa Valley Golf Association Representative Tom Hossfeld.

Honorary Life Director Award

Also at the AGM, the GAO presented Past GAO President Steve James with the Honorary Life Director Award. The award recognizes those who contribute their time and hard work over an extended period of time. The recipients of this award have given unselfishly to promote amateur golf, the GAO, and has done so in a variety of ways over a number of years.

James began as a Tournament Volunteer in 1994 as a starter, scorer and Rules Official. In 2002, he joined the Board of Directors and served as Tournament Chairman. He would go on to serve on both the Finance and Nominating committees. From 2005-07, he chaired the Finance Committee.  In 2008, James acted as GAO President. Throughout his time on the broad, James has continued to volunteer as a Rules Official.

2015 AGM Photos

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On January 22, the PGA of Canada honoured it’s 2014 national award winners at the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show, in Orlando, Florida, as part of Canada Night. Congratulations to Jeff Overholt, Liam Mucklow and Henry Brunton who were all honoured at the event.

Jeff Overholt 2014 Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year Award Winner

Liam Mucklow 2014 George Knudson Teacher of the Year Award Winner

Henry Brunton 2014 Ben Kern Coach of the Year Award Winner