OAKVILLE – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the names of the athletes who have been selected to the new Team Canada Young Pro program.

In all, five athletes – three female and two male – have been chosen to the inaugural Team Canada Young Pro Squad, with four of the members coming from Ontario. Developed in partnership with the PGA of Canada and supported in large part by the Golf Canada Foundation, the Young Pro program was created to bridge the gap between amateur and professional performance on the international golfing stage.

“There has been a critical gap for our top amateur golfers making the difficult jump to professional golf and the launch of the Team Canada Young Pro initiative is designed to bridge that gap,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “We have seen tremendous results for Team Canada amateur athletes at national, international and collegiate competitions. With the launch of Young Pro, we expect those strong results to carry over to the professional ranks including the PGA and LPGA Tours, the various developmental tours and ultimately the Olympic Games beginning in 2016.”

A trio of LPGA players including Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., and Sue Kim of Langley, B.C., will join the new Young Pro squad. All three players are graduates of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Squad and have secured full playing status for the LPGA Tour’s 2014 season. Bentham, 22, was the top-earning Canadian on the LPGA Tour last season after finishing a personal best T-11 at the Evian Championship. Kirby, 23, earned her spot after a fifth place finish at the LPGA’s Final Qualifying in December. Kim, 23, secured her full card by finishing in sixth on the LPGA’s Symetra Tour’s Volvik Race to the Card.

“I feel so fortunate to once again, have the opportunity to be a part of a program that is so dedicated to developing players,” said Rebecca Lee-Bentham. “Golf Canada, without a doubt, has helped me tremendously throughout my amateur career and has led me to where I am today. It is an honour to represent Canada each week on the LPGA tour and having the opportunity to play for Canada at the Olympics would mean more than words can describe.”

“I am incredibly grateful to have been selected for the Young Pro program,” said Jennifer Kirby. “Golf Canada has always been supportive of my career and I am proud to be an ambassador of this important program in my inaugural season on the LPGA Tour.”

On the men’s side, Web.com Tour players Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Toronto’s Albin Choi debut as the first two male members of the Team Canada Young Pro program. A two-time Canada Amateur champion, Hughes, 23, finished the 2013 season atop PGA TOUR Canada’s Order of Merit after capturing the Cape Breton Celtic Classic. Choi, 22, is also a former Canadian Amateur champion who earned his ticket to the Web.com Tour after a 15th place finish at final qualifying in December.

“I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of Team Canada and the new young pro squad,” said Mackenzie Hughes. “The coaching and support staff has played a big role in my development and my transition to pro golf. I also want to thank the Golf Canada Foundation as well as all the sponsors and donors that have made this program possible.”

“I am very excited to be back with the national team and part of the program,” added Albin Choi. “I have been with Team Canada for over six years and have always appreciated the support and having a team around me. Most pros lose that support structure from a national or college team as soon as they turn pro and it’s easy to get lost. It’s great to have an opportunity to have a team behind me with my best interests in mind.”

Each member of the Young Pro squad will receive funding as well as access to Team Canada’s coaching staff and sport science experts. 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, the athletes will have access to Team Canada’s sport science staff that includes psychologist, Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood, strength and conditioning coach, Jason Glass, nutritionist, Nicole Springle and physiotherapist Greg Redman.

“I congratulate Golf Canada on the launch of this exceptional program,” said PGA of Canada CEO Gary Bernard. “The commitment Golf Canada has shown in collaborating with the PGA of Canada in our world class teaching and coaching certification programs is commendable.”

The Team Canada Young Pro initiative has been in the works for more than a year as an extension of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team program. The 2014 launch is a direct result of the fundraising support of the Golf Canada Foundation.

“On behalf of the board of the Golf Canada Foundation, we’re proud to help support these talented young golfers in their pursuit of competitive golfing excellence,” said Golf Canada Foundation CEO Martin Barnard. “In the coming months, we look forward to announcing more fundraising activities as well as donors and corporate partners to extend the program to more Canadian athletes.”

The new Member Club Schedule is up and running. You can find it by clicking here or under the membership tab in the menu above.

UXBRIDGE, ON— The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Team Ontario wrapped up their preseason exercises, April 25-27, with one final team camp at the Legends on the Niagara Battlefield golf course, site of the 2014 Canadian Junior Boys’ Championship. The camp was designed as a jumpstart for the athletes as they begin their competitive seasons. The camp featured a three-round tournament, the Team Ontario Cup, along with daily training sessions with strength and conditioning coach Andrew Hoermann.

Max Sear

“The big thing was really to jump start the team for the season,” said coach Reggie Millage. “The Team Ontario Cup was a great way to get them in that competitive mode, shake off the rust and fine tune technical issues, especially with the late start to the season this spring.”

This was the second time the GAO held a cup competition for the team that simulated an official tournament. On the boys’ side of the competition, it was a two-horse race with Max Sear and Sam McNulty putting distance between them and the rest of the team. Heading into the final round, Sear held a three shot lead, but McNulty shot an impressive 4-under par on the final round and with Sear 1-under for the day, a playoff was needed. Sear birdied the first playoff hole to take the boys side in a thriller. Both finished the tournament at 1-under par for the three rounds.

As for the girls, Monet Chun came up with a great final round finishing even for the day (14-over for the competition) and was able to hold off Annika Haynes to capture the title.

Sam McNulty

“Some of the players were very good throughout the three rounds,” added Millage. “Sam’s 68 on the final round really stood out as well as Max’s whole competition, which was very consistent. As for the girls, I think Monet’s game is really rounding into form. It is nice to see her put everything together. I felt Annika really hit and drove the ball well and pushed Monet in that final round.”

In addition to what was seen on the course, Millage reported that across the board, the teams’ strength and conditioning test results were up. “We really saw an increase in speed that translated to the course, even though they battled some tough weather conditions.”

With many players beginning their competitive schedule in the coming weeks, Millage said the camp was a great opportunity for the players to see what they needed to work on individually. “We used the launch monitor and ShotByShot to get feedback and statistics on what they need to work on.”

Monet Chun

Heading into the first major event, the Spring Classic May 17-19, Millage says he just hopes all of the team members can play to their potential. “I think they all left with something to work on. We are now in the process of transferring to our in-season facility Granite Golf Club. I will still see them regularly whether they stop in or at tournaments, but I think that now they are truly better prepared for this season.”

UXBRIDGE, ON— It was a top 10 finish for the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) team at the Manuel Prado Cup in Lima, Peru. The team of Dave Bunker and Mike Rutgers combined for a four round total of +20 leading them to a tie for eighth spot.

On the individual side, the Carlos Raffo Cup (play simultaneously), it was Bunker finishing in a tie for 11^th at +8 and Rutgers ending in a tie for 18^th at +12.

Dave Bunker

The team, which was selected by their 2013 Men’s Mid Amateur Ranking, got out to a rocky start on the first day, but was able to settle down and gain consistency as the tournament progressed.

“Our team result was not too bad considering the scores we shot in the first round. From then on, we managed to jump up the leaderboard each day,” said Bunker.

“I feel that we played pretty solid overall, finishing strong in the last three rounds,” added Rutgers.  “We just struggled with the short game. We both hit it very well, overall, and took a lot of positives going forward for the 2014 golf season.”

Bunker (81-72-72-71) really found his stride after the first round and continued to charge up the leaderboard, ultimately finishing just outside the top ten. “Overall I think that I played fairly well, other than the first round. I hit the ball solidly and managed the course well,” said Bunker. “The greens are very tricky, the biggest progression through the week was putting and chipping. Each day you get a better feel for breaks and speed.”

As for Rutgers (77-73-75-75), his first round too was his highest score but he found consistency throughout the event. He also pointed to the tough greens as the major influence on his scores. “I feel like I hit the ball really well other than a few bad swings each round.  The only thing that really frustrated me during the whole tournament was the greens, the grain was going so many ways, so I had difficulty with the speed and line.”

Mike Rutgers

The individual competition was won by Chile’s Guillermo Pereira who shot an amazing -11 under for the tournament. He was followed by countryman Rodrigo Rivas at -4 and the team captured the Manuel Prado Cup at -15 (21 strokes better than second place).

“The competition was great. The champions from Chile played incredibly well on a difficult golf course,” said Bunker.

“The competition itself was first class. I travelled, played and represented Team Ontario with my father-in-law which was a great experience for me, I had a great time,” added Rutgers.

Both players felt that the tournament helped give them a jumpstart for the season. They both said they were able to outline areas to work on and can now turn their attention to this summer’s events.

UXBRIDGE, ON— The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) has been forced to make site and date changes to their 2014 championship schedule. The major change will see the Men’s Mid Am Championship move both its site and date in addition to some of the qualifiers.

“With the late start to the season, and damage that has been done to some of the courses, specifically greens, we have had no choice but to find alternatives for some of our events,” explained Dave Colling, GAO Director of Rules and Competitions.

The major change comes to the Men’s Mid Amateur Championship. The event was scheduled to take place June 17-19 at the Burlington Golf and Country Club but because of the damage they incurred during the winter, the championship needed to be moved. Now, the Men’s Mid Amateur Championship will take place at Taboo Resort June 23-25, with the practice round on Sunday, June 22.

“We want to thank Taboo for stepping up and offering to host the event on such short notice,” added Colling. “The entire GAO community has been very supportive in dealing with this situation as a result of the tough winter. We thank all the clubs who have helped with not only the new championship site but also the qualifiers.”

For a full list of the changes to qualifiers and the revised GAO Tournament schedule visit: http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao14/schedule/index.htm

WINDSOR— Alyssa Getty of the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) U19 Team Ontario has won the 2014 Windsor-Essex Sports Person of the Year (WESPY) Award for Female Golfer of the Year. It is the second year in a row that she has won the award.

Getty was named the winner at the ninth annual awards ceremony on April 15 at the Cabota Club in Windsor.  Last year, Getty was both the youngest nominee and winner of the award.

The 17-year-old from Kingsville, just east of Windsor, plays out of the Kingsville Golf and Country Club. Getty has been playing the sport since the age of five and has been competing since she was nine.

After winning the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association (OFSAA) Championship in 2012, Getty followed it up with a third place finish in 2013. Other top 2013 finishes included: a tie for second at the Ontario Juvenile Girls Championship in Renfrew; an eighth place tie at the 2013 Canada Summer Games, in Sherbrooke, QC.; and a tie for fifth at the 2013 Royal Canadian Junior Girls Golf Championship in Pickering.

“It is great to see our Team Ontario members being recognized in their own communities for their achievements – for activities both on and off the golf course,” said Mary Ann Hayward, GAO Manager of Sport Performance. “We know they all excel in golf and it is great that they are getting the recognition against other elite athletes in their communities.  Hopefully this brings recognition to golf as sport for other young athletes in the area, as well as greater recognition to our GAO player development programs.  I think it is even better that they are getting recognized for non-golf related attributes – be it academics, leadership or volunteering. It speaks to the well roundedness of the individual, which is something we value in the overall development of the athletes in our Team Ontario program.”

In addition to the WESPY Award, Getty has also been chosen as a finalist for the 2014 USGA-AJGA Presidents’ Leadership Award. The AJGA, in conjunction with the USGA, annually awards select boys and girls who exemplify the spirit of volunteerism, charity, and leadership.

Getty is currently attending Kingsville High School and has verbally committed to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for 2015.

TORONTO— One of the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) own was honoured on April 10 at Sport Alliance Ontario’s annual Ontario Sports Awards. Past GAO President Liz Hoffman, from Thornhill, Ont., was awarded the 2013 Syl Apps Volunteer Achievement Award at the ceremony held at the Toronto Airport Marriott.

The award, named after the former NHLer and Canadian pole-vaulting champion, recognizes volunteers who have contributed to the development of sport throughout the province.

To be eligible for the award, the recipient has to have made strides for one or more organizations for a minimum of 10 years, by promoting the sport, having a history of involvement as an athlete, coach official or administrator, or by building or developing sport. Nominations for the award are submitted by Provincial Sport Organizations.

Hoffman has been involved in golf since she was young. As an athlete, she captured both the Ontario and Quebec junior amateur championships and went on to be a member of the national team.

She joined the GAO as a volunteer in 2007, while she served as the Athletics Director for the University of Toronto. She went on to become president of the GAO in 2009 serving on numerous committee’s such as: Hall of Fame, Scholarship, Governance, and Finance, while also chairing the Sport Development Committee and volunteering as a tournament official at championships across Ontario.

Hoffman helped in the launch of Junior Golf Development Centres, which provide developmental pathways and coaching support for juniors, while providing guidance in securing provincial grants to help fund new programs. Currently, Hoffman is a board member with Golf Canada and Chair of both the Human Resources and Sport Development Committees.

The Ontario Sport Awards Program was formally established in 1975, but started in 1965 with honouring sport achievements. Since that time the province has provided an awards program that has recognized thousands of amateur athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and sponsors who support the Ontario sport system. The awards program is a gala event hosted by the Government of Ontario and is a celebration of excellence.

UXBRIDGE, ON— It is going to be a family affair for the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) entry in the 2014 combined event in Lima, Peru: The Manuel Prado Cup (Team) and Carlos Raffo A. Cup (Individual), April 20-26. This year the GAO will be represented by Dave Bunker, who will be playing in this event for the sixth time, and his son-in-law Michael Rutgers, who will make his first appearance.

Bunker, 47, who ranked second in the GAO’s Mid-Am Order of Merit standings, for 2013, resides in Woodbridge and is a member at the Brampton Golf Club. He has won many Ontario Championships including: the 2008 Amateur; 2003 and 2010 Match Play; 2007 and 2010 Mid-Amateur; 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012 Mid-Master; and 2009 and 2010 Public Player. His best finish in Peru was in 2007 when he finished second in the individual competition and in 2010 when his team finished seventh. He will no doubt be looking to atone for last year when he was disqualified for signing a wrong scorecard.

“I wasn’t very happy last year, having to DQ myself after the first round. It was a long way to travel for that to happen. So, I’m looking forward to having some good things happen this year,” said Bunker. “This event is a really nice way to begin the competitive season. The golf course is a very strong test and the players are treated first class in every aspect during the tournament week.”

With the late start to the season, Bunker knows it is difficult to establish performance goals for the event, but he still has an idea of what he would like to achieve. “I guess I’d say I’d like us string together as many quality shots as possible and see where that takes our rounds. If both of us could manage to finish in the top 15 and we could get the team into the top five, then I think that would be a good week.”

As for Rutgers, 29, he was selected for the competition after the top-ranked Mid-Am declined the invitation. He was the third ranked 2013 Mid-Am in the province. He resides in Windsor and is a member of Erie Shores Golf and Country Club. Rutgers is a former pro that got his amateur status back before the 2013 season and went on to finish second at the Mid-Am last season. For Rutgers, it is all about taking advantage of the opportunity.

“I consider the opportunity to represent Ontario in Peru a privilege and am very excited to head to South America for the first time,” said Rutgers. “It will be a fun and great experience not only to visit a foreign country but also to compete against some of the best amateurs in the world.”

Rutgers is not only excited about the opportunity but also with the fact that he will be playing with his father-in-law. “Playing with Dave is always a great experience. We always enjoy playing together, competitive rounds included. Dave has prepped me for Peru as best he can, offering his own personal experiences, hints and tips for managing the course. He is an excellent resource and always ready to help me prepare. Also, knowing that he has been there before is comforting, being that this will be my first time playing in this particular tournament.”

“I think we’ll make a great team,” said Bunker. “We have played together many, many times and know each others’ games as well as we know our own.”

The event, sanctioned by the Peruvian Golf Federation, is hosted by the Lima Golf Club and has been running since 1988. The tournament is open to players with three or less handicaps and draws amateur golfers from all across the Americas and Europe. The players will have two practice rounds (April 21-22) before the first of the four rounds begins on April 23.

The team competition takes the two members scores over the four days and the lowest aggregate is the winner. For the individual competition, the lowest score after 72 holes is declared the winner.

For more information on the event or for round by round results see: www.limagolfclub.ore.pe.

By Brent Long

Imagine being a 12-year-old and landing your very first job washing golf carts at a nine-hole course in Kemptville, Ont. Well, that’s where it all began as Henry Brunton discovered a passion for golf at Rideau Glen Golf Club that drove him to become a world-leader in coaching, education and junior golf development.

Brunton took his thirst for learning to nearby Rideau View Country Club as a young assistant working for PGA of Canada Head Professional Paul Sherratt, then to the University of Ottawa where he earned a Bachelor degree in Physical Education and has never stopped reading, learning, teaching, coaching and mentoring others.

Over the years, Brunton has picked up many awards as he has been on the leading edge of golf development for more than 25-years. However, Brunton was deeply touched earlier this year when he picked up the PGA of Canada Tex Noble Award, for Professional Development at a presentation ceremony during Canada Night at the PGA 2014 Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL.

“I only knew Tex Noble as a pen pal of sorts. I never met him in person. As an apprentice at Rideau View, I had to fill out my progress reports at the end of each year and submit them to Tex, who was the Education Director for the PGA of Canada at the time,” Brunton says of the process that went on for five years. “From the comments that I got back from him, I could tell he was a gentleman who genuinely read the reports and provided positive feedback and encouragement. For me it was very stimulating to read his comments, so to receive an award with his name on it is very gratifying.” In 2009, Henry was named National Junior Leader of the Year by the Canadian PGA.

Fast forward to 2014 and Brunton is still turning pages and heads. Anyone who has followed Brunton’s career knows he published, “Journey to Excellence” in 2009 and “High Performance Golf” in 2012. What you probably don’t know is that booth books have been translated into Chinese and will be released next month in China – which is sure to increase his international exposure.

Also on the horizon is a trip to Australia is September to make presentations at the World Scientific Congress of Golf and the Australian PGA Coaching Summit.

Before that www.collegegolfplacement.com will be launched by Henry Brunton Golf as a consulting service for young golfers and their parents from around the world who are looking for guidance when it comes to pursuing and NCAA golf scholarship. The focus is to work with 12 to 17-year-olds as they move along the pathway and to highlight their accomplishments and videos on the site for NCAA coaches to review.

On the U.S. front, Brunton is expecting his VISA any day now, which would also allow him to set up shop in the United States. He’s also been contracted by several American PGA Sections to make professional development presentations later this year and into 2015. Brunton’s partnership with Dr. Rick Jensen from Boca Raton, FL., also continues to grow as they will announce up to 12 seminars for LPGA and PGA golf teachers and coaches across the US for 2014, including at least one in Canada for the very first time.

On the home front, Henry Brunton Golf continues to flourish with a wide selection of programs for both adults and junior golfers at Eagles Nest GC and Bathurst Glen GC, near Toronto, with winter programs conducted at The Metro Golf Dome & The Golf Lab and at the PGA Center for Learning and Performance in Port St. Lucie, FL. This spring, Brunton, a PGA of Canada Master Professional, will also assume duties as National Spokesman for the National Golf Course Owners’ Association Canada Kids Play Golf initiative to increase awareness around the sport and point children and parents to local PGA of Canada professionals for learning opportunities.

It all goes to show that you should never under estimate a youngster with passion who is working in the back shop cleaning golf carts or taking his first lesson with a PGA of Canada member – that passion could change the world as we know it!

Without the Volunteers who give their time for the love of the game we would have no tournament golf in the province of Ontario.

I remember playing in my first GAO event several years ago so nervous and somewhat disorientated that I had arrived at the first tee to tee off but my tee off was the 10th tee and it was now. The nice volunteer realizing I had made an honest mistake quickly grab a golf cart and delivered me several hundred yards to the tenth. I arrived just in time to hit my drive without a penalty. Could you imagine what the outcome would have been if I had of missed my tee time it may have been the end of competitive golf for an embarrassed young man.

Thanks for the time you take, one day it will be my time to be the volunteer.
– LARRY COPPER

I cannot say thank you enough to all the volunteers for the GAO golf tournaments. We would not have any tournaments without their help. To take a day off either work or retirement just to volunteer at one of our golf tournaments is certainly an unselfish act.

I know many of the players go out of their way to thank the volunteers for their efforts. Thank you very much for making tournament golf a reality for the many competitive golfers across Ontario.
– LARS MELANDER

Thank you to all GAO Volunteers! Your dedication and hard work are instrumental in everything we do. I’m so lucky to have met so many of you over the years and in turn developed great friendships. Thank you all for being such great teammates over the years!
– KYLE MCFARLANE

Thank you to your rules official at silver lakes g.c. during the mid am qualifier last year.
In 2004 I was involved in a car wreck with a drunk driver … this incident left me with many injuries … some that will remain with me forever. I was an avid golfer who just loves the game.  my balance was affected due to the head injury I suffered in 2004 … after years of working with a team of dr’s I wanted to try to return to the game I loved so very dearlyand missed so very very much. Golf is hard for a person who has suffered a brain injury.

There is so much going on during a round of golf that many take for granted. I hit a driveon the 14th down the right side almost O.B. landing in casual water … my playing partners thought I should drop in one area …  a rules official came up and said that was not correct… drop here to get relief from the casual water. I was very tired by the 14th … and not being able to quote the rules like I could prior to 2004. Your official saw that I was having trouble … I was upset … not mad just upset and having trouble with the situation.  He had a very calming influence on the me/the situation … my partners said drop here … no that is not giving you relief under the rules … please drop here.  this official’s interaction with me was a very positive one … that I will not forget.  My score that day was not a positive one but the time spent with your official was !!! Thank you so very much.
– LARRY

I have had the privilege of being named GAO volunteer of the year and Distinguished GAO volunteer of the year, but I still remember the first time I worked a qualifying site at Hamilton Golf & Country Club because it was the first time I met fellow volunteer, Dr. Bill Wilson.  I thought I had met a lot of (at that time OGA) volunteers, but I had never met Bill and we lived in the same city.  By the time I got to the course, Bill had everything under control, and if I remember correctly, everything went well.  Bill and I still work qualifying sites in our District together and there can’t be many more volunteers as knowledgeable and dedicated as Dr. Wilson.
-RUTH GILES

On behalf of the Golf Association of Ontario Handicapping & Course Rating department, we would like to thank our dedicated volunteers for the countless hours and effort they put in each year.

A typical year for our volunteers includes rating (on average) 70 courses per year with an estimated 170,000+ hours of assistance.

Our success as an organization depends on our volunteers. The selfless commitment and efforts of our raters is most certainly appreciated. We express our sincere gratitude to have such dedicated individuals conducting this work with the Golf Association of Ontario and Golf Canada.
– CRAIG, MARCUS and SHAUN

Thank you to all our Volunteers!  Each year I have the pleasure of working with volunteers at the club, district and provincial levels; your passion and dedication is truly amazing. Thank you!
– SANDY DAVIDSON

The GAO has a dedicated and experienced group of volunteers who make our extensive tournament schedule possible.  Thank you!
– DAVE COLLING

ODE TO OUR GAO VOLUNTEERS

Our GAO volunteers are second to none,
Without their help, our events wouldn’t get done,
From starters, to scorers, and of course, rules officials,
For GAO golfers, they are all so beneficial.

Many show up at the crack of dawn,
Many leave after the last player has gone,
They will wear black shirts in the heat of July,
And still greet players with a big smile and “Hi”.

The selfless gift of time and support,
They do so much to help our sport,
Lending a helping hand to golfers here,
Day after day, and year after year.

So, in honour of National Volunteer Week,
Let this be the time, that we players speak,
We are so very indebted to all GAO volunteers,
And thank you sincerely, as a new season nears.
– Mary Ann Hayward