LA QUINTA, Calif. – Four Canadians secured their place on the Web.com Tour for the 2014 season after 108 holes of play at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif., on Tuesday.

Nick Taylor of Abbottsford, B.C., Albin Choi of Toronto, Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., and Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont., all finished inside the top 45 to ensure full playing status through to the second periodic re-order of the Web.com Tour’s 2014 season.

Former world amateur No. 1, Nick Taylor, finished as low Canadian in a tie for 11th after a 5-under 67 final round Tuesday. Taylor finished the 108 marathon at 19-under par and will be a rookie on the Web.com Tour in 2014 after finishing in seventh place on PGA TOUR Canada’s Order of Merit in 2013.

Roger Sloan will make a return back to the Tour after matching the low round of qualifying school with a 9-under 63. Sloan finished in a tie for 15th at 17-under par and will look to improve on last year’s rookie season.

Albin Choi and Cam Burke – both former Team Canada members – also punched their tickets to the Tour. Choi who started 2013 with no playing status on any professional circuit finished in a tie for 15th alongside Sloan after 2-under 70, while Burke carded an even-par 72 to finish in a tie for 22nd.

All four players will earn playing status as Category 4a members for the 2014 season. Each player will be exempt until the second periodic re-order of the 2014 season.

Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C., Devin Carrey of Surrey, B.C, Derek Gillespie of Oshawa, Ont., and Montreal’s Yohann Benson will each receive conditional status as Category 18 members for finishing inside the top 100. Riley Wheeldon will also play on the Web.com Tour in 2014 after finishing No. 2 on PGA TOUR Canada’s Order of Merit.

Zack Fisher of Texas claimed medalist honours after firing a 8-under 64 to finish at 31-under for the tournament. Fisher will be fully exempt for the entire 2014 season.

Full scores for the 11 Canadians in the field this week are below. For more information on the qualifying breakdown, click here.

Final Canadian Scores at Web.com Final Qualifying

Category 4a: Players finishing after the tenth and ties position through forty-fifth and ties position – exempt until the second periodic re-order of the 2014 season.

T11. Nick Taylor, Abbottsford, B.C. (-19) 69-70–72-67-68-67–413
T15. Albin Choi, Toronto, Ont. (-17) 69-71–67-69-69-70–415
T15. Roger Sloan, Merritt, B.C. (-17) 68-70–72-70-72-63–415
T22. Cam Burke, New Hamburg, Ont. (-16) 67-72–67-69-69-72–416

Category 18: Players after the forty-fifth and ties position – conditional status for the 2014 season, alternating with seventy-sixth through one hundredth (76-100) positions from the Web.com Tour Regular Season.

T56. Justin Shin, Maple Ridge, B.C. (-10) 64-74–73-69-72-70–422
T56. Devin Carrey, Surrey, B.C. (-10) 68-71–71-73-70-69–422
T67. Derek Gillespie, Oshawa, Ont. (-9) 71-67–72-67-75-71–423
T95. Yohann Benson, Montreal, Que. (-4) 73-74–70-71-69-71–428

For complete scoring from Web.com Tour Final Qualifying, click here.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., and Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., have been recognized as Canada’s top male and female amateur golfers as Golf Canada announced the final standings on the 2013 National Order of Merit, presented by Under Armour.

On the men’s side, Conners, a member of Team Canada’s National Squad, is one of Canada’s top ranked amateur golfers at No. 41 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Conners’ breakout season was highlighted by a second place finish at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and semi-final appearance at the U.S. Amateur Championship. As a junior at Kent State University, he also notched a slew of top-10 finishes in NCAA action. In addition, the Listowel, Ont., native made an appearance at the PGA TOUR’s RBC Canadian Open and posted a third place finish at the prestigious Monroe Invitational.

Rounding out the next three spots on the Men’s Order of Merit were Team Canada National Squad member’s Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., while Charlie Hughes of Langley, B.C., finished the 2013 season in fifth place.

On the women’s side, Henderson, 16, sits as the No. 9 ranked female amateur in the world. In 2013, the Team Canada member captured three titles, including the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, the South American Amateur Championship and the CN Future Links Pacific Championship. On the professional stage, the Smiths Falls, Ont., native recorded two top-3 finishes on the CN Canadian Women’s Tour, a T35 finish at the LPGA’s Manulife Financial Classic and made an appearance at the CN Canadian Women’s Open. In addition, at only 15 years of age, Henderson finished T59 at the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open – an LPGA major and premier world event.

Rounding out the top-five in the women’s national rankings were the city of Québec’s Anne-Catherine Tanguay, Soobin Kim of Coquitlam, B.C., and Team Canada’s Augusta James of Bath, Ont., alongside her teammate Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont.

In the junior divisions, Kevin Kwon, 18, of Maple Ridge, B.C., and Henderson finished atop the CN Future Links Junior Boys and Junior Girls National Order of Merit respectively, to earn the distinction as Canada’s top junior golfers in 2013.

In 2013, Kwon captured the Canadian Junior Boys Championship by five strokes and won the season-opening CN Future Links Pacific event. Kwon also captured two gold medals at the Canada Summer Games – winning individually and also as a member of Team BC. His season was also highlighted by a T13 finish at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and a fourth place finish at the B.C. Men’s Amateur Championship.

Hugo Bernard of Mont-St-Hilaire, Qué., finished in second on the CN Future Links Order of Merit, while Étienne Papineau of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., finished in third. Ontario native’s Joseph Kremer of Toronto and Tony Gil of Vaughan, Ont., rounded out the top-5.

Alongside Henderson’s amateur honours, she also captured the CN Future Links National Junior Girls Order of Merit. Maddie Szeryk of Allen, Texas, finished second in the standings after her 14-stroke victory over Henderson at the Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship. Team Canada Development Squad members, Valérie Tanguay of St-Hyacinthe, Que., Taylor Kim of Surrey, B.C. and Jaclyn Lee of Calgary rounded out the top-5.

The following are the Top 10 on the Men’s and Women’s 2013 National Orders of Merit presented by Under Armour:

Men’s Amateur – Top 10

1. Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.) 5,935.00
2. Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.) 4,912.50
3. Garrett Rank (Elmira, Ont.) 2,930.38
4. Adam Svensson (Surrey, B.C.) 2,295.80
5. Charlie Hughes (Langley, B.C.) 2,173.02
6. Chris Hemmerich (Kitchener, Ont.) 2,054.42
7. Riley Fleming (Airdrie, AB) 1,902.25
8. Kevin Carrigan (Victoria, B.C.) 1,850.00
9. Stephane Dubois (Victoria, B.C.) 1,850.00
10. Kevin Kwon (Maple Ridge, B.C.) 1,355.47

 Women’s Amateur – Top 10

1. Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.) 6,069.38
2. Anne-Catherine Tanguay (Québec, Que.) 4,257.25
3. Soobin Kim (Coquitlam, B.C.) 3,892.50
4. Augusta James (Bath, Ont.) 3,290.83
5. Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.) 3,196.44
6. Jennifer Ha (Calgary, Ont.) 2,699.44
7. Vivian Tsui (Markham, Ont.) 1,754.82
8. Taylor Kim (Surrey, B.C.) 1,619.32
9. Robyn Doig (Seaforth, Ont.) 1,539.87
10. Josée Doyon (Beauceville, Que.) 1,533.64

The National Men’s and Women’s Order of Merit presented by Under Armour recognize season-long achievements and were established to identify Canada’s top amateur golfers.

The following are the Top-10 on the CN Future Links Junior Boys and Junior Girls 2013 National Orders of Merit:

Junior Boys – Top 10

1. Kevin Kwon (Maple Ridge, B.C.) 3,185.00
2. Hugo Bernard (Mont-St-Hilaire, Que.) 3,022.50
3. Étienne Papineau (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.) 2,967.50
4. Joseph Kremer (Toronto, Ont.) 2,963.75
5. Tony Gil (Vaughan, Ont.) 2,927.50
6. Nicholas Ross (Dundas, Ont.) 2,908.00
7. Austin James (Bath, Ont.) 2,702.17
8. Matt Williams (Calgary, AB) 2,538.33
9. Josh Whalen (Napanee, Ont.) 2,360.50
10. Matthew Scobie (Ajax, Ont.) & Zach Anderson (Nanaimo, B.C.) 2,265.00

Junior Girls – Top 10

1. Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.)  8,035.83
2. Maddie Szeryk (Allen, Texas) 4,013.00
3. Valérie Tanguay (St-Hyacinthe, Que.) 3,998.00
4. Taylor Kim (Surrey, B.C.) 3,485.29
5. Jaclyn Lee (Calgary, AB) 3,372.50
6. Sabrine Garrison (Calgary, AB) 3,155.83
7. Michelle Kim (Surrey, B.C.) 3,103.33
8. Naomi Ko (Victoria, B.C.) 2,981.66
9. Alix Kong (West Vancouver, B.C.) 2,815.00
10. Annie Lacombe (Laval, Que.) 2,730.00

The CN Future Links Junior Boys and Girls National Order of Merit recognizes season-long achievements, and were established to identify Canada’s top junior golfers. For complete Order of Merit standings click here.

LA QUINTA, Calif. – The Canadian contingent continues to impress at Web.com Final Qualifying with three players sitting inside the top 15 with one round left to play in the 108 hole marathon at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif.

Cam Burke continued his strong play Monday, firing his fourth consecutive under-par round with a 3-under 69. The New Hamburg, Ont., native currently sits as the low Canadian in 11th place at 16-under par, a single stroke ahead of Toronto’s Albin Choi.

Choi soared up the leaderboard early in the day after turning the front-nine in 4-under 32, but suffered a double-bogey on par-3 13th to finish the fifth round in a tie for 12th after a 3-under 69.

Former World Amateur No. 1, Nick Taylor of Abbottsford, B.C., made another strong move in standings after carding a 4-under 68. Taylor currently sits in a tie for 14th at 14-under.

Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C., Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., and Derek Gillespie of Oshawa, Ont. all sit narrowly outside the top-45 heading into the final round in a tie for 52nd. Devin Carrey of Surrey, B.C., carded a 2-under 70 and is in a tie for 62nd after 90 holes.

Scott Pinckney of Utah regained the overall lead at 25-under-par after a 4-under 68 on Monday. Pinckney leads by two over Zack Fischer.

Full scores for the 11 Canadians in the field this week are below. The Canucks will look to finish inside the top-45 after 108 holes of play, which will give them exempt status until the Web.Com Tour’s second periodic re-order of the 2014 season. To see more on the qualifying breakdown, click here.

Canadian Scores after Round 5 of Web.com Final Qualifying

11. Cam Burke, New Hamburg, Ont. (-16) 67-72–67-69-69–344
T12. Albin Choi, Toronto, Ont. (-15) 69-71–67-69-69–345
T14. Nick Taylor, Abbottsford, B.C. (-14) 69-70–72-67-68–346
T52. Justin Shin, Maple Ridge, B.C. (-8) 64-74–73-69-72–352
T52. Roger Sloan, Merritt, B.C. (-8) 68-70–72-70-72–352
T52. Derek Gillespie, Oshawa, Ont. (-8) 71-67–72-67-75–352
T62. Devin Carrey, Surrey, B.C. (-7) 68-71–71-73-70–353
T98. Yohann Benson, Montreal, Que. (-3) 73-74–70-71-69–357
T127. Riley Wheeldon, Comox, B.C. (+3) 74-71–71-75-72–363
T127. Max Gilbert, St-Georges, Que. (+3) 73-74–74-72-70–363
T132. Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C. (+4) 73-70-75-73-73–364

For complete scoring from Web.com Tour Final Qualifying, click here.

CORAL SPRINGS, FL – Men and women from across the globe are set to tee-off in the opening rounds of the Dixie Amateur this week in southern Florida.

The women’s championship runs December 17-20 at Heron Bay Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla. Three Canadians are entered into the field including, Jenna Hague of Burlington, Ont., Claire Hernandez of Palgrave, Ont., and Kate Alty of Edmonton, Alta. The women’s championship will include a cut after 54 holes. Past champions of this prestigious title include LPGA stars Lexi Thompson (2007) and Vicky Hurst (2006).

Scoring and pairings for the Women’s Dixie Amateur can be found here.

On the men’s side, nine Canadians will contend for the amateur title December 19-22, 2013. The competition will be played over 72 holes at the Woodlands Golf Club in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Heron Bay Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla.

Headlining the list of the Canadians entered in the field is Team Canada’s Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur stroke-play medalist and Nicholas Ross of Dundas, Ont., who finished tied for the eighth at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

The men’s championship will be cut to the low 72 players and ties after 36 holes, with the final two rounds being contested at Heron Bay Golf Club. Past winners of the Men’s Dixie Amateur include, Brandt Snedeker (2003), Peter Uihlein (2010 & 2009), David Lingmerth (2007), and Hal Sutton (1979 & 1978).

Scoring and pairings for the Men’s Dixie Amateur can be found here.

Curtis Thompson and Isabelle Lendl are both set to defend their titles from the 2012 championship this week in Florida.

Canadians in the field at the Dixie Amateur

Men:
Garrett Rank, Elmira, Ont.
Nicholas Ross, Dundas, Ont.
Paolo Addona, Montreal, Que.
Jordan Bakhsh, New Market, Ont.
Alexis Gemme-Piacente, Montreal, Que.
Mario Vachon, Ste-Claire, Que.
Carl Pelletier, Pont-Rouge, Que.
Claude Pelletier, Donnacona, Que.
Tyler Pope-Ferguson, Amherstbury, Ont.
Nicholas Powell, Toronto, Ont.

Women:
Jenna Hague, Burlington, Ont.
Claire Hernandez, Palgrave, Ont.
Kate Alty, Edmonton, Alta.

Robert Ratcliffe, Team Canada’s Development Squad Coach, has come home with yet another award for his coaching efforts in the 2013 season. The announcement was made by the PGA of Canada on Thursday along with eight other distinct award recipients.

Ratcliffe was recognized with the ‘Ben Kern Coach of the Year’ award, and will be honoured on “Canada Night” in January at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. Each year, a national selection committee reviews application submissions for each award before deciding the year’s winners. The 2012 winner of the award was Jon Roy of Uxbridge, Ont.

Ratcliffe operates out of the Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community in Courtenay, B.C. and the Duncan Meadows Golf Club in Duncan, B.C. He also earned his third straight PGA of B.C. “Coach of the Year” award earlier this year. His 2013 season was highlighted by leading Team B.C. to all four gold medals at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Que. as well as a gold medal at the Copas de las America’s tournament in Miami, Fla.

To learn about the other PGA of Canada award recipients, click here.

Team Canada alumni in the hunt at Web.com Q School

Many former members of Team Canada are chasing their coveted Web.com Tour Cards this week at the PGA West in La Quinta, Calif. There are six alumni vying for one of top-45 spots that earn exempt status until the Tour’s periodic re-order of the 2014 season. There are two of six rounds still remaining, with the final taking place on Tuesday.

T13. Cam Burke, New Hamburg, Ont. (-13) 67-72–67-69–275
T16. Albin Choi, Toronto, Ont. (-12) 69-71–67-69–276
T23. Nick Taylor, Abbottsford, B.C. (-10) 69-70–72-67–278
T38. Justin Shin, Maple Ridge, B.C. (-8) 64-74–73-69–280
T128. Riley Wheeldon, Comox, B.C. (+3) 74-71–71-75–291
T128. Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C. (+3) 73-70-75-73–291

17th hole at Stadium. #finalstage #qschool http://t.co/TvKbjzEuHE

— Eugene Wong (@TheRealWongster) December 8, 2013

To see all Canadians in the field, click here.

To view the full leaderboard, click here.

Meet Naomi Ko of the Development Squad

Hometown: Victoria, B.C.
Age: 16

Q: What are some of your nicknames?
A: Nao, “Nuk-Nuk”

Q: What is your best golfing moment? (i.e. Tournament finishes, first eagle, hole in one etc..)
A: Hole-in-one at the AJGA Girl’s Championship in South Carolina (8^th hole)

Q: What is your worst golfing moment, and the lesson you learned from it?
A: Missing the cut by just one stroke. I need to always play it one shot at a time

Q: Who is in your dream foursome?
A: Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Inbee Park

Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: I am obsessed with Korean drama!

Q: Do you have a favourite athlete?
A: Yuna Kim (figure skater)

Q: What is the best thing about your hometown?
A: The Inner Harbour and the Butchart Garden

Q: Favourite type of shot to hit?
A: Fade with my 7 iron

Q: What is the most surprising thing in your golf bag?
A: My White Teddy Bear (pocket sized)!

Q: If you could have a walk-up song on the first tee box, what would it be?
A: “Emotions” – Mariah Carey

LA QUINTA, Calif. – With only 36 holes remaining at the final stage of Web.com qualifying, six Canadians sit inside the top-45 at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif.

Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont., continues to lead the Canadian contingent after firing a 3-under 69 on Sunday. His 13-under total trails Utah’s Scott Pinckney by eight strokes and leaves him in a tie for 13th.

Toronto’s Albin Choi carded his fourth consecutive under-par round after a 3-under 69 and currently sits 16th at 12-under par. Choi sits one stroke ahead of Oshawa, Ont., native Derek Gillespie, who fired a 5-under 67 to vault up the leaderboard Sunday.

Nick Taylor of Abbottsford, B.C., made the biggest move of the day for the Canadians after a 5-under 67 moved him up 19 spots into a tie for 23rd.

Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C., and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., also carded under-par rounds and both sit in a tie for 38th at 8-under par.

Full scores for the 11 Canadians in the field this week are below. The Canucks will look to finish inside the top-45 after 108 holes of play, which will give them exempt status until the Web.Com Tour’s second periodic re-order of the 2014 season. To see more on the qualifying breakdown, click here.

Canadian Scores after Round 4 of Web.com Final Qualifying

T13. Cam Burke, New Hamburg, Ont. (-13) 67-72–67-69–275
T16. Albin Choi, Toronto, Ont. (-12) 69-71–67-69–276
T17. Derek Gillespie, Oshawa, Ont. (-11) 71-67–72-67–277
T23. Nick Taylor, Abbottsford, B.C. (-10) 69-70–72-67–278
T38. Justin Shin, Maple Ridge, B.C. (-8) 64-74–73-69–280
T38. Roger Sloan, Merritt, B.C. (-8) 68-70–72-70–280
T65. Devin Carrey, Surrey, B.C. (-5) 68-71–71-73–283
T107. Yohann Benson, Montreal, Que. (E) 73-74–70-71–288
T128. Riley Wheeldon, Comox, B.C. (+3) 74-71–71-75–291
T128. Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C. (+3) 73-70-75-73–291
T135. Max Gilbert, St-Georges, Que. (+5)  73-74–74-72–293

For complete scoring from Web.com Tour Final Qualifying, click here.

LA QUINTA, Calif. – Two Canadians soared up the leaderboard at Web.com Final Qualifying on Saturday at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif.

Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont., snuck inside the top-15 after a 5-under 67 moved him up 12 spots the leaderboard at the midway point of the 108-hole marathon. Toronto’s Albin Choi also carded a 5-under 67 to leap into a tie for 16th at 9-under par for the tournament.

A handful of Canadians sit in good position after 54 holes including, Devin Carrey of Surrey, B.C., who carded a 1-under 71 to share 31st place alongside Derek Gillespie of Oshawa, Ont., and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C.

First round leader Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C., carded a 1-over 73 on Saturday to slip into a tie for 42nd with Abbottsford, B.C., native Nick Taylor.

Steve Saunders of Albuquerque, New Mexico currently holds the overall lead at 17-under 199 after a third round 5-under 67.

Full scores for the 11 Canadians in the field this week are below. The Canucks will look to finish inside the top-45 after 108 holes of play, which will give them exempt status until the Web.Com Tour’s second periodic re-order of the 2014 season. To see more on the qualifying breakdown, click here.

Canadian Scores after Round 3 of Web.com Final Qualifying

T12. Cam Burke, New Hamburg, Ont. (-10) 67-72–67–206
T16. Albin Choi, Toronto, Ont. (-9) 69-71–67–207
T31. Derek Gillespie, Oshawa, Ont. (-6) 71-67–72–210
T31. Roger Sloan, Merritt, B.C. (-6) 68-70–72–210
T31. Devin Carrey, Surrey, B.C. (-6) 68-71–71–210
T42. Nick Taylor, Abbottsford, B.C. (-5) 69-70–72–211
T42. Justin Shin, Maple Ridge, B.C. (-5) 64-74–73–211
T105. Riley Wheeldon, Comox, B.C. (E) 74-71–71–216
T111. Yohann Benson, Montreal, Que. (+1) 73-74–70–217
T122. Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C. (+2) 73-70-75–218
T139. Max Gilbert, St-Georges, Que. (+5)  73-74–74–221

For complete scoring from Web.com Tour Final Qualifying, click here.

LA QUINTA, Calif. – Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C. opened up his Web.com Tour Final Qualifying debut by firing a blazing 8-under par 64 at PGA West’s Nicklaus Tournament Course in La Quinta, Calif.

The former Team Canada alumni carded six birdies and an eagle in his a bogey-free round to finish the opening day atop the the 152 player leaderboard.

Shin enjoyed much success in 2013 as an amateur and a professional. Among his many accolades, the 22-year old finished 3rd at the Porter Cup and tied for 15th at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. As a pro, he competed in three PGA TOUR Canada events, where his best finish was a tie for 18th at the The Great Waterway Classic.

New Hamburg, Ont. native Cam Burke is tied for 8th after opening with a 4-under 68. Burke, 26, a two-time Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion (2008 & 2009), had six birdies and just a single blemish on the day – a bogey on the par-4 13th hole.

Devin Carrey of Surrey, B.C. and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C. are tied for 15th with a log-jam of players at 4-under par.

The 11 Canadians in the field this week will look to finish inside the top-45 after 108 holes of play, which will give them exempt status until the Web.Com Tour’s second periodic re-order of the 2014 season. To see more on the qualifying breakdown, click here.

Canadian Scores after Round 1 of Web.com Final Qualifying

1. Justin Shin, Maple Ridge, B.C. (-8) 64
T8. Cam Burke, New Hamburg, Ont. (-5) 67
T15. Devin Carrey, Surrey, B.C. (-4) 68
T15. Roger Sloan, Merritt, B.C. (-4) 68
T30. Albin Choi, Toronto, Ont. (-3) 69
T30. Nick Taylor, Abbottsford, B.C. (-3) 69
T64. Derek Gillespie, Oshawa, Ont. (-1) 71
T103. Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C. (+1) 73
T103. Yohann Benson, Montreal, Que. (+1) 73
T103. Max Gilbert, St-Georges, Que. (+1)  73
T122. Riley Wheeldon, Comox, B.C. (+2) 74

For complete scoring from Web.com Tour Final Qualifying, click here.

Last week the USGA and R&A announced the new changes to the 2014-2015 Decisions on the Rules of Golf book.  In total, 87 changes were implemented into the new Decisions book, set to release on January 1^st, 2014.  To read more about the notable changes, please read last week’s article here on what was updated.

The 2014-2015 Decisions on the Rules of Golf book is now available for pre-order on Golf Canada’s e-store.  The book will be shipped in January 2014, in time to brush up on your rules knowledge for the golf season.

Along with the Decisions on the Rules of Golf book, our e-store offers many different publications to learn more about the game of golf.

The 2012-2015 Rules of Golf book outlines the 34 rules to adhere to while golfing.  The Definitions sections give clarity to the terms which form the foundation around the Rules of golf.  The Appendix sections at the end of the Rules Book further explain anything from Local Rules to the specifications of the clubs and the ball.

Local Rules can vary based on the golf course and only be implemented at certain times, but all must abide by the Rules of Golf.  A common local rule that may be in effect golf courses that haven’t been hit by snow yet this year, is “Preferred Lies” and “Winter Rules”.  Not to be confused with Rule 25 (Abnormal Conditions, Embedded Ball, and Wrong Putting Green), adverse conditions are consistent around the course and temporary in nature.  To promote fair play and protect the course, the Local Rule is recommended: “A ball lying on a closely-mown area through the green may be lifted, without penalty, and cleaned.  Before lifting the ball, the player must mark its position.  Having lifted the ball, he must place it on a spot within of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, that is not a hazard and not on a putting green.”

The Rules of Golf book is an important tool to keep in your golf bag.  In addition to the Decisions and Rules book, golf is a game of integrity and to display respect for your fellow competitors.  The Easy Guide to the Etiquette and Rules of Golf is perfect for someone new to the game or those who are experienced and may want a quick reference on how to proceed on some of the more common rules of the game.

The Golf Canada Handicap Manual is the comprehensive guide to the rules and regulations of the handicap system. The book is essential for every club handicap committee.

Golf Canada’s e-store provides many books to become an expert in the Rules of the game.  If these books intrigue you to learn more about the game, begin your online Rules Education here.

As always, our ‘Ask an Expert’ tool can be utilized and accessed via our website, where we would be happy to answer your Rules-related inquiries.

For more information, please consult our Rules of Golf publications – for purchase in Golf Canada’s eStore, or at your local book retailer.

Brooke Henderson grabs gold medal at Spirit International

Playing for Team Canada alongside Development Squad members Jaclyn Lee, Tony Gil and Étienne Papineau, Henderson held on to defeat France’s Mathilda Cappeliez by a stroke in the individual competition of The Spirit Invitational.

Currently ranked No. 9 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, Henderson, 16, finished the tournament at 13-under.

On the men’s side, Tony Gil, 15, grabbed a bronze medal in his debut performance as a member of Team Canada’s Development Squad.

As a team, Canada finished in solo eighth at 15-under 418 for the championship, 18 strokes behind Team USA, who took home team honours after firing 33-under over 54 holes.

Svensson’s fall season concludes at Barry University

Last week marked the end of the fall schedule for Adam Svensson, a sophomore at Barry University. Svensson currently sits as the No. 6 ranked player in Division II by Golfstat after finishing T14 at the McDonough Cup last week.

The 19-year-old had an outstanding fall season at Barry, notching back-to-back victories at the Brickyard Intercollegiate and the Guy Harvey Invitational to begin the season.

Heading into the winter break, the Surrey, B.C., native currently sits as the third highest ranked Canadian amateur in the world at No. 68 and continues to impress in the collegiate ranks for the Buccaneers.

Tanguay lifts Sooners to season-ending victory

AC Tanguay’s fifth place finish helped lift the Oklahoma Sooners to their first team victory of the season recently at the Alamo Invitational.

Tanguay, a senior at Oklahoma, carded rounds of 69-71-72 to finish at 4-under for the tournament. The fifth place finish was Tanguay’s best of the year, after posting three top-30 finishes to kick off her final year at Oklahoma.

Hemmerich repeats as OUA Champion

Chris Hemmerich captured his second straight OUA Championship title after firing rounds of 69-69 (-4) at Grey Silo Golf Club.

The National Squad member was the only player to break par in the championship and earned himself OUA Athlete of the Week honours after successfully defending his title.

Valérie Tanguay sets record at CCAA Championship

For the second straight year Valérie Tanguay captured the individual title at the CCAA Championship for Champlain St. Lawrence.

Tanguay, a member of the Development Squad, carded rounds of 67-71-73 to finish at 5-under for the championship.

Her 211 total, left her 14 strokes clear of the nearest competitor and set a new CCAA Championship scoring record.

Alumni Watch – Albin Choi rolls through First Stage of Web.com QSchool

Recent Team Canada graduate Albin Choi of Toronto, soared through the PGA TOUR’s first stage for Web.com TOUR recently in North Carolina.

Choi, 22, fired rounds of 68-72-74-73 to finish in 13th place with a 1-under 287 total. Choi was on of 32 to players to advance through to Stage II from the North Carolina qualifying site.