TORONTO (June 17, 2024) – Golf Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Team Canada men’s golf athletes nominated to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The women’s golf athletes will be announced at a later date. The two male athletes are:

Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.)
Nick Taylor (Abbottsford, B.C.)

The two athletes qualified for Team Canada based on their standing on the Official World Golf Rankings at the close of the Olympic qualification period following the completion of the US Open on Sunday, June 16, 2024.  At the close of the Paris 2024 men’s qualification period, Taylor sits 35th on the Official Golf World Ranking and Conners is 37th.

The two-year Olympic qualification period for men’s golf featured an exciting competition among Canada’s top-ranked male golfers, which ramped up in recent weeks and came down to the wire as the athletes worked to earn their spot on Team Canada through their respective results on the PGA TOUR and other global golf competitions.

Taylor will make his Olympic debut at Paris 2024. The 36-year-old is a four-time winner on the PGA TOUR, including a historic win at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open to become the first Canadian in nearly 70 years to capture Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. With that win, he became the only Canadian male golfer to win the Canadian Junior (2006), Canadian Amateur (2007) and Canadian Open (2023) Championships. Taylor is a graduate of Golf Canada’s National Team Program, and has represented Canada at the World Amateur Team Championship (2008) and World Cup (2018). Taylor’s 2024 season includes three top-10 finishes, highlighted by a victory at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open to lock in his Olympic spot.

“The opportunity to represent my country at the Olympics has been a huge goal of mine for many years,” said Taylor. “To see the news become official today is quite humbling and surreal. I’m excited to get to Paris to compete, proudly wear the Maple Leaf, and soak in what I know will be an incredible experience.”

Conners will make his second Olympic appearance after finishing 13th at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. A T9 finish at the US Open this past weekend helped vault the 32-year-old up nine positions on the Official World Golf Ranking to secure his spot at Paris 2024. He is a two-time PGA TOUR winner (2019 and 2023 Valero Texas Open) who has earned nine top-25 results this season including a solo sixth place finish at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open. Also a graduate of Golf Canada’s National Team Program and past member of the Presidents Cup International Team (2022), Conners has represented Canada on numerous occasions, including the World Amateur Team Championship in 2012 and 2014.  

“It is going to be a huge honour to represent Canada alongside all the other athletes,” said Conners. “It was a big goal of mine to make the team again this year and I can’t wait to get to Paris.”

Taylor and Conners will look to become the first Canadian to win an Olympic golf medal since George Lyon’s gold medal at St. Louis 1904. Canada’s best finishes in men’s golf since the sport returned to the Olympics in 2016 were a 13th place finish for Conners (Tokyo 2020) and a 20th place finish for Graham DeLaet (Rio 2016). 

Golf Canada’s Director of High-Performance Emily Phoenix praised the athletes for their determination through the qualification period to see their Olympic dreams become a reality.

“Nick and Corey, along with all of the Canadian players have shown a great deal of perseverance throughout the qualification period which shows how much representing Canada at the Olympics means to the athletes. The depth of Canadian talent right now in the professional game is significant and we look forward to sending a strong team to represent Canada in Paris.”

The men’s golf tournament at Paris 2024 will take place August 1 – August 4 (Days 6 – 9) at Le Golf National.

‘’Congratulations to our two Team Canada golfers who are perfectly in the swing for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games! Thanks to their meticulous preparation, these athletes are attacking challenges with impressive drive. Their patience, technical mastery, and calm under pressure place them at the pinnacle of their performance. They demonstrate that hard work and passion lead to the realization of our dreams,‘’ said Bruny Surin, Team Canada’s Paris 2024 Chef de Mission.

Team Canada’s men’s golf team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also includes the following caddies and support staff:

Caddies & Support Staff
Emily Phoenix (Calgary, Alta.) – Team Leader
David Markle (Shelburne, Ont.) – Caddie for Nick Taylor
Danny Sahl (Sherwood, Alta.) – Caddie for Corey Conners  

The qualification period for selecting Team Canada’s two female athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympic golf competition ends on Sunday, June 23. 

Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.

The latest Team Canada Paris 2024 roster can be found here.

RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bryan Crawford will be leaving the organization as he has accepted the role of Commissioner with the Ontario Hockey League.

“Bryan has played an instrumental role in the growth of the RBC Canadian Open into one of Canada’s signature sport properties and we are extremely appreciative of his contributions over the past six years as Tournament Director,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Bryan is a talented and dynamic sports executive who has made a wonderful impact on our team and our National Men’s Open Championship during his time with Golf Canada. He is well positioned for continued success in leading the Ontario Hockey League.”  

Since joining Golf Canada in 2018, Crawford has been leading force in the continued elevation and commercial growth of the RBC Canadian Open, which has become a festival experience featuring world-class golf, music and food experience. Crawford has also worked with the PGA TOUR’s Tournament Advisory Council, serving most recently as its Vice-Chair. A former member of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club, Crawford has previously worked in leadership positions with Basketball Canada and Ontario University Athletics (OUA).

Dublin, Ohio, USA – Adam Hadwin has qualified for The 152 Open at Royal Troon through the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday.
 
The Memorial Tournament was the seventh event in the Open Qualifying Series and took place at Muirfield Village.
 
The Canadian was the leading player in the field not already exempt, finishing in third place at 4-under.
 
The next events in the Open Qualifying Series are the KOLON Korea Open and the KLM Open taking place from 20-23 June.

During a challenging Sunday at Muirfield Village, where only a few players managed to score below par, Hadwin quickly climbed the leaderboard with three birdies in his first seven holes. This brought him within striking distance of the 54-hole leader, Scottie Scheffler. However, Scheffler ultimately edged out Collin Morikawa by one stroke to claim his fifth win in eight starts.

In addition to punching his ticket to The Open, Hadwin’s chances of representing Team Canada at the Olympic Men’s Golf Competition in Paris this summer improved significantly. He jumped 24 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking, from No. 59 to No. 35, positioning himself as Canada’s second available spot with one week of qualification remaining.

At the last Olympics in Tokyo in 2021, Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes represented Canada in men’s golf. In 2016, it was David Hearn and Graham DeLaet. Becoming an Olympian is a notable achievement missing from Hadwin’s impressive resume.

Olympic golf qualification depends on the Official World Golf Ranking, which will be finalized after the U.S. Open next week. Nick Taylor is likely to secure the first spot, leaving Conners, Hadwin, Taylor Pendrith, and Hughes in contention for the second spot.

All five Canadians will compete next week at Pinehurst No. 2.

CALEDON, Ont. – A half-a-decade ago Laurence Applebaum and Chris Humeniuk first met, and they began working on a vision to build the new home for Canadian golf. Come 2025, not only with the family-founded and family-owned TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley fulfill that vision, but it will also become a first-time host of the RBC Canadian Open – something Humeniuk never once dreamed about.

“It’s such an incredibly exciting time that’s allowed us to lean into. We like to say we’re ‘built for this,’” Humeniuk said.

Roman and Jerry Humeniuk, Chris’ father and uncle, respectively, purchased Osprey Valley from its original owner almost three decades ago. Jerry passed away in 2020. They had always had plans for something bigger, but never did they plan for this, said Chris.

TPC Toronto is now a completely full-service venue for people who play golf and those who are merely golf-adjacent – small businesses looking to host staff days, wedding parties, and more – with its main clubhouse boasting multiple levels of modernity (and don’t skip on the hyper-local craft beer offerings or elevated comfort-food menu) while finely curated cabins and overnight accommodations are very much on their way.

Along with the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, too.

“We’re excited by the partnership we’ve formed with Golf Canada and the PGA Tour. These two partnerships helped us to elevate our own vision of what Osprey Valley might become,” said Humeniuk. “I never would have dreamed to be hosting the RBC Canadian Open on our property – but here we are talking about it.”

Next year’s edition of the Canadian Open will be contested on the renovated North Course. Long a host of other top-tier competitions, renowned Canadian golf-course architect Ian Andrew – along with the PGA Tour design services team – turned the North Course into a championship-calibre golf course that’s capable of challenging the best players in the world.

“I got to spend a couple of days at Hamilton and the energy around (that) event within the community out on the golf course is absolute fantastic. I couldn’t help but be inspired by what I was seeing and feeling – it was also sobering to realize an event this size is now on the clock here at TPC Toronto,” Humeniuk said.

“We’ve put together a first-class team here and I know we have a wonderful partner in the town of Caledon looking forward to hosting the event here.”

Applebaum, the CEO of Golf Canada, said it was “so pleasing after so many years” to finally be at a place where they could let out the great secret that the 2025 Canadian Open was coming to TPC Toronto. Last week’s event at Hamilton, Applebaum said, had a global television audience of over 1-billion households. It was the most-attended Canadian Open of all time. 

Applebaum recalled fondly when he met with Jim Nantz – the iconic CBS broadcaster – last weekend at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, and when Nantz began to ask him about TPC Toronto, that’s when he knew it was real.

It’s extra special, Applebaum explained, because while Hamilton, St. George’s Golf and Country Club, and Oakdale Golf and Country Club are storied Canadian venues that have provided Canadian golf fans with epic finishes to the Canadian Open the last three years, they are all private golf clubs.

TPC Toronto is, of course, completely public.

“It’s exactly what we’ve talked about an excessive amount of times – the opportunity for the public to be able to play the golf course that they’re going to see the best in the world play,” Applebaum said of the importance of having the Canadian Open at a public club. “Over the course of this whole year Chris’ golf courses are going to be played and he’ll get an incredible amount of feedback – and then they’ll watch the best in the world play it.

“It’s been a long time coming for a publicly accessible golf course to host the Canadian Open.”

Golf Canada and TPC Toronto’s special relationship is just underway. In July 2022 the two entities announced a partnership to build a new Home of Canadian Golf. Golf Canada’s offices are moving there along with First Tee – Canada (including an accessible 18-hole community putting course and next generation high-performance training amenities) plus Golf Ontario and the Club Management Association of Canada.

“We’re not only going to be guests, but this will be home as well,” Applebaum said.

Teeing it up at TPC Toronto this summer not only means just golf – it’s clubhouse also features a few fun Canadian Golf Hall of Fame exhibits including the green hoodie Adam Hadwin wore when he got tackled at the 2023 Canadian Open (along with the cork from the champagne bottle!) – but a sneak peek at where some of the best in the world will also play next year.

A video was put together to help with the announcement becoming official-official. The first time Humeniuk saw it he admitted he got so emotional he had to leave his office and go for a walk.

“I don’t know if I’d ever dare dreamed that this event would be coming here. I’m not sure if it’s sunk in yet,” he said. “I don’t know if I can put it into words what it all means.”

theScore BET to Continue as Exclusive Official Gaming Partner of Canada’s Premier Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships

TORONTO (May 29, 2024) — PENN Entertainment (“PENN” or the “Company”) announced today that it has reached an agreement with Golf Canada on a multi-year extension for theScore BET to continue as the organization’s exclusive Official Gaming Partner. The partnership includes sponsorship of Canada’s marquee national golf championships, the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open.

The agreement provides theScore BET with access to activate across Golf Canada’s high-profile events and large digital footprint. Over the last three years since the partnership commenced, theScore BET has created unique and highly engaging on-course activations across Golf Canada events, including theScore BET Skyline Seats, Hole Zero and the Greenside Lounge.

“Golf Canada has been a tremendous partner over the last three years, and we are extremely pleased to extend our relationship,” said Jason Birney, VP of Operations, PENN Interactive. “The RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open are foundational, best-in-class events that we’re proud to align theScore BET brand with. Through our sponsorship and creative on-site activations, we look forward to providing golf fans with unique and memorable experiences in the years ahead.”

“We are thrilled to have theScore BET continue as Golf Canada’s Official Gaming Partner,” said Craig Sharp, Golf Canada’s Senior Director, Partnerships. “theScore BET has consistently elevated the spectator experience at our National Open Championships and we look forward to integrating their innovative and exciting fan engagements as we continue our partnership.”

The deal provides theScore BET with access to digital marketing opportunities around both tournaments and through Golf Canada’s database. The 2024 RBC Canadian Open takes place this week at Hamilton Golf and Country Club and theScore BET will be on site with its popular Members Lounge located in The Rink at the 13th hole. The Members Lounge offers theScore BET account holders access to a reserved space with amenities and great views of the course.

The 2025 RBC Canadian Open will take place at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. and the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will take place at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

About theScore BET
theScore BET, a wholly owned subsidiary of PENN Entertainment (Nasdaq: PENN), is a natively built mobile Sportsbook and Casino product available in Ontario. Available on mobile and desktop, theScore BET delivers an immersive and holistic mobile sports betting experience, including a comprehensive range of pregame and in-play bet types across all major sports leagues and events. It uniquely integrates with the company’s flagship media app, theScore, to provide a suite of cutting-edge features that seamlessly bring media and betting together in one ecosystem. theScore BET is regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and operates in Ontario pursuant to an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario. theScore BET is an RG Check accredited operator and is committed to making gaming safe and fun for its players.

Support from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport to enhance the three-night SiriusXM Concert Series happening onsite at Hamilton Golf and Country Club during the 113^th playing of
Canada’s National Open Championship

May 29, 2024 – Golf Canada is pleased to acknowledge and thank the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport for its funding support of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open intended to drive economic impact from an event focused specifically on a combination of tourism, culture, and sport.

The 2024 RBC Canadian Open runs May 28 to June 2 at the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ontario. One of Canada’s signature sporting events, Canada’s National Open Championship is the only Canadian stop on the PGA TOUR and has transformed into a weeklong, fan-focused festival experience—a kickoff to summer with world-class golf, as well as food and music experiences for event enthusiasts of all ages.

Funding for the 2024 RBC Canadian Open has enabled Golf Canada to invigorate the SiriusXM Concert Series happening onsite (May 30 through June 1) at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club by adding a third-night of concerts, featuring an all-Canadian artist lineup.

Dance music duo Loud Luxury and Toronto DJ Frank Walker will perform on Thursday, May 30; night two features Juno Award winners July Talk and Canadian legends Our Lady Peace on Friday, May 31; and Saturday, June 1 will be highlighted by award-winning singer, songwriter and philanthropist, Lindsay Ell and country music rising star Josh Ross.

“On behalf Golf Canada and everyone involved with the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, we are extremely appreciative of the incredible support received from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport,” said Golf Canada COO Garrett Ball. “The ministry’s funding support has been a major boost in the expansion of our now three-night SiriusXM Concert Series to deliver a truly immersive fan-festival experience onsite at Hamilton Golf and Country featuring an all-Canadian artist lineup.”  

The RBC Canadian Open is one of Canada’s signature sport properties and a major tourism sport festival having been named a finalist for the 2023 Sport Tourism Canada’s Event of the Year. The 2024 event, which is expected to draw more than 130,000 for the week, is a significant economic driver for the community and province generating more than $66M in economic impact within Ontario.

“The RBC Canadian Open is celebrated by fans from across the country and around the globe as a world-class showcase of excellence in golf,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “Our government is thrilled to support events like the RBC Canadian Open, which boost tourism, create jobs and deliver substantial economic benefits locally and provincewide.”

The RBC Canadian Open is a rallying point for Canadian golf—a sport which counts more than 6M active Canadian participants who in 2023 played more than 74M rounds of golf. In a recently released Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study, the sport of golf contributes a massive amount to Canada GDP at 23.2 billion ($8.0B in Ontario) and supporting 237,000 person-years of employment (80,500 in Ontario). Golf in Canada also supports $382M in charitable activities, accounts for $4.7B taxes paid to government ($1.7B in Ontario), and provides positive physical, social, and mental health benefits to Canadians in communities from coast to coast.

Today, Taylor Pendrith holds the distinction as a winner on the PGA TOUR but it was 10 years ago when he enjoyed his first taste of success against the best professional golfers in the world.

Competing as an amateur, the Kent State University senior shot a 65 on the first day of the 2014 RBC Canadian Open to sit in a tie for third spot after the opening round. The then 23-year-old relatively unknown amateur from Richmond Hill, Ont., spoke about his humble beginnings in the sport and his steady progression.

“I started when I was 12 and didn’t really have any aspirations to become a professional golfer,” he said after his eye-opening first round.

“When I was 15, I played in a smaller junior circuit and started to win and thought maybe I could move it to the next level. When I was 16 and 17 and started playing more competitive tournaments, then got recruited and went down to (Kent State) and then it kind of clicked,” recalled Pendrith who finished the 2014 RBC Canadian Open as the top amateur in the field.

Former high school teammate and Canadian National Team member Rebecca Lee-Bentham talks about Pendrith’s progression as a golfer since their high school days.

“It seemed like he played every sport in high school but I recall his main sports were actually hockey and baseball. I remember being on the co-ed volleyball team and the golf team together,” noted the former Bayview Secondary student and former LPGA Tour pro.

“Taylor ended up joining the same golf club as me and I started to see him practise and play a lot more in his last couple of years in high school. I guess you could say he was a bit of a late bloomer but over the years, I’ve seen him improve non-stop from high school golf to college golf and as a professional,” she continued.

“Taylor’s progression and success is a testament to his talent, hard work and love for the game. It’s honestly one of the most inspirational things to witness.”

Another important part of Pendrith’s journey which should be highlighted was seeing his Kent State University teammates and his fellow Canadian National Team members Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Conners make it onto the PGA TOUR.

Since winning the RSM Classic in Nov 2016, Hughes has been a regular on the PGA Tour.

In April of 2019, Conners won the Valero Texas Open and has since solidified his place as a rising star on the PGA TOUR. 

After graduating from Kent State University, he competed on the Mackenzie Tour and then advanced to play on the Korn Ferry Tour. In his second event, Pendrith recorded a fourth place finish but injuries would prevent him from enjoying continued success on the KFT and he would find himself back on the Mackenzie Tour.

“When I first advanced from the Mackenzie Tour I thought it was good. Obviously have seen my buddies go from there to the Korn Ferry Tour, win (on) the Korn Ferry Tour, come to the PGA TOUR, win (on) the PGA TOUR,” said Pendrith at the 2022 Presidents Cup referring to Hughes and Conners.

During the 2022 Presidents Cup, Conners spoke about their journeys to the PGA TOUR.

“It goes to show you we have a similar path and the National Team Program, Golf Canada, Herb Page at Kent State, they’ve led us on a great path. They’ve taught the right things. It’s really special to have shared the journey to professional golf with Taylor and have him out on the PGA TOUR now and to have him on the International Presidents Cup team,” said Conners.

Pendrith acknowledged his path to the PGA TOUR may have taken a little bit longer but he’s eager to show his potential now he’s injury free.

“My path took a little longer which I’m okay with.  Bouncing around, being hurt multiple times, there’s definitely some doubt. But to finally get there (on the PGA TOUR), I always kind of knew in the back of my mind if I was healthy, my game’s good enough to compete out here, and most of this year I showed that,” he pointed out.

“It’s been a rocky road but I don’t mind being 30-year-old rookie. It’s an honour to call yourself a PGA TOUR member and I think just makes it that much better that it took me a long time to get here and I’ve finally achieved it,” Pendrith added at the 2022 Presidents Cup.

The most notable achievement to date for Pendrith came at the beginning of this month when he became the first Canadian to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson since the tournament was established in 1944.

“I’m not a big history guy but Byron Nelson is a special name and for my name to be on that trophy is super special,” he said after making a clutch birdie putt on 18 to finish on top of the leaderboard by one stroke.

“It was a mix of emotions for sure with everything happening so fast. But I’m very happy that it did go in. Just tried to stay in my routine. Felt like my routine was really good this week, which I’ve been working on the last few weeks, so just did the same thing I did over every other putt,” added the talented Canadian golfer who is known for his power off the tee.

“It feels unbelievable and to see some of those names on this trophy it’s crazy.  I still can’t believe I’m a winner of this tournament.”

Pendrith has come a long way from the bright-eyed amateur who surprised many with his stellar opening round 10 years ago at the 2014 RBC Canadian Open.

Over the last decade, the married father of one has overcome challenges with injuries and has now solidified himself as a regular on the PGA TOUR – and also holds the distinction as a PGA TOUR winner.

Given his strong results recently, Pendrith, who will turn 33 later this month, appears to be peaking for homecoming and will be entering the RBC Canadian Open as one of the dark horses to hoist the historic trophy.

And what better way for Pendrith to celebrate his birthday than to have a strong showing in front of family and friends and be in contention for victory number two on the PGA TOUR – this time on Canadian soil.

OTTAWA – Jeff Calderwood has been part of the business side of Canada’s golf industry for three decades and even he admits the enthusiasm and excitement from the grass-roots level all the way up the game’s ladder has hit never-before-seen levels.

The latest Canadian Golf Economic Impact study was published Thursday, combined with a return to Parliament Hill for a half-dozen of the game’s key stakeholders for National Golf Day.

The buzz was back.

“(The numbers) were basically record highs. And everyone is in a fun mood,” said Calderwood, the CEO of Canada’s National Golf Course Owners Association and chairman of the National Allied Golf Association.

If Calderwood had to pick one key number it would be the bumped-up GDP figure – up 30 percent in the five years since the last Economic Impact Study was conducted in 2019 to just over $23 billion.

That figure is an “eye-opener” for politicians and the like, Calderwood explained, because of how positive it was.

“(The day on Parliament Hill) was the first one since the COVID-19 pandemic, which is meaningful in itself,” Calderwood said. “Golf is good for Canada. It’s good for Canadians.”

Calderwood, as the leader of a collection of small business owners, is quick to point out that while the golf industry is in a good place that’s “not to be confused with Easy Street.” Nothing’s easy when it comes to small business.

“There are so many people who work in this industry, including myself, who don’t really understand the tangential opportunity and business that exists within golf,” said Suzanne Godbehere, the CEO of the Club Management Association of Canada. “There is the economic side of things and the people who work in food and beverage and more. The golf clubs are more like small cities that get operated.

Like with any small business, the future remains uncertain. But post-COVID, the game held on to approximately two-thirds of the massive participation bump it received in the immediate tracking years of 2020 and 2021 according to Calderwood. Six million Canadians played golf in 2023 (for a total of 74-million rounds) making it the country’s largest participation sport. And golf, as an industry, hits on plenty of key topics that politicians care about – youth employment, charity, the environment, and more.

“We gave an update on numbers and built relationships with key parliamentarians – you have the respect you’re a serious industry,” Calderwood said. “When you point out how much is paid in taxes or how many people you employ across the country, they treat you now as a serious industry as well as a great game.”

Golf Canada’s CEO, Laurence Applebaum, has had a front-row seat to plenty of the game’s biggest moments over the last half-decade and while he’s first to acknowledge that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our day-to-day life was difficult and disturbing, the trickle-down effect on golf highlighted how much the game was ideally suited as safe and operationally strong.

“The GDP impact, the economic force golf is for employment, for stimuli, for tourism, for the environment, and for charity – with dollars-raised returning to pre-pandemic levels – has been amazing to track,” Applebaum said.

One of the key things Canadian golf’s stakeholders were able to learn through the COVID-19 pandemic was the continued relationship with all levels of governments (including international governments) and now they’ve been able to come back to Parliament Hill to talk about the perception of golf and educate beyond just sport.

Applebaum said one conversation Thursday was with a member of parliament from Saskatchewan who, prior to joining politics was a teaching professional. Another, from Ontario, learned the game from his grandfather.

“We have all these friends of golf that want to be part of this crazy growth we have right now,” Applebaum said. “We are so excited about the trajectory and the state of the game – and now to keep things on that track.”

New Economic Impact Study Released

OTTAWA, May 23, 2024 – After a four-year pause due to COVID-19, the National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) are on Parliament Hill leading National Golf Day and discussing with Parliamentarians the many positive benefits of golf for Canadians.

The golf industry representatives are also releasing the results of a new Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study highlighting golf’s financial contributions and incredible popularity as the number one participation sport in Canada.

National Golf Day also celebrates golf’s physical and mental health benefits, its safe sport attributes, social merits, environmental stewardship, diversity, life skills for youth, and economic value to the business community. National data indicates that hundreds of thousands of Canadians have entered the sport since Covid-19, totaling six million Canadian golfers and further strengthening golf’s status as the number one participation sport in the country.

“Canadians played 74 million rounds of golf in 2023, a considerable 24% increase from the last Study in 2019,” stated Jeff Calderwood, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, and Chair of NAGA.

“Existing golfers have been playing more often and new golfers have been taking up the game at impressive levels,” said Calderwood. “The broad appeal of golf as a safe, healthy, outdoor recreation that can be enjoyed by all ages, genders, abilities, and budgets, anywhere in Canada, generates continued growth in the game. The impressive economic impacts that are then generated reflect that popularity.”

NAGA conducts an economic impact study every five years to measure such financial contributions as employment, charitable support, tourism, and gross domestic product. The sport and business of golf are thriving post-pandemic and continue to be an important economic engine for Canadians and their communities across Canada. Some of the highlights from the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study include:

• Golf contributes a massive amount to Canada’s GDP at $23.2 billion, an increase of $4 billion since the previous Study.
• Golf supports 237,000 person-years of employment, illustrating its importance as a vital source of livelihood for countless Canadians. Nearly 135,000 Canadians work directly in golf, with 45,000 being student employment.
• Golf-related activities generated over $14.2 billion in labour income, sustaining families and generating significant economic spin-off spending.
• $382 million was raised through golf activities for charities across Canada, a return to the pre-Covid-19 range and tops among all participation sports.
• Approximately 6 million Canadians played golf in 2023, an all-time high for the number one participation sport in the country, generating 74 million rounds played.
• Golfer spending totalled $14.2 billion in 2023.
• Golf course operations contributed $8.1 billion to Canada’s GDP.
• Capital expenditure by golf course operations in 2023 was $907 million.
• Taxes paid to governments by the Canadian golf industry were $4.7 billion in 2023.

“Golf is a sport that brings so many benefits to Canadians – not just the economic contributions. It is also a holistic solution to many of life’s necessities and an activity that can enjoyed for a lifetime,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO, Golf Canada.

“Golf is a healthy, safe activity, promoting environmental stewardship, providing exceptional social value, and is great for business. And importantly, we’re seeing tremendous diversity in our growth with incredible levels of engagement,” said Applebaum. “In addition, the recent success of our Canadian LPGA and PGA Tour Pros has further propelled the enthusiasm for the sport, with such stars on the world stage as Brooke Henderson and Nick Taylor.”

Other attributes of Canadian golf include:

• 18 holes of golf burns up to 2000 calories, a very healthy 15 km walk and active exercise in nature.
• 95% of golfers in Canada feel that golf is very good for their mental health, which has also been clinically proven.
• 83% of Canadian golfers state that the social aspects of golf are important to them and improve their lives.
• Spectator interest in professional golf is at an all-time high. The RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open are setting records for attendance and commercial success.
• Golf is a trusted Safe Sport environment for both recreational and competitive play.
• Canadian golf has been experiencing great diversity, including a 6% increase in active women golfers and 33% growth in BIPOC golfers in 2023.
• Off-course golf including simulator play and virtual golf experiences have bolstered the growth in  participation.
• Sustainable golf has become a leading environmental stewardship movement in Canadian golf, with golf courses throughout the country embracing sustainability pledges and best practices.

Golf flourished during the pandemic as the nature of the sport easily allowed for social distancing while delivering a social recreation experience that could not be found elsewhere.

With golf now better recognized as an important part of the solution, and all of the health, social and economic benefits, the positive spotlight on golf and its impact on Canadian communities has since sustained most of that increased demand.

In summary, the study clearly shows that golf is good for Canada and Canadians.

TORONTO, Canada – PUMA Golf has launched its latest Maple Leaf Collection, marking the third consecutive season of creating exclusive gear for Canadian golfers. This new collection features over a dozen fresh styles of apparel and headwear designed to unite the nearly 6 million Canadians passionate about the sport.

Inspired by Canada’s iconic maple leaf, PUMA’s Maple Leaf Collection transforms this national symbol into contemporary designs suitable for both on and off the golf course. The collection represents the maple leaf’s elegance while presenting a sophisticated, fashion-forward aesthetic that celebrates Canadian golf.

“No matter if it’s a pivotal shot at your local club or a crucial putt on a grand stage, Canadians are always ready to seize the moment,” said Dwayne Boecker, Vice President at COBRA PUMA GOLF. “Our bold designs reflect this competitive spirit, allowing golfers to perform at their best while representing Canada with pride. This collection showcases our unique perspective on the game at PUMA.”

The collection prominently features a red, white, and black color palette, traditional for Canadian gear. Highlights include the Maple Dot Polo, showcasing a distinctive maple leaf and ditsy dot pattern, available in both men’s and women’s sizes. The Maple AOP Polo features an all-over print of repeating black and red maple leaves, creating a dynamic and visually striking design perfect for any Canadian. Additionally, the Women’s Microdot Polo adds texture and visual interest with a black base adorned with small red microdots, offering a subtle contrast that’s sure to become a wardrobe staple.

Each piece in the Maple Leaf Collection is crafted with PUMA’s premium-quality materials, including tech-forward fabrics that wick moisture and keep players cool under pressure. Additional features include contrasting plackets, solid collar stands, and recycled materials, ensuring both performance and sustainability.

“Our team captured Canada’s essence through the Maple Leaf, reflecting a shared national identity,” said Chris MacNeill, Teamhead, PLM – Golf Apparel & Accessories, PUMA Golf. “Incorporating this symbol into our products fosters a cultural connection among fans and golfers across the country and beyond.”

The collection also includes stylish headwear options. The Canada Snapback Cap features a structured, flat-brim design with a classic six-panel construction, adorned with a maple leaf emblem whose stems are mini golf clubs. The Reversible Bucket Hat offers a versatile design with a wide brim for sun protection, featuring a playful print on one side and a more subtle dual-colored stripe on the other.

PUMA Golf’s Maple Leaf Collection is available starting today online, at Golf Town, and select retailers. For more details, visit ca.pumagolf.com.

Product Highlights:

• Canada Snapback Cap ($49.99): Special edition performance cap with a unique maple leaf emblem featuring golf clubs as leaf stems, available in two colors.
• Canada Reversible Bucket Hat ($49.99): Versatile wide-brim bucket hat that matches the Maple Dot polo print on one side and features a solid black with red and white stripes on the other.
• Canada Maple Dot Polo ($99.99): Playful pattern of maple leaves and ditsy dots, available in two colors.
• Canada Maple AOP Polo ($99.99): Bold top with a repeating all-over print of the maple leaf, reflecting national pride.
• MATTR Pines Polo ($99.99): Highlights Canada’s Boreal Forest with a design reflecting the country’s natural beauty.
• MATTR Bay Polo ($99.99): Performance-oriented polo with a traditional look featuring a solid grey and thin-red stripe design.
• Pure Colorblock ¼ Zip ($109.99): Lightweight quarter-zip with a vibrant red stripe across the chest.
• W CLOUDSPUN Microdot Polo ($89.99): Subtle microdot print with a red-and-black theme.
• W Canada Maple Dot Polo ($89.99): Playful and stylish pattern of maple leaves and ditsy dots, tailored for women.
• W Lightweight ¼ Zip ($99.99): Colorblock design with a red stripe across the chest, ideal for cooler weather.