What is the ideal way to physically prepare your body for play? Team Canada Head Physiotherapist and Strength Coach Greg Redman has some tips.

As a physical therapist for some professional players and Golf Canada’s National Amateur team, I am often asked, “What is the best way to warm up before a round or a practice session at the range?” Like a golf swing, every player is unique in the way he or she gets loose and prepares to hit balls. However, every warm-up should include specific components that prepare the body for play. That way, by the time you’re standing over your first ball, your body feels ready to fire.

As demonstrated by Team Canada’s Hugo Bernard, here are the components of a great golf warm-up that will prepare your body physically for consistent performance.

1. Blood Flow

Begin the physical preparation by either slowly jogging on the spot for five minutes or walking briskly for 10 minutes around the range. You should feel a light sweat but not be out of breath at the end. This will provide the required energy to hit balls.

2. Flexibility

I am not a fan of stretching before golf because we lose our proprioceptive physical awareness, meaning our muscle and joint sensors lose their sensitivity. But I do recommend improving the flexibility of the muscles of the mid-lower back, buttocks, hamstrings and calves using a long iron and massaging out the muscle with the shaft of the club.

3. Mobility

Begin with the large joints — the hips, lower back and shoulders — by dynamically moving them in as many directions as you feel they should move in. For example, swing the leg back and forth or side to side. This will promote the full range of motion required in the swing.

 4. Neural Activation

To get the fuse box (your brain) and the wiring (nerves) sending the right information to the muscles, we need to turn on all the correct switches (activation). Begin by standing on the lead leg and rotate side to side with optimal control of your balance. When you feel that you are able to rotate as far as you need for your ideal golf swing, slowly increase the speed that you rotate until you have mimicked the speed of your back and downswing. Repeat this on the trail leg.

Finally, stand in golf posture without a club and practice your swing. Focus on maximizing the motion in the hips, thoracic spine and shoulders. Then do it again but instead close your eyes and focus on your weight shift, balance and what your swing looks like from the back, side and above.

The full warm-up only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete and will ensure that you are physically ready by the time you arrive at the first tee.

This article was originally published in the April 2017 edition of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine.

Commissionaires, the largest private employer of veterans in Canada, has announced a partnership with Golf Canada to host Canadian Armed Forces Day taking place Saturday July 29, 2017 as part of the RBC Canadian Open.

All current and former members of Canada’s Armed Forces who register at www.commissionaires-cgl.ca will be entitled to a “military pass” that will provide access to the tournament grounds and upgraded venues. The invitation is also extended to immediate family members making this a truly memorable day.

“The PGA TOUR has an established record of sponsoring veteran causes across North America. Given the Commissionaires’ mandate to provide meaningful employment to veterans, it makes great sense for our two organizations to pool our efforts to honour those who serve our country, and the families that support them,” said Benjamin Alexander, Senior Vice President with Commissionaires.

“It’s great to stand should-to-shoulder with Commissionaires on Canadian Armed Forces Day,” said Brent McLaughlin, Tournament Director for the RBC Canadian Open. “Just weeks after honouring those who fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and in the year we celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, we are proud to partner with Commissionaires to honour our military.”

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Laurence Applebaum has already created a to-do list even though he’s still eight weeks away from officially taking over as Golf Canada’s chief executive officer.

His top priority is making improvements to the two showcase events on the federation’s calendar: the RBC Canadian Open and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

“We’re going to really evolve these into next-level championships,” Applebaum said Tuesday after his introduction at the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

The Toronto native, who spent the last five years as executive vice-president of the Women’s Tennis Association, succeeds chief sport officer Jeff Thompson in the position. Thompson served as interim CEO after Scott Simmons announced his departure last fall.

Applebaum, who will formally assume the role July 10, said that membership development and global community relationships will be a key focus along with the national championships.

“What we can do is put on world-class, phenomenal, premium, fan-friendly events that are going to drive people and that includes giving great service to the players,” he said. “Making them put the Canadian Opens on their schedule and getting them out here.”

Getting the men’s players to circle the Canadian stop on their calendars will be one of his biggest challenges.

The tournament has been held the week after the British Open in recent years and some golfers are not crazy about making the overseas trip right after the major even though charter flights have been available.

Applebaum said he’s looking forward to building on the many positives the event has to offer.

“It’s the third oldest event on Tour,” he said. “It’s a national championship. It has great history. It has great Canadian content and it’s had great champions. I think we’ll continue to look at all the things that fans want.

“They want an engaged opportunity to host, to make it family friendly, to make it kid friendly, to bring new people into the game.”

The tournament did land then-world No. 1 Jason Day and then-No. 2 Dustin Johnson last year, but only four players in the top 20 were in the 156-man field. The women’s championship – which is on a tour with fewer events – locked in all top-10 players and 46 of the top 50.

The men’s event, which used to be played in early September, could get a deeper field with a more favourable spot on the calendar. Keeping the communication lines open would only help in that regard.

“I don’t envy the task of either of the commissioners,” Applebaum said. “I think circuit structure and the calendar is one of the hardest things to manage. I know in our conversations with the PGA, they’ve got 46 dates that they’re trying to manage and it’s a challenge. I can tell you that we look at all of our options. When availability comes our way, we’ll have robust discussions with our partners and figure it out.

“Obviously we’ve had a number of different opportunities in past Canadian Opens where they’ve been date-wise. We’re going to look at what this new world looks like.”

Another item on his plate will be the decision on whether to move the championships around the country. Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., will host the July 27-30 men’s event and the women’s tournament – featuring Canadian star Brooke Henderson – will be played Aug. 24-27 at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.

“I think there’s real merits on both sides,” Applebaum said. “We’ve got to weigh them and we’ll look at it.”

Glen Abbey is expected to host again next year and Regina is a favourite to host the 2018 women’s event. On the sponsorship front, RBC is signed on through 2023 and Canadian Pacific is signed through next year.

“Laurence Applebaum’s hiring marks the beginning of a new era for Golf Canada,” said Golf Canada board of directors president Roland Deveau. “After an extensive search, Laurence stood out because of his previous leadership in sports organizations, proven senior management skills and visionary thinking.

“His drive and energy are infectious. We are so pleased to repatriate this outstanding Canadian leader to take Golf Canada forward.”

Applebaum has spent over 20 years in various sport management roles in North America and Europe.

At the WTA, he oversaw a variety of strategic and operational initiatives. Applebaum was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the circuit, including tournament operations, player relations and development, along with new business development.

Applebaum said he was most proud of helping spearhead the evolution of the WTA Finals into a significant year-end championship in Singapore.

“The benefit of that kind of experience is really what I’m hoping to bring to this role,” he said. “Being able to take great events and make them even better.”

The PGA of Canada is proud to announce The Lincoln Motor Company as new presenting sponsor of the RBC PGA Scramble.

The RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company is a national series of team events featuring amateur golfers and PGA of Canada professionals taking place at more than 100 golf facilities around the country.

The series of events expects to draw thousands of amateur golfers—who will form their own team of four players— from across the country. Teams will look to make it through local and regional qualifying with the ultimate goal of playing in the national this October with a PGA of Canada professional playing on their team at the incredible Cabot Links in Inverness, N.S.

“We are absolutely thrilled to add a company and brand like The Lincoln Motor Company as the presenting sponsor of this unique grassroots golf program,” said PGA of Canada CEO Gary Bernard. “Their commitment takes the excitement for the everyday golfers in this event up another notch now with the opportunity to interact and potentially win one of their fantastic vehicles.”

As part of the partnership, The Lincoln Motor Company will interact and engage with golfers at local events, regional finals and the national championship giving golfers a chance to win impressive prizing along the way. At the 10 regional finals and the national championship there will be unique Lincoln activations and events to elevate each golfer’s experience.

“The Lincoln Motor Company is extremely excited to partner with the RBC PGA Scramble at golf courses across Canada. This golf initiative aligns well with our brand,” said Terry Erb, Director – Lincoln Marketing Sales and Service.  “We are also proud to become the Official Vehicle of the PGA of Canada, touching the almost 3,700 PGA of Canada members.”

The Lincoln Motor Company also becomes the Official Vehicle of the PGA of Canada and will provide all PGA Professionals and all participants in the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company with special opportunities to get into one of their vehicles.

All RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company local qualifying events in 2017 will have guaranteed prize tables for the top three teams, in addition to special activations throughout the day as well.

To find a local event near you for the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company, please click here.

Golf Canada’s national junior golf program has been restructured and revitalized for 2017.

As the 2016 golf season came to a close, there was a cloud of uncertainty hanging over Canada’s national junior golf initiative, Future Links. For 11 years, the program that introduces and teaches the game to kids nationwide had been strongly sustained by Canadian National Railway (CN), a partner whose support keyed the program’s evolution into a highly regarded developer and promoter of junior golf. However, with CN’s pact expiring, Golf Canada knew the grassroots program, operated in conjunction with the PGA of Canada and provincial golf associations, was too important not to continue in some fashion. But it needed financial help.

One of Future Links’ existing sponsors, Acura, was first to step up. The auto manufacturer became the program’s presenting sponsor, enhancing its support of junior golf in Canada to ensure quality golf experiences continue to be delivered to youth from coast to coast.

“Acura has been a tremendous partner since aligning their respected brand with Canada’s national junior golf program in 2014 and we are thrilled with their deepened commitment to Future Links, driven by Acura,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer and Interim CEO. “With a world-class junior golf curriculum that is internationally recognized by golf federations around the world, we are proud that Acura will continue to drive the program’s success moving forward.”

One of those international golf federations, The R&A, also saw the exceptional value the program provides. In February, the game’s oldest organization, with which Golf Canada has collaborated and shared ideas for decades, approved a three-year commitment through 2019 to support Future Links, driven by Acura. An annual financial contribution was also agreed to by The R&A’s Golf Development Committee, a group that assesses applications and requests from the 140 worldwide affiliates of The R&A, including Golf Canada, and whose mandate is to support what it thinks is good for golf.

“We thought this was a good program and one that was worthy of our support,” explained Duncan Weir, Executive Director of Golf Development at The R&A, who sees a possibility for the model to be replicated in other countries.

“Links are strong, dialogue is strong, Golf Canada has a strong track record and I’d like to think we have a decent track record of supporting Golf Canada’s good efforts. So this was really a continuation of that relationship and something that impressed us.”

Participation and the involvement of young people are very high on the committee’s evaluation list. It also emphasizes anything that enhances golf’s appeal, both for those who already play and those who aspire to play; the promotion and progression of the sport in emerging golf nations; coaching; and the provision of more public golf courses and improved practice facilities. But engaging youth ranks paramount and Future Links, driven by Acura certainly fits the bill.

Future Links offers a full suite of junior golf programs for boys and girls ages six to 18, teaching lessons and skills that can be applied both on and off the course. It is suitable for beginners to those with more experience or greater playing ability.

Beginning in 2017, the program has also been restructured under three core areas of focus — in-school programming, facility programming and community outreach. Most notably, the popular Golf in Schools initiative, which last year was implemented at nearly 3,400 schools reaching 400,000 children, now falls under the Future Links umbrella instead of as a standalone platform. It joins other activities such as Learn to Play, PGA Junior League, Girls Club, Mobile Clinics and  Junior Skills Competition, along with six regional Future Links Junior Championships.

“The program that we’ve developed with the support of Sport Canada, the model that Jeff Thompson nurtured in partnership with the PGA of Canada and provincial golf associations and got to what it is today, I would say, is second to none,” declared Bill Paul, Golf Canada’s Chief Championship Officer, who worked closely on affiliating the program with The R&A.

“Look at Drive, Chip and Putt and how it blossomed after Augusta National attached its name to it,” Paul added. “Within these borders, we know that Future Links is a strong program and it’s well respected internationally. But an endorsement from The R&A, or a USGA or any international body, has the opportunity to bring additional profile globally.”

Since launching in 1996, Canada’s national junior golf program has made the game accessible to more than 1.3 million young Canadians and provides junior golfers across Canada with affordable and fun golf activities in their community.

More than 500 facilities in 10 provinces deliver Future Links programming. Click here to find the one nearest you.

This article was originally published in the April 2017 edition of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine.

Following a comprehensive search, Golf Canada has announced the appointment of Laurence Applebaum as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Applebaum, most recently the Executive Vice President of the Florida-based Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), will assume his new role as of July 10, 2017.

“Laurence Applebaum’s hiring marks the beginning of a new era for Golf Canada,” said Roland Deveau, President of the Golf Canada Board of Directors. “After an extensive search, Laurence stood out because of his previous leadership in sports organizations, proven senior management skills and visionary thinking. His drive and energy are infectious. We are so pleased to repatriate this outstanding Canadian leader to take Golf Canada forward.”

With a career in sports spanning more than 20 years in Canada, Europe and the United States, the senior executive and Toronto native is proud to return home to lead the national sport federation and governing body for golf in Canada.

“I am both honoured and humbled to be given the chance to lead Golf Canada at a crucial and exciting juncture in the organization’s history,” Applebaum said. “Throughout my career, I have had the chance to work with teams made up of great athletes, passionate partners and engaged stakeholders. I am eager to apply the lessons and experiences from past roles to this new challenge. Golf is such a passion for so many Canadians including myself, and I know the sport in this country is well positioned for growth and success going forward. As much as anything, I am also elated to be returning home with my family.”

Applebaum joins Golf Canada after serving in an extensive array of sports management roles around the globe.

For the past five years, he has been Executive Vice President of the WTA in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he oversaw a variety of strategic and operational initiatives.  During his tenure, Applebaum was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the women’s global professional tennis circuit, including tournament operations, on-site competition, player relations and development, sports science and medicine, broadcast operations and new business development.

Prior to joining the WTA, Applebaum served as the Toronto-based Vice President of Salomon Canada from 2006-2011. Previously, Applebaum served in a variety of progressively senior roles at Wilson Sports and the brands of its parent company, Amer Sports, including Atomic, Suunto and Precor, based in Europe. After starting his career at Wilson Sports Equipment Canada, Applebaum was the Sales & Marketing Manager at Nike Golf Canada from 1997-1999.

Married with two children, Applebaum is a 1994 graduate of the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University where he received an Honors Business Administration (HBA) degree.

Golf Canada President Roland Deveau also recognized the work of Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer, who has managed the day-to-day affairs of Golf Canada for the last several months as interim CEO.

“I would like to thank Jeff for his steady hand during this transition. We look forward to Jeff’s continued contributions as our Chief Sport Officer,” said Deveau.

Deveau added: “I would like to acknowledge all of the dedicated volunteers, staff and partners who work diligently every day to deliver programs and services across Canada to help grow the game of golf.  Golfers from novices to elite athletes benefit from the efforts of, and collaboration between, many stakeholders and I know that Laurence is looking forward to meeting them.”

Reporting to Golf Canada’s Board of Directors, Applebaum will lead the organization in the ongoing development and execution of its strategic plan.

NOTE TO MEDIA – click here for a high-resolution headshot and bio of Golf Canada Chief Executive Officer Laurence Applebaum.

Click here to download the teleconference audio file.

Matt Hill of Brights Grove, Ont., defeated  Jesse Smith of Oshweken, Ont., in a playoff at Blue Springs Golf Club in Acton, Ont., to top the second of three Regional Qualifying events and secure his spot in the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., July 24-30.

“I know I can play well in a tour event and draw on some of the past experiences I’ve had,” said Hill. “I know how to handle myself in certain situations due to certain things I’ve done in the past and I think that will benefit me this year at the RBC Canadian Open.”

Hill, who won the NCAA Division I Championship in 2009 while at North Carolina State, went out in a 1-under par, 35 on the front nine.

He then caught fire on the back nine, recording four birdies and no bogeys, to card a 5-under par 67.

“I had a few good chances on the front nine and only shot 1-under and I kind of stuck with the positive attitude and told myself that since I missed a few I was going to start making some, so I made a few on the back nine,” said Hill.

Smith equaled Hill’s round of 67 by recording six birdies, three bogeys and an eagle on the par-5 12th hole.

Hill and Smith both teed off early in the day, Hill at 9:09 a.m. and Smith at 9:20 a.m. The playoff didn’t wrap up until around 8:30 p.m., so both players had to deal with a lengthy break between finishing their round and starting the playoff.

“After I just kind of relaxed for a couple hours, I went out a few hours before the playoff, and just got in a full pre-round warm-up,” said Hill. “I stretched, putted, chipped and hit a few, just to make sure all the parts of my game were ready to go.”

For the playoff, Hill and Smith replayed the par-4 18th hole. Smith bogeyed the first playoff hole, while Hill converted a two-putt par from 15 feet, to clinch victory.

143 golfers competed in the tournament vying for a spot in the final RBC Canadian Open Qualifier, on July 24th at Heron Point Golf Links in Ancaster, Ont.

In addition to Hill advancing directly to the RBC Canadian Open, 21 golfers advanced to the Final Qualifying event.

Peter Campbell, a resident of Windemere, Fl., and  a member of the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, came in solo third, carding a 4-under par 68.

The highest-ranking amateur was Joshua Montgomery, who fired a 1-under par, 71, finishing T6 with two other golfers, and advancing to the final qualifier at Heron Point, in his hometown of Ancaster.

Brantford Ontario’s Stephane Dubois, was part of a group of six who finished T9, at even par, his second strong qualifying performance in recent weeks, after winning medallist honours at Golf Canada’s U.S Open Local Qualifier at Beacon Hall Golf Club, in Aurora, Ont., on May 8th.

In total, there are three regional qualifying events, each consisting of 18 holes of stroke play. Provided there are 100 or more players in the field, as was the case at Blue Springs, the low qualifier receives an exemption directly into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

Otherwise, the top 15 percent of finishers at each qualifier become eligible to compete at the final qualifying event.

The first RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier at Bear Mountain Resort, in Victoria, B.C., on May 9th, saw Keith Martin and Derek Barron win medallist honours, securing their spot, along with four other golfers, in the Final Qualifying event.

The third RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier, will take place June 5th at Club de Golf de la Vallee du Richelieu on the Rouville Course in Saint-Julie, Que.

Additional information, and full results from Monday’s RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier at Blue Springs can be found here.

THE FOLLOWING GOLFERS ADVANCED FINAL QUALIFIER

2 – Jesse Smith, Ohsweken, ON 34-33–67 (-5)
3 – Peter Campbell, Windermere, FL 34-34–68 (-4)
T4 – Dan Bowling, Brights Grove, ON 38-32–70 (-2)
T4 – J.J. Regan, Burlington, ON 36-34–70 (-2)
T6 – Joshua Montgomery (a), Ancaster, ON 36-35–71 (-1)
T6 – Russell Budd, Toronto, ON 35-36–71 (-1)
T6 – Drew Nesbitt, Shanty Bay, ON 35-36–71 (-1
T9 – Andrew Ledger, Toronto, ON 35-37–72 E
T9 – Nyasha Mauchaza, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34-38–72 E
T9 – Adrian Cord (a), Toronto, ON 38-34–72 E
T9 – Stephane Dubois, Brantford, ON 37-35–72 E
T9 – Eddie Maunder, Oakville, ON 38-34–72 E
T9 – Nic Mazze (a), Caledon East, ON 36-36–72 E
T15 – James Skrypec, Kitchener, ON 35-38–73 +1
T15 – Victor Ciesielski, Cambridge, ON 38-35–73 +1
T15 – Sebastian Szirmak, Toronto, ON 37-36–73 +1
T15 – Chase Komaromi (a), London, ON 35-38–73 +1
T15 – Elliott Whitley, Hamilton, ON 37-36–73 +1
T15 – Brad Kerfoot, Toronto, ON 37-36–73 +1
T15 – Philip Arci (a), Vaughan, ON 35-38–73 +1
T15 – Mike Currie (a), Milton, ON 34-39–73 +1

For the full results click here.

The Shaw Charity Classic kicked off its five-year anniversary celebrations by confirming golf’s greats will be returning to Calgary until 2020.

Shaw Communications Inc. has extended its commitment for three more years as title sponsor of the award-winning PGA TOUR Champions tournament, which has raised more than $13.8 million for youth-based charities in Alberta.

“Over the past four years, the Shaw Charity Classic has had a remarkable impact on children’s charities across Southern Alberta, and there is no better way to celebrate this success than to ensure its support for local charities can continue,” said Brad Shaw, CEO, Shaw Communications. “We are honoured to continue working with the Patron Group and our partners at the PGA TOUR Champions to bring world-class golf to Calgarians for three more years.”

Shaw Communications also announced it would contribute a total of $1 million to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and the RESOLVE campaign, with $500,000 donated to each as charitable partners of the Shaw Charity Classic. The donations and three-year extension were announced during a special celebration on Monday to kick off the fifth year of the tournament.

“We are excited about the extension with Shaw Communications, which enables us to further cement PGA TOUR Champions roots in the great city of Calgary,” said PGA TOUR Champions Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Miller Brady. “This event has delivered an impressive list of champions in four short years while also creating a lasting charitable footprint in the region that extends well beyond the boundaries of tournament week.”

“Our goal from day one was to bring a family-friendly professional sporting event to Calgary and to support the many incredible children’s charities in our community,” said Clay Riddell, Tournament Chairman. “Over the past four years, the Shaw Charity Classic has exceeded our expectations on every level, and we’re grateful to continue working with Shaw through 2020.”

The Shaw Charity Classic has made an incredible impact on the senior professional golf circuit since its debut in 2013. The tournament received an Outstanding Achievement Award for a first year event by the PGA TOUR Champions before winning back-to-back President’s Awards as the top event on Tour.

“We have white-hatted four incredible champions in Rocco Mediate, Fred Couples, Jeff Maggert and Carlos Franco, but the true champions this tournament creates extends far beyond the golf course,” said Sean Van Kesteren, Executive Director, Shaw Charity Classic. “While focusing on bringing the community together, we have provided networking and team building opportunities for the business community – highlighted by our annual Women’s Day, have created a stage to showcase the skills of Calgary’s junior golfers, and have incredible volunteer spirit. But there is no greater impact than the champions this tournament creates in our youth. The Shaw Charity Classic gives children battling a wide range of personal challenges the opportunity to dream, and enjoy life’s precious moments.”

Calgary’s marquee golf event has set a record for charitable giving on the PGA TOUR Champions each year. Since 2015, when the Shaw Charity Classic initiated its Birdies for Kids program, there has tremendous growth in the tournament’s fundraising efforts. Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink has since expanded its charitable beneficiaries in Alberta, generating donations from more than 1,600 people from all corners of the country. Birdies for Kids gives individuals and corporations the opportunity to make a donation directed to the children’s charity of their choice. Donations are then further leveraged through a tiered matching program that sees a percentage of the first $250,000 additionally donated to each charity.

Tournament officials are encouraging the corporate community to match Shaw Communications’ three-year commitment with a number of specially-designed corporate packages which are available online at www.shawcharityclassic.com. The Tournament is currently planning a number of events to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Shaw Charity Classic, August 30 – September 3, 2017.

Hours after sinking his winning playoff putt at the RSM Classic, after most fans had left the golf course, after running through the media gauntlet, Mackenzie Hughes was finally getting into his car to head home. His mother, Sandra, and wife Jenna were with him, the trio likely worn out from a whirlwind week in Sea Island, Ga.

Four rounds in the 60s — including a sparkling opening-round 61 — and a Monday finish had flipped Hughes’ life upside down but the newly crowned PGA Tour champion wasn’t ready to celebrate just yet. From the car, he dialed Derek Ingram.

“First thing he said was, ‘We’re going to the Masters!’ recounts Ingram, Team Canada’s national men’s coach. “But 15 minutes into the conversation his tone switches and he’s like, ‘D.I., we gotta change my schedule this year and the way we plan. We gotta reset my goals for this year, I really want to do something special so I want to get together in the next day or two to take a look at that plan, the schedule and our goals.’”

In that moment, Ingram was astonished by Hughes’ professional attitude and forward-thinking focus. He loved that the PGA Tour rookie was already mentally gearing up for The Masters, The Players, the PGA Championship and the FedEx Cup. But the more Ingram reflected on the conversation, the less surprising the remarks became.

Hughes has always been regarded as mature beyond his years. Friends describe him with glowing terms like smart, calculated, disciplined, modest and polite. He exhibits those qualities on and off the golf course, polishing his game and producing high results in the process.

“It never ceases to amaze me how good he is at preparing and practising,” adds Ingram.

“He’s always been a guy that has had the right habits and done the right things.”

Hughes’ tactical technique has been sharpened over the years from working with his personal coach, Scott Cowx, and experience with Golf Canada’s amateur and Young Pro squads. It’s allowed him to be solid in every category instead of excelling in one. That approach, combined with the fervent focus he exudes, has been validated time and again, including his first year as a professional in 2013 when he won the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada’s Cape Breton Celtic Classic at The Lakes GC in Ben Eoin, N.S., and, ultimately, that circuit’s Order of Merit.

During that breakout week in Cape Breton, Hughes housed in the basement of billet family Rick and Sharon Preeper’s three-bedroom bungalow.

“He’d practise, have his round, and he might be back at the house before we were,” recalls Sharon. “At night there were a few parties that were happening and he wasn’t interested in that. He was just here to play golf and he was very, very focused on what he was doing.”

“After the tournament I went downstairs and found 10 or 11 golf balls under the couch,” explains Rick. “He was downstairs putting on the carpet and he’d accidentally putt them under the furniture.”

The Preepers still correspond every month with Hughes, who stayed in their home the following two years of the tournament as well. They have all four rounds of the RSM Classic still recorded on their TV — Sharon admits she was so nervous for Hughes that she couldn’t sleep at all the night before the Monday playoff — and are just two of the countless Canadians spurring on the golfer.

“A lot of people at The Lakes are big followers of Mackenzie also,” she says. “In November when he was playing in the tournament and he was doing so well, we would get Facebook messages and texts from our friends and some of the people out there and everybody was rooting for him. And I think that speaks volumes for people who met him once or twice.”

For those who’ve dealt with Mackenzie on more than one or two occasions, they know first-hand the 27-year-old’s strong work ethic and hunger for success. John Kirkwood, the head professional at Hughes’ home club of Dundas Valley G&CC, has witnessed this internal drive for nearly 20 years. He first met Mackenzie when he was a junior member and would give him rides home after work.

Kirkwood describes the Dundas, Ont., native, who had to write to NCAA coaches in order to secure a scholarship at Kent State University, as an “I’m gonna make it kind of kid.” Hughes’ ascension to the PGA Tour and ensuing victory not only backed up that attitude, but also delighted the membership at Dundas Valley.

“To be honest, it’s killing my productivity at the club because every single member has a Mackenzie story,” Kirkwood explains. “Every single person wants to talk about it. Which is amazing, and I’m one that loves to talk as it is, but everybody was over-the-moon excited.”

Like all golfers representing the red-and-white, Hughes’ achievements have rallied fans from coast to coast. As a kid, he attended a handful of Canadian Opens to witness his heroes in person, including Mike Weir, whose multiple victories, most notably his major triumph in 2003, Hughes remembers fondly. Now he’s the player inside the ropes kids will idolize. His humbleness and dedication make him that much more likable, in line with most of the great Canadian athletes we’ve celebrated before him.

“I felt all the support in Canada and all around the world a little bit because I’ve been around,” Hughes said after the victory. “The people supporting me this week and to win it for them, to win it for my hometown of Dundas, it’s just an incredible feeling. To lead all week but to have to do it in a five-man playoff, I can’t put it into words.”

Now his focus shifts forward as one of Canada’s top-ranked male players. What will he do next? How will he play at Augusta? When will he win again? Can he win a major? Those questions will be answered. But for now, as Ingram expected to hear on that phone call in November, let’s relish another deserving athlete etching himself into our national history. He’s the 16th — asterisks noted — Canadian to win a PGA Tour event.

“It’s probably the most satisfied and happy I’ve felt for a player, maybe ever, in the 20 years I’ve been doing this,” Ingram states. “It happened for the right guy. He’s done everything right, worked harder than everybody and he’s also the most coachable individual I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with.”

This article was originally published in the April 2017 edition of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine.

Jeevan Sihota scored a final round 67 to top the leaderboard of the Boys Division of the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship, while Mary Parsons defended her 2016 Girls Division title after she defeated Euna Han in playoff at Chilliwack Golf Club in Chilliwack, B.C. on Sunday.

Sihota, a Victoria resident, started his final round 1-over through three holes before he turned up his game scoring birdies on holes five and four. After he made the turn, the 13-year-old was lights out, playing bogey free and making birdies on 11, 12, 13 and 15, leading to a 10-under finish for the tournament.

Khan Lee shot the low-score of the day with a 6-under 66. After starting the day with a bogey, the Langley, B.C., native birdied four of his next seven holes, and then birdied four of six holes after making the turn to finish one shot behind Sihota.

Finishing T2 with Lee was Tristan Mandur of Mill Bay, B.C., who made birdies on 17 and 18 resulting in a 69 (-2) on the day, his second sub-70 finish in as many rounds.

Chandler McDowell, a Team Canada Development Squad member, started Sunday in the lead, but after bogeys on two of the first three holes, he was never able to fully recover. He finished 8-under on the tournament after his even-par final round to finish alone in fourth.

Keaton Gudz, from Victoria, and Red Deer’s Carter Graf secured the final two exemptions to the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf and Country Club in Kingston, Ont. Gudz shot 4-under on Sunday and finished in solo-fifth while Graf shot 3-under and edged out Aidan Goodfellow in playoff for the final spot.

In the Girls Division, Parsons started the day sitting in fourth place but she managed to drop three birdies before she made the turn to put her into striking distance of the top of the leaderboard. Heading into hole 17, the Delta B.C., product was sitting at 3-under and then went birdie-birdie to close out the round with sole possession of first place.

Han, who remained at the top of the leaderboard through the first two rounds, struggled to get things going and headed to the 18th hole 2-over, but managed to nail a clutch birdie putt to force a playoff with Parsons.

Phoebe Yue, of West Vancouver, recorded the low-score of the tournament (and ladies course record) for the Girls Division with a 7-under 65. She recorded two eagles in her final round, including one on the par-4 eighth hole from 140 yards out. Her stellar final round pushed her to 3-under on the tournament and into a tie for third with Surrey’s Susan Xiao.

Xiao, who started in the final pairing, got off to a slow start with a bogey on holes one and three before finishing +1 on the day.

Katherine Chan and Tiffany Kong shot 2-over and 1-over to round out the top-six who earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland, Ont.

Team Canada Development Squad members Monet Chun (T7) and Hannah Lee (10) both got off to rocky starts
and scored 3-over and 5-over respectively.

2017 FUTURE LINKS, DRIVEN BY ACURA PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – JUNIOR BOYS DIVISION

1. Jeevan Sihota, Victoria, B.C., *67-72-67-206 -10
2. Khan Lee, Langley, B.C., *71-70-66-207 -9
2. Tristan Mandur, Mill Bay, B.C. *74-64-69-207 -9
4. Chandler McDowell, Sbringbrook, Alta., *69-67-72-208 -8
5. Keaton Gudz, Victoria, B.C., *71-70-68-209 -7
6. Carter Graf, Red Deer, Alta., *71-71-69-211 -5 (P)

2017 FUTURE LINKS, DRIVEN BY ACURA PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – JUNIOR GIRLS DIVISION

1. Mary Parsons, Delta, B.C., *71-73-67-211 -5 (P)
2. Euna Han, Coquitlam, B.C., *68-70-73-211 -5 (P)
3. Phoebe Yue, West Vancouver, B.C., *78-70-65-213 -3
3. Susan Xiao, Surrey, B.C., *70-70-73-213 -3
5. Katherine Chan, Richmond, B.C., *72-71-74-217 +1
6. Tiffany Kong, Vancouver, B.C., *77-70-73-220 +4

Full results.