HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – Team Canada Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard recorded a final-round 75 (+3) on Tuesday at the South/Southeast Regional Preview to finish alone in fourth—his first Top-5 collegiate result.

The 21-year-old freshman from Mont-St-Hilarie, Que., led the Division II Saint Leo Lions with a 2-over par finish (73-70-75) at the Mission Inn Resort & Club’s El Campeón course. Chico State’s Lee Gearhart took home medalist honours at 2-under par, one stroke ahead of co-runner-ups Alistair Docherty (Chico State) and Manuel Torres (Lynn).

Fellow Canadian and Saint Leo teammate Joey Savoie of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., climbed three spots on Tuesday to finish T15.

Collectively, Lynn University won the team title with an 880 (+16), two strokes ahead of Chico State.

Bernard, last year’s Canadian Amateur runner-up, will look to keep things rolling with the Lions from Mar. 13–15 at the Southeastern Intercollegiate.

Click here for full scoring.

The beginning of February presented a once-in-a-lifetime experience for myself and Dan Sabourin – we were two of 91 lucky delegates from around the world to experience this year’s R&A Tournament Administration & Rules Workshop.

Dan Sabourin, from Port Coquitlam, B.C., is a long-time Golf Canada volunteer and the current Rules Education Subcommittee Chair for Golf Canada, while I am a fairly new full-time staff member to the Rules & Competitions department at Golf Canada. Despite being separated by 40 years in age and 4,300 km across the country, we bonded as Canadian golfers and together, we took on the experience of the workshop to the fullest.

Our hosts from the R&A conducted a remarkable event with great instruction and presented their knowledge with ease to suit all delegate levels of Rules and Tournament Administration. The role-playing opportunities – accompanied by full-sized practical areas that touched upon each defined area of the golf course – were first class. The most impressive practical demonstration props were a scale-sized bunker (with a stacked turf face) and a legitimate scaffold for Temporary Immovable Obstruction (TIO) relief. The delegates were tested by The R&A staff on a real life scenario that we may face in the field during a championship.

We took part in many group discussions and covered a number of hot topics that are currently under review for the next Rules code. Learning about clubs and equipment rulings was fun and even more interesting when dissecting specific situations and case studies in small groups! Suspension of play and evacuation plans are often something to be dreaded, but The R&A team made us laugh through it by making it extremely exciting, while still focusing on the key components that make a successful evacuation.

Dan and I were treated with guest appearances from both Frank Nobilo (Golf Analyst, Golf Channel, NBC Universal) and John Paramor (Chief Referee – PGA European Tour). It was great to hear both Frank and John’s takes on the Rules of Golf – both from a past player’s point of view and from a rules perspective. I will certainly take away some key points on how to approach officiating in certain situations.

Dan and I met many of the delegates from all over the world. It was truly educational to hear delegates’ stories from Bermuda, Jordan, England, Australia and Spain. It was so interesting to discover similarities and differences in how we administer golf in our home countries and to learn what levels and programs each association has for Rules Officials.

Of course, a trip to Scotland included tackling the Old Course at St. Andrews on our last day. We clawed the teeth of the Old Course, battling high winds and rain on the last few holes, but made it out alive! What a treat it was to play golf in February in a climate similar to our winters in Ontario.

Both Dan and I consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have been picked to attend The R&A’s wonderful annual workshop. It was a fantastic experience and one that we will never forget. To the entire Canadian golf community, I would suggest that anyone interested should become involved with the Golf Canada family – whether as a volunteer on a committee or at a championship, or as a staff member here at Golf House – you never know what opportunities may lie ahead.

Below is a transcript of Golf Canada’s 113th president, Roland Deveau’s, acceptance speech during the 2016 Annual General Meeting.

It is a great honour to accept the nomination to become the 113th President of Golf Canada. It is a responsibility that I humbly accept, recognizing the significant and unselfish contributions made by our previous leaders and all of the many dedicated volunteers, like you, who work each day across Canada for the betterment of our sport.

In the period since I’ve been asked to lead this great organization, I’ve reflected on the many individuals who have influenced me along the way, including many in this room. I’m very appreciative of their help and encouragement.

I also greatly value the words of wisdom and advice I have received from all our prior Presidents. Their collective experience and insight is something I will continue to draw upon throughout the year.

I want to thank Golf Canada’s Board of Directors for their unwavering support. This group works tirelessly to provide strategic direction to our organization. While the Directors all come from different backgrounds, they work as a cohesive group to address our challenges, and pursue the opportunities for the future.

One person deserves particular mention. Our outgoing President, Paul MacLean. Paul came to Golf Canada in 2010 as someone well-known in the golf industry as the leader of a very successful business. He has unselfishly given of his time and his expertise for the advancement of our sport and of Golf Canada. I know that the Board values his unique perspective and we have very much appreciated his words of wisdom and advice. Paul, thank you very much for your service. Because of you, Golf Canada is in a much better position to meet our future challenges.

Scott Simmons, our CEO, and his dedicated staff, also deserve our thanks. While many of us look forward to the opportunities for our organization, Scott and his staff are dealing with the difficult day-to-day operational challenges of running this national sport federation. The Board and I know it is not an easy task. But they do it professionally and with a level of dedication that makes our organization a “best in class” sport federation respected by its peers in this country and by other stakeholders around the world. For that we thank you.

On a personal note, I want to recognize the support I have received from my family and friends. This obviously extends to the most important person in my life, my wife Jacqueline. She has supported me throughout my involvement in golf, and as some of you know, the many other things I have been involved in over the years. I would not be here if it were not for her. Jackie, I love you very much and I appreciate all the support that you’ve given me.
I also appreciate the kind words of support I have received from all of you – the Governors, Provincial representatives and Committee members. I look forward to working together to fulfill Golf Canada’s mandate.

On that note, I’d like to share with you some of my thoughts on the road ahead for Golf Canada.

I have long recognized and appreciated the many individuals, like you, who support the game of golf with your volunteering efforts. People who give a lot more to the game than you could ever expect in return. Whether you work directly under the Golf Canada umbrella, or simply support golf in your community, your collective effort is something that greatly benefits our sport. We simply could not function without it.

There are also many individuals who earn their livelihood from the game. They are the backbone of the industry given their critical roles on the front lines of the facilities. This includes golf professionals, owners, managers, superintendents, and others. Many of these people represent our NAGA (National Allied Golf Association) partners and are here with us tonight.

The common element between the volunteers and those who earn a livelihood from golf is that we all share a passion for the sport. We all want a better future for the game we love.

We all know what we want for the future of our sport. Golf has been very good to all of us in this room. We enjoy the game, the friendships we’ve made and the excitement of a well-struck shot. We have all indulged in the serenity of an early morning round with dew still on the fairways. And we have all admired the golden landscape of our home course in the setting sun.

These are the quality golf experiences that we treasure…

And I believe it is our common goal at the end of the day to ensure that all golfers who play this great game, as well as new enthusiasts, get to enjoy these same quality golf experiences.

But to achieve this we have to work together. As the National Sport Federation, we have to show leadership for the betterment of the game. We have to work cooperatively with the provinces and our NAGA partners. If one of us benefits, we will all benefit. Our leadership must provide the vision for success, but it is critical that all stakeholders share in developing, and are aligned with, ONE COMMON VISION for our sport.

In 2013, we made great progress with the provinces at our meetings in Charlottetown. We have continued the work this past week….Much still needs to be done and I undertake to work with all of you to ensure we reach our common objective.

I understand both the national and provincial perspectives in addressing the challenges that we face. My involvement in golf began at the club level, proceeded through the local zone and extended through to the provincial level. Having now been involved at the national level, I can see the tremendous benefits of working together.

Scott Simmons mentioned it in his CEO welcome session—COLLABORATION. We must avoid duplication, share resources where possible, and become aligned in our strategies.

It is not an easy task, but the greatest rewards do not come without sacrifice and effort. We owe it to the game to ensure every golfer can enjoy the same quality golf experiences that we’ve had.

And we must all work together with our NAGA partners, because we all share the same ultimate customer – the golfer. This is an important time in our sport. The challenging economic climate requires us to find ways to engage with more golfers. We must look for new ways of connecting with our members and the golfing public.

We must be innovative in the delivery of our programs and services and how we connect with golfers. Whether through an attractive suite of member benefits, core services and programing, or utilizing technology to enhance digital experiences through our website or social media, it is critical that we connect with a greater share of Canada’s 5.7 million golfers. And if all are aligned, we will have a much better chance to succeed.

All of you should be proud of the work you do for Golf Canada. Whether that’s running national championships across our great country, long-term player development, handicapping, rules education, or the development of new digital experiences for our membership, we offer “best in class” programs that are recognized both in Canada and around the world.

This organization is respected among our global peers and we will continue to work with golf’s governing bodies, the R&A and the USGA, to promote this game whenever we can.

But in order to grow and succeed, we must be bold. We must take bold steps to show that Golf Canada is a leader when it comes to turning ideas into reality.

We do have people in Canada that are prepared to show leadership. We admire pioneers like Marlene Streit and Diane Dunlop-Hébert, who recently became members of the R&A.

We took our own progressive steps this week with the announcement that, for the first time, Canada has selected two female representatives, both of whom I am proud to count among my friends, to represent our country as our Rules Chair and as our advisory member on the R&A Amateur Status Committee. This shows leadership. I know that Diane Barabé as our Rules Chair and Jean Stone-Seguin with Amateur Status will be tremendous representatives for our country on the world stage.

AND we will be taking bold steps to promote and encourage diversity within our organization by establishing a Diversity Enhancement Working Group, as most of you have heard about this week. That means reaching out to connect with new Canadians and underrepresented groups. It’s also about growing the Golf in Schools initiative—with 10,000 elementary and 4,500 high schools, the Canadian school physical education system is the single most concentrated opportunity to introduce students of all demographics to the sport.

Another big reason I am excited about my term as President is that 2016 marks the long-awaited return of golf to the Olympic Games. I believe the Olympics represent a quality golf experience that I spoke about earlier tonight. It has the potential to attract new enthusiasts to our sport.

George S. Lyon, a Canadian, was the last golfer to win an Olympic gold medal in 1904 and I’m thrilled to have the magnificent Olympic trophy here this week. While we will always celebrate our history and our heritage, the 2016 Rio Olympic Games has the potential to excite a golfing nation.
As the National Sports Federation, we will be part of the mission team including coaches supporting four athletes competing for Canada in the golf competition.

We have 25 Golf Canada program graduates competing on professional tours around the world. Most, if not all, of our four qualifying Olympic athletes will be graduates of Golf Canada’s player development system. A system that is delivering results.

Our sport needs heroes! When Canadian golfers compete and win, especially in events like the Olympic Games, their passion inspires the next generation of golfers to take up the game. We have a wonderful opportunity with the Olympics to share the values and benefits of our sport with millions of viewers across Canada, and around the world. It is an opportunity we cannot squander.

Many viewers who will watch the Olympics may be occasional golfers. Others, including young children, may never have played at all! But they will be drawn to these champions because they are Olympic athletes… If these viewers already play golf, we want them inspired to play more often, or to support the game by engaging with Golf Canada.

I encourage all of you to join me in celebrating the Olympic movement! Many of you have played a role in the development of our young athletes. You may have volunteered at a provincial or national competition. You may have been a tournament or rules official, or helped youngsters learn about the game. Be proud that your work has contributed to their development and ability to compete at the highest levels, including the Olympic Games. The Olympic team is your team! It is Canada’s team!

…And I truly believe our Olympic golf athletes have an opportunity to medal in Rio… and to win!

This is an important time for Golf Canada to leverage golf’s return to the Olympic Games. TO RECOGNIZE that success at the Olympics and showcasing our game on the brightest stage could translate to the growth of our grassroots programs. TO WORK with partners such as RBC, Hudson’s Bay Company and BMW who live within the Olympic and Canadian Olympic Committee ecosystem.

Ladies and gentlemen, athletes like Brooke Henderson, Alena Sharp, David Hearn, Graham DeLaet, and Adam Hadwin are doing amazing things and will look to defend the title that earned George S. Lyon this majestic Olympic trophy in 1904.

In 2016, we’ll see Golf Canada’s marketing and communications efforts infused with an Olympic theme. That also means inviting other industry stakeholders—owners, managers, pros and facilities—to share in the celebration of the Canadian Olympic golf dream.

We want the Canadian golf community to share in the Olympic celebration.

And in doing so, we hope to inspire Canadians to play more often, or feel inspired to take up the game.

Yes, this is an exciting time for our sport and I look forward to working with everyone in this room to create quality experiences for all golfers in Canada. In closing, I wish to again thank the members of Golf Canada for having entrusted me to serve as the 113th president of this storied association.

Thank you.

RIONEGRO, Colombia – Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Corey Conners held on to finish solo third Sunday, despite struggling in his final round with a 2-over 74 at PGA Tour Lationamérica’s Avianca Colombia Open presented by BBVA.

The 24-year-old from Listowel, Ont., ran into trouble early in the final round, posting a triple-bogey on the par-4 6^th. The 2015 Masters top-amateur wasn’t able to make up the strokes, but held off the field with a late birdie on the par-4 15^th to secure third place with a one-stroke advantage over a trio of competitors.

Conners held the first-round lead after setting a course record 63 (-9) on Thursday—which was later broken by Ken Looper’s 60 (-12) on Friday. The Kent State alumnus followed that up with a 69-68-74 to close out at 14-under for the tournament, seven back of champion Justin Hueber.

Hueber, 28, fired four consecutive rounds in the 60s at Club Campestre de Medellin Llano Grande to record the victory, his second on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica. The Mandeville, La., native won the Abierto Mexicano last May and also finished 10^th on the Order of Merit.

Chilean rookie Guillermo Pereira captured runner-up honours as the only other golfer to post four rounds in the 60s. The 20-year-old finished at 16-under, five back of Hueber.

The third place finish matches Conners’ best result on the PGA Tour Lationamérica—he finished T3 last year at the Bridgestone America’s Golf Cup presented by Value. Winning Qualifying School earlier this season, Conners is slated to tee-it-up in the next event kicking off Mar. 17. He will split events with the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada when the season stars on May. 26.

HALIFAX – Roland Deveau of Bedford, N.S., was inducted as Golf Canada’s 113^th president at the conclusion of the National Sport Federation’s Annual General Meeting this past weekend in Halifax.

Deveau succeeds 2015 president Paul McLean of King, Ont., in leading Golf Canada’s Board of Directors.  Calgary’s Leslie Dunning becomes first vice-president while Charlie Beaulieu of Lorraine, Que., assumes the role of second vice-president.

“I’m humbled and privileged to assume the presidency of Golf Canada,” said Deveau shortly after his induction. “I’d like to thank and salute Mr. McLean as well as all our previous leaders who have worked tirelessly to grow the game and promote excellence in our sport with grace, dignity and commitment. Our organization has a tremendously rich history. I thank my fellow Board members for enabling me this opportunity to work with our members and industry stakeholders as we write our next chapter.

“We live in an astonishing country who loves golf. We are Canada’s most played sport with nearly 5.7 million Canadians teeing-it-up each year. But, we have and will always face challenges. It’s the responsibility of golf’s leaders to adapt to the modern reality that our society is changing. It’s time for all of us, as an industry, to be positive about golf and work collaboratively. We must target juniors, women and minority groups who haven’t traditionally been involved with our sport. That is how we will continue to be Canada’s most popular sport and I invite all those passionate about golf to join us.”

Deveau, Dunning and Beaulieu will lead Golf Canada’s 2016 Board of Directors which also includes Liz Hoffman of Thornhill, Ont., Dale Jackson of Victoria, Rob MacDonald of Winnipeg, Don MacKay of Bracebridge, Ont., Nick Marrone of Toronto, Pat Thompson of Kelowna, B.C., and Allison Chisholm of Rothesay, N.B., as well as immediate past president Paul McLean.

John Horton, Jim Clark, Allan ‘Bunny’ Dunlop and Brian MacLeod honoured as recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award
Created in 1993, Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service award has been presented annually to recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to the game of golf in Canada. This year’s recipients are former Nova Scotia Golf Association (NSGA) president John Horton and long-time volunteer Jim Clark along with a pair of posthumous honourees – former NSGA historian Allan ‘Bunny’ Dunlop and Blind Golf Canada co-founder Brian MacLeod, who both passed away in 2015. Click here for more information on the four honourees.

Pat Irwin named Volunteer of the Year
Pat Irwin of Ladysmith, B.C., was recognized as Golf Canada’s 2015 Volunteer of the Year. This marks the tenth year in which the association has recognized individuals for their tremendous efforts and commitment to grow the game in their community. Click here for more information on Pat Irwin.

Doug Alexander appointed as Honorary Life Governor
Congratulations to Doug Alexander of London, Ont., on being named an Honorary Life Governor with Golf Canada. Alexander served as Golf Canada’s 111^th president in 2014.

Annual Report & Strategic Plan

Click here to read Golf Canada’s 2015 Annual Report, which includes a recap of the past season, as well as the association’s 2015 Financial Statements.

Click here for Golf Canada’s 2016 Strategic Plan, outlining the key activities that Golf Canada is focused on as the National Sport Federation and governing body for golf in the country.

Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting is an important week in the lead up to the 2016 golf season. In addition to appointing its new president and members to the Board of Directors, the association presents details of its strategic plan and gathers with key stakeholders from the provincial golf associations and a number of national association partners.  The AGM also celebrates key accomplishments from the previous year and provides the association with a forum to discuss issues and opportunities facing the Canadian golf industry.

To follow Golf Canada’s 2016 Annual Meeting on Twitter, use #GCAGM16.

HALIFAX – Golf Canada is pleased to announce that Ladysmith, B.C., native Pat K. Irwin has been named its 2015 Volunteer of the Year. He will receive the honour at the Saturday, February 27 closing dinner of the 2016 Annual General Meeting at the Prince George Hotel in Halifax.

Individuals’ paths to the game of golf can travel many routes. Golfers often recall early years on the course with parents or grandparents and credit them as sources of inspiration. Pat Irwin’s journey to the game came about in a more unique fashion – he decided to quit smoking.

While the health benefits alone are enough reason to quit, the financial savings from his decision propelled Irwin to take on a new hobby – golf. Urged on by his daughter, Irwin became a member at Mount Brenton Golf Course on Vancouver Island.

As familiarity became interest and interest grew to passion, Irwin came to realize the benefits of the game reached beyond age and ability. He believed in the benefits that golf could instill in children and wanted to help promote that message. Mount Brenton’s junior membership at that time was eight and Irwin knew he could help to grow those numbers.

Irwin volunteered to take the reins of the junior program in 1988 and grew its membership to 70 within his first year. His hard work and determination continue to drive junior golf programs and inspire young enthusiasts to engage with the sport.

For over a decade, Irwin has served as the Junior Chair of British Columbia Golf’s Zone 6 committee. He has organized and managed competitions, clinics and events in support of junior golf development in the North Vancouver Island area.

In 2011, the inaugural Patty Irwin Junior Tournament was conducted to recognize one of British Columbia’s strongest proponents of junior golf. He received Sport BC’s President’s Award in 2015 for his tremendous efforts in developing the sport in his home province.

Pat Irwin is an extraordinary and passionate volunteer. He is a dedicated individual who has spent countless hours championing the growth of the game. He is a believer in the sport and the values it instills.

Now in its tenth year, Golf Canada’s Volunteer of the Year award is annually presented to individuals who best exemplify the National Sport Federation’s commitment to growing the game.

In his time with the sport, Pat Irwin has consistently and selflessly demonstrated a willingness to serve, share and support the game in B.C. It is for this dedication and devotion that Golf Canada recognizes him as its 2015 Volunteer of the Year.

To follow Golf Canada’s 2016 Annual Meeting on Twitter, use #GCAGM16.

SAN JACINTO, Calif. – Young Pro Squad member August James of Bath, Ont., captured a two-stroke victory at the National Women’s Golf Association (NWGA) event on Thursday at the Soboba Springs Golf Club.

James, 22, caught fire on the back nine of Thursday’s final round, posting four straight birdies to draw even on the day, leading her to victory over long-time friend and five-time Team Canada member Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont.

Both graduates of N.C. State, James finished at even-par (72-72-72) for the two-stroke advantage over Marchand (71-74-73).

With the win, the 2014 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion takes home $1,500 (USD) to follow up on her T8 finish last week at the Symetra Tour season opener.

Click here for full scoring.

At a time when golf in all its facets is facing challenges, there can be no doubt that Paul McLean was the man for the job as he took on the presidency of Golf Canada.

When McLean of King City, Ont., took office as the 112^th president of the national association in February 2015, he did so with impressive and appropriate credentials. Not only is he part-owner of two golf courses and a member of three national associations—Golf Canada, the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada and the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association—but he is the co-founder and president of Maxium, one of the country’s leading privately held leasing companies, with assets exceeding $1 billion. A significant portion of that billion dollars is focused on approximately 800 golf courses, which Maxium supports through leasing, loans and mortgages.

With the support of a Board which he calls “excellent, with a variety of expertise and perspective,” McLean focussed much of his attention on his area of proven expertise.

“There were more financial challenges than I anticipated,” he said, “and those challenges exist throughout golf. But several positives came out of that realization, especially the fact that we really tightened our focus on what we do and how we do it, from top to bottom. We spent a lot of time and went to great lengths to try to achieve a balanced operating budget that gives us a direct line of sight to achieving the goals of our strategic plan.”

That objective has several prongs, says McLean.

One of the most fundamental is a revolutionary new membership structure, introduced in 2015, designed to reflect changing golf demographics and engage all golfers, not just members of private clubs. The previous model, about a century old, was “decaying,” says McLean.

“The new model is designed to connect us and the provincial associations with all golfers in Canada. This is key not just from a fiscal perspective, but even more importantly, to grow the game.”

From the outset of McLean’s presidency, a major theme was to strengthen the bridges between all stakeholders in Canadian golf, from the provincial amateur associations to the other members of the National Allied Golf Associations body. “We need to align ourselves, work together and maximize our resources to grow the game.”

On the professional championships front, the public perception couldn’t have been better, says McLean. “We had a great RBC Canadian Open and a great CP Women’s Canadian Open. Wonderful events, wonderful attendance and wonderful champions. From that perspective, we checked off all the boxes.”

But one important box went unchecked. “The financial results were not as good as they need to be going forward. We have to develop a long-term, financially sustainable plan for our professional championships.”

On the professional front, McLean points out with pride the fact that there are almost 40 Canadians combined on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, Web.com Tour, Symetra Tour, PGA Tour Latinoamerica and Mackenzie Tour/PGA Tour Canada.

“Twenty-five of those pros went through Golf Canada programs, so we are having a major impact at the highest levels, and building heroes creates awareness.”

In 2015, awareness of Golf Canada was also spread through the continual successful expansion of grassroots programs such as Golf in Schools (almost 2,800 schools) and CN Future Links (518 clubs).

But the life of a volunteer golf association president isn’t all interminable Board meetings, budget conferences and other related duties.

“I have some unforgettable memories,” says McLean.

“The first, and this may sound like a cliché, but I was humbled and honoured to see first-hand how hard our volunteers work. This year was really the first time I was inside the ropes at so many of our tournaments and it is unbelievable how dedicated these people are. I was in awe of our volunteers and our staff. “

He recalls the excitement of Sunday at the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey. “What drama, what crowds! We were all cheering for David Hearn [of Brantford, Ont., who led after 54 holes and finished third] but Jason Day was such a great champion.”

And, although he had been to previous Open Championships, he was invited inside the ropes at last year’s tournament at the Old Course at St Andrews. “Just in awe of the aura, the history, the tradition. Unforgettable.”

That experience was made even more unforgettable because he was accompanied by his wife and two adult children. “We got to share the game of golf at the home of golf. And then we went to a nearby course so my son, who had a tournament coming up back home, could hit some balls.

“I was standing there, watching three young boys chipping and putting. As I watched them, it brought me back to my own childhood and how I would spend hours doing the same thing. Then a car pulled up and four seniors got out to hit balls. And then another car came with two teenaged girls.

“It brought home just how great and inclusive our game is and how important it is that we take care of it.”

To follow Golf Canada’s 2016 Annual Meeting on Twitter, use #GCAGM16.

On Thursday February 25, George S Lyon will be posthumously inducted in to the Toronto Sports Hall of Honour.  This will add to his other acknowledgements including an induction to Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame in 1955 and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1971.

The Toronto Sports Hall of Honour is celebrating and promoting exceptional sport contributions and accomplishments of those who have served as inspirational role models in sport and have brought sport recognition and honour to the City of Toronto.

As the 2016 Olympics grows closer, it is important to celebrate the great success that George S Lyon had as a athlete and Olympian particularly with his 1904 Gold Medal win in Golf.

Lyon was one of three Lambton players representing Canada at the 1904 Olympics.  He won using his souvenir putter, now being displayed in “The Lyon Lounge” at Lambton Golf Club.  His final Olympic opponent, Chandler Egan was 26 year his junior and he won his match in a virtual monsoon.

Halifax (Golf Canada) – Former Nova Scotia Golf Association (NSGA) President John Horton and long-time golf volunteer Jim Clark as well as a pair of posthumous honourees—former NSGA Historian Allan ‘Bunny’ Dunlop and prolific blind golfer Brian MacLeod—will be acknowledged for their tremendous contributions to the game of golf as 2016 recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award.

The National Sport Federation’s Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually since 1993 to recognize outstanding individuals who have had an impact on Canadian golf either nationally or within their communities.

The presentation of the 2016 Distinguished Service Awards will take place on Saturday, February 27 as part of Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting at the Prince George Hotel in Halifax. Dunlop and MacLeod, who both passed away in 2015, will also be acknowledged on Friday, February 26 during an informal afternoon ceremony at the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame.

“Golf Canada is proud to recognize John Horton and Jim Clark along with the late Allan ‘Bunny’ Dunlop and Brian MacLeod as the recipients of our 2016 Distinguished Service Award,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “Their respective contributions have left a lasting impression on the Canadian golf landscape and it is with great respect that we honour these individuals for their passion and commitment to our sport.”

Recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award are often selected from within the province or region of the organization’s incoming President. On Saturday, February 27, Roland Deveau of Bedford, N.S., will be sworn in as Golf Canada’s 113^th President. As President-elect, Deveau will succeed 2015 President Paul McLean of King, Ont.

Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting and presidential appointment will conclude three days of meetings from February 25-27 in Nova Scotia’s capital.

JOHN HORTON

Even before becoming the 60^th President of the Nova Scotia Golf Association in 2013-14, John Horton had spent more than 40 years promoting the game he loved. After serving on the Board of Directors and chairing the Junior Development of Golf at Ken-Wo Golf Club in the 1970s, the native of Wolfville, N.S., turned his passion for golf into an active volunteer role at the provincial level. In addition to championing the growth of Nova Scotia’s Junior Development program, the former school teacher familiarized himself with the Rules of Golf and became a Rules Official – a role that has allowed him to officiate at numerous local, regional, provincial and national championships. He has been active in Handicapping and Course Rating and currently serves as director of Course Rating with the NSGA. In addition to Rules, Handicapping and Course Rating, Horton has also served the NSGA as its Tournament Director and Junior Director. Despite ascending the volunteer ranks provincially, Horton remains committed to the home club at which he began his journey with the game, still serving as Ken-Wo’s Handicap chair.

JIM CLARK

Jim Clark began working as a volunteer with Golf Canada at the 1984 Canadian Open as part of the Caddie Committee. Over the next 15 years, the native of Midland, Ont., would serve as vice-chair and then chair of numerous committees which work tirelessly to organize Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. Clark was appointed chair of the Canadian Women’s Open in 2001 and one year later became tournament chair for the RBC Canadian Open, a post he has held on seven occasions including most recently in 2015.  Clark was also selected to serve as tournament chairman for the inaugural World Junior Girls Championship in 2014 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont., and then this past year, he also served as the organizing committee chair for the 2015 Pan-Am Games golf competition conducted at Angus Glen. Over three decades, Clark has worked in various capacities and on several volunteer committees with Golf Canada – including past chair of the Championships Committee – where he readily demonstrates generosity and the spirit of volunteerism in giving back to the game of golf.

ALLAN ‘BUNNY’ DUNLOP (1944 – 2015)

Allan ‘Bunny’ Dunlop joined the Public Archives of Nova Scotia in 1970. For 27 years, the native of Halifax plied his craft and applied his extensive knowledge before retiring as Associate Provincial Archivist. Dunlop’s wealth of experience as an archivist and his love of the game brought him to the Nova Scotia Golf Association (NSGA) in 1997 where he served as the association’s Historian. The 39-year member of Ashburn Golf Club amassed, catalogued and maintained detailed records of golf – both in his home province and throughout the country. His 18-year tenure (1997 to 2015) as the NSGA’s Historian concluded with his passing in May of 2015. A golf competitor in his younger days, Dunlop was considered by many to be a true scholar of the game, having contributed historical information to national golf-related historical groups and societies. He compiled and documented the history of the sport as a volunteer with the NSGA and his legacy has allowed the association to maintain and preserve golf’s rich heritage in Nova Scotia.

BRIAN MACLEOD (1959 – 2015)

Brian MacLeod was not only a blind golf champion, but also a steadfast advocate for the game off the course. The native of Truro, N.S., traveled the world and amassed a golfing legacy that includes three victories at the Canadian Blind Open, two wins at the U.S. Blind Open, championship titles at the Italian Blind Open and the Australian Blind Open and two runner-up finishes at the World Blind Open. Despite those impressive accomplishments and his 67 total wins in 100 career national and international blind golf tournaments, it is MacLeod’s commitment as a life-long proponent of the sport for which he will be best remembered. Alongside friend and fellow blind golf champion Gerry Nelson, MacLeod founded Blind Golf Canada to promote the sport and provide competitive golf opportunities to the nation’s blind and visually impaired golfers. A proud ambassador for golf in Nova Scotia, Canada and internationally, Macleod passed away in December of 2015.

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