FAIRHAVEN, Mass. – The introduction of the new Titleist TS4 driver provides golfers seeking ultra-low spin performance with the speed and distance gains that have made Titleist TS2 and TS3 the most played driver models this season on the PGA Tour.

The new TS4, making its debut this week at the Valero Texas Open, is engineered to be a high-speed ultra low-spin design – challenging the notion that a driver designed for extreme spin reduction can’t produce this level of ball speed.

Available in golf shops and fitting locations beginning in late June, TS4 merges technologies developed through the Titleist Speed Project with a low, forward CG that neutralizes spin to produce a longer, more piercing ball flight.

“TS drivers have exceeded all our expectations both on tour and with golfers around the world,” said Josh Talge, Vice President of Marketing, Titleist Golf Clubs. “When it comes to driver performance, TS has shown that it’s no longer a one- or two-horse race.”

“While we know most golfers find their best fit in a TS2 or TS3 driver, there is a percentage of players out there with distinct performance needs, such as aggressive spin reduction,” Talge said. “TS4 is the ultra low-spin driver that still produces exceptional ball speed. If you want to hit it longer but are having trouble controlling spin off the tee, TS4 was made for you.”

Titleist TS4 drivers will be available in golf shops and fitting locations beginning in late June. Available in 8.5, 9.5 (RH & LH) and 10.5 lofts. MAP $699 CAD.

From April 22-26, Golf Canada will be celebrating all donations made towards the Future Links, driven by Acura Golf in Schools program in support of the third annual Adopt a School Week.

The week represents a coast-to-coast celebration to mark the efforts of all Golf in Schools adoptions. Since the program’s inception in 2009, adoptions have accounted for close to 50% of the over 3,800 registered schools delivering the curriculum. Together, Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), and all provincial partners have aligned to celebrate the generosity of golf enthusiasts across the country.

“Golf Canada recognizes the many investments made by Canadians across the country in support of the Golf in Schools program,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s chief sport officer. “It is in the industry’s best interest to support the continued growth of the sport at the grassroots level, which in turn benefits the future membership of facilities.”

For the first 30 adoptions, any golf facility, PGA of Canada professional or individual who adopts a school into the Golf in Schools program from April 22-26 will see their adoption matched with a school of their choice. This matching grant is possible due to Golf Canada’s partnership with the Canadian Seniors Golf Association (CSGA).

In 2018, 263 new schools were adopted, introducing an average of 120 students per school to golf.

A Golf in Schools donation includes the full program kit, which features safe, age-appropriate golf clubs along with a teacher-friendly learning resource. Developed in conjunction with the PGA of Canada and Physical Health Education (PHE) Canada, the learning resource incorporates Life Skills into the curriculum—placing added focus on transferrable skills both on and off the golf course.

The Intrapersonal Life Skills—perseverance, goal-setting and emotional regulation—are meant to instill focus while the Interpersonal Life Skills—honesty, teamwork and respect—embody a sense of sportspersonship.

Following Adopt a School Week, Golf Canada will be announcing all elementary, intermediate and high school adoptions conducted in 2019.

To adopt a school in your community, visit golfcanada.ca/adoptaschool

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – Graeme McDowell won the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title since November 2015, closing with a 3-under 69 for a one-stroke victory over Chris Stroud and Canadian Mackenzie Hughes.

“This is big. This is big. … It’s been a rough few years,” said McDowell, the 39-year-old major champion from Northern Ireland.

He didn’t get an automatic Masters spot with the victory because the event was played opposite the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play.

“It’s difficult to win on the PGA Tour,” McDowell said. “Don’t like calling this a second-tier event, but obviously the best players in the world are in Austin, Texas, this week. Still got a great field down here.”

 

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McDowell took the lead from Stroud with a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th and closed with a bogey – lagging a 30-foot par putt to inches – on the par-4 18th. Stroud bogeyed the final two holes in a 69. Hughes, of Dundas, Ont., also closed with a bogey for a 66.

“To be honest, Graeme earned it,” Stroud said. “He hit some great shots and 17 is a perfect example. He hit a lot of good shots today and didn’t get rewarded. He got rewarded there.”

McDowell set up the two-stroke swing on 17 with a 6-iron shot.

“I was standing on 16 green, I said to myself, ‘You’ve got to do something that’s tournament winning,”’ McDowell said. “The shot to 17 was tournament-winning level. … I’ve been struggling with my long-iron play all week, medium- and long-iron play. It’s a shot I’ve been working on on the range the last few days and it was a perfect 6-iron, it was a perfect number for me, and when it came off the bat I knew it was pretty good.”

McDowell finished at 18-under 270, rebounding from an opening 73 with consecutive 64s to take a one-stroke lead over Stroud into the final round. The 2010 U.S. Open champion, McDowellwon his fourth PGA Tour title.

“I sat over there Wednesday and I said that I was here on a mission,” McDowell said, “I was here motivated, and the attitude was going to be very, very important this week. I got off to a slow start and then I kind of found my groove Friday, Saturday, especially on the greens.”

Hughes rallied with his second straight 66 to climb into a share of 2nd place, his best PGA TOUR result since his 2016 win at the RSM Classic. The Dundas, Ont., native was coming off a strong T13 result at the Valspar Championship just a week earlier.

.@MacHughesGolf for birdie and a share of the LEAD ?? pic.twitter.com/ujHT0xgC5T

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) March 31, 2019

Stroud faltered after birdieing the par-5 14th and par-4 15th to take the lead.

“I hit the ball really poorly today and I did a really, really good job of making awesome pars, making some birdies when I had a chance,” Stroud said. “I just hit it pretty poorly, and to have a chance to win hitting it that poorly makes me feel pretty good. Even coming down the last two holes, I hit a pretty poor chip on 17 after hitting a horrendous 6-iron. That’s a perfect 6-iron for me.”

Jonathan Byrd (66) was fourth at 16 under, and Chip McDaniel (63) and Kelly Kraft (68) followed at 15 under.

Second-round leader Sungjae Im, likely needing a victory to get into the top 50 in the world and earn a Masters spot, had a 71 to tie for seventh at 14 under.

Canadians Ben Silverman (Thornhill, Ont.) and David Hearn (Brantford, Ont.) finished T12 and T18, respectively.

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – Graeme McDowell one-putted the first 15 greens Saturday and shot his second straight 8-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead in the PGA Tour’s Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship.

Winless since 2016, the 39-year-old major champion from Northern Ireland had a 15-under 201 total. He opened with a 73.

“I’ve been seeing these Paspalum greens pretty well early in the week, but I’ve been working on some routine stuff the last couple weeks,” McDowell said. “Something small’s kind of clicked, something I used to do really well years ago. I became not so good at it and I’ve tried, I’ve been practicing. It’s just a breathing thing and it really clicked with me last week a little bit and it’s been working really well on the greens again this week. It’s helping me relax and it’s helping me just stand there and hit nice putts.

“Just before I take the putter head away, just a little bit of an outbreath to relax,” McDowell said. “It’s something I used to do very well way back when and it’s amazing how you instinctively get good at things and then you stop being good at things as well. That’s cleaned my routines well up on the greens.”

Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., was tied for fifth at 11 under. Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., was at nine under and David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., was at 8 under.

McDowell had six birdies, two bogeys and a par on the front nine, then birdied four of the first six holes on the back nine. His one-putt streak ended with a two-putt par on the par-4 16th and he parred the final two holes, also one-putting the par-4 18th to finish with 20 putts.

“Standing over those 3-footers on 14 and 15, I was more nervous about the 3-footers that I didn’t want to spoil my round of putts,” McDowell said. “I hit a great shot into 16. I hit a really good putt there and my run came to an end. But it was a fun day. Listen, I hit a lot of great shots and made some putts. I’m going to have to keep doing that tomorrow if I want to try and win.”

The 2010 U.S. Open champion the last of his three PGA Tour titles three years ago at Mayakoba in Mexico. He has eight European Tour victories, the last in the 2013 French Open.

“Scoring is still hot here,” McDowell said. “You’ve got to keep your foot on the pedal and I’ve got to come back out here tomorrow and try to make some more birdies.”

Chris Stoud was second, also shooting 64. He eagled the par-5 fourth in a bogey-free round.

“I think all the work I’ve been putting in the last couple weeks starting in Tampa last week, it just all pays off,” Stroud said. “To me, it’s just like a big waterfall. You’ve just got to keep working. I’m still going to go tighten up a few things, but I hit some really great shots when I needed to today, especially on the last hole.”

Second-round leader Sungjae Im, likely needing a victory Sunday to get into the top 50 in the world and earn a Masters spot, had a 69 to drop into a tie for third with Aaron Baddeley (68) at 13 under. The winner doesn’t get an automatic Masters spot because the event is being played opposite the World Golf Championships event in Texas.

Hughes (66), Sepp Straka (67), Kelly Kraft (68) and Paul Dunne (70) were 11 under.

Golf Saskatchewan volunteer Richard Smith has been honoured by Sask Sport INC for his exemplary service to the game in the province.

Thursday in Saskatoon, the Katepwa Beach Golf Club member was recognized as one of two Volunteer of the Year award winners by the provincial amateur sports governing body. Smith took the time to thank all his colleagues upon receiving the honour at a gala at a packed TCU Place.

“I’d like to thank all of the volunteers I’ve worked with in Golf Saskatchewan, Golf Canada, the staff at Golf Saskatchewan, all of whom have combined to make my volunteer career very rewarding,” Smith said.

He served as the president of Golf Saskatchewan from 2014-15 and was the recipient of the organization’s Long Term and Exemplary Volunteer Service Award. Smith has been with Golf Saskatchewan for 16 years serving in member services roles, course rating, handicapping and executive committees. He has also been a member of the Golf Canada course rating and handicap committee for eight years and the chair of that group for the last four. He said his experiences have been gratifying over the years.

“Some days haven’t been very rewarding while course rating in the wind and rain,” he laughed. “For the most part it’s been pretty good.”

Golf Saskatchewan executive director Brian Lee nominated Smith for the award and was pleased Sask Sport chose him as a recipient.

“He’s shown dedication across many levels of the sport. He is a fine educator and a great volunteer. Richard is a volunteer we wish we could clone and make a few copies. In our opinion he was a worthy candidate and we’re glad Sask Sport honoured him, we’re very proud of him,” Lee said.

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – Likely needing to win to get a Masters spot through the world ranking, Sungjae Im rebounded from an early double bogey to take the second-round lead Friday in the PGA Tour’s Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship.

“After that bad start, my goal was to remain calm throughout the rest of my round,” Im said. “I’m hitting the ball really well, so I think that led to a lot of my birdies. Being able to control my mind helped me get those birdies as well.

A day before his 21st birthday, the South Korean player finished with his second straight 5-under 67 for a one-stroke lead over Jonathan Byrd (67), Aaron Baddeley (67), Paul Dunne (69) and George McNeill (65).

At 59th this week, Im needs to get into the top 50 in the next ranking to play at Augusta National. The winner doesn’t earn an automatic Masters spot because the event is being played opposite the World Golf Championships event in Texas.

Im follow the double bogey on his second hole – the par-3 11th – with birdies on four of the next five holes.

“It’s a long par 3, about 220 metres to the hole. There was wind blowing toward me, so I hit my 3-wood,” Im said. “My shot ended up in the back bunker and it was sitting on a difficult downslope, so it wasn’t a great situation. In hindsight, if I would’ve given the shot an extra thought and calmed myself down more, I could’ve walked away with a bogey, but I rushed things and that led to an unfortunate start.”

On his back nine, he rebounded from a bogey on the par-3 second with birdies on four of the final seven holes.

Jonas Blixt was 8 under after a 65, and Graeme McDowell followed an opening 73 with a 64 to top the group at 7 under.

“Played OK yesterday, except for my medium- and long-iron play was a little rusty,” McDowell said. “The rest of it was really good, so I knew if I could clean that up today that everything would be good. And it was very benign conditions this morning. It was nice to start on the front, which is probably the easier nine.”

Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., paced the Canadians with a 4-under 68 to sit at 6 under for the tournament in a tie for 11th. Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., is 1 back at 5 under, while David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., sits T54.

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo shot 79-80 to finish 127th out of the 128 players who completed two rounds. Playing as an amateur, the CBS analyst had his lone birdie of the week on the par-4 eighth after making a triple bogey on the hole Thursday.

“I took the same club but decided to tee it a little lower, just a little stinger shot,” Romo said. “I putted terrible throughout the week and you feel like you can hit the ball for really good stretches, but you get nothing out of it.”

He finished last a year ago.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce that Jeremy Broom is returning to the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club as our Director of Golf, effective April 29^th, 2019.

The Search Committee specifically targeted candidates who would be supportive of our traditional values while at the same time elevating our Member service levels.  We are confident that Jeremy can successfully achieve these objectives for our Membership.

As a PGA of Canada Member, Jeremy has worked within the private golf club industry over the last 14 years, including time as an Associate Professional at Lambton Golf and Country Club from 2005 to 2008, Teaching Professional here at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club from 2009 to 2011, Director of Instruction at The Toronto Golf Club from 2012 to 2013 and most recently at the Cherry Hill Club as the Executive Professional for the past five seasons.

Jeremy has a keen interest in developing golf professionals into the next leaders of golf in Canada.  This professional development extends to not only fellow staff but others as well.  Jeremy’s time serving on the PGA of Canada – Ontario Zone Board of Directors from 2010 to 2016 was spent with this objective in mind.

Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree at McMaster University and a Business Diploma from Mohawk College.  Jeremy and his wife Merilee currently reside in Grimsby, Ontario with their three children, Carter, Sydney and Gabrielle, ages, 14, 12 and 10.

“It is an honour to be appointed the next Director of Golf at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club.  The time I have spent growing my skill set as a golf professional has prepared me for the challenges that lie ahead.  I am looking forward to reconnecting with many familiar faces at Mississaugua and developing relationships with all those I am about to meet.  I would like to thank Cherry Hill for the support demonstrated over the past five years.  Cherry Hill is a wonderful Club with a fantastic Membership and Staff, all the best going forward.  My family and I are very excited about the transition to Mississaugua.  It is truly a historically significant Club within the private golf club landscape, and I am humbled to have been selected to provide service to the Membership as the next Director of Golf.”

St. George’s Golf and Country Club welcomes Alan Palmer as the new Head Golf Professional. Mr. Palmer has served as Director of Golf at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club since 2012 and was named ‘Golf Professional of the Year’ by the PGA of Canada in 2016. He brings to St. George’s over 15 years of private club management experience, including a previous term at St. George’s from 2005 to 2007 as the Associate Golf Professional.

“The membership is very excited to welcome back Alan Palmer to St. George’s. After an extensive search, which included many highly qualified Professionals from both Canada, and the U.S., Mr. Palmer’s proven success at notable clubs such as Royal Montreal, The Country Club at Brookline, Augusta National, Casa de Campo, Beacon Hall, Jasper Park Lodge and most recently Shaughnessy G&CC, offers the Board the confidence that he can deliver upon the Club’s mission to provide our members with a world-class golf course and an excellent club experience, and to further our strategic objectives such as developing an elite junior golf program,” said Mark Eleoff, Chair of the Board.

Chief Operating Officer, Jason Clarke notes, “St. George’s is a special club, with a storied past and a bright future. In today’s private club environment, successful clubs are required to be progressive and forward thinking. Management and the members of St. George’s are committed to supporting the game of golf in Canada, and Alan will be a welcome addition to our senior management team and partner in that pursuit.”

“It is a great privilege to return to St. George’s at such an exciting time in the Club’s history.” Palmer and his family are excited about the move to Toronto and rekindling friendships. “I am particularly looking forward to contributing to the future of St. George’s in a meaningful way, providing members and guests with exceptional service and a club experience they are proud of.”

As Head Golf Professional at St. George’s, Alan will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the golf services operation, including member and guest services, teaching and instruction, tournament execution, merchandising, and managing the Pro and Back Shops.

St. George’s Golf and Country Club was designed by Stanley Thompson in 1929 and is currently ranked #20 in the world by Golf Digest and is the highest Canadian rated 5-Star Platinum Club. The classically designed course is completing a Bunker Restoration Project, rebuilding all 102 bunkers to Better Billy specifications led by Golf Course Superintendent, Ian McQueen. St. George’s has played host to the Senior PGA Tour, LPGA Peter Jackson/Du Maurier Classic on five occasions and hosted the Canadian Open in 1933, 1949, 1960, 1968 and 2010.

Palmer’s successor will be Ashley Zibrik.

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We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ashley Zibrik as Interim Director of Golf & Head Professional at SGCC. Congratulations Ashley! We wish our outgoing Director of Golf & Head Professional Alan Palmer all the best in his journey to @stgeorgesgcc as their new Head Golf Professional. Thank you for a great 7 years with #TeamShaughnessy Alan! . #theShaughnessyExperience #WomenInGolf #CanadianGolf

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CARLSBAD, Calif. – Chella Choi birdied the final three holes for a 7-under 65 and the first-round lead Thursday in the Kia Classic.

Choi had a bogey-free morning round at Aviara Golf Club in the final event before the major ANA Inspiration next week in Rancho Mirage.

“My putter really help me, so I really enjoyed it today,” Choi said.

The South Korean player was in the first group of the day of the first tee.

“I like this golf course,” Choi said. “I have really good memory here. Beautiful weather, course condition, and beautiful flowers. Very positive think and do my best.”

She won the 2015 Marathon Classic for her lone LPGA Tour.

Stephanie Meadow was two strokes back at 67. The former Alabama player from Northern Ireland also had a bogey-free round in the morning.

“Really consistent day,” Meadow said. “Just hit a bunch fairways and a bunch of greens and rolled some putts in, so pretty stress-free golf.”

Nine of the top 10 players in the world are in the field, with only No. 6 Nelly Korda taking the week off. Top-ranked Sung Hyun Park, No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn, No. 3 Minjee Lee, No. 4 Jin Young Ko and No. 8 Inbee Park topped a large group at 68. Sung Hyun Park won last month in Singapore and Ko is coming off a victory Sunday in the Founders Cup in Phoenix.

“Just play now,” Ko said. “Also, I don’t want think about future. Just think about now.”

Defending champion Eun-Hee Ji and Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., shot 69.

Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee, Hamilton’s Alena Sharp and Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., all shot 75. Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec City had a 76.

Lexi Thompson opened with a 73 in her first tournament round in a month.

Cristie Kerr had a hole-in-one on the 143-yard 14th in a 74. She won the 2015 tournament.

“I played so bad today and that was like – I don’t know?” Kerr said. “I was trying to just make as many birdies as I could coming in. Finally got a birdie on 10 and 13, and just was trying to somehow bring it back close to par and get out in the morning and have some better greens.”

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – Joel Dahmen birdied five of his last six holes Thursday for a 6-under 66 and a share of the first-round lead in the PGA Tour’s Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship.

Dahmen rebounded from a bogey on the par-4 third with four straight birdies and closed with another birdie on the par-3 ninth. Winless on the PGA Tour, the 31-year-old former University of Washington player was tied with Matt Jones and Paul Dunne.

“Slow start,” Dahmen said. “I bogeyed the par 5 early, but knew that the front was gettable. The wind was pretty consistent all day, which was nice. Then just made a couple nice putts.”

Sungjae Im, trying to move from No. 59 in the world into the top 50 to get into the Masters, was a stroke back. The winner doesn’t earn an automatic Masters spot because the event is being played opposite the World Golf Championships event in Texas.

Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., was the top Canadian at 3 under. Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., shot 2-under 70, Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., had a 71, David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., and Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., both shot 72 and Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., carded a 73.

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had a 79. Playing as an amateur, the CBS analyst bogeyed three of the first four holes and had a triple bogey on the par-4 eighth. He also bogeyed the par-4 13th, failing to make a birdie in the round.

“I think it’s somewhat nerves early on,” Romo said. “Missed a few short putts that you feel you normally make and then just a bad swing on 8 that cost me a triple bogey. Hard to make birdies out here, just the wind.”

Romo was tied for 128th, ahead of only two players. He missed the cut and finished last a year ago.

“I think you want to really compete with yourself, see how good you can get,” Romo said. “I play with a lot of these guys, you see how talented they are and how good. The thing that stands out is the consistency, the ability to do it over and over again. In this game one or two swings costs you a day. Today, that was a little bit of my day.”

Dunne birdied three of his last four, finishing on the front nine. The Irishman won the 2017 British Masters.

“I like the golf course. I feel comfortable here,” Dunne said. “The couple of loose tee shots I normally hit in a round I can get away with here, so play to my strength a little bit. The breeze blowing for the week is nice, we’re used to that.”

Jones also had a strong finish, birdieing three of the last five on the back nine. The Australian won the 2014 Shell Houston Open for his lone PGA Tour title and also won the 2015 Australian Open.

“Just hit a lot of quality iron shots and got it close to the pin,” Jones said. “Six under was a good score. It was probably the worst score I could have shot today.”

Aaron Baddeley was at 68 with Roberto Diaz, Sepp Straka, Brady Schnell, Jonathan Byrd, D.J. Trahan and Sam Burns.

Defending champion: Brice Garnett shot 71. Davis Love III and son Dru each shot 72.