Henderson hopes to match Post’s Canadian LPGA win record at ANA Inspiration
It’s no secret that Brooke Henderson wants to catch Sandra Post for most wins by a Canadian on the LPGA Tour. Matching Post’s record at this week’s ANA Inspiration – where the Canadian golfing great won twice – would be Henderson’s ideal event to do it.
Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., and Hamilton’s Alena Sharp are the only Canadians in the field at the ANA, the first major of the LPGA Tour’s season, starting Thursday in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Post won the event in 1978 and 1979 when it was known as the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle. Post has eight career LPGA wins, one more than Henderson
“Tying Sandra would be amazing. I’m really looking forward to, and excited, that hopefully I will get this eighth win this year and to do it at a major would be incredible,” Henderson, 21, said. “Especially at ANA where she has won twice.
“I talked to her there before and she’s given me some hints on how to beat the course and hopefully I can put those into action and see what I can do.”
As winner of the Women’s PGA Championship in 2016, Henderson qualified for the ANA Inspiration well before this season began. But her strong start to this year – three top-10 finishes and one top 15 – would also have qualified her.
Sharp qualified as one of the top 20 players on the LPGA’s 2019 money list not already in the field.
“I’m really happy with my start to the season,” said Henderson. “I feel like I have been in contention a little bit, I’ve felt the competitive juices flowing. It’s been fun, for sure.
“I feel like my game is in a good spot, I just think there’s some small things I’m continuing to clean up.”
Another highlight of Henderson’s season has been her prominent role in the LPGA’s Drive On campaign.
In the campaign’s 45-second introductory video released on March 20, Henderson is seen practising at a driving range and she is the first of several golfers to do a voiceover encouraging girls to overcome adversity and be true to themselves.
“It was pretty amazing to be a part of a film like that, that is so powerful and has so much meaning behind it,” said Henderson. “I didn’t really realize I was going to be one of the biggest people to kickstart it, but definitely an honour.
“Drive On’s just getting started and I think it will empower not only women and young girls but I think people of all genders and all ages, helping them to push past negativity and focus on what you’re trying to do and get there.”
Do you know the changes coming to golf’s handicap system?
Old Man Winter is finally loosening his grip on golf courses across the country and many of you are already shaking off the rust of a Canadian winter and heading to the first tee, ready to post those scores for handicap purposes.
Good for you!
But did you know that those scores can only be posted in Canada during what is called the “Active Season” in your province?
While some lucky folks in more temperate climes (that’s you, British Columbia) can already post their scores, the rest of us have to wait until the middle of April or later.
From west to east, Active Seasons are: B.C., March 1-Nov. 15; Alberta, March 1-Oct. 31; Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia, April 15-Oct. 31; New Brunswick, May 1-Oct. 31; P.E.I., April 16-Nov. 14; Newfoundland and Labrador, May 1-Oct. 15.
Why is there such a thing as an “Active Season”?
“Active Season exists to help eliminate scores that might adversely affect the calculation of a handicap because they are generally not played under what we call `mid-season` playing conditions,” said Craig Loughry, Golf Canada’s representative on the World Handicap Committee.
“Generally, outside the Active Season, conditions are soggy, wet, lots of leaves (potential lost ball or bad lie), cool, etc., which makes the course play a little longer and different than mid-season (virtually little to no roll on tee shots, which means a loss per drive of about 20 yards. On an average course that has 14 driving holes, that could mean a 280-yard difference just on yardage alone.
“Greens are also much more receptive and generally slow compared to mid-season. It’s a combination of these things which distort how the course plays from which it was rated (we assume mid-season when the majority of rounds are played) and what the expected scores would be in optimum conditions, so we set an Active Season to help mitigate the effect of scores played in the shoulder season.”
While those dates aren’t likely to change in 2020, there will be a significant updating of the handicap system starting Jan. 1 when the new World Handicap System is implemented.
For the past four years, Loughry has represented Canada as Golf Canada’s representative on the World Handicap Committee, sitting beside the other major golf associations from around the globe in an effort to make the system more equitable, flexible, consistent and understandable.
Significantly, the committee—Loughry calls it “the United Nations of handicapping”—will meet in Toronto this fall, its first gathering ever outside the United States, Britain and Europe.
“We hope by informing golfers of the impending changes this far in advance, they will have the opportunity to review the changes and comment on them,” Loughry says.
A limit of net double bogey per hole will be allowed for handicapping purposes and the maximum Handicap Index will be set at 54.0, regardless of gender, to encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance to increase their enjoyment of the game.
Perhaps the most obvious change for Canadians is that the term “Handicap Factor” used in this country for years will become “Handicap Index” to align with the USGA terminology and which will be used worldwide. But the new system will adopt Canada’s practice of updating handicaps daily in all countries, as opposed to the current USGA model.
A list of 9 useful tips for the World Handicap System can be found here.
The committee’s research shows that your Index is unlikely to change significantly from your previous Factor. Only 54 holes worth of scores will be required for an initial Index and your Index will eventually be averaged using the best eight of your last 20 scores posted.
One very notable innovation is the Playing Conditions Calculation which “analyzes how players have performed that day compared to their expected performance on that golf course. It will naturally include weather and course setup (reflected in the scores) and if expected results fall outside a tolerance level, an adjustment will apply to all scores played on that course for that day.”
Have a look at the changes and take advantage of the opportunity to comment.
As for me, when the Active Season starts here in Ontario, I’ll already be posting scores via the Golf Canada app from South Carolina where the Active Season never ends. My snow blower’s broken.
Titleist introduces new TS4 Driver
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.
Adopt a School Week set to return April 22
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
Hughes ties for 2nd at Corales behind champion McDowell
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.
Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes climbs into 5th at Corales
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.
Richard Smith honoured with Saskatchewan’s Volunteer of the Year award
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.
Ben Silverman shares 11th midway through Corales
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.
Jeremy Broom appointed as Director of Golf at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club
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 29th, 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 Hires Alan Palmer as Head Golf Professional
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.