Gary Jeffrey didn’t play a lot of golf in 2015, but when he teed it up, there was usually a paycheque with his name on it at the end of the day.

The veteran golf professional from Collingwood, Ont., made the most of turning 50 carding three victories and three second place finishes on the way to winning PGA of Ontario Senior Player of the Year honours in 2015.

“If I counted the number of leisure rounds, or practice rounds I played last year it might have been five,” says Jeffrey who is the father of two young boys, Bennett who is four and Callen who is seven. “I would pop over to Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club a day or two before an event and hit some balls on the range and make some putts and I kept lose hitting a few balls at Golf Town, but I also didn’t want to overdo it,” added Jeffrey who battled through some recurring injuries throughout the season.

Jeffrey opened the season playing his first round of the year in his very first senior event at Black Bear Ridge Golf Club. Despite being 1-over after five holes, he carded five birdies and an eagle to win the PGA of Ontario 2015 Senior Spring Open by a single stroke at 3-under par. “That first round really set the tone for the rest of the season and I decided I was going to go out and try to win as many events as possible,” who spent the past three and a half years as a teaching professional at Golf Town in Barrie and is currently looking at new opportunities, after Golf Town axed close to 50 PGA of Canada teaching professionals last November as part of a corporate restructuring.

“I still remember when I was an assistant in my hometown at King’s Forest GC in Hamilton and just out of college looking for my first professional win back in 1989 and in 2015 it felt like I was a rookie again,” says Jeffrey, who has worked at numerous clubs around the province including Hamilton G&CC, Crosswinds G&CC, Cranberry Resort, The Golf Club at Lora Bay, Brooklea G&CC and Owen Sound G&CC.

At the PGA of Ontario Summer Challenge at Lookout Point CC Jeffrey won in a playoff over Keir Smith from The National Golf Club of Canada to secure his second victory of the year and he would go on to finish second at the PGA of Ontario Senior Championship at Flamborough Hills Golf Club behind Ian Doig.

Jeffrey returned to the winner’s circle in the Senior Fall Classic at Peterborough Golf & Country Club where he finished at 2-under for a two-stroke win over David Banks. “I hit the ball really well in Peterborough and had an eagle on 17, which proved to be the turning point,” he says. “Finishing strong seemed to be a big part of the success for the year.”

At the Mr. Lube PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada presented by Adams Golf at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Jeffrey finished T11 at 1-over for three rounds 71-74-69. “My goal going in was to be in the top-10 in my first national senior championship and I came up a little bit short of that, but I still managed a strong final round to climb back up the leaderboard. Hopefully, I’ll be in contention in 2016.”

Jeffrey also finished T2 in the PGA of Ontario Senior Pro/Junior Pro Championship with Ron Kenesky a familiar partner from Twenty Valley Golf and Country Club and T2 with another senior, Dave Wettlaufer in the PGA Team Championship Qualifier for the Nike Golf PGA Team Championship of Canada at The Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda where they went on to a respectable finish despite a disappointing opening round.

As for the future Jeffrey isn’t sure what’s in store, but that’s nothing new for this pro and many others. One thing that is for sure is that he would like to return to the winner’s circle in 2016. At the very least he will be teeing it up for some family golf with Bennett, Callen and his wife Lauren. “The first words out of Bennett’s mouth when he was one were, “Go golf” and he’d hit a golf ball around the house with a wooden spoon. I’m really looking forward to getting out there with them this summer and having some fun.”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Symetra Tour, the Road to the LPGA, in conjunction with The Evian Championship announced today that the top two finishers at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship will earn spots into The Evian Championship, the fifth and final major on the LPGA schedule. This is the first time in history players will earn spots in an LPGA major based off a finish at a Symetra Tour event.

The FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship will take place at Battle Creek Country Club in Battle Creek, Michigan the week of July 18-24. The top 156 players will be competing for the winner’s check and the top two finishers will receive entry into The Evian Championship and financial support from Société Générale, one of The Evian Championship’s Major partners, to help them through their season.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for a rising star in women’s golf to experience an LPGA major in a setting like Evian-les-Bains, France,” said Chief Business Officer of the Symetra Tour, Mike Nichols. “The vision of the Symetra Tour is to prepare the next generation of LPGA stars and we are grateful to Evian for giving two players this unique chance to experience the LPGA first hand before they are full-time LPGA players.”

In the case of a tie for second at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, there will be a sudden death playoff for the final exemption into the Evian Championship.

The Evian Championship, which became the fifth LPGA major in 2013, will be contested the week of September 15-18 at Evian Resort Golf Club. The total purse for the event is $3.25 million and the winner will earn $487,500. Last year, Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1 Lydia Ko won the Evian Championship, becoming the youngest player ever to win an LPGA major championship.  Canada’s Brooke Henderson tied for 25th.

The FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship is a third year event on the Symetra Tour. Past winners include Min Seo Kwak (2014) and Madeleine Sheils (2015).

FJ has unveiled the new VersaLuxe™ footwear category, a line pegged to be versatile and loaded with high-end luxurious materials and details.

VersaLuxe shoes were designed to provide luxurious comfort on and off the golf course by utilizing golf’s finest leathers, stunning details and a fashionable, yet versatile, spikeless outsole.

From the rich, super-soft premium SuppleLuxe™ leather by Pittards® of England and fine-grade stitching to the cork covered fit-bed and suede inner heel pocket, every detail has been meticulously considered in order to deliver a shoe that is the pinnacle of style, comfort and craftsmanship.

“For this assignment, our design team was challenged with creating a shoe that featured the ‘best-of the-best” so a player could experience luxurious looks and feel on and off the golf course,” said Doug Robinson, FJ Vice President of Design and Development Worldwide. “Our inspiration here was that timeless, super soft, supple leather chair that fits you perfectly after years of wear. These shoes were created with a similar commitment to exquisite materials, superb craftsmanship and the highest quality.”

“We want this shoe to be something you look forward to wearing for years as it molds to your foot over time and becomes more comfortable with every wear.”

Some of the line’s features and benefits include:

·        Premium super soft SuppleLuxe waterproof leather by Pittards of England
·        Suede inner-heel pocket, no slip comfort fit
·        Full leather linings for mold-to-feet custom fit
·        Genuine cork-covered soft, ultra-comfortable fit-bed
·        Versatile spikeless outsole
·        New Lane last features a rounded toe character, full fit across the forefoot allows toes to spread and grip.
·        Contrasting and Tonal lace options included
·        2 year waterproof warranty

The line is now available and pricing starts at 220 CAD MSRP.

For more details, visit: www.footjoy.ca.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The PGA of America says it will no longer hold the PGA Grand Slam of Golf for the year’s major champions.

The event began in 1979 and was played continuously from 1986 until last year. It was scheduled to be held at Trump National in Los Angeles, and the PGA of America decided to cancel it because of all the attention on Donald Trump’s remarks about Mexican immigrants when he announced his campaign for president.

The PGA of America says the event no longer fits into the golf landscape because of the PGA Tour’s wraparound season and players involved in more than one tour.

It also says the Grand Slam has struggled to attract fans and media interest.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Arnold Palmer will be on the first tee to help start the Masters this year – but without his golf clubs.

Palmer said Tuesday he has told Augusta National he will not be hitting the ceremonial tee shot to start the Masters this year. Palmer, a four-time Masters champion, has had that role since 2007. Jack Nicklaus joined him in 2010 and Gary Player was added in 2012.

The 86-year-old Palmer is slowing down. He did not have a news conference at his Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Instead, he answered questions that were submitted last week by the golf media.

Palmer says he would love to hit the ceremonial shot forever, but he can’t hit the drive the way he would like.

Despite no LPGA Tour event this past week, Brooke Henderson has achieved another milestone in her young career.

The 18-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont. cracked the top ten in the Rolex Rankings – the weekly tabulation for female professional golfers – for the first time, sitting 10th.

Henderson, who started her year with four top-10 finishes in five events, three on the LPGA Tour and one on the Ladies European Tour, is in Phoenix this week for the JTBC Founders Cup.

The teenage sensation has had a meteoric rise up the Rolex Rankings since her victory last August. She has admitted in past interviews that her goal is to reach no. 1 in the world, but she’ll have to overtake fellow 18-year-old Lydia Ko to do so.

It’ll take Henderson a few more victories before she can eclipse Ko, but recently announced Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductee Lorie Kane doesn’t feel like it’ll be too long before she finds the winner’s circle again.

“I just spent some time with her in Australia, and there will be another win coming soon, I don’t doubt it,” Kane told reporters during her Hall-of-Fame announcement conference call.

Henderson’s whirlwind world tour has taken her to both Australia and Singapore – “much different than Smiths Falls,” she admits – in early 2016, but she has also been able to take in the perks of a touring professional (and not something every Canadian teenager gets to do).

The Henderson sisters enjoyed the architecture of downtown Singapore, and both held a baby kangaroo and koala bear while down under.

Two special guests at the Welcome Gala tonight…baby kangaroo and koala!!! pic.twitter.com/rpop0zDRfb

— Brooke Henderson (@BrookeHenderson) February 16, 2016

She also managed to play some pretty good golf – finishing tied for ninth and eighth respectively in the two countries. She also visited Ping’s headquarters early last week to receive a solid-gold putter – a token that each Ping-sponsored player gets after a victory – and spent some time in nearby Phoenix with fellow Canadian Alena Sharp, playing some golf together with sister Brittany.

Today @BrookeHenderson received her gold putter from her victory at the 2015 @PortlandClassic. Congrats, Brooke! pic.twitter.com/8yhKPwP6ez — PING GOLF (@PingTour) March 10, 2016

The reigning Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year is also set to represent Canada at the Olympics this summer, in all likelihood with Sharp as a teammate.

Sharp and Henderson are expected to participate in the closing ceremonies before flying directly to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, the first of two back-to-back LPGA events on Canadian soil this summer.

Henderson sits 8th on the LPGA’s money list so far through 2016, earning just over US$207,000.

She spent two months as the world’s no.1-ranked amateur before turning professional at the end of 2014.

Here are the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings as of March 14, 2016.

UXBRIDGE — In preparation for the spring launch of the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) new Strategic Plan, significant upgrades to the existing Operational Committees have been announced. Many committees will be eliminated and replaced with Golf Advisory Teams (GAT) that will help review the tactics outlined in the new strategic plan.

“Our goal is to align our feedback and advisory mechanism with our new strategic direction in an effort to build the sport together,” said Mike Kelly, GAO Executive Director. “We want to focus our volunteers’ time and support towards answering the question ‘how are we doing?’ and then integrate all feedback and recommendations to ensure our implementation plan is effective.”

The new GAT model will aim to support the GAO’s new Strategic Plan. The GATs will help to accomplish the goal of becoming  the Best Provincial Sport Organization in Canada; innovate golf by providing industry leading services; drive more people to play the sport and encourage more children to get into the game; support golf clubs/facilities and all people involved in the game by aligning golf organizations, creating positive partnerships and ensuring that golf remains the most popular sport in Ontario.

The GAT’s input on the strategic plan comes at a vital time for the golf industry as it prepares for the return of the sport at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The GAO recognizes how important it will be to capitalize on the exposure of the sport and to channel that exposure into more people playing the game.

In 2016, there will be six GATs:

• Golf Communities – local collaboration with all golf industry stakeholders to build the sport together;
• Golf Services – designing, marketing and delivering services and benefits for facilities and golfers at all levels;
• Next GEN – initiatives to build a stronger and larger base of junior golfers in Ontario;
• Communication – how to effectively deliver relevant information to the right people, at the right time;
• Championships – Ensure the delivery of world class Championship events;
• Course Rating and Handicapping – effective course rating and handicapping services to our members;

Remaining intact are a trio of committees. The Hall of Fame, Scholarship and Team Selection committees will continue to operate in their current structure.

“Ultimately, the goal of restructuring our Operational Committees is to optimize support for our staff in the operation of our golf business as we further the objectives of the Government of Ontario’s Sport Plan,” added Kelly.

The GAO is currently seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals from the Industry for its 2016 GATs. For more information on the specific GATs or to volunteer click here.

PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Charl Schwartzel used two big birdies to close with a 4-under 67 and made up a five-shot deficit. All he needed was a par on the first hole of a playoff Sunday at Innisbrook to beat Bill Haas and win the Valspar Championship.

Schwartzel’s two-putt par on the 18th hole in a playoff gave him his third victory worldwide in his last six starts dating to December.

Haas, who never trailed over the final 27 holes of regulation, hit his tee shot into the trees in the playoff, came up short into a bunker and blasted long out of the soft sand to 20 feet. He missed the par putt, and Schwartzel tapped in for his first victory in America since the 2011 Masters.

The loudest cheers belonged to Lee McCoy, the senior at Georgia who grew up next to Innisbrook and made good on his first sponsor’s exemption. Playing alongside Jordan Spieth, McCoy shot 69 to finish alone in fourth.

It was the best finish by an amateur in a PGA Tour event of top players since 17-year-old Justin Rose tied for fourth at the British Open in 1998 at Royal Birkdale. Robbie Shelton tied for third last year in the Barbasol Championship, held opposite the British Open.

McCoy would have earned $292,800 had he been a pro.

“It’s surreal to say the least,” McCoy said.

Spieth fell behind early, never caught up and closed with a 73 to tie for 18th, seven shots behind. He couldn’t help but applaud McCoy when he finished his round.

Schwartzel was the only player who put any sustained pressure on Haas, and he made his move with a 65-foot birdie putt across the green on the par-3 13th hole. He got up-and-down from a tough lie in the bunker for birdie on the 14th, made a tough par save from the edge of a bunker on the 16th and rolled in a 25-foot putt on the 17th.

He posted at 7-under 277.

Haas had a two-shot lead with three holes to play and had made tough par saves to stay in front. It finally caught up with him when he made bogey from the bunker on the 16th hole, and he closed with two pars for a 72.

With more swirling wind on the Copperhead course, Schwartzel and McCoy were the only players to break par from the last nine groups.

“I think everyone’s goal is to keep bogeys off the card,” Schwartzel said when he finished his regulation round. “You’re just surviving.”

That wasn’t easy to do.

Steve Stricker was two shots out of the lead until he made a double bogey on the par-5 11th and never recovered. Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., starting the final round one shot behind in second and determined to get his first PGA Tour victory, never made a birdie in his round of 75.

“Obviously you can’t be in contention putting the way that I did today,” said DeLaet. “It’s disappointing. I was actually pretty proud of myself. I hit the ball really well. I kept trying all day long, I mean I just kept telling myself it was going to happen, it was going to happen. Never did, but, you know, I’m proud of the effort that I put in. Didn’t happen today.”

Ryan Moore hit the ball great and couldn’t figure out the greens, which were slower than normal. Moore was within one shot of the lead at the turn, but he closed with 12 straight pars for a 71 to finish two shots out of the playoff in third place.

It also was a tough day for Ian Poulter, who had a 75-75 weekend and tied for 67th.

That bumped Poulter down to No. 67 in the world ranking, which could knock him out of the Dell Match Play. This was the final week before the world ranking is used to determine the 64-man field (Jim Furyk and Henrik Stenson are not playing). PGA Tour rookie Patton Kizzire closed with a 72 and tied for 33rd, enough to move past Poulter.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Charleston Southern University junior Austin James of Bath, Ont.,  finished third and lead the Buccanners to an eighth-place finish at the 2016 General Hackler on Sunday at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club.

James, the 2014 Canadian Junior Boy’s Champion, played his final 14 holes 5-under par to finish in sole possession of third at 7-under par 209, two shots back of medalists Jimmy Stanger of Virginia and Matthew NeSmith of South Carolina.

James fired a 68 (-4) in the final round and played all three rounds under par.

James and the Bucs tee-it-up next April 3rd at The Hootie at Bulls Bay in Awendaw, S.C.

HUA HIN, Thailand – Scott Hend of Australia shot a final-round 68 to beat Piya Swangarunporn of Thailand by a stroke to win the Thailand Classic at the Black Mountain Golf Course on Sunday.

Hend rolled in five birdies against one bogey for an overall total of 18-under-par 270 to win his second European Tour event.

The Australian, who holed a crucial birdie on the 17th hole to take the lead, says “I’m very proud to win this title.”

The win marked the 43-year-old golfer’s second Asian Tour title in Thailand after the 2013 Chiang Mai Classic and the eighth on the Asian Tour.

Piya, 32, had his best result on the Asian Tour after he shot a tournament record 63 on Sunday that included seven birdies and an eagle on the 10th to finish one back.