After being the king of the mountain at BraeBen Golf Club for seven years, Bradlee Ryall is increasing his domain as the new Head of Instruction for the Kaneff Golf Academies.

Ryall, who has a database of over 4,000 students, will expand his brand with the introduction of Kaneff Golf Academies at Lionhead GC, Royal Ontario GC, Royal Niagara GC, Streetsville Glen GC, Century Pines GC and Carlisle Golf & Country Club.

“It’s a huge undertaking, but I’m really exciting about the opportunity to work with great people and I am thankful that I have a job that I love to come to every day,” says Ryall, who started with Kaneff Golf in February as a new management team came on board and set a new direction for the properties. “Our vision is to offer an incredible experience and build the biggest and most respected academy brands in Canada.”

Ryall, who was named PGA of Ontario Junior Leader of the Year at the end of 2015, is looking to take the junior learning pyramid that his Bradlee Ryall Golf Enterprises team developed at the BraeBen Golf Academy and customize it for adult programs at the Kaneff Golf properties. Students work their way up through classes similar to karate and swimming. Instead of receiving belts or badges for graduating from one level to the next, they receive rubber bracelets to identify their progression.

“We have in excess of 1,000 youngsters who annually go through our junior programs and now we will be able to grow that number by leaps and bounds,” says Ryall who is hiring a head teaching professional for each facility and upwards of 10 more PGA of Ontario teaching professionals as the academies takes shape this spring. “We’re looking to grow our adult business too, with programs and clinics for beginners, ladies, and for adults looking to break 80, break 90 and break 100 and much more.”

In 2012, the GAO recognized Ryall and BraeBen as the Junior Facility of the Year and in 2014 they were a “Finalist” for the national Future Links Facility of the Year. Ryall, who will be based out of Lionhead, will also have an administration team of three people working behind the scenes to ensure the smooth operation of all learning programs. They’re going digital in a big way with specialized on-line portals at each facility where students will be able to access a Kaneff Golf Academy iPad and book their upcoming lessons or communicate with their teacher.

“I think we have been successful because we try to ensure that our students are getting more than just a golf lesson. It’s like school, where they are part of a larger group and we try to educate their parents so students and parents understand where their child is headed and that there is always a direction to where they are going next,” says the Toronto native who started playing golf with his uncle, and childhood friends, as a 12-year-old at Lakeview GC in Mississauga, but he didn’t play competitive amateur golf.

After earning a BA in Sociology at the University of Western Ontario, Ryall turned professional in 2001 with a burning passion to make a career out of either playing or teaching golf. A year later, he graduated with a Business Diploma in Golf Management from Humber College and headed out to Fairmount Jasper Park Lodge to spend his first summer learning the ins and outs of being a golf professional. Since that time, he has taught around the world in Punta Cana and Portugal, gaining valuable insight into how people learn. He also trained for five years at two David Leadbetter Golf Academies – IMG and Champions Gate in Florida. After playing professionally for two seasons on the Great Lakes Tour, Ryall landed at Lionhead as a teaching professional in 2008 and prepared for his next adventure. A year later his entrepreneurial spirit took root and he founded Bradlee Ryall Golf Enterprises and set up camp at The Academy at BraeBen.

“All along my main goal has been to help my students build on their passion for the game, while creating a fun atmosphere where they can flourish,” says Ryall who is looking forward to taking that passion to the Kaneff Golf Academies so they can continue to grow the game and create a love for it among all the students. Bradlee will also be trying to find a balance between family life with his wife Courtney and their two children, Harlowe who is two years old and Hudson who is three months, in what should be a summer of fun and hard work!

BANDON, Oregon — Utah Valley Wolverine sophomore Blair Bursey carded a 2-under-par 69 in Tuesday’s final round to claim the Bandon Dunes Championship individual title at Bandon Dunes Resort with a three-round score of 5-under-par 208 (71-68-69).

Bursey finished first ahead of 68 other golfers at the tournament to claim his first-ever collegiate tournament victory. He finished two strokes ahead of Clemson’s Austin Langdale to secure medalist honors. Bursey was one of just three golfers to finish the tournament under par.

“I’m so proud of Blair,” Utah Valley head coach Chris Curran said. “This is a huge win. He’s been so close several times and broke through today. His putting was clutch down the stretch, birdieing two of his last five holes.”

Bursey registered four birdies and 12 pars during his final round on Tuesday. He led the field with 13 birdies over his three rounds. The first place finish marks Bursey’s third top-3 performance of the season.

As a team, Utah Valley finished sixth in the 12-team field with a three-day total of 41-over-par 893 (305-289-299).  The Wolverines finished ahead of Boise State, Washington State, Gonzaga, Denver and San Jose State. Clemson claimed the team title with a 2-over-par 854 (290-274-290). Washington finished second at 871 (+19) and UAB was third at 879 (+27).

“As a team, we once again failed to finish strong,” Curran said. “We are a young team but I like where we are heading.”

Next up for Bursey and Utah Valley will be the Redhawk Invitational hosted by Seattle U at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Washington, April 4-5.

There’s an old saying in golf, attributed to Bobby Jones, that the game is mainly played on a five-and-a-half inch course: “the distance between your ears.”

And few people know that better than Canadian Alena Sharp.

Now in her 11th year on the LPGA Tour, she began working with Tony Robbins mental coach Mimi Peak last year, and it was her best as a professional. She played in 26 events and only missed five cuts. She also recorded her first top 10 since 2010, and her first-ever top five finish, earning more than $270,000 in the process.

So what was different?

“I had a few rough years. The older you get the more you think, and the more bad crap is in your head,” says Sharp, laughing. “I’m just getting rid of all that stuff and believe that I’m good enough to be out here.”

Sharp had a strong debut on the LPGA Tour, but had a blip in the middle of her career where she bounced around on some mini-tours. Although she wishes she didn’t have that happen, she says she learned a lot during that time.

She also bounced back with a Symetra Tour victory in 2014.

“Obviously I’d love to be further along (in my career) than I am, but I know that this is my path. As long as I keep getting better, that’s the one thing I want to keep doing,” explains Sharp.

Sharp states that she used to put a lot of pressure on herself and focused too much on end results, getting her in trouble. Her work with Peak and Golf Canada’s National Women’s Team Coach Tristan Mullally – which began in 2015 – have inspired her to take things one shot at a time.

“I do put a lot of pressure on myself, and I do try too hard sometimes,” admits Sharp. “I’m setting process goals now and watching the results come from them, instead of always thinking about results.”

She has also found some inspiration in a fellow Canadian.

On the final hole of the LPGA’s Portland Classic in August, it was Sharp who was one of the first people to reach Brooke Henderson and spray the then 17-year-old with non-alcoholic champagne.

Watching Henderson grow as a person and a player has been exciting and motivating for Sharp.

“I think I read something last week that she doesn’t think she’s a feel player, and that’s something I used to do. Then I started thinking too much,” says Sharp. “Being around her has brought that back in me a little bit. It’s helped me. We’ve played practice rounds together and talk a lot, so it’s been a nice relationship.”

That relationship is probably going to extend into the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, where Sharp and Henderson are the likely pair who will represent Canada in the golf competition.

But Sharp’s revitalized mental attitude hasn’t let her get ahead of herself.

“I don’t want to get too high hopes, but it’s a big goal in the back ground. I would love to represent Canada and I know it would be an amazing experience,” she says. “I think it’s going to be something every athlete obviously wants to go through, and to be down there with other Canadian athletes – not just golfers – would be amazing.”

Before that, though, Sharp has to continue building off 2015. She’s in the field of two majors without having to qualify and is looking forward to playing the tougher courses.

“I made the cut (at the majors) but I was near the bottom. I want to challenge, I want to be one of the contenders out there,” she says. “I like the courses that are longer, they play more into my game. I really think I can excel more at those tournaments.”

Sharp has had a fair-to-midland start to 2016, making one cut and missing another. She’s back in the LPGA Tour field when it comes to Arizona in a few weeks and she says she may play in a couple of Cactus Tour events before then.

“I had a decent start this year,” she explains. “But I feel like it’s going to be a good year.”

Rickie Fowler came through in the clutch again, and this one paid off handsomely.

Fowler was among several PGA Tour players who took part in the Cigar Aficionado-Wine Spectator Pro-Am on Monday at Old Palm Golf Club for Ernie Els and his “Els for Autism.” When it was over, all the players got one shot on the 19th hole to win $1 million for the charity if they made a hole-in-one.

According to Golf Channel, Fowler wasn’t wearing golf shoes and he had to borrow a wedge from Luke Donald.

The shot went in the hole, and the crowd erupted. The wild scene of high-fives ended with Els hoisting Fowler as if he had just made the game-winner. Which he did.

Fowler said on Twitter, “One of the coolest moments in my career no question!! So cool & pumped what we able to help raise yesterday!!”

Southampton, Bermuda – The stage is set for the 2016 Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship at the Turtle Hill Golf Club in Bermuda.

The 36-hole championship, which takes place March 11-12 at the Turtle Hill Golf Club at the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda, features former Ryder Cup members; PGA and European Tour winners; European Senior Tour winners; a Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada winner; WEB.com, Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour LatinoAmerica players; PGA of Canada national championship winners and a Golf Channel personality.

“This year’s Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship features a number of amazing talents, including Barry Lane, Chip Beck and Charlie Rymer to name a few,” said tournament director Adam LeBrun. “The field is full of players who have the game to win this week in Bermuda.”

The championship is highlighted by:

Charlie Rymer—Golf Channel personality; former PGA Tour member
Chip Beck—Four-time PGA Tour winner; three-time Ryder Cup member; shot 59 in a PGA Tour event
Billy Joe Tolliver—Former NFL quarterback
Thomas Curtis—2015 Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship winner
Mark Mouland— Two-time European Tour winner and 2014 Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship winner Mark Mouland
Barry Lane—Ryder Cup member, five-time European Tour winner and four-time European Senior Tour winner Barry Lane
Oliver Tubb—2014 Canada Cup winner and the PGA of Canada’s No.6-ranked player
Ken Tarling—Two-time PGA of Canada national championship winner
Dustin Risdon—Three-time PGA Tour Canada winner
David Markle—Former contestant on the Golf Channel’s Big Break; two-time member of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Team
Michael Gligic—PGA Tour Canada winner
Lindsay Knowlton—Three-time member of the Canadian Women’s National Amateur Golf Team
Daniel Augustus—2010 Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship winner
Brian McCann—Two-time PGA of Canada national championship winner and the No. 5-ranked player from the PGA of Canada Player Rankings

Thomas Curtis captured the 2015 Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship, posting a two-day total of 2-over par. The 30-year-old looks to become the first back-to-back winner in the championship’s history.

Past champions of the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship include Bermudian Daniel Augustus, PGA Tour winner Nick Taylor, PGA of Canada member Ian Doig, American Jordan Mitchell, Mark Mouland of the European Senior Tour and Curtis.

In addition to the professionals in the championship, the 151-player field is rounded out by an impressive list of amateur golfers—from Bermuda, the United States, Canada and Europe—vying for titles in the men’s, women’s and senior amateur divisions.

Click here to check out the full field as well as the starting times for the championship’s first round of play.

OTTAWA – Canada may be a sport-loving nation, but when it comes to access to sport for Canadian women, it has a long way to go for the win. So say the findings from a new research publication, unveiled today by Canada’s dairy farmers and the Canadian Association for Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS).

The report, entitled Women in Sport—Fuelling a Lifetime of Participation, highlights the severe gender inequality for Canadian women in sport, and is the first of its kind, pairing data and research from academic journals and peer-reviewed articles, with primary research obtained from national surveys and the analysis of four years of female sports media coverage.

Among its key findings:

• 41 per cent of girls between the ages of 3-17 years do not participate in sport—and this jumps to 84 per cent in adult women.
• Only 24 per cent of all Athletic Director positions and 17 per cent of all head coaching spots in the CIS are female.
• Only 38 per cent of senior staff and 29 per cent of board members are female, among national and multi-sport organizations.
• A review of programming data from Canada’s primary national sports networks, concluding that of approximately 35,000 hours in programming in 2014, only 4 per cent went towards the coverage of women’s sports, with over half of that percentage due to women’s professional tennis coverage and the Sochi Olympics.
• Only 5 per cent of the total area of top national print media sports coverage researched was dedicated to women.

The representation of women in sport commonly centres around femininity, rather than highlighting their athletic accomplishments.

With the purpose of the research publication being to inform, educate and inspire action across Canada, the study brings much-needed attention to the realities for women in sport and the challenges they face. To guide the research process, the publication aims to explore and uncover what principle hurdles impact female participation in sport.

The study was funded by Canada’s dairy farmers as part of their Fuelling Women Champions movement, which focuses on advancing female sport so that all women and girls, regardless of age or ability, can access and experience the benefits of sport.

What you can do:

• Schedule time for sport and recognize its importance for physical, mental, and social health;
• Help girls’ confidence in sport by focusing on fundamental movements such as kicking, running, jumping, and catching before introducing sport-specific skills;
• Encourage girls to join and continue to play, coach, and officiate a variety of sports from youth into adulthood;
• Support elite female athletes by attending and watching events and by following them on social media;
• Promote female sports news stories that focus on athletic skills, healthy living champions, accomplishments, and profiles positive role models;
• Encourage the “next generation” of female sports enthusiasts by supporting an environment that is diverse, welcoming, and fun.

For more information, to obtain a copy of the study, or to get involved in the initiative, visit www.womenchampions.ca.

DORAL, Fla. –  Adam Scott faced a daunting challenge, a six-shot deficit with 13 holes remaining on a course that was playing tougher than it had at any point this week.

And after overcoming that, he needed to survive two brushes with big trouble on the final hole to finish the job.

Scott won for the second straight week, shooting a final-round 69 to win the Cadillac Championship by one shot over Bubba Watson. It’s the second win for Scott in a World Golf Championships event, his 13th career win on the PGA Tour and he now hasn’t finished lower than second in any of his last three starts.

“Everything fell the right way for me today,” Scott said.

Scott finished the week at 12-under 276. Watson (68) was alone in second, and Danny Willett (69) and Rory McIlroy (74) were tied for third, two shots back. Phil Mickelson (70) was alone in fifth at 9 under and Jimmy Walker shot the round of the day, a 6-under 66 to finish alone in sixth at 8 under.

With course owner Donald Trump popping in on Sunday, arriving by helicopter and greeting fans as he drove around in a cart, there was plenty of drama away from the fairways and greens.

Scott ensured there was a ton on the grass as well, after two double-bogeys in a three-hole span on the front side seemed to send his round into a tailspin. That is, until he got hot at just the right time with birdies on six of his next nine holes after the second double.

“It was such a challenge out there today,” Scott said. “I knew if I could just get a couple before the turn, maybe I’ll have a chance.”

It’s anyone’s guess if Scott will get a chance to defend the title at Doral in 2017. General Motors’ sponsorship agreement with the event ends this week and with no sponsor, there’s no tournament.

“Our hope is that the future could allow us to stay here and continue to build the tournament,” PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said Sunday afternoon, meeting with reporters before sitting down privately with Trump to talk about the tournament’s future. “But we’ll have more to say about that after we do a full evaluation of our performance this year.”

Count Watson, who has been second or third at Doral four times in the last five years, among those who want Doral to stay on the schedule, as it has been since 1962.

“If they move it I’ll be sad,” Watson said, “because I’m pretty good around this place.”

That he is, but Scott – despite walking a tightrope the last three holes – was a bit better.

He saved par on the par-4 16th, after his drive went over the green and nestled in a bunker. His second shot was dreadful, finding a patch of greenside rough. From there he popped a chip 8 feet past the hole, then made the putt for par.

The trouble only got worse from there.

His tee ball on 17 found a bunker while Watson, on the green ahead, made birdie to get within one. Scott eventually saved par, headed to the final hole with that one-shot lead – and put his tee shot in the right rough, a skinny palm tree impeding his path to the green. So he went left, around the tree but toward the water, and that shot somehow caught enough thick grass on a sharp slope to stop before getting wet.

“I was so lucky for it to stay up inside the hazard line,” Scott said. “When you’re that lucky, you better get them up and down.”

That’s exactly what he did. Scott chipped to 6 feet, made the par putt and moments later knew the win was his.

“I can’t believe I’ve won back-to-back weeks,” Scott said. “To win a World Golf Championship is huge again.”

Watson made eagle at the par-5 8th to get into real contention Sunday, but his big mistake was a bogey on the par-4 14th. He couldn’t get up-and-down from a greenside bunker, Scott made birdie on the same hole just a few minutes later, and that two-shot swing proved critical.

“I gave it a good effort,” Watson said. “What I’m working on in my head is working out. Right now, I’ve got the energy and the mind-set to play some decent golf, so very positive, very happy about the week and what took place.”

DORAL, Fla. – Donald Trump’s helicopter landed on the course bearing his name, and before long, the Republican presidential front-runner was busy autographing a woman’s shirt, driving a golf cart through throngs of screaming fans and boasting about how he hosts one of the elite golf tournaments in the world.

For now, anyway.

Trump’s arrival at the Cadillac Championship was splashy, as has been the case plenty of times before at golf tournaments he hosts. What remains unclear is if there will be a tournament for him to even visit at his Doral venue next year, whether he’s living in the White House at that time or not.

“It would be a bad thing for golf,” Trump said when asked about the possibility of the event leaving Doral.

It might happen anyway. Sunday marked the final day that the Cadillac Championship at Trump National will be played under its existing sponsorship agreement, and neither Trump nor the PGA Tour can say with any degree of certainty that a World Golf Championships event – or even a regular tour stop – will be back in 2017.

General Motors’ contract to present the event was ending Sunday, and Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem made clear that sponsorship for Doral going forward is a major question.

“We have moved out of markets before, but not very often,” Finchem said. “And usually, we look at the situation as to how can we improve it. We’re not looking to leave. … Having said that, we have to have sponsorship to conduct a tournament.”

Finchem and Trump were meeting Sunday to discuss how this year’s event went, and to talk about future options. No final decisions were expected, and probably won’t come for some time. Trump said he has business relationships with Cadillac, and reminded reporters that he has a contract with the tour to host at Doral for several more years.

“Everybody wants to be at Doral and the Blue Monster and I’m sure they’re talking to other people now about sponsorship,” Trump said. “But Cadillac has been terrific.”

Trump’s relationship with golf has seemed tenuous at times since the businessman became a politician. His comments last year about Mexican immigrants led to the PGA of America canceling its Grand Slam of Golf at Trump’s course in Los Angeles. And it’s fair to question if new potential sponsors would want to commit to an event at Trump’s course without knowing how his campaign will play out.

“The presidential campaign has a few months left, and I suspect that whatever happens, this won’t be front and center what we’re talking about next year,” Finchem said. “But that’s just the nature of politics in the United States.”

Trump’s arrival led to an uproar Sunday.

The last groups were about a half-hour from teeing off when the helicopter bearing his name touched down behind some palm trees, and Trump quickly commandeered a golf cart to make his way through some fans and to the driving range – all the while wearing a white cap emblazoned with his “Make America Great Again” slogan.

Those “Quiet please” signs marshals use on the course were no match for the Trumpmania going on behind the grandstands.

“Donald was making a racket there on 18,” Justin Rose said, noting the noise he was hearing on the course as he was trying to finish his round.

Trump was asked if he would self-sponsor a tournament at Doral, and said he hasn’t considered such a move.

“I know they’re talking to other people,” Trump said. “It’s the most important tournament down here. It’s got the best venue in the country and it’s 50 years of great tournaments.”

He said the last time he played was about two weeks ago at his course in West Palm Beach, Florida, with LPGA player Lexi Thompson for nine holes. She shot 32, he said. Trump declined to offer his score, but said a Trump presidency would be good for the game.

“I love golf. I love playing it. It’s a very important game,” Trump said. “It’s a great game. You can learn so much. You make so many great friends by playing it. But I will say this: It won’t be good for my game, but it’ll be great for golf.”

SINGAPORE – South Korea’s Ha Na Jang enhanced her growing reputation as one of the hottest players on the LPGA Tour by winning the HSBC Women’s Champions tournament by four strokes on Sunday.

Playing like a seasoned veteran, the 23-year-old South Korean fired six birdies and an eagle in a brilliant final round of 7-under 65 to finish at 19-under at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club.

Her playing partner, Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum, closed with a bogey-free 68 to take outright second at 15-under while South Korea’s Amy Yang birdied the last hole for a 71 to take third place with 11-under, one shot clear of a group of five players.

Jang captured her maiden LPGA title at the Coates Golf Championship in Florida last month and has quickly made it two.

“I was very comfortable this week,” Jang said. “My target in 2016 was two wins but right now I’m there so I’m going to change my target.”

Not only is the South Korean emerging as one of the hottest players on the LPGA Tour but she’s also developing a cult following with her elaborate celebrations.

When she won in Florida, she impersonated a samurai swordsman, and on Sunday, she provided her own rendition of Beyonce by dancing on the 18th green.

We just can’t get over this epic celebration by Ha Na Jang! #HSBCWomensChamps pic.twitter.com/p68aMNZr2o

— LPGA (@LPGA) March 6, 2016

Jang said she had been thinking about copying some of Beyonce’s moves after watching her perform at the Super Bowl and winning her second title seemed like the perfect time to break it out.

“I’m trying to be like Beyonce, the single lady. I’m single right now, too, I try the single lady,” she explained.

Brooke Henderson also continued her impressive play, earning her fourth top 10 in as many starts. The 18-year-old Smiths Falls, Ont., native carded a final round 71 to finish at 9-under for a share of 9th.

Henderson’s previous top 10s include a tie for eighth at last week’s RACV Ladies Masters in Australia, a tie for ninth at the Women’s Australian Open and a second-place finish at the Coates Golf Championship.