ACTON, Ont. —The PGA of Canada’s 2015 national award winners were recently unveiled and will be honoured next month at the association’s PGA of Canada Night celebrations in Orlando, Fla., as part of the PGA Merchandise Show.

This year’s winners include:

• Danny King (The Performance Academy at Magna) – Mike Weir Player of the Year
• Dean Manz (Wascana Country Club) – Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year
• Cory Southon (Henry Brunton Golf) – Moe Norman Candidate for Membership of the Year
• Adam Werbicki (The Derrick Golf & Winter Club) – George Knudson Teacher of the Year
• Adam Boge (Golf Mentor) – Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year
• Tristan Mullally (Golf Canada) – Ben Kern Coach of the Year;
• Judy Forshner (Glencoe Golf & Country Club) – Murray Tucker Golf Professional of the Year
• Liam Mucklow (The Golf Club) – Tex Noble Award for Professional Development
• Daryl MacLean (Cherry Hill Club) – Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year
• Serge Savard – George Cumming Distinguished Service Award

“This year’s PGA of Canada national award winners are truly great golf professionals and on behalf of the national board of directors’ and the association’s 3,700 members, I’m proud to congratulate them today on their achievements,” said Constant Priondolo, PGA of Canada president.

Each year, a national selection committee evaluates application submissions from zone award winners and recognizes winners in each of the categories.

The winners will receive their award and be honoured in January at the association’s PGA of Canada Night celebrations at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.

PGA of Canada Night takes place in Orlando, Fla., on January 28, 2016 at the PGA Merchandise Show (Orange County Convention Centre) at 5:00 p.m. in room 109A.

“PGA of Canada Night at the PGA Merchandise Show is always an excellent, well-attended event,” Priondolo said. “Not only is it an opportunity to mix and mingle with others in the golf industry, but it’s also a chance to celebrate the PGA of Canada professionals who have been recognized as national award winners.”

‘Tis the time for celebration and for Canadian golf, 2015 certainly was a year to celebrate.

When David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., held the 54-hole lead at the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey, we held our breath in the hope that he might be the first Canadian since Pat Fletcher in 1954 to win our national Open. Alas, it was not to be, as Australian Jason Day birdied the last three holes on Sunday to claim the title on his way to becoming the top-ranked player in the world.

While kudos go to Hearn, it was a teenager from Smiths Falls, Ont., who was the undisputed player to be celebrated this year.

In August, at the age of 17, Brooke Henderson became the first Canadian to win on the LPGA Tour since Lorie Kane in 2001. After registering multiple top-10 finishes, Henderson stormed to an eight-shot win at the Cambia Portland Classic which eventually qualified her for fulltime Tour status.

Women golfers continued to make their mark in 2015, with Casey Ward of Picton, Ont., being the medalist at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and Mary Ann Hayward of Aurora, Ont., doing the same at the U.S. Senior Amateur. Hayward, a member of the Canadian, Ontario and Quebec Golf Halls of Fame, retired this year from her post as manager of sport performance for the Golf Association of Ontario.

In November of 2014, Canada won our first Tailhade Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina, crushing defending champions Spain by 19 strokes, thanks to stellar final rounds by Austin Connelly, a dual citizen who resides in Nova Scotia and Texas, and Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. In 2015, the duo of Eric Banks and Tony Gil defied the odds by climbing back from a three-stroke deficit to keep the Tailhade Cup in Canada for a second consecutive year.

On the pro side, Danny King, playing out of Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont., solidified his reputation as one of the country’s all-time great playing pros by claiming the Titleist and FootJoy PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada crown in Arizona. The victory made King the first player to win three PGA of Canada national championships in the same calendar year, after having won the PGA Championship of Canada and teaming with Billy Walsh to capture the PGA team championship.

Eugene Wong of North Vancouver won the Ping An Bank Open in Beijing and Wil Bateman of Edmonton was victorious at the PGA TOUR Latinoamerica’s Abierto de Chile.

Much-deserved honours were bestowed on Canadians in 2015.

Canadian and World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit was invited to be a honourary member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Jocelyne Bourassa was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Sadly, Canadian golf also said goodbye to some beloved characters.

On Nov. 18, Dan Halldorson was felled by a massive stroke at the age of 63. He won twice on the PGA Tour, had seven Canadian Tour victories, was the only Canadian to win two World Cup team titles (1980 with Jim Nelford and 1985 with Dave Barr) and was named Canada’s top male touring professional in 1981 and 1983. From 2005 to 2011, he served as deputy commissioner of the Canadian Tour. He was a member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. At the time of his death, he was the director of golf at Oak Island Resort in Virden, Man.

The month previous, sportswriter Arv Olson, one of Canada’s most prolific and dedicated supporters of the game, passed away at the age of 80. He chronicled the careers of the likes of Stan Leonard, Doug Roxburgh, Dawn Coe-Jones, Lisa Walters, Dave Barr, Richard Zokol and many others.

But, as the year concluded, there was some encouraging news.

Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., was the medalist at the Web.com Tour qualifying school in December. Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., Toronto’s Albin Choi and Benjamin Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., each finished one shot out of the top 10 and ties. Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., tied for 21st at four under and Calgary’s Ryan Yip, tied for 34th at three under.

All in all, a year to be wrapped up in a bow with great promise for 2016.

2015 in Review – Part I: Canadian Golf Successes
2015 in Review – Part II: State of the game
2015 in Review – Part III: A focused vision

ROME – The Ryder Cup is headed to Italy for the first time, with the Marco Simone club in Rome chosen Monday to host golf’s biggest team event in 2022.

Italy beat rival bids from Germany, Spain and Austria to secure hosting rights for the 44th edition of the biennial competition between Europe and the United States.

It will be the third time the event is staged in continental Europe, after Valderrama in Spain in 1997 and Le Golf National in Paris in 2018.

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said Rome offered a “bold and ambitious bid.”

“History has shown time and again that the Ryder Cup is pure theater with the players and the stars, and there is no question that the Eternal City of Rome will provide a wonderful backdrop for one of the great occasions in world golf,” he said.

The Jim Fazio-designed course, which hosted the 1994 Italian Open, is located in Guidonia, 27 kilometers (17 miles) northeast of central Rome. The course will undergo a complete reconstruction for the Ryder Cup.

“The Italian bid was consistently strong and impressive across the board in terms of infrastructure, commercial structure and government support,” Europe’s Ryder Cup director Richard Hills said. “The plans outlined for the golf course at Marco Simone are spectacular alongside the commitment to develop all levels of golf in Italy.”

The course will likely form part of Rome’s bid for the 2024 Olympics. Rome is competing against Paris, Los Angeles and Budapest, Hungary for the games. Golf is returning to the Olympics next year in Rio de Janeiro.

“This is enormous and fundamental for our entire movement, plus a great lead-in to the Olympic bid,” Italian Golf Federation President Franco Chimenti told The Associated Press.

Golf is a growing sport in Italy, helped by the recent success of professionals like brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero.

At the 2012 Ryder Cup, Francesco Molinari halved the last singles match with Tiger Woods to complete a comeback victory and help Europe retain the Cup.

Hazeltine National in Minnesota will host the Ryder Cup next year, followed by Le Golf National in 2018 and Whistling Straits in Wisconsin in 2020.

Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. – Canadian Adam Svensson cruised to a seven-shot victory on Sunday at PGA National Resort & Spa to earn medalist honors at the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament. The 21-year-old from Surrey, British Columbia, carded a 1-over 72 on the Champion Course for a 20-under-par 266 total.

“It’s huge,” said Svensson, who collected a check for $25,000 and earned fully-exempt status on the Web.com Tour in 2016. “It’s always tough to win at any level, so I just tried to have fun.”

Jason Millard (70) and Ian Davis (69) took home a share of second at 13-under 273 and head a list of players from Nos. 2-10 who will be exempt through the third reshuffle.

Former Auburn standout Dominic Bozzelli (70) was alone in fourth at 12-under 274.

With the wind whipping through Palm Beach Gardens most of the day, Svensson could feel the pressure of being in contention weighing on him. The former Barry University Buccaneer made key saves throughout the final round, which allowed him to maintain his hefty lead. When he two putted the 72^nd green for par, Svensson exhaled and realized he was one step closer to his dream.

After two stellar years at Barry, Svensson decided to leave after his sophomore campaign to pursue golf full time. In just six starts on Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada, the former Division II Player of the Year recorded two runner-up performances and finished No. 9 on the Order of Merit. He also added three top 25s in seven starts on the Web.com Tour

“I was pretty confident with my decision,” said Svensson about leaving school early. “Just being able to start from the bottom and work your way up, I think that’s pretty important.”

With the 2016 Web.com Tour Regular Season set to begin in Panama City, Panama, at the Panama Claro Championship in late January, Svensson’s mission is clear.

“My goal is to win out there and get my PGA TOUR card,” He said.

Svensson’s ambition doesn’t stop there. The Golf Canada Young Pro Squad member would cherish the experience of playing in the summer games next year.

“I would love to play in the Olympics,” he said, when asked about the chance to represent Canada in Rio. “It’s going to be hard, there’s a lot of good Canadians on the PGA TOUR.”

Svensson is the second consecutive Canadian to win the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament. Edmonton native Brad Fritsch posted 27 under par last year in 108 holes to win by seven shots over Andrew Landry.

In all, six Canadians secured status Sunday. Albin Choi of Toronto (T14); Taylor Pendrith (T14) of Richmond Hill, Ont.; Benjamin Silverman of Thornhill, Ont.; Mackenzie Hughes (T21) of Dundas, Ont.; and Ryan Yip (T34) of Calgary will all have status thru the tour’s second re-shuffle.

The Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament is a four-day, 72-hole competition that ended on Sunday, Dec. 13. The tournament was contested at the PGA National Resort & Spa’s Champion Course (CC) and Fazio Course (FC). The Champion Course has played host to The Honda Classic on the PGA TOUR since 2007. The Fazio Course plays to a par-72, while the Champion Course plays to a par-71.

The famous stretch of golf that consists of holes 15-17 on the Champion Course, known as “The Bear Trap,” once again provided players with a tough test. The par 3s (Nos. 15 and 17) tied for the second toughest holes between the two courses, while the par-4 16^th finished as the fourth toughest.

There were nearly 1,000 entries for the tournament, which included previous Pre-Qualifying, First and Second stages that began in August.

Players in this event competed for positions on the 2016 Web.com Tour priority ranking, which will be used to form tournament fields. The medalist is guaranteed fully-exempt status next year. Players #2-10 (and ties) will be subject to the third reshuffle next year and players #11-45 (and ties) will be subject to the second reshuffle.

This week’s medalist earned $25,000. Players #2-10 (and ties) earned $15,000 each. Players #11-45 (and ties) earned $10,000 each.

Eugene Wong of North Vancouver, B.C., had previously earned Web.com Tour status through the Asian Tour. Click here to read more.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Lanny and Tucker Wadkins won the PNC Father/Son Challenge on Sunday with an eagle on the first hole of a four-team playoff.

Tucker made the 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. The 23-year-old former University of Arizona player works in investor relations.

“Tucker hit a spectacular tee shot, one of the best he’s hit all week,” the 66-year-old Lanny said. “He hit 4-iron, I hit 5-wood I got it a little closer. He made a 40-footer. I’ll remember what he did in making that putt.”

The Wadkins closed with a 9-under 63 to match Davis and Dru Love, Larry and Drew Nelson, and Fred and Taylor Funk at 20 under in the scramble tournament. The Nelsons and Funks shot 62, and the Loves had a 63, with all four teams birdieing the 18th in regulation.

“We never really made a lot of putts all week,” Davis Love III said. “Tucker and Lanny made a lot of putts. We watched them all week. That’s what you have to do to win.”

Lanny made a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole in regulation.

“Dad’s still got a little bit left,” Lanny said.

Lanny earned $200,000.

“He poured that putt in on 18,” Tucker said. “That was cool. Awesome to see.”

Vijay and Qass Singh, the first-round leaders after a 59, shot a 66 to finish a stroke out of the playoff along with Lee and Connor Janzen. The Janzens had a 63.

Bernhard and Jason Langer, the winners last year, tied for seventh at 18 under after a 63.

Jack and Gary Nicklaus closed with a 65 to tie for 14th at 15 under.

CHONBURI, Thailand – Jamie Donaldson won his first title of the year after beating Clement Sordet of France and defending champion Lee Westwood by three strokes in the final round of the Thailand Championship at the Amata Country Club on Sunday.

The No. 68-ranked Donaldson rallied from two shots behind at the start of the day to shoot a final-round 65 that featured nine birdies and two bogeys for an overall 21-under-par 267 to win the title. The victory gives the Welshman one of four berths into next year’s British Open.

“It was the case of just going out to play like what I’ve done in the first two rounds. And it all came together today,” said Donaldson, who led after the first two rounds. “Yesterday was important. I wasn’t quite on it. I made some crucial par putts, birdied when I could to stay in it.

“Clement had a really good day yesterday to go into the lead,” he added Donaldson.

Third round leader Sordet, who turned professional just six months ago, showed signs of nerves and struggled with his putts before signing off with a 70 for a 270.

“I played really great golf this week. I was very fortunate to get an invite and it’s great to finish tied-second with Lee. It was just amazing to get to play in the last group with Jamie and Lee. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t really thinking about the score out there.”

Westwood, the 2011 and 2014 champion, shot a bogey-free 67.

“It’s great to be have made it into the Open,” he said. “I’ve played every one since 1995 so it’s great to keep that run going. It’s been 21 years now and I’ve not missed one, so I’m happy,” said Westwood.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia, the 2013 winner, and Byeong-hun An of South Korea shot 69 and 70, respectively, to share fourth place with 14-under 274.

With both Garcia and An already holding British Open spots, the last qualifying place went toto 16-year-old Thai Phachara Kongwatmai, who finished a shot behind in sixth with a total of 275.

Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. – Canadian Adam Svensson continues to lead the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament in commanding fashion after firing a second consecutive 6-under 65 on the Fazio Course at PGA National Resort & Spa to take an eight-stroke lead over Michigan native Ryan Brehm (66) after three rounds.

Jason Millard (65) is alone in third after carding back-to-back 65s on the Fazio Course.

Svensson quickly settled into his round with an eagle on his first hole of the day at the par-5 first hole with a towering 3-wood to give him a good look at his second eagle of the tournament.

“I hit it to about 25 feet and rolled it in,” said Svensson, who also eagled the par-5 third hole on the Champion Course in the first round. “I wasn’t anxious or nervous but it did settle me down a little bit and I was able to cruise for a couple of holes after that.”

Svensson continued to cruise through the windy conditions that challenged players for most of the day, but the 21-year-old was unfazed and added five more birdies, including two on his final two holes to extend his lead.

“I like playing in the wind,” said Svensson, who has only managed two bogeys through three rounds. “I grew up playing in the wind and am used to a low ball flight so it was kind of an ordinary day for me out there.”

After finding success on both the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada and the Web.com Tour in 2015, a win at the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament would provide brimming confidence for the Palm Beach Gardens resident heading into the 2016 Web.com Tour Regular Season.

“Obviously we are all trying to play for that No. 1 spot to have full status, but it would be big knowing I can compete with these guys,” he said.

Svensson will look to secure that No. 1 spot with his second trip around the Champion Course on Sunday. The former Barry University Buccaneer breezed through the tougher of the two tracks in the opening round with six birdies and an eagle en route to a 7-under 64.

“Par is your friend on the Champion Course, especially when it is windy,” he said. “So I’ll just stick to my original game plan again like I did today and it should be fun.”

Players will be repaired for the final round according to scores. The leaders will play the Champion Course in the final round.

NAPLES, Fla. – Jason Dufner and Brandt Snedeker birdied the last two holes in a best-ball format and won the Franklin Templeton Shootout by two shots on Saturday.

The team of Dufner and Snedeker finished at 30-under 186 at Tiburon Golf Club.

Harris English and Matt Kuchar, who have finished first, second and second the past three years, shot 28 under for second.

Charley Hoffman and Daniel Berger, who had the second-round lead while playing in their first Shootout, finished at 27 under.

Dufner-Snedeker, starting one shot back, had six birdies on the front nine. They followed with birdies on Nos. 10, 12, 13, 17 and 18.

English-Kuchar missed some of the putts they made in the 2013 title. One of the putts that left Kuchar particularly frustrated was a 4-footer he sent long on No. 15.

Canadian Mike Weir was paired with Seon O’Hair. The pair finished tied for 7th with Retief Goosen & Danny Lee -19.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Vijay and Qass Singh eagled the par-5 18th hole for a 13-under 59 and a two-stroke lead Saturday in the PNC Father/Son Challenge scramble event.

Vijay made the eagle putt after Qass hit a 6-iron from 189 yards to 15 feet.

“I always enjoy playing with my dad,” Qass said.

The Singhs also had 11 birdies at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.

“Qass drove the ball beautifully,” Vijay said. “When he catches the drive, it goes for a ride. He left me with a lot of nice second shots. He actually played well and made a lot of birdies on his own and took a lot of pressure off me. The second shot on the last hole tells it all.”

Davis and Dru Love, Lanny and Tucker Wadkins, and Steve and Sam Elkington were tied for second in the 36-hole tournament. Nick and Matthew Faldo, Fred and Taylor Funk, Larry and Drew Nelson, and Lee and Connor Janzen were another stroke back at 10 under.

“We had a slow start,” Davis Love III said. “We had a chip-in at 16 that really fired us up and we birdied the last few. It was a great way to finish.”

Defending champions Bernhard and Jason Langer were tied for ninth at 63.

Jack and Gary Nicklaus were tied for 14th at 64.

“I actually hit the ball pretty decent,” Jack Nicklaus said. “We got off to a good start, but we didn’t do a whole lot. Gary wasn’t totally on his game and didn’t carry his dad as much as I’d thought he would and his dad didn’t respond when he didn’t carry me. Neither one of us were quite there today, but we had a good time. We made a few putts. We’re two or three shots from being really right there. We just have to be there tomorrow.”

CHONBURI, Thailand – Clement Sordet of France produced an unblemished 9-under-par 63 to steal the lead from Jamie Donaldson of Wales by two strokes after the third round of the Thailand Golf Championship on Saturday.

Sordet made seven birdies and eagled the par-5 15th hole for the outright lead, his first on the Asian Tour. Sordet turned pro this year after graduating from university in the United States, and usually competes on the European Tour’s second-tier Challenge Tour.

“I just stayed patient, but honestly I had no idea I was 9-under at the end,” he said. “So, 9-under, I’m pretty happy about it.”

Donaldson, leading since the opening round, began the day with a two-shot lead but fell two behind and clung on to second place.

He mixed in six birdies, three bogeys, and a double bogey on the par-4 12th to submit a 1-under 71 and a three-day total of 14-under 202.

“I was cruising. Playing not great but doing enough until 12, which was a killer,” Donaldson said. “Tomorrow’s another day, and I just have to get off to a quick start. I’ve done enough to stay in the tournament – I’m still in it.”

Defending champion Lee Westwood was in contention for a third title at Amata Spring Country Club after carding 64 to be 13 under for the tournament, three off the lead. He was alone in third place.

“I was confident and in control, and it has got to do with being on a course which I’ve won twice before,” Westwood said. “I hit it close a lot, and I played with a new putter. It feels a lot more stable, and I’m rolling the ball quite nicely with it.”

Another stroke behind in fourth was European Tour rookie of the year Byeong-hun An of South Korea (68).

Tied for fifth, five shots off the pace, were 2013 champion Sergio Garcia (70), and last year’s runner-up, Martin Kaymer (72).