Tiger Woods will visit Asia from April 24 – 26 to help stoke local interest in the sport of golf and inspire athletes in China and Japan.

The 14-time Major champion will make his first stop in Shanghai on April 24 before he travels to Tokyo on April 26.

“When Tiger visited Asia in 2011, his presence was absolutely electric,” said Marc Patrick, VP Global Marketing of Nike Golf. “He really connected with the young athletes and inspired so many golf enthusiasts. We believe this generated tremendous energy around the sport of golf in Asia .We look forward to continued success again this year.”

During the visit, Woods will conduct golf clinics and interact with young athletes, while sharing his insights, knowledge and love of the game with golf fans, athletes and members of the media.

SHANGHAI – Most golfers at the Volvo China Open had trouble keeping their approach shots from flying off the firm greens at Tomson Golf Course on Thursday.

For a trio of European Tour veterans playing some of their best golf at the moment, the difficult conditions didn’t pose too much of a problem.

Michael Hendry, Bradley Dredge and David Howell all shot a 4-under 68 to top the crowded leaderboard after a first round in which low scores proved difficult to post.

Hendry and Dredge were the only golfers to complete bogey-free rounds, while Howell had one bogey to go with five birdies.

“The greens were really firm so the big thing was if you were hitting fairways, you had chances on the par 5s and short irons,” said Dredge, a 41-year-old Welshman. “It was never easy getting the ball close to the hole with slopes on the greens and the firmness, it was quite tricky around there.”

The three were a stroke ahead of defending champion Alexander Levy and Julien Quesne of France and Marcus Fraser of Australia in joint-fourth.

China’s top player, Li Haotong, and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat both shot 71 to sit in tie for 14th. Last Sunday, Kiradech beat the 19-year-old Li in a playoff to capture his second Euroepan Tour title at the Shenzhen International.

For Dredge, the new season has brought a return to the European Tour after he lost his card at the end of 2012. He played his way back into form while dealing with injuries and illness and regained his playing privileges with back-to-back runner-up finishes in a two-week span in August.

“It took a while to recover from an operation I had at the back end of last year,” he said. “But I’m fighting fit now and starting to play much better so that bodes well for the rest of the season.”

The 35-year-old Hendry is also playing confidently at the moment after a win last week in the season-opening event on the Japan Tour, which earned him US$215,000 and vouchers worth a year’s supply of rice in Japan.

“I think it’ll take me about a decade to get through,” the New Zealander joked. “It’s a funny game, golf. When you are in form, you’ve got to try to make the most of it because you spend most of the time out of form.”

Howell is looking to build on two top-5 finishes over the past month and a half – he tied for second at the Joburg Open in March and fourth last week in Shenzhen. His last win on the tour came in 2013 at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The 39-year-old Englishman said that even though he played well last week, the conditions in Shanghai are posing new challenges.

“We knew it was firm in practice and it was hard to work out how difficult it was going to be,” he said. “I drove the ball beautifully today, really found my rhythm on the range and took that onto the course very nicely.”

Li rebounded well from his disappointing near-miss last week to post a solid first-round score. He had been leading by two strokes on the back nine in Shenzhen on Sunday when Kiradech made an eagle on his penultimate hole and then captured the title on the first playoff hole.

“I’m pretty satisfied with my game, especially the last two rounds (in Shenzhen). I couldn’t complain about anything,” Li said through a translator.

Among the other Chinese golfers in the field is Guan Tianlang, who made headlines two years ago when he became the youngest player ever to make the cut at the Masters at the age of 14. Now 16, Guan had a triple-bogey on par-4 11th hole to sit in 76th place after a 75.

Playing in the Masters for the first time—let alone at any time—is a tall order for any athlete. It’s no walk in the park for coaches, either.

Team Canada Men’s Head Coach Derek Ingram put his best foot forward in the months leading up to the Masters, helping Canadian star Corey Conners live and breathe in the moment as one of seven amateurs in the field.

Ingram, also attending the Masters for his first time, narrowed his focus to the simple mantra of just “putting the ball in the hole.” Sometimes, in the grand scheme of a major tournament, it’s the small things that count.

“You need to remind yourself that this is about Corey Conners and him putting the ball in the hole,” said the Winnipeg native. “Everything to do with every second of every day revolves around making sure you are supporting his cause. And then, it’s remembering not to over-coach, not to panic and to be patient.”

Looking back, he explained it’s not an easy task for coaches to always be prepared with the best thing to say in a 12-14 hour day.

“You never know which thing you say, or do, throughout that long day that’s going to make the biggest difference. Timing is everything—and remembering that it’s alright to be quiet sometimes,” said the PGA of Canada class ‘A’ member.

The 23-year-old Conners earned his ticket to Augusta National by finishing runner-up at the 2014 U.S. Amateur Championship. The Listowel, Ont. native finished as top-performing amateur, a feat that impressed—but did not surprise—coach Ingram.

“The highlight was watching Corey shoot a 69 in the second round and just seeing him play like I know he can,” he said. “Doing that on one of the best golf courses and at the most important golf tournament in the world is something special. But that’s how strong his game can be.”

Conners, a graduate of Kent State, turned professional this week at the RBC Heritage, transitioning to Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad in the process. With Conners turning professional, the Young Pro Squad now features five male athletes—which Ingram sees as both a positive sign and a new challenge.

“Firstly, I’m very pleased that we have a Young Pro program. We’ve got five really good young players,” he said. “It does pose a challenge for me because of the difficulty in getting out to the events for the wide variety of tours, but these guys are very strong players and I’m proud of what we’ve done to support them.”

When asked if he was able to sneak in a shot or two at Augusta, he laughed it off.  “My job being there was to provide Corey with all the support I can possibly give—so I didn’t find the time,” he said. “They also have some pretty tight guidelines at Augusta,” he laughed. “Maybe next time.”

LOMPOC, Calif. – Evansville, Indiana’s David Mills carded a 4-under 68 on Wednesday at La Purisima Golf Course to take the 36-hole lead at PGA Tour Canada’s California Qualifying Tournament.

The recent Indiana University graduate went without a bogey Wednesday, becoming the first player to record a round without a bogey at this week, and built a one stroke advantage over Richmond Hill, Ont.’’s Taylor Pendrith, Danville, California’s Jeff Hamm and Los Osos, California’s Matt Hansen.

“I’ve putted pretty good and hit my irons really well,” said Mills. “I didn’t really make too many mistakes and kept it in the fairway in front of me, and I got a few putts to drop.”

Mills credited a patient approach to the course for his solid play, but isn’t getting ahead of himself with two more rounds to go and only six shots separating him from the rest of the top-18 players on the leaderboard.

“You just have to take what the golf course gives you. You really have to try and play like a normal round and make sure you are patient, because the birdies will come if you wait on them,” said Mills.

Hamm, a PGA Tour Canada member in 2013, posted the best round of the day with a 5-under 67, while Pendrith and Hansen matched each other a pair of 2-under 70s in each of their first two rounds. Pendrith, a member of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Team, is looking to become the second member of the squad to win at Q-School after teammate Albin Choi captured medalist honours at last week’s Florida Qualifying Tournament.

“I talked to him after he won and told him congratulations. It’s pretty incredible,” said Pendrith of Choi’s 25-under total last week. “He’s been playing some really good golf. I’m out here doing my own things, trying to play some smart golf and hope to have a chance to join him on Tour this year.”

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame has announced the select group of individuals who will be honoured as its 2015 induction class. Jocelyne Bourassa is one of the 12 inductees – 10 athletes and two as sport Builders – who have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to Canada’s rich sporting landscape. Bourassa has left an indelible imprint on the growth of women’s golf in Canada. Renowned course architects, prolific golfers and pioneers of the game Stanley Thompson and the Murray brothers – Charles and Albert – will be inducted into the Hall’s inaugural Canadian Sport Legends Class in recognition of their numerous contributions to the game in Canada.

“There are few more deserving members of the Canadian golfing community than these four individuals. Their inclusion in Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame amongst the nation’s greatest sporting icons demonstrates not only their tremendous influences on the state of our game, but also the importance of golf to our country,” said Sandra Post, Chair of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame selection committee. “On behalf of every golfer and every fan of the sport in Canada, I would like to extend my most sincere congratulations to Jocelyne and the Thompson and Murray families for this amazing honour.”

Inducted in the builder category, Jocelyne Bourassa – who will become the 14^th member associated with the game of golf – was an accomplished amateur and professional golfer in the 1960s and 1970s. The two-time winner of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship broke through to the professional ranks in 1972 and was named the LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year; her accolades on the course also garnered her 1972 Canadian Female Athlete of the Year honours.  That same year, the Governor General of Canada made Bourassa a Member of the Order of Canada. Beyond her play, Bourassa was a stern advocate for the development of women’s golf. She founded the du Maurier Classic which today, still serves to showcase the world’s best female golfers on Canadian soil in its current iteration – the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. She worked tirelessly as the tournament’s Executive Director from 1980 to 2000 and still champions the cause of expanding the borders of women’s golf. The Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year award is presented annually to the Canadian Women’s Tour player who finishes atop its Order of Merit. In 1996, she was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

As part of its 60^th anniversary, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame will be honouring an additional group of inductees as its Canadian Sport Legends Class. This distinction will recognize individuals whose accomplishments in developing Canadian sports primarily took place before 1955. Of the 31 athletes and 15 builders who form the inaugural Legends Class, three individuals proved to be instrumental in shaping Canadian golf.

Inducted in the Builders category of the Legends Class, Stanley Thompson began his time with the sport playing his way through a fine amateur career. His love of the game led him away from competition and to the intricacies of hole placement, course layout and design philosophy. The native of Toronto became one of the country’s most renowned golf course architects with over 200 international courses to his name. A number of Thompson’s designs are regarded as some of the top golfing experiences this country has to offer. The natural beauty of Toronto’s St. George’s and the challenge and topography of Vancouver’s Capilano are considered among Thompson’s finest and most famous works.

His time as a leader in the industry allowed him to co-found the American Society of Golf Course Architects in 1946.  Thompson’s influence in the game lives on with many of today’s architects having learned from the man himself or one of his many protégés. Stanley Thompson’s lasting legacy to the game earned him a place in the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1980.

The Canadian Sport Legends Class will welcome Charles and Albert Murray as athletes as part of its first class. The two remain the only brotherly duo to have each captured Canadian Open championships with older brother Charles taking the title in 1906 and 1911, while Albert was crowned champion in 1908 and 1913.

Charles won the inaugural Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association championship in 1912 and was a 10-time champion of the Quebec Open from 1909 to 1924. At the age 15, Albert Murray became Canada’s youngest professional golfer. His victory at the 1908 Canadian Open secured him the distinction of being the championship’s youngest winner. The brothers would go  on to co-found the Canadian Professional Golfers Association, while Albert served as its Captain in 1920, 1921 and 1933 before being elected to its presidency in 1941.

The brothers’ love of the game led them to the design and redesign of several North American courses, most notably Quebec’s Kanawaki Golf Club (Charles), New York’s Massena Golf Club (Albert), Montreal Municipal (Albert and Charles) the Kent course at Club de golf Royal Quebec in Quebec (Albert) and Edmundston Golf Club in New Brunswick (Albert). Charles Murray was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1971 and Albert joined him three years later.

On Wednesday, June 17, the Canadian Sport Legends Class will officially be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame located in Calgary. Jocelyne Bourassa will be honoured at the 2015 Induction Celebrations which will take place on Wednesday, October 15 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto. Honoured members from across the nation and around
the globe are expected to be in attendance in support of the
incoming class.

Past Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame inductees associated with golf:

• Al Balding (inducted 1969, athlete)
• Gary Cowan (1967, athlete)
• Pat Fletcher (1975, athlete)
• Jules Huot (1978, athlete)
• George Knudson (1969, athlete)
• Stan Leonard (1964, athlete)
• George Lyon (1955, athlete)
• Ada Mackenzie (1955, athlete)
• Murray “Moe” Norman (2006, athlete)
• Sandra Post (1988, athlete)
• Charles “Sandy” Somerville (1955, athlete)
• Marlene Stewart Streit (1962, athlete)
• Nick Weslock (1971, athlete)

Oakville, Ont. – I made a mistake and I’m not too proud to admit it.

With news of the 2015 Federal Budget being released this week, there were a few items that had a significant impact on golf in Canada.

One was a matter that affected the Canadian golf industry, specifically lobby efforts on the part of the National Allied Golf Associations looking for golf’s inclusion among tax deductible expenses. As a partner organization in NAGA’s golf advocacy campaign (alongside the NGCOA Canada, PGA of Canada, Canadian Golf Superintendent’s Association, Canadian Society of Club Managers and Canadian Golf Industry Association), Golf Canada shared in the industry’s disappointment that ongoing government advocacy efforts for tax equity in this area were unsuccessful.

I issued a statement on the matter last night. However, my opinion on the 2015 Federal Budget should not have solely focused on that single issue because it didn’t reflect the full impact of the budget on our sport and our business.

What I failed to do was to acknowledge a critical area of the 2015 budget that also hits the golf landscape, specifically the Government of Canada’s commitment to investing in high performance athletes and coaching. Sport Canada funding directed towards golf; specifically in areas of grassroots programs, high performance, coaching and sport science is critical to Canada’s continued growth as a golfing nation.

The federal government and especially Sport Minister Bal Gosal have been a hugely supportive voice for golf, helping our game through sport hosting grants as well as high performance and sport development funding while also lending support to NAGA’s government advocacy efforts. To that point, I owe the Minister and our partners at Sport Canada an apology for rushing to judgement without fully presenting what the 2015 budget means for Canadian golf. I’d be remiss in not acknowledging and thanking Sport Canada for their tremendous support of Golf Canada and sharing in our investment to strengthen the game of golf in this country.

While I share in the golf industry’s disappointment that tax lobby efforts were unsuccessful, we look forward to continued dialogue on the matter, understanding that change takes time.

For some in Canadian golf circles, I’m sure this comes across as a conflicted opinion. The fact is, as the National Sport Federation, Golf Canada deals with multiple levels of government while also working with our golf industry partners as a leader in our sport. Representing the full story is something we owe to all of our partners.

Scott Simmons
CEO
Golf Canada

It could be considered golf’s equivalent of “from the cradle to the grave.”

Officially known as “Long-Term Player Development 2.0,” this publication was released during Golf Canada’s annual meeting in February and its significance cannot be overemphasized.  In fact, PGA of Canada Technical Director Glenn Cundari says this country is already seeing “the fruits of our labours” from the first iteration of the plan on both the amateur and professional fronts.

“We started working on the first version in 2006,” says Cundari, who, along with numerous other experts, was an integral part of producing not only the guide itself, but also the ancillary materials that support it. He says his informal analysis shows that the success of Canadian male and female golfers started to curve upward not long after. Anyone who has been paying attention over the past few years can’t disagree.

While the latest version includes numerous refinements, he says the underlying intent remains the same as it was nine years ago. “We must create a culture of doing the right thing at the right time. We have to think long-term and that is a challenge for parents, tours, media, everyone … even the players themselves. Everyone worries about ‘right now’.”

To that end, shortly after Golf Canada was designated as the National Sports Organization for the game by Sport Canada in 2005, a team of acknowledged experts from various fields was assembled. With Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada leading the golf effort, people like Dr. Stephen Norris, vice-president of WinSport Canada, and Dr. Istvan Balyi, a world-renowned sports scientist with Canadian Sport For Life, were brought onboard to provide their proven proficiency in lifelong athlete development.

Balyi was on hand at the Golf Canada meetings to unveil the new Long-Term Player Development 2.0 Guide, along with Cundari and Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer Jeff Thompson. As one of the architects of the long-term athlete development (LTAD) model, Balyi has served as an advisor for 50 sports in seven countries and facilitated the use of LTAD for more than 20 countries. So while he may not know golf per se, he sure understands player development.

That process, he said in a 2013 article in Active For Life, “involves a somewhat complex array of sport science and best practices in coaching to optimize how we develop athletes in Canada. But it really has one simple purpose: to get our kids doing the right thing at the right times under the right conditions during their development.”

For evidence of his influence, you need look no further than how the Long-Term Player Development 2.0 Guide is organized. The 80-page spiral-bound booklet describes seven age-based “developmental stages of the competitive pathway” under the heading “Golf For Life”: Active Start, Fundamentals, Learn to Golf, Introduction to Competition, Learn to Compete, Train to Compete and Compete to Win. In tune with the “Golf For Life” theme, it starts at birth and theoretically continues to … well, you know.

This is not to say the Long-Term Player Development 2.0 Guide is the “be-all and end-all” when it comes to creating competitive golfers in Canada. It is, says Golf Canada’s Thompson, “the backbone, the blueprint, the framework from which to build programming. It is an ongoing process.”

Indeed, the Guide itself states that its purpose is to bring “a continued focus on working towards developing the potential of every golfer in Canada while simultaneously increasing participation in the sport.”

It also admits that these “lofty but attainable goals” will not be reached without buy-in by all stakeholders. That includes not only national organizations such as Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada, but club professionals, course owners, administrators and parents. “Synergies can result from positively harnessing the different roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in order to both ensure and progress the future of golf in Canada.”

While Cundari says his fellow PGA of Canada members have supported the LTPD concept, he admits that widespread awareness of the program leaves something to be desired. That should change, given the fact that the Guide can be purchased for a nominal cost from the Golf Canada web site where a downloadable PDF version is also available. An innovative mobile app has been developed and other supporting resources, including videos, are available at golfcanada.ca/LTPD, not just for accredited instructors and coaches, but for parents and other interested parties.

Those “interested parties” may include Community Golf Coaches, a new concept also unveiled at the Golf Canada annual meeting in February.

Community Golf Coach is a training program designed by the PGA of Canada in conjunction with the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and Golf Canada to develop and educate individuals at the community sport level, particularly volunteers and parents.

The Community Golf Coach training, supported by CN Future Links, is a workshop is designed for the individual who works with children or youth to introduce the basic skills of golf to them. The program’s goal is to train volunteers to lead games and activities in a way that is suitable for children, deliver pre-designed Future Links lesson plans in an effective manner, deliver Levels 1-3 of the CN Future Links Learn to Play program, assist your local PGA of Canada professional to deliver Levels 4-7 of the Learn to Play Program, become a key volunteer for your provincial golf association, and be recognized by your provincial sport association as a trained coach in the CAC database. More details are available from your provincial golf association.

“We have to take the vision that everyone who cares about golf in this country has and make it a reality,” says Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “LTPD is one way that helps us achieve that reality. It is a cooperative effort and we need everyone involved in the game to adopt that vision.”

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Three-time British Open champion Nick Faldo will make his final appearance at the tournament at St. Andrews this year.

The English golfer, who will turn 58 during the tournament in July, will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of his second British Open title at the Old Course in 1990.

“The Open and St. Andrews will forever hold a significant place in my heart,” Faldo said. “My fondest moments on my journey with this great sport are woven with pictures and emotions in this setting. It all means a huge amount to me.”

Faldo also won the British Open at Muirfield in 1987 and 1992, in addition to three Masters titles at Augusta National.

Five-time champion Tom Watson will also be making his final appearance at the tournament.

This year’s British Open will also have a new grandstand area that seats nearly 10,000 spectators built around the first, 17th and 18th holes. That will take the total course seating to more than 21,000.

“There is always an incredible atmosphere at the Open and particularly when it is held in St. Andrews,” said Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, the tournament’s executive director. “We want to make sure as many spectators as possible can experience that unique atmosphere and enjoy wonderful views of the play on the opening and closing holes at St. Andrews.”

LOMPOC, Calif. – Salinas, Calif.,’s Matt Pinizzotto carded a 5-under 67 Tuesday at La Purisima Golf Course to take the first round lead at PGA Tour Canada’s California Qualifying Tournament

The UCLA senior, playing as an amateur this week before concluding his collegiate career later this spring, led by one over League City, Texas native Curtis Donahoe through 18 holes at the second of three qualifying tournaments for PGA Tour Canada this season.

“I made a lot of good putts today. The greens can be bumpy in the afternoon, so you just try to hit your line, and they might not fall, but luckily for me most of them went in,” said Pinizzotto, who played in the day’s final group off the 10^th tee. “I gave myself a lot of good looks and I’m happy with how I played.”

The 22-year old began the week as an alternate and was practicing with teammates in Los Angeles on Monday when he received notification he was in the field – the last player among the 132 entrants to gain a spot for the week. After making the drive up and getting in a quick practice round in the evening, Pinizzotto was ready to begin his attempt to earn status for 2015.

“I was at practice Monday morning. I was going to head up here in the afternoon and see if there was a spot in the field, and then I got the call. It’s pretty last minute, but all week I was planning on getting in,” said Pinizzotto.

One stroke off the lead with a 4-under 67 was Donahoe, who was one of just three players to break 70 on the tricky La Purisima layout. Donald Constable also managed a 3-under 69 to join Pinizzotto and Donahoe.

“I hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens and never really put myself in a bad spot. I got some putts to drop, so it was overall just really solid,” said Donahoe. “You kind of have to be in the right place, and if you’re in the wrong place you’re going to have a long day.”

Three-shots off the lead in a tie for fourth is Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont.

The medalist this week will earn exempt status on PGA Tour Canada for 2015. Finishers 2-18 will be exempt through the first six events and subject to the re-shuffle, with the rest of the top 40 (plus ties) earning conditional status. The cutoff for the top 18 through the first round was at 1-under, with the cutoff for the top 40 at 1-over.

Golf Canada hosted its inaugural Tournament Administration and Rules Seminar this past weekend in Toronto.  Sixty participants attended the four-day seminar which covered everything from course setup to rules scenarios and amateur status.  We were extremely fortunate to have had a number of notable guest speakers on-hand to enhance the seminar.

Grant Moir, Director, Rules of Golf from the R&A, lent us his expertise throughout the weekend.  Grant’s vast knowledge of the rules and his experiences at professional and elite amateur championships certainly brought an invaluable perspective to the participants.

In addition to instructing, Mark Dusbabek, PGA TOUR official and advance official for the RBC Canadian Open, offered many stories and scenarios from the PGA TOUR and gave a great lesson on relief from Temporary Immovable Obstructions (TIOs).

Dale Jackson, Rules Chairman of the Golf Canada Rules Committee, and Jack MacDonald – a past Rules Chairman and a past President – supported the instruction.  With their many years of experience, the participants were offered unique insights into officiating from two of the best officials in the country.

Barbara Allan, Chair of Golf Canada’s Amateur Competition’s Committee, shared best practices for starters and scorers.  Golf Canada’s Director of Rules, Competitions, & Amateur Status, Adam Helmer, coordinated and led a number sessions throughout the seminar.

Golf Canada’s Chief Championship Officer, Bill Paul, shared his background and vision for the RBC Canadian Open while Golf Canada’s Chief Championship Officer, Jeff Thompson, presented on Team Canada and the second generation of Golf Canada’s Long-Term Player Development guide.

While it takes a knowledgeable staff to instruct, it takes an equally attentive and focused group of participants to make any seminar a success. This past weekend’s group showed a great deal of both and demonstrated that the nation’s tournaments are in good hands. Golf Canada would like to thank all the participants and instructors for the passion they showed for guiding the game we love.