Follow the story of Team Canada’s National Amateur Team at golfcanada.ca/teamcanada

Support Team Canada in their quest for greatness by donating through the Golf Canada Foundation

Follow the story of Team Canada’s National Amateur Team at golfcanada.ca/teamcanada

Support Team Canada in their quest for greatness by donating through the Golf Canada Foundation

With golf making its return to the Summer Olympics all eyes may be looking ahead to 2016. However, there’s one stop on the road to Rio that’s worthy of notice first: the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

Scheduled for August 16-28 in Nanjing, China, the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is an international multi-sport event conducted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for athletes age 14-18. The 2014 edition will be the second-ever summer youth games; the inaugural event was hosted by Singapore in 2010. For the first time, golf will be among the 28 sports featured at the Youth Games. The top 26 countries on the world rankings will each select a male and female athlete to compete over an individual stroke play event as well as a mixed team competition. With the World Amateur Rankings used to determine which countries will compete, Canada is assured of fielding a team.

The Youth Games, along with the recent Toyota Junior World Cup in Japan and the inaugural World Junior Girls’ Golf Championship to be held in Ontario later this summer, provides an opportunity to benchmark the strength of Canada’s golf development program.

“These international events give us a strong indication where Canada stands on the world stage,” says Thompson. “Our boys have performed well at the Junior World Cup over the past few years and we’re excited that the girls now have their own world championship event. We expect them to perform well.”

The objective of the IOC in holding Youth Olympics is more than just conducting a sporting competition for elite young athletes. Its goal is to create a cultural experience and emphasize the power of sport to nurture positive attributes and develop good young citizens.

More than 100 youth from all walks of life have been selected as Young Ambassadors for the Games. As well as promoting the YOG and the Olympic values in their own countries, the role of the Young Ambassadors will be to help the athletes on their national teams get the most out of their YOG experience. They will encourage them to interact with people from different sports and backgrounds, to soak up new cultures and to take part in a unique program of activities and workshops, featuring sessions on healthy eating, injury prevention, anti-doping, careers in sport and media training. The lessons learned will equip the athletes with the sports skills to perform to the best of their ability on the field of play, and the life skills to be true ambassadors of their sport off the field of play, inspiring young people in their communities to get active and embrace the Olympic values. Although many of Canada’s top junior golfers have had the opportunity to compete internationally through Golf Canada’s national team program, the Youth Olympic Games will be an experience unlike any other.

“This is a significantly different competition in that it is a multi-sport games,” says Thompson. “Our team members will stay in an athletes’ village and have the opportunity to live and interact with competitors from all the other sports. They will participate in a number of cultural and educational events and, since they will be in Nanjing for up to 10 days, will really have the chance to soak in the Games atmosphere and enjoy the experience. We feel it will be a great opportunity for our young top-level golfers. One or more of these athletes could potentially be future Olympians.”

nanjing2014.org

TEAM CANADA SELECTION PROCESS

a. 1 spot per gender per country (1 male and 1 female athlete will be selected for Canada).

b. To be eligible for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, athletes must have been born between January 1st 1996, and December 1st, 1998.

c. Athletes must be members in good standing with Golf Canada.

d. Must be a Canadian Citizen and hold a Canadian passport.

e. Athletes must sign and submit the COC Athlete Agreement and Eligibility Conditions no later than June 10, 2014.

f. Have a valid Canadian passport that does not expire on or before December 31, 2014

SELECTION INFORMATION – BOYS

a. Head-to-head results at national championships and other significant tournaments over the past 12 months ( June 1st 2013-June 1st 2014) in the following order of importance: Canadian national championships, USGA events; CN Future Links Championships, AJGA invitational events; Provincial championships; Other events such as Callaway Jr. Worlds, Jr. Orange Bowl and AJGA Open events.

b. Analysis of the golf rankings as of June 1st, 2014 using points accumulated over the past 12 months ( June 1st, 2013 – June 1st, 2014) in the following order of importance: 1. National Junior Boys Order of Merit; 2.National Men’s Amateur Order of Merit.

SELECTION INFORMATION – GIRLS

a. Head-to-head results at national championships and other signifi cant tournaments over the past 12 months ( June 1st 2013-June 1st 2014) in the following order of importance: Canadian national championships, USGA events; CN Future Links Championships, AJGA invitational events; Provincial championships; Other events such as Callaway Jr. Worlds, Jr. Orange Bowl and AJGA Open events

b. Analysis of the golf rankings as of June 1st, 2014 using points accumulated over the past 12 months ( June 1st, 2013 – June 1st, 2014) in the following order of importance: 1. National Junior Girls Order of Merit; 2. National Women’s Amateur Order of Merit.

For more information on the selection process contact Golf Canada’s Jeff Thompson at jthompson@golfcanada.ca.

With golf making its return to the Summer Olympics all eyes may be looking ahead to 2016. However, there’s one stop on the road to Rio that’s worthy of notice first: the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

Scheduled for August 16-28 in Nanjing, China, the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is an international multi-sport event conducted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for athletes age 14-18. The 2014 edition will be the second-ever summer youth games; the inaugural event was hosted by Singapore in 2010. For the first time, golf will be among the 28 sports featured at the Youth Games. The top 26 countries on the world rankings will each select a male and female athlete to compete over an individual stroke play event as well as a mixed team competition. With the World Amateur Rankings used to determine which countries will compete, Canada is assured of fielding a team.

The Youth Games, along with the recent Toyota Junior World Cup in Japan and the inaugural World Junior Girls’ Golf Championship to be held in Ontario later this summer, provides an opportunity to benchmark the strength of Canada’s golf development program.

“These international events give us a strong indication where Canada stands on the world stage,” says Thompson. “Our boys have performed well at the Junior World Cup over the past few years and we’re excited that the girls now have their own world championship event. We expect them to perform well.”

The objective of the IOC in holding Youth Olympics is more than just conducting a sporting competition for elite young athletes. Its goal is to create a cultural experience and emphasize the power of sport to nurture positive attributes and develop good young citizens.

More than 100 youth from all walks of life have been selected as Young Ambassadors for the Games. As well as promoting the YOG and the Olympic values in their own countries, the role of the Young Ambassadors will be to help the athletes on their national teams get the most out of their YOG experience. They will encourage them to interact with people from different sports and backgrounds, to soak up new cultures and to take part in a unique program of activities and workshops, featuring sessions on healthy eating, injury prevention, anti-doping, careers in sport and media training. The lessons learned will equip the athletes with the sports skills to perform to the best of their ability on the field of play, and the life skills to be true ambassadors of their sport off the field of play, inspiring young people in their communities to get active and embrace the Olympic values. Although many of Canada’s top junior golfers have had the opportunity to compete internationally through Golf Canada’s national team program, the Youth Olympic Games will be an experience unlike any other.

“This is a significantly different competition in that it is a multi-sport games,” says Thompson. “Our team members will stay in an athletes’ village and have the opportunity to live and interact with competitors from all the other sports. They will participate in a number of cultural and educational events and, since they will be in Nanjing for up to 10 days, will really have the chance to soak in the Games atmosphere and enjoy the experience. We feel it will be a great opportunity for our young top-level golfers. One or more of these athletes could potentially be future Olympians.”

nanjing2014.org

TEAM CANADA SELECTION PROCESS

a. 1 spot per gender per country (1 male and 1 female athlete will be selected for Canada).

b. To be eligible for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, athletes must have been born between January 1st 1996, and December 1st, 1998.

c. Athletes must be members in good standing with Golf Canada.

d. Must be a Canadian Citizen and hold a Canadian passport.

e. Athletes must sign and submit the COC Athlete Agreement and Eligibility Conditions no later than June 10, 2014.

f. Have a valid Canadian passport that does not expire on or before December 31, 2014

SELECTION INFORMATION – BOYS

a. Head-to-head results at national championships and other significant tournaments over the past 12 months ( June 1st 2013-June 1st 2014) in the following order of importance: Canadian national championships, USGA events; CN Future Links Championships, AJGA invitational events; Provincial championships; Other events such as Callaway Jr. Worlds, Jr. Orange Bowl and AJGA Open events.

b. Analysis of the golf rankings as of June 1st, 2014 using points accumulated over the past 12 months ( June 1st, 2013 – June 1st, 2014) in the following order of importance: 1. National Junior Boys Order of Merit; 2.National Men’s Amateur Order of Merit.

SELECTION INFORMATION – GIRLS

a. Head-to-head results at national championships and other signifi cant tournaments over the past 12 months ( June 1st 2013-June 1st 2014) in the following order of importance: Canadian national championships, USGA events; CN Future Links Championships, AJGA invitational events; Provincial championships; Other events such as Callaway Jr. Worlds, Jr. Orange Bowl and AJGA Open events

b. Analysis of the golf rankings as of June 1st, 2014 using points accumulated over the past 12 months ( June 1st, 2013 – June 1st, 2014) in the following order of importance: 1. National Junior Girls Order of Merit; 2. National Women’s Amateur Order of Merit.

For more information on the selection process contact Golf Canada’s Jeff Thompson at jthompson@golfcanada.ca.

The British Open this year decided to scrap its 36-hole qualifiers on the European Tour and PGA Tour in favor of what effectively is 72-hole qualifiers. Four leading players from the top 12 on the leaderboard at Congressional and the Greenbrier earn spots. In Europe, the leading three players from the Irish Open, French Open and Scottish Open get into The Open. The John Deere Classic gets one spot.

It’s the same amount of qualifying spots as were available last year through both 36-hole qualifiers.

But it eliminates any chance for Web.com Tour players, or for some of the top college players who turn pro in the summer. The only chance they have to qualify – without a trip across the Atlantic – is to get a spot in the PGA Tour (or European Tour) fields.

“These matters have been very much considered by the European Tour and the PGA Tour, and their request certainly has been to evolve from what we were with the 36-hole stand-alone into the series we have now,” R&A executive director Michael Tate said Tuesday. “They don’t have that simple opportunity. They can, of course, still travel to the UK and qualify. But I understand how difficult that is.

“I think in the world of the game of golf, what we achieved and what we are doing now is probably correct.”

Indeed, 288 players currently are playing for 12 spots at four regional spots in Britain the next two days. A decade ago, local qualifying was the only way into The Open, and it was held the weekend before the championship.

It was just another spring morning at Bethpage Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York. Local golfers flocking to the picturesque clubhouse, warming up and congregating at the driving range. These unsuspecting local golfers were oblivious to how their experience was about to get even better.

Fresh from Pinehurst, N.C. and on his way to the Travelers Championship where he finished tied for second,, Sergio Garcia made a quick pit-stop in Long Island. Watch the video below to see highlights from the day.

Garcia’s ambush was all part of TaylorMade Golf’s “Distance for All” campaign, which promotes the company’s new SLDR S driver.  The SLDR S driver is designed to fit a wide variety of golfers and deliver distance regardless of swing speed. Click here to learn more about the SLDR S family of metalwoods.

It was just another spring morning at Bethpage Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York. Local golfers flocking to the picturesque clubhouse, warming up and congregating at the driving range. These unsuspecting local golfers were oblivious to how their experience was about to get even better.

Fresh from Pinehurst, N.C. and on his way to the Travelers Championship where he finished tied for second,, Sergio Garcia made a quick pit-stop in Long Island. Watch the video below to see highlights from the day.

Garcia’s ambush was all part of TaylorMade Golf’s “Distance for All” campaign, which promotes the company’s new SLDR S driver.  The SLDR S driver is designed to fit a wide variety of golfers and deliver distance regardless of swing speed. Click here to learn more about the SLDR S family of metalwoods.

Dennis Bradley

GC: What prompted Birchbank Golf Course to host the CN Future Links
Western Championship?
DB: We were looking for an opportunity to help promote junior golf in our local area, B.C., and Canada. So when this opportunity arose, we couldn’t refuse.

GC: What preparations have went into hosting this championship?
DB: Meetings with the Junior Committee, as well as local businesses, radio, and newspaper have been a big part of the preparation. We’ve also had many members step up to volunteer in various capacities for the tournament.

GC: What can players expect when they arrive at your club?
DB: Friendly staff, a great practice area, a playable course… just a great week overall.

GC: What do you think will challenge competitors the most?
DB: Most players will find that keeping the ball in play right off the tee will be the most challenging aspect of the course.

GC: Are there any significant holes or sections of the golf course that should provide excitement for the tournament?
DB: Starting holes #1 – 4, as well as the 18th are certainly one’s to watch.

GC: What does your club do to encourage and engage your junior membership each season?
DB: Free lessons on Mondays, as well as a very reasonable rate for Junior Memberships.

GC: What is your club looking forward to the most in hosting this
 championship?
DB: Seeing talented junior golfers from across the country play our course.

GC: What does hosting an event like this do for your local community?
DB: We’re expecting this event to bring a lot of players, as well as their family, to the area. And hopefully they enjoy their stay and plan to return in the future.

BLUFFTON, South Carolina – For the first time since 2007, the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) team defeated the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) Team USA in a dramatic finishing, winning 15.5 – 12.5 at Oldfield Golf Club.

“I think we definitely had team spirit,” said CJGA Team Captain, Mitchell McPhail. “Last year we struggled as a team to bond. This year we were more of a team, which brought us better chemistry together in our matches. That was a huge key to our victory today.”

After holding a 10-4 lead in team matches through two days of competition, the final day came down to one-on-one singles competition. Team USA battled back winning 3 of the first four matches, but after a solid first two days, the Canadian squad only needed 4.5 points, in which they would slowly secure.

Andrew Russ (Oakville, Ont.) secured the 14th point of the tournament winning 3 & 2 against C.J Hughes (Indiana, Pennsylvania) in the 12th match. With Russ’ points secured, and John Burghardt (Oakville, Ont.) on the fairway of 18 with a 1 up lead, Team Canada had guaranteed themselves a victory reaching the 14.5 points needed to win the cup.

“This is hands down the best display of golf and competition I’ve ever seen,” said CJGA Team Canada non-playing Captain Stephen Nixon. “Team USA came back strong today and deserve a lot of credit. It means so much to be apart of the team that finally brought the cup home. In a sport that is supposed to be all about the individual, these kids were unbelievable in the way that they came together as a team so quick.”

If there is a silver lining to Billy Walsh’s second consecutive loss in the finals of the PGA Championship of Canada sponsored by Mr. Lube and presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf it is that he’s headed to the RBC Canadian Open at The Royal Montreal Golf Club.

Once again, Walsh, the No. 1 ranked player coming into the championship, had a stellar week as he finished the match play tournament at 5-1 at ClubLink’s awesome Wyndance Golf Club designed by the one-and-only Greg Norman.

No. 3 seed, Dave Levesque from Pure Golf Experience in Montreal rallied from 2-down after 10 holes to win 2-up. The 40-year-old, who worked for ClubLink at The Country Club and RattleSnake Point Golf Cclub from 2007 through 2010, takes home a first-place cheque for $15,000, but more importantly gets his name on the storied P. D. Ross Trophy alongside the likes of; Moe Norman, Bob Panasik, George Knudson, Lee Trevino, Al Balding, Arnold Palmer and many other golf legends.

“If you had told me on Tuesday morning before I teed it up that I would finish second and stay on top of the points race to get into the RBC Canadian Open I would have taken it right then and there,” said Walsh who was all-square with Levesque after 13 holes. Uncharacteristically, Walsh missed the fairway with his drives on Nos. 14, 15 and 16. He found himself trailing by two heading to the par-3, 17^th. Walsh won that hole with a par, as Levesque missed the green with his 210-yard tee shot and then two-putted to take the championship to No. 18.

With Levesque out-distancing Walsh 30 to 40 yards on every hole, both players hit the fairway, on the par-5 with their drives. Walsh’s second shot drifted left down into the sand pit. It took nearly the full five minutes before a spectator found Walsh’s ball amongst the dozens in the waste area. After taking an unplayable penalty and missing his next putt, Walsh conceded the loss.

“I focused a lot of my energy on this morning’s round because I knew if I won it I would get the exemption into the Canadian (Open) and that really has been my goal all season,” said Walsh, who earned $10,000 for finishing second. “When I won that one it felt like a big weight was lifted off my shoulders and I might have lost a bit of my edge.”

Walsh said when he was 2-up after 10 holes, he started to think about winning the championship and that might have thrown him off his game a bit, rather than just playing a hole at a time. Craig Smith, who caddied for Walsh throughout the week, will caddie for him when the PGA Tour goes to Royal Montreal.

“My goal for the RBC Canadian Open is to play really well. I want to focus on playing my game and see how I do. I want to play well on Thursday and Friday and see where that puts me. I might miss the cut by five or I might be in the top-10, but I just want to play well,” added Walsh who picked up 50 ranking points and remains as the No. 1-ranked player from the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC. In the third place match, Chris Barber, the No. 15 seed bested the No. 60 seed Christophe Belair.

When it came to the golf course, the two finalists heaped praise on the award-winning Greg Norman design and the course conditioning. “It’s a very unique design. You don’t see this style of design very often. Greg Norman did an awesome job,” Walsh said, noting the greens were some of the best he’s ever putted on.

“This is the first time I have played the course. It’s the only ClubLink course that I didn’t get to play when I was working here and I loved playing it. It’s one of the best ClubLink courses I have played,” said Levesque who moved into second place in the player rankings after picking up 60 points for the win. “I took so many photographs during my practice round to bring back with me to show everyone because it’s so beautiful.”

Craig Smith and Billy Walsh (Brent Long)