ACTON, Ontario – The Ridge at Manitou Golf Club in Ontario’s Muskoka region will be home to this year’s PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Titleist & FootJoy.

Taking place September 9-11 in McKellar, Ont., PGA of Canada players will be treated to a natural golfing experience unique to this particular area of Canada.

“We couldn’t be more excited to take one of our prestigious national championships-the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Titleist & FootJoy-to one of the country’s most stunning golf regions,” PGA of Canada president Gregg Schubert said. “Not only does this championship annually feature some of the most talented players from our association, but it also showcases some of the best courses in Canada too.”

The Ridge at Manitou Golf Club in located on 300 acres of land just east of Parry Sound, Ont., however, only 150 acres of land were used by famed golf course architect Tom McBroom to build the golf course.

“We are extremely excited at The Ridge at Manitou Golf Club to host the 2014 PGA of Canada Assistant’s Championship and look forward to the arrival of Canada’s top assistant professionals, The Ridge at Manitou Golf Club’s Director of Golf Travis Spiess said. “The golf course is known for its awe inspiring landscape with inviting fairways, rolling greens, exposed areas of rocky Canadian Shield and artful bunkers.”

The nearly 7,000-yard golf course was ranked No. 17 on SCOREGolf‘s 2012 list of the Top 59 Public Golf Courses in Canada and is also a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Ontario’s Billy Walsh looks to defend his championship title after besting the field in 2013 at The Willows Golf & Country Club in Saskatoon. The No.1-ranked player from the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC captured his first national championship last September, defeating British Columbia’s Lindsay Bernakevitch in a playoff.

The PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada is contested over 54-holes (with a 36-hole cut to the low 60-players and ties).

Past champions of the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada include Serge Thivierge, Remi Bouchard, Marc Girouard, Bryn Parry, Ashley Chinner, Phil Jonas, Brian McCann and Mike Belbin.

Kia Canada and David Hearn have agreed to extend their relationship through 2016.

As a proud ambassador, Hearn has represented the company on the PGA Tour for the past two years, competing with the Kia logo on the chest of his golf shirt, while also representing the company off the course –using a Kia vehicle to support his lifestyle.

The new partnership will see Hearn working with Kia to build unique content for its social platforms and dealer activations.

“I am thrilled to continue my partnership with Kia, representing the company in Canada and in the golf space,” said Hearn.

The new partnership will also leverage Hearn’s success and increased profile from the 2013 season. After turning pro in 2011, Hearn has had three solid seasons on the PGA Tour and has become known for his sharp short game and consistent play.

Starting off the 2014 season, Hearn has already recorded three top-10 finishes, representing Canada at the World Cup of Golf with an individual tie for 8th and overall 5th place finish for Canada. Hearn also tied for 6th at the Honda Classic.

In 2013, Hearn made seven top-25 finishes including two top-10’s – a second place finish in a playoff at the John Deere Classic and a tie for 8th at the Puerto Rico Open.

Kia is already involved in golf globally, with a strong presence on the LPGA Tour. Kia has gained significant presence in golf as the title sponsor of the LPGA KIA Classic since 2010. In addition to sponsoring the event, Kia is also official automotive partner of the LPGA, the official tournament vehicle for five LPGA Tour events and has an integral relationship with the LPGA through the Kia Performance Awards, which recognizes outstanding achievements by some of the best golfers in the world.

Virginia man shoots perfect score in putt-putt

Rick Baird, an IT manager out of Richmond, Va., shot a perfect score in putt-putt. That’s right, he one-putted all 18 holes in succession.

Unlike miniature golf, putt-putt is played on official courses void of windmills, gators, pirate ships or any other obstacles.

Baird became one of only three people to record a perfect 18 in putt-putt, a game that has been a sanctioned competition for more than 50 years.

Although the video is a few years old, we’re sure you’ll enjoy it.

Représentants de l’Université Kent State, Corey Conners et Taylor Pendrith se sont classés dans le top 5 du Davidson College Invitational, à Davidson, en Caroline du Nord.

Conners, 22 ans et étudiant de dernière année, a pris la troisième place à plus 1 (73-72—145). Cet Ontarien de Listowel avait aussi gagné le mois dernier en prolongation la prestigieuse Coupe Jones, à Sea Island, en Georgie.

Pendrith, également étudiant de dernière année, a terminé quatrième, à un coup de Conners. Natif de Richmond Hill, en Ontario, il a signé des cartes de 75 et 71 pour finir à plus 2 sur le parcours du River Run Country Club. Pendrith avait aussi remporté une victoire prestigieuse, ayant été couronné vainqueur de la Coupe Porter 2013, en juillet.

Grâce à leur brio des derniers mois, Conners et Pendrith font maintenant partie du top 50 du classement mondial amateur, occupant respectivement les 23^e et 31^e places. Le dynamique duo fait aussi partie de la présélection du Ben Hogan Award, une récompense très convoitée qui honore le meilleur golfeur universitaire des États-Unis.

Conner Hayden, de Chilhowie en Virginie, a remporté le titre individuel du Davidson Invitational grâce à un cumulatif de 142, moins 2. Les Volunteers du Tennessee ont gagné la compétition par équipes en devançant de 11 coups les représentants de Kent State.

Pour les résultats complets, cliquez ici.

DORAL, Fla. – Honda Classic winner Russell Henley can only hope the next 14 months are better than the 14 months that followed his first PGA Tour victory.

A quick, decisive player with a smooth putting stroke, Henley won his debut as a PGA Tour member in January 2013. It earned him automatic exemptions into the Masters, PGA Championship and four World Golf Championships. His FedEx Cup points turned out to be enough for a spot in the British Open, and the ranking points got him into the U.S. Open.

It proved to be a bit much.

“It was a lot to deal with after I won,” Henley said. “I played in the Masters, played in all the majors, played in all the WGCs, and I don’t know that I was really prepared to do all that mentally.”

Over the next 32 tournaments, Henley missed the cut 11 times and had only two top 10s: a tie for sixth at Hilton Head and the Memorial, neither time in serious contention over the final hour.

His playoff win at PGA National landed him at Doral this week. He’s eligible for the Masters, PGA Championship and two more WGCs (Firestone and Shanghai).

“I think this year, I’m more excited to keep playing golf and keep getting better, and I feel like I’ve got a little bit better direction that I’m going in right now,” Henley said. “I feel like I know what is going to make me better. A full year on tour will teach you a lot about who you are and what you need to do with your game – what works, what doesn’t work. I think a year of experience is huge for me.

“Golf is so hard that nobody knows for sure if they are going to keep anything going,” he said. “I know I can control my work ethic and my attitude, and hopefully I can keep those consistent.”

Video: Teeing up the WGC Cadillac Championship

Davidson, N.C. – Playing for Kent State, Team Canada’s Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith both finished inside the top 5 at the Davidson College Invitational.

Conners, a 22-year-old senior, finished the tournament in third, with a 1-over 145 (73-72).  The Listowel, Ont. native is coming off a playoff win at the prestigious Jones Cup last month in Sea Island, Ga.

Pendrith, also a senior, finished a single-stroke behind Conners in fourth place. The Richmond Hill, Ont. native shot a 75-71 to close at 2-over par at the River Run Country Club. Pendrith has a recent prestigious win of his own, taking home the hardware at the 2013 Porter Cup in July.

Thanks to their hot play of late, Conners and Pendrith both sit inside the top 50 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) at No.23 and 31, respectively. The dynamic duo has also been placed on the Ben Hogan Award Watch List. The prestigious award is given annually to the top college golfer in the country.

Conner Hayden, a Chilhowie, Va. native, captured medalist honours with a 2-under 142. Collectively, the Tennessee Volunteers won team play by 11 strokes over second place Kent State.

For full results, click here.

(Vancouver Sun) – There are no cuts at most collegiate golf tournaments, although UBC coach Chris MacDonald and his men’s and women’s teams survived an important one last week off the course.

The golf programs made it through the second and final stage of UBC’s sports review and will play on. After missing the cut in the first stage of that review, it looked like the programs would be axed.

But MacDonald convinced the UBC brass that the programs were worth saving in a massive 120-page brief he presented to the sports review panel last month.

Continue reading…

USGA to institute international qualifying for U.S. Women’s Open

In recognition of the global growth and strength of women’s golf, the United States Golf Association (USGA) will introduce international qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open Championship, beginning in 2014.

The 2014 U.S. Women’s Open will be conducted June 19-22 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2) in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.

Fourteen foreign-born players have won the U.S. Women’s Open a total of 18 times, including two-time and defending champion Inbee Park, of the Republic of Korea. Fay Crocker, of Uruguay, won the 1955 U.S. Women’s Open, becoming the first international winner in championship history. In recent years, international players have dominated the leader board, taking seven of the last nine championships and 13 of the last 19. Players from Korea have won five of the last six championships.

Officials from the China Golf Association, the Japan Golf Association, the Korea Golf Association and the Ladies European Tour will conduct international qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open, which will be held at four sites on Monday, May 19.

Asia will have three qualifying sites – CGA Nanshan International Training Centre (Garden Course) in the People’s Republic of China, Higashi Nagoya Country Club in Japan and Woo Jeong Hills Country Club in Korea. Buckinghamshire Golf Club in England will host European qualifying.

Also, effective in 2014, the USGA Handicap Index^® limit for the U.S. Women’s Open has been lowered to 2.4 from 4.4. The change comes in recognition of the rapid and tremendous growth of women’s amateur golf, and will serve to strengthen the 69th U.S. Women’s Open field.

The Handicap Index limit was set at 4.4 for the 1972 U.S. Women’s Open, and has remained unchanged. Since then, more than 350 amateur golfers have qualified for the championship, including future winners Paula Creamer, Kathy (Baker) Guadagnino, Juli Inkster, Cristie Kerr, Murle Lindstrom, Hilary Lunke, Inbee Park, Annika Sorenstam and Hollis Stacy. Four amateurs have finished second: Nancy Lopez (1975); Jenny Chuasiriporn (1998, in a playoff); and Brittany Lang and Morgan Pressel (2005). Catherine Lacoste (1967) is the only amateur player to win the Women’s Open.

U.S.A.’s Olympic golf uniforms unveiled

USA Golf Federation, the governing body for U.S.A.’s golf team in the Olympics, said adidas Golf will provide uniforms for golfers, coaches and the staff at Rio.

Golf returns to the Olympics in 2016.

Andy Levinson, the executive director of USA Golf, said the adidas logo will not be visible on the uniform, which should come as good news to Tiger Woods if he is eligible and chooses to play in the 2016 Olympics. Woods has been a Nike client his entire career.

Along with outfitting the men’s and women’s American teams, adidas Golf will have a line of USA Golf-branded apparel that will be introduced late this year.

.@adidasGolf to be Official Outfitter for 2016 U.S. Olympic Golf Team: http://t.co/SOSzAxGeGJ @Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/jXtjrSjPY2

— Back9Network (@Back9Network) March 4, 2014

Adam Svensson continued his winning ways Tuesday, capturing his second straight tournament after firing a 7-under 65 at the St. Edward’s Invitational in Austin, Texas.

Svensson, a sophomore at Barry University, finished the tournament at 10-under 134. The event was shortened to 36 holes due to bad weather in the Austin area.

The Team Canada National Squad member carded 13 birdies over two days to finish eight-strokes clear of runner-up Carr Vernon from CSU-Monterey Bay.

The Surrey, B.C. native now has four victories in only six starts this season. He’s now tied with Daniel Stapff for all-time wins at Barry University.

During the fall season, Svensson, 20, captured the Brickyard Crossing and Guy Harvey Invitational. In addition, he recently set a single round school scoring record after carding a second round 64 en-route to his victory at the Matlock Collegiate Classic in February.

As a team, No. 1 ranked Barry finished 13 strokes ahead of CSU-Monterey Bay to claim their third team victory of the season.

For complete results from the St. Edward Invitational, click here.

STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford junior Patrick Rodgers, the No. 1 ranked amateur in the world, said Monday that he will forgo his final year of eligibility to pursue a professional career after this season.

The two-time All-American said he decided to make the announcement now because he didn’t want the growing speculation about his future to become a distraction for the team. The eighth-ranked Cardinals are hoping to make a deep run at the NCAA championships in May before Rodgers leaves.

“I think we have an amazing team – the best that we’ve had in my three years here – and we have an opportunity to do something special,” Rodgers said in a statement issued through the university. “I want to put all of the focus on trying to win a national championship for the team.”

Rodgers arrived at Stanford in 2011 as one of the nation’s top recruits from Avon, Ind., where he won two state championships. He has won seven tournaments in less than three full seasons at Stanford and also helped the U.S. team win last year’s Walker Cup, the amateur version of the Ryder Cup.

Rodgers’ 70.55 average strokes per round are the best in Stanford history, bettering Tiger Woods’ 70.96. His seven career wins are tied with Joel Kribel for the second most in school history. Only Woods, with 11, has more.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” said Stanford men’s golf coach Conrad Ray. “He’s one of the best college golfers we’ve ever had. It’s bittersweet for me, because as a coach and a guy that values his role on the team, we’re going to hate losing him. Even if it was next year after graduation, we’d love to take 10 guys like Patrick and see how we’d do. His work ethic is insatiable.

“He has characteristics of world-class players. It’s a credit to him that he has taken a lot of well-thought time to analyze the situation he has in front of him. To Patrick’s credit, he’s made all the right steps and moves to date. You have to trust in his instincts and direction he’s going with his game.”

Rodgers has some experience on the PGA Tour already.

He has played in four PGA Tour events, including taking the lead at the John Deere Classic last year before finishing 15th. He said he plans to return to Stanford at some point to finish his degree.

“Stanford has done so much more for me than golf,” Rodgers said. “The immense social network between alumni and students is just incredible. Both the golf program and academic environment have accelerated my progress beyond what I ever thought possible and prepared me really well for life on the PGA Tour. I couldn’t have done what I have done so far without the help of Stanford University.”

During the opening-round of the 2014 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship, Matt Kuchar found himself in good position to close out his opponent, Bernd Wiesberger, on the 14^th hole. Kuchar dialed-in a 14-foot putt for what looked like the win (5&4) over Wiesberger, however some discussion ensued as to whether or not Kuchar had replaced his ball mark in the correct location.

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard outlines some of the commentary that occurred between each of the sides and their respective caddies here.

From the video below, you’ll see that following Kuchar holing out, a preceding highlight shows that he had originally marked the position of his ball in a different location as it would potentially interfere with Wiesberger’s next stroke.

Under Rule 20-1 (Lifting and Marking), Kuchar’s ball may be lifted and his ball-marker may be moved to further accommodate his opponent’s play.  However it must be replaced, with the process of marking reversed, before he plays his next stroke.

Upon realizing the error, it is clear that Kuchar has played from a wrong place.

In this situation Kuchar was proceeding under Rule 20-1 (Lifting and Marking), so application of the Rule and subsequent penalty falls under 20-1.

It is important to note that the last sentence under the Note to Rule 20-1 states in part that “… If the ball-marker interferes with the play, stance or stroke of another player, it should be place one or more clubhead-lengths to one side.”  In order to replace the ball when this has been done, the procedure must be reversed, as prescribed by Decision 20-1/16.

In the end, Kuchar found himself in a loss of hole situation as a result of an honest mistake.  The error in neglecting to replace his ball resulted in the match being extended to the 16^th hole, before Kuchar closed with a 3&2 win.

Since the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship kicked-off last week, Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) conducted a poll via Twitter and Facebook asking ‘What form of play do you prefer?’  Stroke Play was the leading favorite amongst those who participated when this blog was published.

What’s your favorite form of play? Have your say in our poll below.

Have a Rules of Golf question you want answered in a Rules & Rants Blog?  Let us know here.

For more information on the Rules of Golf, please click here.

To ask a Rules of Golf question, please click here.

For more information on how to proceed in various Rules of Golf situations, guidance on the Golf Canada Handicap System and more, please consult our Rules of Golf publications – for purchase in Golf Canada’s eStore, or at your local book retailer.

A day in the life of a member or guest at Bayview Golf and Country must be an extraordinary experience from start to finish.

That’s the vision Head Golf Professional Dustin Kerr-Taylor brings to the Toronto club as his golf shop team works to instill and preserve the spirit of the game in each golfer by providing quality golf programs and service that resonate excellence.

It’s also the type of dedication to the sport that has earned Kerr-Taylor the PGA of Ontario Retailer of the Year for 2013 after only his second year as Head Professional at Bayview.

“I have always been passionate about merchandising. It was instilled in me by the head professionals I worked for previously, Warren Crosbie at Bayview, John Porter at Rosedale Golf & Country Club and Brad Johnston at The Briars Golf & Country Club,” Kerr-Taylor says of the club owned shop. “We aim for perfection when it comes to the golf shop experience. There is always a wow factor when members walk into the golf shop. We want them to feel that this is a special place for them, where they can be comfortable and also know they’re getting the best pricing possible.”

No one person is in charge of maintaining the look of the shop and changing the displays. All staff members are involved with merchandising and creating an inviting golf shop experience. The nesting tables are located right at the front of the golf shop and changed every two-to-three weeks to showcase new product and reflect the time of year or holidays. The main sales counter has been relocated to the center of the shop allowing staff to greet everyone that walks by or comes in. “This is totally a team award; there are so many people at the club, from the back shop to accounting, who help create an atmosphere where members enjoy coming into the golf shops simply to chat or to make their purchases.”

Kerr-Taylor estimates that he spends half of his time on golf shop merchandising, but the key to success has been connecting with members.

“I am the starter on the weekend and this is a great way to promote new items in the shop and for me to see what everybody is wearing and the equipment they’re using,” says Kerr-Taylor who also produces a personal weekly video posted to the club’s web site with upcoming events, congratulating winners from the week and promoting the golf shop.

The father of two, Hudson and Addison, who has been married to his wife Monique for 16 years, is also quick to note that printed posters, member newsletters, men’s and ladies’ locker rooms, bathrooms and the first tee message boards is where golf shop sales are promoted to the 700 members.

Kerr-Taylor started playing golf with his father as a youngster at the nine-holer in Dryden, Ont. A few years later he saw an advertisement in Golf Digest magazine for the Golf Academy of America Professional Golf Management Program and enrolled in 1992. Since graduating, he’s been having a ball, playing and selling the game he loves.

Another key to delivering a profitable golf shop at Bayview has been offering member pricing for members and their guests. Every item is priced in the shop with a retail price from a local golf store and a lower member price.

“We are always lower than their pricing. We don’t have a formula, it all depends on each product. Weekly internet checks on websites are needed to make sure we are always competitive,” Kerr-Taylor says. “At first members were skeptical on member pricing. I think they thought we were just making up retail pricing but it only took a few months for them to realize that Bayview is there one stop shop for shopping. “I really notice more and more new members shopping here than maybe they did in the past which is great to see”.