CHONBURI, Thailand – Top-ranked Inbee Park thinks she can do better this year than last year.

Last year she won the first three majors and six titles overall, easily the best season of her eight-year pro golf career.

Raising her expectations is not about putting any extra pressure on herself, though.

“Every new season I think about doing better than last year,” Park said at the LPGA Thailand, where she makes her season debut on Thursday.

“That’s usually my goal. Obviously, it’s going to be very tough to beat last year’s record. I’m going to have tough weeks, but I think I’ll be fine just being a happier person and not thinking so much about results, and just thinking about what I can do, what I can control.”

She wasn’t in control a year ago when she won this tournament. It was handed to her when Thai teenager Ariya Jutanugarn, with a two-stroke advantage going onto the last hole, blew it with a triple bogey.

Park has prepared for the season with five weeks of training and  a holiday in Australia, where she did paddleboarding for the first time, swam with dolphins, and did touristy stuff like seeing kangaroos and koalas.

Meanwhile, others got a head-start, including No. 2-ranked Suzann Pettersen, No. 3 Stacy Lewis and No. 4 Lydia Ko. No. 5 So Yeon Ryu will also make her season debut this week.

The winners of the first two U.S. LPGA Tour events, Jessica Korda in the Bahamas and Karrie Webb at the Women’s Australian Open, are also entered.

Lewis has already finished second in the Bahamas and sixth in Australia.

“I’ve been right there in both tournaments,” Lewis said. “Just a few more putts at the end of the day and I’m right where I need to be. My game is really close to where I want it. I’m excited I’ve kept my top-10 streak going, which has been fun.”

No Canadians are entered in the field.

Manulife Financial has announced a multi-year partnerships with 2013 Women’s British Open Champion Stacy Lewis and up-and-coming Canadian professional Jennifer Kirby.  Both Lewis and Kirby will represent Manulife globally during the 2014 LPGA Tour season, donning Manulife branded apparel while they compete.

“We are proud to have world-class female athletes, Stacy and Jennifer, represent our brand as they travel the globe competing in many of the countries where we have business,” said Marianne Harrison, President and CEO, Manulife Canada. “We wish them the best of luck on the LPGA Tour this season and look forward to seeing them compete in Waterloo this June.”

Partnerships with the LPGA Tour and its athletes allow Manulife – which has operations in Canada, the United States and Asia – to increase its connections with clients and colleagues globally. Manulife will also become the official life and health insurance provider for both players.

This announcement builds on Manulife’s ongoing involvement in golf as the title sponsor of the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic. The third annual Manulife Financial LPGA Classic will be contested June 4-8 at Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo, Ontario.  Over its first two years, the tournament has attracted more than 125,000 spectators.

“I am excited to partner with Manulife as I begin my LPGA career,” said Jennifer Kirby. “They are a renowned Canadian brand whose headquarters are a short drive from where I grew up. Both their dedication to the community and commitment to our Tour make me proud to wear their logo around the world.”

Club Car recalling 1,800 golf carts

Club Car is recalling about 1,800 golf carts because of a safety issue that can put passengers at risk of falling out of the vehicle.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday that various sizes, models and colours of its 2012 Precedent 12 golf and transport vehicles are being recalled. The hip restraint on the passenger side of these vehicles can fracture, which puts passengers at risk for a fall.

The vehicles were sold at dealers nationwide in February of 2012 for between $5,000 and $8,000.

Club Car, based in Augusta, Ga., said it has received one report of an injury tied to the recall, in which a passenger fell and suffered bruised ribs.

Consumers should stop using the vehicle and contact Club Car for a free replacement of the restraint. The company is also contacting its customers directly.

The Kuchar’s Hawaiian Vacation

Team RBC’s Matt Kuchar recently took some time off to visit the explore the Hawaiian Islands with his family. Check out these video’s recapping his adventures below.

MARANA, Ariz. – Third-ranked Henrik Stenson is the top seed in the Match Play Championship with No. 1 Tiger Woods and No. 2 Adam Scott skipping the tournament.

Stenson will open Wednesday against Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat at The Ritz-Carlton at Dove Mountain. The No. 64 seed has beaten the No. 1 seed four times in the 14-year history of the event, including last year when Shane Lowry edged Rory McIlroy.

“It doesn’t really matter if you’re the No. 1 seed or if you’re No. 50,” Stenson said. “It’s going to be down to how you play and how you can get things working.”

The Swede won the World Golf Championships event in 2007 and was third in 2008, both down the road at The Gallery.

“I had two great years and then we changed courses,” Stenson said. “The record hasn’t quite been the same since. … We’ve been going home Wednesday afternoon every year since. I played poorly, once I was sick, and just haven’t got it going on this golf course.”

Last year, Stenson became the first player to sweep the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup and European Tour’s Race to Dubai. Playing through a right wrist injury, he won the Deutsche Bank Championship and Tour Championship in the FedEx Cup playoffs and took the European Tour’s season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai.

“The wrist has been OK,” Stenson said. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried that it could be an issue at some point, too, in the season. But it’s been holding up pretty good to this first month of the year and practicing. But I don’t think it’s the last time I hear from it. But as of now, it feels all right.”

He’s making his first U.S. start of the year after playing three European Tour events in the Middle East, the last early this month in Dubai.

“I had two nice weeks in Orlando, seeing the kids, seeing the family, bit of practice,” Stenson said. “Just feeling like we could put the suitcase down and relax for a little bit. So that’s nice. I’m feeling a bit fresher than I did when I came back from Dubai.”

Stenson was the last foreign winner on the PGA Tour. Since his Tour Championship victory, U.S. players have won the first 13 events in the wraparound season.

OH CANADA : Canada’s Graham Delaet is seeded 6th. He squares off against America’s Patrick Reed, who pulled 11th ranking.

DeLaet is having a banner year, but struggled somewhat last week to a tie for 70th at the Northern Trust Open. Prior to last week, he had managed a top-10 finish in his previous five starts, dating back to October of last year.

Reed won the Humana Challenge in late January and has had two top-20 performances since.

SUNNY FORECAST: A year after snow covered the cactus-lined High Sonoran Desert course, warm, sunny conditions are expected.

“To have snow the last two or three years, my boys expect it when we come here,” defending champion Matt Kuchar said. “I think they’re still planning on it snowing. I think the rest of us are awfully happy to see proper Tucson weather.”

A high of 79 degrees with wind gusting to 20 mph in the afternoon was forecast for the first round Wednesday. On Thursday, the forecast high is 74 with wind up to 15 mph. On Friday through Sunday, it is expected to be in the upper 70s with light wind.

“I think the ball is going to be flying this year,” 2012 winner Hunter Mahan said. “Should be going pretty far, especially off the last two weeks playing basically at sea level.”

Last year, first-round play Wednesday was suspended when rain gave way to snow from a storm that dumped close to 2 inches and dropped the temperature to 33 degrees. More snow fell at night and play finally resumed Thursday afternoon. The 2011 championship match also was delayed by snow.

MANO A MANO: Bubba Watson is coming off a victory Sunday in the Northern Trust Open. He shot 64-64 on the weekend at Riviera.

“I can shoot 64 tomorrow and my playing partner shoots 63, so I played great, but I’m still a loser,” Watson said. “I’m going to go out there and keep the same things going. I’m really focused on what I’m doing right now, committed to each shot. I’m making some putts.”

Watson will open against Finland’s Mikko Ilonen.

“You’re not really looking at who it is you’re playing against,” Watson said. “You’re looking at his golf ball. You’re looking at what he’s making. … You’re not trying to kill the person. You’re trying to kill their score is what you’re really trying to do.”

WELL-RESTED WILDCAT: Jim Furyk is making his third straight start after playing only one event _ the World Challenge in December _ since the Tour Championship in September. The former University of Arizona player will open against McGladrey Classic winner Chris Kirk.

“I don’t know if I have expectations,” Furyk said. “Obviously I’d like to play well. I went to school here. I have a lot of support here. Match play is just a strange. It’s just strange for us to play. You can play pretty well and end up losing a match. You can play poorly and end up winning a match.”

Winless since the 2010 Tour Championship, he tied for 35th two weeks ago at Pebble Beach and tied for 23rd at Riviera on Sunday.

“I feel like I’ve played pretty well for my first two weeks back after a long break,” Furyk said. “I feel like there’s a few things I wanted to improve on. … I’ve had a couple of days here to work and improve.”

DIVOTS: The winner will receive $1.53 million from the $9 million purse. Second place is worth $906,000, third $630,000 and fourth $510,000. The quarterfinal losers will get $280,000, the third-round losers $148,000, the second-round losers $99,000 and the first-round losers $48,000. … Jimmy Walker, a three-time winner this season, is one of 19 newcomers in the 64-man field. … The United States has 27 players in the field, two more than Europe. … Jack Nicklaus designed The Ritz-Carlson course.

RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico – Brittany Marchand, a National Team member from Orangeville, Ont., finished in a tie for fourth Tuesday at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic played at Rio Mar Country Club.

The N.C. State senior carded an even-par 216 (71-72-73) to finish 5-strokes back of medalists Aurora Kan of Purdue and Stephanie Meadow of Alabama.

Joining Marchand near the top of the leaderboard was Team Canada and N.C. State teammate Augusta James. The Bath, Ont., native just missed the top 10, finishing in a tie for 11^th at 2-over par (73-74-71).

Collectively, the N.C. State Wolfpack finished tied for 6th at 29-over par. Arkansas took home the trophy with a convincing 14-stroke victory at 3-over par.

National Team member Jennifer Ha of Calgary and Development Squad member Taylor Kim of Surrey, B.C., were also in action in Puerto Rico. Playing for Kent State, they finished T41 and T56, respectively.

The full leaderboard can be viewed here.

Graduation from Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team to the professional ranks must be a smooth transition, right? Not exactly.

Every former athlete of the program has their own unique path. A spot on a professional tour is not guaranteed – that has to be earned as well. Nothing is given.

These young amateurs experience up-and-downs in their golf games just like every one of us, only on a much smaller scale. I’m talking decimal point changes to their Handicap Factor. That could be the difference between tournament eligibility and making the cut.

The goal of the high performance program is to provide athletes with as much assistance as possible to help them reach their goal, which is usually a career in professional golf. In some cases, an athlete will choose not to pursue a career as a professional golfer. No matter what path is taken, the coaching and support staff do whatever is in their power to help these athletes be the best they can be.

Women’s Head Coach, Tristan Mullally, speaks to the transition of turning professional and the challenges associated with it.

We have really focused our efforts towards helping our amateur players get to the top of the World Amateur Golf Rankings to see where they are against the world’s best. The difficulty has been we’ve got a player that has been super busy with school as well as the program which are both highly organized. A professional schedule offers a lot more free time and it becomes much more of a job. It’s difficult to put that 9-5 together when you come from so many structured elements to focus on just one.

It’s no cakewalk either. Those players are the best players in the world. You need to go that extra 1% in every single area just to have a chance. It’s extremely difficult, even if you are one of the best amateurs in the world. If you have the right support system behind you and you have the faith that you are doing the right things over a long period, I’m confident these players have the ability to be very successful.

Behind the excitement of playing professionally, there are countless hours of training, tournament fees, travel fees, hotels, rental cars, etc.

To shine some light on the path to turning professional, let’s look at 2013 National Amateur Team athlete, Christine Wong. The Richmond, B.C., athlete made the transition shortly after graduating from San Diego State University and is on her way to fulfilling her life-long dream.

Wong has posted a RallyMe page to help her with the costs of playing in professional events and striving for a tour card (RallyMe is an online fundraising platform). She also describes her story in detail in the video below. You can make your own contribution by visiting her page.

The Golf Coaches Association of Canada (GCAC) and Canadian Intervuniversity Sport (CIS) have announced the Canadian men’s and women’s rosters for the 2014 World University Golf Championship taking place June 23-27, 2014 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

A total of 11 student athletes (6 men, 5 women) and four coaches from across Canada will take on the world’s best University golfers at the 15th World University Golf Championships at Golf Course Cran-sur-Sierre in the Swiss Alps.

Women’s Canadian Roster

• Kylie Barros- British Columbia Thunderbirds, Edmonton AB
• Casara Hong- British Columbia Thunderbirds, Calgary, AB
• Devon Rizzo- Waterloo Warriors, Brantford, ON
• Brynn Tomie- Victoria Vikes, Bedford, NS
• Megan Woodland- Victoria Vikes, Victoria, BC

Women’s Coaching Staff

• Carla Munch- Waterloo Warriors, Cambridge, ON
• Chris Bertram- Fraser Valley Cascades, Chilliwack, BC

Men’s Canadian Roster

• Alex Dumais- Humber Hawks, Caledon, ON
• Connor Kozak- British Columbia Thunderbirds, Vernon, BC
• Aaron Pauls- Fraser Valley Cascades, Chilliwack, BC
• Alex Rakowski- Alberta Golden Bears, Edmonton, AB
• Scott Secord- British Columbia Thunderbirds, Calgary, AB
• Josh Wytinck- Manitoba Bisons, Glenboro, MB

Men’s Coaching Staff

• Bryan Carbery- Victoria Vikes, Victoria, BC
• Robin Stewart- Alberta Golden Bears, Valleyview, AB

For information on the Championship please visit www.wucgolf2014.com.

From being Rookie of the Year at Ferris State College in 1985 to being honoured as PGA of Ontario Golf Professional of the Year for 2013, it’s been a memorable journey for Mark Ahrens.

As a kid from Toronto, Ahrens started playing junior golf with his brother Brian at the Donalda Club, where his parents Lyle and Heidi and Brian remain active members. It was during this time Mark picked up a passion for the game that set him on a course to become recognized as one of the province`s premier golf professionals.

“It’s a true honour to be recognized by the PGA of Ontario as the Golf Professional of the Year,” says Ahrens who is looking forward to this 16^th season as Head Professional at Kawartha Golf & Country Club in Peterborough. “This past year started off with a great win at the PGA of Ontario Tournament of Champions with our members Marc Savard and Marilyn Self. Then I had an opportunity to play in the PGA TOUR Canada Wildfire Invitational, which was an awesome experience that I was able to share with my family and my two boys were able to play in the pro-am. To close out the year with this award is very gratifying, to me it’s for more than just one year, it’s being recognized for the hard work and dedication to the game over the years.”

After Ferris State, where Ahrens took the Professional Golf Management Program, only one of two offered in the United States at the time, he spent two years as an assistant at The Toronto Hunt under Head Professional Bill Morrison and then seven years as an assistant at York Downs G&CC under Bruce McCarrol.

He spent two years as the Head Professional at Tam O`Shanter GC in Toronto before applying for the position at Kawartha, to replace Al Hosick, who was the club’s Head Professional from 1968 to 1998 and was the PGA of Ontario Club Professional of the Year in 1987.

The move to Peterborough turned out to be perfect for Mark and his wife B.A. as they started to raise a young family. Truth be told, golf is a family affair in the Ahrens household. B.A. looks after the golf shop books, works in the shop on men’s night, plays with the ladies on ladies’ night, helps out with the merchandising and fills in where needed. Their two boys learned the game at an early age at Kawartha and it`s in their blood. Ryan, 16, is working with PGA of Canada Master Professional Henry Brunton and is hopeful of a golf scholarship, while Mitchell, 18 is currently in his first year of the PGM Program at Georgian College.

As for the secret behind his success at Kawartha, Ahrens says being there when needed, being part of the fabric of the club and providing a first-class member experience is essential to longevity at a club for a head professional. It`s also about connecting with the 630 members and their families on a personal level. Kawartha has consistently had one of the top junior programs in the province average in excess of 100 youngsters per year and 2013 was no different with 120 signed up for leagues, programs and clinics.

“Mark has transformed Kawartha into one of the best serviced clubs anywhere in the country, says Ian Webb, Executive Professional at Credit Valley G&CC. “Mark leads by example; he is an astute businessman as his golf shop consistently parallels big city clubs in sales and service. He represents the best of what the PGA has to offer in professionalism, integrity and enthusiasm for the game.

Ahrens has also mentored close to 15 up-and-coming PGA of Ontario members who have passed through his shop over the years.

“Mark’s conduct and level of involvement at our Club and in the community is the envy of other area Clubs. He provides constructive input when asked and attends all Golf committee meetings; it’s important to him. He has instilled his qualities and approach to customer service in all of his staff from his assistant professionals to his back shop staff. Mark Ahrens is a person that doesn’t just wear the title Professional, he lives it,” says Tom Waudby, President, Kawartha G&CC.

LOS ANGELES – Given another chance at winning, Bubba Watson wasn’t about to let this one get away.

Watson went the final 39 holes at Riviera without a bogey and closed with a 7-under 64 for a two-shot victory Sunday in the Northern Trust Open. It was his first victory since the 2012 Masters, a stretch of 41 tournaments worldwide.

Watson started the final round four shots behind and was simply flawless. His final birdie of a 64-64 weekend gave him the lowest closing round by a winner of this event since Doug Tewell’s 63 in 1986.

Dustin Johnson also played bogey-free, but it wasn’t enough. He closed with a 66 for the second straight tournament. Just like last week at Pebble Beach, he had to settle for second.

Graham DeLaet (70-73-72-73) finished in a tie for 70th at 4-over par. The Weyburn, Sask. native has not finished outside the top-10 since October of last year, when he missed the cut at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

The Eisenhower Tree, so much a part of Augusta National that not even a sitting U.S. president could have it taken down, was removed from the 17th hole this weekend because of damage from an ice storm, the club said Sunday.

“The loss of the Eisenhower Tree is difficult news to accept,” club chairman Billy Payne said. “We obtained opinions from the best arborists available and, unfortunately, were advised that no recovery was possible.”

With the Masters only two months away, Payne said there was no other significant damage to the course.

The loblolly pine, which sat about 210 yards off the left of the 17th fairway, was among the most famous trees in golf. It forced players to aim away from the tree or try to shape the ball from right-to-left to avoid it.

And it infuriated one of the club members after whom the tree eventually was named – former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He hit the tree so often that he recommended in 1956 that it be taken down. Clifford Roberts, the club chairman and co-founder, denied his request.

It has been known as Eisenhower’s Tree ever since.

The tree was believed to be more than a century old, standing 65-feet high and presenting an intimidating obstacle. The ice storm from last week caused the tree to lose a significant amount of major limbs.

“We have begun deliberations of the best way to address the future of the 17th hole and to pay tribute to his iconic symbol of our history,” Payne said. “Rest assured, we will do both appropriately.”

Payne said Augusta National made it through the storm without any other major damage and is open for its members to play. He said the club will not be affected in its preparations for the Masters, which starts April 10.

Players typically start going to Augusta National over the next several weeks for practice rounds.

BOGOTA, Colombia – Alex Cejka won the Web.com Tour’s season-opening Colombia Championship on Sunday, setting a course record with an 8-under 63 in the completion of the third round before rain washed out play.

The 43-year-old Czech-born German played the final 16 holes of the third round Sunday morning at water-logged Bogota Country Club, birdieing four of the last five holes to reach 14-under.

Cejka was halfway through the final round when play was suspended and the round wiped out. At the time, he had a one-stroke lead over Andrew Putnam.

“It’s been a long time,” Cejka said about the victory. “I had a feeling the rain might come again. I just tried to hang in there. I knew it was going to be tough this afternoon, so I was just grinding.

“Unlucky or lucky, depending on how you see it with the weather. It’s nice to win. It doesn’t matter on what tour these days because there are so many great players.”

Cejka won the last of his four European Tour titles in 2002. He’s winless in 270 career starts on the PGA Tour, with career bests of a tie for second in the 2003 B.C. Open and a solo second in the 2004 International.

“When they announced it was going to be 54 holes, I was a little relieved,” Cejka said. “I wanted to complete the round but I’m so happy to have won again.”

Cejka earned $135,000.

Putnam ended up three strokes back after a third-round 68.

Both Canadians who survived the cut had strong third rounds.

Adam Hadwin shot a 5-under 66. The Abbotsford, B.C. native tied for 11th at 7-under par. The finish is the best he’s had on the circuit since last July, when he tied for 7th at the Utah Championship.

Nick Taylor had a good showing in his debut as a Web.com Tour member. Taylor, also from Abbotsford, B.C., finished 3-under par and tied for 41st after rounds of 71-71-68.