(BLOG) Golf Canada heads to the 2023 PGA Show in Orlando
Adam Stanley/ Golf Canada
ORLANDO, Fla. – New year, new gear. And everything in-between.
Golf Canada is thrilled to be at the PGA Show this year to showcase some of the biggest brands in golf, speak with some of the biggest names in golf, and give Canadians a look at why 2023 is shaping up to be another amazing year in golf.
From learning more about the new Titleist clubs to figuring out the best new additions to your closet from FootJoy, Puma, and Levelwear to getting the inside scoop on new courses to having one-on-one chats with some of golf’s most impressive figures, be sure to stay tuned to Golf Canada’s social media accounts all week long.
Canadian golf media personality Adam Stanley is set to be your guide throughout the week! If you’re in Orlando you’ll see him hanging at the Hilton Grand Vacations resort or rolling through town in style thanks to both Audi and Avis.
There’s plenty of great things to see and people to speak with this week – and Golf Canada has you covered.
Following along below as we keep you up-to-date on everything you need to know from golf’s biggest forum.
Golf Canada host Adam Stanley sat down 1-on-1 with Ben Cowan-Dewar, the co-founder and CEO behind one of Canada’s most internationally known golf brands. Watch their convo below…
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24
We kicked off demo day with a visit to Titleist to learn all about the brand-new gear for 2023.
First up was a deep dive into the new Titleist Vokey SM9 line of wedges with the addition of the low-bounce T Grind. The T Grind is designed mostly for players who are knocking it around in firm conditions. Vokey has also added lightweight steel and graphite shaft options so then players who have those kind of shafts in their irons will have wedges to match.
There are now seven grinds available in the SM9 wedges – the newest line from Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Bob Vokey.
We also learned all about Titleist’s latest line of drivers, the TSR. Those drivers are set to build off the incredible success of the TSi and TS series before it. The TSR line boasts four models that are all set to help increase stability, speed, and distance for golfers in 2023. The face material of the new drivers is ATI-425 titanium, and of note, there are just three customers of that material in the world: NASA, the U.S. government, and… Titleist!
After hitting a few balls at Titleist we headed over to Cobra-Puma, the national partner of Golf Canada’s Junior Skills Challenge, to have a couple of great chats with LPGA Tour superstar Lexi Thompson and golfer-turned-media personality (and new mom!) Blair O’Neal. O’Neal, who just had a baby eight weeks ago, talked to us all about getting juniors more into golf, and how excited she is to see more women pick up the game these days. Thompson, meanwhile, shared that her fellow LPGA Tour golfers feel as if the CP Women’s Open should be a major championship. She loves seeing all the young girls dressed like her outside the ropes in Canada and spoke so very highly about our women’s national championship. Thompson, an 11-time winner on the LPGA Tour, is hopeful for a huge year in 2023!
First up on Wednesday – our first day on the PGA Show floor – we visited Levelwear to learn all about its new line for 2023. From fabrics to function, the fresh gear worn by some of the best golfers in the world (including Adam Hadwin, Corey Conners, and Taylor Pendrith on the PGA Tour – plus its newest signee, Aaron Cockerill on the DP World Tour) is set to look great in anyone’s closet. The latest colour drop from Levelwear is called ‘Bordeaux’ – a rich purple that will most certainly get you noticed.
Whether its polos, sweaters, pants, or more – there’s something for everyone from Levelwear in 2023!
Not only that, but Levelwear is going to have a great presence once again at the CP Women’s Open and RBC Canadian Open with the return of the Levelwear Caddie Lounge and plenty of great merchandise offerings in Toronto and Vancouver.
Brooke Henderson was on site at the PGA Show Wednesday and we were lucky enough to chat with her all about her big win Sunday at the LPGA Tour’s season opener, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Henderson, who finished at 16 under at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, topped Maja Stark and Charley Hull by four shots.
She won for the 13th time on the LPGA Tour and the third time wire-to-wire in her career.
“Honestly, it was a dream start,” Henderson told us. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Just to go out and get the lead right on Thursday and then carry it on through throughout the weekend and hoist the trophy on Sunday afternoon is always an amazing feeling. But having it be the first tournament of the year, it made it a little extra special.”
FootJoy has brought the fire once again in 2023 with some great shoes, gloves, and outerwear.
This is the 100th anniversary for FootJoy making, well, footwear, and it shows no signs of slowing down with its newly updated Premiere series, FJ Flex, and HyperFlex.
It’s the 42nd year for gloves for FootJoy, and its made plenty of improvements to its best-selling StaSoft glove (the No.1 on Tour!).
Finally, its outerwear continues to help Canadians make every day playable, highlighted in 2023 by the DryJoy Select jacket.
After banging a few TSR drivers and nipping a few of the new SM9 wedges on Demo Day, we hit the show floor with Titleist to learn more about some of its other gear for 2023. Somehow, someway, they’ve improved upon the No.1 ball in golf as the Pro V1 and Pro V1x has a new core that’s set to help golfers hit it further and straighter. Titleist’s new Scotty Cameron putters take the most well-known name in putting and improved again on the feel and tighten the alignment to help you make more putts.
After a couple of years away, Canada Night – a very special annual evening put on by the PGA of Canada – returned with a buzz. The room was packed with Canadians eager to connect and celebrate some very deserving winners of the organization’s national awards from the previous 12 months. A great evening – and a wonderful way to wrap up the 2023 PGA Show.
After a few years of pandemic-impacted PGA Show experiences, Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum was thrilled to feel the buzz and energy from plenty of Canadians in Orlando. With more golf being played by more Canadians than ever before, there’s no denying there is some real excitement for golf for all. We chatted with Applebaum about that very thing, how excited he was for 2023, the CP Women’s Open and RBC Canadian Open, plus the momentum behind the launch of The First Tee in Canada
And that’s it! After tens of thousands of steps over four days, we loved giving Canadian golfers an inside look at the biggest brands in the game, some of the biggest names in the game, and hopefully some things that got you pumped for a wonderful 2023 golf season.
Borthwick, Bissegger and Bigras to be inducted into PGA of Canada Hall of Fame
PGA of Canada
The PGA of Canada will induct three long-serving members into its Hall of Fame during Canada Night at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.
Dick Borthwick, Jack Bissegger and Adrien Bigras were all PGA of Canada members for more than 50 years, growing the sport through most of the 21st century. The three individuals are being inducted posthumously.
“Dick, Jack and Adrien exuberated a deep passion for golf and we are very excited to honour them with well-deserved spots in our Hall of Fame,” said PGA of Canada President Gord Percy. “Each of these three men worked throughout their entire lives to grow the game. The association is revered today because of the efforts of members like Dick, Jack and Adrien.”
The Hall of Fame, launched in January 2014 as part of Canada Night at the PGA Merchandise Show, celebrates PGA of Canada members—both past and present. In total, there are 46 individuals honoured with a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Dick Borthwick
Dick was a PGA of Canada member from 1927 to 1978 and engaged in many philanthropic efforts throughout his career, which included stints at some of the top golf clubs in Ontario, including Oakdale and Hamilton Golf and Country Club. In addition, he was the PGA of Canada’s president from 1960 to 1961.
Beginning in 1971, the Dick Borthwick Memorial Charity Golf Tournament is still conducted annually and just celebrated its 50th anniversary. The event has been so successful that it has raised 3-Million Dollars for local Hamilton charities.
Dick’s son, Bob, is attending Canada Night to accept the honour.
Jack Bissegger
Jack was a member of the association for 57 years, with over 40 of those years spent at Club de Golf La Vallée du Richelieu. He was also a member of the PGA of Quebec Board of Directors for nine years. Jack always had time for juniors learning the game, running a summer camp for two months each summer. Despite how busy he was at the club, the Golf Quebec Hall of Fame member maintained quite the golf game, winning more than 75 events in his life.
One of Jack’s sons, Thomas, is attending Canada Night to accept the honour.
Adrien Bigras
Adrien, who is a member of both the Quebec Golf Hall of Fame and the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame, was a PGA of Canada member for 59 years, serving as an Assistant Professional at the Cardinal Golf Club and at Golf Malborough, before he became Head Professional for eleven years at the Rosemère Golf Club. Later on, his dream came true, and he became owner of the Manoir Golf Club.
Adrien was always helpful and ready to attend fundraising events, which could be counted by the hundreds. All through his career, Adrien preserved a certain nobility and prestige that was remarkable.
Over the years, his achievements include six victories at the Spring Open, seven at the Québec Senior Championship, twelve participations in the Canadian Open, and a victory at the 1965 Québec Open. He also participated in the 1962 US Open in Oakmont, PA, for which he had qualified with the lowest score ahead of 2,000 competitors.
One of Adrien’s long-time colleagues, Gilles Gareau, is attending Canada Night to accept the honour.
Canada’s Ben Silverman earns second Korn Ferry Tour victory after playoff in the Bahamas
Ben Silverman of Canada poses with the trophy after winning in a playoff during the final round of The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
PGA TOUR Communications
GREAT ABACO, The Bahamas – Ben Silverman shot 118 in his first Canadian Junior Golf Association tournament, an unsurprising result given he was 16 years old, relatively new to the game, and still thought of himself as a hockey player rather than an aspiring professional golfer. As Silverman lined up a playoff-forcing 3-footer for double bogey on the 72nd hole of The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club Wednesday afternoon, surrendering the last two shots of what was at one point an eight-stroke lead, it probably felt like a putt for 118.
“I got way ahead of myself in my head, thinking I already won the tournament,” Silverman said.
Silverman made the putt, signed for a 2-under 70 and caught a shuttle ride back up the fairway of the par-5 18th, where he hit shots into two different penalty areas no more than 10 minutes prior.
Cody Blick joined Silverman on the 18th tee this time around. Blick could hardly believe he had a chance at his first Korn Ferry Tour win. Just under a half hour ago, Blick figured a closing birdie for a round of 6-under 66 simply added a little extra flavor to the night’s dinner, as it took him to 15-under par, three strokes clear of a four-way tie for third place and more than enough for back-to-back runner-up finishes. Impressive stuff for someone who was without a single top-25 in 26 career Korn Ferry Tour starts preceding the 2023 season. Yes, dinner would taste phenomenal.
This trip down the 18th fairway, though, it was Blick who put two shots into the same penalty areas Silverman found in regulation, first on the lay up, then the approach. Silverman nearly found the rocky native area up the right side of No. 18 with his lay up as well, but a fortunate bounce off the rocks put him in the fairway and with a routine wedge shot into the two-tiered green.
Silverman left his approach on the front half of the green and two-putted up the slope to his second career Korn Ferry Tour victory.
“It’s amazing. A little overwhelming,” Silverman said. “Honestly almost broke down in the fairway in regulation. It worked out in the end. I’ll learn a lot of lessons from that. Once I knew it was a playoff, Tom Whitney said in the scoring room, ‘No matter what, it was a great week.’ I just wanted to be more committed on my shots the second go round and just give it my all.”
Silverman’s journey to PGA TOUR membership and a second Korn Ferry Tour victory was as unlikely as the fact he lost an eight-stroke lead only to come back and win the tournament in a playoff.
A native of Thornhill, Ont., Silverman played competitive hockey until around the time he turned 16 and still measured 5 feet, 10 inches. Too small and too worried about getting hurt. There were brief stints in volleyball and baseball, even ultimate frisbee. Silverman eventually found himself at a golf camp during a family trip and stuck with the game.
He eventually entered a tournament and shot 118. He graduated high school with a handicap index of 12. He made his way to a Johnson & Wales University satellite campus in Miami, which offered a handful of academic tracks but was known for its culinary program. He walked on to the golf team there and, two years later, did the same at Florida Atlantic University. He turned professional in 2010 and toiled on the mini-tours for four years until he earned PGA TOUR Canada membership. By 2016, he earned Korn Ferry Tour membership, but he missed 11 of 16 cuts as a rookie and yet again found himself without status.
At Final Stage of the 2016 Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament, things finally turned around. A T6 there ensured Silverman had nearly half a season before he was subject to reshuffles in 2017.
A run of four consecutive top-10s in July and August, highlighted by a victory at the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper, earned him a PGA TOUR card.
Silverman spent two seasons on TOUR and struggled through the 46-event 2020-21 Korn Ferry Tour season, finishing 115th on the points list. Playing from the Past Champion 5-10 Years category in 2022, Silverman made just seven starts as he played Monday qualifiers and found himself at the back end of the Korn Ferry Tour’s priority ranking.
Last October, Silverman missed the cut by three strokes at Second Stage of the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament, setting him up for another year of chasing Monday qualifiers and hoping for sponsor exemptions in the 5-10 category. Around Thanksgiving, Silverman got a call from folks at The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club, the second event of the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour season. The tournament awarded him a sponsor exemption.
As the sun set behind the 18th green at The Abaco Club Wednesday night, Silverman became the first sponsor exemption to win a Korn Ferry Tour event since Martin Trainer won the 2018 El Bosque Mexico Championship. And without the help of a tournament volunteer, it may never have happened.
“I had a great start to the morning,” Silverman said. “But I had some butterflies, so I was doing some meditations to kind of calm down. I guess I went longer than I thought. I was looking at my phone… I’ll catch the 8:30 (a.m.) shuttle, no big deal. I get there, and there’s no 8:30 shuttle.”
Silverman negotiated a deal with a shuttle driver, a local resident and tournament volunteer named Victor. The two were on the road and still on Silverman’s intended schedule. Victor asked where Silverman stood in the tournament.
“Leading,” said Silverman, who carried a two-stroke lead into the final round. “He smacked the steering wheel like, ‘Let’s go!’”
Victor watched from the hospitality tent behind the 18th green as the wild scene (did we mention heavy rain showers appeared seemingly out of nowhere, soaked Silverman and the rest of the final group, and left behind a double rainbow?) unfolded along the shores of The Abaco Club. The two shared a lighthearted moment and a celebratory drink at the end of it all. Neither of them would be driving anywhere on this night.
Club ambassador and 2011 Open Championship winner Darren Clarke presented Silverman with perhaps the greatest perk of winning this particular Korn Ferry Tour event: membership at The Abaco Club.
Guess that explains Silverman’s fortunate bounce in the playoff.
“I had no idea, but that’s unbelievable,” Silverman said. “You can guarantee I’m going to bring my wife, friends, sponsors, we’re definitely coming back for a vacation.”
Silverman won’t need an exemption or shuttle schedule for the trip. Surely a new friend will greet him at the airport.
Canada’s Brooke Henderson moves up to No. 1 on LPGA Tour standings
Brooke Henderson (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Canadian Press
Canada’s Brooke Henderson is No. 1 on the LPGA Tour standings.
She was elevated to the top spot on the Race to CME Globe rankings on Monday after winning the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Henderson won the season-opening elite 29-player tournament by four strokes.
The native of Smiths Falls, Ont., now has 13 professional wins, the most in Canadian golf history.
Henderson finished 2022 third in the Race to CME Globe rankings and seventh in the Rolex Rankings.
The 25-year-old remains in seventh in the Rolex Rankings, which evaluate a player’s performance over a rolling two-year period weighted in favour of the current year.
The Rolex Rankings are sanctioned by 10 women’s professional golf tours across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Golf Canada’s Weekly Leaderboard powered by Titleist
Golf Canada
LPGA TOUR
Brooke Henderson went wire-to-wire for a four shot victory at the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions event in Florida. It’s the third time in her career she has led from start to finish at an event and her third win in her last 13 starts. Her 13th career win is the most by any Canadian golfer, male or female, and it’s also the earliest she has recorded a win in any calendar year. With three birdies and just one bogey, her final round 70 marked her 16th consecutive round under par on Tour. The Smiths Falls, Ont., golfer says it’s her goal to win at least two tournaments each year and she’s already halfway there after just one event. Maja Stark and Charley Hull finished tied for second while world No. 2 ranked Nelly Korda was fourth. The tournament features LPGA Tour winners from the past two seasons.
Jon Rahm took advantage of some rookie mistakes by Davis Thompson down the stretch to win The American Express by one stroke. It’s his ninth career win on the PGA Tour and his second in as many starts this year. Tied with three holes to play, Thompson pulled his drive into a deep fairway bunker on the 16th and wound up with par. Rahm made birdie to take the lead. On the next hole, Thompson left the pin in for his 50-foot birdie putt and the ball squarely hit the pin and rolled away. Then on the final hole, Rahm found the bunker off the tee but put his next shot within 15 feet of the pin. Thompson’s approach ran down the slope behind the green and even though his flop shop landed within a foot to the right of the hole, Rahm had two putts for the win. Xander Schauffele, who withdrew with back pain two weeks ago, finished tied for third with Chris Kirk. …Adam Hadwin notched his second straight top-20 result and his best start to a calendar year since 2019.
POS
SCORES
TOTAL
T18
Adam Hadwin
68-69-64-67
-20
MC
Taylor Pendrith
71-67-70
MC
Nick Taylor
70-71-69
MC
Michael Gligic
73-70-72
NEXT EVENT: Farmers Insurance Open (Jan. 25)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Michael Gligic, Adam Hadwin, Taylor Pendrith, Adam Svensson
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
Competing for the first time in three months, Steve Stricker showed no signs of rust, winning by six strokes in the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii. Stricker seized control by shooting 60 in the second round, and started the final round with three birdies in four holes for his fourth tour win in the last five starts. Stricker now has 12 career wins on the Champions Tour – the same number he finished with the PGA Tour. Mike Weir finished in a four way tie for second with Charles Schwab Cup champion Steve Alker, Ken Tanigawa and Darren Clarke. It’s Weir’s best start to a season since he joined the Tour back in 2020. …A year ago Stephen Ames finished tied for third in this event.
POS
SCORES
TOTAL
T2
Mike Weir
66-67-66
-17
T26
Stephen Ames
70-65-74
-7
NEXT EVENT: Trophy Hassan II (Feb. 9)
CANADIANS ENTERED:
EUROPEAN TOUR
Victor Perez birdied two of his final four holes and survived a bogey finish to win the Abu Dhabi Championship by one stroke. It was his third career European Tour title. Leading by one, Perez found the greenside bunker on the penultimate hole. He then struck his second shot 10 feet beyond the hole only to watch it spin back and into the cup. Min Woo Lee needed an eagle to force a playoff but had to settle for a birdie and a tie for second place with Sebastian Soderberg.
POS
SCORES
TOTAL
MC
Aaron Cockerill
74-71
NEXT EVENT: Hero Dubai Desert Classic (Jan. 26)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Aaron Cockerill
Brooke Henderson wins Tournament of Champions for 13th LPGA Tour title
Brooke Henderson (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
John Chidley-Hill/ Canadian Press
ORLANDO, Fla. – Brooke Henderson has had the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions circled on her calendar for eight weeks.
The Canadian golf superstar has always enjoyed the elite, 29-player pro-am event that starts the LPGA Tour season, but had never won it. She was also looking forward to returning to competitive golf after playing through a sore back at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship on Nov. 19.
She more than met that challenge.
Henderson led the Tournament of Champions from wire to wire, finishing the fourth round 2-under 70 on Sunday for an overall score of 16-under par, four shots better than Sweden’s Maja Stark and England’s Charley Hull. Her 13 professional victories are the most in Canadian golf history.
“I was really looking forward to playing this week,” said Henderson. “I always love this event. It’s so unique and fun playing alongside celebrities and the atmosphere, it’s just a lot different than a regular LPGA tournament.
“To come out and win this week is really the dream start to 2023 and hopefully I can just keep it going.”
Henderson, whose 13 professional wins are the most in Canadian golf history, said it’s a goal of hers to win at least two tournaments each year.
The 25-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., won twice on the LPGA Tour last year, at the ShopRite LPGA Classic on June 12 and the Evian Championship on July 24.
“My goal is always to win a couple of times every year, hopefully more than twice, so maybe this year will be the year when I can win more than twice out on tour,” said Henderson, who said that she and her sister Brittany, who serves as her caddy, are looking forward to playing the Honda LPGA Thailand on Feb. 23 and the HSBC Women’s World Championship on March 2.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to go out there and continue the momentum that we built up this week, and fire some low scores and see what happens.”
Henderson finished 2022 seventh in the Rolex rankings and third in the Race to CME Globe rankings. It’s projected that she will hold the No. 1 spot in the Race to CME Globe rankings on Monday.
On top of addressing her ailing back, Henderson switched to TaylorMade clubs and had her wisdom teeth pulled during the winter break.
“The off-season was really busy. Lots of things happening, a lot of big changes,” said Henderson. “But I couldn’t be happier with the start this week with the new clubs and I felt confident with them.”
Stark has committed herself to adding multiple hours each week to her time spent practising putting, and it showed in her hot play over the final nine holes. Three over through seven, she birdied six of her final 10 holes.
“It gives me a lot of confidence,” Stark said. “I feel I’ve had a good week with my driver and some good irons. The putting, too. I feel like if it keeps going like this, it could be the best year yet.”
Hull was pleased with her finish given the challenges of trying to get her game ready in England in mid-winter. She spent three days practising in Morocco before continuing on to Orlando.
Retired tennis player Mardy Fish of the United States won the celebrity side of the pro-am tournament. He ran away with the celebrity division, making 152 points in the Modified Stableford format. Fish also won the title two years ago. Former MLB pitcher Mark Mulder (136 points) was runner-up.
Annika Sorenstam, a 72-time winner on the LPGA and Lake Nona resident who played among the celebrities and athletes, tied for third with military veteran Chad Pfeifer.
Canada’s Conners, Hughes named to PGA TOUR’s Player Advisory Council for 2023
Mackenzie Hughes of Canada (L) and Corey Conners of Canada walk off the 12th tee during the second round of the RBC Heritage at Harbor Town Golf Links on April 15, 2022 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Terry Lenyk
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – The PGA TOUR has announced the 16-member Player Advisory Council (PAC) for 2023, which will include Canada’s Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes.
The PAC advises and consults with the PGA TOUR Policy Board (Board of Directors) and Commissioner Jay Monahan on issues affecting the TOUR.
Member of the 2023 Player Advisory Council include:
Ryan Armour
Sam Burns
Corey Conners 🇨🇦
Rickie Fowler
Brice Garnett
Brian Harman
Max Homa
Mackenzie Hughes 🇨🇦
Shane Lowry
Maverick McNealy
Keith Mitchell
Henrik Norlander
Scottie Scheffler
Adam Scott
Kevin Streelman
Will Zalatoris
Maverick McNealy, Adam Scott and Kevin Streelman have been selected by the Player Directors to run for PAC Chairman via election which ends February 13. The leading vote-getter will replace Charley Hoffman on January 1, 2024 as a Player Director on the PGA TOUR Policy Board, serving a three-year term (2024-26). The other Player Directors are Peter Malnati (2023-25), Rory McIlroy (2022-24), Webb Simpson (2023-25) and Patrick Cantlay, who is serving a one-year term (2023).
Niki Da Silva joins Golf Canada as new Chief People Officer
Dan Pino/ Golf Canada
Former Right to Play Chief People Officer to lead Golf Canada’s People & Culture functions in addition to core activities that support the organization’s commitment to DEI & Safe Sport
Golf Canada announced that experienced people and culture executive Niki da Silva has joined the organization as its new Chief People Officer, beginning January 23, 2023.
Da Silva joins the Executive Team of the National Sport Federation after a successful five-year chapter with Right to Play International in Toronto, most recently serving as their Chief People Officer, Global.
In the newly created role, da Silva will collaborate with the Executive Team, Board of Directors, staff, and national volunteer network to lead all people operations strategy, programs and functions including employment practices, recruitment, talent management, performance management, compliance, administration, training, benefits and compensation, and health and safety.
As CPO, da Silva will also work closely with Golf Canada’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Safe Sport to advance the organization-wide commitment to DEI and Safe Sport. Da Silva will also have oversight for all staff and HR functions for Golf Canada, the Golf Canada Foundation and First Tee Canada.
“Niki is going to be an amazing partner and resource for every area and department of Golf Canada’s operations. Her infectious enthusiasm and energy will drive a world-class people function for our organization,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Niki is an exceptional leader in global sport and will bring tremendous experience and leadership developed at Right to Play and previous executive roles.”
Da Silva is enthusiastic about reimagining the future of work, inspired by the challenge of developing high-performing organizations and energized by building a world-class employee experience.
“I am thrilled to be joining Golf Canada, supporting our people and the critical work happening across the organization to advance our vision to be a world leader in golf,” said da Silva. “Throughout my career, I have had a first-hand view of the transformative power of sport and I look forward to helping grow the game and make it accessible for even more Canadians.”
As a member of the global executive team at Right to Play, da Silva’s responsibilities included developing the vision for a five-year strategic plan and driving two organizational redesigns that aligned talent and strategic operation from two regional offices to one global office. The Toronto resident led a transformation and scaling of the People and Culture function including talent acquisition and performance management along with learning and talent development programs. During da Silva’s tenure, Right to Play was recognized as “Top for Culture and Values” by Glassdoor and received its first-ever Global Staff Award nomination for “Team of the Year” and three consecutive years of “Great Place to Work” Certifications™.
Da Silva earned a Masters Business Administration with the Rotman School of Management and BA, Honours Business Administration with the Ivey School of Business. Da Silva is also a Certified Leadership Coach with the Third Factor 3×4 Program and is in progress to become a Certified Human Resource Executive (CHRE) with the Human Resource Professional Association.
Married with two children, da Silva has also contributed to several community groups including the Islington Rangers Soccer Club, Brampton Minor Lacrosse Association, and Toronto Ski Club in addition to past Board positions with Sunnylea Childcare Centre and the YWCA.
TSN acquires media rights to PGA TOUR LIVE; launches TSN+
(Photo: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Golf Canada
Beginning with the 2023 SONY OPEN in Hawaii, TSN has announced the acquisition of rights to PGA TOUR LIVE, featuring exclusive coverage from PGA TOUR events throughout the season.
The acquisition of PGA TOUR LIVE supports the launch of TSN+, a new direct-to-consumer streaming product available on TSN.ca and the TSN app.
PGA TOUR LIVE features more than 4,300 hours of exclusive PGA TOUR coverage, including the TOUR’s Hawaii events in January all the way through the FEDEXCUP PLAYOFFS and into the fall. It includes four full days of coverage and four simultaneous live feeds each day from PGA TOUR events. Coverage includes Featured Groups, Featured Holes, and the new Marquee Group, showcasing every shot from each player in one select group. PGA Tour Live was previously available as part of PGA TOUR’s paid subscription service GolfTV.
In addition to PGA TOUR LIVE, TSN+ includes coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES; new world-exclusive augmented NFL feeds for every playoff game and the Super Bowl; and the re-launch of the XFL, beginning Feb. 18.
TSN+ is available now for a limited-time free preview and is ready to stream exclusively on mobile devices, tablets, and is available on connected TVs, including Android TV, Apple TV, Xbox One, Roku TV, LG Smart TV, Samsung SmartTV, and Amazon Fire TV Stick. Direct-to-consumer pricing and subscription options will be announced in the coming weeks.
TSN+ provides Canadians access to marquee live games and events that are incremental to the premium sports content delivered across TSN’s leading platforms.
Breaking: TSN has acquired the rights to PGA Tour LIVE and will broadcast it on all-new streaming product TSN+ You can watch the SONY Open right now!!! TSN will stream every PGA Tour event, start to finish. Four days of coverage and four simultaneous live feeds. Free trial is on
Canada’s Gligic recalibrated for first full field PGA TOUR event of 2023
Michael Gligic (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
John Chidley-Hill/ Canadian Press
Michael Gligic has only taken a few days off since his last PGA Tour event in November. He’s been working hard during the circuit’s six-week winter break, even getting reps in during a heavy snowfall in Kitchener, Ont.
Gligic is one of five Canadians in the field at this week’s Sony Open, the first full-field PGA Tour event of 2023. The Burlington, Ont., native worked closely with coach Sean Foley for the lengthy break between November’s RSM Classic and the Sony Open to ensure that he has a strong start to the new year.
“I wanted to take advantage of that six weeks to try and really put in some good work,” said Gligic on Monday, a day after arriving in Honolulu, Hawaii for the tournament. “I feel like I got a lot better and made some good changes.”
Gligic struggled through the first seven events of the 2022-23 season, missing the cut six times with his best result a tie for 45th at the Sanderson Farms Championship on Oct. 2. He said that the adjustments he made with Foley were minute changes to his swing _ “technical things” _ to find more consistency.
Even during the holidays and with bad weather, Gligic stuck to his program.
“We snuck in about a 10 day trip back to Canada around Christmas with the blizzards and all but I managed to sneak over to my course (Whistle Bear Golf Club),” said Gligic. “They’ve got some hitting bays where they have a garage door that opens up and I was able to hit balls a few times to try and stay sharp.
“Then it was back down to Florida between Christmas and New Year’s. I practised every day until coming (to Hawaii).”
Despite his calm outward demeanor, Gligic has also been working on the mental aspect of his game, trying to remain more balanced. He’s even taken up meditation.
“My brain is always racing. I’m always thinking about a million things,” Gligic said about learning to calm his inner thoughts. “I feel like it can be good, I guess, in the sense that it’s a distraction when it comes to golf a little bit.
“When I get off the golf course I’m usually not thinking that much about golf or the next day. I shut my golf brain off.”
He’ll be joined at the Sony Open by fellow Canadians Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont.
Conners, Hughes, and Svensson all played in last week’s Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii. Conners finished tied for 18th, Hughes tied for 21st and Svensson sat alone at 37th at the limited-field event restricted to PGA Tour winners from the previous season and golfers who qualified for the preceding Tour Championship.
Gligic said he’s looking forward to being reunited with his friends and countrymen in Honolulu.
“It’s always fun to catch up and see how everyone’s holiday went,” said Gligic. “We see each other on such a frequent basis and then go six, seven, eight weeks or whatever it is without seeing each other.
“It’s nice to catch up and see how everyone’s doing. But for the most part, everyone’s getting back to business.”
