Rules of Amateur Status changes will help introduce the game to underserved demographics
“The Rules of Amateur Status.” “Growing the game.”
In the past, those phrases were seldom mentioned in the same breath.
But let’s give credit where it’s due. The Rules of Amateur Status are essential for preserving the integrity of the game by clearly delineating the difference between an amateur golfer and a pro. For example, amateurs must not accept payment or other compensation for giving instruction. (Golf instruction involves teaching the mechanics of swinging a club and hitting the ball.) That mandate belongs to PGA of Canada members.
But recent changes to those Rules offer an exception if the instruction is part of a program that has been approved in advance. To date, two programs—First Tee Canada and Iron Lady Golf—have been approved. Each application is reviewed jointly by Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada.
“This change provides a great opportunity to show how the Rules of Amateur Status can be a positive to support amateur golfers and grow the game, especially in underserved demographics,” says Mary Beth McKenna, Golf Canada’s Director of Amateur Championships and Rules. “It allows approved programs to compensate amateur golfers for their time when helping introduce people to the game.”
The Rule change doesn’t mean amateurs now can make a fulltime living doing this, McKenna emphasizes. What it allows is a reasonable amount of compensation for their time spent helping beginners, not teaching the game. Being an approved program means that the hours spent on instruction is restricted to ensure they fall within the approved parameters.
First Tee is Golf Canada’s multi-tiered youth development program. Iron Lady Golf is a well-established private initiative designed to introduce women to the game. (So far, more than 20,000.) The goal is to help make women feel more comfortable by having female coaches. But with women making up only a small fraction of the PGA of Canada’s membership, having a female pro in every session is nearly impossible.
So Iron Lady Golf’s founder, Lindsay Knowlton, a Class A PGA of Canada professional, relies on what she calls “ambassadors”, experienced amateurs who assist with the basic fundamentals of etiquette, rules and how to navigate your way around a golf course.
“When I got the news that our program had been approved, I was ecstatic because it meant we have the opportunity to introduce more women to golf in Canada,” Knowlton says. “We are passionate about helping more women say ‘yes’ to golf, making it more accessible and less intimidating. Our focus is working with beginner to intermediate golfers. When someone shows an interest in wanting more swing coaching, we can pass them along to a PGA pro.
“We provide encouragement, a sense of community and inclusion. That’s what keeps people in the game.”
The object of this specific Rule (Rule 4) is two-fold. First, to expand the wide end of the funnel to welcome more people, from more demographic segments, into the game. Second, to provide support and guidance to beginners from more experienced golfers who, in the case of Iron Lady Golf, look like them, i.e, female.
“This can be inspirational,” says McKenna. “To see an accomplished amateur or pro who is a woman means a lot and the comfort level goes up exponentially, especially for a beginner.”
For Knowlton, this Rules change is literally game-changing. And, she says, “it’s proof Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada are 100-per-cent committed to growing the game in Canada.”
Do you have a program you think would qualify? The modernized Rules of Amateur Status with helpful guidance note are available here.
Have a Rules questions? Contact our experts.
Canada’s Ben Silverman and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers win 2023 Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Canada’s Ben Silverman and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will get their names etched on the Wall of Champions behind the first tee at Pebble Beach, joining a long list that includes golf greats Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.
Justin Rose would love nothing better than to be on an adjacent plaque for winning the PGA Tour event at Pebble.
Rose, whose third round was suspended by wind strong enough to blow his golf ball across the green, returned Sunday morning at Monterey Peninsula by playing 10 holes in 6 under for a 65 that gave him a one-shot lead in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
The final round was to start Sunday afternoon, featuring only professionals, and there was no way the tournament could finish until Monday.
The only champions crowned Sunday were Rodgers and Ben Silverman, who held on for a one-shot victory in the pro-am portion of the event. The prize is their name listed on the wall, which features pro-am winners, tournament winners, USGA champions at Pebble and more.
“It’s really significant,” Rodgers said, whose Packers failed to reach the NFL playoffs for only the fourth time in his 15 years as the starter. “It’s always been on my bucket list.”
Rodgers did his share of heavy lifting. Silverman, coming off a Korn Ferry Tour win, finished at 1-over 216 and missed the cut. Rodgers, playing off a 10 handicap, said he had not played golf since training camp until last Monday.
“He’s an athlete, man. Top performer,” noted Silverman. “He knows how to get it done and that’s what he did. It wasn’t like all four days or three rounds of beautiful golf, but when he needed to — when I was making doubles he was making pars. He knew how to get it done.”
They finished at 26-under par, one shot ahead of Peter Malnati and Don Colleran, the retired president and CEO of FedEx whose name already is on the wall.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Keith Mitchell were four behind. Minus the weather, the leading 25 pro-am teams would have played Sunday afternoon.
“Josh Allen was telling me there’s going to be an asterisk by this win because there was only three rounds,” Rodgers said. “But I think our names are going to be up there for a long time.”
Rose was simply happy to be there. This is his first 54-hole lead since he won at Torrey Pines four years ago, though his form has been trending upward toward the end of last year and early into 2023.
He was at 12-under 203.
Eight players were within three shots of the lead, a list that included Viktor Hovland. He’s playing the tournament for the first time, but his last two trips to Pebble have worked out well. He won the U.S. Amateur in 2018 and was low amateur in the 2019 U.S. Open.
Taylor Pendrith, the leader in the clubhouse (-12), made a 46-foot, 8-inch birdie putt on No. 8, the third-longest made putt of his PGA TOUR career; his second-longest came two weeks ago at The American Express.
Pendrith is the first player since 2013 to post a 64 or better in the final round of the event.
“Yeah. I mean, I would say I’m most proud of I hung in there today,” said Pendrith. “Obviously the front nine most of the holes are downwind, so I got off to a great start. Putter was super hot. Made some nice ones early. Kind of kept the momentum going on the back nine. There was some holes that played really tough and I hit some really quality shots that were into the wind, managed to make the putts.”
BC Children’s Hospital Foundation chosen as charity partner of 2023 CP Women’s Open
Calgary – February is Heart Month, and Canadian Pacific (CP) is proud to announce today that BC Children’s Hospital Foundation has been chosen as the primary charity partner for the 2023 CP Women’s Open, to be held Aug. 21-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.
“The team at BC Children’s Hospital provides expert care, research and support for children with heart conditions, and CP is grateful to have another opportunity to contribute to the critical work they do,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “The 2023 CPWO marks the third time BC Children’s Hospital Foundation has been selected as the charity partner during CP’s title sponsorship of this exceptional LPGA Tour event, helping raise more than $4 million so far. We’re honored to continue building this legacy.”
This year’s goal is to raise more than $2.5 million for BC Children’s Hospital. Those funds will be dedicated to enhancing the physical spaces of the Heart Centre to create a comfortable and healing environment for patients and their families. Funds will also help to create improved workspaces for cross-functional collaboration amongst the dedicated and talented cardiac team at BC Children’s.
“Kids with heart conditions can be some of the sickest children in BC, and the Heart Centre at BC Children’s Hospital is there to provide care for every one of them,” said Malcolm Berry, President and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “That’s why we’re so grateful to once again be the CP Has Heart charity of choice. CP’s support helps elevate the incredible care BC Children’s is able to provide to kids and their families across the province.”
In recognition of Heart Month, CP and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation are pleased to hold a month-long fundraising campaign with CP matching all donations up to a total of $300,000. Visit www.bcchf.ca to help make a difference for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation cardiology patients.
“Families of children with heart conditions put their trust in us,” said Dr. Shubhayan Sanatani, Head, Division of Cardiology. “In turn, we help to carry the burden of their child’s health with them. That’s the essence of what our team does at the Heart Centre at BC Children’s Hospital, and CP has been a part of our team for many years. With CP’s steadfast support, we can continue to improve the healing environment for our patients and their families.”
The Tournament Partners of the LPGA awarded the CP Women’s Open with Tournament of the Year in 2022. Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific also received Gold Driver Awards for Best Sponsor Activation in 2019 and 2022 as well as Best Community and Charity Engagement in 2017, 2019 and 2022.
“We are so proud to witness the incredible impact of CP Has Heart on the lives of countless youth in the host communities of the CP Women’s Open,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada. “There is a real excitement among golf fans and event enthusiasts in the celebrated return of the CP Women’s Open to Vancouver, highlighted by world-class golf, a week-long festival experience and a meaningful legacy gift in support of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.”
CP has helped raise more than $16 million to support children’s heart health in Canada during the nine years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open.
(BLOG) Golf Canada heads to the 2023 PGA Show in Orlando
Terry Lenyk
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.
MONDAY, JANUARY 23
Chatting with Cabot’s Ben Cowan-Dewar
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!
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25
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.”
We got to check out some amazing new gear from PUMA Golf, the official apparel partner for Team Canada.
And we capped off opening day on on the show floor learning how accurate golf simulators have become, chatting with Foresight Sports Canada.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26
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.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
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 inducted into PGA of Canada Hall of Fame
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
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
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.
Brooke Henderson wins Tournament of Champions for 13th LPGA Tour title
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
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
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.