Piercen Hunt took fine-tuning his golf game to a new level this past off-season, getting as granular as possible.

Hunt spent two and a half months at Golf Canada’s house outside Phoenix, Ariz., working on his game through December and January. The 24-year-old Calgary native even bought himself a launch monitor so he could dial in his distances on the PGA Tour Americas, where the elevation of different courses week to week drastically changes how far the ball travels.

“You go from soft to firm golf courses quite a bit. It’s really important to know exactly where you’re at with distance control and how spin affects everything when you change elevation,” Hunt said. “It’s ridiculous to see an eight iron fly 200 yards some weeks, and then the next week you go to sea level, and it’s only 165 yards. 

“So for me, I think that’s been a tool that I’ve been able to use really effectively in the off-season to just sharpen up a little bit here with the season coming up.”

Hunt also spent much of his winter working on his putting, consulting with several coaches to see if there was commonality in their assessment of his issues on the green.

“I just wanted to gather some information, see how it worked, really try it out myself,” he said. “Maybe some people would dive all into a singular first idea that they come across, but I am a bit more into data collection and sorting through it. 

“I was very pleased this off-season with my putting, I just found out a few things about myself and how I read greens, my stroke, my tendencies, from the different people that I worked with and I really enjoyed setting about improving those and becoming a better green reader.”

Hunt’s hard work paid off on Friday when he earned conditional status on the third-tier Americas Tour with a tie for 14th at a qualifying event in Dothan, Alabama, at RTJ Highland Oaks.

“I think I’ll be on the outside looking in for the first couple events in South America, but my intention is still to go there, and if needed playing the Monday qualifiers,” said Hunt, referring to the first swing of the Americas Tour that begins April 16 at the 71st ECP Brazil Open in Rio de Janeiro. “These early season events are so important for conditional status guys like myself, heading into this year, where the earlier you can get into events and earn points, the better.

“Then you can reshuffle up once the reshuffles do happen.”

How one operator is helping players transform their game — indoors

Throughout Canada, where shoulder seasons seem to linger and winters can feel never-ending, simulator golf has quietly evolved from a temporary fix into a powerful, year-round training tool. Beginners, time‑pressed adults, and ambitious juniors now turn to indoor environments not simply to maintain their skills sharp, but to accelerate improvement at a pace that outdoor practice often can’t match. While many golfers wait for the snow to melt, those training on simulators head into spring looking as though they never left mid-season form.

Driving this change is a new wave of performance‑oriented facilities equipped with state-of-the-art launch monitors, tailored coaching, and athlete-centered programs. In Montreal, Nakhjavani Golf has emerged as a leading example: an indoor studio demonstrating that technology, community, and expert instruction can make golf both more accessible and more effective.

Meet the operator: Branden of Nakhjavani Golf

Nakhjavani Golf was established in 2018 by PGA TOUR coach Shauheen Nakhjavani and his brother Branden, who turned Shauheen’s expanding online instruction platform into a physical performance studio. From the start, the focus was clear: it wouldn’t be an entertainment venue, it would be a home for golfers serious about learning.

The facility grew from a single-bay proof of concept into a multi-bay performance studio with a private gym and a growing, tight‑knit membership. Its community is intentionally diverse: complete beginners, adults returning to the game, juniors refining fundamentals, long‑drive athletes, college teams, and professional players who travel to Montreal for coaching. All of them with one thing in common: a desire to better understand their game.

As Branden puts it, “Golf is for everybody. Golf instruction can be and should be for everybody.”

What indoor data can teach you that the range cannot

Many first‑time visitors arrive with the same hesitation: How can I improve if I can’t see my ball flight? Branden hears it often and he loves watching the “aha” moments that follow.

Thanks to modern launch‑monitor technology, players receive detailed metrics on distance, spin, launch angle, face angle, club path, and even exact impact location on the clubface. “You’re getting such an insane amount of data that it’s almost a disadvantage not to be practicing indoors,” Branden explains.

One of the earliest revelations for new students is the classic feel versus real disconnect. “A lot of times players say, ‘Yeah, that felt good,’ and then we open the screen and show them they hit it off the toe. Those feelings can be deceiving,” he says. Technology removes the guesswork. “You’re not guessing whether you’re doing something right or wrong. The data is all in front of you.”

Paired with a coach who can break it down, that data becomes a roadmap for improvement, accelerating learning far more efficiently than outdoor range sessions alone.

Breaking down barriers: making golf accessible year‑round

For many beginners, outdoor golf can feel intimidating. Branden understands the pressure: crowded ranges, unpredictable pace, limited warm‑up space, and the constant feeling of being watched. Indoors, he says, “those barriers fall away.”

He shares the story of a newcomer who arrived with no experience and a lot of nerves. Inspired by a family member, he committed to lessons every few weeks—indoors and outdoors—and progressed so quickly that he broke 90 in less than a year. “It’s so fun to take someone with so much enthusiasm and help push them in the right direction, right from the beginning,” Branden adds.

Inside the studio, first‑timers discover a controlled, welcoming environment where feedback is clear and improvement feels attainable. Low‑pressure guided practice, structured entry points, and supportive coaches help new golfers build confidence… especially through Quebec’s long winter.

And in a province where golfers only get a handful of months on real grass, simulator golf becomes more than a training tool. It becomes an on‑ramp: a way to bring more people into the sport, from various backgrounds, more frequently.

From fun to fundamentals: programs that actually build skills

Once players feel comfortable, Nakhjavani Golf provides pathways for deeper development. Offerings include beginner‑friendly group lessons, weekly leagues, semi‑private sessions, parent‑child programs, and a junior curriculum designed to establish proper habits early.

These formats succeed because they blend fun with purpose. “Golf becomes frustrating when you’re not improving,” Branden notes. Structured programming solves that by giving players clarity, reinforcement, and measurable progress.

That commitment to creating meaningful early experiences is also why the team was so keen to see the studio become an official First Tee – Premier départ Québec site—another way to give young people access to a sport they might not otherwise have the chance to discover.

Asked which programs have been most impactful, Branden emphasizes anything that helps players start strong: “Getting newbies is one of the things we love most. When you guide someone properly from the beginning, everything becomes easier.”

A tool for serious players too, of course

While accessibility is central to the studio’s mission, performance remains at its core. A significant share of players training indoors are competitive golfers: varsity athletes (the studio is the official practice facility of the Concordia University Stingers), long‑drive competitors, and pros working with his brother Shauheen on tour. Others are amateurs preparing for Quebec championships or national qualifiers.

These players rely on off‑season training plans, data‑driven club fitting, shot‑shaping drills, and simulated course play to sharpen their decision‑making. For them, indoor practice acts as a diagnostic tool. “Working indoors is kind of like getting a blood test,” Branden says. “It gives you the data that supports what the coach is already seeing.”

The result? Players enter the season with more awareness, better habits, and a clearer understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.

Try it yourself

If you’ve ever wondered whether simulator golf could improve your game, Branden offers simple advice: “Take the leap. Try it once. I promise you, you will be surprised.”

Visit a local indoor facility, join a beginner session, track your numbers, and give yourself a head start before the season begins. Just swing!

Better golf isn’t reserved for summer—and your best coach might be waiting for you indoors.

Find a Simulator Near You

Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).

Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.

Mike Steiner, Osprey Point Golf Course, Hole #8

I started golfing at 20 years old. Worked at a par 3 course and a two tier driving range called Pleasure Park. Got the golf bug from that day forward. I even met Moe Norman on many occasions and have a driver he gave me. I was playing with my best friend of 48 years, Larry Bermarn. I have played golf around the world and whenever I go on holidays I play a course: Iceland, Zanzibar, Africa, Sentosa, Singapore, and Dubai to name a few!

Have what I feel is one of the best golf man caves in my basement, a chipping and putting green in my backyard and I still was waiting for my first hole-in-one. I have hit the flag or an inch away five or six times.

Larry Berman got his hole-in-one at Thornhill on his 60th birthday. My birthday was on the 24th of January and we went on a golf cruise through the Caribbean. I was waiting for my birthday wish as well! I played eight courses in the Caribbean on a sail boat schooner from Kallos golf. Started in Dominican, Punta Espada, Corales, tooth of the dog. Finished at Point Hardy, St. Lucia Cabot.

Three weeks late but great belated birthday present! I also started a golf company four years ago and now distribute Vice golf in Canada and got my hole-in-one with a Vice lime green ball that I have been using for two years now.

185 yards into a very strong wind. We all were pretty sure it went in the hole but no one knew for sure. We walked up to the hole and the celebration began!

Maureen Yamashita, The Duke At Rancho El Dorado, Hole #16

It was a blind shot to a front pin about 143 yards away and I used a 7 wood. It was a good shot to the left of the pin and I did see it hop towards it but that’s all you can see as there is a low hill in front of the green. It was a ladies league game and I was playing with Ans Kirwin, Brenda Heibein and Jane Bjornstad. When we got to the green, we couldn’t see my ball but we all knew it was a good shot so Jane said, “let’s look in the hole,” and there it was! This is my fifth hole-in-one. Not bad for a 71-year-old!

Collin Wilson, Highland Pacific Golf, Hole #12

I was golfing with my friends Eric Druet and Jake Dogterom. The third hole on the highland side was playing 167 yards pin in the back right corner. I hit a full 8 iron. Landed about 16 inches long and right, then spun back into the hole.

Janice Scott, Campeche Country Club, Hole #6

Hole #6 at Campeche Country Club, El Delphin Golf Course was playing 131 yards on February 17, 2026. It is a challenging par 3 over a large gully with large sand traps on both sides of the green. I used a 5 wood. It was tracking nicely but I couldn’t see it go in, hence why I’m holding clubs in my hand. The first place I looked was in the hole. Lo and behold, there it was! My playing partners that day were Vivian, Norah and another Janice. We had a fun celebration after the round.

Shane Giddens, Rosedale Golf Club, Hole #16

This was my second hole-in-one in as many seasons, and the first I actually had the joy of watching disappear into the cup. What had been an otherwise mediocre late-season round with my good friend and Rosedale Golf Club host, Jon Moses and my brother, Mark Giddens, suddenly became a lot more memorable on the 16th tee.

I lasered 103 yards to a front pin just as Jon and my brother were reminiscing about their past aces, my brother noting that his only one had been witnessed by me when we were teenagers. Just like my first, I had a feeling something good was about to unfold as I teed up a Rosedale-crested Callaway “1893” ball I’d found in the rough a few holes earlier.

With attack wedge in hand, I flushed a shot that held its line perfectly into a light wind. It landed about a foot beyond the cup, checked, and began to trickle back. The three of us collectively willed it in, and then watched it drop.

If you asked me to design my perfect day, it might have looked a lot like this. With the hole-in-one ball tucked safely in my pocket for good luck, it later joined my family and me as we watched the Jay’s clinch the ALCS against Seattle, the perfect ending to an unforgettable day!

Lorraine Swanson, Hideaway Country Club, Hole #9

I started golfing at 25 years old at Teachers’ Goofy Golf Tournaments in Thompson, Manitoba and I got my first ever hole-in-one February 18th, 2026 at Hideaway Country Club, Fort Myers, Florida on the 9th hole, front center flag. It rolled off a slight knoll left to right as my husband and I drove up to the green via the cart path on the left commenting, “is it going in?” At the green, I couldn’t see it and I’m still not believing it! At the hole, I looked in and there it was. From 108 yards, I used my Taylormade 6 hybrid with a Srixon ball! Even now after the congratulations and letting Srixon know sending me dozen golf balls, I’m still surpised! I am telling everyone I had to keep up with my husband as he got his first ever hole-in-one September 1, 2025 at our home course, Kingsville Golf and Country Club, Kingsville, Ontario. (Titleist sent him a great bag tag!)

It only took two rounds of golf for Vancouver’s Leah John to have her “welcome to the LPGA Tour” moment.

John had just finished playing in Blue Bay LPGA, the first tournament of her rookie season on the top-flight women’s golf circuit, when she got approached for an autograph. And another. And another.

Although John had missed the cut on March 6 at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course on Hainan Island, China, there was a crowd waiting to meet her and get her signature. There were so many people that security actually had to move the large group to one side so as to not block other golfers from getting to the clubhouse.

“I had this mob of people wanting my signature, which was so much fun, like it was so nice to feel like I could have an impact on people and just make them happy,” said John. “I am very much living my dream.

“I loved it.”

John qualified for the LPGA Tour through the qualifying stage of the circuit in December. Blue Bay LPGA wasn’t just her first tournament as a full-fledged member of the tour, it was her first time to Asia.

“That’s the farthest I’ve ever travelled for a tournament, so it was really exciting to go to Asia and see what the lay of the land is like there,” said John. “The golf course was amazing. It’s so pristine and beautiful and I didn’t play my best per se, but it really was an awesome first week to start just getting into the groove, getting yourself familiar with your surroundings.

“Simple things (like) what does practice usually look like and what’s the vibe of the tour.”

The 25-year-old John will tee it up again this week at the Fortinet Founders Cup at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club in Menlo Park, Calif. Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., is the other Canadian in the field.

John said it will take a while to realize that she belongs on the LPGA Tour.

“Just getting used to seeing your idols out here, and having to realize that you are amongst them, and feeling comfortable with that,” she said. “That’s still something that’s taken some time.

“That’s one of the biggest adjustments I’ve had to make is still believing in myself, even though I’m up against some really good competition, and embracing the challenge of that, rather than feeling defeated by it.”

John is not the only Canadian making memories in their rookie seasons.

Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., tied for fifth at the prestigious Players Championship on Sunday. He finished four shots back of eventual winner Cameron Young of the United States.

“I never thought I was going to have a chance to win, to be honest,” Yellamaraju told reporters after his final round at TPC Sawgrass. “I would have to do something miraculous, and I almost did.

“I just wanted to play one shot at a time and play the best golf I could because this course is so tough and you’ve just got to stay patient and just keep grinding.”

The performance rocketed Yellamaraju up the FedEx Cup standings from 67th to 30th. He’s now the highest ranked Canadian on the PGA Tour in just the seventh start of his first full season on the circuit.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Sudarshan Yellamaraju’s unconventional journey to the PGA Tour reached another milestone Sunday as the Canadian rookie delivered a breakthrough performance at THE PLAYERS Championship.

Yellamaraju carded a final-round 4-under 68 at TPC Sawgrass to finish tied for fifth at 9 under par, four shots behind winner Cam Young.

The 24-year-old’s finish marked his first career top-10 result on the PGA Tour and the best showing by a rookie at the tournament in more than a decade. It was also the strongest result by a Canadian at The Players since Stephen Ames won the event in 2006.

Yellamaraju said the result reinforced his belief that he can compete at the highest level.

“I know I can compete and contend, and I have a lot of belief in myself, but that results-based confidence is something you can’t match,” he said. “Once you do something, you know you can do that or better.”

Making his tournament debut, Yellamaraju approached the week with modest expectations while still aiming to contend.

“As a rookie you just go out and see what you can do,” he said. “I always want to win every tournament, but that’s not realistically possible.”

Yellamaraju’s final round started quickly. The Canadian made three birdies in his opening four holes and added another at the par-5 ninth to reach the turn in 4-under 32.

A bogey on the short par-4 12th slowed his momentum, but he rebounded with birdies at Nos. 15 and 16 before finishing with a bogey at the difficult closing hole.

Playing in front of the large Sunday crowds at TPC Sawgrass was another new experience for the rookie.

“It was awesome,” Yellamaraju said of the fan support. “Yesterday when I had that run of birdies the crowd started cheering me on and it kept me motivated even when I was getting a little tired.”

The strong finish also reflected a mindset that has helped define his rise through the professional ranks.

“I’m not someone who packs it in,” he said. “I never give up. I’m very resilient.”

Yellamaraju credited that approach for helping him handle the challenge of one of the PGA Tour’s most demanding courses.

“Everything has to be really good on this course,” he said. “You’ve got to drive it well, hit good approach shots, chip it well and putt it well.”

The Canadian earned US$925,000 for the result, the largest payday of his young PGA Tour career.

Corey Conners was the next-best Canadian in the field, finishing tied for 13th after a final-round 74, his third straight top-15 result at The Players Championship.

Nick Taylor shot a 1-over 73 on Sunday to finish tied for 42nd, while Taylor Pendrith also closed with a 73 to tie for 46th.

SINGAPORE — Richard T. Lee delivered one of the strongest performances of his career Sunday at LIV Golf Singapore, finishing runner-up after a dramatic playoff at Sentosa Golf Club.

The Canadian fired a 5-under 66 in the final round, surging up the leaderboard with birdies on four of his final six holes to reach 14-under par for the tournament. His late charge forced a playoff with Bryson DeChambeau.

Lee had a chance to extend the playoff on the first extra hole, but his 2-foot par attempt slid past the left edge, leaving DeChambeau to secure the victory with a par.

HEARTBREAK 💔

Richard T. Lee's missed putt means @brysondech wins the playoff and Aramco LIV Golf Singapore 🏆#LIVGolfSingapore @Crushers_GC pic.twitter.com/ORj3HRENko

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) March 15, 2026

“It was a short putt and I wanted to just hit it hard, and I hit it a little too hard,” Lee said. “I think the adrenaline was pumping a little bit.”

Despite the narrow defeat, the result marked a major milestone for the 35-year-old. Lee earned $2.25 million USD, the largest payday of his career.

Lee also came close to making history as the first wildcard player — one not affiliated with a LIV Golf team — to win an event on the circuit. He earned his place in the Saudi-funded league after winning the LIV Promotions event.

England’s Lee Westwood finished third after closing with a 70, his best result in LIV Golf competition.

Jon Rahm placed fifth, ending a streak of five consecutive tournaments in which he had finished either first or second.

In the team competition, Dustin Johnson’s 4 Aces GC captured their second straight victory.

💬 “The league should be really proud to have him”

❤️ Kind words from @brysondech for Richard T. Lee #LIVGolfSingapore @Crushers_GC pic.twitter.com/BU528W8eNH

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) March 15, 2026

The golf course continues to be a classroom for Brigitte Thibault and Brooke Rivers, two of Canada’s up-and-coming players.

Thibault and Rivers were two of the 20 players named to Golf Canada’s men’s and women’s teams last week. Both of them are growing on the second-tier Epson Tour and will play in this week’s IOA Golf Classic. 

The 27-year-old Thibault, who turned pro in 2022, said that if she could give her younger self advice, it would be to trust her own judgement.

“This game is really about knowing yourself and being comfortable with yourself because you get tossed into a pool of competition, which is fine, because it drives the game, but it’s also just a game,” said Thibault on Wednesday. “If you can really dial in who you are, how you want to go about it, and really kind of protect that I would have told myself, maybe to invest more in the relationship with myself first, instead of pleasing a lot of people around me.

“There’s no regrets on that, and I’m very open minded, and I love to kind of be a sponge and learn and be open to new ideas but there’s also a part of me that has to follow my gut and what I feel inside, and see if I feel like it is aligned with what I’m feeling or not.”

The 20-year-old Rivers, entering just her second season as a pro, said that figuring out the logistics of her job was one of the biggest lessons of her rookie season.

“I definitely have to learn how to manage my travel, what works for me and what doesn’t work for me, whether I like to practice in the mornings or the afternoons, when do I get a good workout in?” said Rivers. “Just how to really lay out my week to set me up for the best possible golf on the weekend.

“I just learned how to be a better pro golfer, how to practice better, how to play the pro-ams better and make connections where I need to. I just really learned on what works for me and what helps me play the best golf that I can play.”

Thibault, from Rosemere, Que., made the cut in five of her 12 Epson Tour starts last year after a serious head injury in December 2024 derailed her off-season preparation. Her best round was a 67 and her best finish was a tie for 31st at the Four Winds Invitational on Aug. 1.

“I’d say my biggest goal, especially this these next few months, is really building my own recipe of what’s efficient to me,” said Thibault. “I think the last few years, I’ve kind of explored a lot of different things and trying to find my recipe. 

“I think I’ve really touched on the right string at the beginning of this year, so I’m really dialing in, just building whatever my recipe is that creates efficient, consistent, repeatable swings more from tee to green.”

Rivers, from Brampton, Ont., made the cut 11 times in 20 starts in her rookie Epson Tour season. She had five top-10 finishes, including finishing third at the Casella Golf Championship on July 18. 

She was within range of earning an LPGA Tour card toward the end of the season as she finished in a tie for eighth at the Dream First Bank Charity Classic on Aug. 22, tied for 25th at the Guardian Championship on Sept. 12, and tied for 10th at the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout on Sept. 19. 

“It felt great to have some great finishes and to play some great golf, but I try not to be too focused on the end goal,” said Rivers. “I’m just trying to get better every day and last year I proved to myself that I can do it and I’m capable of playing at the highest level. 

“It just gives me a lot of confidence going into this year, and I just had so much fun last year, and I enjoy my life as a pro golfer. I’m excited for what’s next.”

Both missed the cut at last week’s Atlantic Beach Classic, the Epson Tour’s season opener, but are eager to start playing at Alaqua Country Club in Longwood, Fla., on Friday.

There are six Canadians in the field at the IOA Golf Classic, with Maddie Szeryk-DiBello of London, Ont., Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont., Megan Osland of Kelowna, B.C., and Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., joining Thibault and Rivers.

2025 Annual Report & Financial Statements are now available.

Longtime Rules Official Nancy Layton recognized as

2025 recipient of the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award

Volunteers Roger Beach and Brenda McIlwaine along with media producer Jamie Reidel recognized with Golf Canada’s 2026 Distinguished Service Award

Long-time Golf Canada contributors Rob MacDonald and Michel St-Laurent appointed
Honorary Life Governors in recognition of their remarkable contributions to the sport.

Alena Sharp, Peter Broome, Pat Bradley and Lee Trevino inducted
into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada’s 2026 Annual General Meeting concluded on Wednesday, March 11 with the election of Adam Daifallah of Montréal, Que. to serve a second term as the 118th President of the National Sport Federation.

A volunteer with Golf Canada since 2013, Daifallah joined the Board of Directors in 2018 and recently concluded his first term as president. Prior to becoming president, he served two consecutive terms as vice president (2023-2024). Daifallah is currently a Senior Managing Director at Teneo, the global CEO advisory firm, with responsibility for Teneo’s Montréal office. Previously he was co-founder and Managing Partner of the public affairs firm HATLEY Strategy Advisors, which was acquired by Teneo in 2020. Prior to that, Daifallah practiced law at the Montréal office of Norton Rose Fulbright (then Ogilvy Renault), sat on the editorial board of the National Post, and was Washington correspondent of The New York Sun. He is co-author of two books on Canadian politics. A link to Daifallah’s full bio is here.

“Golf Canada remains committed to fostering a sport that is more accessible, more inclusive, more innovative, and more deeply connected to communities across the country. It is an honour to continue to serve as president of Golf Canada and help to lead this vision alongside the board and staff, led by CEO Laurence Applebaum,” said Adam Daifallah, President, Golf Canada. “The energy surrounding Canadian golf has never been stronger, and the opportunities ahead have never been greater. This moment calls for a continued commitment to shaping Canadian golf with intention, innovation, and unity.”

Based on the Report of Golf Canada’s Nominating Committee, Daifallah will be joined on the 2026 Board of Directors by returning Vice President, Jean-Sébastien Monty of Montréal. They will lead the 13-member Board of Directors who will work closely with Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum and Golf Canada’s management team.

Returnees to the Board of Directors include Steven Young (Banff, Alta.), Louise Patry (Montréal, Que.), Nafeez Hirji (Calgary, Alta.), Peter Broome (Jupiter, Fla.), Lori Dithurbide (Halifax, N.S.), Pamela Huff (Toronto, Ont.), Katie Mahon (Kingston, Ont.), and Brittany Marchand (Mooresville, N.C.).

New additions to Golf Canada’s Board of Directors include former CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie (Toronto, Ont.), Kendra Koss (Calgary, Alta.) and Ron Lloyd (Toronto, Ont.).

For the biographies of Golf Canada’s Board of Directors, click here.

As part of its virtually conducted Annual General Meeting, Golf Canada also released the organization’s 2025 Annual Report including its Financial Statements which are available here.

Nancy Layton named 2025 Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year

In celebration of volunteerism, Golf Canada recognized Nancy Layton of Ayer’s Cliff, Que. as the 2025 recipient of the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award. A dedicated advocate for the Rules of Golf, Layton is longtime volunteer with Golf Canada and Golf Quebec and currently serves as Chair of the Rules Education Subcommittee. Layton has contributed countless hours and is considered a mentor to many, both on a national and provincial level, through her work in the Rules of Golf. For the full story, click here.

Roger Beach, Brenda McIlwaine, and Jamie Reidel recognized with Golf Canada’s 2026 Distinguished Service Award

Golf Canada announced that a trio of accomplished contributors – long-time volunteers Roger Beach of Oakville, Ont. and Brenda McIlwaine of Belvedere, P.E.I. along with media producer Jamie Reidel of Kitchener, Ont. – have been named the 2026 recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award for their tremendous contributions to Canadian golf. Click here for more.

Rob MacDonald and Michel St-Laurent appointed Honorary Life Governors

Rob MacDonald of Winnipeg, Man. and Michel St-Laurent of Longueuil, Que. received the organization’s highest volunteer honour as they were named Honorary Life Governors for their outstanding contributions to the organization. Click here for more.

Alena Sharp, Peter Broome, Pat Bradley and Lee Trevino named as 2026 inductees into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame

The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday that accomplished professional golfer Alena Sharp, global industry executive Peter Broome and former professional golfers Pat Bradley and Lee Trevino have been selected for 2026 induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. Sharp will be inducted into the players category and Broome will be inducted into the Builder category, while Bradley and Trevino will be inducted into the new international category. The group becomes the 90th, 91st, 92nd and 93rd honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. For more information, click here.

Golf Canada’s 2026 Annual Meeting was conducted virtually on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, with volunteers, staff, member clubs, and industry stakeholders participating.

Long-time Golf Canada contributors receive the organization’s highest volunteer honour

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to appoint Rob MacDonald and Michel St-Laurent as Honorary Life Governors for the outstanding contributions to the organization as long-time volunteers.

“On behalf of the Honorary Life Governors Selection Committee, we are proud to welcome two individuals whose contributions have made a lasting impact on both the game of golf and on Golf Canada,” said Roland Deveau, Chair, Honorary Life Governors Selection Panel. “Rob and Michel are truly deserving of this prestigious honour, and we thank them for their long-time commitment to the game and to Golf Canada.”

The appointment of an individual as an Honorary Life Governor is the highest honour which can be bestowed upon Golf Canada volunteers. All Past Presidents of Golf Canada including the former Canadian Ladies Golf Association are Honorary Life Governors.

In 2020, a change to Golf Canada’s by-laws permitted individuals who are not past presidents to be named as Honorary Life Governors. Since then, Golf Canada has welcomed Barb Allen and Jim Clark (2022), Mike Richards and Pat Thompson (2023), Doug Roxburgh (2024), and Diane Barabé, Robert Laing and Teri Yamada (2025) as Honorary Life Governors.

Honorary Life Governors have an individual vote at Golf Canada’s Annual and Special General Meetings. The selection panel will consider the overall service record of those nominated including local, regional, national, and international service with prime consideration for service to Golf Canada. In addition, length and level of service are also taken into consideration.

Rob MacDonald – Winnipeg, Man.

Rob MacDonald has been an active volunteer with Golf Canada since 2011 but his service to the game in Canada spans more than three decades at the club, provincial and national levels.

Following his appointment to the Governors’ Council in 2011, MacDonald joined Golf Canada and served on the Council until 2013, including Provincial Council which he Chaired in 2014 and 2015. MacDonald served on Golf Canada’s Board of Directors from 2014 to 2020 and played a key role in strengthening Golf Canada’s governance and financial oversight during his tenure. In addition, he served on the Audit & Risk Committee from 2013 to 2020 which included Chairing the Committee for five consecutive years (2016-2020). MacDonald also functioned as Chair of the Investment Committee in 2014 and 2015 and currently serves on the Nominating Committee, since 2023. His leadership has contributed to the long-term stewardship of Golf Canada’s financial assets.

MacDonald has been an active volunteer with Golf Manitoba since 1992. At the provincial level, he has served as President of the Manitoba Golf Association (2000-2001) and as President of Golf Manitoba (2011-2013). MacDonald is a long-time member of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club in Winnipeg, Man. where he has served as Club President, member of the Board of Directors as well as various committees with the Club.

Michel St-Laurent – Longueuil, Que.

For over 20 years, Michel St-Laurent held important governance roles for the former Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) on its Board of Governors and Executive Committee along with Golf Canada’s Governors Council and Board of Directors.

St-Laurent has also functioned as Chair of the Amateur Status Committee (2006-2009), Treasurer (2008), and represented Canada on The R&A’s Amateur Status Committee (2008-2009), a committee which governs and sets the Rules of Amateur Status for the golf world. In addition to his extensive executive work, St-Laurent holds Canada’s highest referee certification and has officiated tournaments across provincial, national, and international levels for 35 years.

He has served as a volunteer at all levels of tournaments and as Chair of both national and international championships. He was Chair of both the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships when they celebrated their respective 100^th anniversary, both won by 15-year-olds – the 2004 Men’s Amateur at Beaconsfield Golf Club won by Darren Wallace and the 2013 Women’s Amateur at Club de golf Beloeil won by Brooke Henderson. St-Laurent also served as a Tournament Chair for both the 2011 CPKC Women’s Open at Hillsdale Golf Club and the 2014 RBC Canadian Open at Royal Montreal Golf Club.

St-Laurent has also served on Golf Quebec’s Board of Directors, including a term as President in 2001 and currently serves on the Selection Committee for the Quebec Golf Hall of Fame. St-Laurent served two terms as President at Beloeil Golf Club in Beloeil, Que. (1985-86 and 2004-05) and as Club Captain (2013-14). He currently volunteers at Club de Golf La Vallée du Richelieu in Sainte-Julie, Que. as men’s captain and continues to serve on the tournament duty roster for Golf Canada competitions.

The three recipients will be celebrated later this season
for their outstanding contributions to Canadian golf

Oakville, ON – Three accomplished contributors to Canadian golf will be acknowledged for their dedicated efforts to the game as the 2026 recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award. 

Long-time Golf Canada volunteers Roger Beach of Oakville, Ont., Brenda McIlwaine of Belvedere, P.E.I. and media producer Jamie Reidel of Kitchener, Ont. will be acknowledged for their contributions to Canadian golf.

“Golf Canada is proud to honour Roger Beach, Brenda McIlwaine and Jamie Reidel as our 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipients,” said Adam Daifallah, President, Golf Canada. “Their commitment and dedication to supporting our sport is truly impactful and is felt across our country. Their work continues to leave a remarkable impact on golf in Canada, and we are proud to honour and recognize them for their significant contributions.”

Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually since 1993 to recognize individuals who have had an outstanding impact on Canadian golf either nationally or within their community.

The announcement of the 2026 Distinguished Service Award honourees coincides with Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting, conducted virtually on Wednesday, March 11 at 1:00 p.m. EDT.

The presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to this year’s honourees will be celebrated later this season at events and locations to be determined. 

Golf Canada 2025 Distinguished Service Award Honourees:

Roger Beach (Volunteer) – Oakville, Ont.

Roger Beach has been an instrumental contributor to Golf Canada Heritage Services since joining as a volunteer in 2015. His most notable contribution has been helping to restore, curate and digitize the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, devoting one to two days a week over the past decade. He has also been a valued contributor in planning and executing external Hall of Fame events, including the annual Induction Ceremony. His commitment to volunteerism is also made evident in his creation of a database that incorporated the past 28 years of Golf Canada volunteers from across the country along with their related committee memberships. In addition to his work with Heritage Services, Beach has served on several Golf Canada standing committees including the Investment Committee (2017-2021), Human Resources Committee (2018-2020) and Governance Committee (2021-2024). In 2020, Beach was appointed a Governor of Golf Canada and was a member of the organization’s Diversity and Inclusion Alliance. He later joined the Audit and Risk Management committee in 2025. On leaving school, Beach joined the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), in St. Lucia which ultimately led to a 42+ year career with the bank that included posting to South America, other Caribbean islands and London, England. He was transferred to Toronto in 1985. Beach is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified General Accountant (CGA) and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and holds the internationally recognized Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and Chartered Management Accountant (FCMA) professional accounting designations from the United Kingdom (UK). Beach is also the recipient of the Order of Niagara for his volunteer work and community outreach with St. Jude’s Anglican Church in Oakville, Ont.

Brenda McIlwaine (Volunteer) – Belvedere, P.E.I.

Brenda McIlwaine’s contributions as a volunteer to the growth of golf in Atlantic Canada have been exceptional and most impactful through her work in Handicap and Course Rating. McIlwaine has been an active volunteer and course rater with the Prince Edward Island Golf Association (PEIGA) since 2007. She was later invited to join the Association’s Board of Directors, serving as a Board member from 2008-2018, including two terms as President (2015-2017). In addition, she served as a member of Golf Canada’s Governors Council and the National Course Rating Committee. McIlwaine was a mentor to members of the PEIGA Course Rating team during her time on the Committee. She attended multiple national and regional training courses where she shared her valued knowledge and experience. McIlwaine has also been an avid supporter of advancement of the women’s game, coordinating the PEIGA Senior Ladies Tour from 2010-2017. While coordinating the tour, she also focused on promoting the sport for women and partnered with member courses to allow the tour to play across P.E.I. As a champion for women’s golf and development, she started the “Girls Golf Camp” in 2016. What initially started with one facility and 20 participants has now grown to multiple locations across the province. McIlwaine’s extensive volunteer resume has seen her serve on numerous committees over the years and her love for the sport has directly led to membership growth, particularly in female participation in her home province. In addition, McIlwaine served two terms as president of the women’s branch at Belvedere Golf Club in Charlottetown (2012-13 and 2025-26). Today, McIlwaine remains dedicated to her passion in handicapping and course rating and continues to support members and golf facilities within the PEIGA.

Jamie Reidel (Media) – Kitchener, Ont.

For more than 25 years, Jamie Reidel has been an influential force for golf coverage in Canada. Working as a lead producer with TSN/Bell Media, Reidel has played a pivotal role in bringing the game to life for Canadian audiences, delivering in-depth coverage of the sport’s biggest moments and its top players. Leading a team of talented hosts, reporters, camera operators and production staff, Reidel has shaped the way golf is covered and presented across a number of platforms including television, radio and social media. His work brings Canadians in-depth coverage of both the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open and golf’s most prestigious events, highlighted by TSN’s extensive coverage of The Masters, as well as The Players Championship, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and The Open Championship. Together with Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Weeks, the duo has covered more than 100 golf championships for TSN/Bell Media. Beyond live event coverage, Reidel has produced thousands of reports for TSN SportsCentre and Golf Talk Canada ensuring Canadians stay informed about the game’s biggest names and stories. He has been instrumental in showcasing Canadian golf talent, providing coverage of legends like Mike Weir and Lorie Kane and today’s stars including Brooke Henderson, Nick Taylor, Corey Conners and many others. In addition to his extensive production work, Reidel has demonstrated a strong commitment and collaboration with Golf Canada. Whether producing or adjusting content to highlight Canadian success stories, Reidel has been a trusted partner dedicated to elevating the profile of Canadian golf. While his work is largely behind the scenes, his impact is undeniable and his contributions have profoundly shaped how golf is consumed in Canada.