Team Canada athletes Maddie Szeryk and Jared du Toit finished first in the women’s and men’s National Order of Merits, respectively, to claim honours as the top amateur athlete in each division and be named Canada’s 2016 Players of the Year. On the Junior Order of Merits, two-time Development Squad athlete A.J. Ewart captured the boys’ title, while Development Squad rookie Mary Parsons took home the honours for the girls.

“We’re pleased to recognize the outstanding accomplishments that these athletes have worked so hard to achieve through this past season,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “The respective Order of Merits are powerful tools that we utilize for tracking player performance in identified tournaments throughout the year, and certainly serve to reflect the talent pool that exists in the country for a number of parties—including athletes, coaches, parents, schools, provincial golf associations and the national governing body.”

Ontario public player and Texas resident Maddie Szeryk won the women’s Order of Merit for a second straight season with 4,088.50 points through 12 events. A Texas A&M junior, Szeryk’s season was highlighted by a win at the Florida State Match-Up, and a Top-15 finish at the Canadian Women’s Amateur. Her efforts also earned her the honours of Canada’s top-ranked athlete on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR)—currently No. 32. She was part of the Canadian trio that finished ninth at the World Amateur Team Championship in Mexico. Szeryk, 20, was also named to the First Team All-SEC for her 2015-16 campaign. She enters her third year with Team Canada’s Amateur Squad program.

Trailing Szeryk in second and third place were fellow teammates Naomi Ko and Josée Doyon. Ko, a Victoria, B.C., native, captured the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, finished fifth at the Women’s Porter Cup and shared seventh at both the Women’s Porter Cup and Canadian Women’s Amateur. She posted a memorable performance at the World Amateur, finishing inside the Top-10 with a share of sixth. Doyon, a St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que., native, had a season underlined by victories at Quebec Women’s Amateur (her second title) and the Women’s Porter Cup. Doyon also teed it up alongside Ko and Szeryk at the World Amateur.

After finishing runner-up in 2015, du Toit had a banner year highlighted by a captivating performance at the RBC Canadian Open in July, where he played in Sunday’s final group and finished with a share of ninth. The Kimberley, B.C., product added a win at the Glencoe Invitational alongside Top-5 finishes at the Monroe and Porter Cup. Now a senior at Arizona State, du Toit also earned an honorable mention to the Division I All-American team and won the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) Player of the Year award. In total, he collected 4,637.92 points through 12 events for nearly an 800 point margin over then Amateur Squad teammate Blair Hamilton (now turned pro).

Hamilton, a Burlington, Ont., native, finished runner-up at the Jones Cup while adding Top-20 performances at the Porter Cup and Monroe Invitational. Not far behind Hamilton was Amateur Squad teammate and reigning Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion, Hugo Bernard. The Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., product was medallist at the NCAA Division II championship in addition to posting six Top-5 NCAA results in just eight events. His efforts earned him the Phil Mickelson award, given to the most outstanding freshman in Division II golf. Bernard will return to the Amateur Squad in 2017 for a second consecutive season.

The Future Links Junior Order of Merits saw British Columbia natives A.J. Ewart and Mary Parsons capture the respective boys and girls titles.

Ewart—who enters his second campaign with the Development Squad—won the boys division with 4,204.17 points over 12 events. The Coquitlam product garnered runner-up honours at both the B.C. Men’s Amateur and Junior championships, alongside a Top-15 result at the Canadian Junior Boys.

Behind Ewart were a pair of newly minted Team Canada rookies for the 2016-17 campaign—Peyton Callens of Langton, Ont., and Chandler McDowell of Springbrook, Alta. Callens managed to record over 4,000 points (4,190) in just eight events, thanks in large part to wins at Future Links Prairie and Ontario Junior Boys championships. McDowell earned the bulk of his total points (3,759.17) at the Alberta Junior Championships, where he finished tied for second in addition to taking home the juvenile title.

On the girls’ side, Delta native Mary Parsons was crowned the winner with 5,830 points through 12 events. The 17-year-old’s season was highlighted by wins at Future Links Pacific and B.C. Junior Girls Championships. This upcoming season marks her first with the Team Canada program; she’s also committed to attend Indiana University.

15-year-old Monet Chun recorded runner-up honours with 5,715 points over 12 events. The Richmond Hill, Ont., product won the Future Links Quebec and added Top-5 finishes at the Ontario Women’s Amateur and Junior Girls Championships. She also placed eighth at the Canadian Junior Girls championship. Chun joins Parsons in her first year with the Development Squad in 2016-17.

Third place honours went to Ottawa product Grace St-Germain, who recently entered her freshman season with the Daytona State Falcons. The 18-year-old won the Ontario Women’s Amateur and tallied Top-5 finishes at the Future Links Pacific and Ontario championships as well as the Quebec Women’s Amateur.

The National Men’s and Women’s Orders of Merit recognize and celebrate the season-long achievements of Canada’s amateur golfing talents. The Future Links Junior Boys and Junior Girls Orders of Merit were established to acknowledge and identify Canada’s top junior golfers.

2016 Men’s National Order of Merit – Top-10

1. Jared du Toit – Kimberley, B.C. – 4,637.92
2. Blair Hamilton – Burlington, Ont. – 3,865.71
3. Hugo Bernard – Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que. – 3,521.03
4. Austin James – Bath, Ont. – 3,470
5. Garrett Rank – Elmira, Ont. – 3,007.21
6. Stuart Macdonald – Vancouver – 2,561.54
7. Joey Savoie — Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. – 2,256.66
8. Eric Banks – Truro, N.S. – 1,850.41
9. Matt Williams – Calgary – 1,744.04
10. Brett Hogan – Calgary – 1,669.01

Final standings are available here.

2016 Women’s National Order of Merit – Top-10

1. Maddie Szeryk – London, Ont. | Allen, Tex. – 4,088.50
2. Naomi Ko – Victoria, B.C. – 3,698.60
3. Josée Doyon – St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que. – 3,566.95
4. Jaclyn Lee – Calgary – 3,313.38
5. Michelle Kim – Surrey, B.C. – 2,447.82
6. Grace St-Germain – Ottawa – 2,310.83
7. Vanessa Ha – Allen, Tex. – 1,946.25
8. Katherine Gravel-Coursel – Mirabel, Que. – 1,822.20
9. Valérie Tanguay – St-Hyacinthe, Que. – 1,507.55
10. Jessica Ip – Richmond Hill, Ont. – 1,389.82

Final standing are available here.

2016 Future Links National Junior Boys Order of Merit

1. A.J. Ewart – Coquitlam, B.C. – 4,204.17
2. Peyton Callens – Langton, Ont. – 4,190
3. Chandler McDowell – Springbrook, Alta. – 3,759.17
4. Callum Davison – Duncan, B.C. – 3,540.83
5. Brendan McDougall – Calgary – 2,887.50
6. Sam Meek – Peterborough, Ont. – 2,820
7. Kelvin Lim – Thornhill, Ont. – 2,604.75
8. Max Sekulic – Rycroft, Alta. – 2,568.04
9. Khan Lee – Langley, B.C. – 2,493.33
10. Brandon Lacasse – Châteauguay, Que. – 2,402.50

Final standings are available here.

2016 Future Links National Junior Girls Order of Merit

1. Mary Parsons – Delta, B.C. – 5,853
2. Monet Chun – Richmond Hill, Ont. – 5,715
3. Grace St-Germain – Ottawa – 5,320
4. Céleste Dao – Notre-Dame-de-LÎle-Perrot, Que. – 5,179.50
5. Chloe Currie – Mississauga, Ont. – 3,882.50
6. Hannah Lee – Surrey, B.C. – 3,770.83
7. Kathrine Chan – Richmond, B.C. – 3,573.33
8. Isabella Portokalis – London, Ont. – 3,515
9. Meghan McLean – Port Williams, N.S. – 3,407.50
10. Ellie Szeryk – London, Ont. – 3,268.33

Final standings are available here.

Please be advised that the National Orders of Merit have been going through a thorough review process the last 10 months by an appointed committee of Golf Canada and provincial golf association staff.  Potential changes have been identified and tested during the 2016 golf season in an internal “beta test” environment.

If approved, these recommended changes may be launched as early as February 2017 and will be retroactive to September 1, 2016.  These changes are being recommended to update, enhance and improve the quality and accuracy of the National Order of Merit ranking system.

Lighthouse has been selected as the firm to lead the CEO search
Chief Sport Officer Jeff Thompson has been appointed as interim CEO effective January 9, 2017.

With the recent announcement that CEO Scott Simmons will be leaving the organization, Golf Canada’s Board of Directors is engaged in the process to search for a new CEO.

Golf Canada wishes to take an inclusive and comprehensive approach with this CEO search. The process will involve garnering input from key stakeholders in the golf industry to design the optimal CEO profile.

Proposals were sought from executive recruitment firms that expressed interest in participating in the search for Golf Canada’s new CEO.

Following a review of eight proposals, and interviews with a short-list, Lighthouse Search was engaged.  Lighthouse Search, a Canadian boutique firm that specializes in the not-for-profit and sport sector, is familiar with Golf Canada, and has conducted searches and placements for several of Canada’s National Sport Federations.

Lighthouse will work with the Golf Canada Board of Directors to seek stakeholder input and conduct stakeholder interviews to develop the CEO Profile. The CEO profile will be posted on Golf Canada’s web-site, and Lighthouse will begin the process of screening potential candidates and developing a short list of qualified applicants to review with the Golf Canada Board of Directors.

It is expected that the announcement of Golf Canada’s new CEO will be made by April 2017, with the start date to be finalized in consultation with the successful candidate.

Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer Jeff Thompson has been appointed as interim CEO, effective January 9, 2017. CEO Scott Simmons will work with Thompson to transition leadership responsibilities through Simmons departure in February.  This will ensure continuity of leadership until the new CEO takes office later in the year.

A member of Golf Canada’s senior management team, Thompson is well versed in the core elements of the Association’s strategic plan and operations. He has served as Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer since 2005; overseeing all areas of sport development including junior, grassroots and high performance golf. In his role as Chief Sport Officer, Thompson already works closely with Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the International Golf Federation, provincial golf associations and the PGA of Canada.

For further information, please contact Golf Canada President Roland Deveau, Q.C., at rdeveau@golfcanada.ca .

Potential candidates can reach Lighthouse at connectwithus@lighthousesearch.ca .

LIGHTHOUSE SEARCH – CONNECTING EXCEPTIONAL

Lighthouse is a boutique executive search firm with national and global reach that was founded with the vision of a modern search firm; one that is agile, responsive and invested in our client’s business. Our firm works with Canadian owned and run businesses along with global fortune 500 companies operating offices in the Canadian market.  We are trusted advisors who provide premium level service to support our high touch client and candidate relationships.   We  ignite excitement in our clients agenda and bring our passion and expertise to recruit exceptional leadership talent for organizations. Connect with us at  lighthousesearch.ca .

GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.

Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing close to 310,000 golfers at more than 1,400 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca .

The votes (or in this case pageviews) are in and I’ve tabulated the 18 most read articles/blogs on golfcanada.ca during the 2016 calendar year.

Please keep in mind that this list is not indicative of the stories’ importance to Canadian golf. Some articles/blogs have been more prominently featured via email, social media or Golf Canada’s other communication channels. Articles published earlier in the year  have also had additional time to be read or found online via search tools such as Google.

So, without further adieu, here’s our top 18 of 2016. And, feel free to click on any of the titles to check out the article.

#18) Buried treasure: The lucky loonie in Rio

#17) Scott Simmons steps down as CEO of Golf Canada

Scott Simmons (Golf Canada Archives)

#16) Lorie Kane, Warren Sye and Bob Weeks named for induction into Canadian Golf Hall of Fame

Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum Archives

#15) Henderson beats Ko to win Women’s PGA Championship in playoff

Brooke Henderson (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

 #14) Canadian rookie Mackenzie Hughes wins Sea Island playoff

Mackenzie Hughes (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

 #13) Golf Canada announces 2016 championship schedule

#12) Day and Johnson headline final field for 2016 RBC Canadian Open

Jason Day (Bernard Brault/ Golf Canada)

#11) Canada’s golfers ready for chance to defend Olympic title after 112-year wait

Graham DeLaet, Alena Sharp, David Hearn (Bernard Brault/ Golf Canada)

#10) Is golf really too expensive?

Golf Canada Archives

#9) The Rules of Golf go online

Diane Barabé (Jason Scourse/ Golf Canada)

#8) Solo play: a global perspective

(Claus Anderson/ Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada)

 #7) Golf Canada announces 2017 Team Canada

Golf Canada Archives

#6) Playing golf can add five years to your life expectancy

(Golf Canada Archives)

 #5) Final field announced for 2016 CP Women’s Open

Lydia Ko (Chuck Russell/ Golf Canada)

#4) Golf Canada and Hudson’s Bay unveil golf uniform for Rio 2016

(Brent Long/ Golf Canada)

#3) Jhonattan Vegas rallies to win RBC Canadian Open

Jhonattan Vegas (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

#2) Canadian golf mourns the loss of Dawn Coe-Jones

Drum roll please…

#1) Changes to Golf Canada’s Handicap System for 2016 released

(Chuck Russell/ Golf Canada)

Thanks to everyone who visited our site in 2016. Also, a huge thank you to all the writers and photographers who contributed to the site. Keep an eye our for bigger and better things in 2017.

– Terry Lenyk

Questions, comments? Find me on Twitter at @terrylenyk.

TORONTO – St. George’s Golf and Country Club will welcome Ian McQueen as its new Golf Course and Property Manager effective January 30, 2017.

McQueen has held the same position at nearby Islington Golf Club since 2012, and comes to St. George’s with more than 17 years of golf course management experience in both public and private club settings.

St. George’s was designed by Stanley Thompson in 1929 and following the ice storm of 2014 the classically designed course underwent an extensive restoration of its greens that saw the conversion of original push-up Poa annua greens to USGA bentgrass greens led by consulting golf course architects, Tom Doak and Ian Andrew.

“Since I started in the golf industry it has been a dream of mine to work at Canada’s top private club. I am honoured and excited for the opportunity to be part of such a historic club”, said McQueen about making the move to St. George’s.

Ian started his career with Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland and further developed his craft holding the Golf Course Superintendent position at The Club at Bond Head and Assistant Superintendent at Magna Golf Club. As Superintendent at St. George’s Golf and Country Club, he will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of managing over 165 acres of land and maintaining the Club’s International Audubon Certification.

Golf Canada’s second installment of our Tournament Administration and Referees’ School (TARS) will be held at the Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport in Richmond, B.C., from April 27th to 30th.

New for 2017, we are extending the invitation to all certified level 2 rules officials and PGA of Canada professionals!

The objective of our Tournament Administration and Referees’ School is to get championship volunteers and staff members from key golf associations/clubs in Canada assembled to discuss important topics related to tournament administration and competitions. This will also be an opportunity to align golf competition efforts and related matters within Canada (i.e. championship policies, standards etc.) as we strive to provide the best experience for our members.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from some of Canada’s most experienced tournament administrators and rules officials, as well as a from special guests from the R&A.

Topics to Be Covered at TARS

• Tournament administration & operations
• Starting and scoring procedures
• Pace of play best practices
• Course marking and set-up
• On-course officiating best practices
• Practical rules demonstrations & role playing scenarios

Note: Participants will have the opportunity to write the Level 3 or Level 4 Rules of Golf Exam during the seminar.

Click here to register for 2017 TARS.

Level 4 Rules of Golf Seminars

In addition to our Tournament Administration & Referees’ School, below is the full schedule for Golf Canada’s Level 4 seminars across the country:

• Calgary
  March 31 – April 2
• Oakville, ON
  March 31 – April 2
•  Montreal
  April 21-23 (French)
• St. John’s, NL
  April 21-23
• Richmond, BC (TARS)
  April 27-30

Click here to register for Level 4 Rules of Golf Seminars.

Level 3 Rules of Golf Seminars

For level 3 rules seminar information, please visit your respective provincial association website. Or, contact Mary Beth at mmckenna@golfcanada.ca  for more information!

And, if you want to get your Rules Education started with our online rules education program, click here.

Click here to view the Rules Education Pathway (PDF), a document which shows how you can progress from a rules beginner to officiating highly competitive golf events.

St Andrews, Scotland – The merger of the Ladies’ Golf Union (LGU) and The R&A has been finalized and will come into effect January 1, 2017.

The heads of agreement between the two organisations was signed in June leading to the integration of the LGU’s business operations and its members of staff into The R&A group of companies. An agreed governance structure has also been implemented to give LGU Board members representation on relevant R&A Committees.

The R&A will assume responsibility for staging the LGU’s championships and international matches next year. The Ricoh Women’s British Open will continue to be managed by IMG in 2017 under the existing agreement with the LGU.

“The integration of the two organizations puts us in a better, stronger position to realize our collective vision for growing the game of golf around the world,” said Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A. “Our combined resources and staff expertise will help us to achieve our shared aims for the development of golf, including increasing girls’ and women’s participation and encouraging more families to enjoy golf as a recreational activity.”

A message to @LadiesGolfUnion associations about the merger with The R&A. https://t.co/jtx4gWqIFW pic.twitter.com/lD7GI697h1

— The R&A (@RandA) December 19, 2016

A late rally by the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada fell short on Saturday at Tierra del Sol Resort and Golf, giving PGA TOUR Latinoamérica victory in the first-ever Aruba Cup.

Though the Mackenzie Tour put together a valiant charge, winning five of the first seven singles matches of the day, it wasn’t enough to overcome a daunting 8.5-1.5 deficit, with Latinoamérica prevailing by a 13-7 final score over the three-day match play competition between the two Tours.

“Our guys fought back and made it interesting. It was good golf, and it was fun to see. It’s unfortunate the way it ended, but we rallied back and I’m proud of how our team played,” said Mackenzie Tour captain Stephen Ames, who offered his congratulations to the Latinoamérica team and his counterpart Julian Etulain. “I watched a lot of their golf, and they made a lot of putts. My hat’s off to Captain Etulain and his team on a great victory.”

Early on in Saturday’s singles play, it seemed as though a miracle comeback was in the works, as Dan McCarthy got things started with a win in the day’s first match – a battle of Players of the Year against Latinoamérica Order of Merit winner Nate Lashley.

Taylor Moore followed shortly after with a 2&1 win of his own over Seth Fair, and when a handful of other matches out on the course turned in favour of the Mackenzie Tour, the outcome of the event appeared in doubt for the first time since before one-sided fourball and foursomes matches of the first two days.

“All I could do being the first match out was beat my guy and hope everybody else followed suit,” said McCarthy, a four-time winner this year on the Mackenzie Tour. “We were in there for a while today and we almost pulled off the impossible.”

Although more matches went the Mackenzie Tour’s way – Brock Mackenzie clawed back to earn a half point after being three down with six to play, while Paul Barjon, Max Rottluff and Ryan Williams each won their matches – it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit to start the day.

Martin Trainer notched the clincher for Latinoamérica, securing at least a half point by taking a 1 up lead to the 18th and then sinking a long birdie putt to defeat Michael Gligic 2 up and set off a celebration.

“I’m really proud of the team today. We fought hard and made it interesting at the end. It was a good team effort and a fantastic week,” said Williams, who beat Augusto Núñez 4&3. “It was great to play a team event. We’ve all had good years, and it was nice to come down here to Aruba and get together as a team. It was a real fun week and something I’ll remember for a long time.”

One tournament into his return was all Tiger Woods needed to strike a deal with Bridgestone to play its golf ball.

Bridgestone Golf said Thursday it has signed Woods to a multi-year agreement in which he will play and promote the golf ball. Woods effectively became a free agent for equipment deals when Nike decided to stop making clubs and golf balls and instead focus on apparel.

Bridgestone becomes the first new equipment company that Woods has endorsed since he turned pro 20 years ago. He signed with Titleist (equipment) and Nike (footwear and clothing) in 1996, and his switch to all Nike equipment began with its golf ball in May 2000.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Woods had not played in 15 months while recovering from back surgeries, though he still draws more attention and spikes media ratings more than any other player.

Woods had been testing equipment the last few months after Nike said it was getting out of the hard goods golf business. He used the Bridgestone ball at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, and said the golf ball was the critical component of any equipment change.

Woods tied for 15th against an 18-man field in the Bahamas, though he was hitting a greater variety of shots than when he had last played on the PGA Tour.

The 14-time major champion tends to play a golf ball that spins more than most, and Woods said the Bridgestone B333-S was “hands-down the best for my game.”

“The ball is reacting identical with how I want to play,” he said in a release announcing the deal. “For me, that’s fun.”

As part of the deal, Woods will be considered a Bridgestone ambassador and be featured in all advertising.

Woods also was using a TaylorMade driver and fairway metal in the Bahamas, and he said he put his old Scotty Cameron putter back in the bag right after Nike announced it was out of the club business. He was still using the Nike irons and said in the Bahamas he planned more testing after the tournament.

He has not announced his schedule for next year except for the Feb. 16-19 Genesis Open at Riviera, where he hasn’t been since 2006. His foundation now runs the tournament.

By choosing a new golf ball, Woods went a different direction from two of Nike’s highest-ranked players. Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka said they have asked Nike to set aside as many golf balls as possible.

“I have about two to three years’ worth,” Koepka said in the Bahamas.

McIlroy, who plans extensive equipment testing in Dubai at the end of the month, said changing golf balls would be the most difficult adjustment.

“I need something that works, and right now the Nike golf ball works … with everything in my bag, which is perfect,” McIlroy said in late October.

Woods took the first step with the Bridgestone golf ball. He joins a group of players that include Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker and Fred Couples

Taiwan was Brooke Henderson’s favourite destination on the LPGA Tour this year. Playing in the Olympics, winning US$1.7 million in prize money and capturing her first major were pretty cool, too.

The 19-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., packed more into one season than some golfers experience over an entire career.

Back home this month for a well-deserved holiday break, Henderson told The Canadian Press she feels more mature as she reaches the end of her remarkable year.

“This year gave me a lot of experiences that added a lot of value to who am I am as a person, and what I am on the LPGA Tour,” she said in a recent interview. “I’m happy to come home, and I remember where it all began with my family and friends. But at the end of the day I’m just building a better me.”

Henderson was the LPGA’s Ironwoman in 2016, playing a tour-high 31 events, peaking at No. 2 on the world rankings before finishing eighth. Add to that the Rio Olympics and sponsor commitments and the young Canadian didn’t have much time for herself on her first full season on the women’s pro circuit. But she believes the gruelling schedule has prepared her for the future.

“Where the tournaments were, what the courses were like, what the fans were like, the atmosphere, the communities around the tournaments, and the travelling – like how to get from one city to another and if it was easy or not – were all really important things to learn,” she said. “Now that I’ve done it, I feel almost like a veteran, where next year is going to be a lot easier.”

Henderson won two titles in 2016, including the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, her first career major. She added 15 top-10 finishes and was just two shots out of the bronze medal position at the Olympics.

While many marvel at the teen’s poise and maturity, Henderson’s inexperience did come to the forefront on occasion. In Rio, she left the golf course in tears after shooting 4-over on the final six holes of the third round, a collapse that included a four-putt on the 16th hole.

“Golf is a very tough game and like anything in life there is going to be disappointments where you wish you had played a little bit better or made smarter decisions, but that’s just where you have to learn from it and move in,” said Henderson. “When something really exciting happens – like having my major win or my other win this year – you really have to embrace them and celebrate because they’re hard to come by.”

Henderson will remain involved with Golf Canada’s program next year, although she said she would work with Canadian head coach Tristan Mullally a “little bit” as her father Dave is her “number one guy.”

“I definitely would like to get stronger and hit the ball a little further and work on my consistency overall,” she said of her off-season plans. “I think that’s the big one. And short game. That’s always been something I’ve worked on especially the last few years.”

She will also continue to have her older sister Brittany, a professional golfer in her own right, as her caddy.

“We really make a great team and we know each other really well, which helps us on and off the course,” she said. “There’s always little things that every caddy/player have to figure out, but for the most part I really feel we work great together. I’m really looking forward to next year and hopefully the years after that too.”

The LPGA Tour features two events in Canada in 2017 with the Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge, Ont., set for June 5-11 and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open scheduled for Aug. 21-27 in Ottawa.

The CP Women’s Open is already circled on Henderson’s calendar as the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club is playing host. The course gave Henderson an honorary membership this year.

“I’m already looking forward to that week of the season and hopefully I peak that week,” said Henderson. “Being a member of the Ottawa Hunt Club and having it so close to where I grew up, celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary in the capital, it’s going to be really amazing.”

After getting so close to the top in her first full LPGA season, Henderson admitted she’s more motivated than ever to get to No. 1.

“I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead of me,” she said. “I’ll set smaller goals on my way to that, but I think that’s ultimately the end goal for any person playing on the LPGA Tour.”

LOS ANGELES – Tiger Woods is returning to Riviera Country Club for the first time since 2006 to play the Genesis Open in February.

He announced Tuesday that he will play in the event from Feb. 13-19 that benefits his foundation.

Riviera was the site of Woods’ PGA Tour debut in 1992 at age 16. He says he “weighed about 105 pounds and it was a life-changing moment for me.”

The Tiger Woods Foundation, the PGA Tour and Genesis announced a partnership under which Woods’ TGR Live will manage the tournament at Riviera.

Woods returned to competitive golf earlier this month for the first time since August 2015 at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

He hasn’t announced his 2017 playing schedule aside from Riviera.