KAPALUA, Hawaii – Bubba Watson gazed toward the blue Pacific on the first tee at Kapalua and unleashed a big drive with his pink golf ball.

Next up likely will be a lime green ball.

The two-time Masters champion is even thinking of a two-tone ball.

“If we’re going to challenge ourselves, let’s challenge ourselves to make something that’s really off the wall, that’s still playable,” Watson said. “Companies I want to be with are ones that let me have an influence and let me in on the decision-making.”

That company is South Korea-based Volvik, with whom Watson signed a multiyear deal. The Volvik ball mainly has been used on the LPGA Tour in recent years, and Watson represents its first big player on the PGA Tour.

Watson said he initiated the interest after watching the World Long Drive Championship in which the finalists used colored Volvik balls. He previously heard about it from Craig Stadler during the Champions Dinner at the Masters.

“They used a pink one and they used an orange one,” Watson said. “I was watching this, and I’d never looked at the company. So I Googled the website, I looked at it, and read about. It’s a small company. You can’t just come out here and just start boasting and spending advertising dollars and things, because you’ll hurt your company real fast. … They’re doing things differently, and that’s how I noticed them.”

Watson said it wasn’t long after the Long Drive that he acquired some Volvik golf balls to give him a try. He also asked his caddie, Ted Scott, to experiment with them. He tried the S3 model – “it was pretty cool to watch it fly,” he said – and eventually settled on the S4.

Watson also will use a white ball, which Volvik calls the “Blue Pearl” because it has a hint of blue when slightly rotated. Early reports out of South Korea said that Watson wanted to play a green ball at the Masters, which is not entirely true.

“It’s not the same green,” he said.

Watson has always been about color, even the year he wore all white the first time he won the Masters. He had Ping make a hot pink shaft for his driver, and then the club head in pink, which he used to raise money for charity.

He thinks colored golf balls, which haven’t been in style on the PGA Tour in 30 years, could help in other ways.

“You talk about growing the game, why would you not want people to have more fun, make the game more fun, interesting and creative?” Watson said. “Same thing that Ping let me do with a pink driver.”

Watson said he wants to talk to the USGA about using a different colored ball on different holes, though that would be unlikely. The USGA has a “Conforming Golf Ball List” in which each ball is listed separately, sometimes based on the markings. Carter Rich, the USGA’s director of equipment rules and conformance, said each ball color would be a separate listing. As long as the PGA Tour adopts the “One Ball Condition,” Watson would have to stick with the same color for an entire round.

Nike Golf has signed world No. 1 Jason Day to a multi-year contract. The agreement covers footwear, apparel, headwear and gloves. Day will first wear Nike this week at the Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii.

“Joining Nike is a dream come true,” Day said. “The brand is synonymous with the world’s best athletes. I’m honored and can’t wait to be part of the team and working closely with Nike to take my game, and the sport of golf, to even higher levels.”

The partnership comes on the heels of back to back stellar years for Day. The 28-year-old Australian closed 2015 with four wins in his final seven starts, including his first major title with a record-breaking 20-under-par performance at the PGA Championship. That momentum carried over into 2016, with Day notching three wins — including coveted titles at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the WGC-Dell Match Play and THE PLAYERS Championship.

Since turning pro in 2006, Day has secured ten PGA Tour titles – including the RBC Canadian Open – and 57 top-ten finishes.

When he’s not on the course, Day enjoys spending time at home with his family in Ohio, where he and his wife Ellie have established the Brighter Days Foundation which benefits local charities.

TORONTO – Brooke Henderson won twice on the LPGA Tour in 2016, and before the year ended, she added two more honours to her ever-growing trophy case.

The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) is proud to announce Henderson, Mackenzie Hughes, Jared du Toit, and Naomi Ko are the 2016 Players of the Year as voted by GJAC members across the country. Henderson’s two-win season was also named the Canadian Golf Story of the Year.

“GJAC is happy to honour these wonderful golfers and their accomplishments in 2016,” said Grant Fraser, GJAC President. “The accomplishments of the winners – and each of the nominees – show that Canadian golf is in very good hands.”

Henderson captured her first major championship – the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship – in a playoff over Lydia Ko. She became the second-youngest female major championship winner in history, and was the second Canadian to win a major championship after Sandra Post. She then went on to successfully defend her 2015 title at the Cambia Portland Classic. All told, Henderson notched 15 top-10 finishes and earned more than $1.7 million, finishing third on the money list. She peaked at No.2 in the Rolex Rankings, eventually ending the year at No.8.

She also represented Canada at the Olympics in Rio, and her success around the world was named the Canadian Golf Story of the Year. She was the unanimous choice for Female Professional of the Year.

Meanwhile Mackenzie Hughes  – whose stellar year was also a nominee for Canadian Golf Story of the Year – was named Male Professional of the Year. Hughes is Canada’s highest-ranked male golfer, and won twice in 2016. First, he captured the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr. Pepper on the Web.com Tour thanks to a clutch birdie on the 72nd hole. After earning his PGA Tour card by finishing within the Top 25 on the Web.com Tour money list, he went on to win the RSM Classic on the PGA Tour this fall in a playoff.

Jared du Toit was named the Male Amateur of the Year, on the heels of his fabulous season as the captain of the Arizona State University’s men’s golf team but also thanks to electrifying the Canadian golf world during the RBC Canadian Open. He would eventually finish 9th and won Low Amateur that week, after playing in the final group on Sunday. He also represented Canada at the World Amateur Team Championships in Mexico and is Canada’s highest-ranked male amateur.

Naomi Ko was named the Female Amateur of the Year in a close battle over Maddie Szeryk. Ko, who is the second-ranked female amateur in the country, represented Canada at the World Amateur Team Championships in Mexico. She was also the winner of the 2016 Canadian Junior Girls Championship and the 2016 Cambia Portland Classic Amateur Open. She was the medalist at her U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier as well.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Hugo Bernard, a second-year Amateur Squad member with Team Canada, carded a final round 74 (+2) to outlast Ben Griffin in the second playoff hole on Friday to capture the Orlando Amateur at the Orange County National Golf Club.

The Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., product carded a tournament-low 66 (-6) on Wednesday to jump out to an early lead over the field. Bernard struggled to maintain his advantage during his final round, recording a five-over stretch through his first nine holes to set him back of the lead behind with Griffin of Chapel Hill, N.C.

The 22-year-old reigning Canadian Amateur champion battled back on his final nine with three birdies to force the playoff with Griffin, where he went on to win in the second extra hole.

Canadian Jean-Michel Paré of Victoriaville, Que. was the only other countryman to make the men’s cut at Orange County. On the women’s side, Noemie Paré—also of Victoriaville—was the lone Canuck to make the cut; she finished alone in 17^th. Jessica Porvasnik, a senior at Ohio State, took home the hardware with an even score of 216 (68-73-75)—good for a three-stroke victory.

Click here for full scoring.

Canada’s top-ranked LPGA star Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., went behind the scenes with RBC – who have supported her career since she joined Team Canada at 14.

Inspired by her sister and coached by her dad, Brooke has benefitted from a strong support network that includes not only family, but also Golf Canada national team coach Tristan Mullally, the Golf Canada Foundation, and RBC.

Click here to watch the “Team Brooke” video and learn how RBC is helping Brooke reach her full potential.

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.