Introduced in 2016, the Learn to Compete program incorporates in-depth industry research into a three-stage development program for juniors aged 11–18. Launched in conjunction with the PGA of Canada, Learn to Compete bridges the gap between CN Future Links Learn to Play initiatives and pursuing competitive golf opportunities.

The seven core modules are carefully integrated into the benchmarks of all three stages: New Competitor (11–14), Developing Competitor (14–16) and Advanced Competitor (16–18). The stages are structured to be delivered year-round, where it may take the athlete 18–36 months to complete depending on development and ability.

Brooke Henderson, Canada’s top-ranked LPGA athlete (No.7), tees up the program’s seven core modules and how they contribute to success both on and off the golf course.

Learn to Compete is delivered by PGA of Canada teaching professionals trained under the Coach of New Competitor or Coach of Developing Competitor context.

Looking to register for Learn to Compete? Click here.

For more information on the program or to register off-line, please contact Dave Stockton at dstockton@golfcanada.ca or 1.800.263.0009 x333.

NINETY-SIX, S.C. – Austin James’ sterling junior season was missing one thing. A win. Tuesday, the Bath, Ont., native put the finishing touch on an impressive season, taking medalist honors at the 2016 Big South Men’s Golf Championship presented by Musco Lighting.

The Charleston Southern junior ran away from the field with a 3-under 69 in Tuesday’s final round to win by five strokes. His 11-under par was one stroke shy of the Big South Championship record, held by Dustin Johnson. James had four birdies on the front nine and was a consistent 1-under on the back with a birdie and eight pars.

Austin James – the younger brother of Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Augusta James – trailed by one after the opening round and led by three heading into Tuesday. CSU Head Coach Mike Wilson was glad to see James get the win he deserves after eight Top 10 finishes this season.

“Austin was just solid from the first tee on,” Wilson said. “To have three rounds in the 60’s is pretty impressive here. He hadn’t had a win. He had been really close. To come in today with a three-shot lead and never really get threatened is quite an accomplishment.”

James had a stretch of four birdies in five holes on the front nine to all but put the tournament out of reach, becoming the second Buc in as many years to earn medalist honors. Then-freshman R.J. Keur won the tournament last season.

The Buccaneers (+4) finished third overall, behind champion Liberty and Campbell (+1). The Flames finished at 11-under par to win by 12 strokes. Wilson was disappointed with the team finish, but thought the Bucs let one get away just after the turn.

The Bucs now await their NCAA fate. CSU expects to be into the tournament field for a second straight season. The selection show is May 5. CSU entered the week ranked No. 55 nationally and will likely remain in the Top 60, which has been a good spot historically to receive a bid.

NCAA Regionals are May 15-18 at various sites. The selection show is May 5 at 11 a.m. on the Golf Channel.

CALGARY—Tom Watson will make his debut at the Shaw Charity Classic this summer – the PGA TOUR Champions event that has quickly become a staple on the schedules of the world’s best players over 50.

The World Golf Hall of Fame member has won 39 times on the PGA TOUR, including eight majors. Throughout his illustrious career, Watson has also captured five Claret Jugs as the British Open Champion (1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983) and won both the 1982 US Open and the Masters Tournament in 1977 and 1981.

“I still enjoy preparing for a tournament and teeing it up competitively,” said Watson, who recently made his 43rd and final appearance at The Masters. “I have not played in Calgary before but I have heard nothing but positive things about the Shaw Charity Classic. I am looking forward to getting up there this summer and being a part of the show.”

Named Golfer of the Decade in the 1980’s for his 19 wins and 86 top-10 finishes, Watson is a six-time PGA TOUR Player-of-the-Year and was the leading money-winner five times throughout his career. After playing on four Ryder Cup teams for the United States (1977, 1981, 1983, 1989), Watson captained the 1993 Ryder Cup squad to a come-from-behind victory.

While Watson is now most comfortable playing on the PGA TOUR Champions Tour – where he has won 14 times, including six senior major victories – he did capture the world’s attention one more time in 2009 when Mr. British Open lost in a playoff to Stewart Cink after leading the Open Championship until the 72nd hole.

“The Shaw Charity Classic has been very successful in bringing many of the best names in golf to Calgarians, and we are thrilled to add Tom Watson to that list,” said Sean Van Kesteren, executive director, Shaw Charity Classic. “Having players like Tom Watson continue to tee it up with the PGA TOUR Champions rekindles special memories for many of our spectators and allows them to create new ones with their children. I can’t think of a better way to kick off 2016 than by confirming that one of the most respected and accomplished sportsmen will be coming to Calgary.”

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – The stage has been set for the world’s best female junior golfers to put their skills on display at the third annual World Junior Girls Championship.  Mississaugua Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., will play host to the tournament from September 25-30 as the world’s premier 18-and-under players gather to compete in both team and individual competition.

“We are thrilled to announce Mississaugua Golf & Country Club as the host of this year’s World Junior Girls Championship. The tournament is a great opportunity for Golf Canada to showcase another of the nation’s tremendous courses and to further the development and skill of this talented group of young women,” said Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna.

Mississaugua Golf & Country Club boasts more than a century of rich history, having played host to a number of the country’s most prestigious championships. The course exemplifies the challenge and craftsmanship of renowned architect Stanley Thompson, who was instrumental in designing Mississaugua’s last round of major modifications in 1928. Stretching out over the Credit River, the 240-acre course has welcomed the RBC Canadian Open on six occasions – most recently in 1974.

Conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with Golf Ontario and supported by the International Golf Federation and the R&A, the 2016 edition of the World Junior Girls Championship will bring together 48 of the top 18-and-under female golfers from around the globe with 15 different countries slated to participate. As hosts of the event, Canada will feature two three-member teams in the competition.

“We could not be more excited to once again bring the World Junior Girls Championship to Ontario,” said Mike Kelly, Executive Director of Golf Ontario. “Mississaugua Golf & Country Club is an exceptional venue that will serve as a fantastic backdrop for this competition. We greatly appreciate the support of our generous sponsors and partners without whom this championship would not be possible. We look forward to seeing the Mississauga golfing community rally around this wonderful event.”

The inaugural World Junior Girls Championship in 2014 saw teams from across the globe take on Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont. Mika Liu of Beverly Hills, Calif., captured individual honours in leading Team USA to victory. Playing in her final event as an amateur, Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., finished fourth as Canada One claimed bronze.

The second edition of the tournament was staged at Ottawa’s The Marshes Golf Club. The team representing the Republic of Korea completed a wire-to-wire victory to secure the team title. Hye-jin Choi, a native of Paju-si, South Korea, registered a seven-stroke victory with a 12-under performance.

In addition to the 72-hole team and individual competitions, the World Junior Girls Championship will be a celebration of the sport with a specific focus on the development and promotion of junior girls golf. In the days leading up to tournament play, Golf Canada will host a PGA of Canada coaches clinic and a girls skill development clinic.

“This world-class competition provides us with the opportunity to foster the continued growth and collaboration between the world’s governing bodies in the sport,” said Scott Simmons, CEO of Golf Canada. “We are proud to once again conduct this championship in support of these fine athletes and to aid in raising the profile of junior girls golf.”

The competition’s first round will begin on Tuesday, September 27. The tournament’s closing ceremonies will immediately follow the conclusion of play on Friday, September 30.

Richmond Hill, Ont. – The CJGA held its annual Board of Directors meeting last week at the associations National Head Office in Richmond Hill, Ont.

As members of the board gathered for the meeting, one significant individual was missing, Larry Ungerman. A co-founder of the CJGA with Earl Fritz, Larry passed away suddenly in his Florida home on March 27, 2016. A slide show tribute to Larry opened the meeting followed by individual stories of fond memories and the impact Larry had on the many lives he touched.

On another note, the CJGA Board of Directors gladly welcomed a new face in Grant Fraser.  Fraser is the founder of the Golf Management Institute of Canada (GMIC). Prior to launching the GMIC in 1999, he established the first professional golf management program (PGM) in Ontario at Humber College. Three years after starting the program, he received Humber College’s Innovator of the Year Award.  In 2000, Grant was involved in establishing another PGM program in Ontario at Niagara College where he serves as program coordinator and continues to teach aspiring golf professionals the “business of golf”.

“I am pleased to join the board of the CJGA and look forward to working with Earl Fritz, Brad Parkins and the rest of the CJGA team to further develop junior golf opportunities and initiatives across Canada” said Fraser. “The CJGA has helped so many junior golfers across the country for over 20 years and I’m excited to help in growing the game with them.”

Fraser has authored two books; “50 of Ontario’s Greatest Public Golf Courses” and “Golf Access”.

He is also a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), the Golf Writer’s Association of America (GWAA) and the Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC), where he currently serves as President.

OTTAWA – Growing Canadian golf brand, TheTurn Tee, has partnered with another Canadian on the rise, Augusta James.

James, a former Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion and winner of the Symetra Tour’s 2015 Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial finishing T4 this past week, has signed a multi-year agreement with the Ottawa, Ontario-based brand.

The 23 year-old from Bath, Ontario is currently in 11th place on the 2016 Symetra Tour money list and already has two wins to her credit this season on the National Women’s Golf Association Tour. Her recent addition of the TheTurn Tee to her game has had an immediate impact.

“I am very excited about my new partnership with TheTurn Tee, “ says Augusta. “My favourite club in the bag is my driver so to have the perfect tee to go with it is huge. I love the consistency it gives me with the height of the ball. The first week I put it in play I won so I am excited to keep that momentum going this year!”

Introduced to the market just over two years ago, TheTurn Tee has continued to grow in reputation. The durable 3” poly-carbonate tee was developed and is made in Canada. It is fully adjustable, allowing golfers to set the tee height perfectly each time. Augusta James is using it in the #5 setting.
She joins Web.com Tour member Brad Fritsch who has been using TheTurn since 2014 as a member of TheTurn Tee team; Fritsch went on to win in a playoff at the Web.com Tour’s most recent event, the Servientrega Championship.

Aligning with athletes that have a similar focus is important to TheTurn Tee owner, Jeff Garber.

“This is a journey shared by a Canadian start up business and an athlete on a mission,” Garber shared in regards to the decision to partner with Augusta James. “Working with a quality individual with such a strong reputation within the Canadian Golf community speaks volumes as to what this translates into when it comes to establishing, growing, and building a quality brand.”

He added, “Having a high calibre golfer that is doing what it takes to earn her LPGA card is exciting. In order to get where she wants to be she needs resources and support. TheTurn Tee is in a position to provide this for her.”

In 2015 James narrowly missed advancing to the LPGA Tour after finishing 12th on the Symetra Tour Race For The Card. With her play of late, and the support of TheTurn Tee, the goal is to take that next step

Garber explains, “Expectations are high that Augusta will be an outstanding representative and brand ambassador for TheTurn each and every time that she tees it up. We welcome Augusta on board as part of our team and wish her tremendous success in pursuit of her LPGA card!”

Golfers from coast to coast now have improved access to Augusta’s tee of choice, TheTurn, as the product is now available in Golf Town stores across Canada.

TheTurn is available in five distinct packages, each includes eight tees; Traditional White, Olympic Medals, White/Neon, White/Purple, and White/Blue.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Branden Grace has had his share of big moments. He believes winning the RBC Heritage is his biggest, by far.

The 27-year-old South African had won 10 times overseas, finished in the top five last year in the U.S. Open and PGA Championship, and went 5-0 for the International team at the Presidents Cup. On Sunday, he shot a 5-under 66 to overtake Luke Donald for his first title on the PGA Tour.

“This really puts the cherry on top of the cake,” Grace said. “And I’m excited for things to start.”

Grace has already fashioned a very accomplished career. He’s 14th in the world ranking and three of his seven career wins on the European Tour have come since 2015.

“I can tick this one off the box and head into the next couple of majors trying to win it,” he said. “I have one notch, I’ve done it before and I can do it again.”

Grace trailed leader Luke Donald by three shots when the round began, but wiped out that deficit by the turn with five birdies. Grace took the lead for good with consecutive birdies on 12 and 13.

He overcame a final challenge on the 16th hole, rolling in a 12-foot par putt to maintain a three-shot lead. A hole behind, Donald lipped out a birdie try. He could get no closer.

Grace finished at 9-under 275, two shots ahead of Donald and Russell Knox. Donald shot a 71, and Knox had a 67.

Grace earned $1,062,000 and a PGA Tour exemption through the 2017-18 season, which he said was a weight off his mind and will allow him to comfortably contend without worrying about keeping his tour card.

Grace also became the latest to rally past hard-luck leader Donald at Harbour Town Golf Links. The Englishman has finished second four times and third twice in the past eight events here.

Brandt Snedeker shot a final-round 64 to catch Donald and win in a playoff in 2011. Matt Kuchar shot a 64 in 2014, overtaking Donald for the win with a chip-in from the bunker on the 72nd hole.

Donald said Saturday after taking a one-shot lead he’d need to be aggressive and make birdies. That did not happen. He settled for pars on the opening six holes, while Grace moved in front with four birdies on the same stretch.

Donald got to 8 under with a birdie on the seventh hole, then quickly gave it back on No. 8 when he drove in the water and took bogey.

He caught Grace one final time with a ninth-hole birdie, but could not keep up with the South African.

“I think I’ve got to put myself three or four behind on Sunday,” Donald said. “Leading doesn’t seem to be working out for me.”

Although Donald earned $519,200 and moved past five-time RBC Heritage champion Davis Love III for second in tournament winnings here with $3,063,520.

Graham DeLaet, of Weyburn, Sask., was the top Canadian, finishing tied for 14th at 2-under 282. DeLaet shot par on Sunday. Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., moved up 25 spots on the leaderboard to tie for 30th following a 4 under in his final round.

Bryson DeChambeau, the former SMU star who won the NCAA and U.S. Amateur last year, tied for fourth in his first event since turning pro, four shots behind Grace after a 68. Kevin Na was tied with DeChambeau after a 69.

Top-ranked Jason Day rebounded from a season-worst 79 on Saturday with a 68 to tie for 23rd at 1 under. He now gets a week off before returning to play at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, starting on April 28. He said he’ll use the time to refresh his mind and improve his fitness, which he said got a bit loose during this last run of tournament golf.

Not that it hurt him on the course. In the past month, Day won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the World Golf Championship’s Dell Match Play event. He tied for 10th at the Masters and shared the 36-hole lead at Harbour Town until his third-round blow up.

His finish was his third round in the 70s this week. “A lot of positive stuff” at the tournament, Day said. “I’ve just got to get back, just rest my mind, rest my body and try and get back in the swing of things.”

FT. MYERS. Fla. – Sweden’s grinded on a very windy Sunday at the Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial to capture her first professional victory.  The 23-year-old posted a 3-over 75 to win by one shot at 9-under 279. Sophia Popov (Heidelberg, Germany) finished second and Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong (Thailand) took third at 5-under 283.

Four-time LPGA Tour winner Lorie Kane won the Legends Tour event by three shots at 1-under 143. The 51-year-old Canadian had a 1-under 143 total and earned $19,500. Barb Mucha was second after a 73, and Jane Crafter was another stroke back after a 74.

The first place Symetra Tour check of $30,000 moves Sagstrom to first on the Volvik Race for the Card money list at $52,914 through just three events. Sagstrom becomes the fastest player in the history of the Symetra Tour to cross the $50,000 mark in single-season earnings. In 2015, Giulia Molinaro was the first player to reach $50,000 and she didn’t cross that mark until the Fuccillo Kia Championship, which was the 15th event of the year.

“It feels great, I feel so good at the moment and I had such a great time on the golf course today,” said Sagstrom, who was the 2015 SEC Player of the Year at LSU. “It was definitely tough, but we played pretty well and I had such a good time.”

On a day filled with heavy winds, Canada’s Rebecca Lee-Bentham carded a 4-under 68 on Sunday to finish T8. Bentham’s 68 was the only round in the 60’s.

“I went out there and played like I had nothing to lose,” said Bentham, who was plagued by injuries in 2015 and lost her LPGA Tour status. “I made a birdie on the first hole and from then on I hit everything close and gave myself chances. I never really had to grind for par.”

Bentham, a former Team Canada Young Pro member, finished T4 in last week’s Florida’s Natural Charity Classic, where she carded a 3-under 69 on the final day. She started her first round off with a 4-over 74 and then posted back-to-back 69’s.

This week, she carded a 6-over 76 in the first round and once again played her best on the weekend.

“It’s kind of my trend,” said Bentham. “I always start on a bad round and then work my way up on the leaderboard.”

Coming off last year, where Bentham held conditional status and battled injuries, the Toronto native is focused on making the top ten on the Volvik Race for the Card money list.

“Last year was tough,” said Bentham. “I’m focused on making the top ten this year.”

Her strong finish this week moved her to eighth on the money list.

Augusta James of Bath, Ont., finished 4th and was the top Canadian.

NAPLES, Fla. – Team Canada’s Tony Gil added another trophy to the shelf on Sunday, rallying to win the Terra Cotta Invitational hosted at the Naples National Golf Club.

The University of Houston commit began the day two strokes off the pace set by leaders Andy Zhang of Reunion, Fla. and Andrew McCain of Jacksonville, Fla. Gil found himself still two strokes back on the 16^th hole, until both Zhang and McCain bogeyed two of their final three holes to leave the door open. Gil jumped on the opportunity, birdying the par-5 18^th to seal the come-from-behind victory. He closed the tournament at 2-under par (72-71-71), with Zhang finishing alone in second at 1-under (71-70-74).

Former Team Canada member Matt Williams of Calgary also made his mark in Naples, cracking the Top-10 with a T9 finish at 7-over par. Alistair Tidcombe of Wolfville, N.S., came in at T33 and Team Canada’s Eric Banks of Truro, N.S., struggled to end at T62.

The Terra Cotta Invitational is a “B” ranked event on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), featuring many of the world’s top amateurs and boasting past champions such as Bud Cauley and Matt Kuchar.

Click here for full scoring.

Tony Gil with the birdie on 18 to take the lead at @terra totaling pic.twitter.com/rlO6CyK0wJ

— Greg Hardwig (@NDN_GHardwig) April 17, 2016

DULUTH, Ga. – Woody Austin’s Sunday putter came through again.

Austin tied the tournament record with an 8-under 64 and beat Wes Short Jr. with a par on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff in the PGA Tour Champions’ Mitsubishi Electric Classic.

The 52-year-old Austin has two victories in the last three events on the 50-and-over tour, also winning in Tucson, Arizona, last month. In each win he switched putters for the final round.

It’s an example of why he said “I’m not a normal person when it comes to golf.”

“I do everything quite different than most golfers,” Austin said. “I’m not a range guy. I don’t even go to the range an hour before my round.”

Austin also didn’t go to the range after his 64, instead sitting in the clubhouse for about an hour as Short and others finished. The televised coverage of the tournament kept showing Austin munching on popcorn.

Austin didn’t hear the commentators speculate about why he wasn’t warming up, because he wasn’t even watching the tournament.

“I went in the clubhouse because I wanted to watch the Cavaliers-Pistons game,” he said. “I’m a sports junkie. I was more happy watching that. That keeps my mind off what is going on.”

Austin won the 2013 Sanderson Farms Championship at age 49 for the last of his four PGA Tour titles. His win in Tucson last month was his first on the senior tour.

Austin said his Sunday putter – the same style but black instead of silver – has earned a try in the first round of his next tournament.

Short bogeyed the second playoff after pulling his tee shot left into tall grass for the second time.

“You can’t hit it left,” Short said. “I mean, I’m dead. I knew it as soon as I hit it both times. … I didn’t think I’d be tree-locked on the second time, though.”

Short finished with a 68. He could have avoided the playoff at TPC Sugarloaf, but missed a 6-foot birdie putt on No. 18, leaving him tied with Austin at 11 under. That missed putt may have been more painful than his errant drives on the playoff holes.

“It was very makeable,” he said. “I pushed it. As soon as I hit it, I knew. That kind of stings.”

Paul Goydos had a 67 to finish third at 10 under. Joey Sindelar (67), Tom Lehman (67), Miguel Angel Jimenez (68) and Colin Montgomerie (69) were another stroke back.

Bernhard Langer shot a 67 to tie for 11th at 6 under, ending his streak of five top-10 finishes on the tour this season. He had one win and two second-place finishes in the tournament’s first three years.

Tom Watson, the 66-year-old star who shared the first-round lead a week after playing in his final Masters, closed with a 68 to finish 4 under.