UXBRIDGE, Ont. – Golf Ontario is being unveiled in conjunction with the launch of the association’s new five-year strategic plan. Following an extensive process, which began in 2014, the new Strategic Plan points to a reinvention of the current state of the association and a re-connection with golfers and industry partners focused on a clear vision, mission and set of values. Golf Ontario will ultimately break down the walls of bureaucracy and introduces a more welcome community for all golfers and the golf industry as a whole.

“Golf is a game for life enjoyed by tens of thousands of Ontarians. Golf Ontario will be the driving force to introduce more people to golf while enhancing the experience of those who have already discovered this great game,” stated Christian Osborne, Golf Ontario President. “In conjunction with Golf Canada, all partners and stakeholders, Golf Ontario will invest, support and grow golf through community based grassroots strategies. Golf can be for everyone regardless of age, race, ability or means. I am excited for the future and especially the leading role Golf Ontario will play.”

The Strategic Planning process involved reaching out to multiple stakeholder groups within the industry to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the association, and how the association could improve in the future. The analysis of both primary and secondary research resulted in a new vision, a new mission, new values and new strategic pillars that will provide Golf Ontario a road map for the next five years. It is Golf Ontario’s aspiration to become the best Provincial Sport Organization in Canada by 2020 by evolving the sport and establishing a structure to ensure golf’s success into the future.

“We strive to align with all golf stakeholders through a connected golf community which will drive more people to play more golf, more often and most importantly while starting at a younger age,” said Golf Ontario Executive Director Mike Kelly. “All strategic pillars point to Golf Ontario becoming refocused on leading and supporting our industry partners to the benefit of golfers across the province.”

The revised, refined and refocused vision and mission, along with the newly developed strategies and tactics, position the Golf Ontario brand in its leadership role for golf across Ontario.

Vision: Golf is and will always be the most popular sport in Ontario
Mission: To provide leadership and support for all Ontarians to enjoy golf as a lifelong sport

Strategies:

1. Transform our relationship with golfers in Ontario
2. Build communities of golf across Ontario
3. Provide leading high performance junior player development programs
4. Support the development of golf with a diversified revenue generation strategy
5. Transform the organization to deliver on the new plan and meet its mission

These strategies will be supported by a new governance structure which will see certain traditional operational committees evolve into Golf Advisory Teams (GAT). The GAT’s will be led by senior staff and made up of industry representatives and content experts in specific areas. These teams will ensure that all new or revised programs and initiatives align with the strategies and tactics within the new plan and include insight for Golf Ontario’s industry partners.

Along with the strategic plan and brand, comes a new visual identity for the association.

“The new Golf Ontario logo is clean and crisp. It maintains certain elements that establish professionalism that one would expect from a provincial sport organization, and it clearly brings together ‘golf’ and ‘Ontario’ so that all who come into contact with it know exactly what it represents,” stated Kyle McFarlane, Director of Marketing and Communications for Golf Ontario. “We feel it’s also very approachable and the removal of the words “Association of” will help remove any stigma that Golf Ontario is only for private clubs and their members. As part of our goal to create a more welcoming golf community we are making it easier for golfers to relate to our brand.”

The new visual identity will make its way into all Golf Ontario programs in 2016 including ‘Golf Barrie’ our first of many golf communities to be built across the province. Golf Ontario invites all golfers, industry partners and Ontarians to visit GAO.ca to learn more about the new Strategic Plan.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Missing the Masters made Luke Donald’s blood boil. The former world No. 1 channeled that anger to shoot his best round since January, a 5-under 66 at the RBC Heritage that left the Englishman tied with Branden Grace for the first-round lead Thursday.

The two were a stroke ahead of four players, including the world’s current top-ranked player in Jason Day.

Day caught Donald and Grace at the top heading to Harbour Town Golf Links’ closing, lighthouse hole. But he took an unplayable lie in a bunker when his ball bored into the sand and made his lone bogey to fall back.

Donald had been a major tournament mainstay since first playing Augusta National in 2005. However, he has fallen badly the past couple of seasons (he’s 95th in the world ranking) and was forced to watch the Masters at home instead of playing for a green jacket.

Donald shared his frustration on social media, posting on Instagram that not playing the major “quite frankly, it makes my blood boil.”

So Donald turned things around at one of his favorite layouts in Harbour Town Golf Links, posting his best score in three months since consecutive 65s at the Sony Open in Hawaii.

“I feel like I’ve got a few good years ahead of me,” the 38-year-old Donald said. “I don’t want to be sitting at home watching the majors on TV yet.”

He won’t be if he keeps playing like this. Donald got going quickly with birdies on the second and third holes. He moved to 3 under with a birdie on No. 6. After his lone bogey on the par-4 eighth, Donald posted three more birdies on the back nine to break par for the 23rd time in his past 29 rounds at Harbour Town. He has had five top-three finishes the last seven tournaments here.

About the only thing he has not done at Harbour Town is win. A victory this week would put Donald back on the major track.

“I have some good memories and good mojo here,” he said. “It’s nice to continue that with a solid round today.”

Most of the Masters’ main characters took the week off, including new dad and major champion Danny Willett of England and Jordan Speith, whose unexpected collapse over the final nine holes after holding a five-shot lead opened the door for Willett.

Day, who tied for 10th at Augusta National, is the lone top-10 player competing.

Day tied for the lead with a birdie on the par-5 15th and had a chance to move on top by himself a hole later, but slid a 14-footer past the cup. The Australians’ tee shot to the final hole was perfect and his approach seemed destined to strike the putting surface – until it didn’t.

His ball buried into the sand by the bunker’s front edge. Day looked a bit bewildered by the gaffe, then retrieved the ball and hit it close enough to hold off more damage.

Day acknowledged his energy level after last week’s major was low. “But you just have to suck it up and get through the week,” he said.

Grace held the lead at 6 under after his birdie on the 15th. However, the South African missed an 8-foot par putt on the following hole to drop back into a tie.

Grace said he came to Harbour Town after playing last week in part because of last year when his tie for seventh jump-started his run to full-time membership on the PGA Tour.

Defending RBC Heritage champ Jim Furyk is out this week as he rehabs from wrist surgery.

Jason Bohn, the 42-year-old two-time PGA Tour winner, returned to the game after his heart attack nearly two months ago at the Honda Classic with a 3-over 74. He was regularly greeted by well-wishers along the rope and played with a tiny, red heart on his golf ball, a reminder, he said, of what’s most important.

While frustrated with his play, Bohn believed he achieved what he wanted – a return to normalcy after a frightening health scare.

“The golf wasn’t so joyous. If I could’ve gone out and shot a couple under par, it would’ve been a lot better,” he said. “But this was a big round for me psychologically, just to know I could get back to competition. I could work my body as hard as I want to compete.”

Graham DeLaet was the lead Canadian after a 2-under 69. Adam Hadwin was even (71), David Hearn had a 72 and Nick Taylor had a 73.

Bryson DeChambeau, last year’s NCAA and U.S. Amateur champion, played his first event as a pro at Harbour Town and opened with a 70.

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Canada’s streak of success on the National Women’s Golf Association (NWGA) Tour continued on Thursday with Calgary native Jennifer Ha securing her first professional victory at the Timacuan Golf Club.

The 22-year-old Kent State alumna fired three birdies on the day to card a final-round 70 (-2), edging out runner-up Maria McBride of Sweden by one-stroke to seal the victory.

Ha’s two eagles led the way at Timacuan, boosting her to a 4-under par (72-72-70) finish overall. With the win, the Team Canada graduate takes home $2,500 (USD).

Her win follows a pair of victories from fellow Canuck Augusta James of Bath, Ont., who recorded wins in both March and February.

Canada’s Anna Young of Saskatoon was also in action in Lake Mary, closing at 9-over par (71-80-74) to finish T13.

Click here for full scoring.

ACTON, Ont. – Situated on the highest point in the Niagara region overlooking Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, the Niagara River and the city of Niagara Falls, Lookout Point Country Club is an impressive venue unto itself.

The 1922 Walter Travis designed gem is home to World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit, as well as Canadian golfing greats Cathy Sherk, Bill Kozak and Rod Spittle.

Later this year, Lookout Point Country Club will also play host to the inaugural Hyundai PGA Scramble of Canada national final.

Taking place Sept. 29-Oct. 1, the national final features 25 teams—comprised of four amateurs and a PGA of Canada professional—playing in a 36-hole Ambrose Scramble format.

“We’re very excited and proud to be taking the inaugural Hyundai PGA Scramble of Canada national final to such a wonderful venue in Lookout Point Country Club,” said PGA of Canada president Constant Priondolo.

The Hyundai PGA Scramble of Canada is a new national series of events taking place at more than 200 golf facilities around the country beginning this June.

The series of events expects to draw nearly 20,000 amateur golfers—who will form their own team of four players— from across the country. Teams will look to make it through local and regional qualifying with the ultimate goal of playing in the national final this fall at Lookout Point Country Club with a PGA of Canada professional playing on their team.

Each participant must have a valid Golf Canada Handicap Factor in order to participate. 

Every golfer who plays in a Hyundai PGA Scramble of Canada local event will receive gifting and prizing from supporting partners.

In addition to the 36-hole championship, Hyundai PGA Scramble of Canada national final promises to be a golf trip of a lifetime, which includes a festival of special events, prizing, activations and a chance to interact with the latest Hyundai vehicles.

For more information about the Hyundai PGA Scramble of Canada and how to register to participate, check out the championship’s website here.

KAPOLEI, Hawaii – Australia’s Minjee Lee birdied her final hole Wednesday for a 4-under 68 and a share of the first-round lead with Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn at the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship.

In wind gusting to 30 mph at Ko Olina Golf Club, only nine players broke par in the morning wave, while 11 shot in the 80s. That included 2014 Lotte winner Michelle Wie with an 80 in her home event.

“It was just trying to hit it and go find it today,” said Jutanugarn, the 2013 rookie of the year, “because it’s really windy.”

Canada’s Brooke Henderson, the 18-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., who has finished in the top 10 in six straight events, was a stroke back along with defending champion Sei Young Kim, Kim Kaufman, fellow Canadian Alena Sharp from Hamilton and Caroline Masson.

It is Henderson’s first start at Ko Olina. She failed to qualify last year, when Kim holed out from the fairway for an eagle to beat Inbee Park in a playoff.

Top-ranked Lydia Ko is coming off consecutive victories in the Kia Classic and ANA Inspiration – the year’s first major. She had a double bogey on the second hole Wednesday, but rallied to shoot 71.

Jutanugarn’s younger sister, Ariya, led the ANA Inspiration by two with three holes remaining, only to finish fourth. Moriya, who has never finished higher than fourth on the LPGA Tour, managed seven birdies in the breeze at Ko Olina.

“I think the wind made me have more patience,” she said, “because sometimes you hit the bad shot and it’s like, ‘It’s OK. It’s windy today.’ You kind of accept it.”

The 19-year-old Lee is one 14 players ranked in the top 20 at the Lotte. The 2012 U.S. Junior Girls champion finished 13th here last year as a rookie, when she won once and had six other top 10s.

She also had seven birdies in the opening round, to go with a bogey and double bogey. Lee admitted luck had a little to do with her score in the gusts.

“You got to have some luck with it, too,” she said. “It’s not just all your skill. You never know. Mother Nature can throw anything at you. I think I judged it really well today so I’m happy.”

Canadian Rd. 1 scores:

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – The Royal Bank of Canada will return as title sponsor for the RBC Heritage in 2017.

RBC has sponsored the championship for the past five years. The agreement was extended for one year as all parties work toward a more long-term deal.

The tournament won’t have to go back to the sponsor-less days after Verizon decided to end its deal after the 2010 event. The tournament went a year without a title sponsor before forging the agreement with RBC and Boeing – who also agreed to a 1-year extension.

John Taft, CEO of RBC’s U.S. wealth management unit, announced the agreement earlier this week at Harbour Town Golf Links.

The tournament starts Thursday with the final round Sunday.

RBC is also title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open.

Don’t let the label “Iron Lady Golf” mislead you.

Lindsay Knowlton is anything but an “Iron Lady”, despite the title of her initiative of the same name (www.ironladygolf.com), aimed at introducing women to golf.

In fact, Knowlton’s entrée to the game was a touch romantic. “As a teenager, I went to the course with my dad and saw a good-looking guy there and thought, ‘Hmm. Maybe if I hang out here enough, he might notice me.’”

While the outcome of that summer crush remains unreported, it led to a lifetime commitment to golf and the eventual upshot for women looking to get into the game is indisputable.

Knowlton, a former Golf Canada team member, attended Ohio State University on a golf scholarship where she captained the team and was named an all-American. Upon graduation, she moved into a sports-related career with TaylorMade adidas Golf, LANG Marketing and Puma.

As is often the case, it was a chance encounter that focused her ambitions.

“I was sitting in a coffee shop with a friend, talking about a concept I had about taking the intimidation factor for women out of golf, when I noticed a gentleman nearby listening intently.”

That gentleman was a senior executive at one of Canada’s largest insurance companies. He gave Knowlton his card and asked her to call him. Shortly thereafter, she was speaking to a group of women executives at his company about how to get into the game.

“I told them they should say ‘yes’ to golf for so many business and social reasons. My objective was to help them overcome the fear and intimidation that so many women have about getting into the game.”

That was five years ago. It was a message well-received. And it was the genesis of Iron Lady Golf.

Knowlton sensed that this was an untapped and, historically, a challenging demographic segment for golf.

“I got such a positive reaction every time I spoke to women at every level, from corporations to high schools to schools of business. My challenge was to overcome that intimidation factor, that fear of the unknown, that women have about golf.

“I guess you could call me a ‘golf therapist.’ My approach is far less about the swing itself than opening the door to an opportunity to build relationships, socially and in business.”

Knowlton’s business now includes clinics, group and private lessons, and retreats.

“I wish I could explain why women seem to have more psychological and sociological barriers than men when it comes to trying golf. I guess we’re just wired differently. It is something we must overcome and my concept is dedicated to that.

“What is most important to me is seeing someone, a total newbie, who is petrified when they walk in the door and then they leave with a smile on their face after one of my sessions and tell me, ‘I can’t wait to golf.’ That makes everything worthwhile.”

For the record, even though that summer crush is long gone, Knowlton still plays golf with her father.

“In what other sport could I do that? That is just one of the reasons you should love this game.”

Golf Canada is fortunate to be represented by a knowledgeable team of individuals who truly believe in the game of golf and everything for which it stands. In addition to the wonderful work being put forth by the Provincial Golf Associations, Golf Canada’s Regional Directors serve to better connect the National Sports Federation with the thousands of golfers across the country – to hear their voices and to tell their stories – in an effort to strengthen Canada as a golfing nation.

When he was 10, Jeff Hutt picked up his first set of golf clubs at the Fredericton Golf Club and hasn’t been able to put them down since. Nothing stops Jeff from playing – after suffering a bad shoulder injury in 2008, he switched from left- to right-handed for the following two summers and became a 7-handicap on both sides of the ball.

In 2002, Jeff took on his first job in the golf industry, learning the importance of member satisfaction and customer service at Fredericton’s Kingswood Golf Course.  After a few summers, he was promoted to the proshop where he gained valuable experience in sales, club repair services, merchandising, and retail management. Four years later, he completed the Holland College Golf Club Management Program and then graduated with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism from the University of New Brunswick.

Jeff began working for Golf New Brunswick in 2010 in support of junior development and the provincial marketing program.  Within three years, he transitioned into marketing and administration for the Provincial Golf Association.

Armed with 15 years of practical experience and in-depth knowledge of the golf industry, Jeff Hutt joined Golf Canada in 2016 as Regional Director for the Maritimes.

Guy Bernier entered the golf industry in 1981 as a sales representative for Spalding-Top Flite Canada. The Montreal native’s journey with the game led him to Callaway Golf in the role of territory manager for 13 years where he serviced Quebec and the Ottawa Valley. At the end of 2008, Guy answered the call of retirement, but realized after two months that he could not stay away.

The lure of golf drew Guy back to the game and he opened a sales agency, working with golf’s biggest brands. Guy went on to spend time exploring other interests in life, but whichever direction he pursued, he always found himself drawn back to the sport he loved.

2016 provided Guy with an exciting opportunity to give back to golf and once again work in the sport which has given him so much. Through the support of a loving wife, two proud sons and his status as a newly-minted grandfather, Bernier considers himself to once again be the happiest “Guy” in the golf business. With an inspiring passion for the game and a deep familiarity with the region, Guy Bernier joined Golf Canada as its Regional Director for Quebec and the Ottawa Valley.

Christine Dengel is a PGA of Canada golf professional who has accrued more than 30 years of experience in almost every facet of the golf industry.

Prior to joining Golf Canada, Christine was a Territory Sales Manager for Callaway Golf Canada for 19 years. During her time with Callaway, she managed the Greater Toronto Area and Southwestern Ontario territory from 1992-2005 and has managed the Southern Ontario territory since 2006.

Throughout her journey with the game, the Chatham-Kent, Ont., resident has developed an unwavering passion for golf and a steadfast commitment to its development and promotion. Since 2011, Christine has served as Golf Canada’s Regional Director, Membership, Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

Blair Armitage’s love for the game has seen him travel across the nation, having served as General Manager of Dalewood Golf Club in Port Hope, Ont., before taking the post of General Manager at Quilchena Golf & Country Club in Richmond, B.C.

The Vancouver resident is a past President of the Canadian Society of Club Managers, Pacific Branch and a former Director of the British Columbia Golf Marketing Alliance. These experiences have not only broadened his understanding of the intricacies of the sport, but also deepened his appreciation for the game he loves.

Blair began his tenure with Golf Canada as its Regional Director of Membership for Western Canada in 2009.

Golf Canada’s quartet of Regional Directors serves as ambassadors for the National Sports Federation at the club and regional levels. They support Golf Canada programming and liaise with the Provincial Golf Associations with the goal of building a golf community that reaches coast to coast. Region-specific questions and comments can be directed to each Regional Director at:

• Blair Armitage – Western Canada – barmitage@golfcanada.ca
• Guy Bernier – Quebec and Ottawa Valley – gbernier@golfcanada.ca
• Christine Dengel – Ontario and Atlantic Canada – cdengel@golfcanada.ca
• Jeffrey Hutt – Maritimes – jhutt@golfcanada.ca

TORONTO – Canada’s Summer Olympic and Paralympic athletes will be in classic form as they suit up for Rio, sporting traditional styles steeped in the country’s colours and showcasing iconic national symbols.

The latest designs from official outfitter Hudson’s Bay Co. were unveiled live Tuesday night in a dedicated stream on Team Canada’s Facebook page.

In a move that’s being billed as a first, viewers were able to get a glimpse at the uniforms Canada’s athletes will wear at the opening and closing ceremonies months before the Games actually get underway.

Canadian twin brothers Dean and Dan Caten who helm the label Dsquared2 were enlisted to design the opening ceremony outfit. The ensemble is a formal take on athleticwear, incorporating a red, white and black palette.

The opening ceremony look includes a red jacket fashioned from the blend of a windbreaker and tailored blazer, featuring flap pockets, rubberized buttons and a zip pocket on the chest. The back of the jacket has tails with an elastic drawstring and a 3D print of the word “Canada” and the Maple Leaf.

A white jersey T-shirt with tailored sleeves and tails, and a tapered woollen track pant complete the ensemble, which will be accessorized with a classic Dsquared2 trucker hat.

The opening ceremony outfit will also be accompanied by a limited-edition line of T-shirts. The capsule collection includes illustrations of iconic Canadian creatures, including a bear, squirrel and beaver teamed with the Maple Leaf.

Canadian medallists will be sporting a classic track jacket on the podium with the a bold “Canada” wordmark in a colour-blocked band across the chest.

The Canadian kit also features a full complement of sporty hoodies and T-shirts.

“It’s got a very strong and modern and iconic feel, but also has stayed very, very Canadian – and that’s my favourite part about it,” said canoeist Ben Russell.

The apparel and accessories line is priced from $15 to $150. Select items will be available to shop online this week, while the official replica wear will be available at all Hudson’s Bay stores beginning May 4.

The Rio Olympics will take place Aug. 5-21. The Paralympics will be held Sept. 7-18.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL LINE

Golf returns to the Olympic Games for the first time since 1904 in Rio. Players on both the men’s and women’s side of the game will be fighting for one of 60 spots in their respective fields.

Players will compete for their country in a 72-hole individual stroke play competition. In the event of a tie for first, second or third place, a play-off or multiple playoffs shall be conducted to determine the gold, silver and bronze medal.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has restricted the International Golf Federation (IGF) to an Olympic field of 60 players. The Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings will be used to determine the Olympics golf rankings. The top 15 world-ranked players will be eligible for the Olympics, with a limit of four players from a given country. Beyond the top 15, players will be eligible based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top 15. The qualification period ends July 11, 2016.

The Canadian Olympic golf uniform will be unveiled May 11th at Lambton Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

STOUFVILLE, Ont. – Granite Golf Club is embracing cycling—on and off the course.

This season, Granite Golf Club which is located just north-east of Toronto, will be among the first private golf clubs in Canada to offer Golf Bikes as a means of allowing golfers to play a quick round while providing valuable exercise.

“Granite Golf Club prides itself on looking forward, while still embracing the traditions of the game,” says General Manager
Murray Blair. “We feel the Golf Bike is a great fit for a club with an active, engaged, and energetic membership. The opportunity to
put your clubs in the back, jump on a bike and cycle for a quick morning or evening round really elevates the experience.”

The Golf Bike was conceived 15 years ago by avid cyclist Todd May as a means of combining his passions of biking and playing
golf. A prototype was first demonstrated in 2010 and the concept was presented at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando
three years ago. The bike has made significant inroads since its commercial introduction.

“With The Golf Bike, I have combined the benefits of [cycling and golf], bringing the elements of fun, fitness and speed of play
to the greatest game ever played,” May says. “This new spin on an old tradition will provide the avid golfer with the ability to play
at the speed of a cart while getting paid back with fun and fitness.”

Members will be able to use the Golf Bike by simply transferring their clubs to the attached bags, and heading out on the course.

Golf Bikes cuts the average time of a round to around three hours, an important element when lifestyle demands often limit the
amount of time players can allocate for the game they love.

Granite Golf Club is also starting a cycling club this spring, open to members of the golf club, as well as the historic
Granite Club in Toronto. Members will take to the picturesque roads that surround the club, an area that is already very popular
with Toronto-area cyclists wanting to escape the city and explore the countryside on two wheels. There is even on site bike
storage for members who do not want the hassle of transporting their bike back home following their ride.

“ With flexible membership offerings and a relaxed, refined familyoriented culture, Granite Golf Club is really expanding the notion of
what people consider a member club,” says Blair. “This is what the modern club member wants—unique and interesting experiences they
can participate in with friends and family. And that’s exactly what Granite provides.”

For more information on Granite Golf Club, visit www.granitegolfclub.ca.