HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – Team Canada Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard recorded a final-round 75 (+3) on Tuesday at the South/Southeast Regional Preview to finish alone in fourth—his first Top-5 collegiate result.

The 21-year-old freshman from Mont-St-Hilarie, Que., led the Division II Saint Leo Lions with a 2-over par finish (73-70-75) at the Mission Inn Resort & Club’s El Campeón course. Chico State’s Lee Gearhart took home medalist honours at 2-under par, one stroke ahead of co-runner-ups Alistair Docherty (Chico State) and Manuel Torres (Lynn).

Fellow Canadian and Saint Leo teammate Joey Savoie of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., climbed three spots on Tuesday to finish T15.

Collectively, Lynn University won the team title with an 880 (+16), two strokes ahead of Chico State.

Bernard, last year’s Canadian Amateur runner-up, will look to keep things rolling with the Lions from Mar. 13–15 at the Southeastern Intercollegiate.

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The beginning of February presented a once-in-a-lifetime experience for myself and Dan Sabourin – we were two of 91 lucky delegates from around the world to experience this year’s R&A Tournament Administration & Rules Workshop.

Dan Sabourin, from Port Coquitlam, B.C., is a long-time Golf Canada volunteer and the current Rules Education Subcommittee Chair for Golf Canada, while I am a fairly new full-time staff member to the Rules & Competitions department at Golf Canada. Despite being separated by 40 years in age and 4,300 km across the country, we bonded as Canadian golfers and together, we took on the experience of the workshop to the fullest.

Our hosts from the R&A conducted a remarkable event with great instruction and presented their knowledge with ease to suit all delegate levels of Rules and Tournament Administration. The role-playing opportunities – accompanied by full-sized practical areas that touched upon each defined area of the golf course – were first class. The most impressive practical demonstration props were a scale-sized bunker (with a stacked turf face) and a legitimate scaffold for Temporary Immovable Obstruction (TIO) relief. The delegates were tested by The R&A staff on a real life scenario that we may face in the field during a championship.

We took part in many group discussions and covered a number of hot topics that are currently under review for the next Rules code. Learning about clubs and equipment rulings was fun and even more interesting when dissecting specific situations and case studies in small groups! Suspension of play and evacuation plans are often something to be dreaded, but The R&A team made us laugh through it by making it extremely exciting, while still focusing on the key components that make a successful evacuation.

Dan and I were treated with guest appearances from both Frank Nobilo (Golf Analyst, Golf Channel, NBC Universal) and John Paramor (Chief Referee – PGA European Tour). It was great to hear both Frank and John’s takes on the Rules of Golf – both from a past player’s point of view and from a rules perspective. I will certainly take away some key points on how to approach officiating in certain situations.

Dan and I met many of the delegates from all over the world. It was truly educational to hear delegates’ stories from Bermuda, Jordan, England, Australia and Spain. It was so interesting to discover similarities and differences in how we administer golf in our home countries and to learn what levels and programs each association has for Rules Officials.

Of course, a trip to Scotland included tackling the Old Course at St. Andrews on our last day. We clawed the teeth of the Old Course, battling high winds and rain on the last few holes, but made it out alive! What a treat it was to play golf in February in a climate similar to our winters in Ontario.

Both Dan and I consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have been picked to attend The R&A’s wonderful annual workshop. It was a fantastic experience and one that we will never forget. To the entire Canadian golf community, I would suggest that anyone interested should become involved with the Golf Canada family – whether as a volunteer on a committee or at a championship, or as a staff member here at Golf House – you never know what opportunities may lie ahead.

Below is a transcript of Golf Canada’s 113th president, Roland Deveau’s, acceptance speech during the 2016 Annual General Meeting.

It is a great honour to accept the nomination to become the 113th President of Golf Canada. It is a responsibility that I humbly accept, recognizing the significant and unselfish contributions made by our previous leaders and all of the many dedicated volunteers, like you, who work each day across Canada for the betterment of our sport.

In the period since I’ve been asked to lead this great organization, I’ve reflected on the many individuals who have influenced me along the way, including many in this room. I’m very appreciative of their help and encouragement.

I also greatly value the words of wisdom and advice I have received from all our prior Presidents. Their collective experience and insight is something I will continue to draw upon throughout the year.

I want to thank Golf Canada’s Board of Directors for their unwavering support. This group works tirelessly to provide strategic direction to our organization. While the Directors all come from different backgrounds, they work as a cohesive group to address our challenges, and pursue the opportunities for the future.

One person deserves particular mention. Our outgoing President, Paul MacLean. Paul came to Golf Canada in 2010 as someone well-known in the golf industry as the leader of a very successful business. He has unselfishly given of his time and his expertise for the advancement of our sport and of Golf Canada. I know that the Board values his unique perspective and we have very much appreciated his words of wisdom and advice. Paul, thank you very much for your service. Because of you, Golf Canada is in a much better position to meet our future challenges.

Scott Simmons, our CEO, and his dedicated staff, also deserve our thanks. While many of us look forward to the opportunities for our organization, Scott and his staff are dealing with the difficult day-to-day operational challenges of running this national sport federation. The Board and I know it is not an easy task. But they do it professionally and with a level of dedication that makes our organization a “best in class” sport federation respected by its peers in this country and by other stakeholders around the world. For that we thank you.

On a personal note, I want to recognize the support I have received from my family and friends. This obviously extends to the most important person in my life, my wife Jacqueline. She has supported me throughout my involvement in golf, and as some of you know, the many other things I have been involved in over the years. I would not be here if it were not for her. Jackie, I love you very much and I appreciate all the support that you’ve given me.
I also appreciate the kind words of support I have received from all of you – the Governors, Provincial representatives and Committee members. I look forward to working together to fulfill Golf Canada’s mandate.

On that note, I’d like to share with you some of my thoughts on the road ahead for Golf Canada.

I have long recognized and appreciated the many individuals, like you, who support the game of golf with your volunteering efforts. People who give a lot more to the game than you could ever expect in return. Whether you work directly under the Golf Canada umbrella, or simply support golf in your community, your collective effort is something that greatly benefits our sport. We simply could not function without it.

There are also many individuals who earn their livelihood from the game. They are the backbone of the industry given their critical roles on the front lines of the facilities. This includes golf professionals, owners, managers, superintendents, and others. Many of these people represent our NAGA (National Allied Golf Association) partners and are here with us tonight.

The common element between the volunteers and those who earn a livelihood from golf is that we all share a passion for the sport. We all want a better future for the game we love.

We all know what we want for the future of our sport. Golf has been very good to all of us in this room. We enjoy the game, the friendships we’ve made and the excitement of a well-struck shot. We have all indulged in the serenity of an early morning round with dew still on the fairways. And we have all admired the golden landscape of our home course in the setting sun.

These are the quality golf experiences that we treasure…

And I believe it is our common goal at the end of the day to ensure that all golfers who play this great game, as well as new enthusiasts, get to enjoy these same quality golf experiences.

But to achieve this we have to work together. As the National Sport Federation, we have to show leadership for the betterment of the game. We have to work cooperatively with the provinces and our NAGA partners. If one of us benefits, we will all benefit. Our leadership must provide the vision for success, but it is critical that all stakeholders share in developing, and are aligned with, ONE COMMON VISION for our sport.

In 2013, we made great progress with the provinces at our meetings in Charlottetown. We have continued the work this past week….Much still needs to be done and I undertake to work with all of you to ensure we reach our common objective.

I understand both the national and provincial perspectives in addressing the challenges that we face. My involvement in golf began at the club level, proceeded through the local zone and extended through to the provincial level. Having now been involved at the national level, I can see the tremendous benefits of working together.

Scott Simmons mentioned it in his CEO welcome session—COLLABORATION. We must avoid duplication, share resources where possible, and become aligned in our strategies.

It is not an easy task, but the greatest rewards do not come without sacrifice and effort. We owe it to the game to ensure every golfer can enjoy the same quality golf experiences that we’ve had.

And we must all work together with our NAGA partners, because we all share the same ultimate customer – the golfer. This is an important time in our sport. The challenging economic climate requires us to find ways to engage with more golfers. We must look for new ways of connecting with our members and the golfing public.

We must be innovative in the delivery of our programs and services and how we connect with golfers. Whether through an attractive suite of member benefits, core services and programing, or utilizing technology to enhance digital experiences through our website or social media, it is critical that we connect with a greater share of Canada’s 5.7 million golfers. And if all are aligned, we will have a much better chance to succeed.

All of you should be proud of the work you do for Golf Canada. Whether that’s running national championships across our great country, long-term player development, handicapping, rules education, or the development of new digital experiences for our membership, we offer “best in class” programs that are recognized both in Canada and around the world.

This organization is respected among our global peers and we will continue to work with golf’s governing bodies, the R&A and the USGA, to promote this game whenever we can.

But in order to grow and succeed, we must be bold. We must take bold steps to show that Golf Canada is a leader when it comes to turning ideas into reality.

We do have people in Canada that are prepared to show leadership. We admire pioneers like Marlene Streit and Diane Dunlop-Hébert, who recently became members of the R&A.

We took our own progressive steps this week with the announcement that, for the first time, Canada has selected two female representatives, both of whom I am proud to count among my friends, to represent our country as our Rules Chair and as our advisory member on the R&A Amateur Status Committee. This shows leadership. I know that Diane Barabé as our Rules Chair and Jean Stone-Seguin with Amateur Status will be tremendous representatives for our country on the world stage.

AND we will be taking bold steps to promote and encourage diversity within our organization by establishing a Diversity Enhancement Working Group, as most of you have heard about this week. That means reaching out to connect with new Canadians and underrepresented groups. It’s also about growing the Golf in Schools initiative—with 10,000 elementary and 4,500 high schools, the Canadian school physical education system is the single most concentrated opportunity to introduce students of all demographics to the sport.

Another big reason I am excited about my term as President is that 2016 marks the long-awaited return of golf to the Olympic Games. I believe the Olympics represent a quality golf experience that I spoke about earlier tonight. It has the potential to attract new enthusiasts to our sport.

George S. Lyon, a Canadian, was the last golfer to win an Olympic gold medal in 1904 and I’m thrilled to have the magnificent Olympic trophy here this week. While we will always celebrate our history and our heritage, the 2016 Rio Olympic Games has the potential to excite a golfing nation.
As the National Sports Federation, we will be part of the mission team including coaches supporting four athletes competing for Canada in the golf competition.

We have 25 Golf Canada program graduates competing on professional tours around the world. Most, if not all, of our four qualifying Olympic athletes will be graduates of Golf Canada’s player development system. A system that is delivering results.

Our sport needs heroes! When Canadian golfers compete and win, especially in events like the Olympic Games, their passion inspires the next generation of golfers to take up the game. We have a wonderful opportunity with the Olympics to share the values and benefits of our sport with millions of viewers across Canada, and around the world. It is an opportunity we cannot squander.

Many viewers who will watch the Olympics may be occasional golfers. Others, including young children, may never have played at all! But they will be drawn to these champions because they are Olympic athletes… If these viewers already play golf, we want them inspired to play more often, or to support the game by engaging with Golf Canada.

I encourage all of you to join me in celebrating the Olympic movement! Many of you have played a role in the development of our young athletes. You may have volunteered at a provincial or national competition. You may have been a tournament or rules official, or helped youngsters learn about the game. Be proud that your work has contributed to their development and ability to compete at the highest levels, including the Olympic Games. The Olympic team is your team! It is Canada’s team!

…And I truly believe our Olympic golf athletes have an opportunity to medal in Rio… and to win!

This is an important time for Golf Canada to leverage golf’s return to the Olympic Games. TO RECOGNIZE that success at the Olympics and showcasing our game on the brightest stage could translate to the growth of our grassroots programs. TO WORK with partners such as RBC, Hudson’s Bay Company and BMW who live within the Olympic and Canadian Olympic Committee ecosystem.

Ladies and gentlemen, athletes like Brooke Henderson, Alena Sharp, David Hearn, Graham DeLaet, and Adam Hadwin are doing amazing things and will look to defend the title that earned George S. Lyon this majestic Olympic trophy in 1904.

In 2016, we’ll see Golf Canada’s marketing and communications efforts infused with an Olympic theme. That also means inviting other industry stakeholders—owners, managers, pros and facilities—to share in the celebration of the Canadian Olympic golf dream.

We want the Canadian golf community to share in the Olympic celebration.

And in doing so, we hope to inspire Canadians to play more often, or feel inspired to take up the game.

Yes, this is an exciting time for our sport and I look forward to working with everyone in this room to create quality experiences for all golfers in Canada. In closing, I wish to again thank the members of Golf Canada for having entrusted me to serve as the 113th president of this storied association.

Thank you.

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., – Effective immediately, fans at PGA TOUR events are permitted to take photographs with their mobile devices throughout tournament week, except in areas of play during official tournament rounds or when requested by players, security, and TOUR officials to refrain from taking a photo. Previously, the policy restricted all photography to Designated Cell Phone Areas during tournament play.

Anything outside of a mobile device, such as cameras and video recorders, are not allowed during official rounds.

Following are the TOUR policy guidelines:

• Devices must be on silent at all times.
• Calls may be placed or answered only in designated “Cell Phone Zones.”
• Devices may not be used to capture audio/video at any time during tournament week.
• During practice and pro-am rounds, photography is permitted in all areas.
• During official competition rounds, photography is prohibited within any areas of competition (i.e. teeing grounds, tee shot landing areas and on/around putting greens) or when requested by tournament staff, security, players, or player representatives. Photography in non-competition areas is permitted.
• Data use (e.g., texting, email, etc.) will be permitted outside of the designated “Cell Phone Zones” all week, but away from play.
• Data use is not permitted when players are in position to compete (i.e., when QUIET PLEASE paddles are raised).
• No video recording is permitted at any time.

“Our mobile device policy has been met with great enthusiasm by fans,” said Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR chief of operations. “We believe the expanded policy will significantly enhance the on-site spectator experience while maintaining a suitable atmosphere for all players on the course.”

In early 2011, the PGA TOUR implemented its Mobile Device Policy which allowed fans for the first time to bring their mobile phones into tournaments. The Honda Classic was the first event for which the mobile device policy was implemented as an enhancement to the overall fan experience. This followed testing at five TOUR events in late 2010 and early 2011 to gauge the potential impact of mobile devices at PGA TOUR events.

The Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, Open Championship, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup and Rio 2016 Olympics are not PGA TOUR co-sponsored events and have their own respective policies regarding the use of mobile devices on-site.

Golf Canada’s 2016 Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place February 25-27 at the Prince George Hotel in Halifax.

The event brought together Golf Canada’s Board of Directors, committee volunteers and staff, as well as representatives from Canada’s provincial golf associations and stakeholders from within the golf industry. The three days included meetings, presentations and discussion in preparation for the upcoming golf season.

In case you missed it, we’re prepared this recap below.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Adam Scott tapped in a 30-inch par putt to win the Honda Classic on Sunday, and the smile was more relief than joy over ending the longest drought of his career.

A small measure of satisfaction might come from the silence he hopes will follow.

Yes, he still can win with a short putter.

In his third tournament since a new rule that outlaws the anchored stroke Scott used for a long putter the last five years, he made enough putts at PGA National for an even-par 70 to hold off Sergio Garcia and win for the first time since Colonial in May 2014.

“Probably good for everybody who likes talking about it, absolutely,” Scott said. “And therefore, good for me. Good for me because maybe we don’t have to go over it too much anymore. Again, it just reassures me I’m on the right track with the things I’m doing on the greens, and I’m just going to try and get better every week. And I think it’s in a great spot at the moment.

“If I can get better and better, then I like what’s to come.”

Scott opened with a 10-foot birdie putt that set the tone, and he seized control early on the back nine when Garcia missed a 3-foot par putt on the 11th hole, and Scott followed with a 9-iron out of a bunker to 2 feet for birdie and a two-shot lead.

Garcia made birdie on the final hole for a 71, forcing Scott to convert his short par putt.

“He played really, really solid,” Garcia said. “I played with him the last two days, and he looked awesome. I know I can play better. That’s the good thing. Without feeling like I was swinging that great, I still managed to have a chance, so I’m happy with that.”

It was the first time Scott won with a short putter since the 2010 Singapore Open. He switched to a long putter that he anchored to his chest at the Match Play Championship and when he won the Masters in 2013, he was the fourth player in six majors to use an anchored putting stroke.

It was outlawed at the start of this year, and Scott had grown weary of talking about it. Overlooked was that he had won 18 times worldwide with a short putter, including The Players Championship and the Tour Championship. He even led the tour in the “strokes gained” category over Tiger Woods, Brad Faxon and Steve Stricker in 2004, before the tour began publishing that data.

All the evidence he needed was the trophy he held on Sunday.

“I’ve kind of said it the whole time. I don’t think it’s going to be that big a deal for me,” Scott said. “It’s some hard work, and I’m not afraid of that. I’m glad it’s going in the right direction, and I’ve putted pretty solid the last couple weeks, and I want to make sure that keeps going.”

The final round was a duel between Scott and Garcia, though Justin Thomas and Blayne Barber both got within two shots at one point on the back nine. Barber didn’t make a birdie over the final seven holes and shot 70. Thomas took double bogey from the back bunker on the par-3 17th and closed with a 69. They tied for third, four shots behind.

Scott had one last hurdle to clear.

Garcia made his first birdie of the round with a 6-foot putt on the 14th hole to close to within one shot. They headed to the tee on the par-3 15th over water, where a day earlier Scott hit two balls into the water and made a quadruple-bogey 7, going from a three-shot lead to a one-shot deficit.

It helped that the tee was moved forward to make it only 151 yards (instead of 179 yards), though the front pin was close to the water. Scott was ready to hit 8-iron when he felt a small puff of wind in his face and backed off the shot. He got back in quickly when he felt the wind die, and the ball landed safely 30 feet away.

After both made careless bogeys on the 16th, Scott faced one more par 3 over the water on the 17th hole, where fans holding beer in both hands hurled insults at Scott and Garcia as they stood on the tee. “Two more in the water, Adam,” one man yelled.

Scott had a 7-iron that he hit “as hard as I could,” and it was a relief to see it find the green. He took a two-shot lead to the final hole when Garcia made bogey, and only needed a simple par for the victory.

Scott finished at 9-under 271 and moved to No. 9 in the world, his highest ranking in 10 months.

The timing was perfect.

This was only his 10th event since a permanent switch to the short putter dating to the Presidents Cup, and he has finished out of the top 10 only twice since then. And he finally had another victory.

“I want to feel somewhat relevant out here when it comes to being one of the best players in the world,” he said. “That’s just down to my results. You can talk it in your head and try and build yourself up as much as you want. But at some point, you’re going to have to have the results to actually prove it.”

Graham DeLaet shot 75 Sunday to finish 6-over and tie for 53rd.

RIONEGRO, Colombia – Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Corey Conners held on to finish solo third Sunday, despite struggling in his final round with a 2-over 74 at PGA Tour Lationamérica’s Avianca Colombia Open presented by BBVA.

The 24-year-old from Listowel, Ont., ran into trouble early in the final round, posting a triple-bogey on the par-4 6^th. The 2015 Masters top-amateur wasn’t able to make up the strokes, but held off the field with a late birdie on the par-4 15^th to secure third place with a one-stroke advantage over a trio of competitors.

Conners held the first-round lead after setting a course record 63 (-9) on Thursday—which was later broken by Ken Looper’s 60 (-12) on Friday. The Kent State alumnus followed that up with a 69-68-74 to close out at 14-under for the tournament, seven back of champion Justin Hueber.

Hueber, 28, fired four consecutive rounds in the 60s at Club Campestre de Medellin Llano Grande to record the victory, his second on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica. The Mandeville, La., native won the Abierto Mexicano last May and also finished 10^th on the Order of Merit.

Chilean rookie Guillermo Pereira captured runner-up honours as the only other golfer to post four rounds in the 60s. The 20-year-old finished at 16-under, five back of Hueber.

The third place finish matches Conners’ best result on the PGA Tour Lationamérica—he finished T3 last year at the Bridgestone America’s Golf Cup presented by Value. Winning Qualifying School earlier this season, Conners is slated to tee-it-up in the next event kicking off Mar. 17. He will split events with the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada when the season stars on May. 26.

CHONBURI, Thailand – American Lexi Thompson won her seventh LPGA title after a final-round 68 that completed a six-stroke victory over In Gee Chun of South Korea in the final round of the LPGA Thailand at the par-72 course at the Siam Country Club on Sunday.

The 21-year-old from Florida hit an eagle on the 10th to go along with three birdies and a lone bogey for a 20-under-par total of 268 to become the first American winner of the tournament.

“I never like to count it as a win until it’s over. I just try to play aggressive and play my best out there,” said the No. 4-ranked player whose four-shot advantage at the start of the final round was reduced to one after the Korean opened with three straight birdies.

“I was just saying I had to make birdies to win this thing. She was playing unbelievable with a three-birdie start there, and I knew I had to make birdies to stop her. I was just trying to focus on my game and nobody else’s out there,’ added Thompson.

Chun, winner of the US Women Open last year, added four bogeys to her eight biridies on the final day to end with a 70 and a four-day total of 14 under 274.

No. 25-ranked Jessica Korda of the United States fired eight birdies for a 64 and a 13 under total of 275, giving her a share of third place along with defending champion Amy Yang of South Korea, who signed off with a 70.

“It would have been nice to not shoot three over yesterday and end up pulling myself totally out of the tournament, but it’s a good redemption around for sure,” said Korda, who recovered from a dismal 76 on Saturday.

PERTH, Australia – Louis Oosthuizen made his first tournament appearance in Australia a winning one, shooting a 1-under 71 for a one-stroke victory at the Perth International on Sunday.

The former British Open champion, who led by three strokes going into the final round, finished with a 16-under total of 272 in the tournament sanctioned by the European and Australasian PGA tours.

Alexander Levy of France was second after a 66, followed by West Australian golfer Jason Scrivener, whose 69 left him in third place, two strokes behind.

American Peter Uihlein (71) and France’s Gregory Bourdy (66) were tied for fourth, three behind Oosthuizen.

Canada’s Richard T. Lee carded a final round 74 and finished tied for 22nd at 7-under 281.

GOLD COAST, Australia – Former No. 1 Jiyai Shin has added the Australian Ladies Masters to her career victory total after shooting a 4-under 69 for a three-stroke win Sunday at Royal Pines.

The South Korean, who has twice won the British Open, led by two strokes after the third round and completed a 14-under total of 278. England’s Holly Clyburn shot a closing 70 to finish in second place.

Tied for third were Nicole Broch Larsen of Denmark (68) and Sweden’s Camilla Lennarth (71), four behind Shin.

Katie Burnett of the United States shot 71 and was tied for fifth, six behind.

Canadian Brooke Henderson, the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 11, shot 75 and finished at 5-under, nine strokes behind and tied for eighth.