GAO announces 2016 Board of Directors at AGM
TORONTO — The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) held its Annual General Meeting January 23, at Weston Golf & Country Club in Toronto. At the AGM, the 2016 Board of Directors was announced along with President and Vice President.
Returning in 2016 as President is Chris Osborne (Mississaugua G&CC) who becomes just the second president to serve a second term, the first being Past President Jim King (Westmount G&CC). Vice President for 2016 will be John Gallinger (Meadowbrook G&CC).
“It is an honour returning as GAO President for 2016,” said Osborne. “There are a number of important initiatives the association is involved with for the upcoming year including: our grassroots Barrie Initiative, Strategic Plan launch, continued work with Golf Canada on a new membership model and the World Junior Girls Championship to name a few.”
Returning to the Board of Directors in 2016 are: Kent Trainor (GAO Public Player), Ivy Steinberg (Granite GC), Peter Zakarow (Beacon Hall GC), Carol-Ann Goering (Toronto GC), Anthony Dunn (The Marshes), Mark Hayes (Rattlesnake Point) and OVGA Representative Tom Hossfeld.
The GAO welcomes three new members to the Board in 2016: Howard Atkinson (Toronto GC), Tim Cain (Glen Abbey GC) and Jason Harris (Orr Lake GC).
Also, three board members will be leaving after serving their terms. The outgoing Board members are Alan Trivett (Glencarin GC), John Turner (GAO Public Player) and Jim King, who remains as Past President but is a non-voting Board member.
“I am pleased to welcome new board members Tim Cain, Howard Atkinson and Jason Harris while thanking departing members Jim King, John Turner and Alan Trivett for their dedication and friendship. Executive Director Mike Kelly and his staff have a clear mandate and I look forward to supporting them in these efforts. Sincere gratitude goes out to our volunteers, partners, athletes and participants, without them the GAO would not exist,” added Osborne.
Lawrie leads Qatar Masters, while Weir misses cut
DOHA, Qatar – Paul Lawrie benefited from a putting tip off a friend in shooting a 6-under 66 at the Qatar Masters, giving the former British Open champion a one-shot lead after the second round on Thursday.
The 47-year-old Lawrie followed up a first-round 67 to move to 11-under par, a stroke clear of Nicolas Colsaerts (68).
Lawrie missed the cut in Abu Dhabi last week and was given some putting advice from fellow Scottish player Marc Warren, who said Lawrie’s stroke was too long and slow.
“I’ve been working on it the last couple of days and certainly feels as though I’ve got it,” said Lawrie, who rolled in seven birdies on Thursday and has 13 in all this week as he bids to win the event for a third time.
Joint first-round leaders Louis Oosthuizen (73) and Pablo Larrazabal (72) dropped off the leaderboard, while Sergio Garcia was in a five-way tie for sixth place after a 66 that included a long putt for birdie on No. 8. It prompted Garcia to dance a jig of delight on the green.
“I don’t know if they were dance moves. They were like jabs,” said Garcia, the 2014 champion. “When we got to the ninth tee, I said to my caddie and to the guys, ‘I think that celebration is going to look a little bit funny on TV.'”
Matthew Fitzpatrick, Stephen Gallacher, and Matteo Manassero were among those to miss the cut.
Lawrie is making his 16th appearance in Qatar. He won the event in 1999 and 2012, before going on to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup the same year.
Lawrie went out in the morning and avoided the worst of the windy conditions. Starting on the back nine, he birdied Nos. 10 and 12 and responded to a bogey at No. 15 by picking up more shots on the 16th and 18th holes. More birdies came on the fourth, seventh and ninth holes.
“I got a little frustrated after No. 15 because I thought, ‘You are not taking advantage of the conditions,'” Lawrie said.
Canada’s Mike Weir shot a 76 Friday for a two-day total of 149 (+5). He’ll miss the cut for a second straight week.
Changes to Golf Canada’s Handicap System for 2016 released
The 2016 golf season will see the implementation of a new Handicap cycle. This two-year cycle is effective March 1, 2016 – February 28, 2018. Below you will find information regarding the changes that have been made in the Golf Canada Handicap Manual for a quick reference Six significant changes are seen in the upcoming edition of the Golf Canada Handicap Manual, which will impact approximately 3.3 million golfers who hold a Handicap Factor® issued throughout Canada and 10 provincial associations. Those highlighted changes include:
Definition of a tournament score: Additional guidance is provided to Committees conducting competitions regarding the definition of a tournament score, placing greater emphasis on “significant events.” The definition excludes fundraising events and regular league play, in favor of designated competitions such as a member/guest or club championship, local amateur tournament or national qualifying and competition. (Section 2: Definitions)
Adjusting hole scores: A revised decision provides clarity for acceptable scores in limited situations where the player has not played a hole(s) under the Rules of Golf, but his or her score would be sufficiently accurate for handicap posting purposes. Three areas covered under the examples include: 1) where the Local Rule is not in effect, but a player chooses to use a Distance Measuring Device or preferred lies; 2) where a player does not wish to cause undue delay; or 3) where the situation is outside of the player’s control, such as an incorrectly marked golf course. (Section 4: Adjusting Hole Scores)
Posting scores when a player is disqualified: To improve alignment with the Rules of Golf, the revised Handicap System is clearer about what scores are acceptable when a player is disqualified. In general, a score is acceptable for handicap purposes even when a player fails to hole out, or apply a Rule that affects the rights of another player. If the disqualification breach is determined to provide an advantage for the player, the score is deemed unacceptable for handicap purposes. (Section 5-1: Acceptability of Scores)
Anchoring and posting: A new reference concerns a player who anchors the club while making a stroke during a round and fails to apply the appropriate penalty or an adjusted hole score (Section 4-2). Since the score would not be reflected as playing under the Rules of Golf, it would be unacceptable for handicap purposes. (Section 5-1: Acceptability of Scores)
Playing alone and necessary peer review: To further support the key System premise of peer review, scores made while playing alone will no longer be acceptable for handicap purposes. This change underscores the importance of providing full and accurate information regarding a player’s potential scoring ability, and the ability of other players to form a reasonable basis for supporting or disputing a posted score. (Section 5-1: Acceptability of Scores). Playing alone means completely by yourself with no others in the group at all (one-some). If you play with three strangers, that is acceptable and the score would be post-able for handicap purposes. Even if a walking witness/attester (not playing) such as a family member or caddie was present, that score would still count for handicap purposes (if played under the Rules of Golf). Player names need not be supplied with your scores, that is simply an option that exists in the Golf Canada Score Centre for those that wish to provide them, and is not a requirement for a score to be posted/accepted for handicap purposes.
This decision was also made in an effort for Canada to to be more in alignment with the rest of the world’s handicapping policy on unaccompanied rounds, for the possible formation of a World Handicap System.
Committee responsibilities: In an effort to assist the Handicap Committee with its responsibilities, this revision addresses a player with a temporary disability or permanent disability who has a Handicap Factor that is no longer reflective of his/her current potential ability. In the particular instance cited, the Committee will no longer assign a local handicap (denoted with the letter “L” for local use only), but instead will issue a (temporary) modified Handicap Factor (denoted by the letter “M”). This change supports the portability of a disabled player’s handicap, so that it can be used outside the player’s home club. (Section 8-4c: Handicap Factor Adjustment by Handicap Committee)
An overview of these changes with more detailed information can be found here. The complete Golf Canada Handicap System Manual will be posted to golfcanada.ca/handicapping, and it will be available for purchase on the Golf Canada e-store before the start of our cycle.
Additional reading:
Golf Canada announces 2016 Team Canada Young Pro Squad
Golf Canada is pleased to announce the six athletes – two female and four male – who have been selected to the 2016 Team Canada Young Pro Squad.
Comprising the team for 2016 is: Sue Kim (Langley, B.C.); Augusta James (Bath, Ont.); Albin Choi (Toronto); Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ont.) Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.); and Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.).
The focus of the Young Pro Squad – now in its third year – is to bridge the gap for top graduating amateurs transitioning into professional golf. The program was developed in partnership with the PGA of Canada and is generously funded by founding partners Canadian Pacific and RBC, as well as supporting partners Citi Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation Women’s Fund.
“We are very proud of the Team Canada Young Pro initiative and how it is helping to bridge the gap between amateur and professional golf,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “These fine athletes have demonstrated clear commitment to the game and the results over a short period have been tremendous.”
Heading up the female contingent is long-standing Amateur Squad member Augusta James, who is looking to build on a strong year competing on the Symetra Tour in 2015. Her rookie campaign was highlighted by a victory at the Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial and two runner-up finishes. The 22-year-old finished at No. 12 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list. A former Canadian Women’s Amateur champion and three-time Amateur Squad member, James will return to the Symetra Tour in 2016 with priority status.
“I’m grateful to be back with Team Canada, which has played a huge role in my development as an amateur athlete,” said James, who currently ranks fourth among Canadians on the Women’s Rolex World Golf Rankings. “Golf Canada has been with me for most of my golfing career and I am honoured to move up to the Young Pro Squad.”
Joining James on the Women’s Young Pro Squad is Sue Kim, who has been with the program since its inception in 2014. The 24-year-old had a win at the Symetra Tour’s Florida Natural Charity Classic to go alongside two additional Top-25 finishes. Kim completed the season at No. 32 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list and will hold priority status on the Symetra Tour for 2016.
“I’m very excited to be a part of this great program once again,” said Kim, a graduate of Team Canada’s Amateur Squad program. “The support I’ve received has been a huge boost for my professional career and I have big hopes for 2016.”
On the men’s side, four members of the 2015 Young Pro Squad will return to the program in 2016.
Taylor Pendrith makes his return to the men’s squad following a breakthrough season in which the 24-year-old compiled three runner-up finishes and two additional Top-10 finishes on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada. The Kent State alumnus also tallied two Top-25 finishes on the Web.com Tour to cap an impressive rookie year as a professional. Pendrith finished third on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Order of Merit to become one of five athletes to graduate onto the Web.com Tour with granted status for 2016.
“Having the Young Pro program so invested in my future success is very humbling,” said Pendrith. “I’m so happy to have all the guys back and am thankful for the continued coaching and advice from Derek (Ingram) and the sport science team.”
Mackenzie Hughes and Albin Choi, both members of the Young Pro Squad since its inception, will return for a third consecutive year.
Hughes, 25, earned status on the Web.com Tour in 2016 with a T21 finish at stage-three of Qualifying School in December. A former two-time Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, Hughes’ season featured seven Top-25 finishes on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, with his best result a T3 finish at the ATB Financial Classic. The former Kent State Golden Flash finished 13th on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada’s Order of Merit in 2015.
“The ongoing support from Golf Canada and the program supporters is a huge boost for me and my goals to improve my game,” added Hughes. “I’m very thankful for what the Young Pro program has meant to my career and continued development.”
Choi recorded three Top-10 finishes including a victory on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada in 2015 to finish the year sixth on the Tour’s Order of Merit. An Amateur Squad graduate, Choi also added two wins on the SwingThought Tour to his résumé in 2015. The 23-year-old former Canadian Men’s Amateur champion will hold conditional status on the Web.com Tour this season as a result of his T14 finish at stage-three of Qualifying School.
“I’m thrilled to be back on the Young Pro Squad and continue my journey as member of the Team Canada family,” said Choi. “The program has been such a huge help for my career and I’m looking forward to making great strides in 2016 to perform at the highest level.”
Rounding out the male contingent is three-time Amateur Squad member Corey Conners. In 2015, the 24-year-old recorded two Top-10 finishes on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada, two Top-25 results on the Web.com Tour and a T3 finish on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica. Conners – who competed in the 2015 Masters because of a runner-up finish at the 2014 U.S. Amateur, finished his rookie year as a professional at No. 37 on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Order of Merit. He recently earned medalist honours at PGA Tour-Latino America Qualifying School to secure his playing status on that Tour in 2016.
“This will be my fifth year with the Team Canada program which has become a strong bond – almost like a family,” reflected Conners. “I’m thrilled to be back on the Young Pro Squad and am looking forward to a successful 2016 season.”
Men’s National Squad coach Derek Ingram and Women’s National Team coach Tristan Mullally, both PGA of Canada Class “A” members, will provide coaching to their respective Young Pro athletes. In addition to funding and coaching support, the athletes will have access to Team Canada’s sport science staff, which includes Psychologist Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood, and Physiotherapist & Strength Coach Greg Redman.
“I’m excited to see these young athletes further their progress through the professional ranks as they build upon their careers,” said Gary Bernard, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Canada. “The commitment Golf Canada has shown in collaborating with the PGA of Canada in our world class teaching and coaching certification programs is commendable.”
The continued success of the Young Pro Squad is due in large part to a focused fundraising effort on the part of the Golf Canada Foundation.
“Now entering our third year of support, generating funds for the Young Pro program remains a top priority for the Golf Canada Foundation,” said Foundation CEO Martin Barnard. “We look forward to the continued success of the Golf Canada Young Pro Squad in developing the next wave of professional Canadian golfers to inspire golfers of all ages and abilities.”
Throughout the season, Golf Canada will closely monitor the performance of elite Canadian amateurs transitioning to professional golf with the possibility of program expansion.
Click here to read Team Canada Young Pro Squad player bios.
FAQ: Playing golf alone and peer review
Why will scores made while playing alone no longer be eligible for handicap purposes?
Peer Review is a key principle of the Golf Canada Handicap System and these changes have been made in part to support this. This change helps golfers form a better basis to support or dispute scores that have been posted to a player’s scoring record, which in turn assists with the integrity of the Handicap System.
The majority of handicapping authorities around the globe have employed this policy for some time. With them, Golf Canada believes it provides a more accurate view of a golfer’s ability, supporting integrity, fairness and equitable play among all golfers.
What constitutes not playing alone?
As long as someone accompanies the player during the round (e.g., fellow competitor, opponent, caddie, marker for a tournament, friend riding along in a cart) the player is not playing alone.
How can you stop me from posting my scores for handicap purposes if I do play alone?
The Handicap System has always relied on:
- golfers to post their scores in accordance with handicap system procedures
- golfers having the ability to review their fellow club members scores and handicap
- Club Handicap Committee to fulfill its duties and responsibilities (help maintain the system at the club).
This decision doesn’t change any of those requirements going forward – those pieces are key to the successful implementation of the Handicap System at any club.
How many holes can a player play alone to post the score?
Section 5-1 Acceptability of Scores in the Golf Canada Handicap Manual states the minimum number of holes that need to be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf for a score to be posted. This Rule holds true for the number of holes, at least seven holes for a nine-hole score or 13 holes for 18-hole score, a player must be accompanied for a round to be acceptable for score posting.
For holes played alone (not accompanied), the player would treat these as not played under the Rules of Golf and post according to “par plus” any handicap strokes the player is entitled to receive.
(For more information, see Section 4-2).
Note: If a player plays nearly all holes accompanied but just a few alone, the holes played alone are determined using “par plus,” keeping in mind the maximum that can be played alone in a round eligible for posting is two holes for a 9-hole score and five holes for an 18-hole score. Some examples would be starting out alone and joining up with a player(s), or starting out accompanied and finishing the round alone.
I thought this was a game of honour and integrity which includes trust. This rule seems to go against that tradition of the game, it seems I’m presumed guilty if I play alone?
Golf Canada supports strengthening Peer Review in Handicapping – when scores are attested it adds to the integrity and credibility of the handicap system and Handicaps being issued.
Playing golf with others affords the benefit of having someone who can testify to your ability and acknowledge the accuracy of your Handicap when you happen to play that once-in-a-lifetime round to win an event.
Why the change/reversal by Golf Canada on the ‘rounds played alone’ position?
After much thought and discussion among our Board of Directors, our Handicap Committee, and after consultation with the USGA, Golf Canada now better understands all of the reasons and big-picture considerations that led to the adoption of the new rule regarding unaccompanied rounds.
Therefore, we have concluded that it is in the best interests of the game for Golf Canada to move towards adoption of all the new 2016 Handicap Rules, including the rule on unaccompanied rounds.
Isn’t one of your mandates to grow the game and be more inclusive? How does this decision support your mandates as it seems exclusive not inclusive?
This decision was twofold:
- to enhance “Peer Review” and thereby adding to the Integrity and credibility of the Handicap System
- to allow Golf Canada to be more aligned worldwide where the majority of rounds played alone are not accepted for handicapping purposes.
To be inclusive, Golf Canada is keenly interested in encouraging all golfers to maintain and post all of their scores. As such Golf Canada is working towards a solution to allow unaccompanied rounds to be entered into our Score Centre, so that golfers can continue to track their statistics, with the full knowledge that they will be excluded from the calculation of an Official Handicap.
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Oosthuizen shares lead in Qatar, Weir shoots 73
DOHA, Qatar – Louis Oosthuizen made another fast start to his first tournament of the year, shooting a 7-under 65 in the first round of the Qatar Masters to share the lead with Pablo Larrazabal on Wednesday.
The 2010 British Open champion has won his first event of the calendar year in four of the last five years, and is in a good position already in Qatar after rolling in seven birdies in a bogey-free round.
“I don’t know the reason why I always play well in January – probably because I’m well rested after a long break and a holiday. I should take more eight-week breaks,” said Oosthuizen, who is bidding to become the fourth South African winner in six events so far in the 2016 European Tour campaign.
“I enjoy the time away from the course and not touching my clubs, and afterwards I’m ready to go again and hungry to get back playing.”
Larrazabal also made seven birdies and no bogeys after the Spaniard hit 17 greens in regulation at Doha Golf Club, where 36 players broke 70 despite the windy conditions.
Andrew Johnston and Nicolas Colsaerts are a shot behind along with Swedish Challenge Tour graduate Bjorn Akesson, who was 7 under after 11 holes but bogeyed No. 8 – his 17th hole.
“I changed my grip a little bit this morning on the driving range, and it worked out really well today,” Akesson said. “So I would say that’s the key.”
Colsaerts, a big-hitting Belgian playing only his second event since mid-October, had six birdies.
Defending champion Branden Grace and 2014 winner Sergio Garcia shot 70s.
Mike Weir shot an opening-round 73 for a share of 80th at 1-over.
Solo play: a global perspective
The mechanics and philosophy of handicapping are a mystery to the majority of golfers. A mystery vital to our enjoyment of the game and equitable competition with other golfers, but a mystery nonetheless.
To compound that, let’s get metaphysical.
We are all familiar with the centuries-old conundrum, “If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?”
Substitute “unaccompanied rounds” for that hypothetical tree and that may help you understand the recent decision by the USGA and Golf Canada to disallow solo round scores for handicapping purposes.
On Jan. 22, Golf Canada announced it would follow the USGA’s lead in this contentious matter.
That announcement was not without its own controversy as it represented a reversal from an earlier declaration that, in contrast to the USGA, Golf Canada would allow solo rounds to be posted for handicap purposes. But that criticism, in retrospect, was short-sighted and did not take into account the long-term view of the future of the game globally.
“After careful consideration and additional discussion among our Board of Directors and Handicap Committee, Golf Canada will align with all handicap rules changes announced by the USGA at the end of last year,” Golf Canada said in a statement posted on its website. “This also includes the provision that applies to unaccompanied rounds. These changes are part of a bigger picture to unify the handicap rules, and support the possible formation of a World Handicap System, which we wholeheartedly endorse.”
Last May, John Paul Newport foretold this in the Wall Street Journal.
“The USGA is leading an effort to get the world’s six handicapping authorities on the same page. The U.S. handicap system, including the USGA’s course rating and Slope system, would be the basis for the proposed World Handicap System, but it would incorporate the best elements from the other handicapping schemes. This initiative is the final piece in a long-term push for unified golf governance around the world. In the last decade or so, the USGA and its governing partner, the R&A (which oversees the game everywhere but in the U.S., Mexico and Canada) have pretty much consolidated the game in three other areas: the playing rules of golf, equipment regulations and most recently the code of amateur status.”
Contrary to popular belief, the R&A does not oversee handicapping. In 1927, they handed that responsibility to the Council of National Golf Unions for golfers in Great Britain and Ireland. The European Golf Association controls handicapping on that continent. Corralling CONGU, the EGA and the other bodies into the fold remains a challenge for the USGA, but they are working hard to do so. It is an admirable goal for the eventual betterment of the game.
Many years ago, when I was working for the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada), I was involved in the conversion of our course rating system to the USGA’s revolutionary Slope system, the brainchild of Dean Knuth. It leveled the playing field, handicap-wise, for golfers across North America and has been adopted in more than 160 countries. Although some countries still maintain the antiquated and inequitable Standard Scratch Score system, the hope is that in the near future, the Slope concept will be accepted globally. Likewise, the new handicapping rules.
In my view, the USGA and Golf Canada should be applauded for seeking global consistency on handicapping and course rating. This will face significant challenges, but it will be a goal worth attaining, hopefully sooner than later.
Like the tiny percentage of golfers who play solo rounds, most of my outings are a few holes very early on a summer morning or at twilight. I carry half a set, play a couple of balls and do not strictly abide by the Rules of Golf. My anecdotal observation is that I am typical of my fellow solo golfers.
Keeping in mind that peer review is fundamental to posting scores, I don’t feel this decision by Golf Canada impugns my integrity. Neither do I subscribe to the popular theme that Golf Canada is kowtowing to our neighbour to the south.
I don’t post those unaccompanied scores. Never have.
As a result, my figurative tree makes no sound when it falls, handicap-wise.
Truth be told, that makes my solitary outings more enjoyable. They are a secret between me and the game.
So, fellow soloist, please don’t lose sight of golf’s global forest for the sake of your solitary tree.
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Henderson hopes to build on strong rookie season in Olympic year
Canadian golfer Brooke Henderson is coming off a breakthrough rookie season. She’s hoping to build off it as she aims for bigger things in 2016 and beyond.
“I’m looking to get a few more wins on the LPGA Tour and hopefully a major championship within the next couple of years,” Henderson said. “I know that requires a lot of hard work and improvement on my behalf and a solid week (at each event). But I know it’s possible and I’m just looking forward to getting the chance to do it.”
Henderson will begin her season this week at the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic. The US$1.4-million tournament begins Thursday at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island.
As a 17-year-old without full-time status, Henderson had an unpredictable first half of the season last year. She often had to rely on sponsor exemptions and qualification rounds to enter tournaments.
Things changed last August when she blew away the field at the Cambia Portland Classic to win her first LPGA Tour event by eight strokes. Henderson was immediately given full Tour membership and can now play a full schedule without the hassle of chaotic travel plans and the grind of qualifiers.
“I want to go out and make a good name for myself and see if I can make a long career out of it,” Henderson said in a recent interview.
After spending the holiday season in her hometown of Smiths Falls, Ont., Henderson has spent the last few weeks preparing for the season at the Indigo Lakes Golf Club in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Henderson rocketed over 200 spots in the world rankings last year before settling at the No. 18 position. She’s hoping improvements to her short game will help get her into the top 10.
“I want to make sure that around the green I’m very consistent,” she said. “Especially against the top (players) in the world. They’re so good. Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed that if I could improve a little bit, it’s definitely around the green. So I’ve been working hard on that and just getting my mental game up to where it should be.”
Canadian women’s national team coach Tristan Mullally has worked with Henderson over the last four years. He thinks one of her strongest assets is that she’s not limited to one particular style – she can remain consistent regardless of the course.
“More variety of shots. She is powerful. She’s not one of the longest hitters in the game but she’s consistently in the right place in the fairways,” he said. “Her overall length compared to the others is probably very close to the top 25 or 30 in terms of length. But she’s higher (with her) accuracy.”
Henderson is also a virtual lock to represent Canada when golf makes its return to the Olympic program at the Summer Games in August.
“Rio is definitely one that really stands out,” Henderson said of the tournaments this season. “Being able to play in the Olympics and represent your country is an unbelievable experience that I’m really excited for. Along with that, there are five other majors on the LPGA Tour, which definitely stand out and are weeks when I want a peak performance.”
Some of Henderson’s best results have come at major events. She finished tied for fifth at both the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open last year.
“After the season I had last year, I know anything is possible,” she said. “Like I said there’s a lot of hard work that still needs to be done and little improvements. But it’s exciting to be in the position that I am … I’ve been given a gift and I want to make the most of it.”
Depending on how things work out, she could play in over 30 events this season.
“I think it’s a pretty remarkable story,” Mullally said. “And this year because she’s going to be able to plan her schedule, because there is a more consistent way to go about things, her preparation will just be better.”
Sei Young Kim of South Korea is the defending champion at this week’s Tour stop. Henderson finished in a tie for 33rd place last year.
TV’s Murdoch Mysteries features golf whodunit
In case you missed it, this weeks episode of the Canadian TV crime drama Murdoch Mysteries titled “A Case of the Yips” was about the death of a golfer on a golf course.
During the episode, lead crime detective Murdoch crosses path with the late George S. Lyon – a Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member and reigning Olympic gold medalist for golf – while solving the case.
The fictional golf course, the venue for much of the episode, is the Toronto Athletic Golf Club. Rumour has it that this episode was filmed at Heritage Hills in Barrie, Ont.
The full episode is below. Grab some popcorn and enjoy the show.
TaylorMade completes M Family with introduction of M2
CARLSBAD, CALIF. – TaylorMade Golf today unveiled M2 drivers, fairways and rescue clubs to complete the M family. In M2, engineers have utilized the same proprietary multi-material combination, including the seven-layer carbon composite crown found in the M1, to develop a line of products that deliver two highly sought-after performance benefits: distance and forgiveness.
Similar to M1, the M2 product line meets the challenge of delivering more performance to players of all skill levels with the utilization of multi-material construction (driver and fairway). From the outset, the key product deliverable for the M2 line has been to deliver maximum forgiveness without sacrificing distance. TaylorMade has achieved this by leveraging the weight savings from the carbon crown and redistributing the discretionary weight to the sole of the club, resulting in a low and slightly farther back centre of gravity. This ultimately gives many golfers what they want: distance and forgiveness, without compromise. The result is a family of clubs that deliver hot trajectories with massive sweet spots and maximum forgiveness.
Multi-Material Construction (Driver)
Similar to the composition of M1, the use of TaylorMade’s carbon composite crown design in the M2 driver has resulted in a significant decrease in overall crown weight and with that, engineers have been able to lower the CG considerably. The total weight savings of 5g creates a dream scenario for our engineers, giving them enough discretionary weight savings to generate a remarkably hot trajectory with maximized forgiveness. Whereas the savings in weight in the M1 was used to develop the company’s revolutionary T-Track System, the combination of the carbon crown with titanium casting technology in the M2 driver has enabled engineers to move the CG into a position of simultaneous speed and forgiveness.
Sweetspot & Ball Speed Protection
With forgiveness a priority in M2, TaylorMade engineers focused on three key performance features that deliver ball speed protection on shots struck away from centre-face: inverted cone technology (ICT), a redesigned Speed Pocket; and increased moment of inertia (MOI).
The M2 driver utilizes inverted cone technology (ICT) to increase the size of the high-COR area of the clubface. ICT utilizes a thinner clubface, which would be above the legal limit for COR at the centre if it were uniform thickness. However, the inverted cone feature is then added to the centre of the clubface to bring that section back down to the legal range, while the higher COR remains out on the heel and toe areas of the face.
M2 also features a redesigned Speed Pocket. It allows for greater face flexion than with a traditional, more rigid connection. More flexibility means greater energy transfer at impact made low on the face and thus, more protection of ball speed.
Lastly, the centre of gravity in the M2 driver has been positioned low and slightly further back in the clubhead. In M2, the moments of inertia (MOI) are among the highest of any club we’ve ever produced. The increased MOI resists twisting at impact, resulting in farther and straighter shots when struck off-centre.
Design Aesthetics
Like M1, the M2 driver head is designed with a classic club head shape and fast, aggressive aesthetics where the black carbon meets the white titanium. The design suits the eye of better players from address but delivers performance for all, with maximized aerodynamics, face area, and a low centre of gravity. The structural changes in the design of the club head include a lowered front face area that still has the traditional rounded face shape from address, as well as a raised front crown and sloping rear crown section to maximize low CG without compromising the aerodynamic benefits.
Personalization
The 12 position loft sleeve of the M2 driver provides up to four degrees of loft adjustment. In addition to the stock Fujikura Pro shaft, TaylorMade will offer upwards of 30 additional premium custom shaft options at no upcharge.
Availability and Pricing
Available beginning February 19 at $499.99 CDN, the M2 driver is available in 9.5°, 10.5° (RH & LH) & 12° (RH only) loft options.
M2 Fairway
Similar to the M2 driver, the multi-material carbon crown on the M2 fairway has created 5g of discretionary weight savings, allowing for an extremely low CG. The shallow head design delivers versatile playability from the tee and fairway. A new, fluted hosel design provides superior sound and feel without compromising distance. In all, the M2 fairway is engineered for dominant performance in every detail of the club, delivering exceptional distance and superior look and feel.
Redesigned Speed Pocket
In 2012, TaylorMade redefined the metalwood category and changed the state of the industry with the introduction of RocketBallz and the creation of the first ever Speed Pocket. Since then, company engineers have been relentlessly working toward creating a longer, faster and more forgiving product, taking everything learned from the success of the best-selling fairway model in company history and improving on it to design and engineer a product demonstrably better in every way.
A new, completely redesigned Speed Pocket significantly increases the flexibility of the low club face area; the most flexible Speed Pocket the company has ever designed. The increase in low face flexibility translates into a higher COR, which results in higher ball speed for shots struck low on the face. This is primarily achieved by creating more flexibility in the Speed Pocket.
Availability, Pricing and Personalization
Available starting February 19 at $299.99 CDN, the M2 fairway is offered in five lofts – 15˚, 16.5˚, 18˚ (RH & LH) and 21˚ & 24˚ (RH only), equipped with a TaylorMade Reax 65 (S, X), 55 (R, M), or 45 (L).
M2 Rescue
Born from TaylorMade’s fairway wood DNA, the M2 Rescue is designed to deliver effortless launch and maximum distance from anywhere on the course. The redesigned open channel Speed Pocket creates a large sweet spot for maximized distance and forgiveness with low spin, and the low centre of gravity delivers a hot trajectory for longer, more consistent shots. Aesthetically, the low profile shaping more closely mirrors the shaping of a fairway wood, leading to a more confidence-inspiring, easy to hit product.
Availability, Pricing and Personalization
Also available on February 19 at $249.99 CDN, M2 Rescue is offered in four lofts: 19°, 22°, (RH & LH) 25° & 28° (RH only) is equipped with a TaylorMade Reax 75 (S), 65 (R), 55 (M), or 45 (L) shaft.
“The M2 line utilizes our new advanced multi-material construction to break yet another performance barrier, delivering once again the hot trajectory that TaylorMade is known for while at the same time providing game-changing forgiveness,” said Brian Bazzel, TaylorMade’s Senior Director of Product Creation. “With the entire M2 line of product, we’re delivering golfers what they want and need; distance, trajectory and forgiveness.”
For more information, visit TaylorMadeGolf.ca.