Lee Westwood did his part in Thailand. The math took care of the rest, and he’s going to the Masters.

Westwood, who tied for second two weeks ago in the Thailand Golf Championship, will move up one spot to No. 50 next week in the final world ranking of the year, assuring him a place in the field at Augusta National in April.

Westwood is No. 51 this week, but with gradual reductions in points, he will go back to no. 50 in the last ranking of 2015. Chris Kirk, who will fall to No. 51, already is in the Masters from winning Colonial.

Among the 12 criteria for pros to qualify, Augusta National takes the top 50 in the world at the end of the year, and again one week before the Masters.

The addition of 15 players from the top 50 brings the number of active players to 89 going into the new year. The Masters has the smallest field of the four majors and prefers it to be under 100. It has not exceeded 100 players since 1966.

A year ago, 90 players had qualified at the end of the year.

Still to be determined before April is if the field will include four-time champion Tiger Woods, who has not played since Aug. 23 and has gone through two procedures in the same spot in his back since then. Woods said earlier this month he can only walk and has received no indication when the nerve damage will heal.

The only way for players to qualify for the Masters is to win a PGA Tour event (except for the Puerto Rico Open). There are 13 chances, starting with Hyundai Tournament of Championship in Kapalua. Five players in the winners-only field are not in Augusta National because they won before last year’s Masters or won opposite-field events, which do not count toward an invitation – James Hahn, Padraig Harrington, Alex Cejka, Matt Every and J.J. Henry.

Of the 15 who qualified through the top 50, Sergio Garcia and Billy Horschel were the only ones to play a full PGA Tour schedule last year.

Australian Open winner Matt Jones (No. 54) and Ryan Palmer (No. 58) will end the year outside the top 50. Palmer, who father died in a traffic accident in West Texas in August, was No. 40 when he played his final event in Las Vegas in October.

Among those who will be playing the Masters for the first time are Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger and Emiliano Grillo from the high school class of 2011, along with HSBC Champions winner Russell Knox and Kevin Kisner, who had four runner-up finishes before winning the RSM Classic at Sea Island in final PGA Tour event of the year.

Richmond Hill, Ont. – The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is pleased to announce Michelle Kim as the recipient of the 2015 Helena Harbridge Sportsmanship Award.

Kim, an 18-year old CJGA member living in Surrey, B.C. is the first British Columbian to earn the honorable distinction for an award that recognizes sportsmanship, dedication, and commitment in the game of golf.

The award is named after Helena Harbridge, an outstanding junior golfer and CJGA alum that passed away in 2006 during her freshman year at West Georgia University.

“I’m extremely proud and honored to be named the recipient of the Helena Harbridge Award this year,” said a thrilled Michelle when notified of the award. “Junior golf has not only taught me goal setting, it has taught me honesty, patience, sportsmanship, and etiquette. It has brought out my inner competitiveness.”

Taking a similar path to that of Helena, Kim is a freshman at the University of Idaho. She is also a member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team, after spending one season on their Development Squad. Looking into the future, Kim sees herself turning professional after graduating university with the goal of playing on the LPGA Tour.

“I’ve always had big goals and dreams for golf. This game requires commitment and dedication, and golf has taught me both of those things.”

Kim has had an exceptional CJGA playing career amassing nine top 5 finishes and six top 10 finishes since 2011. She had a notable win earlier this year at the CJGA Western Canadian Junior Championship.

Winners of the Helena Harbridge Sportsmanship Award will receive an elegant custom trophy courtesy of Lorry Moffatt and Classic Awards as well as a complimentary life time membership to the CJGA.

2006 – Lauren Bowerman-Ritchie (Ontario)

2007 – Juanita Rico (Alberta)

2008 – Jocelyn Alford (Alberta)

2009 – Thea Hedemann (Saskatchewan)

2010 – Shannon Lee Greenshields (Quebec)

2011 – Marlies Klekner-Alt (Ontario)

2012 – Molly Molyneaux (Prince Edward Island)

2013 – Genevieve Stelmacovich (Ontario)

2014 – Bria Jansen (Alberta)

2015 – Michelle Kim (British Columbia)

—

Helena Harbridge Award

The Helena Harbridge Award is an award dedicated to the memory of Helena Harbridge, a CJGA alumna, who passed away in 2006 during her freshman year at West Georgia University.  The award exemplifies the traits that Helena exhibited throughout her career, both on and off the course: sportsmanship, dedication, and contribution to the game of golf. Each year, the Canadian Junior Golf Association selects one female junior member for this award.  The award recipient will be one that holds the same characteristics that Helena exemplified. The recipient of the award will also receive a lifetime membership with the CJGA.

There is no doubt Golf Canada is proud of the many accomplishments by Canadian golfers in 2015.

But the over-arching mandate of the association was succinctly summarized by Scott Simmons in his year-end message to members across the country.

“Golf Canada is committed to investing in the growth and overall health of the game,” said Simmons, the CEO of Golf Canada.

In 2015, perhaps more so than in any other previous year, Golf Canada demonstrated that long-term commitment through an initiative called “One Vision.”

As stated in Golf Canada’s message at its annual general meeting last February, One Vision (you can see the details here) aspires “to ensure golf maintains its status as the most popular sport in Canada.”

“One Vision is easier said than done,” said Simmons, “but it’s not about one organization doing all of this on its own. It’s about all of us aligning to protect the game we all care about. Starting several years ago, Golf Canada saw the necessity of an industry-wide strategic plan, essential not only under its mandate as golf’s designated National Sport Federation, but in its ever-evolving role as a guardian, a champion, of the game.

One Vision contains four pillars:

• Grow Participation: Engage more youth, promote societal benefits and develop a connection with more golfers, increase access for under-represented groups
• Ensure Excellence: Implement programming for high-performance juniors, Team Canada and emerging professionals; develop coaches and certified professionals; host best-in-class national and international championships
• Expand Capacity: Develop sustainable funding and fiscal responsibility; uphold and preserve rules, handicapping, course rating, amateur status, and the history of the game; provide opportunity and training for volunteers and staff
• Foster Interaction: Collaborate with provincial golf associations, facilities, the National Allied Golf Associations, government and international partners; increase capabilities in digital and interactive technology; strengthen communication and brand awareness.

Golf Canada President Paul McLean elaborates.

“We work collaboratively with our partners at the provincial golf associations as well as PGA of Canada professionals, club managers, superintendents, manufacturers and golf course owners to ensure the heath and sustainability of our sport. It’s important that all golfers from avid to novice can experience the tremendous health, economic, charitable, competitive and social benefits inherent in our sport. Welcoming new golfers, increasing rounds played and delivering quality golf experiences is a goal shared by the entire golf community.”

“We are all golf,” said Simmons. “If we are going to move the game continuously forward, we have to be aligned. When we are aligned on a common vision, we can accomplish great things and achieve maximum potential through synergy.”

That synergy was demonstrated in many ways in 2015, perhaps most obviously by the Long Term Player Development Program (LTPD) 2.0 revealed at February’s annual meeting. Launched in 2006, the latest iteration of LTPD, developed in partnership with the PGA of Canada, has been recognized worldwide for its innovation.

In addition to providing a solid sport development framework, LTPD clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of every stakeholder including coaches, instructors, golfers, parents of golfers, facility owners and golf administrators. The goal is to create a player development blueprint to success that will serve Canadian golf for years to come.

In his year-end message, Simmons also provided some encouraging news for Golf Canada members on how their dues supported the vitality of the game.

• National Golf in Schools – 2,795 schools across Canada (2,501 elementary, 12 intermediate and 282 high schools)
• CN Future Links – Canada’s national junior golf program: 518 participating clubs in Canada. CN Future Links programming includes Learn to Play, mobile clinics, CN Future Links Championships, the Junior Skills Challenge, Girls Club, CN Future Links School Adoption Program, CN Future Links School Field Trip Program, PGA Junior League and Community Golf Coach.
• Golf Fore the Cure – 145 participating sites in Canada
• International, national, provincial and regional golf competitions
• Course and Slope Rating; Rules and Handicap seminars; coach training and certification
• Canada’s No. 1 website for golf – Golfcanada.ca – had more than 6.7 million views this year
• More than seven million rounds were posted the Golf Canada Score Centre by Golf Canada members

Also in 2015, recognizing the changing landscape of golf club membership, Golf Canada made a fundamental change to its membership model.

After extensive surveys and focus groups with golfers and facilities across Canada, a new structure is being rolled out across Canada. The three-tiered program is so innovative that it is being viewed with great interest by other national golf associations who are considering revamping their own membership methods.

“Seventy or 80 years ago, about 90 per cent of golfers in Canada belonged to a club,” said Karen Hewson, Golf Canada’s Managing Director, Membership and Heritage Services. “In recent years, that has reversed. Now, fewer than 10 per cent are club members.”

One inevitable result of this reversal is that only a small percentage of golfers feel connected to the game in a larger sense. They’re not part of that traditional club-based linkage, a situation that Golf Canada reacted to in a positive way.

“Everyone who loves golf should feel that they are an important part of its traditions and of its future,” said Hewson. “Things like Handicaps and Course Rating and Rules are, and will always be, integral to the game and Golf Canada’s role in it. But we are very aware that a very real priority is to build relationships with, communicating with, and educating everyone who plays the game, regardless of where they choose to play.”

Nowhere was that made more evident than by the launching of a creative, interactive campaign – Golf Canada Golf – which celebrated the game by inviting golfers to share the stories. The campaign was a collaborative effort among provincial and national golf association stakeholders.

“Among golfers, there’s always a story—memorable shots, a round with family, playing your favourite course, a golf trip with friends, witnessing first-hand the incredible skills of PGA TOUR or LPGA Tour players, or using the game to overcome personal adversity,” said Gavin Roth, Golf Canada’s Chief Commercial Officer.  “The campaign web site – GolfCanadaGolf.com – invites Canadians to share their own experiences as well as read or watch other compelling stories to remind us what makes the game great and ultimately encourage enthusiasts to play more golf.”

Innovative. Inclusive. Welcoming.

Not just with words, but with action, Golf Canada obviously is committed to reinforcing to Canadian golfers that we are all part of a community, not just for today, but for the future.

“Golf has a strong base with close to 5.7 million Canadians playing 60 million rounds annually at 2,346 facilities from coast to coast,” said Simmons. “Through our joint membership efforts with the provincial golf associations, we have a relationship with close to 310,000 golfers at 1,400 member clubs, so the opportunity to interact with a greater share of everyone who golfs is huge.

“The health of the game requires taking a customer-centric approach and searching for innovative ways to connect with golfers. Creating that meaningful engagement starts with introducing children through grassroots programming like Golf in Schools and CN Future Links. It continues at the club level through membership programs that welcome avid players and new enthusiasts.

“We also want golfers to feel inspired by the outstanding performances of our Canadian talents competing on the international stage. Golf’s return to the Olympics in 2016 for the first time since Canada won gold in 1904 will give Canadians another powerful reason to celebrate the game.”

2015 in Review – Part I: Canadian golf successes
2015 in Review – Part II: State of the game
2015 in Review – Part III: A focused vision

VAUGHAN, Ont. – Thornhill Golf & Country Club has announced the hiring of a new General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, an appointment that’s certain to attract notice across the country.

Thornhill Golf & Country Club, at the north end of the Greater Toronto Area, will welcome Joseph Murphy as its GM and COO, starting in March 2016. Mr. Murphy has served as GM and Chief Executive Officer at Toronto’s St. George’s Golf & Country Club for the last seven-and-a-half years, and other local private clubs prior to that.

“The members of our club are, basically, ecstatic with this appointment,” said Thornhill Club President Adrian Hartog. “We have been extremely fortunate to have had Michael Chadsey manage our facility for the last four years, and we wish him a long and happy retirement. We’re excited and confident that Joe Murphy will continue to build on a fine legacy and history, and take our Club to an even higher level of service in the years to come.”

Thornhill G&CC was founded in 1922, and remains in its original location on the west side of Yonge Street, north of downtown Toronto. It has recently completed a $5 million expansion and renovation project, augmenting and improving its facilities and services. The Club’s nationally-ranked 18-hole championship golf course was designed by renowned Canadian course architect Stanley Thompson.

Joe Murphy is certainly no stranger to historic Canadian golf clubs. In addition to two separate management stints at St. George’s, he has also served as GM at Toronto’s Scarboro Golf & Country Club, Islington Golf Club, and Clubhouse Manager at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Ancaster, Ontario.

“I’m just delighted to be moving to Thornhill, and excited by the opportunity to maximize the new facilities and renovations at this outstanding Club,” Mr. Murphy said. “Leaving St. George’s will not be easy, but I’m sure the members there understand that new challenges are energizing, and most club managers know when it’s time to move on. This was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.”

Joe Murphy

While it is undeniable that golf in Canada, like any other business in these unpredictable economic times, continues to face challenges, there were encouraging indicators in 2015 for cautious optimism.

In July, the Golf Facilities in Canada 2015 report was published by Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada in cooperation with the U.S. National Golf Foundation. The bottom line was that the game remains popular and accessible, with almost six million people playing at least one round annually. In total, almost 60 million rounds are played in Canada each year.

The report indicated that of the 2,346 golf facilities in Canada, more than 90 per cent are open to the public, putting to rest the misconception that the game is elitist and exclusionary. Those who worry about the length of time it takes to play will be interested to find out that nine-hole layouts account for close to 40 per cent of the country’s courses.

Golf, like any other business and recreational activity, is tied to economic factors and changing consumer behaviours. As such, it cycles periodically and unpredictably. In the past 10 years, 158 facilities across Canada have closed for various reasons. Since 2010, 29 courses have opened in six different provinces and 31 18-hole equivalent facilities are in various stages of development.

When the report was released, it also pointed out some inarguable facts about the vital role golf plays across Canada.

“The golf industry is worth more than $14.3-billion to the Canadian economy and represents more than one per cent of our nation’s total GDP,” the report summary stated. “The $5-billion in direct revenues generated by Canada’s 2,346 facilities are more than the revenues generated by all other participation sports and recreational facilities combined ($4.8-billion). The numbers reinforce the massive financial, charitable, and environmental impact that golf has in communities across Canada including hundreds of thousands of jobs, billions in taxes, and a major tourism driver both domestic and international. Canadian golf facilities are a channel for major charitable giving with close to 37,000 events at Canadian courses raising more than $533-million annually for worthwhile causes.”

And while it remains popular in the headline- and deadline-motivated mainstream media to question the current state of the game, those within the industry have a more comprehensive and long-term perspective.

“The evidence of golf’s popularity in Canada is not surprising to those aware of the sport’s economics, and the good stories don’t stop there,” said Elizabeth Di Chiara, Executive Director Canadian Society of Club Managers and President of the National Allied Golf Associations. “From environmental benefits to the charitable impact and tourism revenues, there are many reasons for the Canadian golf industry to be encouraged.”

In November, the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada released the first-ever Rounds Played and Weather Reporting data, which showed a 9.79-per-cent increase nationally in rounds played over 2014, with an average for 18-hole equivalent facilities of 25,199.

Rounds in Alberta were up 13.28 per cent, followed by Saskatchewan/Manitoba at 8.36, British Columbia at 6.45, Ontario at 5.95 and Quebec at 5.02.  The lone decrease was in Atlantic Canada, where rounds played were down 11.62 per cent.

“We started to track weather this year, rather than relying on anecdotal information,” said Nathalie Lavallee, the NGCOA’s Chief Operating Officer. “On a monthly basis, our members would input not only their rounds played, but they would post their specific ‘weather score’, on a scale from one to 10. We saw a lot of sixes and sevens, with the exception of Atlantic Canada, which suffered from a bad winter and spring from which it was difficult to recover.

“The better weather generally across the country, plus the improving economy, gives our industry increased optimism going into 2016.”

2015 in Review – Part I: Canadian golf successes
2015 in Review – Part II: State of the game
2015 in Review – Part III: A focused vision

Jordan Spieth returned to Augusta National last week for the first time since his four-shot victory in the Masters. He saw his name on the permanent Masters trophy. He was treated like an honorary member. And he checked out the new Champions Locker Room.

Augusta National has champions share a locker, and the 22-year-old Texan was curious.

“I walked up to see who I was with,” Spieth told Golfweek magazine. “And I share a locker with Arnold Palmer. So it was a very special moment there.”

He might have recognized one other thing in that locker room – his 60-degree wedge that he used to win the Masters.

The club asks champions to donate one club that was meaningful in their victory. That wedge is what Spieth used to hit a flop shot over the edge of a bunker on the 18th hole in the third round for an unlikely par save to keep his lead at four shots.

After next year’s Masters, the club will be brought down to the Grill Room with the rest of the clubs donated over the years.

Blair Hamilton of Burlington, Ont., and dual citizen Maddie Szeryk who hails from London, Ont., as well as Allen, Texas, have been recognized as Canada’s top male and female amateur golfers after finishing atop their respective National Orders of Merit for the 2015 season. Charles-Éric Bélanger and Michelle Kim claimed top honours on their respective CN Future Links Junior Orders of Merit.

“We are excited to celebrate our four winners for their performances over the course of the season which led to their successes on both the National Orders of Merit and CN Future Links Junior Orders of Merit,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “These rankings recognize our athletes’ outstanding accomplishments while providing them with a great measuring tool for their continued development. As the National Sport Federation, they provide us with a strong indicator for tracking up-and-coming players and their achievements.”

Hamilton, who in 2016 will spend a second consecutive season as a member of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad, finished with 3,768.46 points in 12 events – almost 1,000 points clear of second place. At No. 112 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, the 22-year-old is one of Canada’s top-ranked talents. The University of Houston Cougar’s 2015 campaign netted him a PING All-America Honourable Mention and selections to the PING All-Central Region Team and the All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) Team. He claimed individual titles at the NCAA’s 2015 Border Olympics and the 2015 NCAA Lubbock Regional before adding Top-20 finishes at the 2015 Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship and the 111^th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to his season. Hamilton and fellow 2015 National Amateur Squad member Austin Connelly were co-recipients of the Gary Cowan Award after tying for low amateur honours at the 2015 RBC Canadian Open.

Kimberley, B.C., native and 2016 National Team member Jared du Toit completed the season in second place on the National Men’s Order of Merit ahead of 2015 Team Canada Development Squad member Tyler Saunders of Sturgeon County, Alta. Fellow Albertan Brett Hogan of Calgary was fourth, while 2016 National Team selection Stuart Macdonald of Vancouver completed the Top-5.

Szeryk – who will return in 2016 as a member of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad – collected 5,505.42 points over 12 events to top the National Women’s Order of Merit. The 19-year-old is No. 43 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and is No. 1 in Canada. In her first year with the Texas A&M Aggies, she notched seven Top-5 and nine Top-10 finishes in 12 tournaments en route to a First Team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection and Conference Freshman of the Year honours. She finished first in the NCAA with five eagles and second in the nation with 127 birdies. Her 7-under 209 showing at the SEC Championship secured her second place and led the Aggies to the conference team title. Szeryk was a quarter-finalist at the 2015 British Ladies Open Amateur and the 2015 Investors Group Ontario Women’s Amateur champion.

2015 National Team member Elizabeth Tong of Thornhill, Ont., finished runner-up on the National Women’s Order of Merit, while the 2016 National Amateur Squad’s Josée Doyon from St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que., claimed third. Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., joined her 2016 National Squad teammates by finishing in fourth, while Anica Yoo of Port Coquitlam, B.C., was fifth.

Recently-named Team Canada Development Squad member Charles-Éric Bélanger completed the 2015 campaign atop the 18-and-under CN Future Links National Junior Boys Order of Merit with 4,855.63 points in 12 events. The 16-year-old from Québec began the season by winning the 2015 Quebec Junior Spring Open before registering a third-place finish at the 2015 CN Future Links Ontario Championship and a runner-up result at the Quebec edition of the championship series for juniors. The highlight of Belanger’s year would come at the 2015 Canadian Junior Boys Championship where he prevailed in a playoff to become the first Quebec native since 1976 to claim the national junior title.

Fellow Quebec native and 2015 Development Squad member Étienne Papineau of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu was second on the CN Future Links National Junior Boys Order of Merit, followed by 2016 members Alexander Smith of Calgary and A.J. Ewart of Coquitlam, B.C. Maxwell Sear of Unionville, Ont., took fifth place.

A banner year propelled Michelle Kim of Surrey, B.C., to the top of the CN Future Links National Junior Girls Order of Merit with a total of 4,685 points accumulated across 10 events. Now in her freshman year at the University of Idaho, she opened last season by claiming the 2015 CJGA Western Canadian Junior Championship. Kim excelled at the provincial level, capturing the B.C. Women’s Amateur and B.C. Junior Girls titles before translating those victories into success on the national stage by winning the 2015 Canadian Junior Girls Championship. The 2015 Development Squad member’s achievements garnered her a spot on the 2016 National Amateur team.

Orleans, Ont., native Grace St-Germain – who is returning in 2016 for a second stint with Team Canada’s Development Squad – was second on the 2015 CN Future Links National Junior Girls Order of Merit. Naomi Ko, a product of Victoria, B.C., finished third before graduating alongside Kim to the 2016 National Team. Céleste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-L’Île-Perrot, Que., and Monet Chun from Richmond Hill, Ont., completed the Top-5.

The National Men’s and Women’s Orders of Merit recognize and celebrate the season-long achievements of Canada’s amateur golfing talents. The CN Future Links Junior Boys and Junior Girls Orders of Merit were established to acknowledge and identify Canada’s top junior golfers.

2015 National Men’s Order of Merit – Top-10

1. Blair Hamilton – Burlington, Ont. – 3,768.46
2. Jared du Toit – Kimberley, B.C. – 2,857.83
3. Tyler Saunders – Sturgeon County, Alta. – 2,581.69
4. Brett Hogan – Calgary, Alta. – 2,194.15
5. Stuart Macdonald – Vancouver, B.C. – 1,917.70
6. Josh Whalen – Napanee, Ont. – 1,903.29
7. Eric Banks – Truro, N.S. – 1,820.45
8. Hugo Bernard – Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que. – 1,802.50
9. Garrett Rank – Elmira, Ont. – 1,740.00
10. Austin James – Bath, Ont. – 1,519.87

Full final standings are available here.

2015 National Women’s Order of Merit – Top-10

1. Maddie Szeryk – London, Ont./Allen, Texas – 5,505.42
2. Elizabeth Tong – Thornhill, Ont. – 4,111.00
3. Josée Doyon – St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que. – 3.612.62
4. Naomi Ko – Victoria, B.C. – 2,545.50
5. Anica Yoo – Port Coquitlam, B.C. – 2,085.23
6. Taylor Kim – Surrey B.C. – 1,807.48
7. Michelle Kim – Surrey, B.C. – 1,776.25
8. Sabrine Garrison – Calgary, Alta. – 1,534.86
9. Jaclyn Lee – Calgary, Alta. – 1,303.64
10. Grace St-Germain – Orleans, Ont. – 1,276.13

Full final standings are available here.

2015 CN Future Links National Junior Boys Order of Merit – Top-10

1. Charles-Éric Bélanger – Québec, Que. – 4,855.63
2. Étienne Papineau – St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. – 3,809.50
3. Alexander Smith – Calgary, Alta. – 3,399.29
4. J. Ewart – Coquitlam, B.C. – 3,077.50
5. Maxwell Sear – Unionville, Ont. – 2,987.50
6. Tony Gil – Vaughan, Ont. – 2,902.33
7. Trevor Ranton – Waterloo, Ont. – 2,745.00
8. Thomas ‘Jack’ Simpson – Aurora, Ont. – 2,705.00
9. Khan Lee – Surrey, B.C. – 2,623.33
10. Jaewook Lee – Langley, B.C. – 2,512.50

Full final standings are available here.

2015 CN Future Links National Junior Girls Order of Merit – Top-10

1. Michelle Kim – Surrey, B.C. – 4,685.00
2. Grace St-Germain – Orleans, Ont. – 4,272.50
3. Naomi Ko – Victoria, B.C. – 4,202.50
4. Céleste Dao – Notre-Dame-de-L’Île-Perrot, Que. – 3,950.00
5. Monet Chun – Richmond Hill, Ont. – 3,618.66
6. Sarah-Eve Rheaume – Québec, Que. – 3,585.00
7. Hannah Lee – Surrey, B.C. – 3,463.00
8. Chloë Currie – Mississauga, Ont. – 3,325.83
9. Alyssa Getty – Ruthven, Ont. – 3,291.66
10. Alexandra Naumovski – Hornby Ont. – 2,837.50

Full final standings are available here.

LAS VEGAS – MGM Resorts International today announced a partnership with PGA TOUR star Graham DeLaet. Joining the company’s roster of PGA and LPGA TOUR professionals, DeLaet will serve as an ambassador for MGM Resorts’ portfolio of destination resorts and wear an MGM Resorts’ logo hat while competing in PGA TOUR events.

During the 2014-2015 PGA TOUR season, DeLaet made three Top 10 finishes, including T4 at the Travelers Championship, and a T7 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

“I’ve had the luxury of playing golf and staying at MGM Resorts International’s properties throughout my time on TOUR, and I am excited to partner with the company and join their team of ambassadors,” Graham DeLaet said. “I am proud to be sporting the MGM Resorts’ logo on my hat to promote the partnership while competing on the PGA TOUR.”

DeLaet joins other PGA and LPGA TOUR players as part of MGM Resorts’ brand ambassadors: Jimmy Walker, Natalie Gulbis, Ryan Moore and Pat Perez, to name a few.

Lance Evans, vice president of Marketing Partnerships for MGM Resorts International, said, “As one of the top golfers from Canada, Graham is a tremendous athlete who is respected on and off the course, making him a terrific fit to represent MGM Resorts.”

DeLaet’s debut as an MGM Resorts’ ambassador – which will see him wearing the logo on his shirt – will take place in January at the Sony Open in Hawaii.

VIRGINIA WATER, England – Rory McIlroy has been voted the European Tour’s player of the year for 2015, winning the award for the third time in the past four seasons.

The 26-year-old Northern Irishman successfully defended the Race to Dubai title after winning the season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai last month. He had two other victories, at the Dubai Desert Classic and the WGC-Cadillac Match Play.

McIlroy says he feels “very proud to have won this prestigious award for the third time.”

He says it is “always special, no matter how often, to be recognized this way.”

The former top-ranked McIlroy was granted special dispensation to play the European Tour’s Final Series. He had not fulfilled the standard membership criteria because of an ankle injury sustained midway through the year.

ACTON, Ont. —The PGA of Canada’s 2015 national award winners were recently unveiled and will be honoured next month at the association’s PGA of Canada Night celebrations in Orlando, Fla., as part of the PGA Merchandise Show.

This year’s winners include:

• Danny King (The Performance Academy at Magna) – Mike Weir Player of the Year
• Dean Manz (Wascana Country Club) – Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year
• Cory Southon (Henry Brunton Golf) – Moe Norman Candidate for Membership of the Year
• Adam Werbicki (The Derrick Golf & Winter Club) – George Knudson Teacher of the Year
• Adam Boge (Golf Mentor) – Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year
• Tristan Mullally (Golf Canada) – Ben Kern Coach of the Year;
• Judy Forshner (Glencoe Golf & Country Club) – Murray Tucker Golf Professional of the Year
• Liam Mucklow (The Golf Club) – Tex Noble Award for Professional Development
• Daryl MacLean (Cherry Hill Club) – Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year
• Serge Savard – George Cumming Distinguished Service Award

“This year’s PGA of Canada national award winners are truly great golf professionals and on behalf of the national board of directors’ and the association’s 3,700 members, I’m proud to congratulate them today on their achievements,” said Constant Priondolo, PGA of Canada president.

Each year, a national selection committee evaluates application submissions from zone award winners and recognizes winners in each of the categories.

The winners will receive their award and be honoured in January at the association’s PGA of Canada Night celebrations at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.

PGA of Canada Night takes place in Orlando, Fla., on January 28, 2016 at the PGA Merchandise Show (Orange County Convention Centre) at 5:00 p.m. in room 109A.

“PGA of Canada Night at the PGA Merchandise Show is always an excellent, well-attended event,” Priondolo said. “Not only is it an opportunity to mix and mingle with others in the golf industry, but it’s also a chance to celebrate the PGA of Canada professionals who have been recognized as national award winners.”