Brooke Henderson has started the LPGA Tour season on a wave, one she hopes to ride into the first major of the season.

The 26-year-old golfer from Smiths Falls, Ont., has four top 10 finishes in the first seven tournaments of the year, finishing no worse than a tie for 27th. That’s the kind of momentum she needs heading into this week’s Chevron Championship.

“I’m always trying to get those top 10s and be in contention on the weekend,” said Henderson on Wednesday. “So it’s been fun to be in that position a couple of times already this year.”

The Chevron Championship moved to The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, for the first time last year and Henderson found the course challenging, tying for 23rd after shooting an even-par overall. Lilia Vu won it in a playoff against fellow American Angel Yin after both shot 10 under.

Henderson said that she and her sister Brittany Sepanik, who is also her caddy, made a point of getting to The Club at Carlton Woods earlier this year to better prepare for the first of five women’s golf majors.

“Just getting a little better feel for it, knowing where to miss and where the good spots are to try to make birdie,” said Henderson, who noted that the greens are firmer this year. “I think that’s really key and just understanding the course a little bit better. I think that’ll be helpful on the weekend.”

Although Henderson finished 2023 in 15th in the LPGA Tour’s Race to CME Globe standings, she said she wasn’t happy with the year overall. But a tie for sixth at the Maybank Championship on Oct. 26, and taking second with partner Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., at the Grant Thornton Invitational on Dec. 8, helped her shake off that slow start.

She opened the 2024 season with a third-place finish at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions on Jan. 18, tied for ninth at the Honda LPGA Thailand on Feb. 22, and tied for third at the HSBC Women’s World Championship.

Most recently, Henderson tied for ninth at the T-Mobile Match Play on April 3 for her fourth top 10 of the year, one more than she had in all of 2023.

“I think the game has been trending in the right direction for a few months now and it’s right there,” she said. “I just need a few things to go the right way and then I think hopefully, I’ll be back in the winner’s circle sometime soon.”

Henderson has won two other majors before: the Women’s PGA Championship in 2016 and the Evian Championship in 2022. Her best finish at the Chevron was a tie for second in 2020, when it was called the ANA Inspiration and played at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Rookie Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., is also in the field, making her first appearance at a major. The 22-year-old said she’s excited for the chance to play against the best-of-the-best.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Grewal. “I feel like one of my bucket list goals has always been playing a major and now to start that path off is really exciting. 

“Hopefully, this will be the first of many.”

An Active Season is the period of time when acceptable scores from a specified area should be submitted for handicap purposes. The Rules of Handicapping stipulates that every player is responsible for submitting all acceptable scores into one’s scoring record for rounds played on courses during the active season.

It is the responsibility of authorized provincial golf association to declare active and inactive seasons, with area clubs and players required to observe these dates for score posting purposes. To make this process easier, the Golf Canada Score Centre automatically considers the active season of the course being played when a score is posted and whether it should be included in calculating a player’s Handicap Index.

In Canada, the active season in each province is as follows:

BC =     Mar.1 – Nov.15
AB =     Mar.1 – Oct.31
SK =     Apr.15 – Oct.31
MB =    Apr.15 – Oct.31
ON =    Apr.15 – Oct.31
QC =    Apr.15 – Oct.31
NS =     Apr.15 – Oct.31
NB =     Apr.21 – Oct.31
PE =     Apr.16 – Nov.14
NL =     Apr.1 – Nov. 30

(NOTE:  Some Lower mainland and Vancouver Island courses may observe a year-round active season). For a list of clubs observing a year-round active season, please contact BC Golf

Scores made at any golf course observing an inactive season are not acceptable for handicap calculation purposes. This is because course conditions during inactive seasons are not consistent with the way that the Course & Slope Ratings were determined, which can impact the accuracy of a player’s Handicap Index.

Scores made at a golf course in an area observing an active season must be posted for handicap purposes, even if the golf club where the player is a member is observing an inactive season. The club’s Handicap Committee must make it possible for a player to post these away scores at the beginning of the active season.

It’s important to note that if you are travelling to other countries or regions, you should confirm their active seasons to ensure all acceptable scores are posted. Your home club needs all acceptable scores (even if played during a Canadian “off-season”) to ensure that your Handicap Index is accurate and reflects your demonstrated ability.

For example, if a player belonging to a golf club in Ontario plays golf in Florida (which observes a year-round active season) during January, any score(s) made in Florida are acceptable and must be submitted to the player’s scoring record. If the player is also a member of a golf club in Florida and Ontario, it is important to remember that all acceptable scores must be posted to each scoring record.  The Golf Canada Score Centre has tools available to link Canadian and USGA accounts, so that a score posted to one account is automatically transferred to the other.  For more information, or to set up this link, please contact members@golfcanada.ca or phone 1-800-263-0009 X399.

For a detailed list of active and inactive schedule in the United States, click here.

For more information on handicapping, click here.

TO ENTER YOUR SCORES FOR AN OFFICIAL HANDICAP, BECOME A GOLF CANADA MEMBER HERE.

Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).

Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.

Angus Black, Marina Mazatlan, Hole #2

I was playing with a group that here in Mazatlan we call ourselves the PGA (Paraiso Golf Association). The par 3, hole #2 is 146 yards long (from the white tblocks). I used my 7 wood with a ProV1 golf ball.

Kendra Stoner, Gorge Vale Golf Club, Hole #10

After starting golfing only three years ago, I’m gained a huge respect and love for the sport. In my first year of playing I was able to eagle a par 4 at my local course in Tofino, B.C. I’ve been hooked to the game ever since. So obtaining this hole-in-one was so incredibly special.

I was golfing with my friend Alex Cartwright who went to University for golf as is now a member at Gorge Vale. Playing with golfers at a higher level than me has always pushed me to be a better golfer.

We played 36 holes that day. My hole-in-one was the 10th hole in my back 18 round. After our front 9 of our second round, both fatigued we almost decided to not continue our second round – thank goodness we kept playing as I got my hole-in-one the next hole!

Alex teed off first landing around two feet from the hole, we were both very excited about his shot. Next was me, teeing off from the white/greens, around 115 yards out, I was in between clubs but decided to use my 8 iron. After a swing that felt good, we watched the ball land about two feet in front of the hole and what felt like slo-motion watched the ball roll into the cup.

Being the bubbly, energetic person I am, I started running around the tee box throwing my arms around in excitement. The way this hole is designed is it runs across from the driving range, and those on the range shared this excitement with us. The foursome in front of us also shared the exciting occurrence by jumping up and down and cheering!

I quickly jumped in the cart with my friend and raced to the green where I could perform my most favourite journey on a golf green of my life.

Picking that ball out of the cup, not even thinking about grabbing my putter is indescribable.

Honestly, I was ready to call it a day, but continued on the round and finished the last eight holes in exciting anticipation to get to the clubhouse for a much deserved pint.

Once entering the clubhouse, and being one of the only woman on the course that day, everyone knew what had happened before I even arrived. I walked in to a crowd of people clapping, in Kendra fashion, I did a little curtesy and sat at a table with some friends. One who was a member and also got a hole-in-one that day on hole #16, what a special day!

My friend is a member of the course and therefore gets a round of beer for everyone with his membership hole-in-one insurance so he rang the bell and everyone cheered in excitement (for the hole-in-one and free beer of course). The clubhouse was packed and I knew my tab would be outrageous so I didn’t ring the bell right away, instead I waiting a while for the crowd to die down a little before having my moment of bell ringing glory.

With a less dented wallet, I rang the bell, bought a round for the clubhouse and obtained my bag tag/flag of achievement.

That evening, FaceTiming my dad and sharing the story I could tell brought great pride and joy. He was able to share his stories of his three hole-in-ones and reminded me that this occurrence may be a once in a lifetime achievement in which I am grateful.

It was a special day that I will never forget.

Craig Kotyk, Venetian Bay Golf Club, Hole #16

It was hole #16, a par 3 , 149 yards from the white tees into the wind. I used a five wood because of the strong wind and it hit the front of the green and rolled up into the hole. This was over the water and when I went to look for my ball I thought it had rolled off the back although I felt I had taken a great shot , it was then that I looked into the hole and saw my ball. I could not believe it and what an incredible feeling! I was playing with my wife Nancy and two Venetian bay residents whom we were paired with, Rick and John. I am in awe and so honoured to join the hole-in-one club!

Douglas Moore, Knollwood Golf Club, Hole #9

I was playing with three friends Alex, Neal and George. It was around 120 yards and I used 4 hybrid. It was quite cold and windy, but I don’t hit a very long ball anyway. This is my second hole-in-one, I had another July 27, 2001, hole #9 also at Knollwood Golf Club, The New Course.

Greg Leis, River Greens Golf Course, Hole #3

I was golfing with Troy Zuorro, Dave Sharp and Dan Place as part of our Tuesday morning golf league. We play a Stableford game and have a prize for closest to the hole on all four of the par 3’s. I was the third to tee off and both Troy and Dan had already landed on the green ahead of me, so the pressure was on. It was 126 yards with the wind at our backs so I chose my 9 iron. I hit it a bit lower than planned and the ball was running across the ground by the time it hit the green and looked like it was going to roll right off the back. The pin was at the back of the green so I had a fair bit of time to watch it roll across the green. After turning right, then left, it hit the pin, bounced up about 10 cm and then dropped in the cup. It was very exciting to watch. Apparently the whole course heard us cheer. Fortunately Troy was clear headed enough to make me pose for these photos that he took. It was my first, and hopefully not last, hole-in-one.

Tiger Yuanjun Liu, Morgan Creek Golf Course, Hole #3

I made a hole-in-one on April 6 in the MJT Junior Tournament at Morgan Creek Golf Course, Surrey, B.C.! It happened in the first round. There are so many good players in my age group.

On hole #3, it is 147 yards. I stroke with my 9 iron. And it was so amazing that the ball went into the hole straight! This is my first hole-in-one. I can’t believe that it happened in a tournament.

David Pratt, Royal St. Augustine Golf & Country Club, Hole #14

I was a member of a group of seven of us who went on the afternoon of February 5th to play 18 holes of golf at the Royal St. Augustine Golf Club in St. Augustine Florida. I was paired with Mr. Pierre Groulx and his wife Monique Groulx. It was a cool, cloudy afternoon and by the time we arrive at the hole #14 tee the wind was getting stronger as there was some rain moving into the area. The par three hole #14 is a fairly tight but approachable hole. The pin was placed on the right middle of the green. My shot was a high draw that navigated close to the tree line, and I saw it bounce and I thought it would have been on the green or possibly have gone in the right-side bunker or alternatively rolled of the back of the green. Pierre and Monique took their shots and as we approached the green, I could not see my ball. I searched the bunker first, then took a glance at the fringe area beyond the hole and then said to myself well perhaps it’s in the hole. I took a look and too my surprise and delight my ball was in the hole.

We were all so excited after Monique and Pierre putted out, we got in our carts to go and tell our friends in the foursome behind us the news of my hole-in-one. We arrived in the clubhouse to have a celebratory beverage and one of my friends asked myself, Pierre, and Monique if there was a picture taken and we realized no picture was taken. My friends drove with me to hole #14 and took a picture. I am so blessed to have such good friends who reminded by to get a photo of me so I can savour the memory of my first hole-in-one. Thanks Barb and Bob Stewart for reminding me, taking me back to the hole and taking my picture.

Finally, a most interesting part to this story is we are a group of about sixteen to twenty people who winter in the St. Augustine area. On this afternoon, on February 5th, another group of our gang was playing a round down in Palm Coast area at the Palm Harbour Golf Club. When I was preparing to write a note to our gang about my hole-in-one, I saw in my inbox a note from one of our friends that a member of our group, Cynthia Baumgarten, scored a hole-in-one that same afternoon. Now what are the odds of that?

It was an exciting day that I will always remember.

Lesa Bowen, Bonita National Golf and Country Club, Hole #6

First one ever and man did it feel amazing! I was playing with three special ladies from our golf community, husbands were in a foursome behind us. I stepped up to the tee and felt wind in my face so I contemplated clubbing up. So glad I didn’t as my 8 iron hit crisp, my ball hit the green, rolled and at the last moment turned right and into the hole it went!

The sweetest part of my first hole-in-one? We live on this green and I view it daily from our lanai. I’m certain our screams were almost heard back home in Canada!

Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).

Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.

Cynthia Watada, Burlington Springs, Hole #12

– Burlington Springs Golf Club

– Hole #12, par 3, 129 yards, 6 hybrid

– Happened on Sunday March 31, 2024

• Foursome of my friends Brian, Zak and Marie and I

Marcello Pavan, Fraserview Public, Hole #7

I am a member of the Men’s Club at the Vancouver’s Fraserview municipal golf course. We were playing the opening day of the 2024 season on Saturday, March 30, a best three out of four,  four man team game. My partners were fellow Men’s Club members Tony Aquino, Don Neville and Darren Trach.

We teed off at 9:10, with me arriving at the course just five minutes before that! I ran to the first tee and teed off straight away. After a disastrous opening snowman (no kidding), I settled down. Hole #7 is usually a long par 3, with huge bunkers shielding the left front half of the green. On that day the tees were up, to about 165 yards from the hole, which was cut well over to the centre-right. I took aim to more-or-less the middle of the green, to the right of the front bunker, about 5-10 yards left of the hole, with my 4 hybrid to hopefully ensure I cleared it even with a miss hit. Well, I did miss hit it a little to the right, directly at the flag. It landed about 10 or so yards short and rolled directly to the hole. I was thinking, “hHey, this could be a KP for me” when it suddenly disappeared. My distance vision isn’t the best with those glasses, so my first thought was, “It didn’t go over the back did it?” Then I heard my group screaming, I looked back incredulously, then again at the hole, and then the adrenaline hit.

What a feeling. Surreal, out of body. Not at all what I dreamed it would be like. I tried to keep it together to not gloat in front of my mates, but they were more excited that I was!

The best part? Yes, there is a best part after that – I kept it going, draining three birdies on the day (happened maybe once before in my life) including two on the harder back nine, to shoot a career round for an eight under net. I was buzzing after the ace and really really didn’t want to mess up the rest of the round to ruin it, and it is supremely gratifying to have kept it together.

Ellen Wallace, Big Horn Golf Club, Hole #8

Ellen Wallace had a hole-in-one on March 18 at Big Horn Golf Club in Palm Desert on the Mountains Course hole #8 using a 8 iron. Ellen made this during The Big Deal Golf tournament at her home course. I was excited to watch it go in and this was her second hole-in-one! We were playing nine hole matches, happy to say we won that hole! Way to go Ellen.

Allan Coldwells, Fort Langley Golf Course, Hole #17

I had made this shot hundreds of times before in the past 17 years but have never landed closer. It is hole #17 at the Fort Langley Golf Course and the hole has an elevated tee to a relatively round green surrounded by deciduous trees. In this case the distance was 93 yards so I took out the pitching wedge and made the shot of my life. It was a slight right to left draw shot that landed 15 inches below the hole and rolled up the slope and to my amazement into the hole. It was witnessed by my playing partners that Saturday afternoon which were Les Calder, Darryl Rankin and Calvin Enders.

 

Lynne Yule, Nanaimo Golf Club, Hole #8

Yes, March 26 was an exciting day! We were playing in our 18 hole Tuesday ladies league, with my playing partners – Wanda Cullen, Wanda Cox and Catherine Deutscher. Hole #8 was 112 yards uphill, and I used my 5 iron. We knew two of us landed on the green but when we walked up to the green, only one ball was there. We looked around the edges of the green, then is was suggested to look into the hole and there was my ball.

Liam Bracken, Copetown Woods, Hole #11

Carded my first ever hole-in-one yesterday at Copetown Woods on hole #11. I am a Golf Canada member and always record my score on my app while playing. Playing 174 yards, I hit my 7 iron and two hopped the ball into the hole. Just a couple hours before the eclipse.

Brenda Lemky, Indian Canyons Golf Resort, Hole #4

On January 15, 2024 while golfing at Indian Canyons Golf Resort, where I am a member during the winter months. I was able to score two hole-in-ones in the same day, same round. The staff at the golf course contacted local news paper and a lovely lady, Kendall Balchan, from the Palm Springs Post contacted me and we had an interview. During the summer months I’m a member at Rivers Edge Golf Club in Okotoks, Alberta. As an avid golfer, I hope to inspire all levels of golfers to never think that getting your first hole-in-one isn’t going to happen to them as I did. Out of the blue it happened to me and the second was overwhelming and exhilarating. Never give up and first and foremost enjoy every moment of participating in an activity you love.

Golf Canada is honoured to recognize the winners of its National Facility Awards for Junior Golf presented by Humi from the 2023 season.

The National Facility Awards for Junior Golf is a program designed to acknowledge the crucial contribution of golf facilities and academies to the growth of young golfers throughout Canada. These awards celebrate the facilities that have notably influenced the progression of junior golf within their local communities throughout the 2023 season.

“The 2023 season produced another outstanding number of facilities that are offering exceptional support of junior golf in Canada,” said Laurence Applebaum, Golf Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. “The National Facility Awards for Junior Golf is a program that sets out to recognize the role that facilities and academies play in growing and developing junior golf athletes. Promoting golf engagement while cultivating Canada’s future generation of elite athletes are integral aspects of Golf Canada’s mission. We extend our sincere gratitude to all facilities across Canada that champion and prioritize junior golf in their communities, and we eagerly anticipate the honour of recognizing our 2023 award winners.”

The winners and finalists of the National Facility Awards for Junior Golf will be officially recognized at the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony on Tuesday, May 28 during the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

The 2023 winners and finalists of the National Facility Awards for Junior Golf are:

Junior Golf Opportunity Award

Awarded to the facility that provides exceptional access and membership opportunities for junior golfers. Special consideration is given to facilities with strong non-family sponsored junior programs and facilities with fundraising programs that help athletes compete at provincial, national, and international competitions.

Winner: Sawmill Golf Club (Fenwick, Ontario)

Finalist: Revelstoke Golf Club (Revelstoke, British Columbia)

Finalist: Tangle Creek Golf Club (Thornton, Ontario)

Finalist: River Hills Golf & Country Club (Clyde River, Nova Scotia)

Grassroots Junior Program of the Year

Awarded to a facility or academy program that is excelling at creating new junior golfers through local programming.

Winner: Deep River Golf Club (Deep River, Ontario)

Finalist: Lakewood Golf Resort (Sylvan Lake, Alberta)

Competitive Junior Program of the Year

Awarded to a facility or academy program with many junior athletes competing in provincial and national championships and earning strong results in those championships.

Winner: Royal Ottawa Golf Club (Gatineau, Quebec)

Tournament Host of the Year

Awarded to a facility that gives back to youth golf by embracing the opportunity to host junior competitions. The facility creates an excellent tournament experience for players and involves the local community through volunteers and fundraising support.

Winner: South Muskoka Curling & Golf Club (Bracebridge, Ontario)

Youth on Course Program Location of the Year

Awarded to the facility that hosted the largest number of Youth on Course rounds in the calendar year.

Winner: Shaganappi Point Golf Course (Calgary, Alberta)

First Tee – Canada Program Location of the Year

Awarded to a First Tee – Canada program location that demonstrates excellent enrollment in First Tee programming and makes a significant impact on growing participation among youth within its community.

Winner: Fraserview Golf Course (Vancouver, British Columbia)

Nomination and Selection process

From September 1 to October 31, 2023, all individual members and facility members of Golf Canada were able to nominate facilities for each award category.

All nominations were reviewed and feedback about nominees was provided by members of the Golf Industry Advisory Council, Sport Committee, and Amateur Championships Committee. Final award selections were made by Golf Canada staff.

Nominations for the 2024 National Facility Awards for Junior Golf are expected to open in September 2024.

Nick Taylor is happy to be getting a Mulligan on his first Masters appearance.

The Abbotsford, B.C., native made his one and only appearance at Augusta National Golf Club in 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Masters was held in November that year, there were no fans and players could only have one person in the bubble with them at the course.

Taylor will tee it up at the first major of the men’s golf season on Thursday but, this time, his whole family will be there and he’ll be able to soak in the “true” Augusta experience.

“A lot of my early experiences of watching golf, like Mike Weir winning the Masters in 2003, I watched that with my dad and my brother in the basement,” said Taylor from his home in Arizona. “The Masters always felt like the start of the golf year back home in Canada. 

“So for everyone to be at the Masters will be very, very, very special.”

Taylor was particularly excited to have his children participate in the Par 3 contest, a Masters tradition where the golfers play the short course with their families and their get kids decked out in Augusta’s distinctive all-white caddie coveralls. His four-year-old son Charlie and 11-month-old daughter Harper had already been fitted for theirs.

“I think just the whole experience of the week, to be there and have it be a quote-unquote normal Masters will be something I’ve obviously looked forward to ever since I began playing golf,” said Taylor. “After 2020 was one of those where I hoped it wasn’t my only experience but, obviously, you never know, so being able to say that I’ve had two very distinctly different Masters experiences will be pretty cool.”

Another highlight of the Masters experience is getting to play alongside Weir, from Brights Grove, Ont., the only Canadian to win the Masters or any men’s major. 

They were grouped together in 2020 and played a practice round together with Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., and Adam Hadwin, also from Abbotsford. Canada’s PGA Tour players often practice together before events and, as usual, it became an East vs. West event on Tuesday. 

Weir reported that the Ontarian pairing of he and Conners beat out the Abbotsford boys.

“We had a great time. Always fun for me to catch up with the guys. I only get to see them a couple times a year,” said Weir, who is the International Team’s captain for this year’s Presidents Cup. “I’ll see them a little bit more now because I’m travelling out to a few more events, but yeah, always fun.”

Another thing that has changed since Taylor’s last Masters appearance is Taylor’s FedEx Cup ranking. He qualified in 2020 after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February of that year, but has moved way up the standings thanks to winning the RBC Canadian Open in June and the WM Phoenix Open in February. 

He’s now the top-ranked Canadian on the PGA Tour, sitting 13th in the FedEx Cup standings.

“I would say early in 2020, my game was rounding into really nice form, after winning Pebble and getting some confidence going,” said Taylor. “It’s easy to see years later, but you know, the COVID stretch where I was quarantined a bit back in Canada, bouncing back and forth, my game kind of deteriorated over that time and took some time to claw my way back.

“I do feel like now I’m better than ever. I feel like I’m a different player than I was three and a half years ago when I was there.”

SiriusXM Canada announced as title partner of concert series at the
2024 RBC Canadian Open.

Toronto, April 10, 2024 – Golf Canada is pleased to announce a new partnership that welcomes SiriusXM Canada as the title sponsor of the SiriusXM Concert Series at the RBC Canadian Open.

Four-time JUNO Award winning Canadian legends Our Lady Peace will be the headliner on Friday, May 31 followed by 2023 Canadian Country Music Awards, ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’, Josh Ross on Saturday, June 1 as part of Canada’s National Open Championship returning to the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club, May 28 to June 2, 2024.

Hosted by SiriusXM Canada in partnership with Live Nation Canada and Golf Canada, the two-night onsite concert series will shine a spotlight on Canadian talent and artists. Additional headlining artists will be announced for both nights of the SiriusXM Concert Series at the RBC Canadian Open in the coming weeks.

“Spotlighting Canadian talent while bringing fans closer to the music, sports and entertainment they love is something we do through our service every day,” said Rob Keen, SVP, Sales & Marketing, SiriusXM Canada. “Our ongoing partnership with Golf Canada allows us to bring two of our biggest content pillars together: music and sports, elevating the entertainment experience, and making it richer and more vibrant.  This year, we’re proud to expand our relationship with Golf Canada by sponsoring the SiriusXM Concert Series, and we are so excited to showcase these artists to new fans, and to create some unforgettable moments.”

Our Lady Peace has been entertaining fans since forming in Toronto in 1992. The band has sold over five million albums, won four JUNO Awards and 10 Much Music Video Awards (MMVA), making them one of the MMVA’s most awarded artists. 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of their debut album “Naveed”, and the 25th anniversary of their third album “Happiness…Is Not A Fish You Can Catch”. Our Lady Peace’s No. 1 hits in Canada include, “Naveed,” “Superman’s Dead,”, “Clumsy,” “Innocent,” “Somewhere Out There,” and “Angels Losing Sleep.”

“The RBC Canadian Open is a world class event. Our Lady Peace is proud to be part of it and look forward to performing at the upcoming tournament,” said Our Lady Peace frontman Raine Maida.

Rising star Josh Ross originally from Burlington, Ont. who now resides in Nashville, made his debut on the country music scene in 2019. He recently released Complicated, on March 29, 2024, an extended play (EP) that includes singles, “Trouble” and “Single Again.” Ross has several other platinum-certified singles including, “Ain’t Doin’ Jack” and “Trouble” and was a SiriusXM Top of the Country Top 3 finalist in 2022. Last year, Ross won ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’ at the 2023 Canadian Country Music Awards. Ross has toured with Bailey Zimmerman, Lee Brice, Nickelback, and Brantley Gilbert.

In addition to the SiriusXM Concert Series at the RBC Canadian Open, spectators will enjoy a week-long festival atmosphere at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, highlighted by, The Rink, located at the 13th Hole along with a variety of food and patio experiences at The Fare Way featuring The Keg.

“Live music entertainment has become a staple of the RBC Canadian Open. Fans are in-store for world-class golf followed by incredible performances from two award winning Canadian headline acts,” said Bryan Crawford, tournament director, RBC Canadian Open.

Tickets for Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 include full day access to the tournament and the SiriusXM Concert Series. The concert grounds will be located near admissions and The Fareway featuring The Keg at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. To purchase tickets to the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, please visit RBCCanadianOpen.com/tickets/.

Multi-year partnership includes sponsorship of Golf Canada’s National Open Championships
and support of Golf Canada Member Facilities across the country.

Golf Canada and Humi announced a multi-year integrated partnership that will see Humi become the official payroll, human resources, and benefits partner of Golf Canada.

The partnership extends across Golf Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open and the CPKC Women’s Open. In addition, Humi will become the inaugural Presenting Partner of Golf Canada’s National Facility Awards for Junior Golf.

“Golf Canada is proud to announce this multifaceted partnership with Humi, aimed at elevating numerous initiatives to foster inclusive and diverse opportunities throughout the golf season,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO, Golf Canada. “We have integrated the Humi platform into our People and Culture operation and look forward to their enhanced impact on Canadian golf.”

Humi will also become the presenting partner of the Lodge Hospitality Suites at both the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open. In this capacity, Humi will elevate the experience for all corporate hospitality guests within these exclusive spaces.

Humi’s partnership position will extend to support the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit, an annual summit during the CPKC Women’s Open that engages influential leaders from both the business and sports world. The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit embodies Humi’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and empowerment, by featuring impactful speakers with diverse perspectives on topics such as diversity of thought and women in leadership positions.

“Humi is committed to supporting Canadian businesses, which is why we’re thrilled to partner with Golf Canada – a leading Canadian organization and valued client. They do amazing work to support the spirit of golf for all Canadians, as well as a network of golf courses across the country, which serve as the bedrock of the sport. We look forward to working together with Golf Canada to support hard working Canadians from coast to coast,” said Kevin Kliman, CEO of Humi.

Founded in 2016, Humi launched as a simple cloud-based web app that stored employee data. Today, Humi has become the best all-in-one people operations software solution for Canadian businesses. Creating safe and inclusive environments that embrace diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and opinions remains a core value at Humi. As a part of this commitment, Humi’s partnership will focus on enhancing experiences at Golf Canada’s events that foster inclusive experiences and environments for all.

Through their expertise in people operations solutions, Humi will provide additional support to Golf Canada member golf clubs and facilities via best-practice resources and relevant industry case studies. In addition, their support will extend into the Golf Canada Facility Awards for Junior Golf presented by Humi, with a donation of $1,000 to each winning facility to be invested back into junior golf initiatives. More details on the program can be found here www.golfcanada.ca/national-facility-awards-for-junior-golf/.

Golf Canada Launches Season-Long Campaign That Highlights
The Many Health Benefits of The Sport

New Golf and Health campaign website along with Golf Canada mobile app enhancements to focus on the sport’s positive physical, mental, and social benefits for participants.

Golf Canada is highlighting the physical, mental, and social benefits that the sport can provide on Canadians through its brand-new Golf and Health campaign.

The campaign – Golf, It’s Good for You – launches this weekend leading into World Health Day April 7. All of the World Health Organization’s key criteria for health enhancing physical activity can be achieved through the sport of golf and Golf Canada is prioritizing communicating health as part of its strategic plan.

“We are proud to launch this campaign ahead of World Health Day to showcase the breadth and depth of mental, physical and social health benefits that the game of golf can provide for all participants,” said Tim McLaughlin, chief marketing officer with Golf Canada. “The campaign brings awareness to what Canadians think they know about golf with the many known health benefits they might not be aware of. We launched a website resource with the latest clinical research focused on golf and health. We are also working with golf clubs across the country to share this impact with golfers who are enjoying the game in record numbers. We have also made it easier for Canadians to track their health progress through new health tracking features and enhancements to our Golf Canada Mobile App.”

The Golf and Health campaign focuses on three key pillars: mental, physical, and social.

The mental benefits of golf include enhanced overall well-being, improved brain health, and helping to reduce the risk of dementia. Golf can also assist to boost confidence, promote increased focus and concentration, and help to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. Being out on the golf course can also help to slow down stress response and induces a feeling of calm.

As published in The R&A Golf and Health Report, and in addition to the mental benefits, the physical benefits of golf are undeniable. Research has shown that playing golf regularly can add five years to your life highlighted by the physical exercise, mental stimulation, and time spent outdoors while playing. As a physical activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime, golf can also help to prevent or lessen the impact of over 40 different chronic illnesses including diabetes, cancer, along with heart attacks and stroke.

Golf is viewed as a moderately demanding form of exercise and is a great way to contribute to daily step goals. The average golfer walks 5,000 steps in a 9-hole round which is the equivalent of three to five kilometres. With nearly 2,300 golf courses in Canada including both public and private facilities, the sport is highly accessible and significant strides have been made in accessible technology to make the game more inclusive for the differently abled people of all ages.

The inherent social nature of the game is also an important factor in helping increase social well-being and is a great way to bond with old friends and meet new ones. It is a sport that welcomes families and partners to be active together and is also an effective way to network and build business relationships.

Operating as small businesses in communities across Canada, golf courses provide players of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to enjoy the game. Golf Canada is collaborating with the Provincial Associations to provide information and assets on the Golf and Health campaign to club operators across the country.

Golf Canada has launched a new website that highlights the benefits of the game including helpful resource information and articles – please visit health.golfcanada.ca to find out more.

The Golf Canada Mobile App continues to be the all-in-one place to track progress and connect with colleagues and friends. In support of the Golf and Health campaign, the app is providing significant health tracking enhancements to the golfer experience. In addition to tracking scores and stats, users can now gain valuable personal insights into how each round positively affects their health. New health stat features include number of steps, distance walked, stand time, calories burned, elevation gained and heart rate. Users will also be able to view health statistics over different periods of time all of which is private and secure within their profile. For more information on the Golf Canada Mobile App, please click here. To download on Apple devices click here, to download on Google Play devices, click here.

“Golf brings people together and has an incredible impact on our personal heath and well being,” added McLaughlin. “Whether through physical activity over a lifetime, mental health improvements or the wonderful social experience shared by family and friends, now is a great moment for the Golf and Health campaign to inspire golfers and new enthusiasts to consider the incredible impact that our sport is having on Canadians.”

The Golf, It’s Good for You campaign will run season long and be featured at Golf Canada championships and events including Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont. and the CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club Calgary, Alta.

Caledon, Ont. – The Fortinet Cup Championship, an annual PGA TOUR Americas event taking place at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, has selected First Tee – Canada as its Official Charitable Partner for 2024.

Part of a tradition that has seen PGA TOUR Americas events at TPC Toronto donate more than $300,000 to local charities since 2018, this year’s event will see proceeds go towards the Golf Canada Foundation, with First Tee – Canada programming as the charitable beneficiary. 

The Fortinet Cup Championship event week will also begin with a special First Tee – Canada Pro-Am Monday, September 8.

First Tee – Canada is a youth development program providing children with life-enhancing golf experiences, offering accessible and inclusive programming at golf courses, schools, and community centres, seeking to ensure that the sport of golf reflects the diversity of Canadians while promoting healthy choices through the game.

Operated by Golf Canada, the First Tee – Canada program has welcomed more than 100,000 youth participants since launching in 2020.

“First Tee – Canada plays such an important role in fostering the growth of golf in Canada, and we’re thrilled to partner with an organization that represents our shared values of promoting diversity and inclusion in the game,” said Tournament Director Brad Parkins. “We look forward to a successful partnership that will be additive to both the tournament and our community this season.”

“As the top cybersecurity vendor in Canada, Fortinet invests in community efforts and organizations that align with our corporate social responsibilities. We are glad to benefit First Tee – Canada this year, a local non-profit organization focusing on helping youth in their personal and athletic development,” said Marc Asturias, Vice President of Marketing and Government Vertical at Fortinet Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. “We’re continuing to drive innovation through our partnership with PGA TOUR Americas initiatives, which will ultimately benefit our customers, the local community, and non-profit organizations across Canada.”

TPC Toronto, which serves as the host organization for the Fortinet Cup Championship, has made a commitment to supporting the growth of golf through First Tee – Canada. In 2022, it announced alongside the Humeniuk family a $1M USD donation to the Golf Canada Foundation to power the advancement of First Tee – Canada, and the facility also serves as host to programming for First Tee – Canada’s Caledon chapter throughout each season.

“We look forward to continuing the momentum we have built over the past several years with First Tee – Canada, striving to provide all children across Canada with access to First Tee and positive experiences through golf,” said Adam Hunter, Golf Canada’s Director, Grow the Game. “Our gratitude goes out to TPC Toronto and the Fortinet Cup Championship for this opportunity to strengthen our growing relationship and reinforce our shared commitment to growing the game in Canada.”

The Fortinet Cup Championship is the 16th and final event on the 2024 PGA TOUR Americas schedule, where 10 future PGA TOUR stars will earn promotions to the Korn Ferry Tour. The event will be played on TPC Toronto’s newly renovated North course from September 2-8.