Long-time Rules Official has played significant role in Rules Education
and referee mentorship for Golf Canada and Golf Quebec
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce that Nancy Layton of Ayer’s Cliff, Que. has been named as the 2025 recipient of the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year award.
A dedicated advocate for the Rules of Golf, Layton is longtime volunteer with Golf Canada and Golf Quebec and currently serves as Chair of the Rules Education Subcommittee. Layton has contributed countless hours and is considered a mentor to many, both on a national and provincial level, through her work in the Rules of Golf.
“Nancy Layton’s exceptional work within the Rules of Golf as Subcommittee Chair, an instructor and as a Referee, makes her truly deserving of the prestigious Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award,” said Adam Daifallah, President, Golf Canada. “Nancy is considered a mentor to many referees across Canada and her tireless work in Rules Education is appreciated and she is a wonderful representative of Golf Canada.”
The Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award is named in recognition of Toronto native Bruce Mitchell who, in 2017-18, was the first Canadian to serve as captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A). Born in Victoria, B.C. and raised in Edmonton, Alta., the former President of the Toronto Golf Club and R&A member since 1988 was just the ninth internationally appointed captain of The R&A, one of the most prestigious volunteer positions in the world of golf. Duties as captain included representing The R&A as a global ambassador and aiding in The R&A’s effort to develop golf around the world.
Now in its 20th year, candidates for the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award are put forth to Golf Canada for consideration by the respective provincial golf associations in acknowledgment of significant contributions to the game of golf in their community.
Nancy Layton
A longtime member of Dufferin Heights Golf Club, Nancy Layton of Ayer’s Cliff, Que. is a valued mentor to countless Referees in her home province of Quebec and across Canada.
In 2025, Layton became Chair of the Rules Education Subcommittee for Golf Canada, where she leads a group of volunteers who work alongside Golf Canada staff to ensure Level 2 and Level 3 Rules Education materials and seminars are organized, meet required standards and continue to evolve with the program.
In addition to her role as Chair, Layton instructed the Level 3 Rules Education Program in 2024 and 2025. She also instructed the 2025 Golf Canada Referee School and served as a mentor to new Referees in the 2025 Mentoring Program.
Along with her commitments in leading a national subcommittee and mentorship, Layton served on multiple duty rosters for Golf Canada’s Amateur Championships in 2025. Including serving as Tournament Rules Chair at the 111th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2025 Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Layton also served as a Referee at the RBC Canadian Open Quebec Regional Qualifier, the inaugural Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational and the World Junior Girls Golf Championship last year. Layton has also represented Golf Canada as a Referee at the CPKC Women’s Open and the U.S. Women’s Open.
A lifelong learner, Layton consistently shares her knowledge, kind spirit and passion for the game with her colleagues at Golf Canada and Golf Quebec and fellow Referees across Canada.
