This week at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas marks the tour debut for the next generation Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, available to players for the first time to play in competition. Over the next three days of practice rounds at TPC Summerlin, members of the Titleist Golf Ball R&D team will be busy testing these final Pro V1 and Pro V1x prototypes with players and fitting them into the model that helps them play their best.

Over the years, Titleist’s tour seeding and validation process for new Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls has become a holiday of sorts held biennially at the PGA TOUR’s Las Vegas stop, with players arriving to their lockers to find the prototypes in their signature white boxes and sleeves. It was at TPC Summerlin in 2000 that the original Pro V1 prototype was first introduced with 47 players immediately making the switch, including eventual winner Billy Andrade, a historic shift in equipment usage for a single tour event.

This process, which also signals the near conclusion of Titleist’s rigorous two-year golf ball development cycle, continues to be critical step in providing golfers with the best performing golf balls in the game. Earning final validation from the best players in the world ensures that new products are faithful to the Titleist brand promise of innovation, performance, consistency and quality excellence.

TORONTO — Sporting Life Inc. et Golf Town Limited annoncent leur fusion et la création Sporting Life Group Limited («SLG»).

Sporting Life est un magasin de style de vie sport qui offre une expérience de magasinage unique et une sélection exhaustive d’articles et de marques sport et style, tout en mettant l’accent sur un service à la clientèle exceptionnel. Elle compte présentement 11 magasins au Canada en Ontario, en Alberta et au Québec, suite à l’ouverture de son nouveau magasin de 27 500 pieds carrés au Quartier DIX30 la semaine dernière. En 2019, Sporting Life prévoit ouvrir un autre magasin amiral dans le tout nouveau mail «Amazing Brentwood» à Vancouver en Colombie-Britannique.

Golf Town est la destination numéro un pour l’équipement et les vêtements de golf au Canada, avec 47 magasins à travers le pays. Golf Town a connu énormément de succès depuis son acquisition en 2016 par Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited («Fairfax») (TSX: FFH et FFH.U) et certains fonds gérés par Signature Global Asset Management, une division de CI Investment Inc.

Fairfax et ses fondateurs David Russel et Patti Russel étaient les propriétaires de Sporting Life et continueront à s’investir auprès de Sporting Life Group.

Suite à cette fusion, les deux marques conserveront leur identité de marque et continueront d’opérer de façon indépendante, bien qu’elles feront des investissements communs en matière de personnel, de technologies et d’approvisionnement. Ces investissements permettront de favoriser la croissance et les synergies.

«Les ventes de Sporting Life sont à leur sommet lors des mois d’hiver alors que les ventes de Golf Town sont à leur sommet pendant l’été», dit David Russel, PDG et co-fondateur de Sporting Life. «Cette nouvelle entité représente une occasion de croissance naturelle qui permettra aux deux compagnies de profiter d’un rendement robuste tout au long de l’année.»

«Les investissements et les synergies nous permettront de mettre en œuvre un plan d’expansion simplifié. Nous prévoyons ajouter des magasins en Colombie-Britannique, en Alberta et au Québec, tout en nous implantant au Manitoba», ajoute David Russell.

Golf Town continue d’investir dans sa marque et son réseau de magasins avec une nouvelle génération de magasins qui sera lancée en mars 2019 à Richmond en Colombie-Britannique.

«Depuis l’acquisition de Golf Town en 2016, nous avons fait des investissements au Canada en matière de personnel, de technologie et dans nos magasins», dit Chad McKinnon, président de Golf Town. «Cette fusion permettra d’optimiser ces investissements tout en offrant plusieurs occasions de développement pour notre marque et notre personnel, tout en préservant le caractère distinct des deux marques et équipes».

L’équipe de direction de la nouvelle compagnie fusionnée sera:

David Russell – Président-directeur général de SLG
Chad McKinnon – Président de SLG
Patti Russell (Co-fondatrice de Sporting Life) – Vice-présidente exécutive et Chef de la gestion de la marque chez SLG
Frederick Lecoq – Chef du marketing de SLG

Les équipes de direction des deux marques resteront en place.

TORONTO – Sporting Life Inc. and Golf Town Limited  have announced they will merge to become Sporting Life Group Limited (“SLG”).

Sporting Life is a premium sports and lifestyle retailer that provides an assortment of high-end sport and lifestyle brands coupled with a focus on premium customer service. It currently has 11 locations operating in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec, following the recent opening of a 27, 500 square foot store last week. In 2019, it will open another flagship store in the new “Amazing Brentwood” Mall in Vancouver.

Golf Town is the largest retailer for golf apparel and equipment in Canada, with a national footprint of 47 stores. Golf Town has been incredibly successful since its acquisition by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (“Fairfax”) (TSX: FFH and FFH.U) and certain funds managed by Signature Global Asset Management, a division of CI Investments Inc., in 2016.

Fairfax, and founders David Russell and Patti Russell, were the owners of Sporting Life and both continue to be invested in Sporting Life Group.

The merger will see the two brands continue to maintain their brand identities and operate separately, but they will jointly invest in key people, technology and supply chain to enhance future profitable growth and synergies.

“Sporting Life experiences its strongest sales in the winter months, while Golf Town experiences its strongest sales in the summer months,” said David Russell, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Sporting Life. “We believe this to be a natural ‘hedge’ allowing both companies strong profitable performance throughout the year.”

“Enhancing our people, technology and supply chain while obtaining synergies will allow for a streamlined, profitable roll out of our expansion plans. We intend to add stores in B.C beyond Brentwood, more in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and to enter Manitoba,” added Russell.

Golf Town continues to invest in its brand and network of stores with a next generation store concept launching in March 2019 in Richmond, B.C.

“Since the acquisition of Golf Town in 2016, we have invested in Canada on people, technology and our stores,” said Chad McKinnon, President of Golf Town. “This merger will accelerate that investment and open up new opportunities for our brand and our people, while maintaining the separate identity and teams of both brands.”

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen and three-time major champion Jan Stephenson are among five people selected for induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

A 16-member panel of mostly golf administrators also selected retired Augusta National chairman Billy Payne, LPGA charter member and renowned teacher Peggy Kirk Bell and Dennis Walters, who has been inspiring golfers through clinics despite being paralyzed from the chest down since he was 24.

Goosen recovered from a lightning strike to win 33 times worldwide, including U.S. Opens at Southern Hills and Shinnecock Hills. Stephenson won the LPGA Championship, U.S. Women’s Open and du Maurier Classic among her 16 titles on the LPGA Tour.

The induction will be June 10, the Monday of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

ETOBICOKE, Ont – The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and Bayer Environmental Science (Bayer) announced Dean Baker from Burlington Golf & Country  Club in Burlington, Ont., as their CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year for 2018.

The CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year award recognizes a member of the CGSA who has held the position of golf course superintendent for a minimum of five years and who has distinguished her or himself through dedication to the profession, performance as a golf course superintendent and contributions to their profession and their community.

“Dean Baker is one of the most influential golf course superintendents in Ontario and truly one of the most dedicated members who instills the importance of involvement and participation in associations,” said Kendall Costain, CGSA President. “Between his teaching at the University of Guelph and all the mentoring he has done; he has had a tremendous impact on an entire generation of turf managers. His dedication to supporting not only the CGSA but also the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association (OGSA) make it clear how  fortunate we are to have him as an ambassador. He genuinely wants everybody to succeed.”

Baker has been a CGSA member since 1989.  He has also been a 25 year plus member of the OGSA and the GCSAA.

“I love my job,” said Baker, who graduated in 1985 from the University of Guelph with a Turf Management Diploma. “There isn’t a day that goes by where I hesitate waking up and going to work.  It’s a job I’ve enjoyed since I was 15 years old.”

Dean  was hired as an assistant-in-training at Glen Abbey Golf Club.  He went on to become the superintendent at Glen Abbey in 1989, a position he held until 2000, when he moved to The Club at North Halton and worked as superintendent from 2000 – 2012.  He moved again in 2012 where he became the Golf Course Superintendent at the Burlington Golf & Country Club, where he still oversees the golf course maintenance today.

He has hosted 12 RBC Canadian Opens and he was recognized by Jack Nicklaus back in the late 90’s as having the best maintained Nicklaus designed golf course (Glen Abbey Golf Club). He has taught for over 10 years at the University of Guelph and he is an Audubon certified member as well as a certified Golf Course Superintendent through the GCSAA.

Baker will receive the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year award at the 2019 CGSA awards ceremony at the Banff Springs Hotel as part of The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference.

Embed from Getty Images

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. – A two-year mission to design greater speed into every detail of driver technology has led to the introduction of the new Titleist TS drivers, available in golf shops Sept. 28 with fitting events beginning today at locations nationwide.

This mission – the “Titleist Speed Project,” as it was referenced internally by the Titleist Metalwoods R&D team – began with a challenge from the game’s best players to make Titleist drivers as fast as possible. What followed was a relentless pursuit to solicit speed from every micron and milligram of the driver head, culminating with the development of two new driver models – TS2 and TS3 – engineered to deliver faster ball speed with higher launch, lower spin and increased MOI for more distance and game-changing forgiveness.

At the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, the first week that TS (“Titleist Speed”) drivers were available for competition, it became immediately clear that the new TS2 and TS3 models had passed the test. Seventeen players put TS drivers in play – including Justin Thomas, who unleashed a career-long 422-yard drive in Round 1 – an unprecedented shift for the week of a major championship. Three starts later, Thomas earned his first World Golf Championships title with a four-shot victory at Firestone, crediting the performance gains of his TS3 9.5º driver.

The future of “Titleist Speed” is driven by the creation of the new Titleist Speed Chassis, comprising four key innovations:

• Ultra-Thin Titanium Crown. The thinnest cast titanium crown in the game (20 percent thinner than 917 drivers) allows weight to be shifted lower and deeper.
• Thinner, Faster Face. The fastest face Titleist has ever made – a refined Radial VFT (variable face thickness) that reduces weight by up to six grams – delivers faster ball speeds and increased forgiveness. The TS face is so thin that the score lines must be lasered on (instead of etched into the face like prior generations).

• New Streamlined Shape. Enhanced aerodynamic shaping reduces drag by up to 20 percent, allowing golfers to swing faster, increasing club head speed for more distance.

• Optimized Weight Distribution. Refined crown and variable face thicknesses create the lowest CG ever in a Titleist driver for higher launch and lower spin. The resulting MOI is up to 12 percent higher than 917, creating a powerful combination of speed and stability.

“From start to finish, the TS Project was about driving ball speed and unlocking a level of performance that golfers simply couldn’t ignore,” said Josh Talge, Vice President, Titleist Golf Club Marketing. “In order to do that, we knew we had to look at things differently. We challenged ourselves to deconstruct the driver and then literally build it back up, piece by piece, to be faster, longer and better in every way possible. R&D had been exploring some unique constructions early on that were really compelling in theory, but they simply couldn’t beat the performance of our all-titanium Speed Chassis. We know performance is the story that golfers care about. From the ball speed and distance gains we’re seeing both on tour and with amateur golfers, it’s clear that TS metals deliver a new level of Titleist Speed.”

TWO WAYS TO SPEED: TS drivers bring more speed to golfers through two distinct designs. The new TS2 lets golfers swing aggressively with maximum forgiveness across the face, while TS3 offers speed-tuned distance with dynamic forgiveness through SureFit CG. Both models feature Titleist’s patented SureFit hosel with 16 independent loft and lie settings to create a more consistent and optimized ball flight through precision fitting.

TS2 DRIVERS – STRAIGHT SPEED.

• Explosive distance across the face and maximum forgiveness
• Adjustable Swingweight, Fixed CG Location
• High Launch, Low Spin
• Modern Shape, 460cc
• Available in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5°
 lofts

TS3 DRIVERS – SPECIALIZED SPEED.

• Speed-tuned distance and dynamic forgiveness.
• Adjustable Swingweight & SureFit CG
• Mid Launch, Low Spin
• Traditional Shape, 460cc
• Available in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°
 lofts

PREMIUM STOCK SHAFTS: The TS drivers stock shaft lineup features four new aftermarket models – KURO KAGE Black Dual Core 50 (High launch and moderate spin), TENSEI AV Series Blue 55 (Mid launch and spin), HZRDUS Smoke Black 60 (Low/mid launch and spin) and Even Flow T1100 White 65 (Low launch and spin) – developed by the game’s top shaft manufacturers using insights from Titleist’s industry-best motion capture and consumer testing. Each of these shafts will be making their market debut with TS drivers.

Moderate swing speed players will benefit from Mitsubishi’s new Straight Flight Weighting (SFW) technology, which promotes straight flight in lightweight driver shaft options (KURO KAGE Black Dual Core 50 and TENSEI AV Series Blue 55).

In addition, Titleist offers an industry-leading number of custom shaft choices.

INSTANT TOUR ADOPTION: Since the debut of TS drivers at the U.S. Open, more than 100 players around the world have switched to new TS2 and TS3 models, including Justin Thomas (TS3 9.5º), Adam Scott (TS3 10.5º), Bill Haas (TS2 9.5º), Jimmy Walker (TS3 8.5º), Brian Harman (TS2 9.5º), Cameron Smith (TS2 9.5º), Rafa Cabrera Bello (TS3 9.5º), Webb Simpson (TS3 10.5º), Byeong-Hun An (TS3 9.5º), Charley Hoffman (TS3 9.5º), Peter Uihlein (TS3 9.5º), Chesson Hadley (TS2 10.5º) and Ian Poulter (TS3 9.5º).

In June, Michael Kim (TS2 10.5º) became the first player to post a victory with the new Titleist TS driver, winning the John Deere Classic by a record eight shots. For the tournament, Kim averaged five yards more off the tee (294.8) and was nearly 30 percentage points (82.14%) higher in Driving Accuracy compared to his 2017-18 season averages.

FREE TRIAL & FITTINGS: Beginning Sept. 6, golfers can experience the speed of TS drivers by attending a Titleist Fitting Day or Trial event (including Titleist Thursdays) being held at locations nationwide. To find an event, or book a free TS metals fitting with a Titleist Product Specialist, golfers can visit www.titleist.ca/events.

AVAILABILITY: Titleist TS drivers are available in golf shops worldwide beginning Sept. 28 at a price of $659.99.

TORONTO – From soccer fields to baseball diamonds to the golf course, playing forms friendships, and creates memories while building community. That’s why Kraft Heinz, TSN and RDS, are joining forces for a 10th year to continue building better places to play from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

Starting today, Canadians can nominate their local recreation project for Kraft Heinz Project Play for a chance to win local facility upgrades. The Grand Prize winner will receive $250,000 towards a recreational facility upgrade, and the three second-prize winners will each receive $25,000.

“Play brings us together; it encourages a healthier lifestyle, it inspires imagination, it teaches values and most importantly, it builds a sense of community,” said Joanna Milroy, Marketing Director, Kraft Heinz. “We’re thrilled to help bring communities together by investing in the places they play and grow up in together.”

Last year’s winner, Goderich, Ontario, is using its winnings to upgrade its multi-use recreational park. Over the past nine years, Kraft Heinz Project Play has awarded $2.6M to 77 communities across Canada. In total, Kraft Heinz has supported 179 communities, contributing $6.75 million dollars to play-based infrastructure projects across Canada.

Kraft Heinz Project Play is once again partnering with Bell Media’s TSN and RDS, which will see the program amplified across the network’s industry-leading platforms with integration in live programming, on TSN.ca and RDS.ca, and across TSN’s and RDS’s official Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.

TSN’s James Duthie returns as Kraft Heinz Program Ambassador for the fourth consecutive year, and RDS’s Valérie Sardin joins the Kraft Heinz Project Play team as a first-time Program Ambassador. Through their passion for sport, both ambassadors will encourage Canadians to participate and nominate their facility in an aim to build better places to play in their communities, with original content appearing at KraftHeinzProjectPlay.com, and on TSN and RDS’s social media accounts throughout the campaign.

“It’s a true privilege to return as a Program Ambassador for Kraft Heinz Project Play,” said James Duthie. “I love seeing the impact this incredible program has on communities across Canada, and the increased focus it places on local sports and places to play.”

“It is with great pleasure that I join the Project Play team as a Program Ambassador,” said Valérie Sardin. “Physical activity has always been an important part of my life, and I strongly believe in the importance of providing all Canadians with access to better places to play.”

NOMINATE YOUR COMMUNITY TODAY!
Beginning today, August 7, 2018, through to September 16, 2018, Canadians can nominate the places, spaces and projects that keep their communities playing, active and united at KraftHeinzProjectPlay.com.

The Top Four Kraft Heinz Project Play finalists will be announced October 13, 2018 on TSN and RDS. Canadians can then vote for their favourite community project at KraftHeinzProjectPlay.com.

The Kraft Heinz Project Play Grand Prize winner will be announced on October 28, 2018 on TSN and RDS, earning a quarter of a million dollars ($250,000) for a recreation facility upgrade. Three second-prize winners will each receive $25,000.

Hamilton, ON – Classes are back in session at McMaster University’s Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) in their online golf and resort management program. Online classes in Golf Club Governance and Human Resources Management for Golf Operations start September 10 through November 4, 2018

Through its unique online delivery platform, McMaster University CCE prides itself on “bringing the business of golf to you,” for adult learners interested in a career in the golf industry. McMaster University CCE offers the only university diploma in Golf & Resort Management in Canada. Students who complete all ten courses will receive a Diploma in Golf & Resort Management from McMaster University and an industry certification from the Golf Management Institute of Canada (GMIC).

McMaster’s first course offering is Golf Club Governance. This course explores the dynamics of boards and committees in a golf facility and the oversight and direction they provide to running an effective golf operation. Board structures in a private course setting will be discussed as will decision-making processes and board and committee dynamics. Club strategy and policy matters will be explored as well as the role of golf associations in the golf industry.

The course instructor is Mr. George Pinches, an industry expert in club governance and former Chief Operating Officer of the Hamilton Golf & Country Club, home of the 2019 and 2023 RBC Canadian Opens. The cost of the course is $689.00 CDN.

McMaster’s second course offering is Human Resources Management for Golf Operations. This course focuses on the professional application of human resource management practices as they pertain to the golf industry. All aspects of people management will be covered, including hiring, compensation, training and development, health and safety, performance management, and employment law.

The course will be taught by HR expert Rouzbeh Vatanchi and costs $689.00 CDN.

The McMaster University Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) has inspired people to discover and achieve through lifelong learning since 1931. Students are provided the flexibility and convenience of courses offered at night, on weekends, and online. With more than 200 courses and workshops available, McMaster CCE is one of Canada’s largest and leading providers of academic certificate and diploma programs, professional development education, and corporate training.

For more information about the program contact 1-800-463-6223 or golfmgmt@mcmaster.ca

CALGARY – While iconic golfer Phil Mickelson is currently having a stellar season, making birdies isn’t the only thing on his mind: Mickelson is also heavily involved in creating a championship golf course of his own in Calgary, Alta.

Phil Mickelson Design has teamed up with Windmill Golf Group to build a remarkable golf course: Mickelson National Golf Club. The new course is located just west of Calgary at Harmony, a roughly 1800-acre real estate development by Qualico Communities and Bordeaux Developments.

Seeding at Mickelson National Golf Club began in August 2017 and the course’s construction will be completed by the end of August this year. After construction is complete, the course will mature for a period-of-time, so it can be in world class condition when it opens. Some of the first holes, however, are nearly ready to play.

Barry Ehlert, President of Mickelson National Golf Club and Managing Partner, commented, “The community of Harmony is outstanding, and the golf course is looking fantastic. People ask all the time when it will open. Our opening-date goal remains the same as it has always been: to open the course for some golf in 2019 with an official grand opening in 2020. Additionally, construction on the clubhouse will begin in 2019. There’s a lot of progress and work ongoing.”

Because the Mickelson National Golf Club will be a completely private club, many people will have limited opportunities to actually play the course. To allow more people the chance to get out on this unique course, Ehlert and his team have decided to open four holes to anyone who tours this one-of-a-kind course between August 1 and September 19. People can visit tourandplaymickelsonnational.com to register. Then in September they’ll get to play it with the chance to win some great prizes too.

Ehlert continues, “Because of the overwhelmingly-positive responses of people touring the golf course to-date, we have decided to do something that I don’t believe a private course of this magnitude has ever done before: give the public the chance to play a few holes of the course well before the grand opening.”

The opportunity to participate in this exclusive event is limited and is a unique chance for golf enthusiasts to sample this amazing course before opens.

TORONTO – Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. and Golf Canada are pleased to announce that Single Malt Scotch Whisky brand, The Glenlivet, will continue as the official spirit supplier of Golf Canada’s National Open Championships—the RBC Canadian Open taking place from July 23-29, 2018 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. as well as the CP Women’s Open, August 20-26 at The Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.

“We’re excited to extend our partnership with the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open as it allows us to celebrate the tremendous excellence and heritage of golf in Canada with The Glenlivet,” says Bryan Lin, Scotch Whisky Brand Manager, Corby Spirit and Wine. “The Glenlivet is the ultimate Single Malt Scotch whisky that was distilled for pleasure since 1824. We are committed to delivering a first-class experience that can be shared by golf fans and patrons throughout the championship with multiple onsite activations and touchpoints.”

Attendees at the RBC Canadian Open Spectator Village will have the opportunity to sample the award-winning Single Malt Scotch Whisky The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve and take home their own custom label with The Glenlivet Label Maker Experience.

Fans can also enjoy a more premium viewing experience inside the Single Malt Super Seats Lounge behind the 16^th Hole Green, with feature tastings of the newly launched Ballantine 15 Year-old Glenburgie Single Malt Scotch led by The Glenlivet Brand Ambassador, Frank Biskupek.

Additionally, Corby Spirit and Wine will feature several of its premium spirits at public concessions, including Absolut Vodka, Havana Club Rum, Altos Tequila and Ungava Gin.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. an offer our fans a truly world-class whiskey at both the RBC Canadian Open as well as the CP Women’s Open,” said Craig Sharp, Golf Canada Managing Director, Partnerships. “The tremendous history behind The Glenlivet pairs perfectly with well over 100 years of delivering a premium spectator experience at our historic National Open Golf Championships.”

More details about Golf Canada’s National Open Golf Championships including tickets can be found at www.rbccanadianopen.com and www.cpwomensopen.com.