Amateur

GAO announces Andrew Moss as new High Performance Director

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16-01-06 - Andrew Moss

UXBRIDGE — The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) is pleased to announce the hiring of Andrew Moss to fill the newly created role of High Performance Director. Moss joins the GAO’s Sport Department after High Performance Manager Mary Ann Hayward’s retirement announcement and former Director Mike Kelly’s move to the role of Executive Director.

“I am thrilled to be joining the GAO at this important time for golf,” said Moss. “With the upcoming Olympic Games, and the great pool of talent we have in Ontario, there is a fantastic opportunity to grow the participation in our sport, and see more and more golfers come through our clubs, and through our high performance pathways.”

Moss brings 25 years of experience to the GAO as a coach, provincial and national sport administrator, consultant and most recently, Lead of High Performance Athlete Development at the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO). At the CSIO, Moss was responsible for overseeing a portfolio of National and Provincial high performance programs with some of Canada’s top Olympic sports, such as Rowing, Athletics, Swimming, Cycling, and Figure Skating.

Having started out as a swimmer, golfer and sailor in Kingston, Moss pursued a coaching passion over a 15-year career. Following retirement from coaching, he moved to sport administration as Program Director at Swim BC, and Director of Domestic Operations with Swimming Canada. In both roles, Andrew oversaw the development and implementation of athlete, coaching, and club development programs, along with implementation of online performance tracking systems.

“We received an incredible amount of interest for this new position and following a very thorough process, we are thrilled to welcome Andrew to our team,” said Kelly.  “His background in sport, passion for golf and experience at the renowned Canadian Sport Institute Ontario will be a massive benefit to Ontario athletes, PGA of Canada coaches and clubs.”

“I appreciate the confidence Mike Kelly has shown in me, and I am confident that the unique experience I bring will help build on the great work done by Mary Ann Hayward and the GAO team over the past six and a half years,” added Moss. “I’m excited to help shape a great future for our high performance programs, and the other exciting initiatives underway at the GAO, Golf Canada and the Government of Ontario.”

Moss will begin the new role February 1, 2016.

Amateur Brooke Henderson Team Canada

Canadian golf journalists names their 2015 Players of the Year

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David Hearn (Bernard Brault/ Golf Canada)

TORONTO – In a year in which Brooke Henderson stole the show in Canadian golf, she can add two more honours to her trophy case.

The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) is proud to announce Henderson, David Hearn, Corey Conners, and Maddie Szeryk are the 2015 Players of the Year as voted by GJAC members across the country. Henderson’s spectacular first season as a professional was also named the Canadian Golf Story of the Year.

“GJAC is thrilled to honour these wonderful golfers in 2015,” said Grant Fraser, GJAC President. “The accomplishments of the winners – and each of the nominees – show that Canadian golf is in very good hands.”

Henderson became the first Canadian to win on the LPGA Tour since Lorie Kane in 2001 after capturing the Cambia Portland Classic by eight shots. At 17 years, 11 months, and 6 days old, she was the third-youngest champion in LPGA Tour history and was granted LPGA Tour membership in August. The native of Smiths Falls, Ontario also defended her title at the 2015 PGA Women’s Championship of Canada and notched one victory (with five top-10’s in five events played) on the Symetra Tour. Henderson ended the year 17th on the Rolex Rankings – the official world ranking of female professional golfers.

Her choice as Female Professional of the Year was a unanimous decision.

Meanwhile, David Hearn – who’s run at the RBC Canadian Open was another nominee for Canadian Golf Story of the Year – was named Male Professional of the Year. Hearn is Canada’s highest-ranked male golfer, and nearly won twice on the PGA Tour in 2015. He held the 54-hole lead at the Canadian Open, and then lost in a playoff at The Greenbrier Classic. The 36-year-old finished 55th in the FedEx Cup standings and earned $1.8 million – his highest total ever as a professional.

Corey Conners was named the Male Amateur of the Year for the third year in a row in a tight vote with Blair Hamilton and Garrett Rank. After finishing as runner-up at the U.S. Amateur in 2014, Conners participated in The Masters where he played the first two rounds with Mike Weir. The 23-year-old finished as low amateur before announcing he would turn professional. He was ranked 21st on the Official World Amateur Golf Ranking prior to turning pro.

Maddie Szeryk was named Female Amateur of the Year after finishing first on Golf Canada’s National Women’s Order of Merit. The Golf Canada national team member is currently ranked no.38 (first in Canada) on the Official World Amateur Golf Ranking. The 19-year-old is set to graduate from Texas A&M in 2018, and in her first collegiate season, she was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year.

Amateur

Blind golf champion Brian MacLeod of Nova Scotia is remembered

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Brian MacLeod (pictured left) (facebook.com)

Brian MacLeod, one of the world’s best blind golfers, has passed away at age 56 after succumbing to cancer.

The native of Truro, N.S., and close friend Gerry Nelson founded Blind Golf Canada. MacLeod traveled the country and the world, claiming championships wherever he went.

Shane Sutherland spoke with the Truro Daily News and reflected fondly on his friend.

Read the story here.

Amateur

Grace Glofcheskie – Gone too soon

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Grace Glofcheskie (University of Guelph Athletics)

GUELPH, Ont. – A fierce competitor on the course. A warm and generous person off of it. “Outside of the ropes, I’m not sure I ever saw her without a smile on her face.” That is how Grace Glofcheskie was described by Brandon McLeod, the head golf coach at the University of Guelph. Glofcheskie played five seasons on the Gryphons varsity golf team (2010-2014) and this past Fall came back on a part-time basis to serve as an assistant coach and help out with some of the current student-athletes on the women’s team. Grace tragically passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 24.

When describing Grace’s impact on the Gryphons varsity golf program over the past half decade or so, there are several analogies that seem to fit perfectly. In basketball terms, she was the point guard of the team. An extension of the coaching staff both on the course and at the range; someone who worked hard on her own game, yet always found the time to offer help to teammates as well. To use a family analogy, she was the mother of the team. The one who was caring and welcoming to both rookies and veterans alike. The one who constantly put others before herself. And the one who provided the type of leadership qualities that ultimately led to her being described as “the glue of the team for the past five years” by her head coach.

Who is going to organize the team party at the end of the season? Grace.

Where’s everyone meeting up before heading to the year-end Athletic Banquet? Grace’s house.

When head coach Bob Wanzel announced he was retiring, who was the one who put together a picture book to give to him at his retirement dinner? Take a guess.

Grace Glofcheskie’s impact on and off the golf course will never be forgotten by all of those who were fortunate enough to cross paths with her. In 2010, Grace joined the Gryphons varsity golf team as an eager-to-learn rookie from Arnprior, Ontario (just outside of Ottawa) who was full of energy. “Even at that young age, you could already see she had a lot of great leadership qualities” said head coach Brandon McLeod. “She was a sponge for information and each and every year she took a few steps forward to get better.” While improving her own game and pushing herself to be her best was certainly high on her list of priorities, it wasn’t at the top of the list for Grace. That spot was reserved for the greater good of her team as a whole. Towards the end of her career, Glofcheskie battled injuries that limited her in both practice and in competition. Head coach Brandon McLeod recalls a forearm injury that resulted in Grace barely being able to grip a club. Coach McLeod told her that she should not practice and that it was ok if she missed out on the team’s competition the next day. Grace, who McLeod added “never complained once,” practiced anyways and was on the course the very next day. For her, it was simple decision to try to play through the pain…she did not want to let her team down.

On the course, Glofcheskie was hard to miss with her long blond hair and glowing personality. That same personality made her a tremendous employee in the Gryphons fitness centre where she worked as a Weight Room Supervisor from September of 2010 until December of 2013. Fitness Program Supervisor Lynne Skilton-Hayes adds, “We were truly blessed to have Grace as part of our team. She had an excellent work ethic, was reliable and had a very genuine desire to help people.”


The Grace Olivia Glofcheskie Memorial Fund has been established by Grace’s loving family to honour the memory of their daughter and sister. click here to to visit the Memorial Fund

Amateur Team Canada

Michelle Kim wins CJGA’s Helena Harbridge Sportsmanship Award

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Michelle Kim (Josh Schaefer/ Golf Canada)

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.

Amateur

Joe Murphy appointed GM and COO of Thornhill Golf and Country Club

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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.”

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Joe Murphy

 

Amateur Team Canada

Blair Hamilton and Maddie Szeryk recognized as Canada’s top amateur golfers for 2015

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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 111th 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.

Amateur

Record year for CN Future Links Learn to Play

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Canada’s flagship junior program, CN Future Links, is set to enter its twentieth year of golf on the heels of a season which saw Learn to Play numbers climb to reach record highs.

With the wind at its back, CN Future Links marched forward to hit 7,130 participants in the summer of 2015—up from 2,860 since 2010. Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer, Jeff Thompson, credits the national success of the program to strengthened collaboration with program partners.

“The measured success we have achieved with CN Future Links would be not be attainable without the continued support of our partners,” said Thompson. “Together, we have continued to push the needle in terms of evolving the program and growing participation at the grassroots level.”

Nationally, CN Future Links is powered by a team of dedicated supporters, led by title sponsor CN railway. Since 2006, CN has been at the forefront of junior golf in Canada, extending the values of the sport while promoting health and safety to youth to communities across Canada.

Learn to Play, the feature program of CN Future Links, has continued to evolve over its 12 years of existence, most recently with a free mobile app for instructors and a new progress reward from apparel sponsor, Cobra PUMA Golf. Upon completing one of the four stages, participants receive a highly popular Puma hat branded with the CN Future Links stage colour completed (at no cost to the instructor).

The diagram below outlines how each reward aligns with golf’s Long-Term Player Development Model and PGA of Canada’s coaching stream context.

15-12-11 - Learn to Play Story

Looking to get a jump on next year’s programming? Learn more about CN Future Links here.

Amateur

A #WestJetChristmas miracle with Golf in Schools

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On Tuesday, Dec. 9, members of Golf Canada’s staff rallied their holiday cheer to surprise a local Brampton school with a Christmas miracle. As proud partners of WestJet, Golf Canada adopted a Brampton school into the Golf in Schools program by gifting the full elementary kit, equipped with the teacher-friendly Learning Resource.

Golf Canada’s miracle is part of WestJet’s global campaign this year that is spreading the holiday spirit through 12,000 miracles—the number of WestJet employees. Today’s miracle also marks the 161st Golf in Schools adoption so far this year, which is the primary avenue for schools to receive the program.

Golf in Schools introduced a brand new curriculum this year, incorporating a Life Skills component that carefully integrates the eight skills throughout all lesson plans. Also new this year, Golf in Schools welcomed Canadian PGA TOUR star Graham DeLaet as an ambassador of the program, which is now available to elementary, intermediate and high schools across the country.

Click here to adopt a school in your community.

Click here to learn more about the #WestJetChristmas campaign.

Amateur

Golf Canada, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and PGA of Canada welcome CCMC Sports as sales and publishing agency of record

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Golf Canada, the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, the PGA of Canada and CCMC Sports — whose golf media and marketing portfolio includes SCOREGolf Magazine, SCOREGolf.com and SCOREGolf TV on TSN — are pleased to announce a new marketing and sales alliance that will see Canadian golf’s major powerbrokers come together to offer corporate Canada unprecedented opportunity to engage in a sport that sees more participation by Canadians than any other.

As part of the agreement, CCMC Sports will support corporate hospitality and sponsorship sales efforts for Golf Canada’s RBC Canadian Open and Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, as well as Golf Canada’s grassroots development programs and advertising across Golf Canada media properties, including golfcanada.ca. CCMC Sports also assumes publishing rights to Golf Canada Magazine, the association’s bilingual membership publication, beginning January 1, 2016.

“We’re excited to partner with CCMC Sports. This agreement opens up new avenues for Golf Canada to grow our corporate hospitality, sponsorship and media revenue,” said Gavin Roth, Golf Canada Chief Commercial Officer. “Working with CCMC and their collection of leading golf properties also allows for a holistic, one-stop approach to taking hospitality, sponsorship and media assets to corporate Canada.”

The newly formed consortium makes for a powerful golf sales force that will utilize its many collective assets. Representing multiple-level professional and amateur golf tournaments, grassroots initiatives, developmental programs, nearly 3,700 PGA professionals at more than 1,500 Canadian golf facilities, and multiple media arms, the alliance will be able to meet a company’s every need when it comes to investing in and supporting Canadian golf.

“The PGA of Canada is excited about the collaborative efforts of all the industry leaders involved and believe the deliberate and organized approach will resonate with and engage corporate Canada,” said Gary Bernard, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Canada.

“We’re thrilled to be in a partnership with CCMC — a proven leader in Canadian golf business— that brings together the key organizations in Canadian golf to enable the corporate community to create comprehensive marketing programs that will help to grow the game and their business,” added Jeff Monday, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada President.

CCMC Sports has also renewed its deal with PGATOUR.COM, which sees it represent golf’s most widely visited website in the Canadian marketplace.

“We are happy to continue our longstanding partnership with CCMC Sports for digital ad representation in the Canadian market. SCOREGolf is a natural fit for PGA TOUR Digital and we have great trust in their expertise in the Canadian golf industry,” said Luis Goicouria, Senior Vice-President of Digital Platforms and Media Strategy for the PGA TOUR.

CCMC Sports — with its 30-plus years of experience in sales, brand marketing, sponsorship, publishing and supporting clients through an integrated sports model that utilizes traditional, social and interactive media — assumes the responsibility of representing the alliance in the marketplace. The Toronto-based company, with offices in Vancouver and Montreal, has recently augmented its media division with an exclusive sales and content deal with Send To News, which delivers sports highlights, including golf, to the websites of nearly 200 newspapers across Canada, making it the biggest provider of sports video in the country.

“We at CCMC Sports are privileged to have been named the exclusive sales and marketing agent on behalf of the four most prestigious and powerful brands the game of golf in this country has to offer,” said Kim Locke, CCMC Sports President. “Canadians are addicted to the game of golf, and we believe that this co-operative consortium of brands — Golf Canada, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, PGA of Canada, PGATOUR.COM and SCOREGolf — will provide us with the tools to excite corporations across the country to become true partners of the game for years to come.”