Integrity, empathetic, humble, visionary. These are words often used to describe Peter Broome.

In August 2024, the long-time golf industry leader and retired Acushnet Company executive was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). In the face of personal adversity, Peter and his family have chosen to fight and shift the focus to helping others that face the same challenging path he currently travels.

In starting the ALS Bridge Foundation, the Montreal, Que. native (Jupiter, Fla. resident) continues to demonstrate true leadership and quiet grace that has shaped his career over the past three decades.

As Founder of the ALS Bridge Foundation, Broome leads the vision and mandate, to accelerate the development of effective treatments for ALS, by providing crucial funding for early-stage drug trials and improving access to early diagnostics for individuals living with the disease in Canada and the United States.

“Peter is one of the most respected and selfless people I have ever met. When he was diagnosed, so many of us immediately knew we wanted to stand beside him in this fight,” said 8-time PGA Tour winner, NBC analyst and longtime friend Brad Faxon. “The Foundation is about helping Peter’s mission of changing the future of ALS for patients and families everywhere. I’m proud to be part of this with him, and many of us are fully committed to helping this succeed.”

Through strategic partnerships with Access ALS in Canada and ALS MyMatch in the U.S., the Foundation will help expand clinical trial access and treatment matching for patients across North America. In Canada, Access ALS is a national platform accelerating early access to ALS therapies led by the Montreal Neuro ALS Clinic at McGill University.

The Foundation’s funding strategy is comprised of two primary pillars including private donations that allow the Foundation to allocate to urgent research and access opportunities. In addition, the Foundation is opening its first-ever auction of exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

These opportunities are made possible by supporters who stand with Broome and the mission including Canadian PGA TOUR stars Corey Conners, Taylor Pendrith and Mackenzie Hughes and Montreal Canadiens captain and 2026 Olympian Nick Suzuki. Along with fellow PGA TOUR stars Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley, Team Europe Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald and legendary broadcaster Jim Nantz.

For more information on the Bridge Foundation’s auction or to bid on an experience, please click here.

“Innovative, thoughtful, courageous, and inherently classy—these are the qualities that define Peter Broome. His influence on golf in Canada and across the global game is both profound and enduring,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO, Golf Canada. “Now his advocacy for ALS research through the Bridge Foundation reflects not only his courage, but the depth of his character and his commitment to making the world better for others.”

Broome’s extraordinary impact and contributions to the game span his entire life. A successful junior player at the Royal Montreal Golf Club and Mount Bruno Country Club transitioned into holding positions as an assistant professional in his hometown. From there, Broome would begin a successful career in golf operations including 30-years as a senior executive with Acushnet Company. Most recently, he served as the senior vice president of Titleist Brand Management and Acushnet Industry Relations, a portfolio that included overseeing partnerships with the PGA TOUR and Governing Bodies. In addition, Broome led Acushnet’s operations in Canada and Latin America, ensuring continued growth for the game at home and around the world.

Following his distinguished career, Broome was invited to join the Board of Directors of Golf Canada in 2024 as a director at large. He currently Co-Chairs the Golf Industry Advisory Council and is a member of the Compensation Committee.

In 2025, Broome’s devotion and impact on the game was recognized with a number of prestigious awards. Broome was bestowed as an Honorary Member of the PGA of America for his outstanding contributions to the game of golf and support to PGA of America Golf Professionals in November. He joins an exclusive group including three U.S. Presidents as only the 13th person to receive the honour in PGA history.

In addition, Broome was honoured as the 10th recipient of the George Cumming Award from the PGA of Canada and also received the Legacy Award from the Golf Canada Foundation for being a philanthropic champion of the game in Canada. Earlier this year, he was named as the 45th inductee into the Québec Golf Hall of Fame.

ALS remains a devastating disease with no cure and limited treatment options. Speed of research and access is critical in helping to build a future where ALS becomes a treatable disease rather than a terminal diagnosis.

To learn more about the Bridge Foundation and Peter Broome’s story, please visit www.alsbridgefoundation.com.

There is nothing that makes spring feel around the corner more than an annual trip to the PGA Merchandise Show.

The thought of fresh-cut fairways, drinks at the turn and good friends is never more at the forefront than walking the miles of aisles while the warm sun shines down just outside.  

The PGA Show is an annual opportunity for both well-established brands and garage-based dreamers to bring their newest products to the masses, while also providing those in the golf industry an invaluable opportunity to connect with friends – both old and new.  

The 2026 edition marked the 11th time that I made the mid-January trip south. And while the PGA Show has had its ups and downs over the last decade or so, this year might have been the buzziest (and busiest!) Here are, appropriately enough, a foursome of takeaways from this year’s show.

GOLF IS HOT

I attended the PGA Show in 2021 while most of the world was still firmly navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and what to do and what could come next. That year, I declared the PGA Show would be finished – there would be no way this particular effort could continue.

Not only was there no buzz, but there was also no momentum or even signs things could turnaround.

Alas, I was wrong. Very wrong.

In 2024, you could feel the energy, and while I missed 2025, most people I spoke with said the 2026 edition was the busiest they’d ever seen it. Anecdotally, I agree, and the numbers don’t lie – about 1,000 exhibiting companies and brands across 1.1 million square feet of exhibition space.

The pandemic did, of course, bring in plenty of new golfers (Golf Canada recorded a historic high of 11.2 million scores posted in 2025. A lot of people are playing a lot of golf!) and remote work made it easier than ever to play more often. There was also a hearty boom in digital creators; golf on YouTube may not be for everyone, but there’s no denying its popularity. Most of the longest lines at the 2026 edition of the PGA Show were for a chance to meet content creators and influencers, who have helped to put golf literally at more people’s fingertips. It’s an insular setting – golf people talking about golf stuff – but the energy was undeniable.

CASUAL IS IN

The biggest trend while walking through the aisles of gear is how much key brands are thinking about multi-use pieces. Plenty of the new golfers don’t come from the game’s “traditional” settings and are used to wearing whatever feels comfortable to them. That’s had some facilities pivot their dress codes to be more inclusive.

All of the biggest brands in the game are recognizing this in spades and even the most classic of designers (think FootJoy or Levelwear) have items in their line that would look just as good with a pair of jeans as a part of shorts. There are also more style and more comfort, and on-course casual has gone from being something you might see late on a Friday night nine-and-dine to fairly standard fare.

CANADIANS ARE COOKING

It was a very special week for Canadian connections.

Some of the biggest and busiest booths through the week were Canadian – like Levelwear (which announced a fun and different kind of partnership with skate-and-surf brand Hurley just prior to the show) and Lululemon. This year also marked more than a decade for the brothers-founded and Nova Scotia-based Dormie Workshop, whose leather goods can be found in pro shops around the world and whose custom pieces continue to make waves on social media and in locker rooms.

The PGA of Canada also hosted its annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, during which all of the national award winners were appropriately feted.  

A special and deserving shoutout to two of Golf Canada’s own, Derek Ingram and Tristan Mullally, who took home two of the most notable nationwide trophies for their work in 2025.  

“The single most important entity for me, being where I am right now, is Golf Canada,” said Ingram in his acceptance speech after winning the Ben Kern Coach of the Year award. “There is no way I’d be where I am without you, and I just want to thank you guys for putting your trust in me.”

“Golf Canada – it’s been 15 years this year. Thank you for being a phenomenal company to work for and giving me an opportunity to make a difference,” said Mullally, who won the Tex Noble Professional Development Award in recognition of his contributions to coach education, mentorship and the advancement of professional development in Canada.

THE BEST KEEP GETTING BETTER

While there is always a feel-good story at the PGA Show of a little-engine-that-could kind of brand that comes from nowhere, at the end of the day, the brands that have been a huge part of golf for so long are often the headline stealers – and for good reason.

Whether it’s adidas or FootJoy’s new shoes for 2026, Levelwear’s new line of polo shirts, Foresight’s latest simulator tech, Puma’s freshest gear launch, or Titleist’s golf balls – which continue to be No.1 in the game year after year –  the stuff that’s been long trusted by so many just, somehow, continues to improve.

“At the end of the day, it comes down to Titleist’s quality and consistency. As a professional golfer, the whole job is to hit the ball when you want to and where you want to – and if you can eliminate any variables, that’s 101,” said Frederick Waddell, Titleist’s director of golf ball product management. “That was the promise in 1935, and that’s the promise today. Our track record of delivering that for players is what brings them to our product time and time again.” 

With the top brands in the game continuing to put out some seriously good stuff – along with unprecedented buzz for the game we love – the 2026 PGA Show was a success on a lot of fronts.

And now, if this snow would just start melting already…

OTTAWA, Ont. – The National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada) board of directors has announced that Chief Operating Officer Nathalie Lavallée will be promoted to Chief Executive Officer, effective Dec. 31, following the retirement of long-time CEO Jeff Calderwood.

Lavallée’s appointment follows a 25-year career with NGCOA Canada, where she has held several senior roles including director of membership, director of communications, and most recently COO. She has overseen day-to-day operations, led a national team, and played a key role in the Association’s growth over the past two and a half decades.

Her professional background includes experience in hotel management and work on Parliament Hill for a federal cabinet minister. Fully bilingual, Lavallée is recognized for her strong leadership skills and broad industry perspective.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nathalie as our next CEO,” said NGCOA Canada president Richard Edmonds. “She is a dynamic, forward-thinking leader whose experience aligns perfectly with our ongoing strategic goals serving Canadian golf course operators from coast to coast.”

Lavallée expressed excitement about her new role.

“I am honoured and energized by the opportunity to lead the NGCOA Canada into its next chapter,” she said. “With the strength of our team, the continued support of our dedicated board, and the foundation built over the past 34 years, I’m confident this will be a smooth and seamless transition

“Having had the privilege of working alongside Jeff Calderwood for the past 25 years, I want to express my sincere appreciation for his visionary leadership and mentorship. His passion and dedication have shaped the NGCOA Canada into what it is today, and I am committed to building on that legacy.”

Lavallée will remain based at the NGCOA Canada head office in Ottawa and will travel as needed to lead its national membership and eight regional chapters.

Ottawa, Ont. – The National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada) has announced that longtime CEO Jeff Calderwood will retire on December 31, 2025, after a remarkable 34-year career helping to shape the Canadian golf industry.

Calderwood’s leadership helped grow NGCOA Canada from the ground up into a national network of nearly 1,500 golf courses and 170 industry partners. He introduced a wide range of impactful programs, including the Golfmax Purchasing Program, Take A Kid To The Course, and the Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade Show, while expanding the Association’s advocacy, research, and sustainability efforts.

Beyond NGCOA Canada, Calderwood has played a key national role in advancing golf through policy wins, economic impact studies, and industry collaborations. He also served multiple terms as Chair of the National Allied Golf Associations.

Though retiring from his CEO role, Calderwood will remain involved in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing industry support.

“Jeff’s vision and commitment have left a lasting legacy,” said NGCOA Canada Board President Richard Edmonds. “We thank him for everything he’s done for our association and for golf in Canada.”

OTTAWA – The National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada) has announced the election of its new board of directors following the successful conclusion of its 2024 annual general meeting, held during the Golf Business Canada Conference and Trade Show in Calgary.

Richard Edmonds, owner of Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club, has been named president of NGCOA Canada. Known for his dedication to the golf industry, Edmonds is expected to provide strong leadership over the next two years, building on the work of his predecessors.

Outgoing president Daniel Pilon, owner of Club de Golf St-Zotique, was recognized for his contributions during his two-year term, which saw significant advancements for golf course operators across Canada.

The board of directors, elected by acclamation, will serve until November 2026.

2024–2026 NGCOA Canada Board of Directors

Executive Committee

• President: Richard Edmonds, Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club

• Vice-president: Slade King, Play Golf Calgary

• Secretary-treasurer: Doug Breen, GolfNorth Properties

• Past-president: Daniel Pilon, Club de Golf St-Zotique

Directors

• Ryan Garrett, PEI’s Finest Golf

• Carole Bergeron, Club de Golf La Tempête

• Rob Howell, Metcalfe Golf Club

• Gail Burrows, Sequin Valley Golf Club

• Doug Quick, Kingsville Golf & Country Club

• Rick Kindrachuk, Wakaw Lake Regional Golf Course

• Chris McNicol, Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club

• Bryan Ewart, Osoyoos Golf Club

• Brent Miller, ClubLink

• Nada Di Menna, Centre de Golf Le Versant

• Brian Schaal, Copper Point Golf Club

“We are excited to welcome our 2024–2026 board of directors and sincerely thank Daniel Pilon for his outstanding service over the past two years,” said NGCOA Canada CEO Jeff Calderwood. “We look forward to working with Richard Edmonds and the new board as we continue to support our members and enhance the Canadian golf industry.”

Edmonds expressed his enthusiasm for the role.

“I am honoured to serve as president of NGCOA Canada and to work with such an exceptional team of industry leaders,” he said. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Daniel Pilon and previous boards, advocating for golf course operators, and driving growth, innovation, and sustainability in our industry.”

This leadership transition marks the beginning of a new chapter for NGCOA Canada, combining a legacy of dedicated service with a focus on innovation and growth.

For more information on NGCOA Canada and its initiatives, visit ngcoa.ca.

The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) Canada has released its latest research insights revealing a strong month for Canada’s golf industry.

Rounds Played Up Year-to-Date

For the third month in a row, rounds played nationally have risen compared to 2023, now up 4.8% year-to-date, demonstrating continued enthusiasm for golf across Canada. Atlantic Canada contributed significantly to this growth, with New Brunswick’s exceptional September rounds exceeding the national average by 12%. This boost helped Atlantic Canada surpass the national rounds average in September for the first time in five years. In Quebec, rounds played increased by a modest 1.8%, led by the Eastern Townships region, with a notable year-over-year jump of 46.8%, beating the national average by 24%.

 Improved September Weather Reduces Closures

September weather showed significant improvement over previous months in 2024, allowing operators to achieve higher weather impact scores and reducing the number of course closures. Year-to-date, coastal regions recorded the fewest closures, with slightly over a week of play lost. In contrast, Alberta faced 23 closures, equating to over three weeks of lost play. Central regions such as Ontario and the Prairies were close behind, reporting an average of 21 and 19 closures, respectively.

If you have any questions or would like more insights into the September 2024 Rounds Played and Weather Reports, please contact Al Helmer at ahelmer@ngcoa.ca.

St Andrews, Scotland & Oakville, Ont. – The R&A announced new participation figures that show an increase of more than three million adult golfers playing the sport.  

According to new research undertaken for the governing body, there are now 42.7 million on-course golfers (9 and 18-hole) in R&A affiliated markets (outside the USA and Mexico).

The research figures for 2023 indicate a growth of 3.1 million on-course golfers since 2022. The growth trend began before the onset of Covid-19 and is now accelerating faster than the 2020-2022 pandemic period when there was an average of 2.5 million new on-course golfers per annum. The sport continues to increase in popularity, now up 44% from 29.6 million on-course players in 2016.

The new data is provided by national federations in The R&A’s affiliated markets in Asia, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania.

The research also shows that 62.3 million adults (outside the USA and Mexico) consume the sport in some format, an increase of 1.1 million since 2022. It is just the second time an estimate has been made beyond on-course activity to include alternative-only formats, such as pitch & putt, indoor simulator golf and driving range use.

“Golf’s popularity continues to grow with a significant increase in the number of people playing the sport both on and off the course,” said Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A. “There are now 13 million more golfers playing on the course since 2016 in R&A affiliated markets, while there are also millions of others enjoying alternative formats of golf, such as driving ranges, adventure golf and simulator golf, which are vital to the growth of the sport.

“New golfer participation programmes with appealing propositions, promotion and imagery are important for encouraging more people into the sport and retaining them in greater numbers. This is why we continue to work collaboratively with our affiliated national federations and stakeholders to build on this momentum and ensure golf continues to thrive.”

The top five on-course adult golfer markets overall reported are in:

• Japan (11.4 million)
• Republic of Korea (8.7 million)
• Canada (6.3 million)
• England (4.2 million)
• Germany (2.4 million)

Asia is the leading region for people engaging with golf among R&A affiliated regions, with total adult engagement in golf of 26.2 million. Europe is next highest with 19.7 million adults having some form of golf engagement.

The number of adult registered golfers (those members of a golf club within their national association or affiliated through a direct subscription) increased from 8 million in 2022 to 8.2 million in 2023, with an overall growth of 10% since 2020. Registered women golfers have grown from 1.5 million in 2020 to 1.6 million in 2023.

There was a decrease in those adults who only played formats other than 9 or 18-hole golf  – 21.6 million in 2022 to 19.6 million in 2023 – but this is likely to positively reflect on those moving instead to full-length on-course golf. The percentage of golfers only using alternative formats that are women did grow from 47% in 2022 to 52% in 2023, specifically in key golfing markets.