Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum previews 2018
Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada, caught up with journalist Ian Hutchinson of Golf News Now in a phone interview on Wednesday to discuss the successes of 2017 and what’s ahead for Golf Canada in 2018 and beyond.
Listen to the clip here.
Statement on the passing of former Shaw Communications CEO Jim Shaw
It is with sadness and respect that Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation extend sincere condolences to the entire Shaw family as well as to our friends at Shaw Communications on the passing of former CEO Jim Shaw who passed away on January 3, 2018.
“On behalf of Golf Canada, the Golf Canada Foundation and the Canadian golf community, we extend our most sincere condolences to Jim Shaw’s entire family and his many friends and colleagues with Shaw Communications,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “The Shaw family and the team at Shaw Communications have been passionate supporters and promoters of the game of golf in their community. From their partnership with the RBC Canadian Open and deep philanthropic ties to the Golf Canada Foundation to their incredible vision in transforming the Shaw Charity Classic into a gold-standard charitable platform and so many other endeavours, the Shaw family has had an incredible impact on Canadian golf and our deepest thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”
Top 10 stories of 2017 on golfcanada.ca
Below are the top 10 most viewed web articles on golfcanada.ca for the 2017 calendar year:
No. 10 – Canada’s 150 oldest clubs
As Canada comes together to celebrate 150 years since the birth of our nation, it is a time of reflection on all the things that have made our country what it is today—including the golf landscape, which holds the second-largest amount of courses per capita in the world.
No. 9 – Get out and Golf Day teed up for May 28
With Canada 150 celebrations happening in communities from coast-to-coast all year long, the Canadian golf industry has partnered with ParticipACTION in designating Sunday, May 28 as Get Out and Golf Day.
No. 8 – Calvin Ross becomes first New Brunswick golfer to win Canadian Junior Boys Championship
Calvin Ross shot a 1-over-par 71 to claim the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys title at Cataraqui Golf & Country Club on Thursday becoming the first New Brunswick native to capture the event.
No. 7 – Golf Canada appoints Laurence Applebaum as new CEO
Following a comprehensive search, Golf Canada has announced the appointment of Laurence Applebaum as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
No. 6 – Golf Canada announces 2017 schedule
A total of 25 professional and amateur championships, as well as qualifying events into Canada’s two National Open Championships—the RBC Canadian Open and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open—will be conducted in 2017.
No. 5 – 9 tips for your first time golfing
Here’s the best piece of advice ever: Don’t be intimidated. The object of the game is to have fun. Golf isn’t nearly as complicated as, say, quidditch, and just a little harder than dodge ball.
No. 4 – Topgolf and Cineplex announce partnership to bring sports venues to Canada
Global sports entertainment leader Topgolf® and Cineplex (TSX: CGX), a leading entertainment and media company, today announced an exclusive partnership that will bring Topgolf’s sports entertainment experience to Canada. The joint venture will see the opening of multiple Topgolf venues in markets across the country during the next several years.
No. 3 – Golf Canada announces 2018 Team Canada
Golf Canada is pleased to announce the 18 athletes who have been chosen to represent Team Canada as part of the 2018 National Amateur Squad and Development Squad.
No. 2 – Golf’s governing bodies announce proposed changes to modernize the Rules of Golf
As the National Sport Federation and governing body of golf in Canada, Golf Canada, in conjunction with the R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA), has unveiled a preview of the proposed new Rules of Golf. This joint initiative was designed to modernize the Rules and make them easier to understand and apply.
No. 1 – Final field set for 2017 RBC Canadian Open
Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field of competitors vying for the US$6.0 million purse at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, July 24-30 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
Golf Canada mourns the loss of legendary railroader & golf champion Hunter Harrison
It is with great sadness and the highest regard that Golf Canada mourns the loss of former CP CEO Hunter Harrison who passed away suddenly on December 16, 2017.
“On behalf of the entire Canadian golf community as well as our partners at CP and the LPGA Tour we are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Hunter Harrison and extend our most sincere condolences to his wife Jeannie and all of his family, friends and colleagues,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “We are proud to celebrate and remember Hunter as a champion for women’s golf, high performance and junior golf during his career as the greatest railroader and one of the greatest supporters of Canadian golf during his long history with CP and other railroads. His leadership, passion for excellence and vision to support so many facets of the game had an immeasurable impact on Canadian golf.”
Under Mr. Harrison’s leadership with CP and other railroads prior, the CP Women’s Open evolved into one of the premier events on the LPGA Tour which has contributed millions to children’s charities in the event’s host communities dating back to 2006.
His legacy as an extensive partner and friend to Golf Canada also touched high performance initiatives including Golf Canada’s National Team program, the (former) Canadian Women’s Tour and national amateur competitions as well grassroots golf through the Future Links national junior golf program.
Hunter Harrison was legendary railroader who will be ceaselessly remembered for his leadership, friendship, generosity and enormous contributions to the game of golf in Canada.
What others are saying:
CP family mourns loss of legendary railroader and former CEO, Mr. E. Hunter Harrison https://t.co/RmI4d9V5R4
— Canadian Pacific (@CanadianPacific) December 16, 2017
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Hunter Harrison, longtime supporter and friend of the LPGA and women’s golf. Hunter was instrumental in the expansion and growth of the Canadian Women’s Open. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We will miss him! pic.twitter.com/vNkcD7q67S
— LPGA (@LPGA) December 17, 2017
VERY hard to read about Hunter Harrison passing. HUGE supporter of women’s golf & someone that truly lifted the @LPGA – RIP to our friend & partner!!
CSX Corp. Chief Executive Hunter Harrison died Saturday, a day after the surprise announcement that he was placed on medical leave— Michael Whan (@LPGACommish) December 16, 2017
Deeply saddened over Hunter Harrison’s passing earlier today. An inspirational friend to the @LPGA, golf in Canada & someone who was never too busy for me. #RIP Sir. You will be missed ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/loSE2pVJpW
— Rick Young (@RickSCOREGolf) December 16, 2017
Canada’s Craig Loughry named IAGA president
The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) 51st Annual Conference took place Nov. 5-8 in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the conference, the association named its President for 2018, Craig Loughry, Golf Canada’s director of handicap & course rating and Golf Ontario’s director of golf services.
“Being President of the IAGA is quite the honour for me. It is an exciting time to be in the golf industry with so many new ideas and philosophies to better grow our game. I am excited to have this opportunity and am eager to face the challenges that come with it,” said Loughry.
Loughry, a resident of Courtice, has been with Golf Ontario since 1998 where he began overseeing Handicapping and Course Rating for the province. Since then his role has evolved but Loughry has continued to share his expertise in the field at multiple levels. He has held a similar role with Golf Canada and volunteered with the USGA on their Handicap Procedures Committee. In addition, he currently represents Canada on the World Handicap Committee.
Since 2012, Loughry has been a member of the IAGA Board of Directors. He becomes the fourth representative from a Canadian golf association and the first from Ontario.
Loughry has had a life-long passion for the game of golf. He has a well-accomplished playing career that includes the record for most Ontario Public Player Championship wins with four.
The IAGA has been in existence since 1968 with the goal of promoting and conserving the best interests and the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. The IAGA serves as a medium for golf administrators to exchange information, techniques and other data relating to the game of golf and establish channels of communication among all of the world’s golfing fraternities.
Loughry will serve as IAGA President until next year’s annual conference.
VIDEO: Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum discusses the future of Canadian golf
SCOREGolf’s Jason Logan sat down with Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum to discuss Canadian golf championships, the sport’s accessibility for kids and the future of golf in Canada. Watch their interview below.
Golfer feedback towards a World Handicap System
Over the past several years, the USGA and The R&A have been working with golf’s handicapping authorities to develop a single World Handicap System (WHS) for the sport.
More than 15 million golfers in over 80 countries presently have a handicap, a numerical index long used as a reference to gauge a golfer’s potential skill level. Handicaps are currently delivered through six different systems around the world. The aim of the proposed handicap system is to adopt a universal set of principles and procedures that will apply all over the world.
As an important step towards the development of a World Handicap System, The R&A and USGA have created a survey to gather insights from golfers, club managers, course owners, PGA of Canada professionals and various other handicap administrators at the club, provincial and national level.
The purpose of this survey (which is open until the end of July) is to learn more about what golfers and those individuals involved in golf administration think about the potential World Handicap System and its core principles.
Golf’s governing bodies will use the feedback from this international study towards the formation a globally aligned system for handicapping.
Click here to participate in the study.
Golf Canada signs extension with GolfNet as handicap and score posting technology partner
Golf Canada is pleased to announce a five-year extension with GolfNet as the exclusive handicap and score posting technology partner for Canada’s National Sport Federation for golf.
GolfNet has been providing the score posting technology for the Golf Canada Score Centre which serves as the hub for the majority of club, provincial and national golfer engagement for the past 13 years.
Score posting along with the ability for golfers of all skill level to track their games, scoring statistics, earn badges and ringer cards, is a foundational pillar of Golf Canada’s membership program which is administered in partnership with the 10 provincial golf associations.
In 2016, more than 238,000 Canadian golfers posted nearly 7.1 million scores online to the Golf Canada Score Centre, the Golf Canada mobile app, or through scoring kiosks at golf facilities from coast to coast.
As part of the extended partnership, GolfNet will also provide tournament management software to Golf Canada member clubs at no charge. In addition, clubs can also access the innovative StrackaLine shot tracking software which can be licensed for daily use at a fraction of retail pricing.
“GolfNet has been a strong partner for the past decade and we are proud to continue our relationship in delivering quality score posting experiences to Canadian golfers of all abilities,” said Golf Canada interim CEO Jeff Thompson. “We have been working closely with the provinces to enhance our value proposition to both golfers and our member clubs, especially through our Golf Canada Score Centre platform. We’re also pleased to offer additional daily use software and technology to member clubs that represent a critical engagement touchpoint with golfers.”
The agreement, which extends through 2021, will see GolfNet take an active role in helping Golf Canada and the provincial golf associations increase its membership base that currently includes 306,650 golfers and 1,403 member clubs. The entire Canadian golf landscape includes nearly 5.7 million golfers who play 60 million rounds annually at nearly 2,300 facilities across the country.
“Our live scoring and tournament technology is used by thousands of clubs in North America and we are extremely proud to continue working with our Canadian partners,” said GolfNet CEO Jim Stracka. “Canada represents a massive audience of golfers and it’s exciting to see Golf Canada and the provinces take an innovative approach to golfer engagement through technology.”
Through the agreement, Golf Canada and the provincial golf associations will have full access to the StrackaLineTM software and technology for any member facility that is hosting a national or provincial golf championship at no additional licensing fee. Previously licensed for use by the PGA TOUR in its Shot Tracker online software, the StrackaLine platform is a patented technology utilising 3D laser scans to create topography maps of putting greens.
Canadian golf facilities and member clubs looking for more information about tools and technology available through the Golf Canada Score Centre can contact members@golfcanada.ca.
Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada publish Golf Facilities in Canada 2017 report
Golf Canada, in partnership with the PGA of Canada, has released Golf Facilities in Canada 2017—the definitive report on golf facilities and development in Canada.
Golf Facilities in Canada 2017 is a collaborative effort between Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada and the National Golf Foundation (NGF), a golf industry knowledge research firm which delivers independent and objective market intelligence, insights and trends.
The report, which is a follow up to the 2015 Golf Facilities in Canada Report, identifies all existing public and private facilities in the country; and defines supply by province, type and number of holes. The report also includes information on facility openings and closings, as well as the number and type of facilities currently in development.
“The 2017 edition of the Golf Facilities in Canada report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the Canadian golf landscape and the abundance of golf experiences in communities from coast to coast,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer and interim CEO Jeff Thompson. “We are proud to partner with the NGF and the PGA of Canada in presenting the second iteration of this in-depth summary of national and provincial golf facility data.”
“The PGA of Canada in partnership with Golf Canada is excited to present this captivating study of golf facilities in Canada compiled by one of the world’s leading research firms, the National Golf Foundation,” said PGA of Canada CEO Gary Bernard. “As the second oldest and third largest professional golf association in the world, the PGA of Canada and its 3,700 members are proud to be a driving force at golf facilities from coast-to-coast.”
A snapshot of data captured in Golf Facilities in Canada 2017:
- Canada is home to 2,298 public and private golf facilities; ranking it second in the world in total supply.
- Seventy-seven per cent of the total golf supply is located in Canada’s four most populated provinces—Ontario, Québec, Alberta and British Columbia.
- Golf remains extremely accessible in Canada with nearly 90 per cent of the country’s supply open to the public.
- Of the 2,068 daily fee or public facilities in Canada, 48 per cent are located in Ontario and Québec, which together account for 61 per cent of the country’s total population. The two provinces are also home to 73 per cent of Canada’s 230 private clubs.
- Nine-hole golf (838 facilities) accounts for more than 36 per cent of Canada’s total supply. In Saskatchewan, 18-hole courses are outnumbered almost three to one (51 vs. 149) by 9-hole courses.
- Canada features nine 12-hole facilities (six of which are in Ontario) and a single 6-hole facility which is located in Manitoba.
- Resort golf, though a small segment of Canada’s overall supply, is a significant contributor to tourism in several provinces. Countrywide, 169 facilities (or approximately seven percent of total supply) are connected to a resort or a resort/real estate operation.
- Since 2010, 26 facilities have opened in seven different provinces including Alberta, which leads the way with eight openings during that period. In recent years, Canada has seen only moderate growth, and currently has 22 18-hole equivalent facilities in various stages of development.
- Since 2015, 51 facilities have been reported as closed, including 19 in Ontario. Canada’s largest province accounts for 37 per cent of total Canadian closures as well as 35 perc ent of Canada’s total supply.
The complete Golf Facilities in Canada 2017 report including national and provincial data is available for download here.
Globally, Canada’s 2,298 facilities represent seven percent of the world’s total supply of golf facilities (33,161). Canada ranks second in total supply behind the United States (15,014) and is ahead of Japan (2,290), England (1,991), Australia (1,591) and Germany (747) among the countries with the next highest total supply. For more on the world report, visit randa.org.
Former WTA exec Laurence Applebaum named Golf Canada chief executive officer
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Laurence Applebaum has already created a to-do list even though he’s still eight weeks away from officially taking over as Golf Canada’s chief executive officer.
His top priority is making improvements to the two showcase events on the federation’s calendar: the RBC Canadian Open and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.
“We’re going to really evolve these into next-level championships,” Applebaum said Tuesday after his introduction at the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
The Toronto native, who spent the last five years as executive vice-president of the Women’s Tennis Association, succeeds chief sport officer Jeff Thompson in the position. Thompson served as interim CEO after Scott Simmons announced his departure last fall.
Applebaum, who will formally assume the role July 10, said that membership development and global community relationships will be a key focus along with the national championships.
“What we can do is put on world-class, phenomenal, premium, fan-friendly events that are going to drive people and that includes giving great service to the players,” he said. “Making them put the Canadian Opens on their schedule and getting them out here.”
Getting the men’s players to circle the Canadian stop on their calendars will be one of his biggest challenges.
The tournament has been held the week after the British Open in recent years and some golfers are not crazy about making the overseas trip right after the major even though charter flights have been available.
Applebaum said he’s looking forward to building on the many positives the event has to offer.
“It’s the third oldest event on Tour,” he said. “It’s a national championship. It has great history. It has great Canadian content and it’s had great champions. I think we’ll continue to look at all the things that fans want.
“They want an engaged opportunity to host, to make it family friendly, to make it kid friendly, to bring new people into the game.”
The tournament did land then-world No. 1 Jason Day and then-No. 2 Dustin Johnson last year, but only four players in the top 20 were in the 156-man field. The women’s championship – which is on a tour with fewer events – locked in all top-10 players and 46 of the top 50.
The men’s event, which used to be played in early September, could get a deeper field with a more favourable spot on the calendar. Keeping the communication lines open would only help in that regard.
“I don’t envy the task of either of the commissioners,” Applebaum said. “I think circuit structure and the calendar is one of the hardest things to manage. I know in our conversations with the PGA, they’ve got 46 dates that they’re trying to manage and it’s a challenge. I can tell you that we look at all of our options. When availability comes our way, we’ll have robust discussions with our partners and figure it out.
“Obviously we’ve had a number of different opportunities in past Canadian Opens where they’ve been date-wise. We’re going to look at what this new world looks like.”
Another item on his plate will be the decision on whether to move the championships around the country. Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., will host the July 27-30 men’s event and the women’s tournament – featuring Canadian star Brooke Henderson – will be played Aug. 24-27 at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.
“I think there’s real merits on both sides,” Applebaum said. “We’ve got to weigh them and we’ll look at it.”
Glen Abbey is expected to host again next year and Regina is a favourite to host the 2018 women’s event. On the sponsorship front, RBC is signed on through 2023 and Canadian Pacific is signed through next year.
“Laurence Applebaum’s hiring marks the beginning of a new era for Golf Canada,” said Golf Canada board of directors president Roland Deveau. “After an extensive search, Laurence stood out because of his previous leadership in sports organizations, proven senior management skills and visionary thinking.
“His drive and energy are infectious. We are so pleased to repatriate this outstanding Canadian leader to take Golf Canada forward.”
Applebaum has spent over 20 years in various sport management roles in North America and Europe.
At the WTA, he oversaw a variety of strategic and operational initiatives. Applebaum was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the circuit, including tournament operations, player relations and development, along with new business development.
Applebaum said he was most proud of helping spearhead the evolution of the WTA Finals into a significant year-end championship in Singapore.
“The benefit of that kind of experience is really what I’m hoping to bring to this role,” he said. “Being able to take great events and make them even better.”