FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO/OTTAWA (March 22, 2020) – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), backed by their Athletes’ Commissions, National Sports Organizations and the Government of Canada, have made the difficult decision to not send Canadian teams to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the summer of 2020.  

The COC and CPC urgently call on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to postpone the Games for one year and we offer them our full support in helping navigate all the complexities that rescheduling the Games will bring. While we recognize the inherent complexities around a postponement, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our athletes and the world community.

Courtesy GOLF.com editors

There are lots of questions about the state of the world these days. While we can’t provide answers to some of the more important questions, we can answer some questions about how golf can exist in our current reality.

Here are a few common questions and our best answers on how recreational golf will be affected in the coming weeks and months.

Should I feel safe playing golf right now?

With the information we have available at the moment, yes. But there should be some extra precautions taken when out on the links.

According to one expert, “Being in a wide-open, outdoor space is the least at-risk scenario.” But there are still certain cautious measures to take when on the course.

March 17, 2020 – 5:30 p.m. ET

The health and safety of everyone associated with the PGA TOUR and the global community is and will continue to be our No. 1 priority as we navigate the ongoing health crisis related to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

On March 12, the PGA TOUR made the announcement to cancel or postpone four weeks of events on all six Tours through the week of the Valero Texas Open (March 30-April 5). Augusta National Golf Club also announced the postponement of the Masters Tournament (April 6-12).

With the most recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and the Office of the President of the United States, the PGA TOUR will now cancel four additional events: RBC Heritage (April 13-19); Zurich Classic of New Orleans (April 20-26); Wells Fargo Championship (April 27-May 3); and AT&T Byron Nelson (May 4-10).

The World Handicap System (WHS) consists of the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System.

Every Golf Facility Throughout The Entire Pacific Northwest And B.C. Has Been Touched By The Hand, And Voice, Of Larry Gilhuly - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

by Paul Ramsdell

(As seen in the pages of Pacific Northwest Golfer magazine)

You can call it a farewell tour, or a thank-you tour, but whatever you call it, it wasn’t something Larry Gilhuly had planned.

After 36 years with the USGA Green Section, helping Northwest golf courses and their superintendents constantly adapt to changing landscapes and climates, both natural and political, Gilhuly retired in 2019 at the age of 67.

At one of their meetings, which over the years Gilhuly was a regular attendee and speaker, superintendent groups from British Columbia to Hawaii to the Dakotas said thank you with various honors and presentations.

PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan Has Made A Statement Regarding Play On The PGA TOUR And The Coronavirus Issue Going Forward - Image By Screen Capture

Let me preface my remarks by reinforcing that the health and safety of our players, employees, partners, volunteers, fans and everybody associated with the PGA TOUR is our top priority.

I’ve spoken to President Trump this morning, and I spoke to Governor Ron DeSantis a few hours ago as well.

Our team is in constant communication with local health authorities in each market in which our tournaments are played, and we are tracking and monitoring the health information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization in addition to the travel advisories provided by the U.S. State Department.

Both the White House and the Governor’s office have been and are supportive of the precautionary measures we have taken to this point.

A Team Selfie For The OSU Beavers Women's Golf Team After Winning The Meadow Club Invitational. Delta, BC's Amanda Minni Is On The Right - Image Courtesy OSU

Courtesy OSU Beavers

FAIRFAX, Calif. – The Oregon State women's golf team rallied in the final round of the Meadow Club Invitational on Tuesday, March 10th to win its second title of the season. Senior Nicole Schroeder and freshman Issy Taylor both fired a 3-under 69 in the final round to lead the Beaver charge and help the team post a 4-under 284 effort on the day.

Oregon State concluded the two-day, 54-hole tournament with a 7-over 291-296-284--871 at the par-72, 6,157-yard Meadow Club to win the 13-team event by six strokes over second-place Washington State.

There will be a Provincial Level Rules Seminar taking place at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver Friday March 27th - Sunday, March 29th

Provincial level rules seminars are conducted by the provincial golf associations (PA), in this case British Columbia Golf, and the curriculum will begin to look at the more important playing Rules in detail. Some of the complexities that are found in the Rules of Golf book or the Official Guide to The Rules of Golf.

Flanking Evans Scholar Coordinator Berne Neufeld Are Victoria Caddies, Lachlan Stewart (L) And Laszlo Torok (R), Who Have Been Awarded Full-Ride Scholarships To The University Of Washington-Seattle For Fall 2020 - (photo credit: Alisa Kerr)

(Victoria, March 9, 2020) – Lachlan Stewart and Laszlo Torok have been awarded the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship by the Western Golf Association Scholarship Committee to attend the University of Washington-Seattle beginning in Fall 2020.

These are full, four-year, tuition and housing scholarships each valued at US$200,000. Lachlan and Laszlo are caddies number seven and eight from Victoria Golf Club to receive this generous scholarship. The Club is truly proud of their achievement.

(March 5th, 2020) - The President's Awards are presented annually to volunteers from Sport BC member organizations who represent the spirit of volunteerism, and whose dedication, energy, and commitment contribute to the development of their sport or organization.

Sport BC member organizations are eligible to recognize one volunteer per year. This year British Columbia Golf is pleased and proud to announce that Trail, BC's Loretta Bulfone will be a Presidents Award recipient at the annual dinner and awards presentation taking place Thursday, March 12th at the Vancouver Convention Centre. 

Below is a write-up outlining the background and dedication to the sport of golf that led to Loretta being so deservedly recognized for this award.

Based on deep consultation with nearly 250 youth and over 100 inclusion experts, viaSport’s All Youth Matter: Inclusion Training was developed to equip sport and recreation leaders to make a difference in the lives of diverse youth in their community. 

Through the four-hour workshop, participants learn about the factors that contribute to an inclusive environment, how to identity and address barriers and biases, and steps to take to intervene and stop discrimination.

ALL YOUTH MATTER: INCLUSION TRAINING
March 8th, 2020 - 9:30am to 2:00pm

In addition, participants are provided with tools, techniques and best practices to create inclusive sport, recreation and physical activity experiences for youth from underserved or marginalized populations.

SFU's Women's Golf Team Had A Record-Setting Day En Route To A Runner-Up Finish At The Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout Hosted By California State University - Image Courtesy SFU

By Samuel Rowan/Courtesy SFU Athletics

ALAMEDA, CA --- From March 2nd to 3rd, the Simon Fraser Women's Golf Team was in California for the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout hosted by California State University - East Bay, at Corica Park's South Course.

After a difficult start on day one, Simon Fraser shot the lights out on day two of the tournament, positing a team record 1-under 287 team score. The day was led by Jaya Rampuri's stellar 1-under 71, and backed up by three even par rounds from Emily Leung, Claire Lovan and Frida Ehnebom.

We would like to remind you that British Columbia Golf offers golfers and their families across the province access to a group insurance program that allows people to save on auto and home insurance by providing them with discounts and exclusive benefits. 

Remember to call 1-833-294-2911 for a quick quote and simply mention that you are a part of “British Columbia Golf” to take advantage.

Coquitlam, British Columbia's A.J. Ewart Accepts The Medallist Trophy After Winning The Panther Invitational In Florida - Image Courtesy Barry U Men's Golf

Courtesy Hunter DuBois/ Barry University Athletics

DURAN, Fla. -- Another historic day took place on Tuesday, Mar. 3, with Coquitlam, B.C.'s A.J. Ewart leading the  Barry University Buccaneers to their school-record fifth straight win after taking home the victory at the Panther Invitational by a six-stroke margin.

Barry finished strong, shaving nine strokes off their second round 296 with a one-under par 287 in the final round. Three out of the five Buccaneer starters recorded their best round of the tournament on Tuesday to go along with a 70 from Ewart and a 72 from Tyler Bakich.

The Athlete of the Year Awards, founded by Sport BC, is the longest standing sport recognition event in Canada. Awards in 18 different categories are presented each year to athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers for their performance and contribution to sport in our province.

The awards play a valuable role in nurturing athletic success and recognizing some of BC’s growing talent. Sport BC is proud to celebrate the athletes, dedicated coaches, devoted officials and amazing volunteers from all member Provincial Sport Organizations and sport sector partners in British Columbia.

For over 50 years, Sport BC has recognized legendary sport heroes and emerging stars.

This year the Awards Presentation Dinner takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Thursday, March 12th.

Charlie Beaulieu (Golf Canada Image)

Mississauga, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada’s 2020 Annual Meeting culminated on Saturday, February 29 with the re-election of Charlie Beaulieu of Lorraine, Qué., to serve a second term as the National Sport Federation’s President.

Beaulieu will continue to lead Golf Canada’s Board of Directors with Liz Hoffman of Thornhill, Ont., remaining in the position of 1st Vice-President and Dale Jackson of Victoria continuing in the role of 2nd Vice-President.

The PGA TOUR has been closely monitoring all available information related to the continued spread of the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19.

We conduct more than 175 tournaments across our six Tours, and the health and safety of our players, employees, fans, partners, volunteers and everyone associated with the PGA TOUR continues to be our No. 1 priority.

After reviewing the relevant positions from the Centers of Disease Control and the World Health Organization, there are no planned schedule changes beyond what has already been decided with PGA TOUR Series-China (a delay to the start of the season).

However, we are establishing additional protocols to promote the health and safety of all participants and fans at our tournaments, and we will regularly review our schedule in light of revised CDC and WHO reports and make any updates as necessary.

Image courtesy PGA of Canada

Written by PGA of Canada/Courtesy Golf Canada

Titleist & FootJoy have become the newest supporting partners of the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company.

In addition to this partnership, Titleist & FootJoy will continue as presenting sponsors of PGA of Canada’s Training Academy.

“Titleist & FootJoy’s commitment to the betterment of golf is first-rate,” said PGA of Canada President Mark Patterson. “We are proud to have their support as national partners and look forward to seeing them elevate an already exceptional experience for golfers across the country.”

BEAUMONT, CA --- On February 17^th and 18^th in California, The Simon Fraser Men's Golf Team took part in the CSUSB Coyote Classic at Canyon Crest Country Club.
 
Leading the way for Simon Fraser was senior golfer Scott Kerr, who took home the individual title after posting a three round total of 216 (72-71-73). Kerr went on to secure the solo victory after fighting off Cal State San Marco's Justin Vrzich in an epic 6-hole playoff.

The Evans Caddie Scholarship Program Exists At The Victoria Golf Club Due To The Tremendous Efforts Of Berne Neufeld, Pictured Here Alongside Angela Bowers, The First Female Caddie From VGC And Canada, To Be A Finalist For The Evans Scholarship - Images Courtesy VGC

By Jenny Dobell

Berne Neufeld is my golf partner. When she hits a great drive I shout, much to her embarrassment, “Feel the Berne!” She didn’t get the reference to that American Bernie, so often in the headlines. While I first did it to tease her (which is easy), I now do it because she is a person whose commitment to a cause reminds me of a political candidate in the heat of a campaign battle.  

And Berne’s cause is the Evans Caddie Scholarship Program.