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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) will bring major changes to the fabric of our handicap system. This new World Handicap System aims to bring the game of golf under a single set of handicapping rules and provide a more consistent measure of players’ ability between different regions of the world.

It is with regret that we are announcing the cancellation of THE PLAYERS Championship.

We have also decided to cancel all PGA TOUR events – across all of our Tours – in the coming weeks, through the Valero Texas Open.

We have pledged from the start to be responsible, thoughtful and transparent with our decision process. We did everything possible to create a safe environment for our players in order to continue the event throughout the weekend, and we were endeavoring to give our fans a much-needed respite from the current climate. But at this point – and as the situation continues to rapidly change – the right thing to do for our players and our fans is to pause.

We will be prepared to answer additional questions on Friday at 8 a.m.

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.

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.

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.”

Oakville, Ont. (Golf Canada) –A pair of long-time contributors to the sport of golf – volunteer Richard Smith of Regina, Sask. and golf journalist Ian Hutchinson of Newmarket, Ont. – will be acknowledged for their tremendous contributions to the sport as the 2020 recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award.

The presentation of the 2020 Distinguished Service Awards to Smith and Hutchinson will take place during a dinner on Friday, February 28 as part of Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting (February 28-29) at the Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel in Mississauga, Ont.

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.

Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum and senior director of communications Dan Pino pulled a fast one on longtime golf media member Ian Hutchinson under the guise of a breaking story instead of the pleasant surprise that left him uncharacteristically speechless.

"Laurence, not many people have been able to shut me up, but you just did it. I don't know what to say..."

- Ian Hutchinson upon hearing from Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum during an interview being conducted by Hutch for his GNN Industry Voices podcast that Hutch was being recognized as a Distinguished Service Award recipient at this year's Golf Canada AGM on February 28th.

Click HERE to listen to the 'fast one' put over on DSA winner Ian Hutchinson. 

Nine athletes selected to receive extended support during transition to professional golf

Golf Canada adds BC's Jennifer Greggain and Ontario's Andrew Parr as assistant coaches

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the nine athletes who have been selected to the 2020 Team Canada Young Pro Squad.

Comprising the 2020 Men’s Young Pro Squad are returnees Hugo Bernard (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.), Jared du Toit (Kimberley, B.C.), Stuart Macdonald (Vancouver, B.C.) and Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.) along with new additions Chris Crisologo (Richmond, B.C.) and Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.). Crisologo, 23, and Savoie, 25, will make their Young Pro Squad debuts after graduating from the Men’s Amateur Squad.

The Women’s Young Pro Squad will be represented by a trio of returning athletes in Jaclyn Lee (Calgary, Alta.), Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.), and Maddie Szeryk (London, Ont.).

Adam Hadwin Is A New Dad And It's Helped Put Golf In Perspective For Him - Image Courtesy Inside Golf

Courtesy Golf Canada

To say it’s been a busy start to 2020 for Adam Hadwin is an understatement. Hadwin took a break from golf after his wife Jessica gave birth to their daughter Maddox on Jan. 8, insuring he could spend time with his young family before returning to the PGA TOUR. He was back in time for the Waste Management Open in Phoenix, near his Arizona residence, on Jan. 30.

Hadwin then played in last week’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Southern California before joining the field for this week’s Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles. “This is only my third tournament back and we’re still trying to get used to being parents,” Hadwin said. “It’s still a bit chaotic at home. It’s definitely a change in our life, but it’s very exciting.”

Fellow Canadian Nick Taylor joins Hadwin at the Genesis Invitational this week. They often played together as teenagers at Ledgeview Golf and Country Club in their hometown of Abbotsford, B.C., and remain friends on the PGA TOUR.

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce its 2020 championship schedule which includes 29 amateur and professional competitions hosted at member clubs across Canada.

The 2020 schedule is headlined by Golf Canada’s premier professional championships – the RBC Canadian Open from June 8-14 at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Toronto, Ont. (in partnership with Islington Golf Club), and the CP Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, B.C., from Aug. 31 – Sept 6.

The competition calendar includes eight National Amateur Championships, eight NextGen junior competitions (formerly Future Links Championships) and the World Junior Girls Championship.

"Hyde Mountain On Mara Lake Golf Course In B.C. Delivers Dazzling Views At A Great Price" According To Reviewer u1748438 From Golf Advisor (Image Credit GolfAdvisor Reviewer u1748438)

GolfAdvisor's list of the top 25 Best Value courses in Canada include 4 layouts found in Britrish Columbia.

Here's how they ranked according to the 'Canada Golfers' Choice list, where raters were seeking the best value among the courses in the country and GolfAdvisor scanned their reviews from 2019.

They combined a course's overall and value star-rating averages from reviews submitted by their 'rating' community throughout the year.

Image Credit Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

Via Golf Canada

The USGA and The R&A have issued the Distance Insights Report, which provides comprehensive research and analysis on the contributors to, and long-term impacts of, hitting distance in golf.

After extensive stakeholder research, the report features more than 100 years of data, informed by a library of 56 supporting documents. It is accompanied by a 15-page conclusions paper from the governing bodies that summarizes their perspectives on the long-term implications for the sport.

BC Children's Hospital In Vancouver Has Been Chosen As The Primary Charity For The 2020 CP Women's Open - Image Courtesy Golf Canada 

Courtesy Golf Canada

Vancouver, January 31, 2020 – Canadian Pacific (CP) and Golf Canada announced today that BC Children’s Hospital Foundation has been chosen as the primary charity partner for the 2020 CP Women’s Open. Fundraising initiatives will occur leading up to the tournament and a month-long public match campaign starts February 1st, in recognition of Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Month.

“The CP Women’s Open is an amazing opportunity to draw attention to the important work being done by doctors to mend the hearts of the future,” said Keith Creel, President and CEO of CP. “Partnering with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation again is a natural fit and progression from our first partnership in 2015. I look forward to seeing the lasting legacy this brings to the hospital, children and families who need it.”