Click HERE see the video by Golf Canada on how your handicap will be calculated by the World Handicap System starting in Canada from January 8th, 2020.

Watch more RULES AND HANDICAPPING on Golf Canada TV

Courtesy Golf Canada

The World Handicap System will ensure handicaps are calculated consistently around the world.

Click here for more information.

Dr. Jack Lamey Was a PNGA Representative From 2004-2019, And Also Served As PNGA President In 2010-2012

British Columbia Golf wishes to join the Pacific Northwest Golf Association and indeed the entire golf community in expressing our sadness upon the loss of Dr. Jack Lamey over the Christmas Holidays. Dr. Lamey was a very thoughtful and passionate giver to the game of golf and he will be missed by his family, all his friends and acquaintences in and around golf as well as all who knew him. 

We share with you here an announcement put out through the PNGA by its Executive Director, Troy Andrew. 

By John Gordon/Golf Canada

Welcome to Golf Handicaps for Dummies: Why having a handicap is not a handicap.

No, I’m not calling you a dummy, but if you’re a golfer of any ability who doesn’t maintain an accurate and consistent handicap, you’re not taking advantage of one of the fundamentals that makes golf the most democratic of sports. And that’s just dumb.

With all due respect, you can’t go one-on-one with a pro basketball player or hope to score on an NHL goalie. They’re not going to let you shoot at a basket that’s lower than regulation or a net that’s 10 feet wide and six feet high.

But golf’s handicap system allows you to compete on an equitable basis with players who are more or less accomplished than you are. Maintaining a handicap also allows you to monitor your progress every time you play. It’s an integral part of your golf experience.

And, starting Jan. 8, the new World Handicap System makes that scenario even more attractive. More user-friendly, in other words.

Victoria, BC's  Anna Wu Is Part Of A Canadian Trio Advancing To 2020 Drive, Chip & Putt Championship At Augusta - Image courtesy YouTube

Written by Golf Canada

Three Canadian juniors will be among the 80 competitors in the sixth annual Drive, Chip and Putt championship at Augusta National on April 5, 2020. In the Girls 7-9 division, Canada will be represented by the duo of Alexis Card (Cambridge, Ont.) and Anna Wu (Victoria, B.C.).

Card punched her ticket to Augusta with a score of 107 at the Oakmont Country Club qualifier while Wu posted a total of 122 at Chambers Bay Golf Course. The Canadians are rounded out by Cole Roberts of Oshawa, Ont., who qualified at TPC River Highlands with a score of 107.  (scoring is based on a 25-point-per-shot basis, explained below - ed.)

20129 U.S. Open Champion Gary Woodland - Share Alike 4.0 International

By DOUG FERGUSON, Associated Press

Every club in the bag had a story to tell this year.

Some of them were breathtaking, such as Gary Woodland boldly going for the green on the 14th hole at Pebble Beach in the U.S. Open. Some of them were devastating, such as Francesco Molinari going into Rae’s Creek at the Masters.

What follows are 14 shots from every club in the bag of those who won majors, those who didn’t and some who didn’t win at all.

Image Courtesy WAGR®

(20 November 2019, St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, N.J., USA): The R&A and the USGA today announced the World Amateur Golf Ranking ® (WAGR ®) will be determined by a new system called the Power Method beginning with the first update in January 2020.

The Power Method aims to better reflect the current performance of golfers by placing greater emphasis on current form and results by improving the algorithms used to determine the WAGR.

In the new structure, every event in the world will earn a Power based on the strength of its starting field which will then determine the total number of ranking points on offer to the field. This will extend to a maximum of 1000 for amateur events with players also able to gain ranking points from playing in professional tournaments.

Renee Powell Personifies The Caring, Giving Qualities In A Person That So Often Are Synonymous With The Game Of Golf - Image Courtesy PGA of America

By JAMES BROWN & ALVIN PATRICK, CBS News

It was a beautiful day for golf on the Clearview Golf Course in East Canton, Ohio, but for these women, being here is about much more than sinking putts.

"You look at that little white ball, it's very little!" said one woman. "And you don't think of anything else when you're trying to hit that ball."

The women are part of Clearview Hope, the first golf program for female military veterans in America."It's freedom," said one golfer. "You can look at your other comrades, your other sister, and you know what she's saying without even saying a word."

‘Outstanding Volunteer Service’ Award Given To 2019 National Golf Day Community Service Project Recognizing The Contribution Of The Golf Industry As A Whole To Communities And The Environment

For Immediate Release

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – A coalition of golf’s leading associations and industry partners will be presented the group award for “Outstanding Volunteer Service” for their April service project, which achieved in just one day the equivalent of 800 hours of work and four months of labor from one National Park Service (NPS) employee.

On April 30, the golf industry came together for the third-annual Community Service Project, which was part of the 12th annual National Golf Day.

Bellevue, WA's Ian Siebers Was Named PNGA Junior Boy's POY For The 2nd Straight Year - Image Courtesy PNGA

For Immediate Release

Federal Way, Wash. – The Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) has announced the 2019 Players of the Year for the region. Those honored include Men's Player of the Year, Joe Highsmith of Lakewood, Wash.; Women’s, Ellie Slama of Salem, Ore.; Men's Mid-Amateur, Reid Hatley of Hayden Lake, Idaho; Women's Mid-Amateur, Gretchen Johnson of Portland, Ore.; Senior Men's, Pat O’Donnell of Happy Valley, Ore.; Senior Women's, Lara Tennant of Portland, Ore.; Junior Boys', Ian Siebers of Bellevue, Wash.; and Junior Girls', Gihoe Seo of Mercer Island, Wash.

Click here for a list of playing accomplishments of this year’s recipients, and here for a complete history of all past PNGA Player of the Year recipients. 

Geoffrey Cornish Was A Disciple Of Stanely Thompson And Helped Build The Capilano Golf Club In West Vancouver. He Was Also A Major In The Canadian Army, Serving In Europe From 1940-45 - Golf Canada Image

By Terry Lenyk/Golf Canada

They are some of Canada’s most renowned golf legends, a list amassed of professional and amateur players, course architects and administrators. They have all contributed to the growth of the game of golf in this country. However, their contributions to golf pale in comparison to their contributions to the fabric of our nation.

November 11th is Remembrance Day. A day we remember and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. What better day to remember Canadian golfers of the past who helped our nation during its greatest times of need.

Adam Hadwin Was Made One Of The International Team's Captain's Pick By Ernie Els - File Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Adam Hadwin has the second chance he so desperately wanted and is determined to make the most of the opportunity afforded him by Ernie Els. Ever since dropping his Sunday singles match 2&1 to Phil Mickelson at the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey, Hadwin has been yearning for a return engagement to the biennial matches.

The 32-year-old Abbotsford product got his wish when Els, the International captain for next month’s matches in Melbourne, Australia, made him one of four captain’s picks.

For Immediate Release

(4 November 2019, St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, N.J., USA): The World Handicap System (WHS) is ready to be launched from January 2020 and will provide golfers with a unified and more inclusive handicapping system for the first time.

Though many countries are planning to adopt the new system in January, the system will go live in other parts of the world throughout the year to accommodate different implementation plans and variations in the golfing calendar.

Courtesy PGA OF AMERICA

AUSTIN, Texas — Team golf, whether conducted on a televised global stage or in the cozy confines of the Fazio Foothills of Austin, Texas, is the sport’s minute-by-minute drama series.

The inaugural Women’s PGA Cup had its share of compelling vignettes  as a five-member United States team dug deep to hold off Canada and capture a sparkling silver trophy by four strokes, 671-675, at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa.

The 54-hole competition, the first international event for women PGA Professionals, opened with the U.S. owning a 10-stroke advantage only to see that cushion trimmed twice to four. The day closed on a sun-splashed tableau of rolling terrain with Canada and the U.S. dueling on the Foothills’ renowned final four holes.

The European Disabled Golf Association Has Been Announced As The Official Charity To The Portugal Masters At Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course October 24-27th - Image Courtesy Facebook/EDGA

Courtesy European Tour

The EDGA changes the lives of people with disability through the power of golf. Made up of volunteers from the National Golf Federations from 29 countries around the world, its objective is to help more than half a million people living with a disability try the sport of golf.

All charitable funds raised by EDGA at the Portugal Masters from tournament draw sheet sales, a longest drive competition sponsored by Golfbreaks, taking place during Wednesday’s Pro-Am, and a raffle, with some fantastic prizes to be won, will help fund the delivery of training, education and programmes in the country.

By JOEL BEALL, Golf Digest

It's a good thing professional golf does not have a "Number of Days Since Last Rules Controversy" sign placed at tournament sites. Because it would never crack double digits.

[In a span of one week], the sport has seen Lee Ann Walker assessed 58 penalty strokes for having her caddie improperly line her up on putts and Jesper Parnevik dinged for not taking a mulligan.

Joining those ill-famed ranks is Marcel Siem.

Click here for the full story...

Via Press Release

ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 22, 2019) – The United States Postal Service announced today that it will be recognizing Arnold Palmer with the issuance of a nationwide stamp as a part of its 2020 stamp program.

The U.S. Postal Service will honor Palmer for his positive impact and compelling story, rising from humble beginnings to become a globally revered champion. The U.S. Postal Service notes, “with drive and charisma, he helped transform a game once seen as a pastime for the elite into a sport enjoyed by the masses.”

By KEVIN CUNNINGHAM, Golf.com

Back in the spring, the Drew Charter men’s golf team from Atlanta won the Class A Public State Championship in golf, lapping their competition to take home the trophy.

Their win was especially notable for two reasons. First, they are the first Atlanta Public School to capture the state title. Second, they’re the first all-black team and coaching staff to earn top honors in the state of Georgia.

Now, a PGA Tour veteran who took notice of their triumph is jumping in to support their continued success. Harold Varner III tweeted to congratulate the team and call attention to their accomplishment. In addition, Varner announced a donation of US$5,000 to the school’s golf program.

Click here for the full story...

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – A field featuring five PGA governing bodies: Australia, Canada, Great Britain & Ireland, Sweden and the United States, will compete in the inaugural Women’s PGA Cup – a first-of-its-kind team competition for women PGA Members from around the world.

Canada's squad consists of Ontario's Emma De Groot (Team Captain), Meaghan Allum, Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Casey Ward along with Richmond, BC's Christine Wong.

The international showcase event is Oct. 22-26, at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, in Austin, Texas.

The 2019 USAGA International, America’s only USAGR triple-weighted tournament with opportunities to earn WR4GD world ranking points is underway at Desert Pines Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The International is a 54-hole stroke play event with the 18-hole final round scores from selected players also determining the International Cup Team Challenge winner.

After the opening round there are 3 Canadians in the top 5 and you can follow the results by clicking on the link shown below.

PNGA Senior Women's Champion Leslie Folsom (L) And Super Senior Champion Holly Horwood (R) - PNGA Photo

Via Press Release

Spokane, Wash. – Leslie Folsom of Tukwila, Wash. shot rounds of 73-76 to win the 33rd Pacific Northwest Senior Women’s Amateur; while Holly Horwood of Vancouver, B.C. successfully defended her title by winning the 8th Super Senior Women’s Amateur, her third consecutive title in this championship.

Both 36-hole championships were held concurrently this week at Kalispel Golf and Country Club in Spokane, Wash., and were conducted by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA).

Visit thepnga.org for complete final scoring of both championships.