Written by National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA)/Courtesy Golf Canada

The Canadian golf industry generated $18.2B in economic benefits across our nation in 2019, according to a recent economic analysis conducted by Group ATN Consulting Inc. on behalf of the National Allied Golf Associations (We Are Golf).

According to The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019), the Canadian golf industry employs the equivalent of nearly 249,000 people through direct and spin-off effects and contributed to $10.6B in household income. The industry also contributed $4.5B in government tax revenue ($1.8B federal and $2.1B provincial) used to support a variety of programs for all Canadians.

By Golf Canada

The World Handicap System stipulates every player is responsible for returning all acceptable scores into one’s scoring record from rounds played on courses observing their active season, which is part of the golf season when courses have acceptable playing conditions.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of authorized provincial golf association to declare active and inactive periods, and it is the responsibility of the area club and golfers to observe these dates for posting purposes.

Each year, provincial associations analyze numerous factors to determine their active seasons. This ensures consistency of when scores would be posted by the majority of golfers to help keep Handicap Indexes accurate.

Courtesy Golf Canada

As the golf season begins to wind down across Canada, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the educational opportunities available to you as a Golf Canada member.

RULES OF HANDICAPPING
With the release of the World Handicapping System (WHS) in January, it is important to understand the changes and how it impacts you – the golfer!

For those that are interested in learning more about the World Handicapping System, we have created an online presentation that highlights the major changes to the Rules of Handicapping.

images courtesy Golf Canada/RBC Scramble

By John Gordon/Courtesy Golf Canada

My wife and I have played together in many events over the years but this summer we tried a new one: the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company. 

Now in its fifth year, the national series survived myriad challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, it experienced its most successful year to date.

“There was so much uncertainty at the start of the season,” says Adam LeBrun, managing director of championships and foundation for the PGA of Canada. “The pandemic affected everything and we were reacting to new developments every day it seemed. At one point early on, we thought we would be happy if we had 3,000 participants.”

As it turned out, my wife and I were two of about 11,000 participants who signed up to play in one of the team scramble’s 140 local qualifiers.

Recently two of British Columbia Golf's Performance Team coaches, Jennifer Greggain and Colin Lavers, were recognized by the PGA of BC for their outstanding contributions to the advancement, education and betterment of junior golf. 

by Golf Canada

PGA of Canada member Jennifer Greggain has been named coach of the National Junior Squads by Golf Canada.

Working alongside head coach Robert Ratcliffe, Jennifer Greggain will help guide mental performance, physiotherapy, biomechanics and nutrition for the Canada’s top athletes.

Coaching will be based at the national training centre at Bear Mountain in Victoria, B.C., featuring a centralized component from March through June which provides accommodation and education for athletes during their high school second semester.

bigsky_hole_5_chomlackphoto

Courtesy Golf Business News

BASEL, Switzerland — New members at golf clubs say stress relief has been an important reason to join during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Ahead of World Mental Health Day (October 10), a snapshot survey of 250 golfers in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom, indicated that more than half (55%) of those who had joined a club in the past six months cited ‘mental wellbeing’ as their primary reason for joining.

courtesy Golf Canada/PGGCC Board of Directors

Golf Canada is saddened to share the news that former President and Honorary Life Governor Findlay Young of Prince George, B.C. passed away suddenly on Friday, October 9, 2020 at the age of 92.

For many of our volunteers and past Presidents, Findlay was a great friend and mentor whose passion for golf and contributions to the game left a lasting impact on our organization and our sport.

image credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf

Written by Leslie Dunning/Courtesy Golf Canada & CSCM

The Invictus Games, held in Toronto in September 2017, included a golf event hosted by St. George’s Golf Club where spectators were treated to outstanding performances by the athletes. Those of us fortunate enough to attend the event could not help but imagine the opportunities of engaging more people with disabilities in golf.

“This was the most memorable and inspirational event we have been a part of,” said Jason Clarke, CCM, who was general manager at St. George’s during the Games.

image courtesy Golf Canada/R&A 

Written by The R&A/Courtesy Golf Canada

An international research study backed by The R&A has found new evidence to suggest golf can provide significant health benefits to older participants in the form of improved muscle strength and balance.

Muscle strength and balance exercises form an important part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended guidelines to tackle physical inactivity in older people about which little was previously known for golf.

The Strength and Balance Study, carried out with two sample groups over two years by Professor Maria Stokes OBE at the University of Southampton and Dr George Salem at the University of Southern California (USC), has indicated that older golfers have and develop strength and balance benefits.

Ruby and Pals is a fun read where children, parents and grandparents can relate to different characters. This series is for children of all ages. Ruby and Pals has 25 Book titles with different concepts in each. Of course, golf lingo, golf rules and etiquette will be described and explained.

This book not only teaches the values of etiquette, manners, and sportsmanship, but also demonstrates conflict resolution and instills problem solving techniques that readers can use in their everyday life.

The creators/writers of this series believe that learning to be a good friend and competitor is just as important as learning the rules and options of golf.

Written by Adam Stanley/ Golf Canada

Golf is both thrilling and maddening, a way to have a singular escape or meet with friends, and a game for a lifetime that can be played by both the health-conscious and those who take it as an opportunity to raise a Steamwhistle and crush a hot dog.

But, when you’re looking for something even more for your next 18 holes, we’ve got you covered with an explainer of some fun games you could play with your group.

By 2021 Canada Games Host Society

The Canada Games Council and the 2021 Canada Games Host Society have decided to postpone the 2021 Canada Summer Games until the summer of 2022

September 16, 2020 (Niagara, ON) – The Canada Games Council (CGC) and the 2021 Canada Games Host Society, after consulting with the Niagara Region, the Province of Ontario and the Federal Government, have made the difficult decision to postpone next year’s Niagara 2021 Canada Summer Games.

The Games were originally scheduled to take place in August 2021 but, due to continued public health concerns relating to the coronavirus pandemic, they will be rescheduled to the summer of 2022.

ANY PLAYERS WHO HAVE COMMITTED TO ATTENDING THE BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF CANADA SUMMER GAMES ID CAMPS, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LETTER FROM PLAYER DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, DEBBIE PYNE, ADDRESSING THOSE CAMPS, WHICH ARE BEING SCHEDULED TO GO AHEAD ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH.

The Legends On The Niagara Was Slated Play Host To The Golf Competition In The 2021 Canada Summer Games, Now Postponed To 2022 - Image Courtesy Facility

BC Golf is inviting provincial athletes to apply to attend one of three Canada Summer Games ID Camps taking place across the Province of BC.

They will be held in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Interior on Sunday, September 27^th, 2020. A total of 12 athletes will be accepted into each camp. Selection will be done by a committee of three.

These camps are the first step in getting accepted to the Canada Summer Games Team BC squad.

PLEASE NOTE THE CANADA SUMMER GAMES HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY POSTPONED UNTIL 2022. BC GOLF IS STILL SCHEDULING THEIR SELECTION CAMPS - PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE LETTER FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, DEBBIE PYNE WITH REGARD TO HOW THE CAMPS WILL BE UTILIZED FOR SELECTION AND THE OPTIONS PLAYERS HAVE.

BY: JOSH BERHOW / golf.com

Sure, your golf game is good. But chances are it’s even better — or maybe worse — than you actually thought. We’ll let you be the judge.

The USGA updated its handicap index statistics — compiling the millions of official handicaps registered with the governing body — to create a treasure trove of golfy nuggets and facts. You can dig into all of it here, but we decided to highlight what we thought was the top water-cooler fodder — the most common handicap index in golf.

Click HERE to see full article...

Merritt's Roger Sloan Is The Lone BCer In This Week's Season-Opener On The PGA TOUR - BC Golf File Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

One season ends and another begins. There really is no off-season anymore on the PGA TOUR, which tees off its 2020-21 season with this week’s Safeway Open in Napa, Calif.

It is the first of a record 50 tournaments, including six majors, scheduled over the next year in what the PGA TOUR has dubbed a ‘super season.’

The U.S. Open and Masters, both postponed due to COVID-19, will be played twice over the next year.

image used with permission/pikrepo

By Joel Beall/golfdigest.com

New golfer,

Hello. We are thrilled to hear you have taken up the sport. Our game is one of endless joy and incessant frustration. If that sentence doesn’t come off as a paradox, congrats, you’re in the right place.

Let us begin with an apology. We wanted to write this sooner, as golf has been inundated with new faces this year. However, much like frosted tips, planking and America’s infatuation with British cooking shows, we thought this might be a passing fancy. Yet fall is around the corner and it remains easier to pole vault with a toothpick than to book a tee time, so … welcome!

Click HERE to read full story...

Free Image Courtesy Pixnio

By Shawn Allen/Morningread.com

Parents naturally take pride in their child's accomplishments as a golfer, but experts say the goal should be to develop the skills needed to form a well-adjusted adult. And if the kid happens to become a good golfer along the way, then consider it to be a bonus

This has been anything but a typical year in golf. Not just on the PGA TOUR, which resumed play in early June and only recently held its first major championship. The junior-golf season has been turned inside out, as well.

Around the country, young golfers got a late start on their events and are preparing for the new school year amid the uncertainty of the global coronavirus pandemic. Golf is a safer sport to play than contact sports, but the question is begged, What is the goal of pushing juniors into competition so early? The answer reveals a pernicious side to the junior game.

See full story here...

Women’s Golf Day is an event for females of all ages and skill levels to participate in golf and help us grow the game. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the original day for this International Event was postponed from June 2nd to September 1st.

There are celebrations around the world with golf facilities putting on special events and clinics. To find out what is happening in BC click on the Find A Location tab on the Women's Golf Day website.

Blind Golfers Have A Coach/Guide Who Can Line Up The Club Behind The Ball For The Player - Image Courtesy Western Canadian Blind Golf Association

An inaugural 'Cloud' Blind Golf Championship took place at various golf courses across the country last week and proved to be well received.

With the hard work of Creston, BC's Darren Douma, who is the President of the Western Canadian Blind Golf Assoc. and the Vice President of Blind Golf Canada, along with Doug Hastie from British Columbia Golf, sight-impaired golfers from BC to Ontario were able to play rounds at a home course or one near to their residence and submit scores to be compared on the basis of the course rating.