Marine Drive's Brian Knoetze  - BKnoetze Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

All that stood in the way of Brian Knoetze completing his goal of playing the top 100 courses in the United States was one of the toughest tee times in golf.

In a journey that began eight years ago, the longtime Marine Drive Golf Club member had crossed 99 courses off Golf Digest’s top 100 list. All that remained was Augusta National.

Knoetze had spent a lot of time wondering whether he was ever going to make that trip down Magnolia Lane. It’s not like you can just call the club and ask for a tee time. If you’re a mere mortal, you need an invitation from an Augusta National member to play the course. “It’s just about the hardest place in the world to get on to,” Knoetze says.

Purse raised to $10M with plans to grow to $12M; future venues to include “cathedrals of the game”

via press release

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Jan. 7, 2022) – The USGA and ProMedica today announced a long-term partnership that includes presenting partner rights for the U.S. Women’s Open, notably elevating the championship through a $10 million purse, additional host sites that include some of the most esteemed courses in the U.S., and increased charitable support, to ensure that its life-changing impact continues to set the standard in the women’s game.

Adam Stanley/ Golf Canada

Golf continues to provide a record number of Canadians safe refuge during the COVID-19 global pandemic as a proven activity that benefits physical and mental health.

As we look ahead to 2022, there is comfort in knowing golf can continue to be a haven for safe gathering and fitness – for all.

And beyond just the ability to continue to play the game, the world of golf has given Canadians much to be excited about as we look ahead to a new year!

Photo credit: Chuck Russell/Golf Canada

The Pacific Northwest Golf Association announced their 2021 Players of the Year this past week and Victoria, BC's Jeevan Sihota has been named the PNGA's Junior Boys Amateur Player of the year. 

Sihota earned the PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur Player of the Year award after a standout 2021 season. Competing against seasoned tour professionals, he finished runner-up at the Mackenzie Tour DC Bank Open, finished T6 at the Mackenzie Tour ATB Financial Classic, and finished T29 at the Mackenzie Tour Golf BC Championship.

He also finished T4 at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship and T23 at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

The Victoria Now has further details on Jeevan's win HERE.

To see the complete story on all the PNGA Players of the Year click HERE.

Image Credit Chuck Russell/Golf Canada

Courtesy Golf Canada via R & A

(St. Andrews, Scotland) – New research figures revealed by The R&A and Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS) show golf has enjoyed a significant increase in popularity worldwide since 2016 with over five-and-a-half million additional golfers taking up the sport.

The number of total golfers globally has increased from 61 million to 66.6 million in a five-year growth period, surpassing the previous high mark of 61.6 million set in 2012.

The measure includes club members and non-member independent golfers playing nine or 18 holes and users of driving ranges in markets where course availability is limited.

In his final Season 10 episode, ModGolf creator and host Colin Weston is joined by Arjun Chowdri, Chief Innovation Officer With The PGA Of America, to share where the PGA of America is and where they are going.

We learn about the design process and status of their new headquarters in Frisco Texas, the future of enhanced golf fan engagement through sport wagering, how his work with the IPL professional cricket Indian Premier League has helped shape the opportunities he sees in the golf industry... and much more.

One of the longest running amateur golf tournaments in south Florida is being contested this week with many Canadians in the field.

Dating to 1924 in the Men’s Division, the Women’s tournament was added in 2002 and the event has grown to such a stature that it now attracts fields of players from around the world.

Both the men and women will play this week from December 16-19 with the men tackling Eagle Trace Golf Club and the women taking on Palm Aire Country Club.

MicrosoftTeams-image

             Pinehurst Resort & Country Club to Host Inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open™ in July 2022 

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Dec. 3, 2021) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship, a new national championship that will showcase the world’s best golfers with disabilities.

The inaugural competition will be conducted on Course No. 6 at historic Pinehurst Resort & Country Club on July 18-20, 2022. The 2nd U.S. Adaptive Open will also be held on Pinehurst No. 6, and will be conducted from July 17-19, 2023.

In the latest episode of the ModGolf Podcast, show creator and host Colin Weston talks to Agustín Pizá, Founder And Architect At Pizá Golf Design.

For more than two decades, Agustin Pizá has challenged golf norms and redefined golf facilities with award-winning designs. He has worked with legends of the game and his world class developments attracted interest to design a total indoor golf entertainment experience.

Agustin shares his design involvement on the NextLinks eGolf Arena and how collaborating with NextLinks founder Dave Shultz along with architects Victor and Sergio Sanz of Sanzpont have led to the creation of an engaging, innovative golf experience.

Martin Slumbers Image Courtesy R&A/St. Andrews Image Courtesy Of Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Jason Logan, representing the Golf Journalists Association of Canada recently conducted an interview with CEO of the R & A, Martin Slumbers, regarding the 'state of golf' today.

Slumbers was appointed Chief Executive of The R&A and Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 2015.

Team Canada At The 2021 Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship: L-R Johnny Travale, Henry Lee, Noemie Pare and Savannah Grewal - Twitter Image

The 2021 Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship is underway. The Spirit brings together the best amateur golfers from 20 countries and six continents for three days of competition. Two female and two male amateurs from each country will play for a "chance at gold" in five concurrent competitions.

Canada is represented by Noemie Pare, Savannah Grewal, Johnny Travale and Henry Lee who is from Coquitlam, BC. At present the men and the combined team from Canada are leading the biennial event in Texas.

The happy festival of Diwali is upon us again. Diwali or Deepavali is the Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance.

It is celebrated in honour of Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya after an exile of fourteen years. The festival is also linked to Goddess Lakshmi - the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Also known as the festival of lights, Diwali is traditionally celebrated by lighting diyas and candles, praying to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh and meeting friends and family to exchange Diwali greetings and gifts.

In the latest episode of the ModGolf Podcast, show creator and host Colin Weston talks to Jeehae Lee, Co-Founder And Ceo Of Sportsbox.Ai

The Journey From Pro Athlete To Sport Tech Entrepreneur 

"Along the way there have been a lot of ups and downs. Being a professional athlete is not easy and especially in an individual sport like golf where you are forced to be entrepreneurial. You have to pay for all of your travel, your caddies, all the expenses and try to earn a living net positive at the end of the year."

 - Jeehae Lee

(OCTOBER 26, 2021)

Golf’s new Rules of Amateur Status have been published by The R&A and the USGA ahead of coming into effect on January 1, 2022.

The work was the latest step by the governing bodies to make the Rules easier to understand and apply, and follows the modernization process of the Rules of Golf in 2019. The new Rules were informed by golfer and golf industry feedback as a part of a comprehensive review, to ensure they continue to reflect how the modern game is played by millions of golfers around the world.

_{All Images Courtesy Suncadia Resort}   

The View Of The Exterior From Behind The Inn At Suncadia 

By Michael Cunningham/www.golfandtravelwriter.com

With the recent announcement that the border with our American neighbours will be open, there is a sense of excitement amongst Canadians to now venture south and return to some form of normalcy in their vacation habits.

During our twenty months of isolation, outdoor recreation became the best way to combat the monotony and golf was no exception, in fact, the game showed an enormous increase in participation, far beyond industry expectations! Canadians, from coast to coast, began to appreciate the numerous benefits of the game: activity, the great outdoors and newfound camaraderie.

However, now that we can begin to safely prepare for our new adventures many other North Americans are also making similar plans.

It Remains To Be Seen How Busy The Border May Get With Golfers Heading South - Larry LarRose Image

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

When the Canada-U.S border was closed to non-essential traffic back in March of 2020, Nathan Vickers feared the worst. 

Vickers, the longtime head professional at North Bellingham Golf Course, wondered how his course would survive without the steady flow of British Columbia players who accounted for more than 30 per cent of the rounds played at North Bellingham.

But Vickers has been pleasantly surprised. Just like it has on this side of the border, golf has boomed in Washington state.

The Addition Of A New Gil Hanse Course And A Planned Residential Community Mark A Rebirth Of Sorts For This Upscale Club In France’s Loire Valley - All Images Courtesy Les Bordes

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

SAINT-LAURENT-NOUAN, France -- The fact they are called the Old Course and the New Course and are located in France, not Scotland, could be considered chutzpah of the highest order.

But no offence was intended to the home of golf in St. Andrews when Les Bordes Golf Club placed those monikers on its two layouts. It just made sense in a simple but elegant sort of way.

Its Old Course, which opened in 1986, is a Robert von Hagge design that has long been regarded as one of continental Europe’s finest tracks. Its New Course is really new, opening this past summer and designed by highly regarded American architect Gil Hanse.

In the latest episode of the ModGolf Podcast, show creator and host Colin Weston talks to Chris Noble, PGA Of America Manager for Nextgengolf's National High School Golf Association.

"We love the fact that there are players who are different races, different nationalities, different cultures, backgrounds, sexual orientation, and gender identities too. I identify as a gay male, but I'm much more than that."

- Chris Noble