ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- Is golf really a sport or just a hobby?
Is it a good walk spoiled, or should we forget the walk and ask Santa for a golf cart this Christmas?
Would a PowerBar help more than an apple after nine holes, or should we forget 'em both and just wolf down another candy bar and Coke? And do you really have to have Tiger Woods' biceps to be any good?
A sports scientist pondering these and other 19th-hole kind of questions crunched a bunch of numbers and came up with answers, a few of which put a new twist on some age-old assumptions.
Among the top findings: Given the number of calories burned, it's certainly OK to call golf a sport.
"One of the more interesting things I found was that the actual act of swinging a golf club takes significant energy," said Neil Wolkodoff, director of the Rose Center for Health and Sports Sciences in Denver.
Maybe more energy than many people might think for a motion that takes a grand total of about 3 seconds.
Wolkodoff found eight male volunteers, ages 26 to 61 with handicaps between 2 and 17, strapped them into some state-of-the-art equipment and took them out for a few rounds of golf on the hilly front nine of Inverness Golf Club in suburban Denver.
Wolkodoff discovered the subjects burned more calories when they walked and carried their clubs (721) than when they rode in a cart (411). When they walked, they traversed about 2.5 miles, compared to 0.5 miles when they rode, but the 500 percent increase in mileage corresponded to only a 75 percent increase in calories burned.
The conclusion was that the act of swinging the golf club could actually be considered good exercise -- a theory many on the "not a sport" side of the golf debate have long questioned.
"As far as physical exertion, it's not the same as boxing, but it's definitely more than people thought," Wolkodoff said.
But before all you golf addicts cancel those gym memberships and turn the treadmill into a permanent coat rack, consider this: While the 2,884 calories the average player might burn by walking 36 holes a week is considered good for health (studies have shown that those who burn 2,500 calories a week improve their overall health by lowering their risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer), it will do little to improve fitness -- meaning it won't increase your overall aerobic capacity.
Another thing the study showed is that being fit directly affects your ability to play good golf.
"You need to ask yourself, is the goal better fitness, or is it better fitness and better health?" Wolkodoff said.
Wolkodoff will soon submit the results of his test to the Journal of Applied Physiology, the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
For the test, Wolkodoff strapped subjects into equipment that measured, among other things, their heart rate, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and how far they were walking. Each volunteer played four nine-hole rounds: one carrying the bag on their shoulder, one pushing the bag in a push-cart, one with a caddie and one in a golf cart.
All the subjects went through fitness tests before the experiment to establish what their baseline anaerobic thresholds were -- in other words, at what point they began to burn fuel without the help of oxygen. When people cross their anaerobic threshold, lactic acid begins to build, which makes muscles start to burn and causes fine-motor skills to deteriorate.
This is important in golf, especially for walkers, because the higher a player's anaerobic threshold, the more ability the player has to hike up steep hills or walk long distances quickly without losing the motor skills needed to execute many shots.
"When the motor skill start to go, you can get the yips, lose coordination," Wolkodoff said.
Among Wolkodoff's findings:
--There was virtually no difference in calories burned between carrying (721) and using a push cart (718) -- a surprising result to many, who figured it would take more work to push the cart.
"Normally, calories are measured on how much weight you had to move up a hill," he said. "But in this case, it shows that even with another 15, 16 pounds to push with the cart, you're more efficient at moving that way than if the bag is over your shoulder."
Not surprisingly, walking the course with a caddie carrying the clubs burned fewer calories (613) and playing while riding in a cart burned even fewer (411).
The fact that the energy consumed while carrying and pushing is nearly identical could bolster the idea that players using push carts get no competitive advantage over those who carry. The American Junior Golf Association recently decided to allow non-motorized carts in tournament play, in part to decrease back stress on young players.
--Players in Wolkodoff's tests scored best when using push carts and playing with a caddie. Their nine-hole averages (40 with push cart, 42 with caddie) were better than when riding in the motor cart (43).
Wolkodoff said that offered proof there could be a benefit to walking the course -- the way many golf purists insist the game should be played -- that outweighs the benefit of resting while driving to your ball in the cart.
"It gets back to the idea that walking gives you a certain amount of time to think about a shot, to rehearse, go through the stuff," he said. "Where in a golf cart, you're holding on, then, boom, you've got to get up, go to the ball and make a decision pretty quickly."
But the benefit of walking didn't outweigh the stress of looping the bag on and off your shoulder 40 or 50 times and lugging it around the course over the span of two hours. The average scores for the walk-and-carry rounds was 45.
"Some people say, 'I play better golf when I'm carrying,"' Wolkodoff said. "But this study says, 'No. A carry bag is not necessarily better.' It's not an intuitive thought for people."
--Players reached their peak heart rates at the top of two taxing, uphill holes. When they were carrying or pushing the cart, the peak heart rates went past their anaerobic thresholds, and Wolkodoff noticed a marked spike in scoring on the tougher of the two holes under these circumstances.
He attributes it to the buildup in lactic acid, which decreases fine motor skills. Returning below the threshold took 2 minutes to 3 minutes in some cases. So, the advice is, get in better shape to increase the anaerobic threshold so you don't find yourself going over it while playing golf. Good ways to improve golf fitness would be doing intervals on a treadmill or taking a spinning class.
"Weightlifting can come into play, too," Wolkodoff said. "As you go up a hill, whether you're carrying your own body weight, or a carry bag or a push cart, the stronger your arms and legs are, the better you can make it up that hill without fatigue."
--Wolkodoff measured subjects' respiratory exchange ratio (RER), which can be used to determine which fuels -- carbs or fats -- are being used during exercise. The RERs for all four tests were between 0.85 and 0.88, meaning players had shifted from burning all fat to using equal amounts of fats and carbohydrates, but hadn't yet reached the point where they were burning all carbs.
It means an energy bar with the approximately the same combination of what the players are burning -- like a Zone or Balance Bar -- is optimal for replenishment, and probably better than pure carbohydrates, such as the apple we often see Woods eating on the course ... or a bag of pretzels.
Not that it's any knock on Tiger's diet.
"The thing with Tiger is, he's not just eating the apple," Wolkodoff said. "He's had a good meal beforehand. If he had a regular Gatorade, that's the equivalent of eating five apples. If he eats one apple per round, or one per nine, he's just doing it to add a little energy and maybe fill up his stomach."
So, is golf a sport?
Answer: It certainly is a sport, but probably not the only sport you would need to play if you really want to get fit. But getting fit on the treadmill or in the weight room will definitely diminish fatigue on the golf course and, in turn, help you play better.
"The study shows there's significant energy expenditure in golf, more than bowling and some other sports it's been compared to," Wolkodoff said. "There are a lot of sports that don't have this level of energy expenditure."
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
As other tournaments struggle, Canadian Open enters 2009 on strong footing
The Canadian Press
2008 Mike Weir, from Bright's Grove, Ont., and his caddie, Brennan Little wait to putt out at the 18th green at the Canadian Open golf championship at the Glen Abbey course in Oakville, Ont., Sunday, July 27, 2008.Weir tied for fifth place behind winner Chez Reavie.
The irony isn't lost on Bill Paul.
As several PGA Tour events enter 2009 facing potential sponsorship issues, the man in charge of the RBC Canadian Open feels optimistic about the direction of his tournament.
That alone makes the start of this new year a little different than the last couple.
"In '07, you really wondered what the future was, if there was a future for the Canadian Open," Paul said recently. "From where we went in 2007 to 2008, we made some giant steps forward. Our goal is to be best in class."
Other tournaments are just hoping to survive.
That really hit home for Paul during the PGA Tour meetings earlier this month. Commissioner Tim Finchem urged players and tournament organizers to "put on a strong face" in tough economic times, but that wasn't something many were able to do privately.
"There's no doubt that there is some fear among tournament directors," said Paul. "My counterparts are probably a little more fearful than the tour is themselves. ...
"I certainly felt in a stronger position, based on what the RCGA has done with sponsors, than what other host organizations have done south of the border. For a lot of them fear was a common word, about what the future was going to hold for them."
The main reason Paul feels so good is that title sponsor RBC has shown a strong commitment to the event since signing on in November 2007. That agreement runs through 2012.
One area he'll be keeping a close eye on is hospitality sales. Boxes and suites tend to fall under discretionary spending for companies that might be looking to cut back.
"I don't want to dismiss it," Paul said of the slowing economy. "Like any sports franchise or probably entertainment business in general, we'll feel it."
Even though the RBC Canadian Open will be held at Glen Abbey for a second straight year, there will be some changes in 2009.
The front nine of the course will be re-routed, starting on what traditionally was the fourth hole. The layout changes should save players 800 or 900 walking paces per round - equivalent to two holes - and speed up play. It's an idea that Paul first had several years ago and eventually decided to go ahead with after receiving positive feedback from all 25 players he asked about it.
Beyond that, he's going to ask Mother Nature for some kindness this July. "I'm going to get somebody in here that can dance and pray so we won't have any rain," said Paul.
That might be wise after watching more than 200 millimetres fall during this year's tournament. The bad weather caused several delays during an event won by Chez Reavie - a 26-year-old from Arizona who is sponsored by the Canadian clothing company Quagmire.
Mike Weir led after the first round and ended up in a tie for fifth at his home tournament, one of the eight top-10 finishes the lefty posted this season. He moved up to 22nd in the world rankings - his best position at year end since 2004 - and was happy with his performance even though it didn't include a win.
The native of Bright's Grove, Ont., was also busy off the course - announcing plans to expand his wine operation and moving closer to launching a course design business. His first project is expected to be in Vernon, B.C., and will likely be started in 2009.
However, Weir's primary focus remains on trying to win golf tournaments. He's currently going through a similar winter schedule to the one he had before winning the Masters and two other PGA Tour events a couple years back.
"I'm going to take a nice long break, which coincidentally I haven't really done since the 2002 season ... and 2003 wasn't too bad a year for me," Weir said on his website.
That's the opposite approach to the one being taken by Stephen Ames.
He's decided to try and stay sharper during this off-season than he has in years past and will continue hitting balls at an indoor range near his home in Calgary. Ames had seven top-10s and no victories in 2008.
The two highest-ranked Canadians will be the only players representing the Maple Leaf on the PGA Tour next year. An impressive eight Canadians made an appearance in the final stage of qualifying school, but none of them was able to earn a card.
It was a similar story on the women's side, although Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., did manage to secure part-time playing privileges on the LPGA Tour in 2009.
Hamilton's Alena Sharp was again the top Canadian on tour this year with over US$180,000 in earnings. She's been in contention a number of times and will be looking for her first LPGA victory in 2009.
It was a much tougher season for Charlottetown's Lorie Kane, who finished lower on the money list (131) than she has in any other year of her career.
Fortunately, the news remained good for the tournament Kane fought hard to keep alive a couple years ago - the CN Canadian Women's Open. The 2008 event in Ottawa was won by Katherine Hull and boasted a quality field, proving beyond doubt that it is among the best on the LPGA Tour.
2008 Mike Weir, from Bright's Grove, Ont., and his caddie, Brennan Little wait to putt out at the 18th green at the Canadian Open golf championship at the Glen Abbey course in Oakville, Ont., Sunday, July 27, 2008.Weir tied for fifth place behind winner Chez Reavie.
The irony isn't lost on Bill Paul.
As several PGA Tour events enter 2009 facing potential sponsorship issues, the man in charge of the RBC Canadian Open feels optimistic about the direction of his tournament.
That alone makes the start of this new year a little different than the last couple.
"In '07, you really wondered what the future was, if there was a future for the Canadian Open," Paul said recently. "From where we went in 2007 to 2008, we made some giant steps forward. Our goal is to be best in class."
Other tournaments are just hoping to survive.
That really hit home for Paul during the PGA Tour meetings earlier this month. Commissioner Tim Finchem urged players and tournament organizers to "put on a strong face" in tough economic times, but that wasn't something many were able to do privately.
"There's no doubt that there is some fear among tournament directors," said Paul. "My counterparts are probably a little more fearful than the tour is themselves. ...
"I certainly felt in a stronger position, based on what the RCGA has done with sponsors, than what other host organizations have done south of the border. For a lot of them fear was a common word, about what the future was going to hold for them."
The main reason Paul feels so good is that title sponsor RBC has shown a strong commitment to the event since signing on in November 2007. That agreement runs through 2012.
One area he'll be keeping a close eye on is hospitality sales. Boxes and suites tend to fall under discretionary spending for companies that might be looking to cut back.
"I don't want to dismiss it," Paul said of the slowing economy. "Like any sports franchise or probably entertainment business in general, we'll feel it."
Even though the RBC Canadian Open will be held at Glen Abbey for a second straight year, there will be some changes in 2009.
The front nine of the course will be re-routed, starting on what traditionally was the fourth hole. The layout changes should save players 800 or 900 walking paces per round - equivalent to two holes - and speed up play. It's an idea that Paul first had several years ago and eventually decided to go ahead with after receiving positive feedback from all 25 players he asked about it.
Beyond that, he's going to ask Mother Nature for some kindness this July. "I'm going to get somebody in here that can dance and pray so we won't have any rain," said Paul.
That might be wise after watching more than 200 millimetres fall during this year's tournament. The bad weather caused several delays during an event won by Chez Reavie - a 26-year-old from Arizona who is sponsored by the Canadian clothing company Quagmire.
Mike Weir led after the first round and ended up in a tie for fifth at his home tournament, one of the eight top-10 finishes the lefty posted this season. He moved up to 22nd in the world rankings - his best position at year end since 2004 - and was happy with his performance even though it didn't include a win.
The native of Bright's Grove, Ont., was also busy off the course - announcing plans to expand his wine operation and moving closer to launching a course design business. His first project is expected to be in Vernon, B.C., and will likely be started in 2009.
However, Weir's primary focus remains on trying to win golf tournaments. He's currently going through a similar winter schedule to the one he had before winning the Masters and two other PGA Tour events a couple years back.
"I'm going to take a nice long break, which coincidentally I haven't really done since the 2002 season ... and 2003 wasn't too bad a year for me," Weir said on his website.
That's the opposite approach to the one being taken by Stephen Ames.
He's decided to try and stay sharper during this off-season than he has in years past and will continue hitting balls at an indoor range near his home in Calgary. Ames had seven top-10s and no victories in 2008.
The two highest-ranked Canadians will be the only players representing the Maple Leaf on the PGA Tour next year. An impressive eight Canadians made an appearance in the final stage of qualifying school, but none of them was able to earn a card.
It was a similar story on the women's side, although Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., did manage to secure part-time playing privileges on the LPGA Tour in 2009.
Hamilton's Alena Sharp was again the top Canadian on tour this year with over US$180,000 in earnings. She's been in contention a number of times and will be looking for her first LPGA victory in 2009.
It was a much tougher season for Charlottetown's Lorie Kane, who finished lower on the money list (131) than she has in any other year of her career.
Fortunately, the news remained good for the tournament Kane fought hard to keep alive a couple years ago - the CN Canadian Women's Open. The 2008 event in Ottawa was won by Katherine Hull and boasted a quality field, proving beyond doubt that it is among the best on the LPGA Tour.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Vancouver Golf Tour 2009 Membership Information
With the 2009 Golf Season fast approaching, we are very excited to launch the following news about our 2009 Membership Program and tournament schedule: Click Here to View All the Details!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
PGA Tour offers fewer tournaments in the fall
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The PGA Tour has lost at least one tournament from its Fall Series because of the economy, and the final part of its 2009 schedule released Tuesday had another tournament still up in the air.
The tour announced five tournaments — down from seven this year — that will be played after the FedEx Cup ends and give players a chance to finish in the top 125 on the money list to retain their cards.
Gone from the Fall Series schedule is the Ginn sur Mer Classic, which was held the penultimate week of the season and was not expected to return because of the real estate crisis. Also missing from the fall is the Valero Texas Open, which moved to the spring to replace the defunct Atlanta tournament.
The Fall Series starts at Turning Stone the week after the FedEx Cup finale, then takes a week off because of the Presidents Cup, which will be held Oct. 8-11 in San Francisco. The series resumes in Las Vegas and Phoenix, then moves to Mississippi and Florida, ending Nov. 15 at Disney World, as it did this year.
The tour still is trying to create a tournament the week before Disney that would be played on Sea Island, Ga. Those negotiations were one reason the fall schedule was not released until two days before Christmas.
If the '09 schedule stays the way it is, there will be 46 tournaments (down from 48) with a $100,000 increase in total prize money. That doesn't include the majors, which have not released their purses for 2009.
The tour announced five tournaments — down from seven this year — that will be played after the FedEx Cup ends and give players a chance to finish in the top 125 on the money list to retain their cards.
Gone from the Fall Series schedule is the Ginn sur Mer Classic, which was held the penultimate week of the season and was not expected to return because of the real estate crisis. Also missing from the fall is the Valero Texas Open, which moved to the spring to replace the defunct Atlanta tournament.
The Fall Series starts at Turning Stone the week after the FedEx Cup finale, then takes a week off because of the Presidents Cup, which will be held Oct. 8-11 in San Francisco. The series resumes in Las Vegas and Phoenix, then moves to Mississippi and Florida, ending Nov. 15 at Disney World, as it did this year.
The tour still is trying to create a tournament the week before Disney that would be played on Sea Island, Ga. Those negotiations were one reason the fall schedule was not released until two days before Christmas.
If the '09 schedule stays the way it is, there will be 46 tournaments (down from 48) with a $100,000 increase in total prize money. That doesn't include the majors, which have not released their purses for 2009.
Monday, December 22, 2008
CK Golf Solutions Relaunches Blog
Vancouver, B.C.
CK Golf Solutions and Jeff and Tara Ciecko has relaunched their blog, ckgolfsolutions.blogspot.com.
The new version provides a more consistent look that follows the branding of the CK Golf Solutions website, www.ckgolfsolutions.ca. The other objective was to provide a cleaner look and make it easier for viewers to find the Blog topics they are most interested in. The new 'labels' section should assist in accomplishing that objective.
Based in Vancouver, B.C., CK Golf Solutions provides business and management solutions to the golf industry. Vice Presidents Jeff and Tara Ciecko bring a combined 34 years of golf operations experience to the clients of CK Golf Solutions.For more information, contact CK Golf Solutions at 604-506-2226 or email at info@ckgolfsolutions.ca.
CK Golf Solutions and Jeff and Tara Ciecko has relaunched their blog, ckgolfsolutions.blogspot.com.
The new version provides a more consistent look that follows the branding of the CK Golf Solutions website, www.ckgolfsolutions.ca. The other objective was to provide a cleaner look and make it easier for viewers to find the Blog topics they are most interested in. The new 'labels' section should assist in accomplishing that objective.
Based in Vancouver, B.C., CK Golf Solutions provides business and management solutions to the golf industry. Vice Presidents Jeff and Tara Ciecko bring a combined 34 years of golf operations experience to the clients of CK Golf Solutions.For more information, contact CK Golf Solutions at 604-506-2226 or email at info@ckgolfsolutions.ca.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
At close of '08, 15 players added to '09 Masters field
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) -- The final official shot of 2008 was a tap-in birdie by Richard Sterne to win the South African Open in a playoff, capping his unlikely climb in the world rankings to be among 15 players Sunday earning a Masters invitation.
Three players on two continents made one final push for the top 50 in the rankings to make the trip to Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tied for third at the South African Open and will move up to No. 39, while Lin Wen-Tang of Taiwan tied for sixth in the Volvo Masters on the Asian Tour and will be No. 49.
Since 2000, Augusta National has invited the top 50 in the rankings at the end of the calendar year. With no more official tournaments remaining, the final 2008 rankings were determined Sunday.
The 15 players not otherwise eligible except for their top-50 ranking were Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher, Luke Donald, Shingo Kayatama, Graeme McDowell, Rory Sabbatini, Jeev Milkha Singh, Aaron Baddeley, McIlroy, Oliver Wilson, Sterne, Søren Hansen, Lin and Søren Kjeldsen.
Along with other criteria, that puts the Masters field at 88 players who are expected to compete April 10-13.
Among those still not eligible are Woody Austin, Scott Verplank, Davis Love III and J.B. Holmes -- the only Ryder Cup player who could miss the first major of the year.
Augusta National has the smallest field of the four majors, and it most likely will get larger.
Players still can qualify by winning one of 13 PGA TOUR events leading to the Masters, or by getting into the top 50 in the rankings published a week before the Masters. The Masters has not had more than 100 competitors since 1966.
No one made a bigger move than Sterne, who was ranked No. 113 two weeks ago. But he won the Alfred Dunhill Championship and the South African Open in consecutive weeks to move up 70 spots to No. 43.
Lin also was out of the top 100 in early November but began his move by winning the Hong Kong Open and securing his place with a tie for sixth in the Volvo Masters.
The 88 players who have qualified and are expected to compete in the 73rd Masters Players listed in only one category
Masters champions - Trevor Immelman, Zach Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Mike Weir, Vijay Singh, Jose Maria Olazabal, Mark O'Meara, Ben Crenshaw, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle, Larry Mize, Craig Stadler, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller, Gary Player, Raymond Floyd
U.S. Open champions (five years) Angel Cabrera, Geoff Ogilvy, Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen
British Open champions (five years)- Padraig Harrington, Todd Hamilton
THE PLAYERS Championship (three years) - Sergio Garcia, Stephen Ames
U.S. Amateur champion and runner-up - a-Danny Lee, a-Drew Kittleson
British Amateur champion - a-Reinier Saxton
U.S. Amateur Public Links champion a-Jack Newman
U.S. Mid-Amateur champion - a-Steve Wilson
Top 16 players and ties from 2008 Masters - Stewart Cink, Brandt Snedeker, Steve Flesch, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson, Andres Romero, Nick Watney, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Stuart Appleby, Sean O'Hair
Top eight players and ties from 2008 U.S. Open - Rocco Mediate, D.J. Trahan, Carl Pettersson, John Merrick
Top four players and ties from 2008 British Open - Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Greg Norman
Top four players and ties from 2008 PGA Championship - Ben Curtis, Camilo Villegas
Top 30 players from the 2008 PGA TOUR money list - Kenny Perry, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Robert Allenby, Jim Furyk, Ryuji Imada, K.J. Choi, Kevin Sutherland, Ernie Els, Steve Stricker, Chad Campbell, Boo Weekley, Ken Duke, Dudley Hart, Hunter Mahan
Winners of PGA TOUR events that award full FedExCup points since the 2008 Masters Adam Scott, Chez Reavie
The field from the 2008 TOUR Championship - Billy Mayfair, Briny Baird, Tim Clark, Bubba Watson
Top 50 players from the final 2008 world ranking - Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher, Luke Donald, Shingo Katayama, Graeme McDowell, Rory Sabbatini, Jeev Milkha Singh, Aaron Baddeley, Rory McIlroy, Oliver Wilson, Richard Sterne, Soren Hansen, Lin Wentang, Soren Kjeldsen
Top 50 players from world ranking published a week before the 2009 Masters TBD
Special foreign invitations TBD
Three players on two continents made one final push for the top 50 in the rankings to make the trip to Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tied for third at the South African Open and will move up to No. 39, while Lin Wen-Tang of Taiwan tied for sixth in the Volvo Masters on the Asian Tour and will be No. 49.
Since 2000, Augusta National has invited the top 50 in the rankings at the end of the calendar year. With no more official tournaments remaining, the final 2008 rankings were determined Sunday.
The 15 players not otherwise eligible except for their top-50 ranking were Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher, Luke Donald, Shingo Kayatama, Graeme McDowell, Rory Sabbatini, Jeev Milkha Singh, Aaron Baddeley, McIlroy, Oliver Wilson, Sterne, Søren Hansen, Lin and Søren Kjeldsen.
Along with other criteria, that puts the Masters field at 88 players who are expected to compete April 10-13.
Among those still not eligible are Woody Austin, Scott Verplank, Davis Love III and J.B. Holmes -- the only Ryder Cup player who could miss the first major of the year.
Augusta National has the smallest field of the four majors, and it most likely will get larger.
Players still can qualify by winning one of 13 PGA TOUR events leading to the Masters, or by getting into the top 50 in the rankings published a week before the Masters. The Masters has not had more than 100 competitors since 1966.
No one made a bigger move than Sterne, who was ranked No. 113 two weeks ago. But he won the Alfred Dunhill Championship and the South African Open in consecutive weeks to move up 70 spots to No. 43.
Lin also was out of the top 100 in early November but began his move by winning the Hong Kong Open and securing his place with a tie for sixth in the Volvo Masters.
The 88 players who have qualified and are expected to compete in the 73rd Masters Players listed in only one category
Masters champions - Trevor Immelman, Zach Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Mike Weir, Vijay Singh, Jose Maria Olazabal, Mark O'Meara, Ben Crenshaw, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle, Larry Mize, Craig Stadler, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller, Gary Player, Raymond Floyd
U.S. Open champions (five years) Angel Cabrera, Geoff Ogilvy, Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen
British Open champions (five years)- Padraig Harrington, Todd Hamilton
THE PLAYERS Championship (three years) - Sergio Garcia, Stephen Ames
U.S. Amateur champion and runner-up - a-Danny Lee, a-Drew Kittleson
British Amateur champion - a-Reinier Saxton
U.S. Amateur Public Links champion a-Jack Newman
U.S. Mid-Amateur champion - a-Steve Wilson
Top 16 players and ties from 2008 Masters - Stewart Cink, Brandt Snedeker, Steve Flesch, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson, Andres Romero, Nick Watney, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Stuart Appleby, Sean O'Hair
Top eight players and ties from 2008 U.S. Open - Rocco Mediate, D.J. Trahan, Carl Pettersson, John Merrick
Top four players and ties from 2008 British Open - Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Greg Norman
Top four players and ties from 2008 PGA Championship - Ben Curtis, Camilo Villegas
Top 30 players from the 2008 PGA TOUR money list - Kenny Perry, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Robert Allenby, Jim Furyk, Ryuji Imada, K.J. Choi, Kevin Sutherland, Ernie Els, Steve Stricker, Chad Campbell, Boo Weekley, Ken Duke, Dudley Hart, Hunter Mahan
Winners of PGA TOUR events that award full FedExCup points since the 2008 Masters Adam Scott, Chez Reavie
The field from the 2008 TOUR Championship - Billy Mayfair, Briny Baird, Tim Clark, Bubba Watson
Top 50 players from the final 2008 world ranking - Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher, Luke Donald, Shingo Katayama, Graeme McDowell, Rory Sabbatini, Jeev Milkha Singh, Aaron Baddeley, Rory McIlroy, Oliver Wilson, Richard Sterne, Soren Hansen, Lin Wentang, Soren Kjeldsen
Top 50 players from world ranking published a week before the 2009 Masters TBD
Special foreign invitations TBD
Friday, December 19, 2008
Annika's Letter to the Fans
Dear LPGA fans,
My last event is over and it is time to step away from competitive golf. As I sat on the plane home from Dubai I had a chance to reminisce about the last 15 years. It has been an incredible ride and I could not have asked for anything more. This wonderful game took me from a small town in Sweden and introduced me to the world. I have met some incredible people and traveled to so many wonderful places. I have learned many lessons, matured and built friendships that will last a life time. I have so much for which I am thankful!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support throughout the years. It has been truly humbling to witness the loyalty and commitment you have shown the other ladies and me. I have read some of the tributes out there on the different websites and they warm my heart. It is an honor to have touched so many lives and to have had the chance to make a difference. I might be outside the ropes starting next year, but I will be following the LPGA and its progress. Women's golf and the LPGA are in good hands with talents such as Lorena, Paula, Yani and Suzann.
The time has come for me to give back to the game I love in other ways. I hope to continue to inspire people to follow their dreams through my Academy, Foundation, USGA relationship, Course Design work and events that I will host. I am ready for the new challenges that the future will surely bring. I will embrace and attack them just like I did with my golf game over the years. I have ambitious goals, a great team, and a strategy to build a brand of businesses that will hopefully be my legacy. It will take patience, dedication, commitment and hard work – attributes that the game of golf has taught me well.
Thanks for sharing my passion!
Annika
My last event is over and it is time to step away from competitive golf. As I sat on the plane home from Dubai I had a chance to reminisce about the last 15 years. It has been an incredible ride and I could not have asked for anything more. This wonderful game took me from a small town in Sweden and introduced me to the world. I have met some incredible people and traveled to so many wonderful places. I have learned many lessons, matured and built friendships that will last a life time. I have so much for which I am thankful!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support throughout the years. It has been truly humbling to witness the loyalty and commitment you have shown the other ladies and me. I have read some of the tributes out there on the different websites and they warm my heart. It is an honor to have touched so many lives and to have had the chance to make a difference. I might be outside the ropes starting next year, but I will be following the LPGA and its progress. Women's golf and the LPGA are in good hands with talents such as Lorena, Paula, Yani and Suzann.
The time has come for me to give back to the game I love in other ways. I hope to continue to inspire people to follow their dreams through my Academy, Foundation, USGA relationship, Course Design work and events that I will host. I am ready for the new challenges that the future will surely bring. I will embrace and attack them just like I did with my golf game over the years. I have ambitious goals, a great team, and a strategy to build a brand of businesses that will hopefully be my legacy. It will take patience, dedication, commitment and hard work – attributes that the game of golf has taught me well.
Thanks for sharing my passion!
Annika
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Harrington tops Woods as GWAA's Player of the Year
HOUSTON -- Padraig Harrington, Lorena Ochoa and Jay Haas have been named 2008 Players of the Year by the Golf Writers Association of America.
Padraig Harrington ended Tiger Woods' streak of winning the Player of the Year title for three consecutive years. All three players will be honored at the GWAA's Annual Awards Dinner April 8, 2009 in Augusta, Ga.
It is Harrington's first GWAA Player of the Year award and ends a streak of three in row for Tiger Woods. Woods, who has been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery following his U.S. Open win in June, had won the award nine of the last 11 years. It is the third consecutive award for both Ochoa and Haas.
Harrington received 184 votes to 58 for Woods and five for Vijay Singh. Ochoa received 232 votes to Paula Creamer's 13. Yani Tseng received three votes. Haas' margin in the Senior Player of the Year was the narrowest. He received 115 votes to 79 for Bernhard Langer. Eduardo Romero was third with 50 votes.
Harrington successfully defended his British Open title then followed up his win at Royal Birkdale with a victory at the PGA Championship. The 37-year-old Irishman became the first European to win successive majors in the same season and the fifth player in the last two decades to win two majors in a year. He finished eighth on the PGA TOUR money list.
Ochoa followed up two impressive seasons with seven wins and her second consecutive major at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. She led the LPGA in scoring for the third consecutive year and led the money list with $2.763 million. Creamer was second with $1.823 million.
Haas is the first player to win the award three consecutive times. Hale Irwin won three Players of the Year, but only two in a row (1997-98). Haas won two tournaments, including the Senior PGA Championship, and won the Charles Schwab Cup. He finished second on the money list to Langer. Haas was honored with both the ASAPSPORTS/Jim Murray Award and the Bob Jones Award in 2005.
The GWAA, founded in 1946, takes an active role in protecting the interests of all golf journalists, works closely with all of golf's major governing bodies and the World Golf Hall of Fame and facilitates a scholarship/internship program which is currently helping students at 17 major U.S. universities.
Padraig Harrington ended Tiger Woods' streak of winning the Player of the Year title for three consecutive years. All three players will be honored at the GWAA's Annual Awards Dinner April 8, 2009 in Augusta, Ga.
It is Harrington's first GWAA Player of the Year award and ends a streak of three in row for Tiger Woods. Woods, who has been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery following his U.S. Open win in June, had won the award nine of the last 11 years. It is the third consecutive award for both Ochoa and Haas.
Harrington received 184 votes to 58 for Woods and five for Vijay Singh. Ochoa received 232 votes to Paula Creamer's 13. Yani Tseng received three votes. Haas' margin in the Senior Player of the Year was the narrowest. He received 115 votes to 79 for Bernhard Langer. Eduardo Romero was third with 50 votes.
Harrington successfully defended his British Open title then followed up his win at Royal Birkdale with a victory at the PGA Championship. The 37-year-old Irishman became the first European to win successive majors in the same season and the fifth player in the last two decades to win two majors in a year. He finished eighth on the PGA TOUR money list.
Ochoa followed up two impressive seasons with seven wins and her second consecutive major at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. She led the LPGA in scoring for the third consecutive year and led the money list with $2.763 million. Creamer was second with $1.823 million.
Haas is the first player to win the award three consecutive times. Hale Irwin won three Players of the Year, but only two in a row (1997-98). Haas won two tournaments, including the Senior PGA Championship, and won the Charles Schwab Cup. He finished second on the money list to Langer. Haas was honored with both the ASAPSPORTS/Jim Murray Award and the Bob Jones Award in 2005.
The GWAA, founded in 1946, takes an active role in protecting the interests of all golf journalists, works closely with all of golf's major governing bodies and the World Golf Hall of Fame and facilitates a scholarship/internship program which is currently helping students at 17 major U.S. universities.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Sue Kim and Eugene Wong Top 2008 CN Future Links Junior Order Of Merit
Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) along with the Canadian Professional Golfers Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations announced Friday that Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. and Eugene Wong of North Vancouver, B.C. finished first on the CN Future Links Junior Orders of Merit and have been named Canada’s top junior golfers for the 2008 season.
Kim topped the Junior Girls Order of Merit after a stellar season that included a pair of victories on the CN Canadian Women’s Tour, earning her entry into the 2008 CN Canadian Women’s Open and the Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year award. With her win on Tour, Kim also became the first amateur to win an event on Canada’s only women's developmental golf tour. The 17-year junior sensation also won the B.C. Junior Girls Championship and finished tied for fourth at the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Kim also represented the nation as a member of Team Canada.
Wong, 18, was the top points earner on the CN Future Links Junior Boy’s Order of Merit by virtue of capturing the B.C. Men’s Amateur Championship and Buick B.C. Junior Boy’s Championship, while finishing second at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. Earlier on this season, Wong also won the Callaway Junior Golf Championships.
“Sue and Eugene played extremely well and it’s no surprise to see them finish as the top juniors in Canada,” said Ian Giles, CN Future Links Advisory Committee Chair. “Sue, in particular, enjoyed an incredible amount of success, not only winning a pair of CN Canadian Women’s Tour events as an amateur, but especially in earning the Tour’s Player of the Year award. We congratulate all of our top finishers on the CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit and look forward to their continued success in golf.”
Rounding out the top five on the Junior Girls’ Order of Merit is Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C. and Brittany Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.
Rounding out the top five on the Junior Boys Order of Merit is Julien Goulet of St. Roch de l’Achigan, Que., Mathieu Rivard of Granby Que., Canadian Junior Boy’s Champion Mitch Sutton of London, Ont. and Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C.
The CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit is a ranking system designed to identify, recognize and promote Canada’s best junior golfers. Points are awarded to the top golfers participating in prominent junior provincial championships, CN Future Links Championships, RCGA national championships and select international competitions.
For full CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit standings, please visit the CN Future Links website at www.future-links.org or the RCGA website at www.rcga.org/orderofmerit.
2008 CN Future Links Junior Girls Order of Merit (Top 10)
Sue Kim, Langley, B.C. - 2190
Jennifer Kirby, Paris, Ont. - 1316
Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Toronto, Ont. - 1183.5
Jessica Wallace, Langley, B.C. - 1101.5
Brittany Henderson, Smiths Falls, Ont. - 931
Nicole Vandermade, Brantford, Ont. - 924.5
Anne-Catherine Tanguay, Quebec, Que. - 915.5
SooBin Kim, Port Coquitlam, B.C. - 837.5
Augusta James, Tamworth, Ont. - 765.5
Michelle Lee, Mississauga, Ont. - 721.5
2008 CN Future Links Junior Boys Order of Merit (Top 10)
Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C. - 4090
Julien Goulet, St. Roch de l’Achigan, Que. - 3962.5
Mathieu Rivard, Granby, Que. - 3610
Mitch Sutton, London, Ont. - 3015
Justin Shin, Maple Ridge, B.C. - 2815
Brandon Ng, Toronto, Ont. - 2730
Riley Wheeldon, Courtenay, B.C. - 2520
Richard Jung, Toronto, Ont. - 2460
Zachary Balit, Montreal, Que. - 2150
Paolo Addona, Montreal, Que. - 2022.5
CN FUTURE LINKSCN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program is designed to forge a link between Canada’s youth and golf to ensure the future of the game in Canada. Since its inception in 1996, more than 748,000 young Canadians have taken part in Future Links. Additionally the CN Future Links Championships provide Canada’s best junior golfers a chance to hone their competitive skills in multiple day championships in two age divisions: Junior (boys and girls aged 14-18 years) and Bantam (boys and girls aged 11-13 years). Almost 5,000 top juniors have competed in these premier championships since their inception in 2000. For more information about CN Future Links, please visit www.future-links.org.
NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD CN – Canadian National Railway Company – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For further information please visit www.cn.ca.
ABOUT THE CPGA Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com.
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATIONThe Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.
For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
Kim topped the Junior Girls Order of Merit after a stellar season that included a pair of victories on the CN Canadian Women’s Tour, earning her entry into the 2008 CN Canadian Women’s Open and the Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year award. With her win on Tour, Kim also became the first amateur to win an event on Canada’s only women's developmental golf tour. The 17-year junior sensation also won the B.C. Junior Girls Championship and finished tied for fourth at the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Kim also represented the nation as a member of Team Canada.
Wong, 18, was the top points earner on the CN Future Links Junior Boy’s Order of Merit by virtue of capturing the B.C. Men’s Amateur Championship and Buick B.C. Junior Boy’s Championship, while finishing second at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. Earlier on this season, Wong also won the Callaway Junior Golf Championships.
“Sue and Eugene played extremely well and it’s no surprise to see them finish as the top juniors in Canada,” said Ian Giles, CN Future Links Advisory Committee Chair. “Sue, in particular, enjoyed an incredible amount of success, not only winning a pair of CN Canadian Women’s Tour events as an amateur, but especially in earning the Tour’s Player of the Year award. We congratulate all of our top finishers on the CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit and look forward to their continued success in golf.”
Rounding out the top five on the Junior Girls’ Order of Merit is Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C. and Brittany Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.
Rounding out the top five on the Junior Boys Order of Merit is Julien Goulet of St. Roch de l’Achigan, Que., Mathieu Rivard of Granby Que., Canadian Junior Boy’s Champion Mitch Sutton of London, Ont. and Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C.
The CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit is a ranking system designed to identify, recognize and promote Canada’s best junior golfers. Points are awarded to the top golfers participating in prominent junior provincial championships, CN Future Links Championships, RCGA national championships and select international competitions.
For full CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit standings, please visit the CN Future Links website at www.future-links.org or the RCGA website at www.rcga.org/orderofmerit.
2008 CN Future Links Junior Girls Order of Merit (Top 10)
Sue Kim, Langley, B.C. - 2190
Jennifer Kirby, Paris, Ont. - 1316
Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Toronto, Ont. - 1183.5
Jessica Wallace, Langley, B.C. - 1101.5
Brittany Henderson, Smiths Falls, Ont. - 931
Nicole Vandermade, Brantford, Ont. - 924.5
Anne-Catherine Tanguay, Quebec, Que. - 915.5
SooBin Kim, Port Coquitlam, B.C. - 837.5
Augusta James, Tamworth, Ont. - 765.5
Michelle Lee, Mississauga, Ont. - 721.5
2008 CN Future Links Junior Boys Order of Merit (Top 10)
Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C. - 4090
Julien Goulet, St. Roch de l’Achigan, Que. - 3962.5
Mathieu Rivard, Granby, Que. - 3610
Mitch Sutton, London, Ont. - 3015
Justin Shin, Maple Ridge, B.C. - 2815
Brandon Ng, Toronto, Ont. - 2730
Riley Wheeldon, Courtenay, B.C. - 2520
Richard Jung, Toronto, Ont. - 2460
Zachary Balit, Montreal, Que. - 2150
Paolo Addona, Montreal, Que. - 2022.5
CN FUTURE LINKSCN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program is designed to forge a link between Canada’s youth and golf to ensure the future of the game in Canada. Since its inception in 1996, more than 748,000 young Canadians have taken part in Future Links. Additionally the CN Future Links Championships provide Canada’s best junior golfers a chance to hone their competitive skills in multiple day championships in two age divisions: Junior (boys and girls aged 14-18 years) and Bantam (boys and girls aged 11-13 years). Almost 5,000 top juniors have competed in these premier championships since their inception in 2000. For more information about CN Future Links, please visit www.future-links.org.
NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD CN – Canadian National Railway Company – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For further information please visit www.cn.ca.
ABOUT THE CPGA Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com.
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATIONThe Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.
For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
It's official: Pavin named Ryder Cup captain for 2010
By Associated Press
NEW YORK – Corey Pavin was introduced as the next U.S. captain for the Ryder Cup on Thursday, selected to lead a team in 2010 that will try to successfully defend the cup for the first time since 1993.
A former U.S. Open champion with 15 victories on the PGA Tour, Pavin played in three Ryder Cups and had an 8-5-0 record.
“The Ryder Cup is in my blood,” he said at a news conference. “I think if you cut my arm open, Ryder Cup would just bleed out. It’s the greatest event in the world, I think, and certainly the golf world.”
The 49-year-old Pavin takes over for Paul Azinger, who helped the U.S. end a decade of European dominance at the Ryder Cup with a 16 1/2 -11 1/2 victory in September at Valhalla. The Americans have not had a captain in consecutive Ryder Cups since Ben Hogan in 1947 and 1949. U.S. players lobbied for Azinger to return the night of their victory at Valhalla, and only recently has he said he might be interested. But PGA of America president Jim Remy said the organization didn’t want to break with precedent. “We have so many great players who have earned that right to be a Ryder Cup captain that we want to make sure that we support them and hopefully not leave any great player behind,” he said.
The 2010 Ryder Cup will be played at Celtic Manor in Wales. The Americans have not won in Europe since The Belfry in 1993, when Pavin was on the team. He served as an assistant to captain Tom Lehman in 2006.
Pavin said it was too early to discuss whether additional changes would be made to the selection system. Azinger was responsible for modernizing the system to account for the influx of international players on the PGA Tour.
He based points on money and doubled the captain’s picks to four. “I’ve already asked the PGA of America if I could have 12 picks, but I think they rejected that already,” Pavin joked. Pavin played on two winning Ryder Cup teams, including the last U.S. team to win on the road, in 1993 at The Belfry. He made his Ryder Cup debut in 1991 at Kiawah Island. “I’ve been waiting 17 years to be sitting right here at the podium,” he said.
NEW YORK – Corey Pavin was introduced as the next U.S. captain for the Ryder Cup on Thursday, selected to lead a team in 2010 that will try to successfully defend the cup for the first time since 1993.
A former U.S. Open champion with 15 victories on the PGA Tour, Pavin played in three Ryder Cups and had an 8-5-0 record.
“The Ryder Cup is in my blood,” he said at a news conference. “I think if you cut my arm open, Ryder Cup would just bleed out. It’s the greatest event in the world, I think, and certainly the golf world.”
The 49-year-old Pavin takes over for Paul Azinger, who helped the U.S. end a decade of European dominance at the Ryder Cup with a 16 1/2 -11 1/2 victory in September at Valhalla. The Americans have not had a captain in consecutive Ryder Cups since Ben Hogan in 1947 and 1949. U.S. players lobbied for Azinger to return the night of their victory at Valhalla, and only recently has he said he might be interested. But PGA of America president Jim Remy said the organization didn’t want to break with precedent. “We have so many great players who have earned that right to be a Ryder Cup captain that we want to make sure that we support them and hopefully not leave any great player behind,” he said.
The 2010 Ryder Cup will be played at Celtic Manor in Wales. The Americans have not won in Europe since The Belfry in 1993, when Pavin was on the team. He served as an assistant to captain Tom Lehman in 2006.
Pavin said it was too early to discuss whether additional changes would be made to the selection system. Azinger was responsible for modernizing the system to account for the influx of international players on the PGA Tour.
He based points on money and doubled the captain’s picks to four. “I’ve already asked the PGA of America if I could have 12 picks, but I think they rejected that already,” Pavin joked. Pavin played on two winning Ryder Cup teams, including the last U.S. team to win on the road, in 1993 at The Belfry. He made his Ryder Cup debut in 1991 at Kiawah Island. “I’ve been waiting 17 years to be sitting right here at the podium,” he said.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Stephanie Sherlock and Nick Taylor Named Canada's Top Amateur Golfers in 2008
Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – Stephanie Sherlock of Barrie, Ont. and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. were recognized as the top female and male amateur golfers this season as the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) announced the final 2008 National Order of Merit standings.
Sherlock, a junior studying business at the University of Denver, elevated her game to yet another level in 2008, winning the CN Canadian Women’s Tour event in Winnipeg and the Sunbelt Conference Championship, while continuing to hone her skills on the Team Canada for a third successive year.
The 21-year old also finished second at the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship; managed a tie for fifth at the NCAA Division 1 finals; was named a Duramed FUTURES Tour NGCA Division I All-American for the second consecutive season; and was a member of Canada’s World Amateur team who finished fourth at the World Amateur Team Championships in Australia.
Rounding out the top five in women’s national rankings are 2008 B.C. Women’s Amateur Champion Kira Meixner of Richmond, B.C., 2008 Quebec Women’s Amateur champion Maude-Aimée LeBlanc of Windsor, Que., Sue Kim of Langley, B.C., who won two CN Canadian Women’s Tour events and Kirby Dreher of Fort St. John, B.C., who won the final CN Canadian Women’s Tour event of the season. All five ladies also competed at the 2008 CN Canadian Women’s Open in Ottawa.
In the men’s national ranking, Taylor tops the list after a stellar season that saw him earn entry into the U.S Open, as well as the RBC Canadian Open where he finished tied for 53rd. The 21-year old Team Canada member also earned individual runner-up honours at the NCAA Division 1 finals and the World Amateur Team Championships.
Rounding out the top five on the men’s Order of Merit are Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C., who won the B.C. Junior Boys and Men’s Amateur Championships; Calgary native Jordan Irwin who was named to the All-Conference USA First Team and Canada’s World Amateur team; 17-year old Julien Goulet of St Roch de l'Achigan, Que., who won the Graham Cooke Invitational Junior Championship; and 2008 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont.
The National Order of Merit standings recognize season-long achievements and were established to identify Canada’s top amateur golfers. For full Order of Merit standings and points breakdown, please visit www.rcga.org/orderofmerit.
The following are the Top 10 on the Women’s and Men’s 2008 National Orders of Merit:
2008 National Women’s Order of Merit (Top 10)
2008 National Men’s Order of Merit (Top 10)
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATIONThe Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf. For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
Sherlock, a junior studying business at the University of Denver, elevated her game to yet another level in 2008, winning the CN Canadian Women’s Tour event in Winnipeg and the Sunbelt Conference Championship, while continuing to hone her skills on the Team Canada for a third successive year.
The 21-year old also finished second at the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship; managed a tie for fifth at the NCAA Division 1 finals; was named a Duramed FUTURES Tour NGCA Division I All-American for the second consecutive season; and was a member of Canada’s World Amateur team who finished fourth at the World Amateur Team Championships in Australia.
Rounding out the top five in women’s national rankings are 2008 B.C. Women’s Amateur Champion Kira Meixner of Richmond, B.C., 2008 Quebec Women’s Amateur champion Maude-Aimée LeBlanc of Windsor, Que., Sue Kim of Langley, B.C., who won two CN Canadian Women’s Tour events and Kirby Dreher of Fort St. John, B.C., who won the final CN Canadian Women’s Tour event of the season. All five ladies also competed at the 2008 CN Canadian Women’s Open in Ottawa.
In the men’s national ranking, Taylor tops the list after a stellar season that saw him earn entry into the U.S Open, as well as the RBC Canadian Open where he finished tied for 53rd. The 21-year old Team Canada member also earned individual runner-up honours at the NCAA Division 1 finals and the World Amateur Team Championships.
Rounding out the top five on the men’s Order of Merit are Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C., who won the B.C. Junior Boys and Men’s Amateur Championships; Calgary native Jordan Irwin who was named to the All-Conference USA First Team and Canada’s World Amateur team; 17-year old Julien Goulet of St Roch de l'Achigan, Que., who won the Graham Cooke Invitational Junior Championship; and 2008 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont.
The National Order of Merit standings recognize season-long achievements and were established to identify Canada’s top amateur golfers. For full Order of Merit standings and points breakdown, please visit www.rcga.org/orderofmerit.
The following are the Top 10 on the Women’s and Men’s 2008 National Orders of Merit:
2008 National Women’s Order of Merit (Top 10)
- Stephanie Sherlock, Barrie, ON 1750.00
- Kira Meixner, Richmond, BC 1522.00
- Maude Aimee Leblanc, Windsor, QC 1517.50
- Sue Kim, Langley, BC 1357.10
- Kirby Dreher, Fort St.John, BC 1059.00
- Sara-Maude Juneau, Fossambault, QC 1032.50
- Caroline Kim, Port Coquitlam, BC 763.00
- Jennifer Kirby, Paris, ON 593.38
- Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Toronto, ON 581.25
- Kristy McLaughlin, Wasaga Beach, ON 577.50
2008 National Men’s Order of Merit (Top 10)
- Nick Taylor, Abbotsford, BC 1410.00
- Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, BC 979.00
- Jordan Irwin, Calgary, AB 946.00
- Julien Goulet, St Roch de l'Achigan, QC 745.25
- Cam Burke, New Hamburg, ON 686.00
- Dave Bunker, Woodbridge, ON 623.75
- Graham Hill, Brights Grove, ON 584.00
- Scott Stiles, Calgary, AB 570.00
- Adam Hadwin, Abbotsford, BC 524.50
- David Markle, Shelburne, ON 484.00
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATIONThe Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf. For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
Monday, December 8, 2008
PGA & LPGA Qualifying Schools Final Round Results
The Final Round is complete and playing privileges for 2009 have been established. Here is a look at how the Canadians faired at both the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour qualifying schools.
While the LPGA Tour goes five full 18 hole rounds, the PGA Tour qualify school manages to extend its marathon test to six rounds of golf before awarding the low 20 and low 25 players full time playing privileges respectively on each Tour for the 2009 seasons.
The LPGA Tour was contested in Daytona Beach, Fla and it took a 5 round score of five under par, 355 to make the top 20. The biggest story likely coming out of the LPGA Tour qualifying school was of course Michelle Wie finally 'earning' her way onto the Tour and legitimately into tournaments for 2009. Wie fired a final round two over par 74 to finish T7 well inside the tour card cut line. Personally, we were cheering for her and hope she will use this as a stepping stone to compete against the best women in the world so we can all see what her potential actually is.
Below is a list of how the Canadians finished after the final round was completed Sunday (the 72 hole cut was +2):
- T25 Samatha Richdale, Kelowna, B.C. -3, 357 - Receives partial 2009 LPGA Tour Exemption for finishing in the 21-30th places
- T25 Angela Buzminski, Oshawa, ON -3, 357 - Receives partial 2009 LPGA Tour Exemption for finishing in the 21-30th places
- Missed 72 hole cut - A.J. Eathorne, Penticton, B.C. +3
- Missed 72 hole cut - Cindy Pasechnik, Calgary, AB +7
- Missed 72 hole cut - Jessica Shepley, Oakville, ON +9
- Missed 72 hole cut - Lisa Meldrum, Montreal, PQ +17
- DQ Jennifer Greggain, Chilliwack, B.C.
Click here to view the full LPGA Tour qualifying results from the final round.
The PGA Tour was contested in La Quinta, California and it took a 6 round score of 19 under par, 413 to make the top 25 and earn a full time exemption on the PGA Tour in 2009. Players finishing 18 under par, 414 to 10 under par, 422 earn a full time exemption on the Nationwide Tour in 2009. While none of the Canadian boys made it to the 'big show' we will be well represented on the Nationwide Tour in 2009.
Below is a list of how the Canadians faired after the final round was completed Monday:
- T40 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Bryan DeCorso, Guelph, ON -14, 418
- T53 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Dustin Risdon, Strathmore, Alta. -13, 419
- T70 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Jon Mills, Belleville, ON -11, 421
- T70 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Brennan Webb, Huntsville, ON -11, 421
- T87 Jim Rutledge, Victoria, B.C. -9, 423
- T97 David Hearn, Brantford, ON -8, 424
- T130 Richard Lee, Vancouver, B.C. -4, 428
- 159 Kent Eger, Regina, Sask. +12, 444
Click here to view the full PGA Tour qualifying results from the final round.
Click here to view Round 1's Blog about the Tour Qualifying Schools.
While the LPGA Tour goes five full 18 hole rounds, the PGA Tour qualify school manages to extend its marathon test to six rounds of golf before awarding the low 20 and low 25 players full time playing privileges respectively on each Tour for the 2009 seasons.
The LPGA Tour was contested in Daytona Beach, Fla and it took a 5 round score of five under par, 355 to make the top 20. The biggest story likely coming out of the LPGA Tour qualifying school was of course Michelle Wie finally 'earning' her way onto the Tour and legitimately into tournaments for 2009. Wie fired a final round two over par 74 to finish T7 well inside the tour card cut line. Personally, we were cheering for her and hope she will use this as a stepping stone to compete against the best women in the world so we can all see what her potential actually is.
Below is a list of how the Canadians finished after the final round was completed Sunday (the 72 hole cut was +2):
- T25 Samatha Richdale, Kelowna, B.C. -3, 357 - Receives partial 2009 LPGA Tour Exemption for finishing in the 21-30th places
- T25 Angela Buzminski, Oshawa, ON -3, 357 - Receives partial 2009 LPGA Tour Exemption for finishing in the 21-30th places
- Missed 72 hole cut - A.J. Eathorne, Penticton, B.C. +3
- Missed 72 hole cut - Cindy Pasechnik, Calgary, AB +7
- Missed 72 hole cut - Jessica Shepley, Oakville, ON +9
- Missed 72 hole cut - Lisa Meldrum, Montreal, PQ +17
- DQ Jennifer Greggain, Chilliwack, B.C.
Click here to view the full LPGA Tour qualifying results from the final round.
The PGA Tour was contested in La Quinta, California and it took a 6 round score of 19 under par, 413 to make the top 25 and earn a full time exemption on the PGA Tour in 2009. Players finishing 18 under par, 414 to 10 under par, 422 earn a full time exemption on the Nationwide Tour in 2009. While none of the Canadian boys made it to the 'big show' we will be well represented on the Nationwide Tour in 2009.
Below is a list of how the Canadians faired after the final round was completed Monday:
- T40 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Bryan DeCorso, Guelph, ON -14, 418
- T53 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Dustin Risdon, Strathmore, Alta. -13, 419
- T70 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Jon Mills, Belleville, ON -11, 421
- T70 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Brennan Webb, Huntsville, ON -11, 421
- T87 Jim Rutledge, Victoria, B.C. -9, 423
- T97 David Hearn, Brantford, ON -8, 424
- T130 Richard Lee, Vancouver, B.C. -4, 428
- 159 Kent Eger, Regina, Sask. +12, 444
Click here to view the full PGA Tour qualifying results from the final round.
Click here to view Round 1's Blog about the Tour Qualifying Schools.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Women’s Golf Month gains momentum in the U.S.
GOLFWEEK STAFF
Boosting women’s participation in golf is a top priority for industry leaders, and they touted a recent success: Participation in the American Express Women’s Golf Month increased 9.2 percent compared with a year ago.
Final results for the event, held in June, were recently tallied by organizers who reported a combined median spend of $3,320 per facility by consumers after participating in Women’s Golf Month activities. In each of its previous three years, the initiative was a week-long event.
More than 105,600 people across the country have been introduced or re-introduced to the game over the past four years during American Express Women’s Golf Month, which premiered in 2005 as Women’s Golf Week.
“We are anticipating an even greater number of courses offering clinics for new players around the country as we celebrate the fifth anniversary in June 2009,” said Anne Lyndrup, director of player development for the National Golf Course Owners Association and leader of the Women’s Golf Month organizers.
Aimed at increasing the participation of women in golf and making learning and playing golf fun, the number of participants has increased each year with a record 37,350 people attending Women’s Golf Month events in 2008. By comparison, in its inaugural year in 2005, Women’s Golf Week was supported by 225 facilities that hosted 9,500 participants.
American Express Women’s Golf Month, part of the national Play Golf America campaign, is coordinated by industry organizations such as the Executive Women’s Golf Association, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the National Golf Course Owners Association and the PGA of America.
Boosting women’s participation in golf is a top priority for industry leaders, and they touted a recent success: Participation in the American Express Women’s Golf Month increased 9.2 percent compared with a year ago.
Final results for the event, held in June, were recently tallied by organizers who reported a combined median spend of $3,320 per facility by consumers after participating in Women’s Golf Month activities. In each of its previous three years, the initiative was a week-long event.
More than 105,600 people across the country have been introduced or re-introduced to the game over the past four years during American Express Women’s Golf Month, which premiered in 2005 as Women’s Golf Week.
“We are anticipating an even greater number of courses offering clinics for new players around the country as we celebrate the fifth anniversary in June 2009,” said Anne Lyndrup, director of player development for the National Golf Course Owners Association and leader of the Women’s Golf Month organizers.
Aimed at increasing the participation of women in golf and making learning and playing golf fun, the number of participants has increased each year with a record 37,350 people attending Women’s Golf Month events in 2008. By comparison, in its inaugural year in 2005, Women’s Golf Week was supported by 225 facilities that hosted 9,500 participants.
American Express Women’s Golf Month, part of the national Play Golf America campaign, is coordinated by industry organizations such as the Executive Women’s Golf Association, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the National Golf Course Owners Association and the PGA of America.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
PGA Tour Futures At Stake In California
by CanTour Communications John Berkovich
LA QUINTA, Calif. – The 108-hole, six round marathon, otherwise known as PGA TOUR Qualifying School, tees it up for the third and final stage on Wednesday in the California desert with a host of current and former Canadian Tour members in the field.
Current members aiming for a precious TOUR card include Adam Bland, Kent Eger, Steve Friesen, Erik Justesen, Troy Kelly, Jon Mills, Wil Collins, Dustin Risdon, Jim Rutledge, Lee Williamson and Dong Yi.
Former members in the field include Jay Williamson, Brennan Webb, Chris Tidland, Roger Tambellini, Sal Spallone, Ted Purdy, Bryce Molder, Spencer Levin, Kent Jones, David Hearn, Notah Begay III, Michael Bradley, Rodney Butcher, Kris Cox, Glen Day, Brian DeCorso and Scott Dunlap.
Adam Bland, 26, won twice as a rookie on the Canadian Tour in 2007 and has played professional golf around the world. The Australian had six top ten finishes this season.
Kent Eger won the Seaforth Country Classic in record breaking fashion this year, setting a Tour record for lowest overall score.
Steve Friesen has played several Nationwide events and at 31, hopes to earn his PGA TOUR card for the first time.
Erick Justesen recently graduated from the Canadian Tour’s Fall Qualifying School and at 23, appears to have a bright future ahead of him.
Canadian Tour rookie Troy Kelly had three top ten finishes this season after sharing medalist honors at the 2008 California Qualifying School.
Jon Mills won the Canadian Tour Order of Merit in 2003 and has spent the past several years on both the Nationwide and PGA TOUR.
Wil Collins finished second at both the San Luis Potosi Open and the Seaforth Country Classic this season. The 2001 Ben Hogan Award winner has all the tools for a successful golf career.
Dustin Risdon won the ATB Financial Classic just outside Calgary this year, thrilling the hometown fans. In 2007, the laidback Canadian took home the TELUS Edmonton Open for his first Canadian Tour win.
Jim Rutledge and Lee Williamson both have PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour experience and are hoping to move up a level in 2009.
Dong Yi made 8 of 14 cuts this year on the Canadian Tour and has easily advanced through both stages thus far.
Spencer Levin is also in the field. Although the Canadian Tour’s 2007 International Rookie of the Year guaranteed a PGA TOUR card with his 22nd place finish on the 2008 Nationwide Tour money list, the three-time Canadian Tour winner is hoping to move up the exemption ladder.
All players who have qualified for final stage earn at least conditional Nationwide Tour status for 2009.
LA QUINTA, Calif. – The 108-hole, six round marathon, otherwise known as PGA TOUR Qualifying School, tees it up for the third and final stage on Wednesday in the California desert with a host of current and former Canadian Tour members in the field.
Current members aiming for a precious TOUR card include Adam Bland, Kent Eger, Steve Friesen, Erik Justesen, Troy Kelly, Jon Mills, Wil Collins, Dustin Risdon, Jim Rutledge, Lee Williamson and Dong Yi.
Former members in the field include Jay Williamson, Brennan Webb, Chris Tidland, Roger Tambellini, Sal Spallone, Ted Purdy, Bryce Molder, Spencer Levin, Kent Jones, David Hearn, Notah Begay III, Michael Bradley, Rodney Butcher, Kris Cox, Glen Day, Brian DeCorso and Scott Dunlap.
Adam Bland, 26, won twice as a rookie on the Canadian Tour in 2007 and has played professional golf around the world. The Australian had six top ten finishes this season.
Kent Eger won the Seaforth Country Classic in record breaking fashion this year, setting a Tour record for lowest overall score.
Steve Friesen has played several Nationwide events and at 31, hopes to earn his PGA TOUR card for the first time.
Erick Justesen recently graduated from the Canadian Tour’s Fall Qualifying School and at 23, appears to have a bright future ahead of him.
Canadian Tour rookie Troy Kelly had three top ten finishes this season after sharing medalist honors at the 2008 California Qualifying School.
Jon Mills won the Canadian Tour Order of Merit in 2003 and has spent the past several years on both the Nationwide and PGA TOUR.
Wil Collins finished second at both the San Luis Potosi Open and the Seaforth Country Classic this season. The 2001 Ben Hogan Award winner has all the tools for a successful golf career.
Dustin Risdon won the ATB Financial Classic just outside Calgary this year, thrilling the hometown fans. In 2007, the laidback Canadian took home the TELUS Edmonton Open for his first Canadian Tour win.
Jim Rutledge and Lee Williamson both have PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour experience and are hoping to move up a level in 2009.
Dong Yi made 8 of 14 cuts this year on the Canadian Tour and has easily advanced through both stages thus far.
Spencer Levin is also in the field. Although the Canadian Tour’s 2007 International Rookie of the Year guaranteed a PGA TOUR card with his 22nd place finish on the 2008 Nationwide Tour money list, the three-time Canadian Tour winner is hoping to move up the exemption ladder.
All players who have qualified for final stage earn at least conditional Nationwide Tour status for 2009.
Birdie on final hole gives Choi win at Skins Game
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) -- K.J. Choi holed an 11-foot birdie putt worth $270,000 on the 18th hole Sunday to win the 26th LG SKINS GAME with $415,000.
Stephen Ames missed a nine-footer that would have tied the hole and forced the foursome including Phil Mickelson and Rocco Mediate into a playoff.
Instead, Choi's putt gave him $340,000 for Sunday's nine holes and made him the fifth international player to win the title.
"I'm very proud to have won the SKINS GAME, the first time ever for a Korean player," said Choi, who said he watched the SKINS GAME and the Masters growing up in South Korea. "I'm very, very happy today."
Stephen Ames, looking for a third consecutive title in the event, won $250,000 on the first hole of the day with a birdie to finish second. Mickelson was third with $195,000, while Mediate earned his $140,000 with a birdie on the 16th hole.
It is just the seventh time that all four players in the event have won money.
"I thought it was a good day. Everyone was able to win a skin today," Mickelson said. "It was a fun few days. We all would have liked to have gotten the last skin. I just didn't make the putts. I though Stephen and I each had putts to carry over some skins."
Choi started the day with the lead but fell behind Ames on the first hole. Mickelson won $170,000 on the par-4 13th with a tap-in birdie. Choi added $70,000 with a four-foot eagle putt on the 14th hole.
Mediate, frustrated when his long birdie putts were tied by other players three times over the two days, finally broke through with a three-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th for his $140,000. Again, Ames missed a six-footer that could have tied the hole and carried the money over.
On the 18th, all four players hit the green, but Mediate and Mickelson missed putts from about 11 feet, while Choi made his uphill birdie putt. Putting down the same hill, Ames' putt slipped to the right, giving Choi the title.
LG SKINS GAME
Results from the final nine holes
#10 - 4 - Ames sinks six-foot birdie putt/collects $250,000 (six skins)
#11 - 4 - Hole is halved with birdies by Mediate and Ames
#12 - 3 - Hole is halved with pars by Mediate and Choi
#13 - 4 - Mickelson sinks 18-inch birdie putt/collects $170,000 (three skins)
#14 - 5 - Choi sinks five-foot eagle putt/collects $70,000 (one skin)
#15 - 4 - Hole is halved with pars by Mediate and Mickelson
#16 - 3 - Mediate sinks three-foot birdie putt/collects $140,000 (two skins)
#17 - 4 - Hole is halved with birdies by Ames and Mediate
#18 - 4 - Choi sinks 11-foot birdie putt/collects $270,000 (two skins)
Stephen Ames missed a nine-footer that would have tied the hole and forced the foursome including Phil Mickelson and Rocco Mediate into a playoff.
Instead, Choi's putt gave him $340,000 for Sunday's nine holes and made him the fifth international player to win the title.
"I'm very proud to have won the SKINS GAME, the first time ever for a Korean player," said Choi, who said he watched the SKINS GAME and the Masters growing up in South Korea. "I'm very, very happy today."
Stephen Ames, looking for a third consecutive title in the event, won $250,000 on the first hole of the day with a birdie to finish second. Mickelson was third with $195,000, while Mediate earned his $140,000 with a birdie on the 16th hole.
It is just the seventh time that all four players in the event have won money.
"I thought it was a good day. Everyone was able to win a skin today," Mickelson said. "It was a fun few days. We all would have liked to have gotten the last skin. I just didn't make the putts. I though Stephen and I each had putts to carry over some skins."
Choi started the day with the lead but fell behind Ames on the first hole. Mickelson won $170,000 on the par-4 13th with a tap-in birdie. Choi added $70,000 with a four-foot eagle putt on the 14th hole.
Mediate, frustrated when his long birdie putts were tied by other players three times over the two days, finally broke through with a three-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th for his $140,000. Again, Ames missed a six-footer that could have tied the hole and carried the money over.
On the 18th, all four players hit the green, but Mediate and Mickelson missed putts from about 11 feet, while Choi made his uphill birdie putt. Putting down the same hill, Ames' putt slipped to the right, giving Choi the title.
LG SKINS GAME
Results from the final nine holes
#10 - 4 - Ames sinks six-foot birdie putt/collects $250,000 (six skins)
#11 - 4 - Hole is halved with birdies by Mediate and Ames
#12 - 3 - Hole is halved with pars by Mediate and Choi
#13 - 4 - Mickelson sinks 18-inch birdie putt/collects $170,000 (three skins)
#14 - 5 - Choi sinks five-foot eagle putt/collects $70,000 (one skin)
#15 - 4 - Hole is halved with pars by Mediate and Mickelson
#16 - 3 - Mediate sinks three-foot birdie putt/collects $140,000 (two skins)
#17 - 4 - Hole is halved with birdies by Ames and Mediate
#18 - 4 - Choi sinks 11-foot birdie putt/collects $270,000 (two skins)
Monday, December 1, 2008
Sweden takes World Cup with dominant final day; Canada finishes T13
SHENZHEN, China (AP) -- Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson of Sweden came from behind Sunday for a three-stroke victory in the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup, shooting a remarkable 9-under 63 to overtake third-round co-leaders Spain and Australia.
Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal finished with a 70 -- three behind. The Australian pair of Richard Green and Brendan Jones slumped to a 76, nine off the pace of Sweden's winning total of 27-under 261 at Mission Hills in southern China.
Ryuji Imada and Toru Taniguchi (68) of Japan also finished nine shots behind with Martin Kaymer and Alex Cjeka (73) of Germany 11 shots back. Defending champion Scotland (72) led by Colin Montomgerie finished on 281 -- 20 behind. Americans Ben Curtis and Brandt Snedeker (73) were 13-under 275.
The Swedes started the day four behind Spain, but notched five brides on the front nine to catch their fellow Europeans at 23-under. Playing a group ahead of Spain, Stenson missed a short birdie putt on 10 that would have put them at 24-under.
However, Sweden pulled into the outright lead with birdies on Nos. 11, 12, 14 and 15 to reach 27-under -- four clear of Spain. Stenson missed a 10-footer on No. 13 that would have extended the lead even further.
The key was mastering the difficult foursomes (alternate shot) format, played Friday and Sunday. In foursomes, teams play only one ball and alternate shots. Fourballs (best ball) is easier. Each golfer plays his own ball and counts the best score on each hole.
Sweden shot 67-63-130 playing foursomes and 65-66-131 playing fourball.
The Swedes were the favorites entering the tournament, and had two of only three players in the field ranked in the top 20. Karlsson, who won the European money title this season, is No. 6 and Stenson is 12th. Spain's Jimenez is ranked 20th.
Each of the leading teams seemed to have a hot day - Germany on Thursday, Spain on Friday and Australia on Saturday.
"I thought it was our turn today," Stenson said.
The victory caps a great season for Karlsson, who won Europe's money title and also had two victories on the European Tour. Stenson is winless this season in individual play.
"I'm starting to run out of tournaments," Stenson said. "This is my third last. So I've got two more to go in South Africa. But winning for Sweden in nice. It's been a while."
Australia had bogeys on two of the first six holes and was never in the running for the title.
"Things didn't happen for us early," Jones said. "We were just making little mistakes, which we had not made the first three days. ... It's a different golf course coming from the rough." The Australians complained earlier in the week that coverage of their play was being ignored back home - partly because the top two Australians -- Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott -- declined invitations to play in the event.
Spain has won the event four times, the last in 1984 with Jose Maria Canizares and Jose
Rivero. Sweden's only other victory was in 1991 with Per-Ulrik Johansson and Anders Forsbrand.
All four days were played in perfect, warm conditions with a light breeze stirring through the hilly, tree-lined course designed by two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal. The rolling layout would look familiar anywhere. Only a 100-foot-high stone statue of Guanyin along the 18th fairway -- a Chinese female goddess with Buddhist origins -- suggests the club's location.
The Swedes split $1.7 million in prize money, a big chunk of the $5.5 million purse. Despite the global economic downturn, the purse offered by sponsor OMEGA was 10 percent above last year.
This year's event was the second of a 12-year contract at Mission Hills, the sprawling golf estate that boasts the world's largest layout with 216 holes.
Dating from 1953, almost every great player has won the event -- Palmer, Nicklaus, Hogan, Snead, Woods and Ballesteros. Though it's still failing to attract a top field, it's being given an economic boost by its sponsor and Mission Hills chairman and founder Dr. David Chu.
Chu has made the top 10 in one magazine's list of the most powerful people in golf.
Final leaderboard
Scores after Sunday's fourth round of the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup at the 7,251-yard, par-72 Mission Hills Golf Club:
Finish
Team/Country
Scores
1 Robert Karlsson-Henrik Stenson, Sweden 65-67-66-63-261
2 Miguel Angel Jimenez-Pablo Larrazabal, Spain 64-63-67-70-264
T3 Brendan Jones-Richard Green, Australia 63-68-63-76-270
T3 Ryuji Imada-Toru Taniguchi, Japan 66-68-68-68-270
5 Martin Kaymer-Alex Cejka, Germany 62-69-68-73-272
6 Ian Poulter-Ross Fisher, England 69-74-63-67-273
T7 Prayad Marksaeng-Thongchai Jaidee, Thailand 69-73-64-68-274
T7 Rory Sabbatini-Richard Sterne, South Africa 70-70-67-67-274
9 Ben Curtis-Brandt Snedeker, United States 64-69-69-73-275
T10 Gregory Bourdy-Gregory Havret, France 68-75-62-71-276
T10 Marciano Pucay-Angelo Que, Philippines 67-72-65-72-276
T10 Felipe Aguilar-Mark Tullo, Chile 67-76-66-67-276
T13 Soren Hansen-Anders Hansen, Denmark 65-75-64-73-277
T13 Wes Heffernan-Graham Delaet, Canada 64-71-69-73-277
T13 Tiago Cruz-Ricardo Santos, Portugal 67-73-67-70-277
16 Graeme McDowell-Paul McGinley, Ireland 65-68-68-77-278
T17 Jyoti Randhawa-Jeev Milkha Singh, India 67-72-70-71-280
T17 Liang Wenchong-Zhang Lianwei, China 69-75-64-72-280
T19 Edoardo Molinari-Francesco Molinari, Italy 70-73-64-74-281
T19 Colin Montgomerie-Alastair Forsyth, Scotland 68-73-68-72-281
21 Mikko Korhonen-Roope Kakko, Finland 69-70-68-75-282
T22 David Smail-Mark Brown, New Zealand 65-75-68-75-283
T22 Pablo Acuna-Alejandro Villavicenc, Guatemala 69-76-66-72-283
24 Lu Wen-teh and Lin Wen-tang, Taiwan 68-74-69-72-284
25 Bradley Dredge-Richard Johnson, Wales 69-77-68-71-285
26 Kim Hyung-tae, Bae Sang-moon, South Korea 68-70-71-78-287
27 Oscar Serna-Daniel DeLeon, Mexico 66-77-71-74-288
28 Miguel Martinez-Raul Sanz, Venezuela 71-74-75-74-294
Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal finished with a 70 -- three behind. The Australian pair of Richard Green and Brendan Jones slumped to a 76, nine off the pace of Sweden's winning total of 27-under 261 at Mission Hills in southern China.
Ryuji Imada and Toru Taniguchi (68) of Japan also finished nine shots behind with Martin Kaymer and Alex Cjeka (73) of Germany 11 shots back. Defending champion Scotland (72) led by Colin Montomgerie finished on 281 -- 20 behind. Americans Ben Curtis and Brandt Snedeker (73) were 13-under 275.
The Swedes started the day four behind Spain, but notched five brides on the front nine to catch their fellow Europeans at 23-under. Playing a group ahead of Spain, Stenson missed a short birdie putt on 10 that would have put them at 24-under.
However, Sweden pulled into the outright lead with birdies on Nos. 11, 12, 14 and 15 to reach 27-under -- four clear of Spain. Stenson missed a 10-footer on No. 13 that would have extended the lead even further.
The key was mastering the difficult foursomes (alternate shot) format, played Friday and Sunday. In foursomes, teams play only one ball and alternate shots. Fourballs (best ball) is easier. Each golfer plays his own ball and counts the best score on each hole.
Sweden shot 67-63-130 playing foursomes and 65-66-131 playing fourball.
The Swedes were the favorites entering the tournament, and had two of only three players in the field ranked in the top 20. Karlsson, who won the European money title this season, is No. 6 and Stenson is 12th. Spain's Jimenez is ranked 20th.
Each of the leading teams seemed to have a hot day - Germany on Thursday, Spain on Friday and Australia on Saturday.
"I thought it was our turn today," Stenson said.
The victory caps a great season for Karlsson, who won Europe's money title and also had two victories on the European Tour. Stenson is winless this season in individual play.
"I'm starting to run out of tournaments," Stenson said. "This is my third last. So I've got two more to go in South Africa. But winning for Sweden in nice. It's been a while."
Australia had bogeys on two of the first six holes and was never in the running for the title.
"Things didn't happen for us early," Jones said. "We were just making little mistakes, which we had not made the first three days. ... It's a different golf course coming from the rough." The Australians complained earlier in the week that coverage of their play was being ignored back home - partly because the top two Australians -- Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott -- declined invitations to play in the event.
Spain has won the event four times, the last in 1984 with Jose Maria Canizares and Jose
Rivero. Sweden's only other victory was in 1991 with Per-Ulrik Johansson and Anders Forsbrand.
All four days were played in perfect, warm conditions with a light breeze stirring through the hilly, tree-lined course designed by two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal. The rolling layout would look familiar anywhere. Only a 100-foot-high stone statue of Guanyin along the 18th fairway -- a Chinese female goddess with Buddhist origins -- suggests the club's location.
The Swedes split $1.7 million in prize money, a big chunk of the $5.5 million purse. Despite the global economic downturn, the purse offered by sponsor OMEGA was 10 percent above last year.
This year's event was the second of a 12-year contract at Mission Hills, the sprawling golf estate that boasts the world's largest layout with 216 holes.
Dating from 1953, almost every great player has won the event -- Palmer, Nicklaus, Hogan, Snead, Woods and Ballesteros. Though it's still failing to attract a top field, it's being given an economic boost by its sponsor and Mission Hills chairman and founder Dr. David Chu.
Chu has made the top 10 in one magazine's list of the most powerful people in golf.
Final leaderboard
Scores after Sunday's fourth round of the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup at the 7,251-yard, par-72 Mission Hills Golf Club:
Finish
Team/Country
Scores
1 Robert Karlsson-Henrik Stenson, Sweden 65-67-66-63-261
2 Miguel Angel Jimenez-Pablo Larrazabal, Spain 64-63-67-70-264
T3 Brendan Jones-Richard Green, Australia 63-68-63-76-270
T3 Ryuji Imada-Toru Taniguchi, Japan 66-68-68-68-270
5 Martin Kaymer-Alex Cejka, Germany 62-69-68-73-272
6 Ian Poulter-Ross Fisher, England 69-74-63-67-273
T7 Prayad Marksaeng-Thongchai Jaidee, Thailand 69-73-64-68-274
T7 Rory Sabbatini-Richard Sterne, South Africa 70-70-67-67-274
9 Ben Curtis-Brandt Snedeker, United States 64-69-69-73-275
T10 Gregory Bourdy-Gregory Havret, France 68-75-62-71-276
T10 Marciano Pucay-Angelo Que, Philippines 67-72-65-72-276
T10 Felipe Aguilar-Mark Tullo, Chile 67-76-66-67-276
T13 Soren Hansen-Anders Hansen, Denmark 65-75-64-73-277
T13 Wes Heffernan-Graham Delaet, Canada 64-71-69-73-277
T13 Tiago Cruz-Ricardo Santos, Portugal 67-73-67-70-277
16 Graeme McDowell-Paul McGinley, Ireland 65-68-68-77-278
T17 Jyoti Randhawa-Jeev Milkha Singh, India 67-72-70-71-280
T17 Liang Wenchong-Zhang Lianwei, China 69-75-64-72-280
T19 Edoardo Molinari-Francesco Molinari, Italy 70-73-64-74-281
T19 Colin Montgomerie-Alastair Forsyth, Scotland 68-73-68-72-281
21 Mikko Korhonen-Roope Kakko, Finland 69-70-68-75-282
T22 David Smail-Mark Brown, New Zealand 65-75-68-75-283
T22 Pablo Acuna-Alejandro Villavicenc, Guatemala 69-76-66-72-283
24 Lu Wen-teh and Lin Wen-tang, Taiwan 68-74-69-72-284
25 Bradley Dredge-Richard Johnson, Wales 69-77-68-71-285
26 Kim Hyung-tae, Bae Sang-moon, South Korea 68-70-71-78-287
27 Oscar Serna-Daniel DeLeon, Mexico 66-77-71-74-288
28 Miguel Martinez-Raul Sanz, Venezuela 71-74-75-74-294
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Woods, GM end endorsement deal
GOLFWEEK STAFF
When Tiger Woods returns to the PGA Tour next season, he won’t be playing out of a Buick-logoed bag.
Buick-parent General Motors, struggling to stay afloat amid the worst sales environment in a quarter-century, announced Nov. 24 in a message to dealers that Woods no longer will pitch company products, effective at the end of this year.
Woods had one year remaining on a five-year deal worth $40 million, according to Advertising Age magazine.
“It’s with great emotion that I wish to inform you that the time has come forour longterm relationship with Tiger Woods to end,” Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC, said in the e-mail announcement to employees, dealers, partners and suppliers.
According to the message and a subsequent news release by Buick, the break-up was amicable. A message left by Golfweek with Mark Steinberg, Woods’ agent, was not immediately returned.
“I am very proud of the long-standing partnership I’ve had with GM and have enjoyed being a part of the company’s dramatic product evolution,’’ Woods said in a statement.
Woods, who has won 65 Tour events, earns nearly $100 million annually from endorsements with such brands as Nike, EA Sports, American Express and Tag Heuer, among others, according to Ad Age.
In October, Buick approached Woods about the possibility of renewing the contract beyond 2010. However, in recent weeks, both sides re-evaluated their positions, according to a source close to the negotiations. Woods and wife Elin are expecting their second child early in ’09.
GM’s troubles have deepened in recent weeks, with chief executive Rick Wagoner joining CEOs from Ford and Chrysler in lobbying Capitol Hill for a federal bailout of the ailing automakers.
Earlier this month, GM reported a $2.5 billion quarterly loss and warned that by the end of the year it might reach the minimum level of cash needed to run the company.
Experts say a company that falls below minimum cash levels will have to stop paying some of its bills, a move that could force GM into bankruptcy protection. In that climate, marketing budgets are a prime target for cost savings.
Mark LaNeve, GM’s vice president for North American marketing, said GM and Woods started discussing an end to the deal earlier this year, and it had nothing to do with GM’s quest for $25 billion in federal loans for the auto industry.
But the company’s statement said the decision was made as part of “the search for budget efficiencies during a difficult economy for General Motors.’’
GM is so concerned about costs that it cut advertising during the 2009 Super Bowl, although it still plans to sponsor the National Football League and likely air ads before and after the game. GM also has pulled out of the Oscars and Emmy awards in 2009 – the first time in more than a decade that it is not running ads before, during or after the two events.
U.S. automakers, the largest category of advertisers, cut ad spending 18 percent to $1.37 billion in the second quarter compared with the same period in 2007, according to TNS Media Intelligence in New York.
Foreign automakers also are trimming their spending on advertising in U.S. markets, with a 5.4 percent cut in the second quarter, for an overall 11 percent drop in U.S. auto ad spending to $3.27 billion, the 12th quarterly dip in a row.
“Everything we do right now we are taking a harder look at,” Larry Peck, Buick and Pontiac promotions manager, said of the break-up with Woods.
The decision to jettison Woods, the most-visible face of the Buick brand since January 2000, speaks volumes about the deteriorating economic climate for manufacturing and, perhaps, golf.
As part of his deal, Woods carried a Buick bag, appeared in Buick promotions and made personal appearances for the carmaker. He recently caddied for a contest winner at Torrey Pines, site of the Woods’ dramatic U.S. Open victory in June. Woods has not played since, recovering from knee surgery. His return date has been the subject of much conjecture.
Buick remains the official car of the PGA Tour, but it recently eliminated some regional relationships that will limit some tournaments’ use of Buick “courtesy cars’’ next year.
Buick still will sponsor two events on the PGA Tour, the Buick Invitational in February at Torrey Pines and the Buick Open in Flint, Mich., but those deals expire in 2010. With the mantra of cost savings, it’s unclear what will happen with those Tour stops in the future.
Hank Haney, Woods’ instructor, also had his endorsement deal cut short by a year. Haney had signed a three-year deal, which expires at the end of 2010.
“Our budgets are being reduced,” Peck said. “Most likely the money we are now saving will be put towards budget savings or cost elimination.”
When Tiger Woods returns to the PGA Tour next season, he won’t be playing out of a Buick-logoed bag.
Buick-parent General Motors, struggling to stay afloat amid the worst sales environment in a quarter-century, announced Nov. 24 in a message to dealers that Woods no longer will pitch company products, effective at the end of this year.
Woods had one year remaining on a five-year deal worth $40 million, according to Advertising Age magazine.
“It’s with great emotion that I wish to inform you that the time has come forour longterm relationship with Tiger Woods to end,” Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC, said in the e-mail announcement to employees, dealers, partners and suppliers.
According to the message and a subsequent news release by Buick, the break-up was amicable. A message left by Golfweek with Mark Steinberg, Woods’ agent, was not immediately returned.
“I am very proud of the long-standing partnership I’ve had with GM and have enjoyed being a part of the company’s dramatic product evolution,’’ Woods said in a statement.
Woods, who has won 65 Tour events, earns nearly $100 million annually from endorsements with such brands as Nike, EA Sports, American Express and Tag Heuer, among others, according to Ad Age.
In October, Buick approached Woods about the possibility of renewing the contract beyond 2010. However, in recent weeks, both sides re-evaluated their positions, according to a source close to the negotiations. Woods and wife Elin are expecting their second child early in ’09.
GM’s troubles have deepened in recent weeks, with chief executive Rick Wagoner joining CEOs from Ford and Chrysler in lobbying Capitol Hill for a federal bailout of the ailing automakers.
Earlier this month, GM reported a $2.5 billion quarterly loss and warned that by the end of the year it might reach the minimum level of cash needed to run the company.
Experts say a company that falls below minimum cash levels will have to stop paying some of its bills, a move that could force GM into bankruptcy protection. In that climate, marketing budgets are a prime target for cost savings.
Mark LaNeve, GM’s vice president for North American marketing, said GM and Woods started discussing an end to the deal earlier this year, and it had nothing to do with GM’s quest for $25 billion in federal loans for the auto industry.
But the company’s statement said the decision was made as part of “the search for budget efficiencies during a difficult economy for General Motors.’’
GM is so concerned about costs that it cut advertising during the 2009 Super Bowl, although it still plans to sponsor the National Football League and likely air ads before and after the game. GM also has pulled out of the Oscars and Emmy awards in 2009 – the first time in more than a decade that it is not running ads before, during or after the two events.
U.S. automakers, the largest category of advertisers, cut ad spending 18 percent to $1.37 billion in the second quarter compared with the same period in 2007, according to TNS Media Intelligence in New York.
Foreign automakers also are trimming their spending on advertising in U.S. markets, with a 5.4 percent cut in the second quarter, for an overall 11 percent drop in U.S. auto ad spending to $3.27 billion, the 12th quarterly dip in a row.
“Everything we do right now we are taking a harder look at,” Larry Peck, Buick and Pontiac promotions manager, said of the break-up with Woods.
The decision to jettison Woods, the most-visible face of the Buick brand since January 2000, speaks volumes about the deteriorating economic climate for manufacturing and, perhaps, golf.
As part of his deal, Woods carried a Buick bag, appeared in Buick promotions and made personal appearances for the carmaker. He recently caddied for a contest winner at Torrey Pines, site of the Woods’ dramatic U.S. Open victory in June. Woods has not played since, recovering from knee surgery. His return date has been the subject of much conjecture.
Buick remains the official car of the PGA Tour, but it recently eliminated some regional relationships that will limit some tournaments’ use of Buick “courtesy cars’’ next year.
Buick still will sponsor two events on the PGA Tour, the Buick Invitational in February at Torrey Pines and the Buick Open in Flint, Mich., but those deals expire in 2010. With the mantra of cost savings, it’s unclear what will happen with those Tour stops in the future.
Hank Haney, Woods’ instructor, also had his endorsement deal cut short by a year. Haney had signed a three-year deal, which expires at the end of 2010.
“Our budgets are being reduced,” Peck said. “Most likely the money we are now saving will be put towards budget savings or cost elimination.”
Saturday, November 29, 2008
RBC Canadian Open Included in PGA TOUR’s Inaugural Kodak Challenge
- Position on 2009 PGA TOUR Schedule improves for Canada’s Open Championship -
Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – Eastman Kodak Company and the PGA TOUR announced the creation of the Kodak Challenge, a first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players that celebrates beautiful holes and memorable moments on the PGA TOUR.
The Kodak Challenge is a competition for PGA Tour players and challenges players to perform their best on Kodak Challenge holes, with the winner taking home $1 million, a trophy and bragging rights.
24 tournaments on the 2009 PGA TOUR schedule will feature a Kodak Challenge hole. Players must play at least 18 of the designated holes throughout the season and a player’s lowest score relative to par on 18 of the designated holes will be counted. Holes were chosen by a panel based on their beauty and connection to memorable moments at that particular course and tournament.
The picturesque 11th hole at Glen Abbey Golf Club has been selected as one of the Kodak Challenge holes.
More information on the Kodak Challenge is available online at www.kodakchallenge.com.
The PGA TOUR also released its 2009 schedule which includes all events through the third leg of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.
The Buick Open contested in Flint, Michigan, moves to the week immediately following the RBC Canadian Open giving an extra week between the RBC Canadian Open and the Bridgestone Invitational World Golf Championships.
The 2009 RBC Canadian Open will be held July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario.
ABOUT THE 2009 RBC CANADIAN OPEN An exciting new era has arrived for Canada's national championship. Part of the FedEx Cup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario. Established in 1904, the tournament is the third-oldest national open golf championship worldwide next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. The RBC Canadian Open is proudly sponsored by RBC, Bell, Pengrowth and BMW Group Canada. For updated corporate hospitality, tickets, volunteer and sponsorship information please visit www.rbccanadianopen.ca or call 1-800-571-OPEN.
RBC AND THE RBC CANADIAN OPENIn partnership with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), RBC is the title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open, the third oldest national golf championship worldwide, next only to the British Open and the U.S. Open. With a history of great players and premier fields, the RBC Canadian Open provides golf fans with the opportunity to experience the excitement of a world class event on Canadian soil. RBC also sponsors all levels of amateur sport, from grassroots programs in local communities to national sport organizations and elite-level athletes.
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.
For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – Eastman Kodak Company and the PGA TOUR announced the creation of the Kodak Challenge, a first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players that celebrates beautiful holes and memorable moments on the PGA TOUR.
The Kodak Challenge is a competition for PGA Tour players and challenges players to perform their best on Kodak Challenge holes, with the winner taking home $1 million, a trophy and bragging rights.
24 tournaments on the 2009 PGA TOUR schedule will feature a Kodak Challenge hole. Players must play at least 18 of the designated holes throughout the season and a player’s lowest score relative to par on 18 of the designated holes will be counted. Holes were chosen by a panel based on their beauty and connection to memorable moments at that particular course and tournament.
The picturesque 11th hole at Glen Abbey Golf Club has been selected as one of the Kodak Challenge holes.
More information on the Kodak Challenge is available online at www.kodakchallenge.com.
The PGA TOUR also released its 2009 schedule which includes all events through the third leg of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.
The Buick Open contested in Flint, Michigan, moves to the week immediately following the RBC Canadian Open giving an extra week between the RBC Canadian Open and the Bridgestone Invitational World Golf Championships.
The 2009 RBC Canadian Open will be held July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario.
ABOUT THE 2009 RBC CANADIAN OPEN An exciting new era has arrived for Canada's national championship. Part of the FedEx Cup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario. Established in 1904, the tournament is the third-oldest national open golf championship worldwide next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. The RBC Canadian Open is proudly sponsored by RBC, Bell, Pengrowth and BMW Group Canada. For updated corporate hospitality, tickets, volunteer and sponsorship information please visit www.rbccanadianopen.ca or call 1-800-571-OPEN.
RBC AND THE RBC CANADIAN OPENIn partnership with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), RBC is the title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open, the third oldest national golf championship worldwide, next only to the British Open and the U.S. Open. With a history of great players and premier fields, the RBC Canadian Open provides golf fans with the opportunity to experience the excitement of a world class event on Canadian soil. RBC also sponsors all levels of amateur sport, from grassroots programs in local communities to national sport organizations and elite-level athletes.
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.
For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
Friday, November 28, 2008
NGCOA Canada Launches Environmental Webpage
NEW In today’s world, golf is often unjustly portrayed as being detrimental to the environment. In order to change this perception, we need to educate the public on all of the positive things that golf does to enhance the environment. The NGCOA Canada is committed to ensuring that the environmentally friendly programs and initiatives
undertaken by the golf industry are presented in a consistent and uniform manner. The goal of our Association is to promote and provide recognition of the golf industry for fostering the principles of sustainability, stewardship and the best environmental practices with the objective of illustrating that golf courses and their operations are environmental assets to the community.
The NGCOA Canada believes that we must continue to educate ourselves, in order to be able spread this message. As part of the NGCOA Canada commitment to provide assistance to its members, we have created this environmental section on our website. By creating this central starting point, our membership will have the ability to quickly access resources and expertise on environmental issues that we all face in our operations.
The site contains our Environmental Position Statement and will soon contain a key contacts database broken down by chapter to allow the membership to access those individuals and associations who will be most familiar with any issues that affect their operations.
In the future we will add further features and resources to assist the membership in communicating the message of golf’s benefits to the environment so please check back regularly for updates.
undertaken by the golf industry are presented in a consistent and uniform manner. The goal of our Association is to promote and provide recognition of the golf industry for fostering the principles of sustainability, stewardship and the best environmental practices with the objective of illustrating that golf courses and their operations are environmental assets to the community.
The NGCOA Canada believes that we must continue to educate ourselves, in order to be able spread this message. As part of the NGCOA Canada commitment to provide assistance to its members, we have created this environmental section on our website. By creating this central starting point, our membership will have the ability to quickly access resources and expertise on environmental issues that we all face in our operations.
The site contains our Environmental Position Statement and will soon contain a key contacts database broken down by chapter to allow the membership to access those individuals and associations who will be most familiar with any issues that affect their operations.
In the future we will add further features and resources to assist the membership in communicating the message of golf’s benefits to the environment so please check back regularly for updates.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
CN Future Links Eclipses 748,000 Mark for Junior Golf Participation
- Canada’s junior golf program welcomes 112,527 participants in 2008 -
Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – Canada’s junior program once again welcomed record numbers in 2008 as CN Future Links celebrated its 12th anniversary by eclipsing the 748,000 mark for junior golf participation.
Since the inception of Future Links in 1996, 748,104 Canadian boys and girls have taken part in some aspect of the national, provincial and community-based grassroots golf participation program.
The program – proudly sponsored by CN – enjoyed a banner year in 2008 with a record 112,527 junior participants taking part in more than 3,600 events at 805 sites across Canada.
"CN cares deeply about the communities through which our trains travel, which is why we are proud to support CN Future Links,” said Mark Wallace, CN's Assistant Vice-President, Public Affairs. “CN is committed to helping build stronger communities. We believe young people in these communities should have the opportunity to participate in a sport that can lead to a lifelong passion and that introduces values that will travel with them through to adulthood."
CN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf development program designed to help more kids enjoy a lifetime involvement in the game of golf. The program is a joint initiative of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program also receives support from official supplier ClubLink.
A driving force behind the program is the CN Future Links grants distributed annually to each of the 10 provincial golf associations. These $15,000 grants help offset the cost to run junior golf programming such as instructional clinics, in-school programs, player camps, skills competitions and a CN Future Links branded vehicle used to deliver a mobile junior golf program. The grants also help fund junior golf supplies such as signage, golf balls, tees, equipment and CN Future Links branded clothing.“2008 was another banner year for Canadian junior golf participation through the CN Future Links program,” said Ian Giles, CN Future Links Advisory Committee Chairman.
“With the generous support of CN and the partnership between the RCGA, CPGA and the provincial golf associations, we proudly celebrate our 12th year knowing that close to 750,000 young boys and girls having been introduced to a game they can enjoy for life.”
2008 CN Future Links Highlights:
- More than 22,000 kids participated in Instructional Clinics hosted by CPGA professionals. - The 10 provincial golf associations ran successful Mobile Clinic outreach programs for more than 57,000 children at various sites including schools, youth groups, day camps, golf courses, etc.
- A network of 65 Kids Club Connection Depots provided golf equipment to 4,450 kids.
- More than 4,600 children participated in Golf Buddy events at 100 sites nation-wide.
- 279 schools ran CN Future Links programs for more than 36,000 children.
- More than 10,000 children tested their abilities at 170 Junior Skills Competitions.- Six high-profile CN Future Links Junior Championships gave almost 600 young golfers the opportunity to play competitive golf at an elite level.- Free junior golf clinics and 'Walk with the Pro' events were conducted at the CN Canadian Women’s Open and the RBC Canadian Open, giving youngsters the chance to meet and learn from some of the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour’s brightest stars.
Total CN Future Links participation (1996 – 2008)1996 – 3,5071997 – 7,5951998 – 19,7361999 – 21,4122000 – 32,6352001 – 39,2822002 – 55,7662003 – 66,7312004 – 78,0782005 – 95,3152006 – 104,4042007 – 111,1162008 – 112,527Grand Total since 1996 – 748,104CN
FUTURE LINKSCN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program is designed to forge a link between Canada’s youth and golf to ensure the future of the game in Canada. Since its inception in 1996, more than 748,000 young Canadians have taken part in Future Links. Additionally the CN Future Links Championships provide Canada’s best junior golfers a chance to hone their competitive skills in multiple day championships in two age divisions: Junior (boys and girls aged 14-18 years) and Bantam (boys and girls aged 11-13 years). Almost 5,000 top juniors have competed in these premier championships since their inception in 2000. For more information about CN Future Links, please visit www.future-links.org.
NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD CN – Canadian National Railway Company – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For further information please visit www.cn.ca.
ABOUT CPGA: Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATIONThe Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf. For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
For more information contact: Terry LenykCoordinator, Media and Public Relations Royal Canadian Golf Association (t) 1-800-263-0009 x 335(c) 416-407-3893 (e) tlenyk@rcga.org
Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – Canada’s junior program once again welcomed record numbers in 2008 as CN Future Links celebrated its 12th anniversary by eclipsing the 748,000 mark for junior golf participation.
Since the inception of Future Links in 1996, 748,104 Canadian boys and girls have taken part in some aspect of the national, provincial and community-based grassroots golf participation program.
The program – proudly sponsored by CN – enjoyed a banner year in 2008 with a record 112,527 junior participants taking part in more than 3,600 events at 805 sites across Canada.
"CN cares deeply about the communities through which our trains travel, which is why we are proud to support CN Future Links,” said Mark Wallace, CN's Assistant Vice-President, Public Affairs. “CN is committed to helping build stronger communities. We believe young people in these communities should have the opportunity to participate in a sport that can lead to a lifelong passion and that introduces values that will travel with them through to adulthood."
CN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf development program designed to help more kids enjoy a lifetime involvement in the game of golf. The program is a joint initiative of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program also receives support from official supplier ClubLink.
A driving force behind the program is the CN Future Links grants distributed annually to each of the 10 provincial golf associations. These $15,000 grants help offset the cost to run junior golf programming such as instructional clinics, in-school programs, player camps, skills competitions and a CN Future Links branded vehicle used to deliver a mobile junior golf program. The grants also help fund junior golf supplies such as signage, golf balls, tees, equipment and CN Future Links branded clothing.“2008 was another banner year for Canadian junior golf participation through the CN Future Links program,” said Ian Giles, CN Future Links Advisory Committee Chairman.
“With the generous support of CN and the partnership between the RCGA, CPGA and the provincial golf associations, we proudly celebrate our 12th year knowing that close to 750,000 young boys and girls having been introduced to a game they can enjoy for life.”
2008 CN Future Links Highlights:
- More than 22,000 kids participated in Instructional Clinics hosted by CPGA professionals. - The 10 provincial golf associations ran successful Mobile Clinic outreach programs for more than 57,000 children at various sites including schools, youth groups, day camps, golf courses, etc.
- A network of 65 Kids Club Connection Depots provided golf equipment to 4,450 kids.
- More than 4,600 children participated in Golf Buddy events at 100 sites nation-wide.
- 279 schools ran CN Future Links programs for more than 36,000 children.
- More than 10,000 children tested their abilities at 170 Junior Skills Competitions.- Six high-profile CN Future Links Junior Championships gave almost 600 young golfers the opportunity to play competitive golf at an elite level.- Free junior golf clinics and 'Walk with the Pro' events were conducted at the CN Canadian Women’s Open and the RBC Canadian Open, giving youngsters the chance to meet and learn from some of the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour’s brightest stars.
Total CN Future Links participation (1996 – 2008)1996 – 3,5071997 – 7,5951998 – 19,7361999 – 21,4122000 – 32,6352001 – 39,2822002 – 55,7662003 – 66,7312004 – 78,0782005 – 95,3152006 – 104,4042007 – 111,1162008 – 112,527Grand Total since 1996 – 748,104CN
FUTURE LINKSCN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program is designed to forge a link between Canada’s youth and golf to ensure the future of the game in Canada. Since its inception in 1996, more than 748,000 young Canadians have taken part in Future Links. Additionally the CN Future Links Championships provide Canada’s best junior golfers a chance to hone their competitive skills in multiple day championships in two age divisions: Junior (boys and girls aged 14-18 years) and Bantam (boys and girls aged 11-13 years). Almost 5,000 top juniors have competed in these premier championships since their inception in 2000. For more information about CN Future Links, please visit www.future-links.org.
NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD CN – Canadian National Railway Company – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For further information please visit www.cn.ca.
ABOUT CPGA: Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATIONThe Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf. For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
For more information contact: Terry LenykCoordinator, Media and Public Relations Royal Canadian Golf Association (t) 1-800-263-0009 x 335(c) 416-407-3893 (e) tlenyk@rcga.org
Monday, November 24, 2008
Canadian Rutledge wins Q-school event
by Jeff Brooke
Three more Canadians, led by veteran journeyman Jim Rutledge, advanced to the third and final stage of the PGA Tour's qualifying school on Saturday. Two others came agonizingly close.
Rutledge shot seven-under-par 65 to win one of Q-school's remaining two second-stage tournaments. He finished the four-day tournament at Oak Valley Golf Club in Beaumont, Calif., at 15-under 273, three shots clear of U.S. runner-up Steve Friesen.
Rutledge had his first full-time stint on the PGA Tour in 2007 as a 47-year-old rookie.
By being the Beaumont medalist, he gets another chance to get back on golf's biggest stage.
The top 25 at the final stage earn PGA Tour cards for 2009. The rest of the field gets at least part-time status on the lower-tier Nationwide Tour.
Canadian Tour rookie of the year Kent Eger and teen prodigy Richard Lee will join Rutledge at the 108-hole final stage, which begins Dec. 3.
Eger of Regina shot three-under 69 on Saturday at Beaumont to reach 10 under and tie for seventh place. Lee, an 18-year-old from Vancouver who turned pro at 16, was two shots further back, tied for 14th place.
While those three celebrated, Chris Baryla felt the sting of narrow defeat. The Vernon, B.C., golfer, who played on the Nationwide Tour this year but was hampered by chronic back problems, finished 72 holes at six under, tied for 20th spot — one stroke away from advancing.
Just the top 19 in Beaumont moved on.
Bryn Parry of North Vancouver, B.C., suffered a similar fate at another second-stage tournament in Lantana, Tex. The teaching pro, who played regularly on the Nationwide Tour in 2007, tied for 23rd place at one-over 289, a shot beneath the cut line.
Five other Canadians competed in Beaumont and Lantana but did not advance. Julien Trudeau of Montreal and David McKenzie tied for 29th at Beaumont, and Barrett Jarosch of Edmonton shared 47th place.
Two stars of the Canadian Tour — Derek Gillespie of Oshawa, Ont., and Wes Heffernan of Calgary — failed to get through at Lantana Golf Club.
The Q-school's second stage had six tournaments in total, with roughly the top 20 at each advancing to the final stage. The Beaumont and Lantana events concluded Saturday, and the other four wrapped up on Nov. 15. Four Canadians survived at the first four events — Brennan Webb, Jon Mills, David Hearn, and Dustin Risdon. Just four Canadians made it to the final stage in 2007.
This year's final stage will be played at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif. Golf Channel will broadcast the final three rounds.
Three more Canadians, led by veteran journeyman Jim Rutledge, advanced to the third and final stage of the PGA Tour's qualifying school on Saturday. Two others came agonizingly close.
Rutledge shot seven-under-par 65 to win one of Q-school's remaining two second-stage tournaments. He finished the four-day tournament at Oak Valley Golf Club in Beaumont, Calif., at 15-under 273, three shots clear of U.S. runner-up Steve Friesen.
Rutledge had his first full-time stint on the PGA Tour in 2007 as a 47-year-old rookie.
By being the Beaumont medalist, he gets another chance to get back on golf's biggest stage.
The top 25 at the final stage earn PGA Tour cards for 2009. The rest of the field gets at least part-time status on the lower-tier Nationwide Tour.
Canadian Tour rookie of the year Kent Eger and teen prodigy Richard Lee will join Rutledge at the 108-hole final stage, which begins Dec. 3.
Eger of Regina shot three-under 69 on Saturday at Beaumont to reach 10 under and tie for seventh place. Lee, an 18-year-old from Vancouver who turned pro at 16, was two shots further back, tied for 14th place.
While those three celebrated, Chris Baryla felt the sting of narrow defeat. The Vernon, B.C., golfer, who played on the Nationwide Tour this year but was hampered by chronic back problems, finished 72 holes at six under, tied for 20th spot — one stroke away from advancing.
Just the top 19 in Beaumont moved on.
Bryn Parry of North Vancouver, B.C., suffered a similar fate at another second-stage tournament in Lantana, Tex. The teaching pro, who played regularly on the Nationwide Tour in 2007, tied for 23rd place at one-over 289, a shot beneath the cut line.
Five other Canadians competed in Beaumont and Lantana but did not advance. Julien Trudeau of Montreal and David McKenzie tied for 29th at Beaumont, and Barrett Jarosch of Edmonton shared 47th place.
Two stars of the Canadian Tour — Derek Gillespie of Oshawa, Ont., and Wes Heffernan of Calgary — failed to get through at Lantana Golf Club.
The Q-school's second stage had six tournaments in total, with roughly the top 20 at each advancing to the final stage. The Beaumont and Lantana events concluded Saturday, and the other four wrapped up on Nov. 15. Four Canadians survived at the first four events — Brennan Webb, Jon Mills, David Hearn, and Dustin Risdon. Just four Canadians made it to the final stage in 2007.
This year's final stage will be played at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif. Golf Channel will broadcast the final three rounds.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Player Development Trust Fund Scholarship Winners Announced
Please click here to view a full list of the recipients!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Kyle German wins CPGA Club Professional Championship
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA (November 19, 2008) - Kyle German, Head Professional at Point Roberts Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, BC proved once again that he could fight his demons on the 18th hole after winning by one shot over Marc Girouard, Head Professional at Balmoral Club de Golf in Morin Heights, QC in an exciting playoff that brought him back to the hole where he posted a ten only two days before.
German fired a 72 adding to his first round 73 and second round 68 for a 213 three-day total. “Today I made a commitment to myself to just play golf and not think about how the rest of the field was playing, I have struggled with that in the past, so going into our final hole I had no idea where I was until Girouard and I chatted about it on the tee.” German posted four birdies and four bogeys in his round today hitting 14 greens in regulation.
German admitted he was fairly nervous when his first shot off the tee in the playoff was heading in the same direction as the tee shot from the first round where he posted a ten. “That ten almost bit me but I got away with it,” stated German who has placed tied for fifth for the past two years in this Championship. “My birdie on 18 yesterday definitely helped my confidence heading into the playoff hole, I just told myself to make the same swing as the day before, but after I hit it about three paces from where I was in the first round on pine straw and wood chips, I felt a little bit nervous. I called the rules official, got relief, then I hit one of the new hybrids that I picked up this week from Titleist and hit it 193 yards just left of the hole off the fringe into a really bad lie,” states German.
I tried to call on my inner Tiger, but chunked it unfortunately.” German finished the playoff hole by putting from the fringe to three feet from the pin and then sunk the putt for the win. “It was a challenging day out there today with the wind, as it was blowing fairly strong putting you two or three clubs back in selection,” stated German who was tied with Danny King at four under par at the turn, one shot off the co-leaders Dean North and Marc Girouard.
“I was really comfortable with my ball striking today and so I felt that if you connected solid, the wind wouldn’t affect your position. My ball striking combined with my confidence on the green really gave me the advantage out there today.” With this win, German receives an exemption into the 2009 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey in Oakville, ON. When German was reminded of this, he admitted that he had not even recalled the opportunity until friend Rob Anderson mentioned it on the 18th green after the win. “I have played in a few Canadian Tour events through qualifiers and a few zones events in BC but have never played in a PGA Tour event, that’s for sure.” This is German’s fourth year playing in the Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship. “From the moment you get here until the moment you leave it feels like a tour event,” states German who has won two events on the Vancouver Tour.
“Everything about the event from Acushnet’s presence on the range to the facility itself feels first class.” When asked what he will do with the $12,000 prize cheque, German says that he and his wife will be putting the money towards their first born, who is due late March of 2009. “I am definitely going to be putting these funds aside for baby supplies and a lot of diapers,” states German who is heading to Las Vegas next week to play in the “Vegas Baby” pro-am.
The Ontario Zone team (Danny King– 69-72, Matt Peavoy – 71-77, Dan Clark – 68-76, Dan Greenwood – 78-77) had two successful rounds to claim the InterZone team competition, after competing against the eight other zones across Canada. Going into the final, leading by three shots over Alberta, Ontario arrived victorious with a final score of 434 over the British Columbia Zone team 436, and the Quebec Zone team with a total score of 437. The score for the InterZone competition is determined by the calculation of the best three scores in each four man team.
The purse for the InterZone competition is $5000, with $500 going to each player on the winning team, $400 to each player on the second place team, and $350 going to each player on the third place team. Owned and operated by the PGA of America, The PGA Golf Club is a public facility designed by Tom Fazio with rolling hills, majestic pine trees and challenging water hazards. The course has been selected for numerous awards including the 2004 “Best Places To Play” by Golf Digest. For more information, visit http://www.pgavillage.com/
For final results please go to http://www.2broadcast.ca/lt/t_go.php?i=407&e=MjU5NTQ3&l=-http--www.cpga.com About Acushnet: The Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra brands have a tradition of excellence that have always been predicated on providing golfers with quality and performance superior golf equipment.
The Canadian PGA Golf Professional has a tradition of excellence devoting their careers to helping golfers improve and enjoy the game. Together, Acushnet and the Canadian PGA Golf Professional share a successful relationship of providing the golfer with best in class products and services. For more information, visit http://www.2broadcast.ca/lt/t_go.php?i=407&e=MjU5NTQ3&l=-http--www.titleist.com and http://www.footjoy.com/
About CPGA: Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country.
For more information, visit http://www.2broadcast.ca/lt/t_go.php?i=407&e=MjU5NTQ3&l=-http--www.cpga.com For more information contact: Erica Duffy Communications Coordinator Canadian PGA erica@cpga.com 800.782.5764 (x234) Brad Moyer Manager of Events and Employment Canadian PGA brad@cpga.com 800.782.5764 (x227)
German fired a 72 adding to his first round 73 and second round 68 for a 213 three-day total. “Today I made a commitment to myself to just play golf and not think about how the rest of the field was playing, I have struggled with that in the past, so going into our final hole I had no idea where I was until Girouard and I chatted about it on the tee.” German posted four birdies and four bogeys in his round today hitting 14 greens in regulation.
German admitted he was fairly nervous when his first shot off the tee in the playoff was heading in the same direction as the tee shot from the first round where he posted a ten. “That ten almost bit me but I got away with it,” stated German who has placed tied for fifth for the past two years in this Championship. “My birdie on 18 yesterday definitely helped my confidence heading into the playoff hole, I just told myself to make the same swing as the day before, but after I hit it about three paces from where I was in the first round on pine straw and wood chips, I felt a little bit nervous. I called the rules official, got relief, then I hit one of the new hybrids that I picked up this week from Titleist and hit it 193 yards just left of the hole off the fringe into a really bad lie,” states German.
I tried to call on my inner Tiger, but chunked it unfortunately.” German finished the playoff hole by putting from the fringe to three feet from the pin and then sunk the putt for the win. “It was a challenging day out there today with the wind, as it was blowing fairly strong putting you two or three clubs back in selection,” stated German who was tied with Danny King at four under par at the turn, one shot off the co-leaders Dean North and Marc Girouard.
“I was really comfortable with my ball striking today and so I felt that if you connected solid, the wind wouldn’t affect your position. My ball striking combined with my confidence on the green really gave me the advantage out there today.” With this win, German receives an exemption into the 2009 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey in Oakville, ON. When German was reminded of this, he admitted that he had not even recalled the opportunity until friend Rob Anderson mentioned it on the 18th green after the win. “I have played in a few Canadian Tour events through qualifiers and a few zones events in BC but have never played in a PGA Tour event, that’s for sure.” This is German’s fourth year playing in the Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship. “From the moment you get here until the moment you leave it feels like a tour event,” states German who has won two events on the Vancouver Tour.
“Everything about the event from Acushnet’s presence on the range to the facility itself feels first class.” When asked what he will do with the $12,000 prize cheque, German says that he and his wife will be putting the money towards their first born, who is due late March of 2009. “I am definitely going to be putting these funds aside for baby supplies and a lot of diapers,” states German who is heading to Las Vegas next week to play in the “Vegas Baby” pro-am.
The Ontario Zone team (Danny King– 69-72, Matt Peavoy – 71-77, Dan Clark – 68-76, Dan Greenwood – 78-77) had two successful rounds to claim the InterZone team competition, after competing against the eight other zones across Canada. Going into the final, leading by three shots over Alberta, Ontario arrived victorious with a final score of 434 over the British Columbia Zone team 436, and the Quebec Zone team with a total score of 437. The score for the InterZone competition is determined by the calculation of the best three scores in each four man team.
The purse for the InterZone competition is $5000, with $500 going to each player on the winning team, $400 to each player on the second place team, and $350 going to each player on the third place team. Owned and operated by the PGA of America, The PGA Golf Club is a public facility designed by Tom Fazio with rolling hills, majestic pine trees and challenging water hazards. The course has been selected for numerous awards including the 2004 “Best Places To Play” by Golf Digest. For more information, visit http://www.pgavillage.com/
For final results please go to http://www.2broadcast.ca/lt/t_go.php?i=407&e=MjU5NTQ3&l=-http--www.cpga.com About Acushnet: The Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra brands have a tradition of excellence that have always been predicated on providing golfers with quality and performance superior golf equipment.
The Canadian PGA Golf Professional has a tradition of excellence devoting their careers to helping golfers improve and enjoy the game. Together, Acushnet and the Canadian PGA Golf Professional share a successful relationship of providing the golfer with best in class products and services. For more information, visit http://www.2broadcast.ca/lt/t_go.php?i=407&e=MjU5NTQ3&l=-http--www.titleist.com and http://www.footjoy.com/
About CPGA: Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country.
For more information, visit http://www.2broadcast.ca/lt/t_go.php?i=407&e=MjU5NTQ3&l=-http--www.cpga.com For more information contact: Erica Duffy Communications Coordinator Canadian PGA erica@cpga.com 800.782.5764 (x234) Brad Moyer Manager of Events and Employment Canadian PGA brad@cpga.com 800.782.5764 (x227)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
THE CANADIAN PRESS NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. -- Mike Weir is the first to point out that he's not getting any younger.But when you see him deftly work his way through a room of dignitaries or hear him speak about his budding golf course design business, he doesn't exactly seem like an aging athlete on the verge of fading into oblivion.
In fact, the 38-year-old looks more entrenched than ever with an evolving career that hinges on more than just his wedge game or putting stroke.With a growing roster of interests away from the links, it might be time to start referring to the Canadian icon as both a golfer and a businessman. Even Weir admits the transition is inevitable."When you're pushing 40, you've got to think about what you're going to do when you're done (playing)," he said Monday. "I still feel I can play for a long time, but you've got to set yourself up and be smart.
"To be clear, the lefty from Bright's Grove, Ont., hopes his health allows him to play at the highest level of pro golf for at least another 10 years. At the same time, it's hard to ignore the growing role of business in his life.Weir was the guest of honour at the beautiful Chateau des Charmes vineyard in the heart of Ontario's wine country for Monday's announcement that he would be moving his operation there after three years with Creekside.
The importance of his presence in the region was evidenced by the wide spectrum of people from within the province's wine industry in attendance -- not to mention the handful of local politicians.And that event was only part of the reason for this week's business trip to Ontario.
On Tuesday, he'll conduct one-hour interviews with five Canadian golf course architects who are vying to become his design partner. Each of the men has already submitted plans for a course that could be built adjacent to the Predator Ridge resort in Vernon, B.C., and will essentially be pitching themselves to Weir.His objective is to establish a long-term partnership with someone he can trust and lean on, similar to what Ben Crenshaw has successfully done with designer Bill Coore over the past couple decades.
"That would be ideal -- to have a guy that's going to be there for me," explained Weir. "When you jump around with different guys, you kind of get different flavours of golf courses all over the country."I want people to recognize my golf courses and have a feel for how it might be different than somebody else's."The design business is likely to become the crowning jewel of Weir's off-course activities, which is why he's waited until now to get it started.
His agents at IMG have received many proposals over the years and not just from within Canada. Weir has also been invited to take part in projects in places like China, Korea, Belize and the Caribbean. However, none of those offers came along at the right time.
"Since probably '99, there have been opportunities thrown my way through IMG for course designs," said Weir. "I was like, `No way I'm ready for that yet.' I was still trying to establish myself on the tour and didn't want to be distracted by that. And I also didn't really have the experience. Now that I've been 10 years out there and played a number of majors and courses all over the place, I feel like I'm ready to give my point of view. I feel like it's the right time."
Not only has he played more courses and formulated a personal taste, Weir also feels he has a better understanding of how to balance his time.Even with his new interests, Weir's main focus is going to remain on his golf game.
"As long as I'm healthy enough to keep pushing and I don't feel like I'm fading away, I'm going to keep going," he said. "The exciting thing for me with the change in my swing is I've been able to practise more. I'm not the most natural golfer in the world so I have to work really hard at it.
"To be able do that now and be mostly pain-free and see myself moving back up the world rankings, I feel like if I can stay healthy for the next 10 years I can still be very competitive.
"Weir has made almost US$24 million in official earnings over the past 10 years and established himself as the most successful Canadian golfer ever. As he pushes for similar success in his business ventures moving forward, he'll continue to lean heavily on the people that have supported for a number of years. Weir's brothers Jim and Craig each play a role in his off-course dealings along with Brad Pelletier, IMG's managing director in Toronto, and several others.
"I have a great team," said Weir.In addition to the new course design business, they help oversee a winery that will soon include a retail and hospitality space alongside Whirlpool Golf Club in Niagara. There's also his successful clothing brand, various sponsorship deals and a charitable children's foundation. Weir had none of this in mind even as recently as 15 years ago, when he was struggling to earn enough money to cover expenses and dreaming about one day reaching the PGA Tour."I just wanted to play golf, I never thought of the business side," he said.
Times have certainly changed.
In fact, the 38-year-old looks more entrenched than ever with an evolving career that hinges on more than just his wedge game or putting stroke.With a growing roster of interests away from the links, it might be time to start referring to the Canadian icon as both a golfer and a businessman. Even Weir admits the transition is inevitable."When you're pushing 40, you've got to think about what you're going to do when you're done (playing)," he said Monday. "I still feel I can play for a long time, but you've got to set yourself up and be smart.
"To be clear, the lefty from Bright's Grove, Ont., hopes his health allows him to play at the highest level of pro golf for at least another 10 years. At the same time, it's hard to ignore the growing role of business in his life.Weir was the guest of honour at the beautiful Chateau des Charmes vineyard in the heart of Ontario's wine country for Monday's announcement that he would be moving his operation there after three years with Creekside.
The importance of his presence in the region was evidenced by the wide spectrum of people from within the province's wine industry in attendance -- not to mention the handful of local politicians.And that event was only part of the reason for this week's business trip to Ontario.
On Tuesday, he'll conduct one-hour interviews with five Canadian golf course architects who are vying to become his design partner. Each of the men has already submitted plans for a course that could be built adjacent to the Predator Ridge resort in Vernon, B.C., and will essentially be pitching themselves to Weir.His objective is to establish a long-term partnership with someone he can trust and lean on, similar to what Ben Crenshaw has successfully done with designer Bill Coore over the past couple decades.
"That would be ideal -- to have a guy that's going to be there for me," explained Weir. "When you jump around with different guys, you kind of get different flavours of golf courses all over the country."I want people to recognize my golf courses and have a feel for how it might be different than somebody else's."The design business is likely to become the crowning jewel of Weir's off-course activities, which is why he's waited until now to get it started.
His agents at IMG have received many proposals over the years and not just from within Canada. Weir has also been invited to take part in projects in places like China, Korea, Belize and the Caribbean. However, none of those offers came along at the right time.
"Since probably '99, there have been opportunities thrown my way through IMG for course designs," said Weir. "I was like, `No way I'm ready for that yet.' I was still trying to establish myself on the tour and didn't want to be distracted by that. And I also didn't really have the experience. Now that I've been 10 years out there and played a number of majors and courses all over the place, I feel like I'm ready to give my point of view. I feel like it's the right time."
Not only has he played more courses and formulated a personal taste, Weir also feels he has a better understanding of how to balance his time.Even with his new interests, Weir's main focus is going to remain on his golf game.
"As long as I'm healthy enough to keep pushing and I don't feel like I'm fading away, I'm going to keep going," he said. "The exciting thing for me with the change in my swing is I've been able to practise more. I'm not the most natural golfer in the world so I have to work really hard at it.
"To be able do that now and be mostly pain-free and see myself moving back up the world rankings, I feel like if I can stay healthy for the next 10 years I can still be very competitive.
"Weir has made almost US$24 million in official earnings over the past 10 years and established himself as the most successful Canadian golfer ever. As he pushes for similar success in his business ventures moving forward, he'll continue to lean heavily on the people that have supported for a number of years. Weir's brothers Jim and Craig each play a role in his off-course dealings along with Brad Pelletier, IMG's managing director in Toronto, and several others.
"I have a great team," said Weir.In addition to the new course design business, they help oversee a winery that will soon include a retail and hospitality space alongside Whirlpool Golf Club in Niagara. There's also his successful clothing brand, various sponsorship deals and a charitable children's foundation. Weir had none of this in mind even as recently as 15 years ago, when he was struggling to earn enough money to cover expenses and dreaming about one day reaching the PGA Tour."I just wanted to play golf, I never thought of the business side," he said.
Times have certainly changed.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Scott Allred Sets the Pace at the 2008 Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Pro Championship
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA (November 17, 2008) – Competition is heating up on the Wanamaker course at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida as Scott Allred of Calgary, AB fired a scorching four-under par 68 in the first round to lead the 2008 Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship by one shot over Danny King of Milton, ON and Dan Clark of Aurora, ON.
After playing in chilly and windy conditions this morning, Allred, Head Professional at Elbow Springs Golf Club, carded five birdies and one bogey en route to his 68 finish today. “When I got here this morning I was a bit concerned about the weather as I had an early tee time and I thought the wind and the cold would affect my play, but I hit my driver well and just tried to get my ball in good position and keep it in bounds which seemed to work for me in my round today,” stated Allred who won the Alberta Zone Club Professional Championship this past July.
“Today I had about 34 putts in total and on the front nine six of them were within ten feet of the pin, but you have to be careful to not set yourself up above the pin as the greens are in fabulous condition, rolling quite true and undulating quite a bit,” notes Allred who has played in this event seven times. “The key to success today out there was to play consistent fairways and greens and get it as close to the pin to be as aggressive as possible,” states Allred who just arrived back from Hawaii after playing in the Pro Team Classic Pro-Am averaging scores of 69.
Dan Clark, Head Teaching Professional at Golden Ridge Golf Range in Gormley, ON is one shot off the lead after carding a 69 today with five birdies and two bogeys. “This morning I found it to be very challenging out there as wind is always an issue with me, but I kept it together, putted very well, drove the ball in play, and didn’t make any big mistakes,” stated Clark who has played in this event since 2001 after trying to qualify for the European Senior Tour. “Tomorrow I am going focus on the same techniques as today, but the course is very ‘user friendly’ leaving some room for error, but not too much to take advantage of.”
2005 and 2006 champion Danny King had a solid day on the course carding a three-under 69, with five birdies, one eagle and a triple bogey on 10. “On the 10th hole I hit it in the left rough, and then used my wedge to hit it out, but I guess there was mud or something on it and it just went 40 degrees left which lead to the triple,” states King who has recently been working with Canadian PGA Member Sean Foley on varying swing techniques.
King, the Head Teaching Professional at Magna in Aurora, ON was four-under on the front nine with his eagle on seven before his slight hiccup on ten. “It’s demanding out there,” states King regarding the change in course from the Ryder to the Wanamaker, “the green sites are a little more demanding than last year so you’ve got to hit some good, quality shots. I think the other course isn’t as challenging. This course is a little more difficult off the tee, so you have to gear back a little bit in order to place your shot appropriately.”
One thing that most players have mentioned is the difficult undulation of the greens on the Wanamaker course. “There are a lot of slopes to these greens. If you’ve got anything side hill or downhill, they’re tricky, really tricky,” states King who narrowly missed qualifying for the second stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School only a few weeks ago. “Q-School was a funny animal,” states King who has now attempted the challenging task for the sixth time, “I played really well the first three days and didn’t get a lot out of the round. The last day there was 50 mile an hour winds and rain. Everyone has a story, but it was not ideal conditions. You’re only as good as your last round, right?”
One note of interest is the hole-in-one by Gary Boyce of Mississauga, ON on the sixth hole. Boyce who is the Head Professional at The Rock in Minett, ON hit his four iron 175 yards to drain his third career hole-in-one.
It was a successful day on the course for the Ontario team (Danny King – 69, Matt Peavoy – 71, Dan Clark – 68, Dan Greenwood - 78) in the InterZone team competition. Ontario scored a total of 209 to lead the InterZone competition by three shots over the Alberta Zone. The score is determined by the calculation of the best three scores in each four man team.
The second round of the InterZone competition will continue tomorrow where a winner will be determined. The purse for the InterZone competition is $5000, with $500 going to each player on the winning team, $400 to each player on the second place team, and $350 going to each player on the third place team. Title sponsor of the event, Acushnet Canada was onsite for the practice rounds and on the range providing all Canadian PGA Professionals with the latest innovative Titleist & FootJoy products and equipment.
Today Titleist executives were present on the first tee and recorded an 88% ball count with the ProV1 golf ball. Also onsite for the tournament is Association partner SkyCaddie – “Official Rangefinder of the Canadian PGA” who lent their distance measuring devices to all participants and unquestionably added to the improved pace of play with over 81% of the field using the GPS rangefinders.
The second round of the championship will take place tomorrow, with the field being cut after the first 36 holes to 70, plus ties. The first tee time will commence at 7:30AM with the last group departing at 12:42, in a crossover fashion. For first round results please click here. For second round tee times please visit www.cpga.com The CPC purse is $85,000 and the Champion will receive an exemption into the 2009 RBC Canadian Open to be held at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, ON.
The 2008 Titleist & FootJoy Canadian Club Professional Championship kicked off last night with the Club Car Canadian PGA Awards Show. Plaques were presented to the 2007 Canadian PGA National Award Winners: Ted Stonehouse – Jack McLaughlin Junior Teacher of the Year, Eric Thorsteinson – Merchandiser of the Year, Derek Ingram – Teacher Professional of the Year and Patty Howard – Club Professional of the Year.
Owned and operated by the PGA of America, The PGA Golf Club is a public facility designed by Tom Fazio with rolling hills, majestic pine trees and challenging water hazards. The course has been selected for numerous awards including the 2004 “Best Places To Play” by Golf Digest. For more information, visit www.pgavillage.com
About Acushnet: The Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra brands have a tradition of excellence that have always been predicated on providing golfers with quality and performance superior golf equipment. The Canadian PGA Golf Professional has a tradition of excellence devoting their careers to helping golfers improve and enjoy the game. Together, Acushnet and the Canadian PGA Golf Professional share a successful relationship of providing the golfer with best in class products and services. For more information, visit www.titleist.com and www.footjoy.com
About CPGA: Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com
After playing in chilly and windy conditions this morning, Allred, Head Professional at Elbow Springs Golf Club, carded five birdies and one bogey en route to his 68 finish today. “When I got here this morning I was a bit concerned about the weather as I had an early tee time and I thought the wind and the cold would affect my play, but I hit my driver well and just tried to get my ball in good position and keep it in bounds which seemed to work for me in my round today,” stated Allred who won the Alberta Zone Club Professional Championship this past July.
“Today I had about 34 putts in total and on the front nine six of them were within ten feet of the pin, but you have to be careful to not set yourself up above the pin as the greens are in fabulous condition, rolling quite true and undulating quite a bit,” notes Allred who has played in this event seven times. “The key to success today out there was to play consistent fairways and greens and get it as close to the pin to be as aggressive as possible,” states Allred who just arrived back from Hawaii after playing in the Pro Team Classic Pro-Am averaging scores of 69.
Dan Clark, Head Teaching Professional at Golden Ridge Golf Range in Gormley, ON is one shot off the lead after carding a 69 today with five birdies and two bogeys. “This morning I found it to be very challenging out there as wind is always an issue with me, but I kept it together, putted very well, drove the ball in play, and didn’t make any big mistakes,” stated Clark who has played in this event since 2001 after trying to qualify for the European Senior Tour. “Tomorrow I am going focus on the same techniques as today, but the course is very ‘user friendly’ leaving some room for error, but not too much to take advantage of.”
2005 and 2006 champion Danny King had a solid day on the course carding a three-under 69, with five birdies, one eagle and a triple bogey on 10. “On the 10th hole I hit it in the left rough, and then used my wedge to hit it out, but I guess there was mud or something on it and it just went 40 degrees left which lead to the triple,” states King who has recently been working with Canadian PGA Member Sean Foley on varying swing techniques.
King, the Head Teaching Professional at Magna in Aurora, ON was four-under on the front nine with his eagle on seven before his slight hiccup on ten. “It’s demanding out there,” states King regarding the change in course from the Ryder to the Wanamaker, “the green sites are a little more demanding than last year so you’ve got to hit some good, quality shots. I think the other course isn’t as challenging. This course is a little more difficult off the tee, so you have to gear back a little bit in order to place your shot appropriately.”
One thing that most players have mentioned is the difficult undulation of the greens on the Wanamaker course. “There are a lot of slopes to these greens. If you’ve got anything side hill or downhill, they’re tricky, really tricky,” states King who narrowly missed qualifying for the second stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School only a few weeks ago. “Q-School was a funny animal,” states King who has now attempted the challenging task for the sixth time, “I played really well the first three days and didn’t get a lot out of the round. The last day there was 50 mile an hour winds and rain. Everyone has a story, but it was not ideal conditions. You’re only as good as your last round, right?”
One note of interest is the hole-in-one by Gary Boyce of Mississauga, ON on the sixth hole. Boyce who is the Head Professional at The Rock in Minett, ON hit his four iron 175 yards to drain his third career hole-in-one.
It was a successful day on the course for the Ontario team (Danny King – 69, Matt Peavoy – 71, Dan Clark – 68, Dan Greenwood - 78) in the InterZone team competition. Ontario scored a total of 209 to lead the InterZone competition by three shots over the Alberta Zone. The score is determined by the calculation of the best three scores in each four man team.
The second round of the InterZone competition will continue tomorrow where a winner will be determined. The purse for the InterZone competition is $5000, with $500 going to each player on the winning team, $400 to each player on the second place team, and $350 going to each player on the third place team. Title sponsor of the event, Acushnet Canada was onsite for the practice rounds and on the range providing all Canadian PGA Professionals with the latest innovative Titleist & FootJoy products and equipment.
Today Titleist executives were present on the first tee and recorded an 88% ball count with the ProV1 golf ball. Also onsite for the tournament is Association partner SkyCaddie – “Official Rangefinder of the Canadian PGA” who lent their distance measuring devices to all participants and unquestionably added to the improved pace of play with over 81% of the field using the GPS rangefinders.
The second round of the championship will take place tomorrow, with the field being cut after the first 36 holes to 70, plus ties. The first tee time will commence at 7:30AM with the last group departing at 12:42, in a crossover fashion. For first round results please click here. For second round tee times please visit www.cpga.com The CPC purse is $85,000 and the Champion will receive an exemption into the 2009 RBC Canadian Open to be held at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, ON.
The 2008 Titleist & FootJoy Canadian Club Professional Championship kicked off last night with the Club Car Canadian PGA Awards Show. Plaques were presented to the 2007 Canadian PGA National Award Winners: Ted Stonehouse – Jack McLaughlin Junior Teacher of the Year, Eric Thorsteinson – Merchandiser of the Year, Derek Ingram – Teacher Professional of the Year and Patty Howard – Club Professional of the Year.
Owned and operated by the PGA of America, The PGA Golf Club is a public facility designed by Tom Fazio with rolling hills, majestic pine trees and challenging water hazards. The course has been selected for numerous awards including the 2004 “Best Places To Play” by Golf Digest. For more information, visit www.pgavillage.com
About Acushnet: The Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra brands have a tradition of excellence that have always been predicated on providing golfers with quality and performance superior golf equipment. The Canadian PGA Golf Professional has a tradition of excellence devoting their careers to helping golfers improve and enjoy the game. Together, Acushnet and the Canadian PGA Golf Professional share a successful relationship of providing the golfer with best in class products and services. For more information, visit www.titleist.com and www.footjoy.com
About CPGA: Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com
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