Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Canadian Tour Pulls Out of Mexico

The Canadian Tour made the decision today to pull out of Mexico. There were three event left on the schedule that were to be played south of the United States. Concerns over safety during the swine flu epicdemic caused officals to pull the plug.

For full details, visit the Canadian Tour's website at www.cantour.com.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Optimist Junior International Qualifier

The Canadian Junior Golf Association will be hosting its Optimist International Qualifier on May 23rd and 24th at Swan-e-set Bay Resort Golf Course.

Don’t Miss out as space is limited to 60 participants.

The Optimist is one of the largest and most prestigious junior golf events in the world. In addition to top-level tournament golf, participants have the opportunity to meet new friends and have a great deal of fun. Each year, more than 650 junior golfers from 25 countries participate and over 5,000 young people from the United States and Canada compete in qualifying tournaments.

Former participants in Optimist-sponsored events include: Bubba Dickerson, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Michelle McGann, Ernie Els, Justin Leonard, Nancy Lopez, Phil Mickelson, Nick Price, Corey Pavin, and Craig Stadler.

Visit www.cjga.com to register for the qualifier today.

2009 VGT Northview Ridge Classic

Marketplace IGA
VANCOUVER GOLF TOUR

2009 VGT Northview Ridge Classic
Sunday, April 26th
Par 72, 6900 yards

Official Tournament Review

“Oliver Twists his way to the top at the Ridge”

At VGT’s Inaugural Amateur Series event at Northview’s Ridge course this Sunday, it was Maple Ridge’s James Oliver who withstood the rigors of “Championship Sunday Pins” to outlast 81 Amateur competitors on this day. Oliver’s round consisted of five birdies enroute to an even par 72 and a one shot victory over his next competitors Chris Kobler of Royalwood Golf Club and Coquitlam’s Matthew Rohatensky. Some great birdies on 16 and 18 by Oliver and late bogeys by Kobler on 18 and Rohatensky on 17 kept this event from going into a sudden death playoff. For his victory, Oliver won $200 in Perfect Lies Gift Certificates and a Galvin Green Windstopper pullover. His victory also earned him 600 valuable points and vaulted himself to the top of the CLEVELAND GOLF/ SRIXON CANADA Order of Merit (Championship Flight) with 1,280 points. Kobler’s t2nd place finish in the event moved him into 2nd place in the VGT Amateur OOM after 5 events. Both Oliver and Kobler have been a meausure of consistency so far this year having finished in the top 10 of each Championship Amateur events they have played thus far.

In Flight A of the VGT Northview Ridge classic, it was Port Moody’s Andre Maille who clutched up with a birdie on 18 to take low honours with a gross score of 77, one stroke ahead of Belmont Golf Club’s Brendan Lal. Maille took home $200 in Perfect Lies GC’s and a Galvin Green Shirt and edged himself to within 200 points of Guildford’s Steve Smith who leads the CLEVELEND/SRIXON OOM for Flight A.

In Flight B results, Maple Ridge’s George Mark took Low Gross honours with a score of 83 winning himself a Cleveland Hibore rescue club, beating his local Northview regular David Patterson by 3 shots.

For full tournament results please visit the Vancouver Golf Tour website at. http://www.vancouvergolftour.com/2009/live_scoring.htm.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Albin Choi and Jennifer Kirby Capture CN Future Links Pacific Championship

National Developmental Team members shine at first CN Future Links event of 2009

Parksville, B.C. (RCGA) – National Development Team members Albin Choi of Toronto and Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., captured their respective boys and girls divisions as play concluded today at the 2009 CN Future Links Pacific Championship held at Morningstar Golf Course in Parksville, B.C.

Choi, the only competitor to finish at even-par or better for the event, carded a final-round 6-under par 66, which included five birdies, an eagle and a single bogey.

“This is my first win at a big event and it feels great,” said a thrilled Choi. “The weather was good, the course was in great condition and everything just came together today.”

The win is extra special, as the 16-year old was battling an ankle injury all week. “My ankle was hurting a lot out there, so I had to compensate by changing my swing,” added Choi. “I’ve been talking to coach (Henry) Brunton this week and he helped by giving me advice on how to deal with the injury.”

Choi’s Development team teammates Julien Goulet of St-Roch de l'Achigan, Que. (69-79-69-217 +1) and Mitch Sutton of London, Ont. (76-73-70-219 +3) finished second and T3 respectively. Sutton, Canada’s reigning junior boy’s champion, tied with Jesse Gibson of Saskatoon (73-75-71-219 +3), while Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., (75-74-72-221 +5) tied for fifth with another Development team member, Richard Jung of Toronto (75-73-73-221 +5).

In the Junior Girls division, Jennifer Kirby sailed to a 4-stroke victory after carding a final-round 5-over par 77. The 18-year old managed to take home first place honours thanks to an 8-stroke lead she had built up over the first two rounds.

“I played great the first two days and I’m happy I was able to come into today with a decent lead,” said Kirby following the win. “It’s great to win early on in the season. It was a strong field this week, so winning here gives me a boost of confidence going forward.”

Kirby had three significant wins last year, including the Ontario Junior Girls Championship and two Future Collegian World Tour events. She also won the CN Future Links Prairie Championship in 2007.

This summer, the 18-year old will compete for her third straight season on Canada’s Developmental golf team and has signed on to play with the University of Alabama next year.

Rounding out the top-5 is SooBin Kim of Port Coquitlam, B.C. at +6 (72-77-73-222), Christine Wong of Richmond, B.C. at +8 (74-76-74-224), Team Canada member Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. at +11 (72-81-74-227) and National Development team member Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Richmond Hill, Ont. at +15 (77-77-77-231).

The following are final scores for the CN Future Links Pacific Championship for Sunday April 26, 2009.CN Future Links Pacific Championship

Apr 24-26, 2009Junior Boys
1. Albin Choi, Toronto, ON, *73-77-66-216 E
2. Julien Goulet, St-Roch de l'Achigan, QC, *69-79-69-217 +1
3. Mitch Sutton, London, ON, *76-73-70-219 +3
3. Jesse Gibson, Saskatoon, SK, *73-75-71-219 +3
5. Adam Svensson, Surrey, BC, *75-74-72-221 +5
5. Richard Jung, Toronto, ON, *75-73-73-221 +5
7. Aaron Pauls, Chilliwack, BC, *70-75-77-222 +6
8. Brett Devries, Kelowna, BC, *74-75-74-223 +7
9. Cody Bell, Salmon Arm, BC, *73-78-73-224 +8
9. Carson Kallis, Red Deer, AB, *75-76-73-224 +8
9. Charlie Hughes, Maple Ridge, BC, *72-75-77-224 +8

*CN Future Links Pacific Championship
Apr 24-26, 2009Junior Girls
1. Jennifer Kirby, Paris, ON, *70-71-77-218 +2
2. SooBin Kim, Port Coquitlam, BC, *72-77-73-222 +6
3. Christine Wong, Richmond, BC, *74-76-74-224 +8
4. Sue Kim, Langley, BC, *72-81-74-227 +11
5. Rebecca Lee-Bentham, North York, ON, *77-77-77-231 +15
6. Victoria(Jisu) Choi, Langley, BC, *74-82-76-232 +16
7. Lauren Taylor, Nelson, BC, *78-80-75-233 +17
8. A Ram Choi, Surrey, BC, *79-78-77-234 +18
8. Taylor Kim, Surrey, BC, *76-74-84-234 +18
10. Jennifer Yang, Coquitlam, BC, *81-79-75-235 +19
10. Stephanie Wong, Richmond, BC, *70-89-76-235 +19

FUTURE LINKS
CN 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. Additionally the CN Future Links Championships provide Canada’s best junior golfers a chance to hone their competitive skills in multiple day championships. 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 CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL GOLFER’S ASSOCIATION
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 RCGA NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAMThe RCGA National Team Program incorporates advanced coaching, sport science expertise, training camps and world-class competition. The RCGA allocates over $1 million of its resources annually to the National Team program, encompassing strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, biomechanics and technique development. Players who are selected to the National Amateur and National Developmental Teams represent Canada at six to 10 internationally-sanctioned golf competitions throughout the year. The intent of this comprehensive program is to aid Canada’s top up-and-coming amateur players in all areas of their development, helping Canada produce the best golfers in the world.Team Canada, the pinnacle of the RCGA’s High Performance Program, provides access to world class resources including coaching, nutrition, sport science, mental management, equipment and elite competitive opportunities.

The RCGA’s High Performance Program and Team Canada are proudly sponsored by Titleist and Foot-Joy.For more information about Team Canada or to make a donation towards the development of Canada’s future golf stars, please visit www.rcga.org.

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.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Canadian Tour - Molina Defeats Matthews In Playoff

Submitted by CanTour Communications John Berkovich

MAZATLAN, Mexico – Mauricio Molina birdied the final hole of regulation and then parred the first playoff hole to defeat Andy Matthews and capture the Corona Mexican PGA Championship.
Matthews three-putted the final hole from thirty feet to send the duo to a playoff after both finished at 11 under par 277.

Click here for full field final results!

Australian Stephen Dartnall closed with a 71 to finish solo third, one shot out of the playoff.
Finishing in a share of fourth at nine under par 279 are Mike Mezei (67), Manuel Inman (69), Stuart Anderson (68), J.J. Rodriguez (70), and third round co-leaders John Ellis and Eugene Smith who both shot 73.

Sharing tenth spot at 280 are Liam Kendregan (69), Wes Heffernan (72), Robert Gates (71), Ryan Yip, (67), and Mitch Tasker who also had a 67.

“My strategy today was to hit my drives well,” said the new champion, who took home $20,000 for the victory. “I have a strong short game so I wasn’t as worried about that.

“The only mistake I made today was, funnily enough, with my short game when I bogeyed the eighth hole.

"The greens are very complicated and difficult to read and my short game let me down at that hole.”

Standing on the 18th tee and two back, Molina’s goal was to finish second. “I didn’t think I could catch him so I just wanted to make a birdie,” he said.

“I knew where he stood and he was playing very well. I didn’t think he would three-putt his last hole.”

Matthews hit his approach at the final hole of regulation to thirty feet, ran the birdie putt some four feet past the hole and, with Molina looking on, missed the comebacker.

“I caught it a little heavy,” said Matthews, “but I thought I had an extra shot to play with and didn’t realize I was in a playoff until I saw everyone scrambling around.”

The pair went back to the tee and Matthews hit his drive into the trees where the ball stayed hung up.

Waiting in vain for a gust of wind to release his ball, he was forced to return to the tee and with Molina in the middle of the fairway, the result was a forgone conclusion.

Still, Matthews is holding his head high. “While I’m not happy with the finish, I am happy with how I’ve been playing in recent weeks,” he said.

“I’ve been working hard on focus and relaxation and it’s paying off. Being in contention like this and having the butterflies swirling is what we play for.

“This is a big confidence booster and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
For a time, it looked to be anybody’s tournament.

Dartnall had a share of the lead briefly on the front side but made bogey and double-bogey at the fourth and fifth.

Although he picked up two birdies on the back side, three closing pars left him one short.
Stuart Anderson also came close. Making the turn in four under and eventually getting to five, he caught the leaders but bogeyed 17 to finish two back.

With two opening birdies, it looked like John Ellis would successfully defend his title. However, four bogeys and just one birdie the rest of the day dropped him into a tie for fourth.

Third round co-leader Eugene Smith struggled early, clawed back into a share of the lead with a birdie at nine, but then played the back nine in one over par.

IN THE CLUBHOUSE
Players from Argentina have won all four events during the Canadian Tour’s 2009 season. The Tour travels north of Mexico City next week for the San Luis Potosi Open. Russell Surber is the defending champion. San Luis Potosi is 6,000 feet above sea level.

The La Loma course is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design where the wind is often a factor.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Lanny Wadkins named to World Golf Hall of Fame Class of '09

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Lanny Wadkins, a 21-time PGA Tour winner, has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame through the PGA Tour Ballot and will become a Hall of Fame member as part of the Class of 2009 on November 2. The announcement was made today at Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, the Champions Tour event where Wadkins will tee off with his brother, Bobby, tomorrow.

Ninety-four percent of the PGA Tour ballots that were mailed out were returned, and Wadkins was named on 61% of the returned ballots. A complete list of percentages for the 2009 PGA Tour Ballot Candidates is below.

"I am honored and pleased to be a part of such a prestigious group," said Wadkins. "I never expected to wind up in the Hall of Fame when I started playing golf. I played for the love of the game and to compete to win. This honor is the culmination of a lot of fun, which I had throughout my career. I am extremely pleased to share this honor with my family and friends who supported me for so long. For many, I know this means as much to them as it does to me, and I appreciate all of their support."

"Lanny Wadkins' reputation as one of the most fiercely competitive players of his generation was demonstrated time and time again, including his victories at the 1977 PGA Championship, where he won a sudden-death playoff, and at the 1979 PLAYERS Championship, when he overcame gale force conditions to win by five strokes," PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said. "His tournament record, coupled with his stout Ryder Cup success and time spent as a CBS analyst, rounds out a remarkable Hall of Fame career."

He was named Rookie of the Year in 1972 by Golf Digest and is among the top 30 on the all-time PGA Tour victory list. Wadkins was voted PGA Player of the Year in 1985, a year he won three TOUR titles.

Beginning in 1977, Wadkins played on the U.S. Ryder Cup Team eight times (a record he shares with Raymond Floyd and Billy Casper) and his 20-11-3 record is among the strongest in the history of the event. He served as U.S. Ryder Cup Team Captain in 1995.

A native of Richmond, Va., Wadkins attended Wake Forest University on a golf scholarship and was named Collegiate All-American in 1970 and 1971. He earned numerous amateur titles before turning professional, most notably the 1970 United States Amateur Championship. He was also a member of the U.S. Walker Cup teams in 1969 and 1971.

Wadkins was victorious in his first Champions Tour start, the 2000 ACE Group Classic, while splitting time between competition and the CBS broadcast booth, where he was lead analyst for the network's golf telecasts from 2002 through 2006.

Wadkins also claimed international wins in Australia, Canada, Japan and Colombia, and unofficial events in the United States, including 1980 PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

"Lanny Wadkins has enjoyed tremendous success at every turn of his career, from his days as an amateur, to his PGA Tour career to his position as one of the finest Ryder Cup players this country has ever produced," said Jack Peter, Senior Vice President and COO of the World Golf Hall of Fame. "It is certainly fitting that Wadkins' career is capped by receiving golf's highest honor - election into the World Golf Hall of Fame."

Additional announcements for the 2009 Class of Inductees are being scheduled in the coming weeks. The 2009 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 2.

For more information about the World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Process or the 2009 Induction Ceremony, visit www.wgv.com.

World Golf Hall of Fame, located at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., honors and celebrates golf's greatest players and contributors. A World Golf Foundation initiative, the Hall of Fame represents collaboration among 26 national and international golf organizations, including the PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, Augusta National, PGA of America, The European Tour and The R&A. The museum houses interactive exhibits and historic and personal artifacts that tell the stories of its members and the game of golf. For more information, visit www.wgv.com.
As sole founding partner of World Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee and World Golf Village, Shell Oil Company provides financial support and plays the lead role in charitable initiatives aimed at introducing golf to young people, and through the golf experience promotes scholastic achievement, community service and those values intrinsic to the game of golf: honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.

Friday, April 24, 2009

EWGA helps new women golfers with S.W.I.N.G. mentoring program

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Through an innovative program called S.W.I.N.G. - Skillful Women Inspiring New Golfers - members of the EWGA (Executive Women's Golf Association) help new golfers get comfortable playing the game. From a concept provided by Maria Erickson, president and CEO of Swing by bette & court, the EWGA developed the program to help break down a major barrier to women entering the game of golf. Since it was introduced in 2005, the S.W.I.N.G. program has benefited more than 1500 participants, and in 2008 reached a record number of new golfers - with over 850 women participating in the program.

EWGA chapters throughout the country offer the program designed to cover the nuances of golf - etiquette, courtesies and on-course behavior - traditionally not covered in golf instruction programs. New golfers are paired with experienced players who serve as mentors answering questions and offering supportive guidance on the subtleties of the game.

"The EWGA S.W.I.N.G. program is the best way for new golfers to learn the many intricacies in golf that mean so much when you're playing in an event or treating clients to a day on the course," says Stephanie Jennings, EWGA Director of Golf Programs. "The continued growth of this program is due to the dedicated efforts of our volunteer leaders at the chapter level. They encourage and support new golfers and coordinate events and gatherings that take the 'intimidation factor' out of golf. The EWGA S.W.I.N.G. program is a great way to grow golf and maintain interest in the sport."

Swing by bette & court women's golf apparel is the founding sponsor for the S.W.I.N.G. program, Erickson's company provides the mentors and mentees with special benefits. The EWGA provides materials with ideas and information to assist local chapters in implementing the program.

"S.W.I.N.G. is what the EWGA is all about - helping women enter the game of golf in a fun, supportive and welcoming environment," says Erickson, who is a charter EWGA member and an association sponsor since 1993. "We are proud of our long-term involvement with the EWGA and the success of this program to help new women golfers become more comfortable playing the game."

Since its founding in 1991, the EWGA has enriched the lives of more than 100,000 women connecting them to learn, play, and enjoy golf for business and fun. This not-for-profit association delivers a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for both new and experienced golfers at over 125 local chapters throughout the United States and international chapters in Canada and France.

The EWGA is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information about the association and its membership, visit www.ewga.com

Thursday, April 23, 2009

PGA Free Lesson Month in full swing during the month of May

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Put a little spring in your golf swing with a free 10-minute lesson during the 12th annual PGA Free Lesson Month. Throughout the month of May, PGA/LPGA Professionals nationwide will provide golfers of every age and skill level with the opportunity to learn the basics of the game or improve upon existing skills through this successful initiative, which will reach the one million free lesson mark in 2009.
All PGA/LPGA Professionals participating in PGA Free Lesson Month can be found at PlayGolfAmerica.com.

According to Golf Digest, a number of things can be learned in 10 minutes, including how to generate more swing speed, how to read breaking putts, how to chip with a hybrid golf club, how to draw the ball for more distance, how to cure an "over-the-top" swing and how to use your legs for power, to name a few.

While the affordability of PGA Free Lesson Month is evident, since it's complimentary, the health benefits received by playing the game of golf are invaluable as well. Whether as an individual or with friends or family, PGA Free Lesson Month offers the perfect excuse to get outside, learn new skills and get a little exercise, all while enjoying the game of golf.

"By participating in PGA Free Lesson Month, consumers of all experience levels will benefit firsthand from expert lessons provided by PGA/LPGA Professionals in a comfortable one-on-one setting," said PGA of America President Jim Remy. "As we approach the one million free lesson mark, we are pleased so many consumers have already taken advantage of this program and invite those who have not to contact a local PGA/LPGA Professional and hit the links for an unforgettable experience."

Since The PGA of America and Golf Digest jointly launched this nationwide campaign in 1998, more than 938,000 free lessons have been given. Last year, nearly 6,340 PGA/LPGA Professionals nationwide gave more than 106,600 free lessons to consumers. Among those who participated in 2008, 54 percent were new customers at the host facility, 30 percent were women and 23 percent were new to the game.

One of the most successful growth-of-the-game initiatives in the golf industry, PGA Free Lesson Month is a collaborative campaign spearheaded by The PGA of America, Golf Digest Publications and Golf Channel.

"One million free lessons is an incredible accomplishment and a great benefit to the game of golf," said Jerry Tarde, chairman and editorial director of Golf Digest Publications. "We are extremely proud to be associated with PGA Free Lesson Month and thank The PGA of America and the thousands of PGA and LPGA Professionals who dedicate their time to make this initiative a glowing success."

Every golfer who takes a free lesson and sends in a Free Lesson Card is eligible to enter a sweepstakes to win a two-day/two-night golf getaway to Port St. Lucie, Fla., including hotel accommodations, round-trip, economy airfare, a two-day session at The PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance and a custom-fit set of golf clubs. One hundred runners-up will receive a copy of The PGA's First Swing Golfer's Guide and a 2008 Ryder Cup DVD.

PGA Free Lesson Month is one of several programs designed to grow and stimulate participation in the game of golf under "Play Golf America," a national marketing umbrella campaign that is supported by the golf industry. Play Golf America was developed by The PGA of America, with the support of Allied Associations including: the LPGA, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA Tour, USGA and others involved in the annual Golf 20/20 Conference.

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.

The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf. Visit pga.com or PlayGolfAmerica.com to learn more.

Golf Digest Publications has teamed with The PGA of America since the campaign's inception. Golf Digest's Web site (GolfDigest.com) features PGA Free Lesson Month, along with a roster of PGA/LPGA Professionals nationwide offering free 10-minute lessons. There is also an insert sweepstakes card for readers to sign up for a free lesson and register to win a golf school package. In addition, the program is featured in the April 20 issue of the weekly Golf World.

Golf Channel has partnered with The PGA of America to support PGA Free Lesson Month for seven consecutive years. Golf Channel promotes PGA Free Lesson Month through television programming and on the Web at golfchannel.com, reaching more than 120 million viewers. The Grand Prize for the PGA Professional who gives the most lessons during PGA Free Lesson Month and sends in the most validated Sweepstakes Cards is an appearance on a Golf Channel instructional program.

Morningstar Golf Course Set to Host 2009 CN Future Links Pacific Championship

CN Future Links Kicks-off 10th Championship Season

Parksville, B.C. (RCGA) – Canada’s top junior golfers will compete in Parksville, B.C. from April 24-26 as CN Future Links jump starts its 10th championship season with the CN Future Links Pacific Championship at Morningstar Golf Course.

The tournament marks the first of six regional CN Future Links Championships held across Canada, showcasing two divisions: Junior Boys 18 years and under and Junior Girls 18 years and under. The CN Future Links Pacific Championship will see 99 golfers competing in a three-day 54-hole stroke play competition.

“We are thrilled to start our tenth CN Future Links championship season at the beautiful Morningstar Golf Course,” said Adam LeBrun, Tournament Director for the CN Future Links Pacific Championship. “The talented competitors we have seen at these events over the last ten years have been nothing short of remarkable and we expect that this will be another notable year of impressive young golfers.”

In the Junior Boys division, the top six competitors of each CN Future Links Championship will earn exemptions into the 2009 Canadian Junior Boys Championship held from August 2-6 at Westmount Golf and Country Club in Kitchener, Ont.

The Junior Girls champion of each CN Future Links Championship will earn an exemption into the 2009 Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Hampton Golf Club in Hampton, N.B., being held August 3-7, and an exemption into a CN Canadian Women’s Tour event.

In its ten years of operation, the CN Future Links program has helped shape some of Canada’s finest amateur golfers including; two-time CN Canadian Women’s Tour champion and National Amateur Team member Sue Kim of Langley, BC. Kim was named CN Future Links top female junior after topping the Junior Order of Merit in 2008 and will compete in the Junior Girls division of the event. In addition to Kim, a number of Team Canada’s National Development Team members are set to compete at the event. London, Ont. native and reigning Canadian Junior Boys Champion and 2008 CN Future Links Quebec Champion, Mitch Sutton will compete against fellow team mates Julien Goulet of St. Roch de L'Achigan, Que. and 2008 CN Future Links Prairie Champion Richard Jung of Toronto. In the junior girls division, National Development Team counterparts Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. and Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Richmond Hill, Ont. will butt heads as they compete for the title.

Starting times, post-round results and a full field list are available at www.rcga.org/championships.

CN FUTURE LINKS
CN 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. Additionally the CN Future Links Championships provide Canada’s best junior golfers a chance to hone their competitive skills in multiple day championships. 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 CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL GOLFER’S ASSOCIATION
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 RCGA NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM
The RCGA National Team Program incorporates advanced coaching, sport science expertise, training camps and world-class competition. The RCGA allocates over $1 million of its resources annually to the National Team program, encompassing strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, biomechanics and technique development. Players who are selected to the National Amateur and National Developmental Teams represent Canada at six to 10 internationally-sanctioned golf competitions throughout the year. The intent of this comprehensive program is to aid Canada’s top up-and-coming amateur players in all areas of their development, helping Canada produce the best golfers in the world.Team Canada, the pinnacle of the RCGA’s High Performance Program, provides access to world class resources including coaching, nutrition, sport science, mental management, equipment and elite competitive opportunities.

The RCGA’s High Performance Program and Team Canada are proudly sponsored by Titleist and Foot-Joy.For more information about Team Canada or to make a donation towards the development of Canada’s future golf stars, please visit www.rcga.org.

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.

Eggcellent news from the BC Golf Association

BC Fresh Egg Cups unveiled and BC Fresh Egg Scramble announced

VANCOUVER, BC – The winners of the BC Fresh Egg Cup Secondary School “A”, “AA” and “AAA” Golf Championships will soon hoist the new BC Fresh Egg Cups, unveiled today by the BC Golf Association (BCGA).

The BC Fresh Egg Cups, commissioned by the BCGA, were created by Jon and Tomoki Gomez of Kibo Arts. Each trophy will be presented to the winning school of each division in the BC Fresh Egg Cup competitions this May. The finished product portrays the the significance of the event, the message to be conveyed and the demographic of the players competing while capturing the youthfulness of the event, incorporating the message of the title sponsor and maintaining the traditions of the sport of golf.

“We really appreciate the opportunity to work on a project that is so important to the golfing community,” says Tomoki Gomez. “As artists, we loved creating something unique that will be enjoyed by many in the years to come.”

The BC Fresh Egg Cups will be on display at the BC Golf Museum and Hall of Fame now through May 24, 2009. Following each championship, the trophies will be returned to the museum to be displayed throughout the year.

Following the unveiling of the trophies, the BCGA announced an innovative new platform for the sport of golf by establishing a pioneering new event that will take golf competition in British Columbia in a fresh direction.

Building on the sponsorship with the BC Egg Marketing Board, the BCGA announced the creation of the BC Fresh Egg Scramble.

The inaugural BC Fresh Egg Scramble will run Sunday August 30, 2009 at the beautiful University Golf Course. Five person teams representing clubs throughout Zones 3 and 4 will compete in a handicapped scramble format. The team must include one of the club’s professional staff and the balance of the team may be made up of any combination of amateur member – (men, women, juniors).

More details are available from the BCGA website at www.bcga.org.

“This is a great addition to the BCGA Championship Series,” says Kris Jonasson executive director of the BCGA. This new event will provide a stage for enthusiastic golfers around the province to showcase their talents. With golf now included in the Canada Games, we feel there is no better time to introduce the BC Fresh Egg Scramble.”

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

2009 Nickel Heating Open

Ledgeview Golf & Country Club
Abbotsford, BC
Monday, April 20th

“Parry feels right at home again at Ledgview”

After a sluggish start to 2009 due to family and teaching commitments, Seymour Creek’s Bryn Parry was in fine form this Monday shooting 66 and winning VGT’s fourth event at Ledgeview – the 2009 NICKEL HEATING OPEN. Parry out-lasted 99 other golfers in Ironman like scoring conditions, and finished in style with a birdie-birdie finish to top Shaughnessy’s Brandan Price by one shot. Parry’s victory earned him $1,400 and more importantly vaulted him back into contention on the CLEVELAND GOLF / SRIXON CANADA Order of Merit, now only $300 short of Phil Jonas who leads with $2,408.66.

After his round, Parry commented how much he enjoys playing at the Abbotsford layout. “Ledgeview’s been very good to me over my career” stated Parry. “It sets up well for me and I enjoy the challenge of the golf course every time I play it”. If you count all the times we have played here in the LEDGEVIEW OPEN, the Pro-am and the NICKEL HEATING OPEN, I think I’ve won here 10 times”! 2008 NICKEL HEATING OPEN Champion Dan Swanson finished 3 back of Parry, carding a 69 and winning $441.67.

Parry will no doubt be looking forward to defending his title in a couple of months at the 2009 LEDGEVIEW OPEN on July 4,5th.

NICKEL HEATING & VENTILATION’S Steve Savage was on hand to play in the amateur side of the event and awarded Parry his winner’s trophy and cheque after the round. “It’s great to be a part of the Vancouver Golf Tour again this year and help support our aspiring Professional and Amateur golfers in the greater Vancouver region”. “We have many great local players (like Bryn) on the cutting edge of being one of the top players in the world and are confident that the tournament experiences VGT is providing will help prepare its players to become a Champion on the PGA Tour someday real soon”.

In the Championship Amateur side of the NICKEL HEATING OPEN, it was Coquitlam’s Todd Castanguay who navigated his way most successfully through Ledgeview’s challenging set-up to win Low Amateur Honours shooting 72 and ousting both David Cao of Richmond CC and James Oliver of Maple Ridge by one shot. Todd not only took home the coveted winners trophy, but also a $300 Galvin Green Windstopper jacket and $200 in Perfect Lies Gift Certificates. In the Flight A Division, Guildford’s Steve Smith took home first place honours winning with a score of 77, one shot better than Ledgeview’s own Joal Wishart. Finally, in the Amateur Flight B Division, Neil Johnston of Homestead Golf Club stole the show firing an impressive score of 76, some six shots better than his next challenger Brandan Brassart of Ledgeview Golf & CC.

CLEVELAND GOLF/SRIXON CANADA
ORDER OF MERIT (OOM)
(Thru Nickel Heating Open – April 20th)

PROFESSIONAL

Pos Name # Events Earnings
1st Phil Jonas 4 $2,408.66
2nd Bryn Parry 4 $2,138.33
3rd Jeremy Paradis 4 $1,766.67
4th John Shin 4 $1,462.50
5th Todd Halpen 1 $1,300.00

CHAMPIONSHIP AMATEUR

Pos Name # Events Points
1 David Cao 3 1350
2 Todd Castanguay 2 900
3 Michael Son 4 870
4 Justin Shin 2 840
5 Chris Kobler 3 702

AMATEUR FLIGHT A

Pos Name # Events Points
1 Steve Smith 4 1633.66
2 Joal Wishart 2 833.33
3 Andre Maille 3 813.33
4 Daniel Lee 3 660
5 Richard Fife 2 613.33

Callaway Golf Canada and Canadian PGA offer free golf lesson with club purchase in 2009

ACTON, ON (April 21, 2009) – Callaway Golf Canada and the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (Canadian PGA) launched the 2009 edition of a unique partnership that offers golfers a free 30-minute lesson with the purchase of any driver or set of irons from Callaway Golf's 2009 product line.

World-renowned golf instructor David Leadbetter is the spokesperson for the Callaway Golf/CPGA Lesson program, which provides consumers with a certificate redeemable for a 30-minute lesson from a registered and accredited Canadian PGA Professional.

"The importance of instruction from a certified golf professional for players of all abilities cannot be overstated," commented Leadbetter. "The Callaway/CPGA Lesson program was created to offer tangible benefits to help every golfer's game."

To receive a lesson certificate, golfers must purchase their Callaway product between May 1 and July 31, 2009. Certificates will be redeemable until December 15, 2009.

"We have an unwavering commitment to innovation - whether it's product development or consumer benefits - and as we enter into the second year of our partnership with the Canadian PGA lesson program, I am very excited that once again in 2009 we will help every golfer become a better golfer,” said Callaway Golf Canada Managing Director Scott Reid. "Everyone needs some help with their swing from time to time and this is a great way for players of all abilities to help gain that extra edge. We understand the investment golfers make to improve their game, so we also strive to help them become better - and not just through the technological benefits of our clubs and balls, but also after their purchase, through instructional programs like the Callaway/CPGA Lesson Program."

To redeem a lesson certificate, golfers should visit www.mycallaway.ca/freelessons and follow a simple four-step process that allows them to register their certificate and clubs, and select a participating Canadian PGA Professional to take their lesson with.

The 2009 Canadian PGA lesson program will be available at all authorized Canadian Callaway Golf retailers.

"We are thrilled to be entering into to the second year of this program with Callaway Golf Canada. We know the expertise that a Canadian PGA Professional can provide on the development of one's game is critically helpful to their success," said Jeff Dykeman, Manager of Business Development, Canadian PGA. "Our partnership with Callaway Golf in this program will provide golfers with both valuable technology in their equipment and the best instruction in golf from a Canadian PGA Professional."

Golfers have the option of redeeming their lesson at the facility where they purchased their clubs or with another participating Canadian PGA instructor.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN PGA
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 CALLAWAY GOLF
Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf Company creates products and services designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf accessories, under the Callaway Golf®, Odyssey®, Top-Flite®, Ben Hogan® and uPro™ brands in more than 110 countries worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com/ca.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Canada Bread B.C. Match Play Final Results

36-HOLE FINALS Sunday, April 19th
NORTHVIEW RIDGE GOLF COURSESurrey, BC

6900 yards, Par 72

(Winning team listed first)
Mark Burke - Mewail Kidane (14)
2 up
Yves Bisson – Stu Dunaway (9)

Morning Match – 7:30am
This BC Match Play Finals pairing was relatively unexpected as both teams fought through some of the best Professional pairings on route to this Championship Final. Having watched a few of the earlier matches both these teams were deserving finalists having out-played their opponents with some excellent shot-making and countless birdies between them.

The morning 18 holes was no different for both teams and this match see-sawed back and forth with a flurry of birdies from both teams. It was Dunaway-Bisson (the amateur duo from Misson) who charged out of the gate early when Dunaway’s 8 iron finished 2-feet from the pin to go one-up after one. However, their lead was short-lived when they both made bogeys on the challenging 3rd hole on the Northview Ridge course. After halved holes on #4 & #5, the match took a swing the other way when Burke’s 9-iron to 5 feet was sunk for birdie to go 1-up through 6. Birdies on #7 & 8 by both teams and pars on #9 kept the match 1-up thru 9. When Kidane’s chip found the hole on #10 for his team’s 5th birdie in 7 holes, his team led 2-up through 10.

No sooner did this 2-up lead get squandered when Dunaway fired back-to-back birdies on 11 and 12 to go all square. A costly team bogey on #14 by Kidane - Burke and this match was back to 1-up Dunaway – Bisson. What a battle this 36-hole match would turn out to be as two holes later, Kidane drained yet another team birdie from 10 feet on the downhill 16th and return the match to all square. With his partner out of the hole on 17, Bisson made a clutch par to keep the match all square, then hit a super 3-hybrid approach to 20 feet for eagle from 200 yards over the water. Narrowly missing his eagle chance gave their team the only birdie on the hole after Kidane failed to get up-and down from behind the green and at the conclusion of the morning matches, Dunaway-Bisson held a 1-up lead.

Afternoon Match – 1:30pm
The complexion of the afternoon matches changed completely as both teams seemed to put on the defence and birdies did not come by nearly as frequently. Only to be expected when this was the first time both teams had reached the BC Match Play finals. It was Burke-Kidane who drew blood first in the afternoon with solid teams pars on holes 19 and 20 and when Dunaway and Bisson made team pars after missing some very makeable putts, the match swung once again to 1-up Burke-Kidane. More tentative play from both teams through the next few holes meant the match remained 1-up to the Professional team from Fraserview. On the par 5- 25th, Burke-Kidane extended their lead to 2-up when Kidane’s fairway wood got to the front of the green and he got up-and-down for the only birdie of the foursome. The downhill driveable 26th hole made for an exciting hole again as Burke turned it up a notch and smashed his driver from 290 yards to 15 feet from the hole. Bisson’s drive left him with a pitch from the front of the green which he hit to 6 feet. When Burke’s eagle putt slid down to within 2 inches his birdie was conceded and Bisson’s 6-footer now looked about 20 feet in size! When it failed to find the hole, Burke-Kidane led 3-up.

This match could have been all but over had it not been for Dunaway’s chip-in for par on the 27th hole and Burke and Kidane’s missed 5 footers for par. When it looked like it would be 4-up now turned the other way and with 9 holes to go, Dunaway and Bisson had a fighting chance! On the 30th hole of the day, and his partner in around 6 feet for birdie, Burke drained a 30 footer himself, putting the pressure directly on Dunaway with his own 12-footer. When it missed, Burke-Kidane once again led 3-up and only 6 to play.

With holes winding down and the pressure heating up, Dunaway clutched up on the 31st with a birdie from 8 feet to bring this match back to 2-down with 5 to go. Momentum shifted even more when Burke’s drive found the water on the 32nd hole and his partner’s ball kicked off the greenside bank into the pond as well. Dunaway lagged his 20 footer for a tap-in par and this match was getting tight. Burke-Kidane 1-up with 4 to go. Some missed opportunities for birdies from both teams on the 33rd and 34th holes meant a 1-up match coming down 17 – a great par 4, second shot over bunkers and water to this tucked pin. After all approaches were made, it was down to Bisson and Burke’s putting to decide the fate of this match – All square, 1-up or end of match. Bisson had the first crack from 20 feet – the identical putt he had in the morning match. His putt looked great right up until it jumped off line at the last second and it was now Burke’s turn to seal the fate of this match if his birdie found the hole. He stepped up from 18 feet and stroked it with enough speed, but just under-read the putt and this match was going the stretch!

An errant tee-shot from Bisson on the last and a bunker shot that failed to exit, and the match rested squarely on the shoulders of his partner to win the hole to go extra holes. Burke laid his up down the left side of this par-5 hole for his 3rd shot from 90 yards out. Dunaway was next from 230 yards out and this had to find the green or game over! Although the shot looked good in the air, Dunaway’s bid to take this extra holes fell a few feet short and splashed in the water. Kidane’s fairway wood from 225 landed safely on the island green to within 25 feet and Dunaway made one last attempt to hole-out from 150 yards (which he nearly did!), but when his ball missed, the match was conceded by Dunaway and Bisson and Mark Burke and Mewail Kidane were crowned 2009 BC Match Play Champions 2-up!!!

Reported by Fraser Mulholland and Brian Small

Congratulations to both teams for making it to the finals of this prestigious event and creating such great drama in this match. Special thanks must go out to all the fabulous golf courses that played host to the 2009 CANADA BREAD BC MATCH PLAY this year. Without your support, this event would not have such a great history of 60 + years!

Thanks very much to our Title Sponsor CANADA BREAD for their tremendous support of this great event and to all our staff and volunteers who assisted in refereeing or scoring all the matches through the tournament. It really does give an exciting start to the golf season in Vancouver!!

Congratulations once again to our 2009 Champions Mark Burke and Mewail Kidane of Fraserview Golf Course!!

Monday, April 20, 2009

First Canadian Tour Event of 2009 Goes Thursday

Submitted by CanTour Communications John Berkovich

MAZATLAN, Mexico – A field of 153 top PGA TOUR prospects are set to tee it up Thursday morning in their quest to earn the title of Mexican PGA Champion.

Several new and familiar faces are chasing the US $20,000 first prize and an exemption into the Nationwide Tour’s 2010 Mexican Open.

This is the fourth event of the 2009 season that began last November at the Sport Frances Open in Chile.

The Rookies:
Among the new faces this season is Canadian Victor Ciesielski (pictured). The talented native of Cambridge, Ont., (pronounced “Cha-Shel-Ski,”) first made national headlines at the 2006 Canadian Open when he made a hole in one in the second round after an opening 68.

He followed it up with a 69 on Saturday and although he faded in the end, the happy-go-lucky young man was on his way. Ciesielski made his season debut at the Costa Rica Classic last December where he finished T-19.

Keep an eye on 23-year-old Robert Gates. The 6’6 Texan won the 2008 Fall Q-School and in his one appearance this season, finished 3rd at the Cost Rica Classic. A three-time Big 12 All Conference, Gates has both the game and the desire to go a long way in golf.

Though technically a rookie, Rob Grube already has three top five finishes under his belt. The Stanford alumnus finished T-4 at the 2008 Saskatchewan Open and followed up with a T-5 at the Players Cup two weeks later.

Heading to Latin America, Grube opened with a 66 at the Costa Rica Classic and finished second. He comes to the Canadian Tour with a glowing amateur record and an already impressive professional resume.

Fabian Gomez captured the Argentine Masters last December in a field that boasted Masters Champion Angel Cabrera. A Nationwide Tour member the past two seasons, the 2006 Venezuela Open winner will likely spend the majority of his season there after finishing 70th on the money list.

Familiar Faces:
With three runner-ups and a third, George Bradford was the best player not to win a tournament last season. He wants to fix that.

Bradford makes his 2009 debut after skipping the first three events of the season but a T-6 here last year bodes well for him.

Tour sophomore Daniel Im aims for his third title this week after winning two of his first three last year. He journeyed to Chile last fall and finished second at the Sport Frances Open.

Barely 24, Im was featured as a Rising Star in the January issue of Asian Golf Monthly.

Another player to watch is Brock Mackenzie. One of the top Tour players in 2005 and 2006, Mackenzie moved to the Nationwide Tour for an impressive 2007 and then lost his game last year.

After a few adjustments and a trip through Q-School, he is ready to once more use the Canadian Tour as a springboard to the next level.

Tournament play begins Thursday.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Golf Course Review - Swaneset Bay Resort

In an attempt to make good on our earlier blog, British Columbia Golf Courses we plan to play in 09, and our own personal commitment to play more golf this year, we ventured out to the Swaneset Bay Resort last week. It was the first round of the year for both of us and we managed to score a perfect day weather wise.

Swaneset has 36 holes of fantastic golf set on a beautiful piece of property in Pitt Meadows, B.C. Both courses are designed by Lee Trevino and have been around for about 15 or so years. Jeff played it shortly after it opened, in the Canadian Assistants Championship with Tara as the caddie. The anticipation for the day began at the entrance way and one of the best drives up to the gigantic clubhouse, is there a better one in the Lower Mainland?

Previously owned by Intrawest Golf, new owners the West Coast Golf Group, have made a substantial investment and commitment to capital improvements on the golf course. Most notably was the amount of new drainage on the Resort Course which we played.

Jeff's Opinion: For the time of year, I felt the course was exceptionally dry especially considering the winter we had in Vancouver this year. As far as playability, I had a lot of fun playing it again after not having had the opportunity for almost a decade and a half. The course has a good mix of holes with a number of strategic tee shots mixed with some grip it and rip shots. I really enjoyed seeing the tee shots fly against some beautiful mountain back drops. Again, for the time of year the greens were in great shape and running about 9 on the stimpmeter, which were much faster then expected (a good thing). The Golf Shop staff were professional, friendly and accommodating and that added to my experience. I'm looking forward to playing it again soon or at least not allowing 15 or so years before my next visit.

Tara's Opinion: As you know the restaurant and the golf shop are as important to my opinion of a facility as the golf course itself. We started our day with breakfast in the restaurant. The food was good and the service fast. I ordered the pan-fried potatoes which were a bit undercooked but enjoyed Jeff’s shredded potatoes instead. The golf shop was full of the season’s new products and the ladies selection was quite good, too bad I did not have more time. I played the forward tees which at just over 5,600 yards were great for me. The par five’s were a bit long but I had a chance to make par on many of the par four’s (even though I did only once). I found the landing areas quite wide and forgiving and managed to make it all the way to the 14th hole before losing a ball. I was helped by the informative tee signs that note the distance from the tee to creeks that cross the fairway, which was great for someone who has not played the course before.If you haven't been to play Swaneset in the past few years or if you have never played the course, we would highly recommend you make a tee time as it was well worth it. For more information on Swaneset or the West Coast Golf Group, click on the link.

Comments about this post, email info AT ckgolfsolutions.ca

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Major Canadian, B.C. and Alberta Golf Tournaments

Click on this link to view a complete calendar of major Canadian, B.C. and Alberta golf tournaments.

If you know of any major tournaments missing from the Calendar, send an email to info AT ckgolfsolutions.ca with a link to the view the tournament.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Allenby’s Assault on Sandpiper serves as great Tune-up for Can Tour

Canadian Tour Rookie James Allenby of Chilliwack battled rain, wind and hail at Sandpiper Golf Resort this Monday to claim his maiden Professional victory in VGT’s 3rd VGT Tour stop in ’09. Allenby posted 7 birdies and an eagle on his card en route to shooting 64 (-8) and a four shot victory over fellow Canadian Tour Pro John Shin and University Golf Club Professional Sergej Dronov. Allenby’s victory earned him $1,000, but more importantly the required tune-up he was looking for in preparation for his first Canadian Tour event in Mexico next week. “It’s been great to have VGT here to play the past few weeks to provide me with some great early tournament experience for my Can Tour schedule”.

After two years down at Oregon State University on scholarship, Allenby felt that although the university golf experience was great down, he felt it was time to put his golf to the test full-time and see where he could take his game professionally. With that in mind, Allenby made a trip back east in September of 2008 and gained full status on the Canadian Tour for ’09 where he tied for 4th in Qualifying School. He plans on playing a full schedule of events this year on the Canadian Tour and will use VGT as a place to play and stay sharp when he’s back in town between Can Tour stops. VGT would like to congratulate James Allenby on his first Professional victory and wish him all the best out on the Canadian Tour this year!

In our Amateur field, 53 golfers competed for some great prizes and Perfect Lies gift certificates in each flight. Our Overall Amateur winner Derek Wray of Surrey, BC grinded through very difficult scoring conditions for a solid round of even par 72 and a one-shot victory over 18 year-old David Cao of Richmond, BC. Wray won himself a sweet Galvin Green Wind stopper pullover and $100 GC from Perfect Lies for his victory while David Cao took home $200 in Perfect Lies GC’s for finishing runner-up. In the 6-10 Flight Amateur field it was local Richard Fife of Sandpiper Golf Resort who claimed victory with score of 81 (+9). Richard edged out Abbotsford’s Joal Wishart and Port Moody’s Andre Maille by retrogression and took home $200 in Perfect Lies GC’s for his solid play. Finally, in our 11-16 flight, Maple Ridge’s Dave Ebner took home low honours and cashed in with $150 in Perfect Lies GC’s.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club to Host 2011 RBC Canadian Open

-Canada’s national Open championship marks return to western Canada -

Vancouver, B.C. (RCGA) – The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) and RBC confirmed today that the historic Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver will host the 2011 RBC Canadian Open.

The renowned Vancouver layout – consistently ranked among Canada’s best – had previously hosted Canada’s national Open championship in 2005. The course drew rave reviews from PGA TOUR competitors, ultimately being selected by the players as one of the top courses played on TOUR that season.

“We are thrilled to bring the 2011 RBC Canadian Open back to the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club,” said Scott Simmons, RCGA Executive Director and CEO. “The quality of the golf course is of utmost importance to PGA TOUR players and the response to Shaughnessy from players in 2005 was overwhelmingly positive. The course is among the premier venues in all of Canada and we are delighted that the membership has agreed to host the championship in 2011.”

The decision to bring the 2011 event back to Shaughnessy ties in with RBC and the RCGA’s shared vision of conducting the championship at the finest golf courses in the country.

“RBC is committed to helping bring the RBC Canadian Open to the best courses in Canada and Shaughnessy certainly fits our vision,” said Jim Little, RBC Chief Brand and Communications Officer. “Staging the championship at one of Canada’s finest historic courses adds to the event’s prestige and we are thrilled to showcase this best in class championship to our clients, customers and golf enthusiasts in Western Canada.”

For the club, the opportunity to once again host the stars of the PGA TOUR became less a matter of if, but rather when.

“On behalf of the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, I am very proud to welcome the PGA TOUR and the RBC Canadian Open back to Vancouver,” said Shaughnessy Club President Peter Birks. “The 2005 Canadian Open was a truly special event and our members are deeply honoured to help write the next chapter in the Canadian Open’s storied history.”

The 2005 Canadian Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club was won by PGA TOUR veteran Mark Calcavecchia who shot 5-under 275 to outlast Ryan Moore and Ben Crane by a single stroke. The 2005 event marked the return of Canada’s national Open championship to western Canada for the first time in nearly 40 years dating back to Don Massengale’s victory at Shaughnessy in 1966. The club also played host to C.W. Congdon’s Canadian Open victory in 1948.

“Shaughnessy is the type of old-style traditional golf course that players on TOUR absolutely love to play,” said Calcavecchia, whose winning score in 2005 was 5-under for the tournament. “I remember back in 2005, the players couldn’t say enough about how great the golf course was and a lot of us have wondered when the event might get back out there. I think the players would agree that it’s going to be one of the best golf courses we play in 2011.”

Calcavecchia is one of several PGA TOUR stars already confirmed for the 2009 RBC Canadian Open, July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club. 2009 will mark both the 100th playing of Canada’s national Open championship as well as the 25th time Glen Abbey has played host to the event.The 2009 RBC Canadian Open welcomes the inaugural Mike Weir Charity Classic to Monday, July 20th of tournament week. Players already confirming their participation in the celebrity Pro-Am include host Mike Weir, Calcavecchia, Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, Luke Donald, Stephen Ames, Fred Couples and defending champion Chez Reavie as well as two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash. All net proceeds from the Mike Weir Charity Classic will go to the Mike Weir Foundation which was recently named the national charity partner for the RBC Canadian Open.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE ANNOUNCEMENTABOUT 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 $5.1 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 http://www.thecanadianopen.ca/www.rbccanadianopen.ca or call 1-800-571-OPEN.

RBC AND THE RBC CANADIAN OPEN
In 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 http://www.thecanadianopen.ca/.

Follow CK Golf Solutions on Twitter

CK Golf Solutions is now using Twitter! Follow our daily updates and posts with links to our latest blogs, news and views from the golf industry. Click here to view out Twitter home page and sign up to follow us.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Vancouver Golf Tour - 2009 Sandpiper Spring Classic

Sandpiper Golf Resort
Monday, April 13th

“Allenby’s Assault on Sandpiper serves as great Tune-up for Can Tour”

Canadian Tour Rookie James Allenby of Chilliwack battled rain, wind and hail at Sandpiper Golf Resort this Monday to claim his maiden Professional victory in VGT’s 3rd VGT Tour stop in ’09. Allenby posted 7 birdies and an eagle on his card en route to shooting 64 (-8) and a four shot victory over fellow Canadian Tour Pro John Shin and University Golf Club Professional Sergej Dronov. Allenby’s victory earned him $1,000, but more importantly the required tune-up he was looking for in preparation for his first Canadian Tour event in Mexico next week. “It’s been great to have VGT here to play the past few weeks to provide me with some great early tournament experience for my Can Tour schedule”.

After two years down at Oregon State University on scholarship, Allenby felt that although the university golf experience was great down, he felt it was time to put his golf to the test full-time and see where he could take his game professionally. With that in mind, Allenby made a trip back east in September of 2008 and gained full status on the Canadian Tour for ’09 where he tied for 4th in Qualifying School. He plans on playing a full schedule of events this year on the Canadian Tour and will use VGT as a place to play and stay sharp when he’s back in town between Can Tour stops. VGT would like to congratulate James Allenby on his first Professional victory and wish him all the best out on the Canadian Tour this year!

In our Amateur field, 53 golfers competed for some great prizes and Perfect Lies gift certificates in each flight. Our Overall Amateur winner Derek Wray of Surrey, BC grinded through very difficult scoring conditions for a solid round of even par 72 and a one-shot victory over 18 year-old David Cao of Richmond, BC. Wray won himself a sweet Galvin Green Wind stopper pullover and $100 GC from Perfect Lies for his victory while David Cao took home $200 in Perfect Lies GC’s for finishing runner-up. In the 6-10 Flight Amateur field it was local Richard Fife of Sandpiper Golf Resort who claimed victory with score of 81 (+9). Richard edged out Abbotsford’s Joal Wishart and Port Moody’s Andre Maille by retrogression and took home $200 in Perfect Lies GC’s for his solid play. Finally, in our 11-16 flight, Maple Ridge’s Dave Ebner took home low honours and cashed in with $150 in Perfect Lies GC’s.

CLEVELAND GOLF / SRIXON CANADA
VGT ORDER OF MERIT STANDINGS
(Thru Sandpiper Spring Classic- April 13th)

PROFESSIONALS (Earnings)

1st Phil Jonas (Hazelmere/ McCleery GC) $1,758.66
2nd Jeremy Paradis (Langley) $1,325.00
3rd Todd Halpen (Canadian Tour) $1,300.00
4th John Shin (Canadian Tour) $1,250.00
5th Matt Daniel (Canadian Tour) $1,124.66

CHAMPIONSHIP AMATEURS (0-5) (Points)

1St David Cao (Richmond, BC) 1,000
2nd Justin Shin (Pitt Meadows GC) 800
3rd Michael Son (Mayfair Lakes) 660

FLIGHT A AMATEURS (6-10) (Points)

1st Steve Smith (Surrey GC) 1,073.33
2nd Andre Maille (Port Moody) 813.33
3rd Daniel Lee (Greenacres GC) 660.00

FLIGHT B AMATEURS (11-16) (Points)

1st David Patterson (Surrey, BC) 1,000
2nd Ron Pound (North Vancouver) 900
3rd Dave Ebner (Maple Ridge, BC) 820

For full results and Order of Merit Standings, please click here: http://www.vancouvergolftour.com/2009/live_scoring.htm. A full list of scores and prize winners will also be loaded to the website shortly.

NEXT EVENT:

NICKEL HEATING OPEN
Monday, April 20th
Ledgeview Golf & Country Club
Abbotsford, BC
8am start
$11,000 in Cash and Prizes*!!!

$7,500 Pro Purse*
$3,500 Amateur Prizes*
*Based on Full field – 100 players

Registration Deadline - extended to Wednesday @ 4pm!

We still have room for players in this event however I will need to confirm our official numbers to Ledgeview by 4pm Wednesday, April 15th (tomorrow). We have limited availabilities, so sign-up now to ensure you are included in this great event!

Regards,

Fraser Mulholland
Commissioner
Vancouver Golf Tour

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Big Break Lands On PEI

Submitted by CanTour Communications John Berkovich

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – Canadian Tour players Eugene Smith and Derek Gillespie are among the 12 contestants on Golf Channel’s Big Break Prince Edward Island that airs its first episode Monday April 20 beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

Hosting the event is Mill River Golf Club.

The Big Break concept showcases highly skilled golfers competing against each other in a variety of challenges that allow them to showcase both their golf skills and mental toughness.

Eugene Smith is one of the steadiest players on the Canadian Tour, and one of its most popular. The friendly and easygoing New Jersey native finished T-8 at the San Luis Potosi Open last spring and his best finish is a T-2 at the 2007 Greater Vancouver Charity Classic. He also owns several other top tens.

Smith was Seton Hall University’s Male Athlete of the Year in 1998, 1999 and 2001 won the Big East title in 2000. He is a two-time Big East Academic All-Star and the winner of several amateur and collegiate events.

Derek Gillespie is one of those players who, when on, is one of the best. The Canadian has earned two Canadian Tour titles with the last coming at the 2003 Ixtapa Classic where he ran away with an eight shot win.

After having a sub-par 2006, he bounced back with a third place finish on the Order of Merit in 2007 when he had five top tens including three runner-ups.

A member of the University of Arizona’s golf Hall of Fame, Gillespie has been pegged as a top prospect for several years. He has qualified for seven Canadian Opens and several Nationwide Tour events.

Despite his admitted frustration at not having advanced to the PGA TOUR, his abundant talent seems to indicate that he eventually will.

Both Eugene Smith and Derek Gillespie are 30-years-old and they, along with ten others, are competing for the $100,000 first prize.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Capilano Set to Host Zone Qualifier for 2009 World Junior Golf Team Championship

Team Canada members prepare for final events of 2009 NCAA season

Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – Top junior golfers from Canada, Mexico, Guatemala and Puerto Rico will gather at Capilano Golf & Country Club in West Vancouver, B.C. from April 13-15, as the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) plays host to the Zone Qualifier for the World Junior Golf Team Championship (WJGTC).

The four-player teams will compete over 54-holes with the top two teams advancing to the World Junior Golf Team Championship, which takes place June 16-19 in Japan.
This year’s Canadian contingent consists of; London, Ont. native and reigning Canadian Junior Boys and Canadian Juvenile Champion, Mitch Sutton, Toronto natives Richard Jung and Albin Choi, as well as Julien Goulet of St-Roch de L'Achigan, Que. All four players play on Canada’s developmental golf team.

“We are proud to have these four young, talented golfers representing Canada,” said Doug Roxburgh, RCGA Director of High Performance Programs. “These young men have excelled in junior golf over the past few years and are all hungry to do their country proud.”

Henry Brunton, Canadian PGA master professional and men’s head coach for Team Canada will accompany the team.

Canada has been competing in the World Junior Golf Team Championship since its inception in 1992. Each year, more than 60 countries attempt to qualify for the event via regional qualifiers with only 14 teams earning the right to play in Japan.

Canada has showed well in the past earning seven top-10 finishes in the event’s 16 year history. There has only been two years (1992 and 2008) where Canada did not make it through regional qualifying.

Post-round results for the 2009 Zone Qualifier for the World Junior Golf Team Championship can be found on the Internet at www.rcga.org.

Other Team Canada results and news:
Team Canada Members Prepare for NCAA Regional qualifyingAs the golf community watches the worlds best professional golfers take on Augusta National at the 2009 Masters Tournament, Canadian student-athletes who compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) continue with their golf schedules in preparation for the conclusion of their golf season.
With a mere five weekends left before the NCAA conducts its regional championship qualifying, a number of Canadians competing south of the border have solidified themselves in the collegiate rankings and now have only a few events left to prepare for their chance at capturing their respective titles.

Here is a rundown of the upcoming NCAA Division I events where Team Canada members will compete.

Matt Hill
Event: The River Landing IntercollegiateWhere: River Landing Golf Club - Wallace, North CarolinaDate: April 10-11
Event: ACC Men's Golf Championship Where: The Old North State Club - New London, North CarolinaDate: April 17-19
* Hill was recently named Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Month and the Southern Golf Association National Amateur of the Month for March.

Nick Taylor
Event: Pac-10 Men's Golf ChampionshipWhere: Seattle Golf Club - Seattle, WashingtonDate: April 27-29

Eugene Wong
Event: ASU Thunderbird Where: Karsten Golf Course - Tempe, ArizonaDate: April 10-11
Event: US IntercollegiateWhere: Stanford Golf Course - Stanford, CaliforniaDate: April 18-19
Event: Pac-10 Men's Golf ChampionshipWhere: Seattle Golf Club - Seattle, WashingtonDate: April 27-29

Maude-Aimee LeBlanc
Event: Ladies Midwest Shootout Where: Kampen Golf Course - West Lafayette, IndianaDate: April 11
Event: Big Ten ChampionshipWhere: Kampen Golf Course - West Lafayette, IndianaDate: April 24-26

Stephanie Sherlock
Event: Sun Belt Conference ChampionshipWhere: Cypresswood Golf Club - Houston, TexasDate: April 20-22

Nicole Vandermade
Event: Big 12 Women's ChampionshipWhere: The Rawls Course at Texas Tech - Lubbock, TexasDate: April 24-26

Meixner in-the-mix at Second Duramed Futures Tour event Richmond, B.C. native Kira Meixner travelled to Daytona Beach, FL. from April 3-5 to compete in her second Duramed Futures Tour event of the season, the iMpact Invitational held at the 6,464 yard LPGA International Golf Club.

Meixner started well, firing a 2-under par 70 to sit T2 when first round action concluded.
The Canadian rookie holed out from 138 yards with a three-quarter 7-iron on the ninth hole for eagle, which helped take the sting out of a round that had included a double-bogey on No. 3 and a bogey on No. 5. However, it was Meixner’s short game which played a large role in her auspicious start.

“I missed my first five greens and I was three over after five holes,” said Meixner, who played collegiately at Kent State University. “My short game held me together and there at the end, I felt like it was my chance to make a couple – to get a few shots back.”

She would go on to shoot 2-over 74 in the second round and 82 in the third-round to finish at +10, good enough for a T59th.

The event also featured Kelowna B.C.’s Samantha Richdale, who cracked her first top-10 of the season and now ranks 8th on the tour in average scoring (72.5) and 16th in earnings $2,915.
Montreal’s Lisa Meldrum, who T59 with Meixner, sits 12th on the tour’s money list with $4,011 in earnings.

Other Canadians on the Tour include Oakville, Ont.’s Jessica Shepley and Oshawa, Ont.’s Angela Buzminski.

Taylor Named Pac-10 Conference Golfer of the MonthNick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., has been named Pacific-10 Conference Golfer of the Month for March 2009.

Taylor, a junior at the University of Washington competed in two tournaments, winning one and finishing second in the other. Taylor became the first Husky ever to win three medalist honors in the same season as he won the Oregon Duck Invitational, leading Washington to the team title in the event. He also finished tied for second in the Fresno State Lexus Golf Classic. Taylor shot par or better in five of his six rounds for the month. He earlier this year won the CordeValle Collegiate and the Hawai'i-Hilo Intercollegiate.

Taylor’s recently travelled to Georgia where he teed-it-up from April 5-7 at the U.S. Collegiate Championship.

Taylor finished at 5-over par (69-75-77—221) to T17 and is currently ranked as the 11th best amateur golfer in the world in the Royal and Ancient’s recent World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Vandermade Ties for 10th at Indiana Invitational
University of Texas freshman Nicole Vandermade (76-73-85--234, +18) began the day tied for the 36-hole lead, marking the first time she has slept on the lead in her college career.

She dropped five strokes after starting bogey-double-double on her first three holes, and fell out of the mix for medalist honors.

Vandermade's final-round 85 dropped her to a tie for 10th place at 18-over 234. The Canadian native now has a team-high five top-25 finishes this season.

Sherlock and LeBlanc Battle at PING ASU Invitational
Team Canada members Stephanie Sherlock and Maude-Aimee LeBlanc squared-off this past weekend as action heated up at the Ping-Arizona State University (ASU) Invitational.

Sherlock, from Barrie, Ont. and LeBlanc from Sherbrooke, Que., butted heads as their respective University of Denver Pioneer and Purdue Boilermaker teams took to the links from April 3-5.
While neither player played their best golf, LeBlanc did aid her team to a second place finish while Sherlock helped her team to a ninth place finish. LeBlanc shot a +11 (79-74-74—227) to finish T27, and Sherlock shot +13 (77-75-77—229) to T36.

Upcoming Events:
Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Richmond Hill, Ont. will travel to Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla. from April 9-12 to compete in the largest tournament of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) season, the Mizuno Junior.

ABOUT THE RCGA NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM
The RCGA National Team Program incorporates advanced coaching, sport science expertise, training camps and world-class competition. The RCGA allocates over $1 million of its resources annually to the National Team program, encompassing strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, biomechanics and technique development. Players who are selected to the National Amateur and National Developmental Teams represent Canada at six to 10 internationally-sanctioned golf competitions throughout the year. The intent of this comprehensive program is to aid Canada’s top up-and-coming amateur players in all areas of their development, helping Canada produce the best golfers in the world.

Team Canada, the pinnacle of the RCGA’s High Performance Program, provides access to world class resources including coaching, nutrition, sport science, mental management, equipment and elite competitive opportunities. For more information about Team Canada or to make a donation towards the development of Canada’s future golf stars, please visit www.rcga.org.

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, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum and CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, 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.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Red-hot Geoff Ogilvy joins defending Masters champion Trevor Immelman and England's Ian Poulter in 2009 TELUS World Skins Game field

Québec City, Québec – Geoff Ogilvy, considered by many to be a leading contender at this year's Masters tournament, was named to the TELUS World Skins Game field today, along with the reigning Masters champion Trevor Immelman and Ian Poulter, a star on both the PGA and European Tours. The 2009 TELUS World Skins Game will take place June 22-23 at La Tempête Golf Club in Lévis, Québec.

As part of the TELUS World Skins Game's global theme, Ogilvy will represent his native Australia, with the South African Immelman and England's Poulter rounding out the field. For Immelman and Poulter, it will be their first time participating in the TELUS World Skins Game, while Ogilvy previously participated in the 2007 event. The three players join a star-studded ‘five-some' with previously announced players Canadian Mike Weir and Fred Couples of the United States.

"I really enjoyed my time playing in the TELUS World Skins Game two years ago, so I was thrilled with the invitation to return this year," said Ogilvy. "It's been a very rewarding start to the 2009 season for me. Having the opportunity to play with these great golfers immediately following the U.S. Open will not only be a treat for us as players, but hopefully for the fans as well."

Ogilvy, a six-time winner on the PGA TOUR, which includes a major victory at the 2006 U.S. Open, is arguably the hottest player in the world so far in 2009. With two wins in his six starts (Mercedes Benz Championship and World Golf Championships -Accenture Match Play Championship), he is currently ranked fourth in the world and leads both the PGA TOUR's 2009 FedExCup points race and money list.

Immelman, who was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and has ten professional wins to his credit, earned the biggest win of his young career last April with his victory at the Masters. He has also been a two-time member of the International Team at the Presidents Cup, including in 2007 when the event was played at Royal Montréal Golf Club.

"I am excited and honoured to be invited to participate in the 2009 TELUS World Skins Game in support of Opération Enfant Soleil," said Immelman as he prepared to defend his 2008 victory at Augusta National this week. "I have always enjoyed playing in Canada and I look forward to visiting Québec City this summer."

A fan favorite, Poulter is known as one of the most colourful players in golf, in part due to the radical outfits he sometimes wears on the course, but also thanks to his engaging personality. He has been a player of great impact for the European team in Ryder Cup competition, including scoring the winning points for the team in 2004. At the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, Poulter held the clubhouse lead for the final round before being defeated by defending champion Padraig Harrington and ultimately finishing in second place.

"Watching Immelman defend his Masters title against Ogilvy at the game this week will be outstanding, but I'm even more excited about watching them join Poulter, Weir and Couples, some of the most talented golfers in the world, at the TELUS World Skins," said Joe Natale, president of TELUS Business Solutions. "They'll be bringing their ‘A game' to a tournament that supports a better quality of care for sick kids in Quebec. We couldn't be happier about this star-studded line-up."

Fulfilling its promise to "give where we live", for the 2009 golf event TELUS has partnered with Opération Enfant Soleil, a local charity that invests in the development of quality pediatric care in Québec. Funds will be generated through the ‘Charity on the Course' program which includes donations made for every birdie and eagle played by the professional golfers during the competition. Golf fans will also be able to support the cause by bidding on one of the many items that will be auctioned on eBay in the weeks preceding the tournament.

Karen Radford, president of TELUS Québec, said, "With the support of golf fans everywhere, the local community and the very talented players named to the field this year, the TELUS World Skins Game will help Opération Enfant Soleil continue to increase the success rate of pediatric heart surgeries in Quebec for years to come."

Opération Enfant Soleil will use the money raised during the 2009 TELUS World Skins Game to equip the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec's Centre mère-enfant's surgical unit with the latest in multimedia technology to facilitate complex pediatric heart surgeries. The new system's extensive connectivity will enable real-time participation in surgeries from any location, thereby improving educational opportunities and providing quick access to specialists, wherever they may be.

Tickets for the 2009 TELUS World Skins Game, priced at $125 for a two-day pass, go on sale on Monday, April 13 at 10 a.m. (ET) and will be available for purchase by phone at 1-866-60SKIN1 (1-866-607-5461) or online by visiting www.telusskins.com.

Owned and operated by IMG in Canada for 17 years, the TELUS World Skins Game has included many of the biggest names in the game including Jack Nicklaus, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples and Greg Norman.

The TELUS World Skins Game is also sponsored by Audi, Desjardins, Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, GREY GOOSE® Vodka, Québec City Tourism, Québec Tourism and Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.

About IMG Operating in 30 countries, IMG Sports & Entertainment's diverse businesses include: consulting services; event ownership and management; fashion events and models representation; licensing; golf course design; and client representation in golf, tennis, broadcasting, speakers, European football, rugby, cricket, motor sports, coaching, Olympic and action sports. IMG Academies are the world's largest, multi-sport training and educational facilities, delivering world-class training experiences to more than 12,000 junior, collegiate, adult, and professional athletes each year.

About TELUSTELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $9.7 billion of annual revenue and 11.6 million customer connections including 6.1 million wireless subscribers, 4.2 million wireline network access lines and 1.2 million Internet subscribers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services including data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, entertainment and video. In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed $135 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered more than 2.6 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Nine TELUS Community Boards across Canada lead our local philanthropic initiatives. For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.

To purchase TELUS World Skins tickets, call 1-866-60SKIN1 (1-866-607-5461) or visit www.telusskins.com after April 13, 2009 at 10 a.m. ET.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Demo Inventory launches software

April 8, 2009, Vancouver, B.C. – Demo Inventory, a golf systems company, launches web based software aimed at assisting a golf shop’s control of demo club inventory and enhancing golf equipment sales.

Company founder James Presnail, a Canadian PGA Apprentice Professional, set out to create a simple and effective business process that enables golf shops to control and monitor the status of their demo inventories. The software is easy to use and eliminates the cumbersome and archaic pen and paper methods of the past. Demo Inventory also includes many reporting features that will enhance a golf club’s retail sales strategies such as reporting on who has taken out a demo club, for how long and how many times.

Year after year Golf Shop Managers invest thousands of dollars in specific inventory control and sales systems only to have demo equipment go missing and sales opportunities forgotten. Demo Inventory is an easy to use, cost effective product that not only keeps track of inventory but is an effective tool to monitor a member’s demo equipment habits. Demo Inventory will ensure you know where your demo equipment is at all times through its many reporting features. It also provides staff with a sales lead list for follow-up with members and the ability to track the sell-through of equipment. There is no program to download; all that is required is an internet connection to get started.

Founder James Presnail stated, “I am so confident you will find Demo Inventory valuable to your facility that I will offer you a complimentary trial for your golf operation. Please contact me directly to try Demo Inventory absolutely free. I believe this product will sell itself as a must have item for your operation.”

The Demoinventory.com website includes a comprehensive tool to review the product and includes detailed tutorials regarding a variety of functions the software provides. Current inventory is easily entered into Demo Inventory by uploading an excel (CSV) spreadsheet, using a bar scanner or entering items manually.

ABOUT DEMO INVENTORY
Based in Vancouver, B.C., Demo Inventory is an emerging golf company whose clients already include Point Grey Golf and Country Club, Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, Capilano Golf and Country Club and Fraserview Golf Course in Vancouver, British Columbia and Niakawa Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg, Manitoba to name a few.

Founder James Presnail is in his second year as a Canadian PGA Apprentice Professional but has been working in the golf business for the past six years. James has worked at such noteworthy golf facilities such as Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ontario, Royal Colwood Golf and Country Club in Victoria, B.C. and Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, British Columbia. In addition to the development of Demo Inventory, James is also the Golf Shop Manager at Fraserview Golf Course in Vancouver.

Contact:
James Presnail
Founder Demo Inventory
Phone: 604-318-0306
james@demoinventory.com

Monday, April 6, 2009

Canadian Junior Golf Association PUMA Challenge (Junior Worlds Qualifier)

Apr 04 - Apr 05, 2009 at University Golf Club (Vancouver, BC)
Click here for complete tournament results

Par and Total Yardage By Competition
Boys 14 & Under- University Golf Club (Par: 72 Distance: 6146 Rating: 68.9 Slope: 118)
Boys 15-19- University Golf Club (Par: 72 Distance: 6601 Rating: 71.0 Slope: 122)
Girls- University Golf Club (Par: 72 Distance: 5671 Rating: 70.9 Slope: 114)

Results - Boys 14 & Under
1 - Curtis Chan, Richmond, BC, 78-70--148 +4
2 - Josh Zhang, Vancouver, BC, 76-76--152 +8
3 - Donald Qiu, Richmond, BC, 79-75--154 +10
T4 - Gunntas Sidhu, Port Coquitlam, BC, 80-78--158 +14
T4 - David Lee, Coquitlam, BC, 79-79--158 +14

Results - Boys 15-19
1 - James Fahy, Vancouver, BC, 71-71--142 -2
2 - Adam Svensson, Surrey, BC, 73-72--145 +1
3 - Conrado Paderes, Vancouver, BC, 77-71--148 +4
4 - Calum Miller, Langley, BC, 74-75--149 +5
5 - Nicholas Russell, Vancouver, BC, 74-76--150 +6

Results - Girls
T1 - Soobin Kim*, Port Coquitlam, BC, 79-73--152 +8
T1 - Anica Yoo, Port Coquitlam, BC, 79-73--152 +8
3 - Victoria (Ji Su) Choi, Langley, BC, 81-75--156 +12
4 - Huang Szu-Hsuan, Qualicum Beach, BC, 78-79--157 +13
T5 - Taylor Kim, Surrey, BC, 84-74--158 +14
T5 - Stephanie Wong, Richmond, BC, 80-78--158 +14

Saturday, April 4, 2009

PUMA Challenge Ready to Take on University Golf Course

Markham, Ont. (April 3, 2009)

The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is set to conduct the first of four PUMA Challenge events across Canada at University Golf Course in Vancouver, British Columbia this weekend. A full field of juniors will be on hand to take in the PUMA Challenge that will include a lounge for the player’s following the event, where they will be immersed with the PUMA brand and the lifestyle image the brand portrays. Juniors will also be competing for a spot on CJGA Team Canada to represent their country at the coveted Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego, CA. in July.

With a full field in the Junior boy’s flight, we are certain to have some exciting action. Brian Jung, 15, of Coquitlam and last events third place finisher will look to continue his solid play on route to his first victory of the season. Brian was a member of CJGA Team Canada last season, travelling to Trinidad & Tobago to compete in the Stephen Ames Cup. Other players to keep and eye on this weekend are Vancouver natives James Fahy, 16, and Nicholas Russell, 16, as well as Jay Kim, 16 of Surrey.

The Bantam flight should host another competition with three of the top four Order of Merit leaders in the field this week. Donald Qui, 13, of Richmond, currently second on the national order of merit, will look for his first victory of the season. Just behind Qui are a pair of 14 year olds, Gunntas Sidhu of Port Coquitlam and Logan Hallwas of South Surrey. Curtis Chan, 12, of Richmond and Blaine, WA native Ryan Wallen should also be in contention.

The Girls Division will once again be very competitive as Soobin Kim, 14, of Surrey and winner of the first event of the season will be competing. Week one runner-up Taylor Kim, 14, of Surrey will look for her first victory of the season after being edged by one stroke in the season opener by Kim. Victoria Choi, 17, of Langley and Aram Choi, 17 of Surrey should also contend.

The tournament will get under way at 12:40PM each day. Spectators are encouraged to attend.
About PUMAPUMA is one of the world's leading sport lifestyle companies that designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. It is committed to working in ways that contribute to the world by supporting Peace, Creativity, and SAFE Sustainability, and by staying true to the values of being Fair, Honest, Positive and Creative in decisions made and actions taken.

PUMA starts in Sport and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance and Lifestyle labels include categories such as Soccer, Running, Motorsports, Golf and Sailing. The Black label features collaborations with renowned designers such as Alexander McQueen, Yasuhiro Mihara and Sergio Rossi. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Tretorn and Hussein Chalayan. The company, which was founded in 1948, distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 9,000 people worldwide and has headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Boston, London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.puma.com and golf.puma.com.

About the CJGA

The Canadian Junior Golf Association is a ³registered Canadian amateur athletic association² (RCAAA) not-for-profit registered federally with Revenue Canada.. The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is dedicated to providing Canada's junior golfers with the necessary skills and knowledge required to lay a foundation for a future in competitive golf. Through its six-stage competitive development program that focuses on tournaments, clinics, international competitions, and mentoring programs with PGA Tour professionals, the CJGA introduces the game to juniors as young as five and offers competitive multi-day events for the more advanced golfer. The CJGA acts as a feeder system to provincial and national competitions, collegiate and university golf, as well as professional and recreational golf. For more information please visit www.cjga.com.