Ben Boudreau Steals the Show at the Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship

Port St. Lucie, Florida (November 25, 2009) Ben Boudreau of Longueuil, QC stole the show at the Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship after he birdied the 18th hole in regulation and then birdied it again in a playoff to claim the Canadian PGA National Championship over first and second round leader Jeff Buder of Vancouver, BC.

Canadian PGA TV clips of the final putt and an interview with Boudreau are available at http://www.cpga.com/

“I was two shots back on the final hole but I thought if I could hit a big drive down the fairway I would have a chance to make a birdie and I just tried to do it all over again in the playoff,” said Boudreau, who now earns an exemption into the 2010 RBC Canadian Open at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Toronto. “Jeff and I had a wild fight all day long and I know he is a little disappointed but he played great golf all week and I’m just happy to be the last man standing.”

Boudreau, Head Professional at Le Parcours Du Cerf, made four birdies and no bogies during his trip around the Wanamaker Course at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida but it was his back-to-back birdies on the hardest hole on the golf course for the win that had everyone talking after the round.

“He had to putt first to save his par before I had a shot at my birdie on the last hole and when he missed it I said to myself this is it, just knock it in,” said Boudreau, who just got back from the final stage of Champions Tour Q-School where he finished tied for 72nd place.

Boudreau, who played in the 1994 Canadian Open at Glen Abbey, looked like he was going to run out of steam in his pursuit of Buder but after making great par saves on the 16th and 17th hole the dramatics for the 18th hole fell into place.

“I’m so excited to play in the Canadian Open next year at St. George’s,” said Boudreau, who’s scorecard was surprisingly vacant of any birdies on the par-5’s in the final round, rare considering he is one of the longest players in the field. “I don’t know how I did it but I didn’t think about it all day until the final putt dropped.”

Buder pegged it in one of the first groups in round one and lead the Championship for almost 54 straight holes but an errant tee shot into the left fairway bunker on the 18th hole led to a bogey and allowed Boudreau the chance to sneak in the birdie for the tie.

“I’m obviously a bit disappointed not to close it out but my hat is off to Ben after making birdie on the hardest hole on this entire golf course, not once but twice,” said Buder, Head Professional of Point Grey Golf & Country Club. “I had a fun week and I’ll be back next year to see if I can win this thing.”

2005 & 2006 Champion Danny King fired a 4-under par 68 to finish alone in 3rd place. If not for a double bogey on the ninth hole King would have joined the playoff with Boudreau and Buder.

Almost 90% of the 105 Canadian PGA Professionals that played in the Championship used SkyCaddie – Official Rangefinder of the Canadian PGA during the event, contributing to the fantastic pace of play throughout the week.

Boudreau wins $12, 000 for the victory and will also receive an exemption into the 2010 RBC Canadian Open to be held at St. George's Golf and Country Club in Toronto, ON.

Owned and operated by the PGA of America, The PGA Golf Club is a public facility designed by Tom Fazio with rolling hills, majestic pine trees and challenging water hazards. The course has been selected for numerous awards including the 2004 “Best Places To Play” by Golf Digest. For more information, visit www.pgavillage.com

About Acushnet:
The Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra brands have a tradition of excellence that have always been predicated on providing golfers with quali! ty and performance superior golf equipment. The Canadian PGA Golf Professional has a tradition of excellence devoting their careers to helping golfers improve and enjoy the game. Together, Acushnet and the Canadian PGA Golf Professional share a successful relationship of providing the golfer with best in class products and services. For more information, visit www.titleist.com and http://www.footjoy.com/.

About CPGA:
Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit http://www.cpga.com/


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Jeff Buder Goes Low to Lead the Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship

Port St. Lucie, Florida (November 23, 2009) Jeff Buder of Vancouver, BC fired a 8-under par 64 in the first round of the 2009 Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship to open a four shot lead over Scott Allred of Calgary.
Canadian PGA TV interviews and live scoring available at http://www.cpga.com/ .
Buder, Head Professional at Point Grey Golf & Country Club, enjoyed a stress free tour around the Wanamaker Golf Course at PGA Golf Club recording eight birdies and eleven pars and he only missed one green in regulation.
“I’ve had this date circled on the calendar for two years since I couldn’t come down at play last year,” said Buder, referring to his absence last year due to renovations in his pro shop. “I absolutely love coming down here and I seem to get off to some great starts so hopefully I can keep it going this time.”
Buder pegged it early in the third group of the day and cruised around the opening nine at 3-under par before knocking in birdies on 10, 11, 12, 14 & 16 on the back nine to end up in the Canadian PGA scoring tent with a smile on his face.
“I was actually a little nervous on the first few holes as I haven’t played a competitive round in about three months but I rolled in about a 90 foot putt on the 4th hole that I thought might be a good sign for the day and that seemed to calm me down a bit,” said Buder, who has enjoyed success over the last few years at the PGA Golf Club, finishing in a tie for 4th in 2005 and a tie for 5th in 2006.
Buder’s round of 64 was two shots off the course record that was set only a few weeks ago at the PGA Tour’s First Stage of Qualifying School by Canadian Tour player Hugo Leon.
Allred, Head Professional at Elbow Springs Golf Club, fired the same score in the first round as he did a year ago in the opening round. Last year he was the overnight leader, this year he sits four shots back.
“I hit the ball so well out there today, as good as I’ve hit it in a long time,” said Allred, who finished tied for 9th place in 2008 at this event. “I had a chance to roll in some more putts to get even closer to Buder but I’ll take it after day one.”
2005 & 2006 Champion Danny King, Head Teaching Professional at Magna Golf Club and 2007 Champion Eric Landreville of Club De Golf Belle Vue sit in a tie for 3rd place after opening rounds of 3-under par 69.
Defending Champion Kyle German of Surrey, BC opened with a 1-over par 73 largely due to a shaky putter.
“I was surprised that my putter was shaky today as usually it’s my bread and butter,” stated German, who spoke to his fellow competitors at Sunday night’s Canadian PGA Awards Show about the thrill of being the National Club Professional Champion and playing in the RBC Canadian Open. “I can’t believe how different the course is playing this year with completely opposite conditions than last year and I think I may have given my pal Jeff Buder too many tips in the practice rounds.”

German is currently writing a daily blog after his rounds at the Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship over at http://http://www.golfnewsnow.ca/
The British Columbia team leads the InterZone Competition by one shot with a score of 210 (-6). Team Ontario trails by a single shot and Team Quebec sits two shots back from the lead. The B.C. team is made up of Buder (64), Darryl Stubbs (72) , Scott Dickson (74) & Ross Mantell (76) . The Ontario team consists of King (69), Ian Doig (71), Ken Tarling (71) & Bruce Rogerson (73). Team Quebec consists of Landreville (69), Eric Laporte (71), Daniel Talbot (72) Marc Girouard (72).
The $5000, 36-hole InterZone competition consists of teams of four players representing one of the nine Zones of the Canadian PGA. The team score is made up of the best three scores each day for the first two rounds at the CPC.
The 2009 Titleist & FootJoy Canadian Club Professional Championship was kicked off last night with the Canadian PGA Awards Show. Plaques were presented to the 2008 Canadian PGA National Award Winners: Mike Kelly – Jack McLaughlin Junior Teacher of the Year, Tim Moore – Merchandiser of the Year, Rob Anderson – DELL Teacher Professional of the Year and Bill Wogden – Club Professional of the Year.
The CPC purse is $85,000 and the Champion will also receive an exemption into the 2010 RBC Canadian Open to be held at St. George's Golf and Country Club in Toronto, ON.
Owned and operated by the PGA of America, The PGA Golf Club is a public facility designed by Tom Fazio with rolling hills, majestic pine trees and challenging water hazards. The course has been selected for numerous awards including the 2004 “Best Places To Play” by Golf Digest. For more information, visit www.pgavillage.com
About Acushnet:
The Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra brands have a tradition of excellence that have always been predicated on providing golfers with qualit! y and performance superior golf equipment. The Canadian PGA Golf Professional has a tradition of excellence devoting their careers to helping golfers improve and enjoy the game. Together, Acushnet and the Canadian PGA Golf Professional share a successful relationship of providing the golfer with best in class products and services. For more information, visit http://www.titleist.com/ and http://www.footjoy.com/.
About CPGA:

Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit http://www.cpga.com/
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Eight new inductees welcomed to PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame

By Bob Denney, The PGA of America- PGA.com

May 5, 2009 -- PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - PGA Honorary President Brian Whitcomb of Bend, Ore., said that there is a "little guy" he had never met, but who had been sitting on his shoulder for many years and driving him forward.

"He kept telling me to 'Try harder! Try Harder,' " said Whitcomb, one of eight inductees Tuesday evening into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame. "He drives me to be the best that you can be every day. I have tried to live by that goal every day. There are days when I don't like hearing that voice, but I go forward anyway."

Whitcomb, who completed his term in November 2008 as the 35th president of The PGA of America, joined an elite class of inductees who were honored as significant contributors to the Association and the game of golf. Their names were enshrined in granite with a brick resting on a wall at the PGA Historical Center at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

The inductees included 2006 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Jim Manthis of Coon Rapids, Minn., 2007 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Brent Krause of Montgomery, Ala., former Masters Champion Claude Harmon Sr.; legendary teaching professional Harvey Penick; former PGA Rules Committee Chairman Don Essig III of Indianapolis, Ind., former UCLA Coach and renowned instructor, Eddie Merrins of Los Angeles; and Harry "Cotton" Berrier of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., a three-time PGA of America Board member and a co-founder of the Tennessee PGA Section.

The inductees were honored in conjunction with The PGA of America Spring Meeting, conducted at the nearby PGA Education Center at PGA Village.

Manthis and Krause were recipients of The PGA of America's highest honor to a member professional.

"This class distinguished themselves in so many ways," said Krause, "but wears one badge. In the vernacular of the military, you leave no one behind. As PGA members, we can't leave any of our members behind."

Manthis said that one of his friends, Ken Venturi, had left him with an everlasting mission in his profession.

"Ken would say, 'Don't just take, but give something back along the way,' " said Manthis. "Wally Mund [a 1969 PGA Golf Professional of the Year] was my mentor and among many things he said was that 'the only thing we have to sell is service. If we do that, it will all work out."

The late Harmon was patriarch of perhaps the most famed golf teaching families in the sport while Penick's imprint upon the game transcended a long line of major champions to the amateur player who eagerly followed his written advice in books long after his death.

Accepting the honor for Harmon were three of his four surviving sons - Claude "Butch" Jr., Craig and Billy. Craig, who is the PGA head professional at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y., was previously named to the Hall of Fame in 2006.

"He was the last of the great teaching players and was a great club professional at the same time," said Butch. "He encompassed everything that golf is about. He figured out at an early age what was necessary to accomplish many roles. He was far ahead of his time."

Craig Harmon said that every PGA Professional has had to matriculate through PGA Business School at one time or another in their career.

"We had Harmon Tech," said Craig. "We trained them at the highest level. I know that Dad would have been very honored to have gone into the Hall of Fame with these honorees."

Merrins, whose students include current U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin, said "a teacher's job is helping someone to help themselves. Whatever I have done to be honored here tonight is the result of the cooperation of so many assistants and workers I have been with over the years. It is an honor I will cherish forever."

Pavin paid tribute to Merrins during a recent visit to PGA of America Headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

"Eddie and I go back a long way. He is such a unique, great guy," said Pavin. "His teaching philosophy is a very simple one and easy to understand. That is why he is so successful. Eddie has a lot of respect in the golf industry, and his longevity as a teacher is amazing. He taught a simple action with the golf swing, where there weren't a lot of moving parts. He was what you might say 'swing plane oriented. 'He was a pioneer in that regard. I am honest that I didn't grasp a lot of what he said from the start. Over the years the more I learned about the swing, the more I understood how he knew so much and was ahead of his time."

PGA Life Member Tinsley Penick accepted on behalf of his later father, Harvey, who passed away in 1995 less than a week before one of his famed students, Ben Crenshaw, won a second Masters.

"What a thrill it would have been for my father to have been here tonight," said Tinsley, who had succeeded his father as PGA head professional at Austin (Texas) Country Club. "My father once said that he had seen more golf shots than anyone alive. He spent 82 years watching golf shots.

The PGA of America meant so much to him, and one of the greatest honors that he said he received was when the Southern Texas PGA named its Teacher of the Year Award after him."

In a video tribute, Crenshaw said Penick "dedicated his life to get people in the game and keep them there. I carry his thoughts with me every day. Once his books were published, we were happy that people could be reading what we had been hearing all these years."

Berrier, who campaigned by crisscrossing his home state to form the Tennessee PGA Section, said that he shares his Hall of Fame honor "with all the grassroots PGA Professionals, who are the heart and soul of the Association."

Essig, one of the most popular and most respected PGA Rules officials, said that there are three tenets of his family's firm, Essig Golf Management: "Faith first, Family second and Work in Golf Third."

Click here to read the full story including profiles of all the inductees.

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

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.

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

Big Break Prince Edward Island announces its premiere in HD

ORLANDO, Fla. -- It is money that will matter in the 11th season of the popular Golf Channel reality series Big Break. For the first time, contestants will compete for cash - $100,000 to be exact - that can provide the winner a means to finance their dream of playing on a Tour for an entire year.

Premiering April 20 for the first time in HD, Big Break Prince Edward Island will showcase six females and six males in a competition that test every phase of their games, course management and mental toughness.

Each of the 12 contestants will compete on equal ground with no consideration of gender when it comes to elimination. Big Break showcases highly skilled golfers pitted against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness, with the ultimate winner awarded his/her "Big Break."

The 12 competitors in Big Break Prince Edward Island are:

Kim Kouwabunpat (27, Upland, Calif.) - Focused and driven, Kouwabunpat (pronounced "Kowa boon pat") has the uncanny ability to pick herself up when she's been knocked down. The former Stanford University golfer has played on professional tours all over the world in her attempt to make it to the LPGA Tour.

Caroline Larsson (24, Orlando, Fla.) - The Stockholm, Sweden, native is considered to be one of the most talented competitors in the field. An accomplished player on the Duramed FUTURES Tour over the last two years, she competed in the 2007 LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament.

Brenda McLarnon (25, Charleston, S.C.) - The Belfast, Ireland, native is brutally honest and outspoken, and brings humor and conflict to everything she does. Having played the Duramed FUTURES Tour the last three years, she learned the sacrifice it takes to play professional golf and is ready to capitalize on the hard-earned experience.

Gerina Mendoza (23, Roswell, N.M.) - Mendoza picked up the game in her late teens but is one of the most naturally gifted competitors in the series. A member of the Duramed FUTURES Tour, last year she competed in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, where she missed the cut. With her length off the tee, Mendoza will be a force to be reckoned with in Big Break Prince Edward Island for both the ladies and men.

Blair O'Neal (27, Tempe, Ariz.) - A four-year starter at Arizona State University, she twice won the NCAA Long Drive Championship but has been out of professional golf since 2006 pursuing a modeling career. Before leaving the fairway for the runway, she competed on numerous Tours around the world.

Nicole Sikora (25, Yonkers, N.Y.) - Sikora may be the most inexperienced competitor on Big Break Prince Edward Island. After an unsuccessful rookie year on the DURAMED FUTURES Tour in 2007, she accepted a job on Wall Street as an executive assistant for a New York stock broker. Golf has taken a backseat, but now that her business career is on the fast track, she is slowly finding more time to re-devote to the game.

Derek Gillespie (30, Oshawa, Ontario) - The only Canadian in the cast, Gillespie was once labeled "the next great Canadian golfer" by fellow countryman and PGA TOUR professional Mike Weir. One of the most talented and experienced in the cast, Gillespie is looking to realize his dream of playing on the PGA TOUR after many years of missed opportunities and bad breaks.

Robert Read (30, Seekonk, Mass.) - Reid turned professional to play in Big Break Prince Edward Island. Read will use his humor and prodigious length to level the playing field. Quite the bomber, he has hit drives over 420 yards in long drive competitions.

Eugene Smith (30, Glen Ridge, N.J.) - Smith won the 2000 NCAA Big East Championship and later was the Seton Hall Athlete of the Year in 2001. The Canadian Tour veteran once shot 59 at his home course in New Jersey in a round that included a hole in one.

Brian Skatell (36, Virginia Beach, Va.) - A very confident player, Skatell prides himself on his meticulous work ethic and considers himself to be mentally strong. Though lacking the same amount of tournament experience as many of the other contestants, he firmly believes that even the best in the field can't match his skill level.

William Thompson (22, Bracey, Va.) - A self-admitted and rather obvious country boy, William "Football" Thompson will be one of the most unique personalities in the cast. The youngest competitor, his Big Break experience will be a trial by fire.

Aaron Wright (31, Orlando, Fla.) - Wright put his dream of playing on the PGA TOUR on hold to serve a six-year tour of duty with the Marines, including a five-month stint in Afghanistan. In 2008, the United States Navel Academy graduate played the Hooters Tour and made the cut in a Nationwide Tour event. He lost to Tiger Woods 4&3 in the quarterfinal match of the 1992 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

Past Big Break champions won tournament exemptions to compete on some of the world's top professional circuits, such as the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Canadian Tour. Former Big Breakers Tommy Gainey and James Nitties, who tied for fourth in his third TOUR start at the FBR Open, will compete on the PGA TOUR in 2009 while four previous female contestants will play on the LPGA Tour.

Adding insight to Big Break Prince Edward Island as co-hosts will be former PGA TOUR professional Charlie Rymer and Golf Digest Senior Editor Stina Sternberg.

Shot at Mill River Golf Course in Prince Edward Island, it marks the first time a Canadian location has hosted Big Break. Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Canada's east coast, Prince Edward Island boasts more than 32 courses that span from one end of the Island to the other.

One of Canada's top golf destinations, Prince Edward Island offers other recreational activities, including kayaking, cycling, touring, or lazing on a sandy beach.

David Toms shocked and not amused by his short tenure on Hall of Fame ballot

- AP
HONOLULU (AP) -- For those who believe 40 is too young to be considered for the Hall of Fame, consider the plight of David Toms.

He was put on the PGA Tour ballot when he turned 40 because of his 12 victories (one of them a major) and 10 years on the PGA Tour. Toms received 1 percent of the vote in 2007, and he didn't receive any votes last year.

Because he did not receive at least 5 percent of the vote in consecutive years, he was taken off the ballot this year.

"I don't even think of the Hall of Fame until a guy turns 50, until he's almost done in golf," Toms said. "That's more fair than throwing someone like me on the ballot just because I meet the criteria."

Toms does not have Hall of Fame credentials -- not yet, maybe not ever.

With his experience, and feeling healthier than he has in recent years, he believes he is capable of winning at least another major and three more victories. "Two majors and 15 wins would be more than I could have hoped for when I started," he said.

What if he achieves more? After turning 42, Kenny Perry went on to win eight times.

"Can they put you back on?" Toms said.

Yes.

Jack Peter, the chief operating officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame, said the board of directors has the authority to place a golfer back on the ballot once removed. Even so, this might be more ammunition for those who believe a player should not be on the ballot until he is closer to the end of his career.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

It's official: Pavin named Ryder Cup captain for 2010

By Associated Press
NEW YORK – Corey Pavin was introduced as the next U.S. captain for the Ryder Cup on Thursday, selected to lead a team in 2010 that will try to successfully defend the cup for the first time since 1993.

A former U.S. Open champion with 15 victories on the PGA Tour, Pavin played in three Ryder Cups and had an 8-5-0 record.

“The Ryder Cup is in my blood,” he said at a news conference. “I think if you cut my arm open, Ryder Cup would just bleed out. It’s the greatest event in the world, I think, and certainly the golf world.”

The 49-year-old Pavin takes over for Paul Azinger, who helped the U.S. end a decade of European dominance at the Ryder Cup with a 16 1/2 -11 1/2 victory in September at Valhalla. The Americans have not had a captain in consecutive Ryder Cups since Ben Hogan in 1947 and 1949. U.S. players lobbied for Azinger to return the night of their victory at Valhalla, and only recently has he said he might be interested. But PGA of America president Jim Remy said the organization didn’t want to break with precedent. “We have so many great players who have earned that right to be a Ryder Cup captain that we want to make sure that we support them and hopefully not leave any great player behind,” he said.

The 2010 Ryder Cup will be played at Celtic Manor in Wales. The Americans have not won in Europe since The Belfry in 1993, when Pavin was on the team. He served as an assistant to captain Tom Lehman in 2006.

Pavin said it was too early to discuss whether additional changes would be made to the selection system. Azinger was responsible for modernizing the system to account for the influx of international players on the PGA Tour.

He based points on money and doubled the captain’s picks to four. “I’ve already asked the PGA of America if I could have 12 picks, but I think they rejected that already,” Pavin joked. Pavin played on two winning Ryder Cup teams, including the last U.S. team to win on the road, in 1993 at The Belfry. He made his Ryder Cup debut in 1991 at Kiawah Island. “I’ve been waiting 17 years to be sitting right here at the podium,” he said.

PGA & LPGA Qualifying Schools Final Round Results

The Final Round is complete and playing privileges for 2009 have been established. Here is a look at how the Canadians faired at both the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour qualifying schools.

While the LPGA Tour goes five full 18 hole rounds, the PGA Tour qualify school manages to extend its marathon test to six rounds of golf before awarding the low 20 and low 25 players full time playing privileges respectively on each Tour for the 2009 seasons.

The LPGA Tour was contested in Daytona Beach, Fla and it took a 5 round score of five under par, 355 to make the top 20. The biggest story likely coming out of the LPGA Tour qualifying school was of course Michelle Wie finally 'earning' her way onto the Tour and legitimately into tournaments for 2009. Wie fired a final round two over par 74 to finish T7 well inside the tour card cut line. Personally, we were cheering for her and hope she will use this as a stepping stone to compete against the best women in the world so we can all see what her potential actually is.

Below is a list of how the Canadians finished after the final round was completed Sunday (the 72 hole cut was +2):

- T25 Samatha Richdale, Kelowna, B.C. -3, 357 - Receives partial 2009 LPGA Tour Exemption for finishing in the 21-30th places
- T25 Angela Buzminski, Oshawa, ON -3, 357 - Receives partial 2009 LPGA Tour Exemption for finishing in the 21-30th places
- Missed 72 hole cut - A.J. Eathorne, Penticton, B.C. +3
- Missed 72 hole cut - Cindy Pasechnik, Calgary, AB +7
- Missed 72 hole cut - Jessica Shepley, Oakville, ON +9
- Missed 72 hole cut - Lisa Meldrum, Montreal, PQ +17
- DQ Jennifer Greggain, Chilliwack, B.C.

Click here to view the full LPGA Tour qualifying results from the final round.

The PGA Tour was contested in La Quinta, California and it took a 6 round score of 19 under par, 413 to make the top 25 and earn a full time exemption on the PGA Tour in 2009. Players finishing 18 under par, 414 to 10 under par, 422 earn a full time exemption on the Nationwide Tour in 2009. While none of the Canadian boys made it to the 'big show' we will be well represented on the Nationwide Tour in 2009.

Below is a list of how the Canadians faired after the final round was completed Monday:

- T40 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Bryan DeCorso, Guelph, ON -14, 418
- T53 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Dustin Risdon, Strathmore, Alta. -13, 419
- T70 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Jon Mills, Belleville, ON -11, 421
- T70 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Brennan Webb, Huntsville, ON -11, 421
- T87 Jim Rutledge, Victoria, B.C. -9, 423
- T97 David Hearn, Brantford, ON -8, 424
- T130 Richard Lee, Vancouver, B.C. -4, 428
- 159 Kent Eger, Regina, Sask. +12, 444

Click here to view the full PGA Tour qualifying results from the final round.

Click here to view Round 1's Blog about the Tour Qualifying Schools.

Women’s Golf Month gains momentum in the U.S.

GOLFWEEK STAFF

Boosting women’s participation in golf is a top priority for industry leaders, and they touted a recent success: Participation in the American Express Women’s Golf Month increased 9.2 percent compared with a year ago.

Final results for the event, held in June, were recently tallied by organizers who reported a combined median spend of $3,320 per facility by consumers after participating in Women’s Golf Month activities. In each of its previous three years, the initiative was a week-long event.

More than 105,600 people across the country have been introduced or re-introduced to the game over the past four years during American Express Women’s Golf Month, which premiered in 2005 as Women’s Golf Week.

“We are anticipating an even greater number of courses offering clinics for new players around the country as we celebrate the fifth anniversary in June 2009,” said Anne Lyndrup, director of player development for the National Golf Course Owners Association and leader of the Women’s Golf Month organizers.

Aimed at increasing the participation of women in golf and making learning and playing golf fun, the number of participants has increased each year with a record 37,350 people attending Women’s Golf Month events in 2008. By comparison, in its inaugural year in 2005, Women’s Golf Week was supported by 225 facilities that hosted 9,500 participants.

American Express Women’s Golf Month, part of the national Play Golf America campaign, is coordinated by industry organizations such as the Executive Women’s Golf Association, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the National Golf Course Owners Association and the PGA of America.