GOLFWEEK STAFF
When Tiger Woods returns to the PGA Tour next season, he won’t be playing out of a Buick-logoed bag.
Buick-parent General Motors, struggling to stay afloat amid the worst sales environment in a quarter-century, announced Nov. 24 in a message to dealers that Woods no longer will pitch company products, effective at the end of this year.
Woods had one year remaining on a five-year deal worth $40 million, according to Advertising Age magazine.
“It’s with great emotion that I wish to inform you that the time has come forour longterm relationship with Tiger Woods to end,” Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC, said in the e-mail announcement to employees, dealers, partners and suppliers.
According to the message and a subsequent news release by Buick, the break-up was amicable. A message left by Golfweek with Mark Steinberg, Woods’ agent, was not immediately returned.
“I am very proud of the long-standing partnership I’ve had with GM and have enjoyed being a part of the company’s dramatic product evolution,’’ Woods said in a statement.
Woods, who has won 65 Tour events, earns nearly $100 million annually from endorsements with such brands as Nike, EA Sports, American Express and Tag Heuer, among others, according to Ad Age.
In October, Buick approached Woods about the possibility of renewing the contract beyond 2010. However, in recent weeks, both sides re-evaluated their positions, according to a source close to the negotiations. Woods and wife Elin are expecting their second child early in ’09.
GM’s troubles have deepened in recent weeks, with chief executive Rick Wagoner joining CEOs from Ford and Chrysler in lobbying Capitol Hill for a federal bailout of the ailing automakers.
Earlier this month, GM reported a $2.5 billion quarterly loss and warned that by the end of the year it might reach the minimum level of cash needed to run the company.
Experts say a company that falls below minimum cash levels will have to stop paying some of its bills, a move that could force GM into bankruptcy protection. In that climate, marketing budgets are a prime target for cost savings.
Mark LaNeve, GM’s vice president for North American marketing, said GM and Woods started discussing an end to the deal earlier this year, and it had nothing to do with GM’s quest for $25 billion in federal loans for the auto industry.
But the company’s statement said the decision was made as part of “the search for budget efficiencies during a difficult economy for General Motors.’’
GM is so concerned about costs that it cut advertising during the 2009 Super Bowl, although it still plans to sponsor the National Football League and likely air ads before and after the game. GM also has pulled out of the Oscars and Emmy awards in 2009 – the first time in more than a decade that it is not running ads before, during or after the two events.
U.S. automakers, the largest category of advertisers, cut ad spending 18 percent to $1.37 billion in the second quarter compared with the same period in 2007, according to TNS Media Intelligence in New York.
Foreign automakers also are trimming their spending on advertising in U.S. markets, with a 5.4 percent cut in the second quarter, for an overall 11 percent drop in U.S. auto ad spending to $3.27 billion, the 12th quarterly dip in a row.
“Everything we do right now we are taking a harder look at,” Larry Peck, Buick and Pontiac promotions manager, said of the break-up with Woods.
The decision to jettison Woods, the most-visible face of the Buick brand since January 2000, speaks volumes about the deteriorating economic climate for manufacturing and, perhaps, golf.
As part of his deal, Woods carried a Buick bag, appeared in Buick promotions and made personal appearances for the carmaker. He recently caddied for a contest winner at Torrey Pines, site of the Woods’ dramatic U.S. Open victory in June. Woods has not played since, recovering from knee surgery. His return date has been the subject of much conjecture.
Buick remains the official car of the PGA Tour, but it recently eliminated some regional relationships that will limit some tournaments’ use of Buick “courtesy cars’’ next year.
Buick still will sponsor two events on the PGA Tour, the Buick Invitational in February at Torrey Pines and the Buick Open in Flint, Mich., but those deals expire in 2010. With the mantra of cost savings, it’s unclear what will happen with those Tour stops in the future.
Hank Haney, Woods’ instructor, also had his endorsement deal cut short by a year. Haney had signed a three-year deal, which expires at the end of 2010.
“Our budgets are being reduced,” Peck said. “Most likely the money we are now saving will be put towards budget savings or cost elimination.”
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
RBC Canadian Open Included in PGA TOUR’s Inaugural Kodak Challenge
- Position on 2009 PGA TOUR Schedule improves for Canada’s Open Championship -
Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – Eastman Kodak Company and the PGA TOUR announced the creation of the Kodak Challenge, a first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players that celebrates beautiful holes and memorable moments on the PGA TOUR.
The Kodak Challenge is a competition for PGA Tour players and challenges players to perform their best on Kodak Challenge holes, with the winner taking home $1 million, a trophy and bragging rights.
24 tournaments on the 2009 PGA TOUR schedule will feature a Kodak Challenge hole. Players must play at least 18 of the designated holes throughout the season and a player’s lowest score relative to par on 18 of the designated holes will be counted. Holes were chosen by a panel based on their beauty and connection to memorable moments at that particular course and tournament.
The picturesque 11th hole at Glen Abbey Golf Club has been selected as one of the Kodak Challenge holes.
More information on the Kodak Challenge is available online at www.kodakchallenge.com.
The PGA TOUR also released its 2009 schedule which includes all events through the third leg of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.
The Buick Open contested in Flint, Michigan, moves to the week immediately following the RBC Canadian Open giving an extra week between the RBC Canadian Open and the Bridgestone Invitational World Golf Championships.
The 2009 RBC Canadian Open will be held July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario.
ABOUT THE 2009 RBC CANADIAN OPEN An exciting new era has arrived for Canada's national championship. Part of the FedEx Cup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario. Established in 1904, the tournament is the third-oldest national open golf championship worldwide next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. The RBC Canadian Open is proudly sponsored by RBC, Bell, Pengrowth and BMW Group Canada. For updated corporate hospitality, tickets, volunteer and sponsorship information please visit www.rbccanadianopen.ca or call 1-800-571-OPEN.
RBC AND THE RBC CANADIAN OPENIn partnership with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), RBC is the title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open, the third oldest national golf championship worldwide, next only to the British Open and the U.S. Open. With a history of great players and premier fields, the RBC Canadian Open provides golf fans with the opportunity to experience the excitement of a world class event on Canadian soil. RBC also sponsors all levels of amateur sport, from grassroots programs in local communities to national sport organizations and elite-level athletes.
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.
For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – Eastman Kodak Company and the PGA TOUR announced the creation of the Kodak Challenge, a first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players that celebrates beautiful holes and memorable moments on the PGA TOUR.
The Kodak Challenge is a competition for PGA Tour players and challenges players to perform their best on Kodak Challenge holes, with the winner taking home $1 million, a trophy and bragging rights.
24 tournaments on the 2009 PGA TOUR schedule will feature a Kodak Challenge hole. Players must play at least 18 of the designated holes throughout the season and a player’s lowest score relative to par on 18 of the designated holes will be counted. Holes were chosen by a panel based on their beauty and connection to memorable moments at that particular course and tournament.
The picturesque 11th hole at Glen Abbey Golf Club has been selected as one of the Kodak Challenge holes.
More information on the Kodak Challenge is available online at www.kodakchallenge.com.
The PGA TOUR also released its 2009 schedule which includes all events through the third leg of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.
The Buick Open contested in Flint, Michigan, moves to the week immediately following the RBC Canadian Open giving an extra week between the RBC Canadian Open and the Bridgestone Invitational World Golf Championships.
The 2009 RBC Canadian Open will be held July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario.
ABOUT THE 2009 RBC CANADIAN OPEN An exciting new era has arrived for Canada's national championship. Part of the FedEx Cup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario. Established in 1904, the tournament is the third-oldest national open golf championship worldwide next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. The RBC Canadian Open is proudly sponsored by RBC, Bell, Pengrowth and BMW Group Canada. For updated corporate hospitality, tickets, volunteer and sponsorship information please visit www.rbccanadianopen.ca or call 1-800-571-OPEN.
RBC AND THE RBC CANADIAN OPENIn partnership with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), RBC is the title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open, the third oldest national golf championship worldwide, next only to the British Open and the U.S. Open. With a history of great players and premier fields, the RBC Canadian Open provides golf fans with the opportunity to experience the excitement of a world class event on Canadian soil. RBC also sponsors all levels of amateur sport, from grassroots programs in local communities to national sport organizations and elite-level athletes.
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.
For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
Friday, November 28, 2008
NGCOA Canada Launches Environmental Webpage
NEW In today’s world, golf is often unjustly portrayed as being detrimental to the environment. In order to change this perception, we need to educate the public on all of the positive things that golf does to enhance the environment. The NGCOA Canada is committed to ensuring that the environmentally friendly programs and initiatives
undertaken by the golf industry are presented in a consistent and uniform manner. The goal of our Association is to promote and provide recognition of the golf industry for fostering the principles of sustainability, stewardship and the best environmental practices with the objective of illustrating that golf courses and their operations are environmental assets to the community.
The NGCOA Canada believes that we must continue to educate ourselves, in order to be able spread this message. As part of the NGCOA Canada commitment to provide assistance to its members, we have created this environmental section on our website. By creating this central starting point, our membership will have the ability to quickly access resources and expertise on environmental issues that we all face in our operations.
The site contains our Environmental Position Statement and will soon contain a key contacts database broken down by chapter to allow the membership to access those individuals and associations who will be most familiar with any issues that affect their operations.
In the future we will add further features and resources to assist the membership in communicating the message of golf’s benefits to the environment so please check back regularly for updates.
undertaken by the golf industry are presented in a consistent and uniform manner. The goal of our Association is to promote and provide recognition of the golf industry for fostering the principles of sustainability, stewardship and the best environmental practices with the objective of illustrating that golf courses and their operations are environmental assets to the community.
The NGCOA Canada believes that we must continue to educate ourselves, in order to be able spread this message. As part of the NGCOA Canada commitment to provide assistance to its members, we have created this environmental section on our website. By creating this central starting point, our membership will have the ability to quickly access resources and expertise on environmental issues that we all face in our operations.
The site contains our Environmental Position Statement and will soon contain a key contacts database broken down by chapter to allow the membership to access those individuals and associations who will be most familiar with any issues that affect their operations.
In the future we will add further features and resources to assist the membership in communicating the message of golf’s benefits to the environment so please check back regularly for updates.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
CN Future Links Eclipses 748,000 Mark for Junior Golf Participation
- Canada’s junior golf program welcomes 112,527 participants in 2008 -
Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – Canada’s junior program once again welcomed record numbers in 2008 as CN Future Links celebrated its 12th anniversary by eclipsing the 748,000 mark for junior golf participation.
Since the inception of Future Links in 1996, 748,104 Canadian boys and girls have taken part in some aspect of the national, provincial and community-based grassroots golf participation program.
The program – proudly sponsored by CN – enjoyed a banner year in 2008 with a record 112,527 junior participants taking part in more than 3,600 events at 805 sites across Canada.
"CN cares deeply about the communities through which our trains travel, which is why we are proud to support CN Future Links,” said Mark Wallace, CN's Assistant Vice-President, Public Affairs. “CN is committed to helping build stronger communities. We believe young people in these communities should have the opportunity to participate in a sport that can lead to a lifelong passion and that introduces values that will travel with them through to adulthood."
CN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf development program designed to help more kids enjoy a lifetime involvement in the game of golf. The program is a joint initiative of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program also receives support from official supplier ClubLink.
A driving force behind the program is the CN Future Links grants distributed annually to each of the 10 provincial golf associations. These $15,000 grants help offset the cost to run junior golf programming such as instructional clinics, in-school programs, player camps, skills competitions and a CN Future Links branded vehicle used to deliver a mobile junior golf program. The grants also help fund junior golf supplies such as signage, golf balls, tees, equipment and CN Future Links branded clothing.“2008 was another banner year for Canadian junior golf participation through the CN Future Links program,” said Ian Giles, CN Future Links Advisory Committee Chairman.
“With the generous support of CN and the partnership between the RCGA, CPGA and the provincial golf associations, we proudly celebrate our 12th year knowing that close to 750,000 young boys and girls having been introduced to a game they can enjoy for life.”
2008 CN Future Links Highlights:
- More than 22,000 kids participated in Instructional Clinics hosted by CPGA professionals. - The 10 provincial golf associations ran successful Mobile Clinic outreach programs for more than 57,000 children at various sites including schools, youth groups, day camps, golf courses, etc.
- A network of 65 Kids Club Connection Depots provided golf equipment to 4,450 kids.
- More than 4,600 children participated in Golf Buddy events at 100 sites nation-wide.
- 279 schools ran CN Future Links programs for more than 36,000 children.
- More than 10,000 children tested their abilities at 170 Junior Skills Competitions.- Six high-profile CN Future Links Junior Championships gave almost 600 young golfers the opportunity to play competitive golf at an elite level.- Free junior golf clinics and 'Walk with the Pro' events were conducted at the CN Canadian Women’s Open and the RBC Canadian Open, giving youngsters the chance to meet and learn from some of the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour’s brightest stars.
Total CN Future Links participation (1996 – 2008)1996 – 3,5071997 – 7,5951998 – 19,7361999 – 21,4122000 – 32,6352001 – 39,2822002 – 55,7662003 – 66,7312004 – 78,0782005 – 95,3152006 – 104,4042007 – 111,1162008 – 112,527Grand Total since 1996 – 748,104CN
FUTURE LINKSCN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program is designed to forge a link between Canada’s youth and golf to ensure the future of the game in Canada. Since its inception in 1996, more than 748,000 young Canadians have taken part in Future Links. Additionally the CN Future Links Championships provide Canada’s best junior golfers a chance to hone their competitive skills in multiple day championships in two age divisions: Junior (boys and girls aged 14-18 years) and Bantam (boys and girls aged 11-13 years). Almost 5,000 top juniors have competed in these premier championships since their inception in 2000. For more information about CN Future Links, please visit www.future-links.org.
NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD CN – Canadian National Railway Company – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For further information please visit www.cn.ca.
ABOUT CPGA: Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATIONThe Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf. For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
For more information contact: Terry LenykCoordinator, Media and Public Relations Royal Canadian Golf Association (t) 1-800-263-0009 x 335(c) 416-407-3893 (e) tlenyk@rcga.org
Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – Canada’s junior program once again welcomed record numbers in 2008 as CN Future Links celebrated its 12th anniversary by eclipsing the 748,000 mark for junior golf participation.
Since the inception of Future Links in 1996, 748,104 Canadian boys and girls have taken part in some aspect of the national, provincial and community-based grassroots golf participation program.
The program – proudly sponsored by CN – enjoyed a banner year in 2008 with a record 112,527 junior participants taking part in more than 3,600 events at 805 sites across Canada.
"CN cares deeply about the communities through which our trains travel, which is why we are proud to support CN Future Links,” said Mark Wallace, CN's Assistant Vice-President, Public Affairs. “CN is committed to helping build stronger communities. We believe young people in these communities should have the opportunity to participate in a sport that can lead to a lifelong passion and that introduces values that will travel with them through to adulthood."
CN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf development program designed to help more kids enjoy a lifetime involvement in the game of golf. The program is a joint initiative of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program also receives support from official supplier ClubLink.
A driving force behind the program is the CN Future Links grants distributed annually to each of the 10 provincial golf associations. These $15,000 grants help offset the cost to run junior golf programming such as instructional clinics, in-school programs, player camps, skills competitions and a CN Future Links branded vehicle used to deliver a mobile junior golf program. The grants also help fund junior golf supplies such as signage, golf balls, tees, equipment and CN Future Links branded clothing.“2008 was another banner year for Canadian junior golf participation through the CN Future Links program,” said Ian Giles, CN Future Links Advisory Committee Chairman.
“With the generous support of CN and the partnership between the RCGA, CPGA and the provincial golf associations, we proudly celebrate our 12th year knowing that close to 750,000 young boys and girls having been introduced to a game they can enjoy for life.”
2008 CN Future Links Highlights:
- More than 22,000 kids participated in Instructional Clinics hosted by CPGA professionals. - The 10 provincial golf associations ran successful Mobile Clinic outreach programs for more than 57,000 children at various sites including schools, youth groups, day camps, golf courses, etc.
- A network of 65 Kids Club Connection Depots provided golf equipment to 4,450 kids.
- More than 4,600 children participated in Golf Buddy events at 100 sites nation-wide.
- 279 schools ran CN Future Links programs for more than 36,000 children.
- More than 10,000 children tested their abilities at 170 Junior Skills Competitions.- Six high-profile CN Future Links Junior Championships gave almost 600 young golfers the opportunity to play competitive golf at an elite level.- Free junior golf clinics and 'Walk with the Pro' events were conducted at the CN Canadian Women’s Open and the RBC Canadian Open, giving youngsters the chance to meet and learn from some of the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour’s brightest stars.
Total CN Future Links participation (1996 – 2008)1996 – 3,5071997 – 7,5951998 – 19,7361999 – 21,4122000 – 32,6352001 – 39,2822002 – 55,7662003 – 66,7312004 – 78,0782005 – 95,3152006 – 104,4042007 – 111,1162008 – 112,527Grand Total since 1996 – 748,104CN
FUTURE LINKSCN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program is designed to forge a link between Canada’s youth and golf to ensure the future of the game in Canada. Since its inception in 1996, more than 748,000 young Canadians have taken part in Future Links. Additionally the CN Future Links Championships provide Canada’s best junior golfers a chance to hone their competitive skills in multiple day championships in two age divisions: Junior (boys and girls aged 14-18 years) and Bantam (boys and girls aged 11-13 years). Almost 5,000 top juniors have competed in these premier championships since their inception in 2000. For more information about CN Future Links, please visit www.future-links.org.
NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD CN – Canadian National Railway Company – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For further information please visit www.cn.ca.
ABOUT CPGA: Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATIONThe Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf. For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
For more information contact: Terry LenykCoordinator, Media and Public Relations Royal Canadian Golf Association (t) 1-800-263-0009 x 335(c) 416-407-3893 (e) tlenyk@rcga.org
Monday, November 24, 2008
Canadian Rutledge wins Q-school event
by Jeff Brooke
Three more Canadians, led by veteran journeyman Jim Rutledge, advanced to the third and final stage of the PGA Tour's qualifying school on Saturday. Two others came agonizingly close.
Rutledge shot seven-under-par 65 to win one of Q-school's remaining two second-stage tournaments. He finished the four-day tournament at Oak Valley Golf Club in Beaumont, Calif., at 15-under 273, three shots clear of U.S. runner-up Steve Friesen.
Rutledge had his first full-time stint on the PGA Tour in 2007 as a 47-year-old rookie.
By being the Beaumont medalist, he gets another chance to get back on golf's biggest stage.
The top 25 at the final stage earn PGA Tour cards for 2009. The rest of the field gets at least part-time status on the lower-tier Nationwide Tour.
Canadian Tour rookie of the year Kent Eger and teen prodigy Richard Lee will join Rutledge at the 108-hole final stage, which begins Dec. 3.
Eger of Regina shot three-under 69 on Saturday at Beaumont to reach 10 under and tie for seventh place. Lee, an 18-year-old from Vancouver who turned pro at 16, was two shots further back, tied for 14th place.
While those three celebrated, Chris Baryla felt the sting of narrow defeat. The Vernon, B.C., golfer, who played on the Nationwide Tour this year but was hampered by chronic back problems, finished 72 holes at six under, tied for 20th spot — one stroke away from advancing.
Just the top 19 in Beaumont moved on.
Bryn Parry of North Vancouver, B.C., suffered a similar fate at another second-stage tournament in Lantana, Tex. The teaching pro, who played regularly on the Nationwide Tour in 2007, tied for 23rd place at one-over 289, a shot beneath the cut line.
Five other Canadians competed in Beaumont and Lantana but did not advance. Julien Trudeau of Montreal and David McKenzie tied for 29th at Beaumont, and Barrett Jarosch of Edmonton shared 47th place.
Two stars of the Canadian Tour — Derek Gillespie of Oshawa, Ont., and Wes Heffernan of Calgary — failed to get through at Lantana Golf Club.
The Q-school's second stage had six tournaments in total, with roughly the top 20 at each advancing to the final stage. The Beaumont and Lantana events concluded Saturday, and the other four wrapped up on Nov. 15. Four Canadians survived at the first four events — Brennan Webb, Jon Mills, David Hearn, and Dustin Risdon. Just four Canadians made it to the final stage in 2007.
This year's final stage will be played at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif. Golf Channel will broadcast the final three rounds.
Three more Canadians, led by veteran journeyman Jim Rutledge, advanced to the third and final stage of the PGA Tour's qualifying school on Saturday. Two others came agonizingly close.
Rutledge shot seven-under-par 65 to win one of Q-school's remaining two second-stage tournaments. He finished the four-day tournament at Oak Valley Golf Club in Beaumont, Calif., at 15-under 273, three shots clear of U.S. runner-up Steve Friesen.
Rutledge had his first full-time stint on the PGA Tour in 2007 as a 47-year-old rookie.
By being the Beaumont medalist, he gets another chance to get back on golf's biggest stage.
The top 25 at the final stage earn PGA Tour cards for 2009. The rest of the field gets at least part-time status on the lower-tier Nationwide Tour.
Canadian Tour rookie of the year Kent Eger and teen prodigy Richard Lee will join Rutledge at the 108-hole final stage, which begins Dec. 3.
Eger of Regina shot three-under 69 on Saturday at Beaumont to reach 10 under and tie for seventh place. Lee, an 18-year-old from Vancouver who turned pro at 16, was two shots further back, tied for 14th place.
While those three celebrated, Chris Baryla felt the sting of narrow defeat. The Vernon, B.C., golfer, who played on the Nationwide Tour this year but was hampered by chronic back problems, finished 72 holes at six under, tied for 20th spot — one stroke away from advancing.
Just the top 19 in Beaumont moved on.
Bryn Parry of North Vancouver, B.C., suffered a similar fate at another second-stage tournament in Lantana, Tex. The teaching pro, who played regularly on the Nationwide Tour in 2007, tied for 23rd place at one-over 289, a shot beneath the cut line.
Five other Canadians competed in Beaumont and Lantana but did not advance. Julien Trudeau of Montreal and David McKenzie tied for 29th at Beaumont, and Barrett Jarosch of Edmonton shared 47th place.
Two stars of the Canadian Tour — Derek Gillespie of Oshawa, Ont., and Wes Heffernan of Calgary — failed to get through at Lantana Golf Club.
The Q-school's second stage had six tournaments in total, with roughly the top 20 at each advancing to the final stage. The Beaumont and Lantana events concluded Saturday, and the other four wrapped up on Nov. 15. Four Canadians survived at the first four events — Brennan Webb, Jon Mills, David Hearn, and Dustin Risdon. Just four Canadians made it to the final stage in 2007.
This year's final stage will be played at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif. Golf Channel will broadcast the final three rounds.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Player Development Trust Fund Scholarship Winners Announced
Please click here to view a full list of the recipients!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Kyle German wins CPGA Club Professional Championship
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA (November 19, 2008) - Kyle German, Head Professional at Point Roberts Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, BC proved once again that he could fight his demons on the 18th hole after winning by one shot over Marc Girouard, Head Professional at Balmoral Club de Golf in Morin Heights, QC in an exciting playoff that brought him back to the hole where he posted a ten only two days before.
German fired a 72 adding to his first round 73 and second round 68 for a 213 three-day total. “Today I made a commitment to myself to just play golf and not think about how the rest of the field was playing, I have struggled with that in the past, so going into our final hole I had no idea where I was until Girouard and I chatted about it on the tee.” German posted four birdies and four bogeys in his round today hitting 14 greens in regulation.
German admitted he was fairly nervous when his first shot off the tee in the playoff was heading in the same direction as the tee shot from the first round where he posted a ten. “That ten almost bit me but I got away with it,” stated German who has placed tied for fifth for the past two years in this Championship. “My birdie on 18 yesterday definitely helped my confidence heading into the playoff hole, I just told myself to make the same swing as the day before, but after I hit it about three paces from where I was in the first round on pine straw and wood chips, I felt a little bit nervous. I called the rules official, got relief, then I hit one of the new hybrids that I picked up this week from Titleist and hit it 193 yards just left of the hole off the fringe into a really bad lie,” states German.
I tried to call on my inner Tiger, but chunked it unfortunately.” German finished the playoff hole by putting from the fringe to three feet from the pin and then sunk the putt for the win. “It was a challenging day out there today with the wind, as it was blowing fairly strong putting you two or three clubs back in selection,” stated German who was tied with Danny King at four under par at the turn, one shot off the co-leaders Dean North and Marc Girouard.
“I was really comfortable with my ball striking today and so I felt that if you connected solid, the wind wouldn’t affect your position. My ball striking combined with my confidence on the green really gave me the advantage out there today.” With this win, German receives an exemption into the 2009 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey in Oakville, ON. When German was reminded of this, he admitted that he had not even recalled the opportunity until friend Rob Anderson mentioned it on the 18th green after the win. “I have played in a few Canadian Tour events through qualifiers and a few zones events in BC but have never played in a PGA Tour event, that’s for sure.” This is German’s fourth year playing in the Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship. “From the moment you get here until the moment you leave it feels like a tour event,” states German who has won two events on the Vancouver Tour.
“Everything about the event from Acushnet’s presence on the range to the facility itself feels first class.” When asked what he will do with the $12,000 prize cheque, German says that he and his wife will be putting the money towards their first born, who is due late March of 2009. “I am definitely going to be putting these funds aside for baby supplies and a lot of diapers,” states German who is heading to Las Vegas next week to play in the “Vegas Baby” pro-am.
The Ontario Zone team (Danny King– 69-72, Matt Peavoy – 71-77, Dan Clark – 68-76, Dan Greenwood – 78-77) had two successful rounds to claim the InterZone team competition, after competing against the eight other zones across Canada. Going into the final, leading by three shots over Alberta, Ontario arrived victorious with a final score of 434 over the British Columbia Zone team 436, and the Quebec Zone team with a total score of 437. The score for the InterZone competition is determined by the calculation of the best three scores in each four man team.
The purse for the InterZone competition is $5000, with $500 going to each player on the winning team, $400 to each player on the second place team, and $350 going to each player on the third place team. Owned and operated by the PGA of America, The PGA Golf Club is a public facility designed by Tom Fazio with rolling hills, majestic pine trees and challenging water hazards. The course has been selected for numerous awards including the 2004 “Best Places To Play” by Golf Digest. For more information, visit http://www.pgavillage.com/
For final results please go to http://www.2broadcast.ca/lt/t_go.php?i=407&e=MjU5NTQ3&l=-http--www.cpga.com About Acushnet: The Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra brands have a tradition of excellence that have always been predicated on providing golfers with quality and performance superior golf equipment.
The Canadian PGA Golf Professional has a tradition of excellence devoting their careers to helping golfers improve and enjoy the game. Together, Acushnet and the Canadian PGA Golf Professional share a successful relationship of providing the golfer with best in class products and services. For more information, visit http://www.2broadcast.ca/lt/t_go.php?i=407&e=MjU5NTQ3&l=-http--www.titleist.com and http://www.footjoy.com/
About CPGA: Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country.
For more information, visit http://www.2broadcast.ca/lt/t_go.php?i=407&e=MjU5NTQ3&l=-http--www.cpga.com For more information contact: Erica Duffy Communications Coordinator Canadian PGA erica@cpga.com 800.782.5764 (x234) Brad Moyer Manager of Events and Employment Canadian PGA brad@cpga.com 800.782.5764 (x227)
German fired a 72 adding to his first round 73 and second round 68 for a 213 three-day total. “Today I made a commitment to myself to just play golf and not think about how the rest of the field was playing, I have struggled with that in the past, so going into our final hole I had no idea where I was until Girouard and I chatted about it on the tee.” German posted four birdies and four bogeys in his round today hitting 14 greens in regulation.
German admitted he was fairly nervous when his first shot off the tee in the playoff was heading in the same direction as the tee shot from the first round where he posted a ten. “That ten almost bit me but I got away with it,” stated German who has placed tied for fifth for the past two years in this Championship. “My birdie on 18 yesterday definitely helped my confidence heading into the playoff hole, I just told myself to make the same swing as the day before, but after I hit it about three paces from where I was in the first round on pine straw and wood chips, I felt a little bit nervous. I called the rules official, got relief, then I hit one of the new hybrids that I picked up this week from Titleist and hit it 193 yards just left of the hole off the fringe into a really bad lie,” states German.
I tried to call on my inner Tiger, but chunked it unfortunately.” German finished the playoff hole by putting from the fringe to three feet from the pin and then sunk the putt for the win. “It was a challenging day out there today with the wind, as it was blowing fairly strong putting you two or three clubs back in selection,” stated German who was tied with Danny King at four under par at the turn, one shot off the co-leaders Dean North and Marc Girouard.
“I was really comfortable with my ball striking today and so I felt that if you connected solid, the wind wouldn’t affect your position. My ball striking combined with my confidence on the green really gave me the advantage out there today.” With this win, German receives an exemption into the 2009 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey in Oakville, ON. When German was reminded of this, he admitted that he had not even recalled the opportunity until friend Rob Anderson mentioned it on the 18th green after the win. “I have played in a few Canadian Tour events through qualifiers and a few zones events in BC but have never played in a PGA Tour event, that’s for sure.” This is German’s fourth year playing in the Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship. “From the moment you get here until the moment you leave it feels like a tour event,” states German who has won two events on the Vancouver Tour.
“Everything about the event from Acushnet’s presence on the range to the facility itself feels first class.” When asked what he will do with the $12,000 prize cheque, German says that he and his wife will be putting the money towards their first born, who is due late March of 2009. “I am definitely going to be putting these funds aside for baby supplies and a lot of diapers,” states German who is heading to Las Vegas next week to play in the “Vegas Baby” pro-am.
The Ontario Zone team (Danny King– 69-72, Matt Peavoy – 71-77, Dan Clark – 68-76, Dan Greenwood – 78-77) had two successful rounds to claim the InterZone team competition, after competing against the eight other zones across Canada. Going into the final, leading by three shots over Alberta, Ontario arrived victorious with a final score of 434 over the British Columbia Zone team 436, and the Quebec Zone team with a total score of 437. The score for the InterZone competition is determined by the calculation of the best three scores in each four man team.
The purse for the InterZone competition is $5000, with $500 going to each player on the winning team, $400 to each player on the second place team, and $350 going to each player on the third place team. Owned and operated by the PGA of America, The PGA Golf Club is a public facility designed by Tom Fazio with rolling hills, majestic pine trees and challenging water hazards. The course has been selected for numerous awards including the 2004 “Best Places To Play” by Golf Digest. For more information, visit http://www.pgavillage.com/
For final results please go to http://www.2broadcast.ca/lt/t_go.php?i=407&e=MjU5NTQ3&l=-http--www.cpga.com About Acushnet: The Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra brands have a tradition of excellence that have always been predicated on providing golfers with quality and performance superior golf equipment.
The Canadian PGA Golf Professional has a tradition of excellence devoting their careers to helping golfers improve and enjoy the game. Together, Acushnet and the Canadian PGA Golf Professional share a successful relationship of providing the golfer with best in class products and services. For more information, visit http://www.2broadcast.ca/lt/t_go.php?i=407&e=MjU5NTQ3&l=-http--www.titleist.com and http://www.footjoy.com/
About CPGA: Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country.
For more information, visit http://www.2broadcast.ca/lt/t_go.php?i=407&e=MjU5NTQ3&l=-http--www.cpga.com For more information contact: Erica Duffy Communications Coordinator Canadian PGA erica@cpga.com 800.782.5764 (x234) Brad Moyer Manager of Events and Employment Canadian PGA brad@cpga.com 800.782.5764 (x227)
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