For Immediate Release: Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB) is excited to announce its 2020 Scholarship Award Recipients. The annually awarded University Scholarships are provided to deserving members of Golf NB, to be used towards the cost of tuition at any recognized University or College. These awards include the “NBGA 50th Anniversary Scholarship” for male golfers, the “NBLGA 50th Anniversary Scholarship” for female golfers, and the “John Patrick Sears Golf Scholarship” which is open to both genders and is renewable annually. Chaired by New Brunswick Golf Associations (Golf NB) and Golf Canada (RCGA) Past President, Dr. Doug Brewer of the Fredericton Golf Club, the Golf NB Scholarship Committee evaluated applicants on three main awards criteria; Academic Performance, Competitive Golf Experience and Extracurricular Involvement & Giving Back to the Game of Golf. Typically the winners are announced at the Golf NB Annual Awards Banquet & Silent Auction, however, due to COVID-19, the 2020 Golf NB Annual Awards Banquet & Silent Auction did not take place. Golf NB looks forward to the opportunity to resume our Golf NB Annual Awards Banquet & Silent Auction in 2021 once it is safe to do so. With that, Golf NB is pleased to announce the 2020 Golf NB Scholarship Awards Recipients; NBLGA 50^th Anniversary Scholarship

• Julie Gauvin      Fox Creek Golf Club
• Daniel Kirby      Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club and JH Sports

John Patrick Sears Golf Scholarship

• Nathan Hogan                 Miramichi Golf & Country Club
• Mackenzie Deveau          Royal Oaks Golf Club
• Benjamin MacDonald    Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club

Golf NB would like to congratulate each of its 2020 scholarship recipients and wish each of the winners a very successful 2020 / 2021 Academic Year.   Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB), a not for profit organization founded in 1934, is the official governing body for amateur golf in New Brunswick.  In January of 2006, the New Brunswick Golf Association (NBGA) officially merged with the New Brunswick Ladies Golf Association (NBLGA), resulting in one united governing body for amateur golf in the province.  Programs offered by Golf NB to its 10,000 members include: 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.]]>

Jennifer Greggain was announced as the newest member of the coaching staff for Golf Canada’s junior teams last Thursday, working with head coach Robert Ratcliffe. She said that instilling a sense of camaraderie among her pupils is a priority for the 2021 squad. “When you bring this talent together and bring them to one place, this opportunity to train together and help each other get better, that’s really unique and one of the biggest opportunities for this program and our juniors,” said Greggain, who added that when she was a high-level amateur she would loved to have been around other elite golfers her age. Greggain has a wealth of experience to draw from, having played on the LPGA and Symetra Tours for 10 years before becoming a coach. “When I retired from tour, I realized pretty quickly that what I wanted to do when I grew up was to coach,” said Greggain with a laugh. Greggain was the director of instruction at Chilliwack Golf Club, the assistant coach for the University of the Fraser Valley, and led the B.C. Summer Games Squad on numerous occasions.

First round of the @thegolfcanada Junior Selection Camp underway at Bear Mountain Resort, Victoria. ?? ? #dragons pic.twitter.com/VW46VWkGqf

— Jennifer Greggain ?? (@jengreggaingolf) October 16, 2020

In January she joined the national team program as assistant coach of the women’s amateur and young pro squads with Tristan Mullally before she transitioned into her new role. Greggain will help guide mental performance, physiotherapy, biomechanics and nutrition for the Canada’s top golfers while she continues her studies at the University of British Columbia’s Master of High Performance and Technical Leadership program. The junior teams – boys and girls will train together – will be based at the national training centre at Bear Mountain Golf Resort in Victoria, which going forward will have a centralized component from March through June. Athletes will stay at the national training centre during their second semester at high school. “I really like the model of the junior program because we have this centralized component which gives you a little more consistent contact,” said Greggain.]]>

Prior to joining Golf Canada, Greggain was the director of instruction at Chilliwack Golf Club, the assistant coach for the University of the Fraser Valley, and led the B.C. Summer Games Squad on numerous occasions. Before her coaching career, she was an accomplished player for more than 10 years on the LPGA and Symetra Tours.

“Jennifer brings a strong background in competitive golf to compliment a wealth of coaching knowledge that will continue to fill the pipeline with high performance athletes,” said head coach Robert Ratcliffe.

She’s both TPI and K-Vest certified and last June she enrolled in the University of British Columbia’s Master of High Performance and Technical Leadership program. Greggain is the recipient of the 2018 PGA of Canada Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year. The PGA of Canada Class ‘A’ member was also instrumental in guiding Golf Canada’s Women in Coaching program. Greggain is a mother of two and lives in B.C. with her husband.]]>

public spaces where the public and employees interact (retail businesses, malls, service centres, places of worship, restaurants and bars except while eating, etc.) and organized indoor gatherings in public spaces (e.g. weddings, funerals, etc.);

• common areas like lobbies, elevators and hallways, and public shared spaces including those in private sector and government workspaces; and

• public transportation.

Continuous mask use is still required in seated venues with one metre physical distancing. Previously existing mask policies continue to apply in hospitals, health care settings, public schools and early childhood learning facilities. As approved by the Pandemic Task Force, children under two are exempt from wearing masks, as well as those with a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask. We please ask that you are patient with clubs and staff as they implement new procedures that prioritize your safety and well being. For More Information, please CLICK HERE]]>

For Immediate Release:

Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB) is pleased to announce the 2020 Golf NB Players of the Year.  The Player of the Year (POY) is a ranking system that awards points to players based on tournament results throughout the golfing year. It is designed to promote golf development through competition and celebrate the individual achievements of golfers in New Brunswick.

NB Men’s Player of the Year Alex Palmer The Riverside Country Club

2020 proved to be a successful campaign and once again a year filled with silverware for The Riverside’s Alex Palmer. An impressive stretch of play over three days at the NB Men’s Amateur Championship saw Palmer capture his second provincial amateur title. Palmer would rattle off a top 5 finish at the Mactaquac Invitational prior to securing his second victory of the year at the Fredericton Open where he would come out victorious to claim his second TaylorMade NB Men’s Player of the Year crown.

Building off of his impressive 2019 season and the Taylormade NB Men’s Player of the Year crown, Country Meadows’ Stu Musgrave participated in all five of Golf NB’s Player of the Year events and finished the season 8.0 points back of champion, Alex Palmer.

In third position is Darren Roach of The Riverside Country Club.  Roach would record a second-place finish at the NB Men’s Amateur Championship to amass a season total of points 56.0. For more information on the TaylorMade NB Men’s Player of the Year Challenge – CLICK HERE

NB Ladies Player of the Year Maureen O’Donnell Fredericton Golf Club

A familiar name sits atop the 2020 Royale NB Ladies Player of the Year standings as Maureen O’Donnell of the Fredericton Golf Club compiled 106.0 points on route to her first Royale NB Ladies Player of the Year Championship. O’Donnell finished the 2020 season with two victories and 5 top-10 finishes as she competed in a full eight-event schedule, 2.5 points clear of Paula Napke-Flanagan of the Miramichi Golf & Country Club. Napke-Flanagan locked down second position thanks to her successful run of play which included, 6 top 10 finishes. In third position is Country Meadows’ Sandy Comeau. Comeau would finish with 99.5 Ladies POY points after competing in all eight events. For more information on the Royale NB Ladies Player of the Year Challenge – CLICK HERE

NB Senior Men’s Player of the Year Dan Coulombe West Hills 

A top-five machine in 2020, West Hills’ Dan Coulombe would finish inside the top-five finish in each of the five MCT Insurance Senior Men’s Player of the Year events in which he competed.  A second-place finish at the NB Senior Men’s Championship in July and a victory at the Fredericton Open would vault him into the lead entering the final weeks of the season.  His total of 168.0 Senior Player of the Year points would see him edge out fellow clubmate, Bob Brown who recorded 154.5 points. Brown, who finished 4^th at the NB Senior Men’s Championships, would also claim a victory at the Hampton Senior Invitational along with five top 5 finishes and three top 10’s to lock down the second position in the season-long series. In third position is 2019 NB Super-Senior Champion, Sonny Phillips of the Fredericton Golf Club.  Phillips would secure POY Points in 11 of the season’s 16 events on his way to 153.9 points. For more information on the MCT Insurance NB Senior Men’s Player of the Year Challenge – CLICK HERE

Golf NB Junior Girl’s Player of the Year Mackenzie Deveau Royal Oaks Golf Club

Royal Oaks’ Mackenzie Deveau had a triumphant 2020 season as she successfully cruised to her first Dormie Workshop-Golf NB Junior Girls Player of the Year crown.  Deveau proved to be a big game performer carding two victories at the MJT Series at Royal Oaks and the 2020 MJT Humber College PGM Atlantic Championships at Fox Harbour in addition to consecutive top-five finishes at the NB Junior Girls Championship and MJT Series at Ken Wo.  A season-high 93.9 points secured a comfortable 54 point victory in the Dormie Workshop-Golf NB Junior Girls Player of the Year Challenge.

Finishing behind Deveau in the points race is clubmate, Stéphanie Roy who’s victory in the NB Junior Girls Juvenile division saw her finish the season 39.9 points.

Rounding out the top-3 in the Dormie Workshop-Golf NB Junior Girls Player of the Year Challenge would be The Riverside’s Addison McClune. An impressive run of play throughout the 2020 season would see McClune finish with 33.0 points, 6.9 points behind Roy as she recorded a victory in the 2020 NB Junior Girls Bantam Division. For more information on the Dormie Workshop-Golf NB Junior Girls Player of the Year Challenge – CLICK HERE

Golf NB Junior Boy’s Player of the Year Daniel Kirby JH Sports

 For a player who has become synonymous with junior golf in New Brunswick, 2020 was no different for Daniel Kirby of JH Sports, and the Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club as the Woodstock native would go on to win his third consecutive Dormie Workshop-Golf NB Junior Player of the Year title.

Kirby would finish the 2020 Junior POY season with three victories and one top 10 finish, which included his impressive win at the 2020 NB Junior Boys Under-19 Championships at Royal Oaks. A successful 2020 campaign saw Kirby finish with 139.0 points, 27.0 points better than Felix Boucher of Fox Creek.

Boucher who has had a consistent presence on the Junior POY leaderboard over the years edged out clubmate Julien Babineau by 10.0 points to secure second place in the Dormie Workshop-Golf NB Junior Player of the Year Challenge.

For more information on the Dormie Workshopolf NB Junior Girls Player of the Year Challenge – CLICK HERE

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North secure 5 PTS and the South 4 PTS heading into Saturday’s Lunch Break, prior to the Afternoon Pinehurst Matches. Concluding an Afternoon of exciting and close Pinehurst Matches, the North captured 3.5 PTS and the South 5.5 PTS, totaling 8.5 and 9.5 heading into Sunday’s Final Single Match-Ups. The 2020 Estabrooks Cup was left to battle for on Sunday, a mere single point separated the North and South who would be up against each other, along with fall conditions and a challenging Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club. The Single Matches were on Schedule for Sunday’s round, a fitting way to conclude a competitive and fun weekend of golf. Captivating play during Sunday’s round saw Team South, lead by Leanne Richardson of Country Meadows and Tom Cameron of Gage Golf & Curling Club motivate their team to a convincing final-day victory. Securing 9 Points during the Singles Matches, the South has defeated the North by 2 Points to capture the 2020 Estabrooks Cup.  

Final Scores – North 17 Points vs. South 19 Points

  North Captains – Dan Coulombe & Maureen O’Donnell  South Captains- Tom Cameron & Leanne Richardson  

TEAM NORTH	TEAM SOUTH
Maureen O’Donnell (Captain) – Fredericton	Leanne Richardson (Captain) – Country Meadows
Paula Napke-Flanagan – Miramichi	Sandy Comeau – Country Meadows
Mary Walton-Rossignol – Fredericton	Allison Chisholm – The Riverside
Charlotte Evans – West Hills	Pam Cossey – Rockwood Park
Val Whyte – Fredericton	Doreen Vienneau – Pine Needles
Kelly Maher – Gowan Brae	Carol MacQuarrie – Fredericton
Sharon Case – Miramichi	Coleen Phillips – Fredericton
Raymonde Boudreau – Pokemouche	Carly Hubbard – Miramichi
Dan Coulombe (Captain) – West Hills	Tom Cameron (Captain) – Gage
Sonny Phillips – Fredericton	Mark Shannon – Welsford
Gary Melanson – Covered Bridge	Michel Power- Memramcook
Pat Garagan – Fredericton	Jamie Melanson – Fox Creek
Herrick Hansen – Aroostook Valley	Jean LeBlanc – Fox Creek
Garry Jenkins – Fredericton	Mike Hosford – Royal Oaks
Patrick Flanagan – Miramichi	Michael Brown – Moncton
Rod Black- Fredericton	Mike Breen – Hampton
J.J. Allison – Restigouche	Jeff Glendenning – Moncton
Miguel Basque – Gowan Brae	Julien Babineau – Fox Creek

  CLICK HERE for More Information on the 2020 Estabrooks Cup CLICK HERE for More Information on Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB), a not for profit organization founded in 1934, is the official governing body for amateur golf in New Brunswick.  In January of 2006, the New Brunswick Golf Association (NBGA) officially merged with the New Brunswick Ladies Golf Association (NBLGA), resulting in one united governing body for amateur golf in the province.  Programs offered by Golf NB to its 10,000 members include: 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.]]>

For Immediate Release: The North and South will renew their rivalry at the Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club for the 23^rd playing of the Estabrooks Cup on October 3^rd & 4^th.  The 2020 Estabrooks Cup will again pit the best golfers, in the Amateur Men, Senior Men, and Ladies divisions, in the province against each other in this best on best “Ryder Cup” style competition. The Estabrooks Cup has seen many changes over the years, but 2020 will again see the makeup of each team include 2 Amateur Men, 8 Senior Men, and 8 Ladies, for 18 player teams, which will include two “Playing Captains”, one male and one female, from each side. [caption id="attachment_11153" align="alignright" width="370"]

Team North – 2019 Estabrooks Cup Champions[/caption] Entry into the 2020 Estabrooks Cup is by invitation only with players being selected from the TaylorMade NB Men’s Player of the Year, the MCT Insurance NB Senior Men’s Player of the Year, and the Royale NB Ladies Player of the Year Challenges.  

TEAM NORTH	TEAM SOUTH
Maureen O’Donnell (Captain) – Fredericton	Leanne Richardson (Captain) – Country Meadows
Paula Napke-Flanagan – Miramichi	Sandy Comeau – Country Meadows
Mary Walton-Rossignol – Fredericton	Allison Chisholm – The Riverside
Charlotte Evans – West Hills	Pam Cossey – Rockwood Park
Val Whyte – Fredericton	Doreen Vienneau – Pine Needles
Kelly Maher – Gowan Brae	Carol MacQuarrie – Fredericton
Sharon Case – Miramichi	Coleen Phillips – Fredericton
Raymonde Boudreau – Pokemouche	Carly Hubbard – Miramichi
Dan Coulombe (Captain) – West Hills	Tom Cameron (Captain) – Gage
Sonny Phillips – Fredericton	Mark Shannon – Welsford
Gary Melanson – Covered Bridge	Michel Power- Memramcook
Pat Garagan – Fredericton	Jamie Melanson – Fox Creek
Herrick Hansen – Aroostook Valley	Jean LeBlanc – Fox Creek
Garry Jenkins – Fredericton	Mike Hosford – Royal Oaks
Patrick Flanagan – Miramichi	Michael Brown – Moncton
Rod Black- Fredericton	Mike Breen – Hampton
J.J. Allison – Restigouche	Jeff Glendenning – Moncton
Miguel Basque – Gowan Brae	Julien Babineau – Fox Creek

CLICK HERE for more information on the 2020 Estabrooks Cup

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Making your club more welcoming and accessible Jan Bel Jan, of Jan Bel Jan Golf Course Design, is president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and an advocate for golfers with a disability. “People with disabilities are people first. Each of us knows someone who has difficulty with access, due to a congenital condition or because they have lost some ability because of illness, injury or age,” said Bel Jan. “The opportunity to enjoy golf provides wonderful social, recreational and healthful experiences for everyone. A welcoming and accessible golf facility can benefit economically through increased food and beverage, pro-shop sales and fees, as well as from the satisfaction of providing a valuable service.” Obstacles can present barriers to people with disabilities in many aspects of their lives. Bel Jan believes the biggest obstacle may be that we are not comfortable in knowing how to treat people with disabilities. It is essential that everyone at a golf facility be trained to be aware of a person with a disability and to feel comfortable assisting them. When in doubt, Bel Jan encourages using common customer courtesy. Because degrees of impairments vary, she suggests asking people with a disability if they need help before attempting to assist them, and then asking how you may assist. For formal training, Bel Jan has found that coaching done by people who have disabilities can be helpful.

“The opportunity to enjoy golf provides wonderful social, recreational and healthful experiences for everyone. A welcoming and accessible golf facility can benefit economically through increased food and beverage, pro-shop sales and fees, as well as from the satisfaction of providing a valuable service.” – Jan Bel Jan, Jan Bel Jan Golf Course Design

The range of disabilities is very broad and, while there are laws and codes to address building accessibility, foresighted golf facility operators can learn how to better accommodate golfers with a disability. Proper signage that directs patrons to the facility’s goods and services is beneficial to everyone. Golf course operators should ensure easy access to at least one teeing area per hole. Creating additional tees, in a safe and accessible place, can meet this need. If readily achievable (with not much difficulty or expense), unobstructed golf cart access should be provided to all areas to be reached by the golfer. Golf cart paths should provide a modest slope for motorized vehicles, including for regular and single rider golf carts. Ropes and GPS limits on carts can be barriers for those who need to get closer to the green for safety or for ease of access. Both can be adjusted – ropes can be lowered and replaced, and GPS units can be programmed for a specific cart. Red cart flags permit closer proximity to tees and greens and can help to improve access and speed of play. Consider making a map of accessible routes that may include accessible tees, areas of the course to be avoided and bunkers that may be difficult to access or egress. Another consideration on the course is providing accessible washrooms. If permanent facilities are not available, accessible port-a-potties can meet the need. Also, consider the heights and locations of water and other materials around the course. Where there are steep slopes or difficult-to-access bunkers, the facility can establish the use of the “Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities” developed by the R&A and USGA. These Modified Rules permit a safe drop area away from the slope or outside the bunker, as well as other accommodations. When course renovations are undertaken, it is important to consider how to make the facility barrier-free. Should a golf club or practice range want to encourage people with a disability to enjoy the game, inviting adult or children’s groups for clinics may inspire new golfers. Become familiar with programs in your area for people with disabilities. A golf facility could also establish a relationship with a rehabilitation hospital as part of their community outreach. Golf can aid significantly in recovery through an outdoor experience, with a helpful focus on hand-eye coordination, improved balance, strength and flexibility as well as sense of purpose. All of these contribute to the wellbeing of the person with the disability as well as to family, friends and companions. Finally, Bel Jan recommends that golf facilities audit themselves for accessibility, programs and training. They should include information on their website to promote their accessibility, as well noting any instruction, clinics or programs that may interest people with disabilities and their families. “An ‘invitation’ is always a great way to make people feel welcome to your course,” said Bel Jan.

Golf for people who are visually impaired

Glenn Babcock is the president of the Ontario Visually Impaired Golfers Association, serves as a director on the board of Blind Golf Canada and sits on the Human Resources Committee of Golf Canada. Babcock was born with his visual impairment. His father was a golf professional, so Babcock grew up around golf courses and had the benefit of learning to golf from a young age. He says that some golfers are born blind or visually impaired, while others have lost their sight due to injury or illness, or simply as they age. For those who have lost their sight, being able to continue an activity that they enjoy is important to their physical, social and emotional wellbeing. There are many golfers whose vision loss requires them to seek assistance to play the game. Their “guide” may be a fellow golfer, a non-golfing friend or a family member committed to helping them enjoy the game. The guide helps the golfer get safely around the course, lines them up for each shot and provides information on distances and obstacles and, of course, the guide must also find the ball! Staff at golf courses should understand this partnership of golfer and guide. Starters and marshals should be made aware of the presence of a “walker.” Groups may be slower, as it takes more time to set up a golfer who is blind or visually impaired. Babcock recommends asking the golfer about their speed of play and how much time they need for setup with their guide and then adjust the group size if necessary. Some courses have recognized the challenges in arranging a game and offer incentives to encourage blind and visually impaired people to play. Two-for-one rates for the golfer and their guide, even if the guide is playing, are offered by some. Others offer a discount and one club even offers a complimentary nine-hole round for two golfers, and their guides, each week on Monday afternoons.

Golf for people with missing limbs or limited mobility

Kristian Hammerback is the president of the Canadian Amputee Golf Association and is a member of Golf Canada’s Amateur Competitions Committee. As a golfer who was born missing a limb, golf provided him with a childhood activity he could participate in with his friends. He believes that it is important to provide golfing opportunities for people who are missing limbs or with reduced mobility and that it can be instrumental in getting back into life after an injury or illness. Golfers with missing limbs or limited mobility may have challenges getting around the course and getting to the ball. They don’t like to play long rounds or slow play down for other golfers. Using carts or “solo rider” units, providing red flags and being lenient with cart rules will help to speed their play. Hammerback, who has helped organize several tournaments for amputee golfers, has found that golf courses are always very helpful and “bend over backwards” to give the competitors a great experience. He encourages golf courses to promote golf participation for all, get involved with organizations for people with disabilities to offer golf clinics and partner with local rehabilitation facilities to provide golf opportunities as part of the recovery process.

Golf for people who are deaf or hard of hearing

Alain Turpin, the executive director of the Canadian Deaf Sports Association, says that the biggest challenge is communicating with deaf and hard of hearing golfers. “Sometimes, it is difficult for pro-shop employees to communicate with deaf golfers who speak poorly or can’t speak and use language signs,” he said. He recommends speaking face-to-face with deaf or hard of hearing golfers and writing simple messages on a sheet of paper to communicate. When golfers who are deaf or hard of hearing take part in a sanctioned competition, it is important for the host committee to reserve a sign language interpreter. It makes a big difference for the deaf golfer to feel included and equal. As well, creating awareness for fellow competitors, competition officials and facility staff of the importance of face-to-face and written communication is essential.

Golf for military veterans who are ill or injured

Joe Kiraly, the outreach and communications manager for Soldier On, a program of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group, attests to the impact that golf brings to the recoveries of veterans. “Golf has been a surprising addition to my life following an injury resulting in physical limitations and loss of personal identity,” said Kiraly. “I saw how golf helped others and decided to try it myself.” The Soldier On golf program, one of its most robust initiatives, is championed by Michael Feyko, who works at Royal Oaks Golf Club in New Brunswick. Feyko is a PGA of Canada teaching professional and a former soldier who used golf as an integral part of his own recovery from injury. The program began as a grassroots initiative to support Armed Forces personnel suffering loss of ability, loss of identity or loss of career and was found to help improve mental and physical health. Kiraly reports golf clubs being very welcoming to ill and injured men and women. Many veterans who have experienced sensory or mobility loss, or who have been suffering emotionally, have found golf to be an important component of their healing. With the support of the golf community, the Soldier On golf program is continuing to grow across the country, with three week-long camps planned in 2020.

Golf is for everyone

While you may not have the opportunity to host the Invictus Games, you can make your club welcoming and accessible to all golfers and potential golfers. We all know people with a disability. Providing them the chance to learn the game or continue an activity they enjoy following the loss of ability is tremendously beneficial to them, their families and your club!

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This article originally appeared in the Spring 2020 issue of Club Manager Quarterly, a publication of The Canadian Society of Club Managers (CSCM), and is reprinted with their permission. The original article can be found online here. Leslie Dunning is the past president of Golf Canada. She believes golf is for everyone and that inclusion is key to growing the game. She is a member of Earl Grey and Bigwin Island Golf Clubs.]]>

Golfers and others are encouraged to join in the conversation online using the hashtag:  #ThankASuper. “Supers aren’t just people who grow grass. They’re an integral part of a team at any golf course,” says Kathryn Wood, chief operating officer of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association. Just as most superintendents were gearing up for their season, that’s when COVID-19 really spread aggressively worldwide, with sports leagues – including the PGA TOUR – pressing pause. Luckily superintendents were able to maintain an essential, minimal level of maintenance at golf courses (British Columbia was different insofar as courses were not mandated to close). Wood says she has been so impressed by the resilient, smart, group across the country. “Looking back, there have been challenges presented for every person in the pandemic, but golf course supers are pretty ingenious, proactive and flexible and can come through any type of challenge pretty well,” says Wood. “They are very flexible and able to deal with the different challenges they’re faced with.” At Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ont., head superintendent Bill Green tells a story of adaptability – a key for 2020, more than ever, he says. He says he had one-person work for him this year – Ashton DeBello, a second-year chemistry student – who last summer worked in the halfway house at the club. Her bosses loved her and wanted to her back in 2020. But when the course opened, there was no halfway house due to COVID-19. She joined Green’s team – along with a chef and a clubhouse maintenance worker, who pivoted gigs to help keep the course in top shape – where DeBello learned construction skills. Now? She’s operating an excavator, installing drainage and building bunkers. “It’s brought the entire club, staff-wise, closer,” says Green about having people from other parts of the club’s business see what it takes for superintendents to get their jobs done. “Even if it’s just a few people, they understand what we’re doing on the golf course a little more. The members know my staff. Usually we’re in the trees and no one sees us. “I think anybody in any business or any walk of life… everybody has had to adjust and change their life in many ways in a lot of cases and we’re no different.” In Manitoba, Darren Kalyniuk is president of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and the superintendent at St. Boniface Golf Club. He, like Green, says the staffing and budget issues were the biggest challenges they had to face in 2020. Still, superintendents did what they always do – persevere. “A lot of superintendents put on their rally caps and really did whatever they had to do with limited resources to get the courses back up and running properly,” says Kalyniuk. “Everyone was asked to work with limited staff because there were so many uncertainties with revenues at the beginning and it put a little bit of a challenge on the courses and supers to do more with less.” Doing more with less has been demanded of so many across Canada. Combine that with the increased safety measures installed at workplaces, and you’ve got a challenging season – not to mention there were record-breaking numbers of people coming out and playing golf, too. But David Hunter, the superintendent at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley’s Hoot and North Courses says he’s seen his staff embrace the challenge. “We’ve been really excited to provide great course conditions for the whole season,” says Hunter. “It’s been a banner year for our staff and we’re incredibly proud of this group of people.” As Canadian golfers, we should all be incredibly proud of superintendents from coast to coast. And to them, on September 23 and every day, we say thank you.  ]]>

MAMARONECK, N.Y. – Mike Davis spent the last decade running the USGA, where he set up golf courses to provide an extreme test for elite players and searched for solutions to increasing distance. Now he wants to build golf courses, a lifelong passion. Davis announced Tuesday he will retire as CEO at the end of 2021, ending a 32-year career with the USGA that began with him overseeing ticket sales and transportation. He became the seventh executive director in 2011 and the USGA’s first CEO after an organizational shakeup in 2016. Davis, whose love of golf course architecture dates to when he was a junior golfer and would doodle holes on a piece of paper, said he will join Tom Fazio II in a new golf architecture firm called Fazio & Davis Golf Design. “One of the wonderful things these 32 years afforded me was I’ve gone out of my way to see most of the world’s great courses,” Davis said. “I’ve played them, studied them, read about them, taken pictures of them. I’ve read all the architecture books. I get as giddy with some architects as I do being around Jack, Arnold, Byron Nelson and Mickey Wright.” The announcement comes two days after Bryson DeChambeau crushed the notion that accuracy is tantamount to U.S. Open success. DeChambeau said he would hit driver as often as he could, even if it went into Winged Foot’s notorious rough, and he won by six shots by becoming the only player at par or better all four rounds of a U.S. Open at Winged Foot. The retirement, however, was in the works for several years. Davis had planned to announce it in September when the 2020 USGA championship season was over, so a successor could be found. Instead, the coronavirus pandemic forced the U.S. Open to be postponed from June until last week, with the U.S. Women’s Open in Houston still to come in December. Davis said he told his wife when he was appointed executive director in 2011 that he would do the job for 10 years. He told the USGA board more than three years ago that he would work through 2021 so he could try his hand at building courses. “I knew I would regret it if I didn’t try,” he said. His one regret was not seeing through the conclusion of the “Distance Insights Project.” A summary in February suggested it was time to stop increases in distance at all levels, highlighting an average gain of 25 yards over the last 30 years for elite players. The feedback process and next step have been delayed by the pandemic. “I think something is going to happen,” Davis said. “When is it going to be done? How is it going to be done? How will we introduce it? It’s a multiyear process. I’d have to stay many years to see this thing through. I’m just happy that for the first in over 100 years, we’re finally doing something. I pushed at it with the R&A, I pushed it with our own group. “I will look back saying that is one thing I am very proud of, because I just know it’s in the best interest in the game.” His last U.S. Open will be at Torrey Pines next summer. Meanwhile, Davis stays on to guide the USGA through the COVID-19 pandemic, setting up what amounts to a satellite office and a new testing centre in Pinehurst, North Carolina, advancing the distance project and working with his successor. USGA President Stu Francis said a search would begin immediately, with hopes of having the next CEO hired by the U.S. Open next summer. Davis first took over setting up U.S. Open courses at Winged Foot in 2006, and he introduced the concept of graduated rough that grew longer the farther away from the fairway. That was from his first U.S. Open experience at Baltusrol in 1980, which he attended with his father. Davis recalls thinking it was unfair that someone who missed the fairway by a little was punished more than someone who missed by a lot. He has been criticized for some setup decisions, most recently at Shinnecock Hills, though that was to be expected. His predecessor, Tom Meeks, predicted in 2009 that Davis would make a mistake at some point. “It doesn’t happen by design. It happens because it’s the U.S. Open,” Meeks said. There was so much more to the job, especially as CEO. Davis was part of the most significant overhaul of the Rules of Golf that took effect in 2019, and he signed off on a decision to ban the anchored stroke used for long putters a few years earlier. He also was executive director when the USGA signed a 12-year broadcast deal with Fox worth about $1 billion, a deal that NBC took over again earlier this year. Part of Davis already is looking ahead. He doesn’t want to design golf courses on paper. He wants to build them, and he said he would spend time on the construction crews of architects Bill Coore and Gil Hanse to learn that end of it. “I can’t wait to get my hands dirty,” Davis said, chuckling like someone who has been wanting to do this for a long time.]]>