Player of the Year Event Schedule. Golf NB would like to thank Taylormade Golf and Royale for their continued support of the Golf NB Player of the Year Challenge. Provincial Player of the Year Events: 

• NB Girls Junior Championship Format: Stroke Play -Golf NB-MJT Junior POY Event Venue: Fox Creek Golf Club Event Dates: July 5-7, 2020 More Information: CLICK HERE

• NB Men’s Amateur Championship Format: Stroke Play – TaylorMade NB Men’s POY Event Venue: Royal Oaks Golf Club Event Dates: July 10 to 12, 2020 More Information: CLICK HERE

• NB Junior Boys Championship Format: Stroke Play –Golf NB-MJT Junior POY Event Venue: Royal Oaks Golf Club Event Dates: July 10 to 12, 2020 More Information: CLICK HERE

• NB Senior Men’s Championship Format: Stroke Play – MCT Insurance NB Senior Men’s POY Event Venue: Miramichi Golf & Country Club Event Dates: July 20 to 22, 2020 More Information: CLICK HERE

Please CLICK HERE to view the 2020 Player of the Year Event Schedule Please CLICK HERE to view the 2019 Player of the Year Champions Golf NB would like to thank all our valued members for their continued patience, support, and understanding in this matter and we wish each of you, your families and friends all the best in these difficult times. 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 6,800 members include 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.]]>

CROMWELL, Conn. – Video clips of Canadian Mackenzie Hughes draining a 47-foot birdie putt on No. 17 at the Travelers Championship – making a sharp right turn before heading into the hole – were starting to circulate online when he turned around and drained a 43-footer to birdie No. 18, too. The back-to-back birdies put the product of Dundas, Ont., into a tie for third with American Will Gordon at 17 under on Sunday, and two shots back of eventual winner Dustin Johnson. Although it was a flashy finish for Hughes, it was still something of a disappointment after the Canadian fired a 10-under 60 on Thursday to hold a three-stroke lead after the first round.

“Those last two holes were a huge bonus,” said Hughes. “The weekend was pretty frustrating for me. I felt like I was playing well enough to shoot some better scores, and it just wasn’t quite happening for me.”

PGA Tour events are not open to spectators in an effort to protect players and fans alike from COVID-19. So when Hughes drained the impressive breaking putt on No. 17 at TPC at River Highlands, the celebration was limited to a couple of quiet fist pumps as he walked over to his caddie.

Piece of ? pic.twitter.com/MUsWWiNss6

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) June 29, 2020

“That was a putt that would just make people erupt, the way it was a pretty dramatic putt. It broke 20 feet, went in with perfect speed. That would have been really exciting,” said Hughes. “No. 18 would have been an amphitheater and it would have, again, kind of charged the crowd up. “It was definitely different to hear crickets when you make some putts, but I was happy nonetheless.” Hughes is projected to jump up 24 spots in the FedExCup rankings after the top three performance to sit 46th. Johnson closed with a 3-under 67 for a one-stroke victory over Kevin Streelman. Johnson, who extended his career-long season victory streak to 13, last won in Mexico City in March 2019. “I’m definitely proud of myself for continuing the streak and I want to keep it going,” Johnson said. “It was a long time between wins, though, and, so, hopefully it won’t be that long for the next one.” Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus each won in 17 consecutive years. Johnson failed to win in 2014, but is given credit for winning in the 2013-14 season from his victory in the fall of 2013 in Shanghai. The tour changed to a wraparound season in 2013. Johnson tapped in for par on the par-4 18th, raised his ball to acknowledge the smattering of applause from course workers, officials and reporters, the only in-person witnesses allowed because of the coronavirus pandemic. He finished at 19-under 261 for his 21st PGA Tour title. Streelman also shot 67. Streelman, who made seven straight birdies to win at TPC River Highlands in 2014, had a 37-foot birdie try on 18 that ended up just short and right. He was two strokes behind Johnson on the 17th fairway when the weather horn blew for an hour-long storm delay. Johnson came out of the delay and hit his tee shot on 16 into a greenside bunker. His second shot went well past the hole and made bogey to cut his lead to a stroke. “I’ve had a few missed cuts, so to come back and finish a solo second is nice, but to be that close and perform and be right there, I’m just a little disappointed right now,” Streelman said. Johnson was at 19 under when his tee shot on the par-4 15th went left and came inches from going into the signature lake that surrounds the finishing holes. His first pitch didn’t make it to the green, and he hit the second to 4 feet to save par. “It was lucky, but a still had to made a good up-and-down to make par,” he said. Gordon, who has no status on either the PGA Tour or the Korn Ferry Tour, had seven birdies in a 64. His third-place finish was just enough to earn him a special temporary card and unlimited exemptions for the rest of the season. His lone bogey came on 17, and briefly dropped him to fourth place. Johnson started the day two strokes behind Brendon Todd, and took the lead after three straight birdies put him at 20 under after 10 holes. Todd shot a 75 to tie for 11th at 13 under. He made a 7 on the par-4 12th. Bryson DeChambeau shot a 68 to tie for sixth at 15 under. Top-ranked Rory McIlroy tied for 11th at 13 under after a 67. Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., had a 3-over 73 day to finish 66th at even par. There were seven COVID-19-related withdrawals from the Connecticut event, with two positive tests among players. Cameron champ withdrew Tuesday and Denny McCarthy had a positive test on Friday. The PGA Tour is making some tweaks to its coronavirus policies as a result of this week’s issues. Players, caddies and anyone else considered “inside the bubble” will have to test negative before being allowed on the grounds of the Detroit Golf Club for the Rocket Mortgage Classic. INDEX: SPORTS]]>

For Immediate Release: Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB) is excited to announce that the 2020 NB Junior Girls Championship will be held at Fox Creek Golf Club in Dieppe, New Brunswick on July 5th-7th. Originally scheduled to take place with the NB Ladies Provincial Championship at Lakeside Golf & Country Club, following the unfortunate cancellation of the event, Fox Creek was presented with the opportunity to become the host venue for the NB Junior Girls Championship. “We are very proud to be hosting this event”, said Louis Melanson, General Manager of the Fox Creek Golf Club. The growth of the female game in the Province is a priority for Golf NB and a significant influence in our decision to continue with the 2020 NB Junior Girls Championship.  The increased registration numbers for the NB Junior Girls’ Championship, combined with the 2021 Canada Summer Games implications were contributing factors in the committee’s decision to move forward with the event as scheduled. With three championships up for grabs, Girls Bantam (Under 15), Juvenile (Under 17) and Junior (Under 19) titles, as well as valuable Canada Games points, there will be lots to play for on the 6,900 yard, Graham Cooke layout, that will provide a true test of golf for all competitors. 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 6,800 members include 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.]]>

golf association has planned its respective amateur championships, organizers have had to take a back-to-basics approach to keep players, officials, and volunteers safe from COVID-19. “It’s all about the players, the golf course, and the tournament,” said John Deneer, events and tournament manager for Alberta Golf. “No excess, no nothing. Just the players, so I’m glad we can do that.” Alberta began its championship season on Tuesday with its men’s mid-amateur championship at Coyote Creek Golf & RV Resort in Sundre. That province has implemented strict rules for its championships including no caddies, no guardians accompanying juniors and no spectators at its championship tournaments. Volunteer commitments have been reduced as much as possible and scorecards won’t be signed by both players, all in an effort to “reduce multiple touch points.” Deneer said that although he expected there would be slightly lower registration for the provincial championships, it was actually higher than usual. “When we announced that we were going to run the championships we felt comfortable that we could run them in a safe manner,” said Deneer. “(The men’s mid-amateur) was full with a waitlist. … We’re getting full fields, a lot of participation.” Golf Ontario opened registration for its championships on Wednesday morning, with executive director Mike Kelly confirming that its men’s amateur sold out in eight minutes. Ontario’s provincial association actually had to split up registration times for its amateur and junior championships – which open Thursday – in an effort to make sure its web servers didn’t crash. Ontario is taking similar precautionary steps to safeguarding participants at its amateur championships, although its junior players will be permitted one guardian to walk the course with them. Trophy ceremonies in Ontario will be limited to the winners and one official, although Golf Ontario plans to broadcast the championship celebrations online. “The first championship trophy won’t be handed out until the very end of July so we have a bit of time to figure it out,” said Kelly, who noted that tournaments like the men’s and women’s senior championships would be held at the same venue so joint ceremonies can be held. “One of the things we’re looking at is using Zoom so we’re able to provide a link.” Manitoba has also begun its championship schedule, with Bobbi Uhl (amateur women), Carl Lechman (senior men) and Austin Dobrescu (amateur men) being crowned provincial match play champions on Sunday. These provincial championships will be the biggest golf tournaments of 2020 as Golf Canada had to cancel all of its national championships due to travel restrictions. The RBC Canadian Open, Canada’s men’s professional championship, was also cancelled, although the CP Women’s Open is still scheduled for early September in Vancouver. Many provincial championships serve as qualifiers for national tournaments, so the cancelling of Canada-wide events have freed up dates later in the summer. British Columbia Golf CEO Kris Jonasson said his organization plans to make the most of those open weekends. “We had very early in the competitive season determined that we would make a decision on each of our individual events four weeks in advance of the start of that particular championship,” said Jonasson, who noted that the first four events of B.C.’s season were cancelled but will now be rescheduled, likely into those slots left open by Golf Canada. Jonasson also said that B.C.’s men’s amateur – slated for three weeks from now – may also be postponed, depending on when health authorities lift their ban on non-essential within the province. “We’re now hopeful that in some type of a modified format we can get all of our championships in or at least enough championships that we can crown an individual winner in each of our respective categories.”]]>

Caledon, Ont. – TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley announced on Wednesday the creation of The Face-off, a new one-day celebrity competition on June 30 between teams captained by TSN host James Duthie and Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, with $60,000 in donations to local charities on the line. Managed by and in collaboration with One Eleven Management Group, The Face-off will see Team Duthie and Team Dubas compete against one another in an 18-hole match on TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley’s Hoot course, with each team member competing on behalf of selected charities. The match will be covered live on social media and captured for a feature-length video to be shared shortly after the competition. A total of $60,000 will be donated to charitable organizations of each player’s choosing, adding to the $350,000 in donations already announced by TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley and the Humeniuk Foundation towards COVID-19 relief efforts and community services this spring. “This opportunity to raise support and awareness for important local causes and play a fantastic golf course with James is going to be a ton of fun,” said Dubas. “I’m happy to be a part of this event and look forward to some laughs, hopefully some good golf and a memorable day on the course.” “I’m used to putting Kyle in the hot seat with questions about the Maple Leafs, but now I’m looking forward to putting the heat to him and his teammate on the course,” said Duthie. “To have a chance to do this on the Hoot course at TPC Toronto while raising some awareness and for some great organizations makes it even more special.” An initial donation of $10,000 will be made to each of the four charities selected by event participants. Following the 18-hole match between teams, which will consist of six holes of net best-ball, six holes of alternate shot and six holes of scramble, the winning team will earn an additional $5,000 donation. Four on-course competitions worth $2,500 will also be on the line for each player. Dubas will be competing on behalf of the You Can Play Project, which works to ensure the safety and inclusion of all LGBTQ+ people in sports, including athletes, coaches, staff and fans. Duthie will be competing for The Frontline Fund, which represents Canadian hospital foundations dealing with COVID-19 all across the country and helps to meet the highest-priority needs of hospitals across Canada, including urgent measures to combat COVID-19, as well as to support the Northern communities and Indigenous health. Teammates selected were TSN personality Jeff O’Neill and Canadian comedian and actor Gerry Dee. O’Neill will compete alongside Duthie, while Dee, the star of the hit series Mr. D and CBC’s Family Feud Canada, will team up with Dubas. O’Neill will compete for the Down Syndrome Association of York Region, which promotes inclusiveness and awareness for children with Down Syndrome, while Dee will play for KidSport Ontario, a Canadian non-profit organization. For more information on The Face-off, visit ospreyvalley.com/thefaceoff.]]>

For Immediate Release: With the ongoing uncertainty and global concern related to COVID-19, Golf NB has continued to evaluate all aspects of its business to operate and make informed and responsible decisions within the best interests of our athletes, staff, volunteers, host clubs, partners and other stakeholders health and well-being. Further to the already announced event cancellations (CLICK HERE) Golf NB has decided cancel this year’s NB Ladies Provincial Championships. “COVID-19 is a significant concern for female golfers in New Brunswick,” said Golf NB President Judy Astle.  Fewer than normal registrations, combined with concerns that have been voiced by longstanding event participants would see Golf NB reconsider its decision to host the 2020 NB Ladies Provincial Championships as scheduled.  Astle would go on to say, “as a member-based organization, we felt that it was important to respect both the wishes of the players and the potential economic impact a limited field may have on our host venue, the Lakeside Golf & Country Club.” Choosing to cancel an event on short notice is never an easy decision.  Following the expression of concern from many past participants on Thursday, June 18^th, Golf NB immediately formed a sub-committee to address player concerns as quickly as possible.  The sub-committee made up of President Astle, Golf NB Executive Director Tyson Flinn, Golf NB Tournament Committee Chairman Gary Melanson and the three addition members of the Golf NB Executive Committee, Allison Chisholm, Brenda Parrott and Leanne Richardson, met during the evening of June 18^th and a final decision quickly followed. “It was important for us to be decisive, and to have the decision made by those who have participated in the event in the past and understand the nuances of the NB Ladies Provincial Championships,” said Astle.  “The COVID-19 pandemic has already forced so many cancellations in all aspects of our lives that we wanted to provide as much clarity and notice to players and the host club as possible.  We felt it was critical to be able to communicate the decisions as quickly as possible to allow all involved to alter their personal, and business plans accordingly.” “The Ladies Provincials is not just a ‘Golf Tournament,’” said Astle.  “It is an opportunity for friends to gather, reconnect, and enjoy each other’s company.  COVID-19 has impacted society’s ability to do that, as we have become accustomed to.  COVID-19, and the associated Provincial Protocols, would not allow for the traditional player gatherings and it was clear that with the lack of a social component has had a significant impact on the events registrations.” Acknowledging that while the Ladies Amateur and Senior divisions of the NB Ladies Provincial Championships was way down, the Junior Girls (Under 19) field which was recently added to the NB Ladies Provincial Championships due to the COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 2020 NB Pee Wee & Junior Championships, was on par with past years.  “On Wednesday evening there were 26 registered participants for the 2020 NB Ladies Provincial Championships,” said Golf NB Executive Director Tyson Flinn.  “Of those 26, 10 were Junior (Under 19) Girls, which was on par with 2019, and we felt those girls deserved their opportunity to compete.”  With that Golf NB quickly moved to relocate the 2020 NB Junior Girls (Under 19) Championship for the second time in just a few weeks. “The Lakeside Golf & Country Club has been a great partner through these challenging times, but we felt it would not be fair to the club to ask them to hold an event for which they had not previously agreed,” said Flinn.  “However, we were working diligently to secure an alternate host venue for our 2020 NB Junior Girls (Under 19) Championship, on the same dates of July 5^th to 7^th, and hope to have additional information on this potential change in the very near future.” While the NB Ladies Amateur, Mid-Amateur and Senior Championships will not be contested in 2020, the NB Men’s Amateur Championship and NB Men’s Senior Championship are both nearly oversubscribed.  “We anticipate full fields, and waiting lists, for both events,” said Golf NB Tournament Committee Chairman Gary Melanson.  “When we combined our Junior Boys, Men’s Amateur and Men’s Mid-Master Championships due to COVID-19 we really were not sure what we’d get, so we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.”  With a maximum field size of 144 participants, the NB Men’s Amateur Championship will see Provincial Champions crowned in seven (7) different categories contested at the Royal Oaks Golf Club from July 10^th to 12^th.  With provincial champions being crowned in the Bantam Boys (Under 15), Juvenile Boys (Under 17), Junior Boys (Under 19), Men’s Amateur (open), Men’s Mid-Amateur (25+) and Men’s Mid-Master (40+) categories, along with a newly formed 21 player Senior Men’s division the 2020 NB Men’s Amateur Championship will see some of the province’s best male golfers aged 13 to 71 competing at the same venue for the first time. In addition to the full field at the Men’s Amateur Championship, the 2020 NB Men’s Senior Championship, to be held at the Miramichi Golf & Country Club from July 20^th to 22^nd, is also expected to oversubscribe in the coming days.  Miramichi will play host to 99 of the province’s top Senior Men (55+ years of age) competing for Provincial Championships in the Senior (55+) and Super-Senior (65+) divisions. “The decision to cancel the 2020 NB Ladies Provincial Championships was a difficult one,” added Astle.  “We respect all of the hard work that the host committee has already put in, and the foundation that they have established for a great event, and we look forward to working with the Lakeside Golf & Country Club in an effort to see the club host the NB Ladies Provincial Champions again in the near future.” 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 6,800 members include 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.]]>

125 years

Heritage Heights Golf Club	Petrolia, ON
Norfolk Golf & Country Club	Simcoe, ON
Lingan Golf & Country Club	Sydney, NS

[caption id="attachment_98425" align="aligncenter" width="1660"]

Norfolk Golf & Country Club (Simcoe, ON)[/caption]

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100 years

Crowsnest Pass Golf & Country Club	Blairmore, AB
Echo Ridge Golf Club	Fort Qu’ Appelle, SK
Granite Pointe Golf Course	Nelson, BC
Kelowna Golf & Country Club	Kelowna, BC
Nanaimo Golf Club	Nanaimo, BC
Legacy Ridge Golf Club	Owen Sound, ON
Lindsay Golf Club	Lindsay, ON
Listowel Golf Club	Listowel, ON
Knowlton	Cantons de l’Est, QC
Lorette	Québec
Golf Quebec (provincial association)	Montreal, QC

[caption id="attachment_98430" align="aligncenter" width="2048"]

Knowlton Golf Club (Knowlton, QC)[/caption]

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 75 years

TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club	Estevan, SK
Wheat City Golf Course	Brandon, MB
Pender Island Golf & Country Club	Pender Island, BC
Chandler	Est-du-Québec, QC

[caption id="attachment_98431" align="aligncenter" width="930"]

Wheat City Golf Course (Brandon, MB)[/caption]

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50 years

Burnaby Mountain Golf Course	Burnaby, BC
Chitek Lake Golf Club	Chitek Lake, SK
March Meadows Golf Club	Honeymoon Bay, BC
Amherstview Golf Club	Amherstview, ON
Echo Valley Golf Club	London, ON
Knollwood Golf Club	Ancaster, ON
Rolling Meadows Golf & Country Club	Welland, ON
Southbrook Golf & Country Club	Binbrook, ON
Plessisville (Club de golf)	Plessisville, QC
Saint-Rémi (Club de golf Le)	Lac-Aux-Sables, QC
Triangle d’Or (Club de golf)	Saint-Remi, QC
Valcourt (Club de golf)	Valcourt, QC
Dorchester	Quebec
Stanhope Golf & Country Club	Stanhope, PE

[caption id="attachment_98432" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]

March Meadows Golf Club (Honeymoon Bay, BC)[/caption]

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25 years

Cougar Creek Golf Resort	Edmonton, AB
Fawn Meadows Golf & Country Club	Delburne, AB
Forest Heights Golf Course	Sundre, AB
Glacier Greens Golf Club	Lazo, BC
Morgan Creek Golf Course	Surrey, BC
Pheasantback Golf Club	Stettler, AB
Collicutt Siding Golf Club	Crossfield, AB
Lone Wolf Golf Club	Taylor, BC
Nicklaus North Golf Club	Whistler, BC
Sun Peaks Golf Resort	Sun Peaks, BC
The Hamptons Golf Club	Calgary, AB
Blue Ocean Golf Club (Formerly Sechelt GC)	Sechelt, BC
Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club	Coquitlam, BC
Angus Glen Golf Club	Markham, ON
Keystone Links Golf & Country Club	Peterborough, ON
Northern Lights Golf Complex	Thunder Bay, ON
Oaks of Cobden Golf Club	Cobden , ON
Woodington Lake Golf Club Inc.	Tottenham, ON
Vallée des Forts (Club de golf)	St-Jean-sur Richelieu, QC
Géant (Le)	Montréal
Golf International 2000
Belfast Highland Greens Golf Course	Belfast, PE
Grande Meadows Golf Club	Frenchman’s Cove, NL

[caption id="attachment_98434" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]

Grande Meadows Golf Club (Freshman’s Cove, NL)[/caption]]]>

“Both physically and mentally, it is a wonderful sport for men and women and it definitely promotes health,” says Dr. Larry Goldenberg, a Vancouver urologist who is co-founder of the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation. “From a pure health point of view it’s an exercise and exercise equals longevity, it equals better mental health at all ages. “I like to put it this way when it comes to exercise. If I said I had a pill that you had to take every day and it would decrease your risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, heart attacks, stroke, would you take that pill? Well, that pill is called exercise. There is enough literature out there, there are enough studies out there to prove that without any doubt regular exercise can promote every form of health, including decreasing the risk of dementia and slowing the progress of many neurological diseases.” Regular golfers don’t have to be convinced about how good the game has been for them. It can certainly be frustrating on those days when the ball just won’t go where it’s supposed to, but they know that even on the bad days the game gives them back so much.

Doug Stone, a 75-year-old White Rock resident, doesn’t have many bad days on the golf course. His handicap is in the low single digits and he often shoots his age at his home course, Peace Portal, where he frustrates his fellow members who regularly must dig into their wallets following a round with Stone. Stone is in great physical shape and he credits golf with helping him stay that way. “Golf has been an important factor in my physical and mental health,” Stone says. “I currently play three times a week at Peace Portal. Each round is in a competitive environment. I push my cart and never ride. Peace Portal has a number of short, steep hills that are perfect for increasing my cardio-vascular capacity. “Mentally, golf demands constant focus and decision-making that can only be helpful for one’s mental health. It also provides for socialization with fellow competitors. This has proven to be a godsend during the current pandemic crisis. . .without my ridiculous obsession with golf, this 75-year-old body would not be as healthy as it is today.” Kris Jonasson, chief executive officer of British Columbia Golf, knows from personal experience that golf has significant health benefits. “It’s not a secret I have multiple sclerosis,” Jonasson says. “I walk today because I wanted to play golf, so it has had a huge benefit to me. I also read the research on golfandhealth.org and am amazed at all the positive benefits we have the data to prove. Parkinson’s, dementia and hundreds of other health issues can be helped with a little exposure to golf. It’s not how good you are at golf, it’s how well golf improves your life.” Jonasson says most golfers recognize the health benefits they get from playing the game. But he knows the industry still has work to do in promoting those mental and physical health benefits to others. “I think we are just starting to discuss the health benefits of golf,” he says. “Golf and Health Week was launched in 2019 and Brooke Henderson is one of the ambassadors. Ironically, Golf and Health week in 2020 was postponed because of the pandemic.” Goldenberg, through his work with prostate cancer patients, also knows golf can play a role in recovering from a major illness. “There are a lot of men who have had prostate cancer who golf regularly,” he says. “That is the demographic I work in, the 50- to 80-year-old male and a lot of them play golf. And I think golf helps in the healing process, it helps get them outside, it helps them adapt to the new cancer world they are now in. So I think it helps people fight off depression, anxiety and stress.” Don Griffiths can attest to that. Griffiths, a former president of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada), has had a life-long love affair with the game. He played on the University of B.C. golf team back in late 1950s and early 1960s and now, at age 82, still plays three or four times a week at his home course, Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver. He walks every step of the way and carries his own clubs. Griffiths thinks golf has helped him live a long life. It also aided in his recovery from a major health issue, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer 13 years ago. “There was a bit of a delay after surgery until I was able get back to playing, but once I did I felt it was doing me good to get out there and play,” Griffiths says. “I think golf was one of the things that kept me going. To me, golf is a wonderful game, not only the physical aspect of it, but the mental aspect of it. Getting out there and communicating with my golfing friends is something I really enjoy.” Dr. Saul Isserow, director of the Centre for Cardiovascular Health at Vancouver General Hospital, says simple common sense suggests that golf, as an exercise, has profound benefits for one’s cardiovascular health. But Isserow, himself an avid player, knows the game also has immense social benefits, “One would think the benefit of social interaction are as much of a benefit as the exercise,” Isserow says. So the fact is, golf is far from a good walk spoiled. No matter your score or skill level, just remember the game is good for you.]]>

Brittany Marchand offers up a home schooling lesson where we investigate how the golf club’s loft effects the distance of the golf club.]]>

1. The ability to get together with friends The only place to get a group of guys or group of girls together—all from outside their family/household bubbles—for a couple of hours and have fun is on the golf course. “The reality is that there are few activities available right now where people can get together and enjoy the company of friends and family,” says Brian Decker, the director of marketing and communications at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.  “Golf is uniquely positioned to give people a safe way to do just that, and we feel that if we can give people an outlet to get away from the stresses of this crisis, we’re playing a small role in our collective recovery,”

As millennials, we’re used to having constant connection with people. Sure, we have been able to digitally connect with our colleagues and have made headway in virtual game nights or catch-up drinks over the last 90 days or so, but there’s nothing like in-person connection. Playing golf allows for that.

2. Digital-first communication

Millennials are strapped to their phone—there’s no way around that. It’s not as though phone usage should be looked as a negative, either. Phones these days are used for banking and work connections, not just games or dating apps. Golf courses have done a fantastic job with their digital communication strategies as they open across Canada in the time of COVID-19.

You’d be hard-pressed not to find courses using new features on Instagram, like the ‘Story’ function to show the different things golfers can expect at clubs upon arrival and through their round during the time of COVID-19.

“All of our member communication about our COVID-19 procedures has been done through our broadcast emails.  We have also used video and provided the links,” says Dave Fox, the general manager at Islington Golf Club.

While many golf courses struggled to dedicate time and personal to marketing and communications, one thing COVID-19 has helped to boost is the social and digital relevancy of golf clubs. This is a positive as many millennials, and many for the first time, will be searching and following golf courses they want to play. The information provided, through digital and social channels, is the perfect way to connect with millennials.

3. Social Sharing

Millennials are the earliest adaptors of social media, and as such, there are approximately 3.5 billion millennial social media users in the world. Golf provides the perfect canvas for millennials to want to share their experiences on social media. Whether you’ve been able to get together with your friends for the first time in months, you’ve been able to buy a beer from a bar (or in this case, a halfway house or clubhouse) for the first time this summer, or you’ve caught the perfect late-afternoon light—posting about your day on a golf course is millennial friendly.

“Social media has always been a priority for us in communicating/marketing to the travelling golfer,” says Mark McLane, the executive director of Golf Prince Edward Island, who says the agency’s Facebook page prompted nearly 20,000 website views in April alone. McLane says—with only 27 coronavirus cases on PEI and no deaths—the islands reputation for safety and tranquility has promoted groups who usually travel internationally (including to the U.S.) for golf wishing to come to the island. A Canadian golf trip experience is an ideal platform for social sharing, and whether it’s wrapped in food, friendship, or, of course, the golf, millennials love the opportunity to snap a picture and click share.

4. Exercise

With no gym facilities open across Canada, millennials are looking for places to exercise that isn’t usually their kitchen, bedroom, or basement. Golf Canada research suggests players burn approximately 2000-2500 calories during a round while walking a minimum of 9,000 metres. Golfers will exceed 10,000 steps over 18 holes.

My scores haven’t been great and that’s an understatement. But there were some numbers I liked from a recent round: 13,000 steps taken and 9 kilometres walked while climbing the equivalent of 23 floors. My mantra: Golf is good for me. https://t.co/lEm7xfuRVF

— Brad Ziemer (@BradZiemer) June 16, 2020

The golf course is not just a place to get together with friends for a hot dog at the turn, but it’s a place to burn off the one-too-many hotdogs from being quarantined.

5. Sense of Normalcy

If there were one place where millennials could feel as if they were participating in a “normal” activity, it would be the golf course. Those lucky enough to have access to a car can jump in it, see their friends or family members at the parking lot of the golf course, play 18 holes together and catch up, and then drive home.

“The tee sheet has been busy. We couldn’t accommodate all the requests to play the first weekend,” says Fox from Islington, showing that people are just anxious to get back to something that makes them feel as if they are doing something as normal as possible these days. From a business standpoint as well, the golf industry in Canada has a $19.7-billion impact on economic activity in the country. According to recent Carleton University COVID-19 stats, younger Canadians are more bullish about reopening the economy.

“Golf employs a ton of people,” says Sam Wills, a PGA of Canada Assistant Professional at Deer Valley Golf Club in Regina. “From an economic standpoint, getting golf courses getting open is a great thing.”

6. Responsibility for the greater good

A new 10-year-long study from the Case Foundation of 150,000 millennials revealed that one of the top-10 takeaways is that millennials care about social issues. The ability for millennials to be part of the safe reopening of the economy while caring for the health and safety of their fellow man makes golf so important in the millennial ethos. “We continue to evaluate our protocols daily in such an evolving landscape,” says Brian Mossop, the general manager of Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club. The club was closed for several weeks to have the opportunity to completely re-evaluate its services and service-related items. 

And while millennials continue to practice physical distancing, it can be done with aplomb on the golf course. “Golf,” Wills from Deer Valley says, “is safer than going into a grocery store right now.“

7. Hope

While millennials have been blamed for everything from the demise of chain restaurants to cereal, one thing is true—this group has hope. During an unprecedented time in our history, when you combine all the good things about golf (social health, physical health, mental health, fun, positive economic impact, environmental benefits, and more) it gives millennials hope for what can come on the other side of this pandemic. “Shortly after we opened earlier this month, we received an email from someone who had played here and thanked the staff for a great experience and helping them to feel ‘normal for the first time in two months,’” says Decker at TPC Toronto. “That really hit home for our team and confirmed for us that golf can play a really positive role in these times.”

Whether you’re picking up the game for the first time, returning to golf after a bit of a break, or if you’re a long-time player just thrilled to be able to get back out there again for the 2020 season, it’s imperative to follow the guidelines as listed by your golf course or club. The new rules are in place to reflect government and health organization best practices as we all navigate this global pandemic safely. And although your time at a golf course may look different than in year’s past, one thing should remain the same: be sure to treat the golf-course staff with respect and understanding. We’re all in this together.]]>