A near-win at the ISPS Handa Championship has Canada’s Aaron Cockerill dreaming of the first major of his career.

Cockerill lost to Australia’s Lucas Herbert in a two-hole playoff at PGM Ishioka Golf Club in Omitama, Japan, on Sunday. That second-place finish moved Cockerill up to 25th on the DP World Tour’s points list and within range of a berth at the upcoming British Open.

“If I keep moving up and stay high on the Race to Dubai standings, there’s a chance that I could play in maybe a couple of majors this year, which would be a first for me,” said Cockerill, who is based in Dubai and is a regular on the Europe-based DP World Tour.

Cockerill, who is from Stony Mountain, Man., has until June 28 to qualify himself for the British Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on July 16. His clearest route is to be one of the top five players, not already exempt for the Open, within the top 20 of the Race to Dubai Rankings through the BMW International Open in Munich.

Currently sitting 25th on that list has him within an iron’s distance of that goal, especially as several players ahead of him in the DP World Tour rankings – like former British Open champion Rory McIlroy and world No. 1 Jon Rahm – already have spots at the prestigious event based on other qualifications.

Cockerill also moved up to 250th in the men’s world golf rankings, the highest Canadian not on the PGA Tour. Golf Canada recognized him as its player of the week for the strong showing in Japan.

He said it was “pretty cool” to be recognized by the national sport organization.

“I feel like sometimes it’s harder to keep track of golf over on the European Tour with the time zones and everything like that,” said Cockerill from Incheon, South Korea, where he will play in this week’s Korea Championship presented by Genesis. “It’s a little bit of an acknowledgment and some people who may forget about (the tour) will maybe tune in and pay attention to the golf on our tour as well.”

The 31-year-old Cockerill said that his game has been rounding into form this season because he’s more mature and that “all the boring stuff” is adding up.

“I take care of myself, I don’t really go out, I’m not drinking a whole lot,” said Cockerill. “I’m pretty disciplined with my practice. I set up a schedule of what I want to do every single week on tour, and I just tick them off, tick off the boxes and make sure I complete all my drills and games and maintenance things that I need to do throughout the week.”

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and PGA TOUR Canada will merge into a singular Tour to form PGA TOUR Americas, which will begin play in February 2024, the PGA TOUR has announced.

PGA TOUR Americas will consist of 16 events contested across Latin America, Canada and the United States from February through September. The top 10 finishers on the season-long points list will earn Korn Ferry Tour membership for the following season.

“As we build on the rich golf history across Latin America and Canada, we are thrilled about PGA TOUR Americas and the role this tour will play in preparing players for the next step in their professional golf journey,” said Alex Baldwin, who oversees PGA TOUR Americas, the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry and PGA TOUR University. “PGA TOUR Americas will be an extremely competitive tour aimed at identifying, developing and transitioning top-performing players to the next level as they ascend through the ranks and strive to reach the highest level of professional golf, the PGA TOUR.”

The PGA TOUR Americas season will begin in February with the Latin America Swing, which will conclude in May. Eligibility for the Latin America Swing will include the top 60 finishers from the final 2022-2023 PGA TOUR Latinoamérica Points List and the top 60 finishers from the final 2023 PGA TOUR Canada Points List. PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry will also provide access to the Latin America Swing of PGA TOUR Americas for the winners of a First Stage site, as well as additional finishers beyond the 40th position and ties from Final Stage of 2023 PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry. Additional access to the Latin America Swing will include the Latinoamérica Dev Series and the highest finisher on the 2023 APGA season-long points list who is a member of the APGA Player Development program.

The top 60 players from the Latin America Swing will continue on to compete in the North America Swing. Additionally, PGA TOUR Americas will host a mid-season Q-School, as well as introduce graduates from PGA TOUR University (finishers 6-20). Full eligibility for PGA TOUR Americas will be announced later this year and will feature similar categories to PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and PGA TOUR Canada, including open qualifiers, sponsor exemptions and eligible Korn Ferry Tour members.

As PGA TOUR Americas heads to the North America Swing, members will compete in Canada and the United States from June through September in an effort to finish in the top 10 on the season-long points list and earn Korn Ferry Tour membership – exempt through the third reshuffle – for the following season.

In addition to Korn Ferry Tour cards being awarded to the top 10 finishers on the PGA TOUR Americas Points List, there are also numerous performance benefits available on PGA TOUR Americas. Five conditional Korn Ferry Tour cards are available to the top two finishers in the Latin America Swing and the top three performers from the North America Swing, in the event those individuals do not finish in the top 10 on the final PGA TOUR Americas Points List.

Additionally, performance on the PGA TOUR Americas Points List will grant access into 2024 PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry. The top 10 finishers on the PGA TOUR Americas Points List, the top two finishers in the Latin America Swing and the top three finishers in the North America Swing will earn exemptions to Final Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry.

Finishers 11–25 on the PGA TOUR Americas Points List, finishers 3–10 from the Latin America Swing and finishers 4–10 from the North America Swing will earn exemptions to Second Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry.

All remaining PGA TOUR Americas members will earn exemptions to First Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry.

The 2024 PGA TOUR Americas schedule will be announced in September. Finalized details regarding eligibility – including the priority ranking – as well as purses and points distribution, will be announced closer to the 2024 PGA TOUR Americas season beginning in February 2024.

AVONDALE, La. – Paired together for the first time at the Zurich Classic, Canadians Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin matched the Zurich Classic Foursomes record with a 9-under 63 to narrowly finish runner-up; marking the second runner-up finish of Taylor’s career (2023 WM Phoenix Open) and the fourth for Hadwin (first since the 2019 Fortinet Championship).

Nick Hardy and Davis Riley birdied four of their final six holes to give both players their first PGA TOUR wins.

They began the final round three shots back and closed with a 7-under 65 in alternate-shot play to finish with a tournament-record total of 30-under 258 at TPC Louisiana, eclipsing the 259 posted by 2022 winners Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele. Hardy and Riley were two shots better than Canadians Hadwin and Taylor.

Riley’s previous best finish was a playoff loss to Sam Burns in the 2022 Valspar Championship. Hardy’s best was a tie for fifth at the Sanderson Farms Championship last fall.

Each takes home $1.24 million and earns a two-year exemption for winning the PGA TOUR’s only official team event.

Hadwin and Taylor’s 63 tied the course record in alternate shot that was set in Friday’s second round by Cantlay and Schauffele. The Canadians’ 10th and final birdie of the round on the 13th hole briefly gave them a one-shot lead, and they went to the clubhouse tied for first before the eventual champions birdied twice more.

Wyndham Clark and Beau Hossler, who finished each of the first three rounds atop the leaderboard and opened the final round with a one-stroke lead, made their first three bogeys of the tournament – two on their final three holes – and closed with a 1-under 71 to finish third, three shots back.

Cantlay and Schuffele made eight birdies before their second bogey of the day on 18 left them tied for fourth with Matthew NeSmith and Taylor Moore at 26-under.

FREDERICTON, NB: Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB) and Jardine Auctioneers are pleased to announce the creation of a multi-year partnership that names Jardine Auctioneers as the Official Title Sponsor of the NB Men’s Senior & Mid-Master Championship, the NB Under-19 Championship, and the NB Under-13 & Under-15 Championship for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 golf seasons.

“At Jardine Auctioneers, we take great pride in creating meaningful and impactful partnerships that provide value to our community,” said John Jardine, Co-Owner of Jardine Auctioneers. “The opportunity to directly support junior golf and the provincial association is one that we are extremely proud of.”

The 2023 NB Under-19 Championship, presented by Jardine Auctioneers revisits the Fraser Edmunston Golf Club on July 7-9, 2023 as Edmundston prepares to welcome New Brunswick’s best and most elite junior players. Event Information can be found HERE.

The 2023 NB Men’s Senior & Mid-Master Championship, presented by Jardine Auctioneers is scheduled to take place at the Aroostook Valley Golf & Country Club on July 24-26, 2023. Event Information can be found HERE.

The 2023 NB Under-13 & Under-15 Championship, presented by Jardine Auctioneers will be played at the Gage Golf & Curling Club on August 12 & 13. Event Information can be found HERE.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jardine Auctioneers as the official title sponsor of NB Men’s Senior & Mid-Master Championship and our Under-19 and Under-13 / Under-15 events for the next three seasons,” said Golf New Brunswick Executive Director Luke Lacey. ” As an association, we are incredibly grateful for the support from John Jardine, and Blair Sissons, and the Jardine Auctioneers family as a whole.”

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Learn more about Jardines Auctioneers

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 51 partner facilities and 8,600 individual members include: provincial championships, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, and junior golf development programs.

By: David Li

With an impressive list of accomplishments as an amateur, Quebec City’s Sarah-Eve Rhéaume now has her sights set on transitioning that success to the professional ranks.

Currently in her fourth year on Golf Canada’s National Team Program, the 22-year-old’s resume includes victories at the 2019 Quebec Women’s Amateur Championship, the 2021 SoCon Women’s Championship, the 2022 Glencoe Invitational, and the 2022 Ororo PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.

Rhéaume graduated from Furman University in December and is now focused on the exciting journey ahead as a professional. Given her consistent results as an amateur combined with her powerful and solid all-around game, respected golf insiders are predicting a bright future ahead.

One of them is her long-time coach, Fred Colgan, who has been working with Rhéaume since she was nine years old.

“Sarah-Eve is a pretty long player and can hit her driver between 260 and 270 yards on a regular basis; and in the last 12 months, she’s been very good in every aspect of her game,” he said about Rhéaume who also played hockey growing up but gave it up at 15 to focus solely on golf.

It’s interesting to note that Colgan also provided golf lessons to Rhéaume’s parents, Alain and Monique, and her older brother, Joel. In fact, he was giving lessons to Rhéaume’s mom when she was 38 months pregnant with the long time National Team member.

“Sarah-Eve has been improving in every aspect of her game year after year and she’s got the talent and motivation to make it onto the LPGA Tour,” Colgan added confidently.

National Team women’s head coach, Salimah Mussani, is also optimistic about Rhéaume’s chances to succeed at the highest level.

“Sarah-Eve has got all the talent in the world and a great team behind her including her long-time coach Fred Colgan,” she said about the five foot eight inch amateur standout.

“One of the things we do at the National Team Program is we work with the athletes like Sarah-Eve to help them make that successful transition from amateur to professional. We help them create routines and plans to build on their good habits and to achieve their goals,” Mussani added.

Rhéaume says her time spent with Golf Canada has been a great benefit towards her overall development.

“Besides all the great resources we have access to, the program has the best players in the country coming together and we compete against each other and could push each other to another level,” she noted.

“Also all the best pro golfers in Canada have been through the program and it’s great to see their success and it gives us motivation to work even harder.”

Rhéaume’s hard work and talent led to a stellar 2022 season. Last June, she won the Glencoe Invitational and then followed that up by winning the Ororo PGA Women’s Canada Championship shortly after.

Having competed against her at the Ororo PGA Women’s Canada Championship in Bromont, Quebec last summer, Rebecca Lee-Bentham, a former LPGA Tour player and also the 2019 PGA Women’s Canada Champion, sees a bright future ahead for Rhéaume.

“Sarah-Eve is athletic and talented from what I’ve seen and she’s definitely got the potential to be successful as a professional,” said Lee-Bentham.

After her triumph in Bromont, Quebec, Rhéaume earned an exemption into the 2022 CP Women’s Open.

“It was my first LPGA tournament. It was in Ottawa and it was just a great atmosphere as it was in Brooke Henderson’s home town. It was also not too far from Quebec City so my parents and a couple of friends came also,” she recalled.

“I missed playing the weekend by one shot, but still it was a great experience and a super fun week. I got to meet a lot of girls that I watched on TV and got to see what it’s like to play on the LPGA Tour.”

Having caddied for his long-time student on the second day of the CP Women’s Open, Colgan clearly remembers Rhéaume’s strong second round, where she shot 69.

“On the back nine we had some really good looks at birdie but didn’t make any of them. One or two more putts and she would have played on Saturday and Sunday which would have been awesome,” he noted. “Still, it was a good performance and gave her a lot of confidence and motivation.”

The experience at the CP Women’s Open definitely has given Rhéaume confidence that she could hold her own against the best of the best. And with the support of Golf Canada along with a solid team behind her, the 22-year-old Canadian is eager to reach her full potential on the golf course.

“I have been playing pretty well the last 12 months. I feel pretty confident about my ball striking and so when I get my putter going I could put up some strong results,” said Rhéaume, who has partial status on the Epson Tour this year.

“My goal is to work hard and be able to play on the LPGA Tour one day and also represent Canada in the Olympics.”

Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB) is excited to share the following job opportunity:

The New Brunswick Golf Association (Golf NB) is seeking to fill the role of Executive Director.

Reporting to the President of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the successful management of the operations and affairs of the association.

Please CLICK HERE for a full Job Posting

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 30th, 2023

APPLICATIONS
Interested individuals are asked to please send a cover letter, resume, references, and salary exceptions in a PDF form via email to:

Golf NB
Personnel Committee
RE: Application for Open Position of Executive Director
admin@golfnb.ca

Thank you to all that apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

________________________________________________________

Golf Nouveau-Brunswick (Golf NB) est heureux de partager l’offre d’emploi suivante:

L’Association de golf du Nouveau-Brunswick (Golf NB) cherche à combler le poste de directeur général.

Relevant du président du conseil d’administration, le directeur général est responsable de la bonne gestion des activités et des affaires de l’association.

Veuillez CLIQUER ICI pour consulter l’offre d’emploi complète.

Date limite de dépôt des candidatures: 30 avril 2023

CANDIDATURES
Les personnes intéressées sont priées d’envoyer une lettre de motivation, un curriculum vitae, des références et des exceptions salariales au format PDF par courrier électronique à l’adresse suivante:

Golf NB
Personnel Committee
RE: Application for Open Position of Executive Director
admin@golfnb.ca

Nous remercions toutes les personnes qui ont posé leur candidature ; toutefois, seules les personnes sélectionnées pour un entretien seront contactées.

The New Brunswick Golf Association (Golf NB), founded in 1934, is the official governing body for amateur golf in New Brunswick.  It is a non-profit organization created and controlled by golfers for the benefit of the game.  The Association is governed by a Board of Directors which is dedicated to promoting amateur golf in the province. Golf NB is comprised of fifty-one (51) member clubs, and over 8,800 individual members.  Through its programs and services, Golf NB strives to preserve the integrity of the game of golf and to make the game more enjoyable for all.

FREDERICTON, NB: The Board of Directors of Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB) today announced that the current Executive Director, Luke Lacey will be leaving the organization on May 9^th, 2023 to pursue a role in the United States.
 
Joe Sullivan, President of Golf NB, said, “This is a bittersweet announcement as we are very happy that Luke is taking another step in his golf career, but sad to see him go.”
 
Since his time at Golf NB, Luke has been instrumental in carrying out Golf NB’s operations and services.

He successfully developed and led programs that encouraged newcomers to the sport and made it inclusive to all. His many accomplishments include developing the New to Golf Series, launching Golf New Brunswick’s 2023-2025 Strategic Plan focused on Golf for Everyone, unveiling the association’s new brand and identity, and improving how we work with our member facilities and industry partners. Through his efforts and leadership, Golf NB represents almost 8,900 individual golfers and 51 member facilities. He has been instrumental to the success of our association throughout the years and his experience, knowledge, and leadership will be truly missed as he continues his career in golf.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunities that Golf NB has provided to me, “said Luke. “I would not be where I am today without the support of the organization and its past and current staff and directors. The decision to move on was extremely difficult, but I am pleased with where Golf NB is now and know that the programming and events are in great hands with our President and Board of Directors, and amazing volunteers across the province. I believe that now is the time to solidify Golf NB’s future by making room for new leadership with fresh ideas and a new direction to take Golf NB.“

“We will miss Luke, but he leaves the association in a strong position for continued growth, and we thank him for his leadership. The Golf NB Board of Directors and I are currently formulating a transition plan as we begin the search for a new Executive Director. In the meantime, should you have any questions or concerns I would encourage you to contact me or Jared Legacy, who will be handling day-to-day activities as Interim Executive Director & Administration Manager.” said Joe.

Contact Information:

Joe Sullivan 
President, Golf New Brunswick
Phone: (C) 506-323-0900

E-Mail: jbsmjgolf@gmail.com

Jared Legacy
Interim Executive Director & Administration Manager, Golf New Brunswick
Phone: (O) 506-451-1324 x 5

E-Mail: jlegacy@golfnb.ca

The New Brunswick Golf Association (Golf NB), founded in 1934, is the official governing body for amateur golf in New Brunswick.  It is a non-profit organization created and controlled by golfers for the benefit of the game.  The Association is governed by a Board of Directors which is dedicated to promoting amateur golf in the Province. Golf NB is comprised of fifty-one (51) member clubs, and approximately 8,800 individual members.  Through its programs and services, Golf NB strives to preserve the integrity of the game of golf and to make the game more enjoyable for all.

Canadians Dayton Price & Hayden Underhill were survivors of a horrific car crash in Texas that took nine lives, including seven members of the University of the Southwest golf team they were part of.

Here’s the story of their accident and how the game they love is helping them heal.

Your League Levelled Up!

(April 3, 2023) – Golf Canada has announced the launch of The National Golf League (NGL), a nationwide network of existing recreational golf leagues designed to enhance the league experience for participants and generate charitable support for First Tee – Canada.

Built for golfers of all skill levels, the National Golf League will feature a six-week regular season that takes place within existing recreational league play during the summer. A series of regional playoff tournaments across Canada will take place in the fall at premium golf courses. The National Golf League will culminate with the NGL National Championship at Hamilton Golf and Country Club as part of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open tournament week celebration.

The National Golf League will also contribute to the development of a more sustainable and inclusive future for the sport by supporting a charitable component through First Tee – Canada. First Tee is a youth development program that provides accessible pathways to golf participation at schools, community centres, and golf courses across the country.

“League play is one of the most popular ways that Canadians engage with golf. The National Golf League will build on the fun that league golfers already have by supplementing and levelling up existing leagues through a national platform for regular season play and an exciting and unique playoff format,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer, Kevin Blue. “The National Golf League will also provide important charitable support to First Tee – Canada, a program that creates youth participation opportunities for the next generation of recreational golfers.”

National Golf League competitions will utilize an official Golf Canada Handicap applied towards a net Stableford scoring system that allows golfers to earn points for the net score they record on each hole.

Regular season NGL competition will take place over nine holes during six weeks of identified league play called “NGL Majors” that are integrated into existing league play and scheduled at the convenience of the local league operator. A golfer’s best four net Stableford point totals of the six NGL Majors will count towards their season-long points total on the NGL leaderboard.

A portion of the top regular season finishers in each participating league will qualify for the NGL Regional Playoffs, which will take place at premium courses across Canada. Qualifying golfers will select a guest teammate who also played in their regular season league and participate as a team of two in a best-ball net Stableford competition over 18 holes. Successful teams in the NGL Regional Playoffs will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the NGL National Championship.

The NGL is open to recreational golf leagues played at both private and public courses. Participants must be Golf Canada members to ensure an official handicap is used. There is no registration fee for golfers or leagues to join the National Golf League. Participants will be asked to support First Tee – Canada in their home province by way of donation.

The size of the National Golf League will be limited in its launch year to ensure a positive experience for players and league operators. A limited number of spots remain for leagues to join the National Golf League in 2023—interested league operators should contact Ryan Logan (rlogan@golfcanada.ca) to express interest before April 15. For more information visit NationalGolfLeague.ca.

By: John Chidley-Hill/ Canadian Press

SAN ANTONIO – When Corey Conners won the Valero Texas Open in 2019 he got a pair of cowboy boots instead of a trophy.

Sometimes, especially during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, he would wear them around his Florida home.

Conners now has some footwear options after winning the Texas Open for the second time in five years on Sunday, closing with a 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over rookie Sam Stevens.

“I get a brown pair for winning the second time so at least I don’t have two black pairs,” said Conners with a laugh. “Maybe I’ll just switch it up and wear the brown pair around.”

Also the 2019 winner, Conners had a 15-under 273 total on TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course. The 31-year-old from Listowel, Ont., now heads to the Masters, where he tied for sixth last year for his second straight top-10 finish at Augusta National.

He said that the two wins in San Antonio played out very differently for him.

“Today, I was definitely more in control. I feel like I made some mistakes in 2019,” said Conners after a bogey-free final round. “I also made a lot of really good shots in an up and down roller-coaster round in 2019.

“Today was a little more steady. Part of my plan was to be as steady as I could. Just get in play. Give myself lots of looks.”

Conners joins Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., as Canadians who have won on the PGA Tour this season.

It’s expected that Conners will move up to No. 18 on the FedEx Cup standings when they’re updated Monday.

Those three will all be at the Masters, joining Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., making it the first time that four Canadians are playing in the Masters, the first major of the men’s golf season.

“It’s really exciting,” said Conners, who represented Canada at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics with Hughes. “Excited to get a (practice round) with Mack and the other guys on Tuesday. We’ve all been playing great.”

A shot behind Patrick Rodgers starting play, Conners had a three-shot lead after he birdied No. 15. Stevens eagled the 17th, but missed a nine-foot birdie putt at 18 that would have tied it. Connors ended it with a three-foot par putt on 18.

Stevens shot a 66. Sam Ryder (66) and Matt Kuchar (68) followed at 13-under.

Rodgers saw a chance for his first tour victory and first Masters spot slip away. He shot a 73 to finish fifth at 11-under.

Conner’s best finish since hoisting the 2019 Texas Open trophy was a third-place effort at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year.

Conners led after the first round with a 64 when the weather-delayed opening 18 finished Friday. But his second-round 72 dropped him three behind Rodgers after 36 holes, which Conners cut to a stroke with his third-round 69.

Stevens was third last week at the PGA Tour’s stop in the Dominican Republic.