Pictured (left to right): Brian Laubman, Frank Van Dornick and Ken Griffith

KAHNAWAKE, Que. – The second round of the 2017 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship concluded Thursday at Kanawaki Golf Club with Team Alberta emerging as provincial team champions.

The trio of Frank Van Dornick (Camrose, Alta.), Brian Laubman (Edmonton) and Ken Griffith (Red Deer, Alta.) posted a combined second-round score of 1-over 141 to capture the Phil Farley Trophy with a total of 283 (+3).

The squad finished 12-strokes ahead of runner-up Team British Columbia, which was comprised of Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Doug Roxburgh (Vancouver), John Gallacher (Burnaby, BC) and Greg Bismeyer (Mission, B.C.) The team had a two-day total of 295 (+15).

Team Quebec and Team Manitoba finished at 299 (+19) to share third. Quebec’s team was comprised of François Bissonnette (Mirabel, Que.), Danny Turbide (Québec City) and Peter Harrison (Ottawa). Mike Walker (Winnipeg), Garth Collings (Matlock, Man.) and Brent Clague (Winnipeg) represented Manitoba.

In the 65-and-over Super Senior Division, Paul Simson of Raleigh, NC., claimed a one-shot victory over Lance Lundy of Pemberton, B.C. Simpson carded matching rounds of 71 to finish at 2-over 142 for the victory. With the Super Senior title under his belt, the 65-year-old will now set his sights on another trophy.

“The conditions were a little more difficult today and the wind was blowing, which caused some problems,” said Simson, who in 2010 made history by becoming the first person to win the British, U.S. and Canadian senior titles in the same year. “But I’ll take the win. It’s always nice to win something. I’m going to focus over the next two rounds and hopefully I can take home the Senior title, too.”

Lance Lundy of Pemberton, B.C., was leading the Super Senior category after the first round at even-par, but a 3-over 73 dropped him into second at 3-over 143.

Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Alta., finished third at 4-over 144.

Doug Hanzel of Savannah, GA, took the overall lead in the Senior Division. He’s even for the championship at 140.

“I was very steady all the way around,” said Hanzel, who is the lone player not over par. “I hit 16 greens in regulation today. The greens are tough, you need to nail the speed and the line. But I’ve been putting the ball in good spots. If you don’t, you have some work left to make par.”

Simson and Brian Laubman of Edmonton share second at 2-over 142.

A total of 71 players finished 155-or-better to advance past the 36-hole cut. The third round will begin Wednesday at 8 a.m. EDT.

The winner of this year’s championship will earn an exemption into the 2018 U.S. Men’s Senior Amateur Championship at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore., from August 25^th to 30^th.

Additional information, including tee times, for the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship can be found here.

Pictured (left to right): Champions Cam Dunning, Jordan Ediger, Scott Walker and Jimmy Cowan

Twenty-three teams from clubs across the province teed it up at the Canmore Golf & Curling Club for the season-ending Alberta Interclub Championship

Earl Grey Golf Club successfully defended the Alberta Interclub Championship by defeating the team from Inglewood in a sudden-death playoff. It only took one extra hole as three of the four players birdied the par 5 first hole. High temperatures and smoke made visibility difficult at the beautiful Canmore G&CC.

The team from the Derrick Golf & Winter Club took home the net contest winning by four strokes.

The Alberta Interclub Championship has a long history of welcoming clubs from across the province for a season culminating eighteen-hole team gross and net stroke play competition where the best three of four scores per hole are counted as the team score.

• Full results
• Photo album

A special thanks to Darren Cooke and the entire team at the Canmore G&CC for hosting the 2017 edition of the Alberta Interclub Championship.

The USGA and The R&A have received comments on the proposed new Rules from more than 22,000 golfers in 102 countries, as well as representatives of golf organizations throughout the world, providing valuable feedback as the organizations work toward their implementation on January 1, 2019.
With the worldwide survey and evaluation period now complete, the USGA and The R&A and their respective committees will continue to review all comments received with the goal of finalizing the new Rules next spring and beginning a comprehensive education program later in 2018.

The USGA and The R&A began an extensive review of the Rules starting in 2012, with the intent of making them easier to understand and apply. A draft of the new Rules – reduced from the current 34 to a proposed 24 Rules – was released in March, beginning the six-month feedback period that was open to the entire golf community.

“After listening to golfers and reviewing the extensive comments, one thing is very clear – we all share a passion for the game and are eager to be a part of this process,” said Thomas Pagel, USGA senior director of Rules and Amateur Status. “We appreciate everyone who took time to provide their thoughts and insights. They have been very helpful and encouraging.”

David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, “It is pleasing to see that so many people from different parts of the world have taken this opportunity to engage with the process of modernizing the Rules. We have received insightful comments and suggestions from throughout the professional and amateur game and will take time to consider the feedback in detail. We will then work on finalizing the changes ahead of their implementation in 2019.”

While the feedback will continue to be analyzed over the next few months, several common themes emerged, including:

Golfers are enthusiastic about the scope and direction of the overall changes, such as pace-of-play improvements, the elimination of penalties and streamlined procedures.

Golfers provided the most feedback on the proposed Rules changes focused on the putting green (such as putting with the flagstick left in the hole, repairing spike marks and eliminating the penalty for accidentally moving a ball); the creation of “penalty areas” (extending water hazard type relief and eliminating penalties for moving loose impediments and grounding a club); and the new dropping procedures (including the size of “relief areas”).

Golfers strongly welcomed the new Player’s Edition of the Rules and found it much easier to read and understand.

The current 2016 edition of the Rules of Golf remains in effect when playing, posting scores or competing until the Jan. 1, 2019 adoption of the new Rules.

For more information on the proposed new Rules of Golf, see usga.org or randa.org.

On behalf of the almost 6 million golf enthusiasts from coast-to-coast, Golf Canada is absolutely thrilled to congratulate Adam Hadwin on earning his spot in the 2017 Presidents Cup, Sept. 28 – Oct. 1 at Liberty National Golf Club.

Adam showed tremendous consistency all season long and it is a testament to his commitment and hard work that he achieved this important goal in becoming only the third Canadian ever to compete in the biennial team event. 2017 has been a momentous year for this proud Canadian, from his historic 59 at the CareerBuilder Challenge and first-ever PGA TOUR win at the Valspar Championship to his top-15 finish this past weekend to lock up his spot on the International Team. Adam has given golf fans nation-wide, a season’s worth of incredible performance and we look forward to supporting his continued strong play representing Canada at the Presidents Cup.

As well, our very best wishes go out to five-time Presidents Cup competitor Mike Weir in his role as an assistant captain on this year’s Presidents Cup International Team. Mike’s leadership and experience will no doubt be a positive influence to help drive the collective performance of the International Team.

Both Mike and Adam are tremendous ambassadors for Canadian golf and we wish them continued success representing Canada on one of the game of golf’s greatest stages.
– – –
Laurence Applebaum
CEO
Golf Canada

Pictured: Champions Bonny Leenstra and Mike Ross

Forty-five golfers teed it up at the Lacombe Golf & Country Club for a fun-filled two days of flighted net stableford competition

‘There is something for everyone.’

That’s the mindset that Alberta Golf is using when looking at competitions.

The Alberta Net Amateur Championship is that provincial opportunity for any golfer with an official Golf Canada Handicap Factor to compete. No matter your skill level you can sign up and experience that same provincial championship feel that comes with competition.

The net stableford format makes for a fun environment where it’s ok if you are struggling on a hole because you can pick up and move on to the next one.

Perhaps the best part of these net events is the social aspect. From friends who live in different cities and are looking for an opportunity to reunite on the golf course, to couples that like to get out and play with other couples, the ‘net am’ has fit into that niche very well.

This year, Mike Ross and Bonny Leenstra took home the hardware. But all of the participants were the real winners. “It’s great to see Alberta Golf putting on events like this. Being from Lacombe and having the chance to play host to all these players who have come in from everywhere is a really nice thing to see.” – Tom McKinlay Sr.

• Full results
• Photo album

A special thanks to Kevin Broderson and the staff at Lacombe G&CC for hosting the 2017 edition of the Alberta Net Amateur Championship.

CALGARY – Scott McCarron didn’t waste any time after missing a long putt for birdie on the final hole Sunday.

In front of a large gallery of fans at the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club, McCarron walked right up and tapped in a short, but nerve-wracking putt, to win the 2017 Shaw Charity Classic title.

“It felt like 20 feet,” said McCarron, who held on for a one-shot victory over Miguel Angel Jimenez after shooting a 3-under 67 in the final round. “It was probably about three feet or so. It was kind of a right-centre putt. I didn’t take much time over it, because I saw it go right by and I knew exactly what I was going to do.

“I just missed a couple short ones before, so I didn’t want to even think about it too long. I set it up and made a good putt finally. It really felt good to get that done.”

McCarron had three birdies and two bogies on the front nine before draining a long putt from off the green at the par-5, 11th hole for eagle. It was the third eagle of the weekend for McCarron and the 17th of his season to lead the PGA Tour Champions circuit in that category.

McCarron then birdied the 15th hole before giving a shot back with a bogey on 16. He finished with two straight pars to end the three-day event at 16-under 194 to take home the winner’s share of $352,500 U.S.

It was the fourth PGA Tour Champions tournament victory of the season for the 52-year-old golfer from La Quinta, Calif., who earlier won titles at the Allanz Championship, the Constellation Senior Players Championship and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.

“Winning does not get easier,” stressed McCarron. “These guys are the best players in the world at their time and they’re still playing some great golf. I truly believe we’ve got 25 guys that can still play on the PGA Tour and compete.”

Jimenez had a chance to eagle the final hole, but he just missed his long putt and had to settle for a birdie and a round of 66 to finish in second spot by himself.

“I knew I had to hole the putt if I have any chance,” said Jimenez, while adding he wasn’t able to sink enough putts in the final round. “Scott is playing very well and holed very important putts for him and that’s the key.”

Scott Dunlap and Todd Hamilton both had rounds of 67 on Sunday to finish in a tie with first-round leader Kevin Sutherland at 13 under.

Sutherland followed up a birdie on the third hole with an eagle on the fourth to move into a tie with McCarron at 14 under before falling out of contention.

“Momentum is only as good as the next shot,” Hamilton said. “I just didn’t string together the shots today. I wasn’t able to have a lot of good birdie opportunities and I had a lot of trying to save pars most of the day.”

Although he had respectable rounds of 67 and 68 in the first two rounds, 2014 Shaw Charity Classic winner Fred Couples withdrew from the tournament on Sunday before his tee time due to ongoing back issues.

Vancouver’s Stephen Ames finished as the top Canadian in a tie for 19th spot with Kirk Triplett at 7 under after shooting a final round 68.

“I wasn’t hitting the ball great for the first two days, so I kind of did well with what I had,” Ames said. “Considering the fact I was 7 under, I think I’ll take it. I’m quite happy with the result.”

Rod Spittle, of Niagara Falls, Ont., shot his second straight round of 69 to finish the tournament in a seven-way tie for 25th at 5 under.

Victoria resident Jim Rutledge made four birdies and an eagle to get to 6 under before recording two bogies in his final four holes to shoot 66. He finished the tournament in a tie for 40th place with nine other golfers at 3 under.

NORTON, Mass. – Kevin Chappell made his first Presidents Cup team by a fraction of a point, and he needed a lot more help that he realized.

“I made it a lot more exciting than it needed to be,” Chappell said.

Chappell, who won his first PGA Tour event earlier this year in San Antonio, earned enough FedEx Cup points from the Dell Technologies Championship to secure the 10th and final automatic spot on the U.S. team.

Rounded off, Chappell and Charley Hoffman finished with 4,369 points. Stretched out to include decimals, the PGA Tour said Chappell beat Hoffman by 0.073.

This was the final qualifying event for the Presidents Cup, which starts Sept. 28 at Liberty National.

Chappell will be one of at least four Americans making their debut in a Presidents Cup or a Ryder Cup. He spent the last month getting weary of talking about the possibilities, suggesting that he could live with however it turned out.

That changed when he shot a 69 on Sunday and was projected ahead of Hoffman, meaning he controlled his own fate.

“I didn’t know what it meant until I tried to go to sleep last night,” Chappell said Monday on his way to the airport to catch a flight home – in coach, no less – to Seattle.

Hoffman, who showed up at the TPC Boston at No. 10 and with a slim lead, closed with a 68 on Monday and tied for 40th. Chappell appeared to have it locked up until three bogeys over a four-hole stretch on the back nine.

It’s official!

Your 2017 @PresidentsCup U.S. Team and International Team.

Next stop: NYC.? pic.twitter.com/J5IhndBcCu

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 4, 2017

He answered with a birdie on the par-3 16th, but then his shot from a fairway bunker on the par-5 18th came to rest on a loose piece of dirt, and his wedge came up well short. Chappell pitched to 10 feet, missed his par putt and closed with a 71.

That’s when he needed some help, and Russell Henley unknowingly provided it.

Chappell was tied for 35th, and Henley also was in that group at 2-under 282. If Henley had made one more birdie, that would have taken points away from Chappell, and Hoffman would have moved past him.

Henley, however, made bogey on the 17th and failed to birdie the 18th to tie for 40th. That was all Chappell needed.

It was a familiar feeling for Chappell, and not a pleasant one. Five years ago in the final tournament of the year, Chappell finished at No. 125 on the money list to keep his card by $1,809, but only after two players made par on the tough par-4 18th at Disney. If either had made bogey, Chappell would have lost his card.

“That was to keep my job,” he said. “I’d much rather being doing this, relying on others to get me on a Presidents Cup team.”

The other U.S. qualifiers were Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Kevin Kisner, Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed.

U.S. captain Steve Stricker will make two wild-card selections Wednesday afternoon, and Hoffman is a favourite to get one of them. With no one below Hoffman in the standings playing exceptionally well, the other pick could go to Phil Mickelson, who has never missed a team event since 1994.

Mickelson was in the mix early at the TPC Boston on Monday, and that could be enough to show Stricker that he’s worth a pick.

“We’ll see. I hope so,” Mickelson said after he closed with a 68 to tie for sixth, his best finish in stroke play since he was runner-up at the British Open last summer. “I think this is a big step for me as far as getting back to where I want – shooting the scores, playing, having energy, being able to practice, all these things.”

Mickelson said Stricker would do what’s best for the American team “and I totally support him either way.”

Emiliano Grillo of Argentina also came up with a good round at the right time. Grillo closed with a 66, enough to move him past Hideto Tanihara of Japan to No. 11 for the International team. Only the top 10 from the world ranking qualify, though Grillo would seem to be safe to be one of captain Nick Price’s picks.

“That’s not up to me,” Grillo said. “Today was up to me and I did my best. It worked out.”

The other International team qualifiers were Hideki Matsuyama, Jason Day, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Marc Leishman, Branden Grace, Jhonattan Vegas, Si Woo Kim and AdamHadwin.

Vegas, Kim and Hadwin will be competing for the first time in the matches.

NORTON, Mass. – The victories keep piling up for Justin Thomas, and all that does is make him want more.

In a Labor Day finish that was harder than the final margin suggested, Thomas kept his patience when Jordan Spieth shot out to a brief lead and Marc Leishman built a two-shot lead at the turn. Keeping his mistakes to a minimum, Thomas outlasted them both by closing with a 5-under 66 for a three-shot victory in the Dell Technologies Championship.

He started the PGA Tour season at No. 34 in the world with all of one PGA Tour victory.

Thomas won for the fifth time Monday, including his first major three weeks ago at the PGA Championship. He is No. 4 in the world. And barring Spieth running the tables the rest of the FedEx Cup playoffs, the 24-year-old Thomas would seem to be a lock to be voted PGA Tour player of the year.

“I have two events left. I have two more opportunities to win,” Thomas said. “And I’d love to make it six or seven wins.”

Thomas made only two bogeys all week, the last one putting him in a three-way tie with seven holes to play. He won on the back nine at TPC Boston with a sand wedge he gouged out of the rough to 6 feet on No. 13, a gap wedge to 4 feet on No. 15 for another birdie, and a 6-foot par save that kept him two shots clear.

Spieth wasted a start that riled up the New England crowd – birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie – by missing the 14th green with a 5-iron for bogey. Needing an eagle to stay in the game on the par-5 18th, Spieth pushed a 4-iron into a tough lie in the bunker, blasted over the green and made bogey for a 67.

Spieth was runner-up for the second straight week in the FedEx Cup playoffs. He lost a three-shot lead to Dustin Johnson on Long Island. There wasn’t much he could have done to stop Thomas, his best friend in golf since they were teenagers.

“Came out firing, like I said we had to do,” Spieth said. “Eight through 14 is the meat of the golf course. You want to get through even. I got through over par and didn’t get any coming in when I hit some good putts.”

Spieth still moved to No. 1 in the FedEx Cup with one more event before the $10 million prize is decided at the Tour Championship.

Leishman shot 30 on the front to build a two-shot lead, only for it to vanish quickly. He had to save bogey on No. 10 after an errant drive. He three-putted from long range for bogey on the 11th. He found a bunker on the 12th for a third straight bogey. And then he closed with two bogeys that only cost him money. Leishman shot 70.

Johnson, the No. 1 player in the world coming off his fourth victory of the season last week, started the final round three shots behind and was one of the few players who was never in contention. He took two to get out of a fairway bunker and made bogey on the par-5 second hole, and he closed with a 73 to finish 10 behind.

Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., were the low Canadians at 8 under and tied for 13th. Hughes shot up the leaderboard after a 67 while Hadwin, who started the day two shots back of the lead, struggled to a 73. Nick Taylor (72), also of Abbotsford, finished 2 over and Graham DeLaet (70) of Weyburn, Sask., was 7 over.

Spieth was simply dynamic at the start. He didn’t need to make a putt longer than 12 feet to go 5 under for the opening four holes and briefly take the lead. Leishman, who won at Bay Hill in March, kept stride with six birdies on the front nine to match Spieth’s 30 and move in front.

Thomas did his part to stay in the game.

He could hear the crowd celebrating Spieth’s short birdie on the fourth hole, and then Thomas belted a low slider of a drive that barely cleared the deep bunker, hit into the shaggy collar and hopped onto the fringe. He holed that 30-footer for an eagle, and the race was on.

Phil Mickelson birdied three of his opening four holes. He couldn’t keep pace. Neither could Jon Rahm or Paul Casey.

The final round was so tight that Thomas, Spieth and Leishman were tied for the lead with seven holes to play. But then it all changed when Spieth missed the green at No. 14, did well to hit a flop shot to 15 feet and narrowly missed his par putt.

Thomas steadied himself after his lone bogey on the par-3 11th. Equipped with a one-shot lead because of Spieth’s bogey, Thomas hit a sand wedge to 4 feet on the 15th for a birdie and a two-shot lead. Equally important was his pitch out of deep rough to the right of the 16th to a green that ran away from him. He managed to hit it 6 feet and twice clutched his fist when it dropped for par.

Spieth grazed the edge of the cup with a 10-foot birdie attempt on the 17th, and then lost all hope with his approach into the bunker.

It was the first time Spieth has finished runner-up to Thomas, his best friend in golf since they were teenagers.

Kevin Chappell bogeyed his last hole and still managed to nudge Charley Hoffman by a fraction of a point to earn the 10th and final automatic spot on the U.S. team for the Presidents Cup.

Stewart Cink closed with a 68 to finish 12th, more than enough for him to advance to the third FedEx Cup playoff event outside Chicago for the first time in seven years. Emiliano Grillo and Rafa Cabrera Bello also moved into the top 70 to advance to the BMW Championship in two weeks.

From September 18–22, Golf Canada will be celebrating all those who donate towards a Golf in Schools kit this year during the second annual Adopt a School Week.

The week will represent a coast-to-coast celebration to mark the efforts of all Golf in Schools adoptions taking place during that week, in addition to all adoptions that occur throughout the year.

In 2016, 234 new schools were adopted, introducing an average of 120 students per school to the game of golf.

Since the program’s inception in 2009, adoptions have accounted for close to 50% of the over 3,200 registered schools delivering the curriculum. As a result, Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), and all provincial partners have aligned to celebrate the generosity of golf enthusiasts across the country.

“As partners, we recognize the value of Golf in Schools adoptions—getting Canada’s youth exposed to the sport of golf in the regular school curriculum is critical to the continued growth of our sport at the entry level,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “At the same time, adopting a school into this program presents a great business opportunity for facilities as well. Through the process of adopting a school, a connection is established between the school, its students and the golf facility. After experiencing golf at school, the natural transition to an established golf facility will ideally result in more young golfers.”

Every student should experience the wonders of golf. With each school adoption, facilities can help make this vision a reality. By adopting a school, the donor donates the full program kit which includes age-appropriate golf clubs and a teacher-friendly learning resource. Developed in conjunction with the PGA of Canada and Physical Health Education (PHE) Canada, the learning resource now incorporates Life Skills into the curriculum—placing added focus on transferrable skills both on and off the golf course.

Following Adopt a School Week, Golf Canada will be announcing all elementary, intermediate and high school adoptions conducted in 2017.

Find out more or adopt a school in your community at golfcanada.ca/adoptaschool

Discussions around the use of video evidence and viewer call-ins continue to evolve

In conjunction with the Rules Modernization Initiative, golf’s governing bodies have been discussing video evidence at length. In fact, a draft of language regarding video evidence and the use of such information was ready to be included among the proposed changes to the 2019 Rules of Golf.

Instead, a new decision to limit the use of video evidence was implemented immediately in order to address unintended consequences as a result of the increasing prevalence of technology in the game.

For some golf purists, who strongly stand by the game’s values of honour and integrity, this may provoke a negative reaction. It’s understood that players are responsible for knowing the rules and officials are there to assist and apply the rules.

Since the game is predominantly played without the supervision of a rules official, players are expected to report any violations and accept any incurred penalties from doing so no matter how severe.

Nevertheless the controversies at major championships, such as Tiger Woods incorrectly dropping from a water hazard at the 2013 Masters, Dustin Johnson’s golf ball slightly moving at the 2016 U.S. Open and Lexi Thompson misplacing her ball at the ANA Inspiration in April, continue to arise. These incidents, however, were only distinguishable through the use of video replay, which can be slowed down or zoomed in if necessary.

This new decision by the game’s governing bodies is intended to address that issue and outlines two standards for committees to limit the use of video. Firstly, when video reveals evidence that could not reasonably be seen with the naked eye, and secondly, when players use their reasonable judgment to determine a specific location, point or distance when applying the rules.

Golf’s governing bodies have also formed a working group of LPGA Tour, PGA Tour, PGA European Tour, Ladies European Tour and PGA of America representatives to immediately begin a comprehensive review of broader video issues, including viewer call-ins, which arise in televised competitions.

Ultimately the responsibility of any rules official and tournament committee is to protect the field and ensure everyone plays to the same standards. On the flip side, this mandate also protects the players and prevents microscopic details from determining champions.

To view the full text of the new Decision 34-3/10, click here.

This article was originally published in the Summer Issue edition of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine