Golf’s best match
On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, let’s get all the bad, frequently offensive, jokes out of the way first.
To speed up the process, I will provide just the punch lines to a couple of the hoariest groaners.
“No way! The last time I tried that shot, I made double bogey!”
“But you don’t understand. It’s my wife’s funeral.”
On a related note this Feb. 14, let’s officially bury the term “golf widow.”
With that out of the way, let’s move on.
Golf, and I speak from personal experience, can strengthen romantic relationships.
Even the dating web site eHarmony recognizes that, listing “15 reasons to date a golfer.” Among them, “golfers strive for emotional balance,” “they know how to make conversation,” “golfers understand they must forget mistakes and move on,” and “committed golfers are in it for the long haul.” Finally, these relationship experts point out, “you’ll be spending countless hours together in pristine park-like settings. Not a bad way to nurture romance.”
They might have mentioned etiquette, balance, equity and all those other fundamental values in the game. As well, the rules would be worth mentioning.
Not the official Rules of Golf, although those certainly have their place in the actual playing of the game.
If you want golf to help forge and strengthen a romantic bond, you would be well advised to follow these guidelines which I have learned (often the hard way, particularly No. 1) over three decades of golfing with my beloved.
- If you’re not asked, then shut the hell up. If your partner is having an off day, fight the misguided impulse to offer your well-intentioned but worthless opinion. First, you most likely don’t have the foggiest idea of how to rectify the situation. Second, even though they love you, they now are so frustrated that you are only exacerbating the eventual meltdown. And they have easy access to a selection of deadly metal implements. If you are going to follow only one rule, make it this one.
- Take a golf vacation together. Sitting on the beach is all fine and good, but getting out on the course and sharing some conversation and laughs is far better.
- Nine and dine. Whether it’s an organized weekly couples’ league or just an impromptu outing for just the two of you, nine holes followed by a leisurely dinner and drinks is a wonderful way to unwind and catch up.
- Don’t take it too seriously. Sure, you want to play your best but the object of the exercise is to enjoy each other’s company.
- Include family. If you’re lucky enough to have kids or grandkids, invite them to play a few holes with you. Or maybe it’s your brother and sister-in-law or other relatives you love but don’t get to see often enough. Golf is a great excuse to reinforce those family ties.
I speak from experience, as I mentioned earlier. My wife took up golf after I did and fell for it as hard, or maybe harder, than she fell for me. We’ve done all things listed above, from golf vacations to couples’ nights to including family.
And while the pure meaning of Valentine’s Day is focussed on your one and only, and my wife and I have spent many delightful hours golfing together, I can tell you that one of my everlasting memories is the sight of our son and his grandfather golfing together.
That’s something else I truly love.
Rachel Wittenberg/ Love the Moment Photography
Canadian golf mourns the loss of Betty Stanhope-Cole
It is with great sadness that Golf Canada, Alberta Golf, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and the entire golf community mourns the peaceful passing of Betty Stanhope-Cole who passed away on January 27, 2017 at the age of 79, after a brief battle with cancer.
Born on September 21, 1937 in Calgary, she is survived by her son Rob and daughter Jackie (Hiebert), along with three grandchildren (Brian, Tyler and Talia).
Stanhope-Cole saw success at every level of her amateur golf career. As a junior, she won the Alberta Junior Girls championship from 1955-1957 and the Canadian Junior Girls Championship in 1956. She would later win the Alberta Ladies’ Amateur Championship a record 17 times between 1957 and 1984.
Stanhope-Cole also competed on 29 interprovincial teams (25 for Alberta, two for Ontario and two for Saskatchewan) in addition to winning the Saskatchewan Ladies’ Championship in 1966. Her career was capped off by winning the 1957 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, a win she noted as being her biggest golfing achievement.
Internationally, she represented Canada a total five times, three at the World Amateur Team Championship (1964, 1974, 1976) and twice at the Commonwealth Team Championship (1963, 1971).
Her impact on the game was also felt at the administrative level, as National Director of Rules and Handicap from 1980 to 1983 with the former Canadian Ladies Golf Association. She also spent 10 years working with the Alberta Golf Association (now Alberta Golf) serving as Player Development Director, Rules Director, Zone Chair and as a member of the association’s Tournament Committee.
Stanhope-Cole’s successful amateur career was recognized with her induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in 1991, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 1980, Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, and the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame in 2005.
A celebration of life will be held at Highlands Golf Club on February 13, 2017. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alberta Kidney Foundation.
Statement from Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Sandra Post:
“Betty came from a tremendous era for female golfers. Even though she was born out west, she played across the country and won championships in Saskatchewan and Ontario. She had a great long game and represented Canada well.”
Photos of Betty Stanhope-Cole are available for download here.
Bunkers aren’t just filled with sand
In some cases, I feel that we don’t talk enough about Stanley Thompson. Now this could be because the man was a legend and legends can have books upon books written about them – and even in this day of age, blogs upon blogs written about them. This is the case for this particular blog.
For those of you who might not recognize the name, Stanley Thompson, he was the golf course architect in Canada. Yes, he did design golf courses outside of Canada but for a man to have completed 145 designs from 1920 to 1952, in a time when travel wasn’t as easy as it is today, this is the stuff of legend.
And it isn’t just because the golf courses he designed were great in quantity, they were great because of the thought and care he took in utilizing the surrounding landscape in “forming” a hole.
I have been lucky enough to play Banff Springs (personally my favorite Thompson course – but I have been told that this is because I have yet to play Jasper) and I was in complete awe of each and every hole. Thompson’s bunkering is unparalleled.
For those of you who have yet to be fortunate enough to play a Thompson design, I will liken it to this – picture yourself at the tee box looking down at the ball (easy), you look up and you see the trees that line the fairway and up in the distance you see the green guarded by mounds (medium), but then bunkers jump out at you and suddenly the bunkers seem to get bigger and bigger and the bunkers seems to angling towards you like a catchers mitt trying to catch your ball (THOMPSON DIFFICULT).
Recently a gentleman walked into the museum and he had a self-portrait of Stanley Thompson in his hand, which was also autographed. My heart skipped a beat. This man, Scott was his name, told me how his grandfather was the greenskeeper at Jasper for over 30 years and this self portrait was given to him by Stanley, because not only was he a greenskeeper at Jasper, he was a foreman in helping build Banff. That man’s name was Jack Milligan. You may be able to find a few references to him but here is a great one written by Ian Andrew.
Scott was generous enough to loan this framed piece to us for use in the small Stanley Thompson exhibit that we have in the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum. Although small in size, it is a fantastic piece. When I forwarded a picture of it to Ian Andrew he said it was “perhaps the best (Thompson) signature I have ever seen.”
I would like to thank Scott for allowing us to put this piece on display and I look forward to learning more about his grandfather’s personal archives.
PS – Did I also mention that his mother was Rae Milligan, the same woman who competed on multiple international teams with Marlene Streit and Margaret Todd.
Job Opportunity: Golf Canada Calgary Centre
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2016 Player of the Year Awards
For Immediate Release
NEWS RELEASE
The 2016 Player of the Year awards are handed out to nine talented Albertans
Two Junior Achievers are recognized for their outstanding sportsmanship and results
Calgary, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – Being named the Player of the Year is a true testament to the dedication, hard work and commitment to achieve the goals set at the beginning of each competitive season. “We are thrilled to celebrate our winners and two junior achievers for their performances over the course of the 2016 season that led to their successes on both the Provincial and National Orders of Merit,” said Randy Robb, Alberta Golf’s Manager of High Performance Sport. “These rankings recognize our athletes’ incredible accomplishments while also providing them with a measuring stick for their continued development as a player.”
The 2016 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Champion, Evan Holmes, said that “winning the 2016 Player of the Year award is a huge honour for me. Luke (Workman) and Randy (Robb) have coached me for years through the Team Alberta program and my success wouldn’t have been possible without them. 2016 was a great year for me on the golf course that I hope to build on in the new year, but it wouldn’t have been possible without all the opportunities that Alberta Golf provides.” The 2016 Player of the Year winners are:
Canadian golf mourns the loss of Arnold Palmer
It is with great sadness that Golf Canada joins the international golf community in mourning the loss of golf legend Arnold Palmer who passed away on September 25, 2016 at the age of 87.
Affectionately known as ‘The King’, Palmer, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, will be remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of golf.
“On behalf of the entire Canadian golf community, we are extremely saddened by the loss of a legend and would like to express our most sincere condolences on the passing of Arnold Palmer,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “Mr. Palmer meant so much to the game both on and off the golf course and his influence on the sport has had an immeasurable impact. His legacy reflects a storied champion, business leader, mentor, philanthropist, visionary and a true gentleman. We are extremely proud of Mr. Palmer’s special connection to Canadian golf and join the international golf and sporting communities in celebrating the life of arguably the finest ambassador golf has ever known.”
Palmer competed in 17 Canadian Opens during his storied playing career (1955-1958, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1971-1979).
His victory at the 1955 Canadian Open at Weston Golf and Country Club was his first career PGA Tour victory. A statue of Palmer’s Canadian Open win at Weston – based on a photograph by Gordon W. Powley – was erected in 2005 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic victory.
Including his win at the 1955 Canadian Open, Palmer earned seven Top-10 finishes at Canada’s National Open Championship (T9 in 1956; 2nd in 1964; 7th in 1967; T10 in 1973; 4th in 1975; and T8 in 1978).
He also competed in a pair of Canadian Senior Opens, finishing tied for 12th in 1983 and tied for 58th in 1996.
As well, Palmer played in the PGA of Canada Championship on four occasions, including a victory in 1980; 6th in 1978; T49 in 1981; and T12 in 1983.
A global ambassador and proponent for golf as a charitable platform, Palmer delivered the keynote address to help celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Canadian Open in 2004.
NOTE TO MEDIA – photos of Arnold Palmer from the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame are available to download here.
Palmer made mark on Canadian golf, including first PGA Tour win in 1955
Bill Paul recalls meeting Arnold Palmer in 1981 and being just as impressed with the man as the golf legend.
“I was maybe 22 and he was whatever (52),” Paul, former tournament director of the Canadian Open and now Golf Canada’s Chief Championships Officer, said Monday. “I remember it because he’s the king of golf and I’m this little peon, but he treated me like I was anybody else.
“He treated everyone the same. And every time I’d meet him after that, he remembered me and knew my name.”
Many people who met Palmer, who died Sunday in a Pittsburgh hospital, have similar stories about the King, who went from being a caddie to one of the greatest names in the sport but never seemed to forget where he came from.
Palmer certainly left his mark on Canada, and not only for the courses he helped design like the Whistler Golf Club or Northview in Surrey, B.C.
The Latrobe, Pa., native posted the first of his 62 PGA Tour victories in 1955 at the Weston Golf and Country Club near Toronto. Palmer was a Tour rookie that year and traveled between tournaments by car with his first wife Winnie. The couple camped in a field behind the superintendent’s shed at Weston.
Then he blew away the pack en route to a four-stroke win and the top prize of $2,400.
“Things came together pretty much for me in this Canadian Open and it got me started on the winning trail,” Palmer said of the win.
In 2004, Paul invited him to help celebrate the Canadian Open’s 100th anniversary and was stunned when the four-time Masters champion said “I’ll go to the Canadian Open and I’d like to speak at it.”
“When he said ‘yes’ it was unbelievable,” said Paul.
A year later, Palmer was back at Weston to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his first PGA win, which included playing in a skins game with Dave Barr, Ray Floyd and Mark Calcavecchia. A statue of Palmer hugging the trophy was unveiled at the course.
Palmer went on to become one of golf’s all-time greats and was credited with sparking the sport’s mass appeal at a time when the game had just started to be shown on television.
He also led the way for other athletes in capitalizing on his fame and achievements by launching a clothing line, a golf course design company, helping start the IMG sports agency and other ventures.
“As promoters and organizers we all tip out hats to Mr. Palmer for what he meant to sports and what he showed in his life,” said Paul.
Golf in Schools: The gift that keeps on giving
John Gordon
To find out how you can grow your business by Adopting a School, visit golfcanada.ca/adoptaschool or call 1-800-263-0009 ext. 475.
There’s been much hand-wringing recently over the “future of the game” and where golf is headed if more youngsters don’t get involved.
For those of you who really care about the future of the game, the solution might be to stop wringing your hands and use them to open your wallets. Here’s your chance.
Sept. 19-23 is national Adopt a School Week, created by Golf Canada and supported by the PGA of Canada, provincial golf associations and the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada.
Adopt a School is an offshoot of the successful Golf in Schools program created by Golf Canada in conjunction with the PGA of Canada and PHE Canada with support from the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada as a program partner. It provides courses, companies and individuals with the opportunity to “adopt” one or more schools of their choosing to introduce the Golf in Schools program at that school. (Schools can also enroll in the program on their own if they wish.)
In a very generous gesture, for a limited time the Canadian Seniors’ Golf Association is matching all adoptions, giving donors the option to select two schools to receive the GIS program, while donating funding for just one.
The GIS program, currently in more than 3,000 elementary and high schools with more than 336,000 students participating from coast to coast, includes a “best-in-class” learning resource as well as child-friendly golf-specific equipment.
“It’s a fabulous program and the equipment is so well designed,” says Enid Botchett. A retired educator in Edmonton, she has a long history in volunteerism including serving in many roles with Alberta Golf, including president. In 2012, she was named Golf Canada’s volunteer of the year.
But as excellent as the program materials and equipment are, Botchett says having a local champion for the program is equally vital.
Fellow Edmontonian Patti Christensen agrees. Now an elementary principal, she has shared her love of golf at every school where she has worked.
Like Botchett, Christensen says the Golf in Schools program is unlikely to achieve its ultimate goal of not only introducing kids to the game, but keeping them in the sport unless there is a connection with a golf course or driving range.
“For Golf in Schools to really work, you must build a community partnership with golf courses. It’s not just about showing the kids what golf is about for a day or a few days, but helping them make the connection with the real golf experience.
“Another important part of the program is to teach them not just skills but values that come along with golf, like perseverance, etiquette, sportsmanship and character.”
For golf courses participating in the Adopt a School program, there are tangible benefits. Call it “enlightened self-interest.”
“My motivation [to support GIS] is to grow the game because, otherwise, who is going to play golf?” says Jason Harris, owner of Orr Lake Golf Club near Barrie, Ont. Harris is heavily invested in the program, having adopted four schools in the area and paying a pro from a neighbouring course to visit those schools. Harris then busses the kids to his course to swing a club for real and get some pointers from a PGA of Canada member. Over the past few years, his support of the program has introduced more than 550 kids to golf.
“As great as the GIS concept is, Golf Canada can only do so much and they are doing their part by subsidizing the GIS packages and providing the grants to go into schools and to bring schools to the course,” says Harris.
“It is the ultimate responsibility for golf course owners to step up and continue or take over the school sponsorship by offering the in-school visits and bringing the classes to the golf course. We have to realize this is a top priority for the future of the game as well as for our business.”
Harris has seen ancillary benefits to his support of the Golf in Schools program.
“Sure, the kids come out to the course, but then they bring along mom and dad. Then there’s a whole family dynamic. Not only the kids want to play golf and take lessons, but so do their parents. We had 140 people go through our Learn to Golf clinics this summer. That’s 140 new golfers, so that’s a positive thing for golf.
“This entire program was great PR for us in the community plus we have definitely seen an increase in the number of juniors and families playing our course this year.”
Every journey starts with a first step, as the old saying goes.
With your support, Adopt a School just may provide that first step for thousands of youngsters to be introduced to “the game for a lifetime.”
Interested in adopting a school in your community? Check out this step-by-step infographic for adopting a school below:
Alberta Golf announces $54,000 in scholarship funds
For Immediate Release
September 9, 2016
NEWS RELEASE
Alberta Golf announces $54,000 in scholarship funds
Over 40 successful applicants were awarded scholarships for the 2016-17 academic year
CALGARY, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – Many golfers will be heading back to school with a scholarship this year, after Alberta Golf announced the 2016 scholarship recipients. The successful applicants include past Team Alberta members, past Interprovincial Team members, Alberta Junior Champions, Alberta Amateur Champions, as well as students who simply enjoy the sport. In fact, Alberta Golf’s scholarship program is open to all applicants pursuing their academic interests such that golfing ability is not a requirement. More than 20 of the recipients are past junior players who have competed in Alberta Golf’s provincial championships and several continue to play at a post-secondary level.
Scholarship applications are evaluated by a committee of volunteers based on the criteria of financial need, grade point average and volunteer experience. The funds for the scholarships are generated through a yearly casino, the generosity of patrons and from various donors and foundations.
Thanks to the following donors and foundations for their support:
Lola Rozsa, Frank Lindsay, R.E. Courage, Bob Rintoul, Jeff Llewellyn, Charles C. Reid, Christa Spahmann, McLennan Ross Junior Tour, Sun Life Financial and Alberta Golf Foundation
The 2016 scholarship recipients are:
Lindsay Almberg, Barrett Belland, Katie Benoit, Quinn Ceplis, Andrew Chelack, Celine Copeland, Courtney Dickson, Claire Emery, Jolene Freerksen, Kevin Gfrerer, Heather Gisi, Patrick Gobran, Andrew Harrison, Bria Jansen, Conaire Kehoe, Peter Keith, Kat Kennedy, Alissa Kuhn, Julie Kuhn, Brendan Kuny, Carolyn Lee, Daria Leidenius, Shaye Leidenius, Erin Martens, Kate Martens, Scott McNichol, Melanie Murchison, Brandon Murphy, Hamzah Naeem, Nathan Nobert, Jack Pengelly, Allan Pruss, Michael Pruss, Dalton Ronan, Elliot Saive, Tyler Saunders, Luke Scanlon, Amanda Sha, Tyler Vandermeer, Mackenzie Walker, Sydney Weber, Rachel Wiebe and Jack Wood.
The application process for the 2017 academic year starts January 1, with a deadline of July 15, 2017. For more information on the application process, click here.
Individual and corporate donations are greatly appreciated. Each donation is eligible to receive a tax receipt. To donate online at any time, click here.
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About Alberta Golf:
The Alberta Golf Association was incorporated as a society in 1912 and continues today as a not for profit Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) operating as Alberta Golf. As the PSO, we are committed to realizing the positive impacts of golf on individuals and communities across Alberta. Our vision is that through golf, Albertans will enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, a strong sense of community, economic benefits and personal fulfillment.
For more information:
Chloe Mansfield
Manager, Member & Public Relations
Alberta Golf
(c) 587-435-6334
Jutanugarn runs away with CP Women’s Open
CALGARY – Ariya Jutanugarn ran away with the CP Women’s Open at chilly Priddis Greens for her LPGA Tour-leading fifth victory of the year – all in the last 10 events.
Nine days after withdrawing from the Rio Olympics because of a left knee injury, the 20-year-old Thai player made a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 6-under 66 and a four-stroke victory.
Bundled up in a winter jacket between shots with the temperature in the lows 50s on the overcast afternoon, the second-ranked Jutanugarn matched the tournament record for relation to par 23-under, set by So Yeon Ryu two years ago at London Hunt Club in Ontario.
After a late meltdown cost Jutanugarn her first LPGA Tour victory in April in the major ANA Inspiration, she broke through in May with three straight victories. She won the Women’s British Open in the event before the Olympics, and made it two-in-a-row on the tour Sunday in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies – blasting 2-irons and 3-woods off the driving holes on the tree-lined course.
South Korea’s Sei Young Kim, a two-time winner this year, was second after a 65.
South Korea’s In Gee Chun, the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open champion, was third at 18 under after a 69.
Canada’s Alena Sharp had the best result of her LPGA Tour career, birdieing the final two holes for a 67 to finish fourth at 16 under. Three-time champion Ko had a 69 to tie for seventh at 13 under.
Canadian star Brooke Henderson shot a 69 to tie for 14th at 11 under. The 18-year-old Henderson beat Ko in a playoff in June in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for her first major title, and successfully defended her Cambia Portland Classic title last month. She will play in her home province next week in the Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge, Ontario.
What’s New, Alberta Net Amateur Championship | The Alberta Golfer
This article was originally published in the 2016 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.
Are you an Alberta Golf member, male or female, aged 19 or over? Are you looking for a fun-filled, 36-hole tournament at one of Alberta’s most interesting golf courses? Are you perhaps a bit nervous about entering an Alberta Golf championship, but want to give competitive golf a try in a low-stress atmosphere?
Well, have we got a tournament for YOU! The inaugural Alberta Net Amateur Championship will be held August 30-31, 2016 at the sensational Dinosaur Trail Golf Club in Drumheller. The 36-hole event is open to both men and women and will be in a Stableford format, with full handicap allowances in the net scoring system. Many of the entrants for the Net Amateur are expected to be relatively inexperienced in competing in Alberta Golf championships, so the Stableford scoring format will eliminate the worry about having to complete every hole, regardless of the number of strokes you might take.
Rob Forshner, manager, rules and competitions for Alberta Golf, talked about the newest event on the Alberta Golf tournament schedule. “We think the Net Amateur has the potential to be one of our most popular events.” Forshner said. “We have thousands of Alberta Golf members who perhaps aren’t quite skilled or confident enough to enter the men’s or ladies amateur championships or even the seniors or mid-am events, but still want to feel part of the Alberta Golf community.
“We have added the Net Amateur Championship to our tournament schedule this year to help give these players an event in which they can feel comfortable. We fully expect that over time, the Net Amateur will become one of Alberta Golf’s most popular tournaments.”
There is no question that the host venue, Dinosaur Trail Golf Club, provides an outstanding site for the first Net Amateur Championship. The front nine is a parkland style, tree-lined fairway traditional course, but the back nine is where the course has earned its reputation as one of Alberta’s most scenic venues, as the holes twist and turn through spectacular hoodoos.
This article was originally published in the 2016 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.