Competitive golfers in Alberta can look forward to expanded events, eligibility changes, format enhancements, team selection and recognition changes in 2018

11 provincial amateur championships to be conducted across the province culminating in the return to Kananaskis Country Golf Course for the Interclub championship in September

Registration opens Tuesday, April 3rd at 7:00 a.m. MT

Alberta Golf is delighted to announce its competition schedule including host clubs and dates for the 2018 championship season. A total of 11 provincial amateur championships that serve as qualifiers for national amateur championships will be conducted this year. In addition, the Canadian Junior Boys Championship will be held at the Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club this July.

“We are thrilled with the high quality of member facilities on our schedule this year, beginning the season with our expanded Match Play Championship at Silver Springs and ending with a much anticipated return to Kananaskis Country for the Interclub Championship,” said Alberta Golf Manager of Competitions, Stephen Wigington.

“Throughout 2017 we listened to player and stakeholder feedback and equipped with that information our team, including staff and our operating committees have made significant strides towards an enhanced compete and excel program offering.”

In addition, a careful review of Alberta Golf’s High Performance strategy to drive athlete performance and professional coaching to the highest levels in our province has been completed in coordination with Golf Canada. It became evident that providing more support directly to member facilities and to participants who are striving to excel in local markets will produce tremendous results for the long-term. For the past eighteen months, the focus of this intensive review has been on two primary objectives: to expand our program offering to every corner of the province and to ensure long term sustainability.

Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer, Jeff Thompson, said “we are thrilled to be able to work closely with Alberta Golf as they continue to evolve, improve and invest in their sport programs – both grass roots/entry level and high performance. It is critical to have system alignment between the provinces and national to ensure we are as efficient and impactful as possible and Alberta Golf has been a leader nationally in this regard.”

A balanced approach to skill building that includes repetition, periodization and exposure to higher levels of competition are keys to continued development in athletes. Using the resources at our disposal, including sharing knowledge, expertise and best practices amongst our coaches and athletes, we intend to support all local markets. We want to impress upon the entire industry throughout the province that the next Brooke Henderson or Mackenzie Hughes is already part of the club’s junior program or they might be involved with another sport in the community – this is our potential and the opportunity.

Developing all junior programs to unlock this potential, using the tools and support available through Alberta Golf and Golf Canada, is the responsibility of each member club. The guidance and networking provided to coaches and to athletes by connecting with one another through the Canadian golf community serves to reinforce this message to all local clubs. The more often this formula can be repeated and the more comfortable junior golfers become at each level of competition, the more often we will witness quality results. As we achieve better results at the club level and regionally, we will soon find Alberta at the top of National and International leaderboards.

Alberta Golf Executive Director/CEO, Phil Berube, adds that “the association has dedicated a significant amount of internal resources to improve all program administration and we have acquired the necessary control of all elements of our high performance program. This aligns with our business plan and includes a more comprehensive approach to the recommendations being brought forward to our Board of Directors as well as the methodology in which athletes are supported and recognized. We are confident that we are on a path forward that will yield great results for all athletes and all coaches involved with Alberta Golf.”

Jennifer Davison, Alberta Golf’s Director of Sport Development & High Performance said that “one of the biggest findings during this internal review of our program has been the lack of administrative oversight for all programming. As this program has developed over the past decade, at times we have relied too heavily on third party input and information. While we have been successful in recognizing excellence amongst all players during this time, the information we have been providing to athletes and to parents has proven to be confusing, inconsistent and at times unreliable.”

Alberta Golf is proud to highlight a number of our key changes for 2018 in the notes section below.

COMPETE & EXCEL NOTES:

• The SVR Alberta Open has been expanded to a 54-hole stroke-play competition permitting it to be eligible for World Amateur Golf Ranking points. There will be a 36-hole cut to the low 60 players and ties for the final round. A Pro/Am event will be held the day prior for Professionals (club and touring) to bring a team and compete for prizes. The low amateur from the SVR Alberta Open will receive a team position for the 2019 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship.

• The Alberta Match Play Championship is now a stand-alone event open to both male and female competitors who will compete in separate 16-player brackets. The first day of competition will be a shotgun stroke-play qualifier to determine the seeding for the matches the following two days. The qualifying field is open to 90 men and 30 women. The men’s Match Play Champion will receive a team position for the 2019 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship.

• For the first time, the Alberta Mid-Amateur Championship will feature dual hosts – The Glendale Golf & Country Club and the Stony Plain Golf Course. Alberta Golf’s largest event from a participation standpoint can now accommodate up to 200 competitors who will play one round at each venue. There will be a 36-hole cut to the low 60 players and ties for the final round at the Glendale G&CC.

• For the first time since 2013, the Alberta Junior Girls Championship will be conducted at a separate venue from the Junior Boys competition. This decision was taken after several seasons of conducting a joint Alberta Junior Championship. While this endeavor was successful from a logistical and promotional standpoint we feel strongly that a distinct championship for girls only will promote participation and camaraderie among young golfers with a focus on growing a competitive culture among junior girls.

• 2018 marks the return of the Alberta Interclub Championship to Kananaskis Country Golf Course. We are excited to return to K-country following a five-year hiatus from the perennial host due to the devastating flood in 2013. We wish to thank the Canmore Golf & Curling Club for admirably stepping up to fill the void over the last four seasons. For the first time, the Interclub Championship will be open to both male and female teams of four. The first 36 member club teams to register will make up the field.

• The Canadian Junior Boys Championship will be held at the beautiful Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club this July 30 – August 2^nd. Look for a strong contingent of young Albertans at the top of the leaderboard this summer.

• We are thrilled to be working more closely with our fellow associations and tours this year by providing varied event management services including a full listing of all in-province events on our website schedule. We feel strongly that participation levels and value will increase for all golfers by working collaboratively. You can view the full schedule and toggle to future venues here.

• We are very proud to name our 2017 Players of the Year in each category:

Matt Williams, Mens – Glencoe G&CC
Jaclyn Lee, Ladies – Glencoe G&CC
Ethan Choi, Junior & Juvenile Boys – Pincher Creek G&CC
Kehler Koss, Junior Girls – Glencoe G&CC
Annabelle Ackroyd, Juvenile Girls, Silver Springs G&CC
Hunter Thomson, Bantam Boys, Calgary G&CC
Kaitlyn Wingnean, Bantam Girls, The Derrick G&WC

• In December of 2017, Alberta Golf announced an expanded high performance athlete development program. This is part of an organization-wide culture of commitment to supporting players, coaches and facilities committed to high performance athlete development. It features a tiered program offering that increases access to world-class support to a growing number of athletes across the entire province. More information can be found here.

• The Tier 2 Regional Player Development Program schedule for 2018 can be found here. The program is $600 and includes a variety of camps. Applications are continuing to be accepted until April 22^nd. Players who have already applied will be contacted to confirm their acceptance into this program.

• For 2018, we will be transitioning away from a provincial order of merit to the national Golf Canada Order of Merit rankings. We will be recognizing the top Albertan on the national rankings at the end of the season at the amateur and junior level only. Information on the National Order of Merit can be found here. Our focus remains on celebrating results in our provincial championships and encouraging a competitive environment that is healthy from a training, competition and rest standpoint.

• Updated information on exemptions for provincial championships, quota positions for national championships, and historical records can be found here. Information on selection for multi-sport games and teams can be found here. Athlete Assistance funding of over $25,000 in total will be awarded to those players who have met the criteria for the high-performance squad and provincial teams.

ALBERTA GOLF AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Alberta Golf conducts 11 provincial amateur championships for annual competition to identify the best golfer in various age and gender categories, welcoming nearly 1,500 competitors each year. Provincial amateur championships are conducted at member facilities on a variety of high quality courses across the province to provide a best in class experience for competitors. Championships service as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships and are delivered by a committed and passionate group of staff and volunteers. Provincial amateur championships are conducted to promote competition, build pride in the community, and inspire future generations of golfers. Alberta Golf’s provincial amateur championships are proudly supported by Sun Life Financial, Scott Venturo Rudakoff LLP, Alberta Sport Connection, Adidas Golf Canada, and Titleist & FootJoy.

ALBERTA GOLF HIGH PERFORMANCE ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
Alberta Golf’s High Performance Athlete Development program is designed to support athletes across the province by providing programs and services that ultimately help them reach their competitive goals in the sport. Support is provided to athletes, coaches and facilities who are committed to high performance. Alberta Golf invests nearly $300,000 annually in sport development programming. Team Alberta, the pinnacle of Alberta Golf’s High Performance program, provides access to world-class resources including coaching, nutrition, sport science, mental management, equipment and elite competitive opportunities. The program builds on the support team members have received in their development years from their family, clubs, personal instructors, and coaches. Alberta Golf’s High Performance Athlete Development program and Team Alberta are proudly supported by Golf Canada, Titleist, FootJoy, and Alberta Sport Connection.

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.

CONTACT
Jack Lane, Director, Business Development & Communications
jack@albertagolf.org

Some of Canada’s top venues have been secured as host sites for RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company Regional Finals in 2018.

From coast-to-coast, these facilities include:

• Talking Rock Golf Resort, Chase, B.C.
• Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, Banff, Alta.
• Royal Regina Golf Club, Regina
• Elmhurst Golf and Country Club, Winnipeg
• Silver Creek Golf Club, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
• Coppinwood Golf Club, Goodwood, Ont.
• Brantford Golf and Country Club, Brantford, Ont.
• Wildfire Golf Club, Lakefield, Ont.
• Club de Golf Vallee du Richelieu, Sainte-Julie, Que.
• The Links at Brunello, Timberlea, N.S.

“The venues we’ve secured as RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company Regional Final hosts in 2018 are truly impressive,” said PGA of Canada president Steve Wood. “Participants who make it through the local stage will enjoy a fantastic day at a first-class facility in his or her region and a glimpse into what the national final is like as well.”

The RBC PGA Scramble of Canada presented by The Lincoln Motor Company is a national series of team events featuring amateur golfers and PGA of Canada professionals taking place at more than 100 golf facilities around the country.

The series of events expects to draw thousands of amateur golfers—who will form their own team of four players— from across the country. Teams will look to make it through local and regional qualifying with the goal of playing in the national final at Cabot Links this October.

The RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company National Regional Finals will feature numerous activities to enhance the event. In addition, playing one of Canada’s best golf courses, participants will be treated to enhanced gifting, interactive activations from RBC and The Lincoln Motor Company, on-course contesting and a post-round dining event where the regional final champions will be crowned.

For more information about the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company, visit the website by clicking here.

Master Craftsman and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Bob Vokey, along with his pioneering R&D team, continue to shape the future of wedge design with the introduction of the new Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled 7 wedges. Available in golf shops worldwide beginning March 9, 2018, new Vokey SM7 wedges provide all golfers the opportunity for a better, more confident short game through unmatched craftsmanship, technology and performance.

Vokey’s prior generation SM6 models ushered in a new era of wedge innovation and performance with their groundbreaking Progressive Center of Gravity (CG) design. The advancements made with SM7 – already the most played wedge model on the PGA TOUR, with four SM7’s in the bag of Jordan Spieth – further widen the performance gap between a Vokey and all other wedges.

Improving in all three areas of wedge performance, new SM7 models provide increased shot versatility with expanded fitting options, improved distance and trajectory control and more spin through the following key advancements:

The fastest way to a better short game is through a wedge fitting. Developed through his collaboration with the world’s best shot makers, Bob’s six tour-proven sole grinds – F, S, M, K, L and the new D grind – allow golfers of all skill levels to be precisely fit for their swing type, shot making style and course conditions.

• F Grind: Full sole designed primarily for full swings and square face shots. For that reason, F is the only grind available in the 46º-52º models. The 54°/56° F Grind is the most played sand wedge on the PGA Tour.
• S Grind: Design based on feedback from Steve Stricker, the S is best for square faced shots with a touch more versatility than the F Grind. Simple mechanics are best with this wedge.
• M Grind: Voke’s favorite, the M grind is designed for players that like to rotate the club face open and shut to manufacture shots around the green.
• D Grind: The player’s high bounce wedge, the new D Grind offers high measured bounce with the crescent shape of the M Grind for shot making versatility.
• K Grind: The highest bounce wedge in the lineup, the K Grind is the ultimate bunker club and the most forgiving wedge in the lineup for all shots.
• L Grind: The L Grind features a narrow crescent shape allowing maximum green side versatility, but it is the least forgiving wedge in the lineup.

Vokey SM7 offers the game’s most complete selection of lofts, bounces and grinds, with 23 different combinations.

Finely tuned Progressive Center of Gravity locations improve trajectory and distance control while creating the best-feeling Vokey wedges to date.

A concept pioneered by Vokey R&D, Progressive Center of Gravity aligns the CG with the impact position of each loft to produce precise distance and trajectory control with exceptional feel. Engineered using cutting-edge CAD technology, Progressive CG is visible technology on the back of the wedge.
Advanced testing of SM6 models showed an opportunity to enhance the CG locations within SM7. The Vokey R&D team pushed the locations even further – higher on the high lofts and lower on the low lofts – to produce more consistent performance with noticeably better feel at impact.

100% inspected Spin Milled grooves cut at even tighter tolerances deliver more spin (up to 100rpm more spin on average).

Bob and his team identified the opportunity for an additional Spin Milled cutting process for plated wedges (Tour Chrome and Brushed Steel) as compared to the raw offerings (Jet Black and Raw). This new method improves upon Vokey’s industry-leading groove cutting tolerances, resulting in a more precise cut by finish and more spin in the plated wedges.
§ A proprietary heat treatment is applied to all Vokey Design SM7 wedges, resulting in longer lasting spin through the life of the wedge.

Just two weeks following their debut at the Shriners Hospital for Childrens Open, Vokey SM7 wedges became the most played wedge model on the PGA Tour, with 123 SM7’s in play at The RSM Classic.

“One thing I know from working with tour players the last 20-plus years is that they won’t put a new wedge in play unless it’s better,” said Master Craftsman Bob Vokey. “Every time we come out with a new one, we have to prove it. I can’t tell you how many times over the last couple years players asked me and Aaron (Vokey Tour Rep Aaron Dill) how we were going to make something better than SM6. Based on how quickly guys are switching to SM7, we know we’ve done it.”

Jordan Spieth – who put four new models immediately in play (46.10 F, 52.08 F, 56.10 S, 60.04 L) – is one of more than 100 tour players who have made the switch to SM7. That list also includes Jimmy Walker (46.10 F, 54.08 M, 60.04 L), Bill Haas (54.10 S, 60.10 S), Webb Simpson (54.14 F, 60.10 S), Brian Harman (46.10 F, 50.08 F, 54.10 S, 60.04 L) and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston (46.10 F, 50.08 F, 54.10 S, 58.10 S).

New SM7 wedges are available in three finishes (Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel and Jet Black). Tour Chrome retains its popular bright chrome finish. The darker Brushed Steel finish is richer and slightly more polished when compared to the Steel Gray offered in SM6, while maintaining a non-glare finish in the playing position. The raw Jet Black has been enhanced with black paint fill in the logos and graphics, inspired by requests received on tour by Vokey Tour Rep Aaron Dill.

SM7 wedges can be custom ordered with a wide range of specifications and personalization, including an industry-leading selection of shafts, grips, shaft bands, ferrules, stamping and paint fill. For a complete list of personalization and custom options, visit Vokey.com.

Vokey Design SM7 wedges are available in golf shops beginning March 9.

The next generation of Scotty Cameron Select putters – introducing new four-way sole balancing technology – continues the evolution of a line engineered for performance, milled to precision and designed with elegance.

Available in golf shops worldwide beginning March 30, the 2018 Select line advances Titleist Master Putter Maker Scotty Cameron’s proven multi-material construction methodology of combining face inlays of either 303 stainless steel or 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum with stainless steel bodies for superior balance, weight distribution, sound and feel.

The new Select line features seven tour-validated modern blade and mid-mallet models. The new Select Laguna joins Scotty’s classic Select Newport, Newport 2 and Newport 2.5 blade styles, while the popular Fastback and Squareback names return in updated mid-mallet offerings. Rounding out the line is the heel-shafted mid-mallet Select Newport 3.

Precise refinements made to the sight, sound and sole components of each Select model deliver key performance benefits:

• SIGHT: Contours and sight cues were refined to enhance alignment opportunities and instill confidence. Scotty focused on thinning topline appearances by giving each a slightly rounder radius. Plumbing neck dimensions, edges and angles have been squared up for a cleaner look from address.
• SOUND: Improved sound and feel are the result of up to 30 percent more vibration dampening material connecting face inlays with putter bodies. The connecting screws are slightly larger to account for the increased material and the surface compression necessary to produce the softer sound, while preserving the feedback demanded by the best players in the world to aid in distance control and diagnosing mishits.
• SOLE: For the first time ever, Scotty has introduced a four-way balanced sole design for a faster setup and easier alignment at address. The balance point of each 2018 Select putter’s sole has been shifted forward to account for the weight of the shaft and grip and their impact related to how the putter sits at address. This results in a putter that sits perfectly square at address to promote easier alignment on virtually any lie.

“Everything I’ve learned from refining and redesigning Newport-style putters over the last two decades has gone into this 2018 Select line,” Scotty Cameron said. “I always strive to raise the bar by incorporating new materials, milling and manufacturing techniques. I’m at the point with the Select line of putters that now I’m hyper-focused on the finest details. Tour players pick up on things most people don’t but those details can make a big difference in how a putter performs. We’ve reengineered the sole to account for the shaft and grip weight by actually moving metal in minute increments to help the putter align perfectly. I call it four-way sole balancing because we’ve balanced the putter from face to cavity, and from heel to toe.”

The 2018 Select line employs three unique setups – incorporating Scotty’s innovative face inlays that wrap around the sole and disappear from the player’s view at address – to complement each putter shape and size:

• New 2018 Select Newport, Newport 2, Newport 2.5 and Laguna models are modern heel-and-toe weighted blades designed to support flowing strokes in several player preferred setups. Each model features a sole-to-topline 303 stainless steel inlay that is precision mid-milled and hand-buffed to a brilliant, metallic finish, then bonded to the stainless steel body using up to 30 percent more high-tech vibration dampening material than previous models. This fusion of materials provides golfers with ultra-responsive feel and feedback at impact.
• New 2018 Select Newport 3 is a heel-shafted mid-mallet, based on the classic Newport head shape, designed with a flow neck (with ¾” offset) for the player who needs additional toe flow in his stroke. Multi-material technology – featuring a precision milled, lightweight 6061 aircraft grade aluminum face inlay fused to the precision-milled 303 stainless steel body – distributes weight for higher MOI performance. A left-handed Newport 3 was also added to the line for 2018.
• New 2018 Select Fastback and Squareback mid-mallets combine 6061 aircraft grade aluminum inlays with Scotty’s wrap-around face-sole technology. The face-sole component is a single piece of lightweight aluminum that wraps down and around to create the midsection of the sole. This construction concentrates weight on the perimeter to produce higher MOI and stability for “straight back/straight through” strokes. The lightweight aluminum face-sole is fine tuned for sound and feel through increased vibration dampening material attached to the stainless steel core. Both new models have been refined with a milled sightline in the flange in lieu of the pop-through feature.

Click here for an overview of each 2018 Select putter model.​

New Select putters feature advanced stability weighting with two, customizable stainless steel heel-toe weights, stepless steel shafts and supple Black & Silver Matador Mid-size grips developed to offer the comfort of a larger grip while maintaining responsiveness and feel.

Scotty gave the Select line’s raw stainless steel finish a unique bead blast for a radiant yet glare resistant appearance. Smaller double-milled “cherry dots” on the heel and sole – inspired by Scotty’s familiar three bright translucent red dot theme – with simplified, engraved typography represents this modern, refined line.

Select putters will be available on March 30 worldwide through Titleist authorized golf shops. 1st of 500 models will be available on March 23.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – National Amateur Squad member Chris Crisologo hoisted the South American Amateur trophy on Tuesday following a four-stroke victory at the Martindale Country Club.

The Richmond, B.C., native struggled early in the final round, going 4 over par through his first five holes before recovering on the back nine with four birdies. Crisologo, 23, recorded the tournament’s two lowest rounds (64-66) to hold a lead as large as seven. He went on to close the event at 13 under par, four strokes clear of runner-up Alejandro Tosti of Argentina.

Fellow countryman Matt Williams of Calgary finished the 13th edition of the event with a 3-under-par 69—his best score of the tournament. The University of Houston of Houston junior finished the event at 4 under par in a tie for 12th.

With the win, the Simon Fraser University junior becomes the first Canadian male to capture the event. LPGA star Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., captured the women’s division in 2013. The victory also marks Crisologo’s first win as a member of Team Canada—he joined the National Amateur Squad back in October.

pic.twitter.com/D83j7SnULp

— AAG (@GolfAAG) January 16, 2018

In the women’s division, Team Canada Development Squad member Céleste Dao finished T8 at 1 over par. The Notre-Dame-de-lÎle-Perrot, Que., product carded four birdies in her final round to record her best score of the tournament with a 3-under 69.

Teammate Ellie Szeryk of London, Ont., finished tied for 22nd at 9 over par (72-79-74-72).

Click here for full scoring.

Chris Crisologo campeón del Abierto Sudamericano Amateur! Congratulaciones ! pic.twitter.com/0fJVQBp75E

— AAG (@GolfAAG) January 16, 2018

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Lorne Rubenstein, who spent 33 years as a golf columnist while writing 14 books and contributing to magazines around the world, has been named the recipient of the 2018 PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism.

Rubenstein, a native of Toronto, will be honored on April 4 at the ISPS HANDA 46th Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA) Annual Awards Dinner at Savannah Rapids Pavilion in Augusta, Georgia.

Rubenstein, 69, is the 29th recipient of the PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism, which recognizes members of the media for their steadfast promotion of golf, both locally and nationally.

“We celebrate Lorne Rubenstein’s outstanding career, a study in gracefully capturing the joy of the game while connecting readers to many of golf’s often underappreciated players,” said PGA President Paul Levy. “Through his work, Lorne also strengthened a bond with our extended golf family in Canada – home to an association born five years before the PGA of America. Together, we work to make golf the best game and we welcome Lorne among the most honored journalists in our sport.”

Rubenstein’s work spans more than 50 major championships, Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups as well as some 40 Canadian Opens.

Born in Toronto, Rubenstein began playing golf at 12 while continuing to compete in hockey, football and baseball. A graduate of York University in Toronto in 1970, Rubenstein earned an M.A. in psychology from the University of Guelph (1974). He worked as part-time curator-librarian for the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA, now Golf Canada), while pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology. He withdrew to focus on writing about golf. In 1980, Rubenstein became the first editor of SCOREGolf Magazine and a weekly columnist for The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper.

Personal golf experiences enriched Rubenstein’s work, including caddying in the 1970 Canadian Open for former U.S. and British Amateur Champion Bob Dickson, with whom he developed a long friendship that led to more connections with professional golfers. He caddied on tour part-time for Dickson and then for two-time Canadian Amateur champion Jim Nelford until 1982.

During that period, Rubenstein led the club championship at the Uplands Golf Course in Toronto after 54 holes. He was unable to fend off multiple swing thoughts and struggled to a 78 in the final round. He lost and went home to write about the experience, and sent the article to Golf Digest.

The editor was encouraging, but didn’t publish his offering. Still, the encouragement kick- started his writing career. Two years later, in 1979, he previewed the Canadian Open for Toronto Life magazine – “Psychology of the Swing,” focusing on Canadian great George Knudson.

After publication, Knudson left a voice message, “You have your foot in the door. Just keep writing and good things will happen.” One of the “good things” was The Natural Golf Swing, the book he co-authored with Knudson, an eight-time PGA Tour winner.

“I’ve made many friends around the world because of golf,” said Rubenstein. “Forty years have come and gone since my club championship debacle at Uplands. But the experience led me to write, and a world opened up. Even now I can hear George Knudson’s voice on my answering machine. I am most grateful for this honor. I join a group of past recipients, many of whom I have known as friends and long respected.”

Rubenstein is a four-time award-winner for magazine features/newspaper columns in the Golf Writers Association of America (1988, ’93, ’94, and 2003); won the 1985 Canada National Magazine Award; and has three first-place awards from the Golf Journalists Association of Canada (2009, ’16, and ’17). He was inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame (2006), the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame (2007), and is a recipient of Sports Media Canada’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2009) and the PGA of Canada’s Distinguished Service Award (2013).

From 1992-2005, Rubenstein was TSN television host of “Acura World of Golf,” and hosted “Looking Back” from 2014-15 on SiriusXM. His books include A Season in Dornoch: Golf and Life in the Scottish Highlands; Mike Weir: The Road to the Masters; and Moe & Me: Encounters with Moe Norman, Golf Mysterious Genius. He collaborated with Nick Price on The Swing: Mastering the Principles of the Game, and with David Leadbetter on The Fundamentals of Hogan.  His most recent work, published in 2017, is a collaboration with Tiger Woods on his memoir, “The 1997 Masters: My Story.”

Rubenstein lives in Toronto and Jupiter, Florida, with his wife, Nell.

The Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship returns for its ninth consecutive year March 1-4 at the Fairmont Southampton’s Turtle Hill Golf Club on the island of Bermuda.

Turtle Hill Golf Club has been recognized by Golf Magazine as one of the “Top 5 Par 3 Courses in the World” and is a recipient of Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play Golf Award.”

As the world’s premier par 3 championship, the event is expected to attract 150 participants from more than 10 countries, including a number of noted professionals and celebrities. In addition, the field will be rounded out by an impressive list of amateur golfers—from Bermuda, the United States, Canada and Europe—vying for titles in the men’s, women’s and senior amateur divisions.

This year’s championship package includes:

• Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship entry
• Three nights single occupancy luxury accommodations at the Fairmont Southampton
• Daily breakfast and lunch
• Exclusive activation event at the iconic Bacardi Limited headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda
• Premium Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship tee gifts
• Opportunity to take part in the $1-million (USD) hole-in-one contest

For more information about this year’s Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship, please click here.

Golf Digest released its third biennial edition of the World 100 Greatest Courses on Thursday, which included nine Canadian courses from coast-to-coast. View the full list on their website here.

No. 9

Cabot Cliffs
Inverness, N.S.

No. 20

St. George’s Golf & Country Club
Etobicoke, Ont.

No. 36

National Golf Club of Canada
Woodbridge, Ont.

No. 43

Cabot Links
Inverness, N.S.

No. 51

Capilano Golf & Country Club
West Vancouver, B.C.

No. 60

Hamilton Golf & Country Club
Ancaster, Ont.

No. 87

Highland Links
Ingonish Beach, N.S.

No. 89

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club
Jasper, Alta.

No. 99

Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club
Banff, Alta.

Adam Hadwin had a career year in 2017, and as the calendar changes, he added two more honours.

The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) is proud to announce Hadwin, Josh Whalen, Judith Kyrinis, and Brooke Henderson are the 2017 Players of the Year as voted by GJAC members across the country. Hadwin’s magical season where he notched his first PGA Tour victory, shot 59, and played on the Presidents Cup team was also named the Canadian Golf Story of the Year.

“GJAC is happy to honour these golfers and their accomplishments in 2017,” said Robert Thompson, GJAC president. “The accomplishments of the winners – and each of the nominees – show how strong Canadian golf is right now. GJAC wishes the best of luck to in the year ahead.”

Hadwin’s first PGA Tour victory came in March after a thrilling Sunday at the Valspar Championship, where he won by one over Patrick Cantlay. In January, Hadwin became the eighth golfer in PGA Tour history to shoot a sub-60 round.

Just weeks after his win, Hadwin got married and closed on his first home to cap a whirlwind start to 2017. He ascended to inside the Top 50 in the world (becoming Canada’s highest-ranked male golfer in the process), played all four majors, and participated in the Presidents Cup in September.

Henderson continued her impressive start to her LPGA Tour career, winning twice – at the Meijer LPGA Classic and the McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open – and nearly defending her title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She finished sixth on the LPGA Tour’s 2017 money list, earning just over $1.5 million in 30 events (the most on Tour).

She was the only unanimous choice out of the four winners.

Kyrinis had a stellar 2017 campaign capped off with a victory in an all-Canadian final at the U.S. Senior Amateur. She also won the Ontario Women’s Senior Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships, along with finishing runner-up at the prestigious North and South Senior Women’s Amateur, and fifth at the Canadian Women’s Senior Amateur.

Whalen finished No. 1 on the Golf Canada Amateur Order of Merit for his fine campaign in 2017. He finished third at the Canadian Men’s Amateur and notched six top-20 finishes during his senior year at Kent State University.

Fifty-nine regional golf associations have entered into a new relationship with the United States Golf Association to enhance the golfer experience at the state and local levels in the United States. These Allied Golf Associations (AGAs), supported by the USGA’s five existing regional affairs offices, will administer the USGA Handicap and Course Rating Systems within defined geographic areas across the country. In addition, they will serve as the community’s primary resource for USGA services such as championship qualifiers, governance, golf facility support and programs that help grow and improve the long-term health of the game.

“Regional golf associations are a vital part of the golf community and the USGA,” said Mike Davis, USGA CEO. “As the game moves forward into the future, we feel this formalized new alliance of working together on grassroots programs will improve how we serve golfers and providing a healthy foundation from which the entire golf community can grow.”

Newly recognized AGAs were identified through a nearly year-long discovery process that encouraged collaboration among existing golf organizations within each state and region, sharing best practices and leveraging programs that have made a positive impact.

The resulting relationship will enable AGAs to provide a variety of competitive playing opportunities that engage more golfers of all levels within their region. The AGAs will also serve as local experts for education on topics such as modernizing golf’s rules, the new World Handicap System and related governance functions.

Each AGA will also have direct access to USGA research, funding for programs such as USGA P.J. Boatwright Internships, data and technology, additional expertise to better serve the health of golf facilities and support of national grow-the-game initiatives including PLAY9.

One of the alliance’s most significant benefits to golfers will be the centralized computation of USGA Handicap Indexes in the United States to improve efficiency, consistency and governance oversight. The move to a more modernized, digital platform will also empower Allied Golf Associations to more deeply engage golfers within their community through rich, real-time player data.

An AGA Council has been formed to share information, help ongoing service delivery and provide continuous feedback directly to the USGA to better serve golfers and golf clubs. The 12-member council consists of AGA executive directors who will represent regions and markets throughout the United States.

The alliance marks the latest step by the USGA to more deeply engage the local and regional golf community. It complements the USGA’s existing presence in all five major golf regions in the United States – Northeast, Great Lakes, Southeast, Central and West – where dedicated Regional Affairs directors currently serve in residence.

In addition to its five Regional Affairs directors, the USGA also supports golf clubs and facilities through the USGA Green Section, providing agronomic expertise through 13 regional offices.