Dean Brown Wins Twice in Saskatchewan

Dean Brown of Royal Regina was recognized for leading the Order of Merit and as Player of the Year as the Saskatchewan PGA recognized its award-winners for this year recently. The following are the winners:

Graham Coulter Trophy
Professional Of The Year
McLaren Taylor, Dakota Dunes Golf Links

Assistant Of The Year
Bryan Holoboff, Saskatoon Golf & CC

Teacher Of The Year
Brad Birnie, Moon Lake Golf & CC

Junior Promotor Of The Year
Jeff Chambers, Elmwood G&CC

Facility Of The Year
Dakota Dunes Golf Links

Scott Knapp Trophy
Player Of The Year
Dean Brown, Royal Regina GC

Peter Cushner Trophy
Leader Order of Merit
Dean Brown, Royal Regina GC

Frank Fowler Trophy
Lowest Stroke Average
Dean Brown, Royal Regina GC

Bill Taylor Trophy
Sportsmanship
Kevin Marushak, Silverwood GC

Related Posts:

• National Team Coach Resigns
• RCGA Names New COO
• Janes Named Ontario Club Pro Of The Year
• BC PGA Announces Award Winners
• Derek Ingram Named National Coach

Ontario PGA Honours its Best for 2008

The Ontario PGA announced its 2008 award winners at the Ontario PGA Merchandise Show in Toronto as the association’s Club Professional, Teacher, Teacher for Juniors, Merchandiser and Assistant Professional of the Year were named.

Club Professional of the Year Bill Wogden has been the head professional at the Barrie Country Club for the last 17 seasons. Prior to Barrie, Wogden served as the first head professional at Royal Woodbine and, before that, apprenticed under the late Ben Kern at The National Golf Club of Canada in Woodbridge for 10 years.

Club Professional of the Year nominees are judged on acriteria including Canadian PGA involvement, business operations, teaching and coaching, playing ability and playing accomplishments, merchandising and entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

“It’s a great honour and wonderful feeling to be chosen for this award by my peers,” said Wogden, who lists Kern as his main guiding influence in the golf industry. “I really learned a lot from Ben from my time at The National and I’ve tried to take those experiences and apply them to Barrie Country Club.”

Tim Moore, the head professional at Thornhill Golf and Country Club, was named Ontario PGA Merchandiser of the Year. Part of Moore’s merchandising philosophy consists of providing each member and guest with an individualized and personal golfing experience and carrying a wide assortment of products to meet the individual needs of the club’s diverse membership.

Merchandiser of the Year nominees are judged on criteria such as merchandising philosophy, pro shop layout, display techniques, support staff and overall promotion. This is the first win for Moore, who was also nominated in 2007.

“To win this award after coming up short in 2007 feels fantastic,” said Moore. “I am very lucky to have great people working for me and I couldn’t have won without them.”

Dan Poort of the Hamilton Golf and Country Club is the recipient of the Assistant of the Year Award.

Nominees are judged on criteria such as staff management, teaching, member interaction and playing ability. Poort has spent the last seven seasons at Hamilton and this season was his first as the No. 1 associate and that brought new and interesting challenges

“I am truly honoured to win this award,” said Poort. “I owe a lot to my family and close mentors who have guided me throughout my career.”

Sean Foley of Piper’s Heath is this year’s recipient of the Ontario PGA Teacher of the Year. Foley made a name for himself in 2008, adding a number of high profile PGA Tour players to his growing roster of students.

Teacher of the Year nominees are judged on criteria such as innovative teaching techniques to instructional articles, videos or promotions.

This is the first nomination and first win for Foley, who has become a renowned teacher over the last several years. Foley currently works out of Piper’s Heath in Milton during the summer and runs the Core Junior Golf Academy in Orlando during the winter.

“It’s an honour to win this award,” said Foley. “I love doing what I’m doing and everyday I get to see people smile and play the game they love whether they shoot 68 or 110,”

Mike Kelly, director of player development for the Golf Association of Ontario, is this year’s recipient of the Teacher of the Year for Juniors. Kelly has been a Canadian PGA Class A Member since 2006 and worked in various capacities within the ClubLink Corporation before joining the GAO.

Nominees in the Teacher of the Year for Juniors category are judged on contributions to the development of junior golf to leadership, inspiration and promotion of the game.

Kelly is responsible for growing the game in Ontario and has spearheaded the Callaway Golf in Schools program that included 15,000 students this year.

“We’ve worked extremely hard to bring golf to the children over the last few years,” said Kelly. “This award feels fantastic to win knowing that my peers in the industry nominated me.”

All Ontario PGA award winners will now be put forward as national nominees.

Related Posts:

• Janes Named Ontario Club Pro Of The Year
• Sean Foley To Headline Ontario PGA Conference
• GAO Names Roy Head Coach
• Ontario Team Named
• Derek Ingram Named National Coach

Callaway N Sync with Future

It’s safe to assume that most people within the golf industry know what brand of clubs Tiger Woods or Mike Weir play.

The use of PGA Tour players – or LPGA, Nationwide or Champions Tour players, for that matter – is a common practice that is the focus of advertising campaigns for golf club manufacturers, not to mention apparel companies and other businesses that concentrate on the game.

Callaway Golf is one of those golf companies that use star power to its advantage, but it isn’t always tour players who are the centrepieces of that brand’s parade of stars.

Over the years, Callaway has had the likes of Alice Cooper and Celine Dion use their products, either officially or unofficially, and it continued that tradition recently when it signed six-time Grammy winner Justin Timberlake to endorse and play its equipment.

The signing of such a spokesperson not only grabs the attention of the industry, but also the consumers that Callaway is trying to convince to play its brand. In this case, Timberlake’s endorsement appeals to the next generation, which means that Callaway is not only seeking instant gratification, but also planning its future. Read more

Related Posts:

• More Canucks Up To Bat; Even More On Deck
• Can The CPGA Championship Be Revived?

Sun Mountain Extends ClubGlider Line

Sun Mountain is extending its ClubGlider travel bag line, with the introduction of its Pro, Meridian and Cascade models.

ClubGlider travel bags were first introduced earlier this year, with the main focus being the bag’s extendable legs and wheels that are designed to eliminate the repeated bending and lifting that is required with traditional travel bags.

The retractable legs extend, then tuck away for travel, while the pivoting wheels are designed to make walking more effortless.

ClubGlider Cascade is the entry level model, while Meridian is the original ClubGlider. The Pro is the largest of the three ClubGlider models and built to accommodate a staff bag or two carry bags.

Features of the ClubGlider include legs that support 100 per cent of the weight to eliminate on average over 22 pounds of pressure on the golfer’s shoulders and back. ClubGliders can also be loaded while standing to eliminate the need to bend all the way over. ClubGlider can also support additional luggage to free the traveler’s hands.

Other features include legs and wheels that lock securely for travel, heavy-duty, two-way zippers, thick foam padding that extend down the bag to protect clubheads and shafts, internal storage pockets, internal cinch straps, ballistic fabric, vinyl reinforced wear areas and a lift assist handle.

The Meridian is available now. The Pro will be available in December and the Cascade in early 2009. For more information, call 1-800-227-9224, or see the website, www.sunmountain.com.

Related Posts:

• Sun Mountain Bag Works With Micro Cart
• Take A Hike With The 4 Under
• Latitude Bag Offers Easy Club Removal
• New Hoofer Bag Improves Access/Storage
• On The Go With uPro

Foley Deepens His PGA Tour Presence

Sean Foley, director of instruction at the Core Golf Junior Academy in Orlando, has agreed to coach PGA Tour players Hunter Mahan and Parker McLachlin.

Foley also coaches Sean O’Hair and Canadian Stephen Ames, Nationwide Tour player Greg Owen and LPGA Tour player Jessica Shepley of Oakville, Ont.

“I am delighted to enter into coaching relationships with Hunter and Parker, both of whom are great young players with plenty of talent, smarts and heart and they are terrific people too,” said Foley.

Related Posts:

• Sean Foley To Headline Ontario PGA Conference
• Player Receives NGCOA Award
• Buzz Is Big On Stack And Tilt
• Janes Named Ontario Club Pro Of The Year

Cleveland / Srixon Partner with Canadian Tour

The Canadian Tour and Cleveland Golf / Srixon Canada have announced a three-year partnership that will see Srixon become the official ball of the Canadian Tour.

As part of the partnership, Srixon will provide products on the driving ranges of tour events in Canada and the United States. Also, Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada will become the official equipment sponsor and supplier of pro-am prizes at certain Canadian Tour events.

“We have been a big supporter of Srixon balls and clubs for a number of years and we are proud to have them as an official supplier on the Canadian Tour,” said Canadian Tour commissioner Richard Janes.

“The addition of Cleveland to this relationship adds another quality brand name to the Canadian Tour family and we are thrilled.”

Dan Dodman, president of Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada, says the calibre of the Canadian Tour is the main reason for his company agreeing to the new partnership.

“Our decision to partner with the Canadian Tour comes from the fact that we have been very impressed with both the calibre of players and the Canadian Tour itself. We have received some very positive feedback from the players,” said Dodman.

“As a growing golf brand in Canada, we believe our association will continue to improve awareness with all golfers, while helping tour players achieve their professional goals by practicing with a quality product.”

Related Posts:

• Canadian Tour Announces Record Purse Increases
• Nacabi Trading Acquires Tehama
• Golf Town To Sponsor National Amateur Series

Weir Ends Season in Fine Form

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Mike Weir isn’t tempted to let momentum carry him into the final couple of official events left on the PGA Tour schedule. He’s shutting it down until he plays in the Chevron World Challenge, hosted by Tiger Woods, just before Christmas.

His final round was a thing of beauty as Weir shot a 63 at the Frys.com Open at the Grayhawk Golf Club Raptor course here on Sunday. His six birdies and an eagle against just a single bogey took Weir from 24th to a tie for fourth to conclude a particularly strong second half in 2008.

“After this week, I’m going to have off until Tiger’s event in California (just before Christmas), but I’m just going to try to be at home. I’m hoping for it to snow hard, so I can get some skiing in before the season starts up in January,” said Weir.

“I’m tired,” he said. “I put everything I had into this week and practiced hard. I’m ready for a break and my family’s ready for me to be home for awhile.” Read more

Related Posts:

• DeLaet Holds It Together In An Emotional Week
• DeLaet Keeps Answering The Bell
• Canada’s Newest Tour Player Wanted It NOW
• DeLaet Catches Fire At Soggy Q
• Can An Outside Person Bring New Ideas to the Executive Director Job?

CGSA Member Moves

The following members of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association have changed facilities in the past few months. In order, they are listed by name, former facility and new facility:

Keith Bell, Valley Regional Park Golf Club, Rosthern, Sask.; Warman Golf Course, Warman, Sask.

Kim Bodnar, Ridge Meadows Recreational Area, Calgary; D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club, Okotoks, AB

John Boyle, Kingswood GC, Fredericton, NB; Golfco International Inc., Redmond, Wa.

Paul Gurr, Grand Niagara Golf Resort, Port Robinson, Ont.; Blue Devil Golf Club, Calgary

John P. Lamoureux, Loch March Golf & Country Club, Kanata, Ont.; Hylands Golf Club, Gloucester, Ont.

Gord Moore, Perdue Oasis Golf & RV Resort, Perdue, Sask.; City of Regina, Regina

James Nicholls, Silver Lakes Golf Club Newmarket, Ont.; LochNess Links, Welland, Ont.

Paul Peterson, Legends on the Niagara Golf Course, Niagara Falls, Ont.; Whirlpool Golf Club, Niagara Falls, Ont.

Jess Pietrzak, Whirlpool Golf Course, Niagara Falls, Ont.; Legends on the Niagara Golf Course, Niagara Falls, Ont.

Greg Strachan, Copper Creek Golf Club Kleinburg, Ont.; Silver Lakes Golf Club Newmarket, Ont.

Related Posts:

• CGSA Names 2009 Award-Winners
• BC PGA Announces Award Winners
• Matthews To Leave Whistle Bear