Eleven of the world’s top 100 to compete in fourth annual championship
OTTAWA — A well-accomplished field of competitors will take to The Marshes Golf Club from Sept. 24-29 for the fourth annual World Junior Girls Championship. In total, 60 athletes will represent 19 countries – including two teams from host nation Canada.
“With our partners, we are proud to offer a world-class event for girls of this age group, where there are fewer opportunities for international competitions,” said tournament director Mary Beth McKenna. “These girls are some of the best juniors in the world and we are thrilled to host them in a tournament where they can continue their growth and development.”
This year’s field is highlighted by 11 competitors ranked inside the World Golf Amateur Rankings (WAGR) top 100. Among them are the tournament’s top two ranked players from Sweden: Amanda Linnér (No. 18) and Beatrice Wallin (No. 38). The pair will be joined by teammate Linn Grant (No. 84) — who was a member of the silver (2014) and bronze (2015) World Junior Girls Championship team medal winners. Both Linnér and Grant will make their second appearances at the championship.
In 2017, Linnér captured the ANNIKA Invitational Europe and France International U21 (Esmond Trophy), while also placing second at the ANNIKA Invitational USA. Wallin earned a second place finish at the France International U21 (Esmond Trophy) and Grant picked up wins at the Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship and German Girls Open.
The 2017 installment of the event will see numerous players return as 18 members of the field have played in at least one World Junior Girls Championship, including both the 2016 silver medallist Jennifer Chang (USA) and bronze medallist Caterina Don (Italy), who look to become the first repeat medallists in tournament history.
Led by the 91st ranked Chang, the American team will aim for another strong performance following last year’s third place result. Team USA will also feature 2017 U.S. Girls Champion Erica Shepherd (No. 162) and Gina Kim (No. 75).
While the Italian team does boast the defending individual bronze medallist, it could be another member who steals the show. Alessia Nobilio, who participated in the 2016 World Junior Girls Championship, comes into the tournament as the third-highest ranked player at No. 41 after a 2017 season that saw her win the International Juniors of Belgium and France International – Cecile de Rothschild Trophy. In addition, she and teammate Caterina Don (No. 127), won the Italian U18 Team Championship. Don also picked up individual honours with a win at the Italian Girls U18 National Championship. The two World Junior Girls Championship veterans will be joined by newcomer Alessandra Fanali, who currently ranks 112th in the WAGR.
In 2016, the Philippines captured the title by a nine-stroke margin on the strength of gold medallist Yuka Saso, who was the lone player to finish the tournament under par. This year, the defending champions will be paced by Harmie Nicole Constantino (No. 305), who won the Philippine Amateur Open. She will be joined by teammates Junia Louise Gabasa and Kristine Torrabla.
With all of the returning teams and players, the World Junior Girls Championship is also pleased to welcome two teams that will be making their debut in 2017, Chinese Taipei and Switzerland. Chinese Taipei will send Kuan-Yu Lin (No. 1096), Hui-Wen Chiu (No. 943) and Jo-Hua Hung (No. 379). The Swiss will feature Victoria Monod (No. 612), Elena Moosmann (No. 85) and Chiara Tamburlini (No. 376).
The strong international field will join the six players chosen to represent Canada. Monet Chun (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Ellie Szeryk (London, Ont.) and Céleste Dao (Notre-Dame Ile Perrot, Que.) will form Canada One, while Alyssa DiMarcantonio (Maple, Ont.), Euna Han (Coquitlam, B.C.) and Emily Zhu (Richmond Hill, Ont.) will make up Canada Two.
In addition to the four-round, 72-hole team and individual event, the World Junior Girls Championship will celebrate the game of golf and promote the development of junior girls golf. There will be a PGA of Canada coaching summit and Future Champions Clinic on Sept. 24. The opening ceremonies take place on Sept. 25 before the first round of competition on Sept. 26. Closing ceremonies will take place on Sept. 29 immediately following play.
Admission to the competition is free. Additional information regarding the fourth annual World Junior Girls Championship can be found on the competition’s website.
ABOUT THE WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
The World Junior Girls Golf Championship is an annual event conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with Golf Ontario. The international competition features three-player teams of 18-and-under athletes. As host country, Canada will field two of the tournament’s 20 teams competing over 72 holes for both individual and team honours. The event receives funding and support from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Ottawa Tourism; the Golf Canada Foundation (Women’s Golf Fund); Sport Canada; the R&A; the International Golf Federation; the PGA of Canada; and Levelwear. Admission and parking for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free. For more information, visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com.
PORTLAND, ORE – For the first time in United States Golf Association (USGA) history, two Canadians, both from Ontario, met in the finals of an amateur championship. Etobicoke’s Terrill Samuel and Thornhill’s Judith Kyrinis teed it up on Sept. 14 at the Waverley Country Club in Portland, Oregon to see who would be the one to bring the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur title back to Ontario.
Simply making the final was an accomplishment, but both women were looking to become the first Canadian USGA champion since St. Thomas’ Mary Ann Hayward captured the 2005 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. The most recent Canadian to win the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur was none other than World Golf Hall of Famer, Marlene Stewart Streit, in 2003.
The championship match began with Kyrinis, a member at the Thornhill Club, taking the lead on the first hole. Samuel, from Weston Golf & Country Club would respond with a par on the fifth to even the match. Kyrinis moved back in front thanks to a birdie on the seventh and held onto that lead as they made the turn. Kyrinis would take the 12th and 13th to move to 3up. Then, on the 15th, she made birdie to win the match and the championship 4&3.
Kyrinis, 53, was the highest ranked Canadian coming out of the stroke-play portion of the competition at ninth. She beat American Jen Holland 6&4 in the round of 64, 2009 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion Martha Leach (USA) 5&4, in the round of 32, 2009 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Champion Sherry Herman (USA) 2up in the round of 16, American Lisa McGill 2&1 in the quarterfinals, before ousting former LPGA Tour professional Tara Fleming (USA) 2&1 in the semifinals.
Samuel, 56, entered the match play portion of the championship ranked 47th. She began with a win over Terri Frohnmayer (USA) 1up in the round of 64, then defeated Liz Waynick (USA) in the round of 32 in 20 holes, Carolyn Creekmore (USA) 2up in the round of 16, followed by a 5&3 win over American Patricia Cornett in the quarterfinals, she then needed 19 holes to get past former LPGA Tour player Patricia Schremmer (USA) in the semis to reach the finals.
The U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, open to female amateurs age 50 and older with a Handicap Index not exceeding 18.4, consists of two 18-hole rounds of stroke play and six rounds of match play.
Both finalists receive an exemption from qualifying into the inaugural 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship at the historic Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill., with the winner receiving a two-year exemption into the championship. Both finalists also receive a two-year exemption into the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur (2017 and 2018) and exemptions for future U.S. Senior Women’s Amateurs – 10 years for the winner and three for the runner-up.
Golf Ontario would like to congratulate both Kyrinis and Samuel for their excellent showing.
Round by round scoring can be found on USGA’s tournament site at: http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/championships/2017/u-s–senior-women-s-amateur.html
Two teams will fly the flag for Canada at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa including four Ontario players
OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – The world’s top 18-and-under female junior golfers will head to Ottawa for the fourth edition of the World Junior Girls Championship from Sept. 26-29 at The Marshes Golf Club. As host nation, Canada will send two teams of three athletes to compete for the international title of World Junior Girls champion.
“It is an honour to host this prestigious event and we look forward to welcoming these players to Canada,” said tournament director Mary Beth McKenna. “The course is in fantastic shape and we are thrilled to host some of the world’s best juniors at this historic club. Our partners at The Marshes Golf Club and the communities in the surrounding area have come together to make this a truly memorable event for our competitors.”
Representing Canada One will be Monet Chun (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Céleste Dao (Notre-Dame Ile Perrot, Que.) and Ellie Szeryk (London, Ont.), who are three of Canada’s top-ranked junior golfers at No. 375, 453 and 597, respectively, on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).
The 16-year-old Chun is experiencing her first year as a member of Team Canada’s Development Squad and second year representing Canada at the World Junior Girls. So far in 2017, she has wins at both the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship and the Ontario Junior Spring Classic, which put her in second on the Junior Girls Order of Merit – the same spot she finished at last year.
Dao is having an extremely impressive season for the second straight year. In 2017, she registered six wins and made it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Junior Girls Championship to lead the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Girls Order of Merit. Dao will also play in her second consecutive World Junior Girls Championship – she finished T16 in 2016 alongside Chun.
Szeryk, sister of Canada’s top-ranked amateur female golfer Maddie, has two victories in 2017 so far including six top-five finishes. She currently sits in fourth in the Junior Girls Order of Merit and made it to the round of 32 at the 2017 U.S. Junior Girls Championship after earning gold medallist honours at the qualifying tournament in Garland, Texas.
As the host country, Canada reserves the right to field two teams in the 60-player, 19-country competition. Canada Two will consist of Alyssa DiMarcantonio (Maple, Ont.), Euna Han (Coquitlam, B.C.) and Emily Zhu (Richmond Hill, Ont.) who are ranked 776, 955 and 1,792, respectively.
DiMarcantonio, 14, won her second event of the season at the MJT – Spring Invitational and has six top-five finishes this year. She is currently enjoying her best season on the junior circuit and sits sixth on the Junior Girls Order of Merit.
Han has three wins in 2017 including earning gold medallist honours at the U.S. Junior Girls Qualifier in Kent, Wa., where she went on to finish in the round of 64. Her only wins of her junior career came this year and she is in eighth in the Junior Girls Order of Merit. Han represented Canada previously at the 2015 World Junior Girls Championship, also hosted at The Marshes.
Zhu is the youngest of all Canadian team members at the age of 13. She has seven top-five finishes this year and competed in the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship where she finished T66. Her last win came in 2016 at the MJT – PGA of Ontario Junior Championship and she currently sits in ninth in the Junior Girls Order of Merit.
“Golf Ontario is excited to once again partner with Golf Canada to conduct this global championship at another of Ontario’s storied clubs – The Marshes Golf Club,” said Mike Kelly, Golf Ontario executive director. “We thank their membership and volunteer committees for all their hard work. We are thrilled for our athletes from Ontario who have been selected to represent Canada and wish them the best of luck.”
“These six athletes have had tremendous seasons and their selections to Team Canada are the result of their hard work and commitment to the sport,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s chief sport officer. “The joint efforts of Provincial Golf Associations, home clubs, parents and athletes have made this accomplishment possible and they should all be proud to have earned their selections.”
Ann Carroll (women’s national development squad coach) and Matt Wilson (Golf Canada’s director of next generation performance) will lead the two Team Canada squads for this competition.
In addition to the 72-hole team and individual competitions, the World Junior Girls Championship will be a celebration of the sport with a specific focus on the development and promotion of junior girls golf. The days leading up to tournament play will see a PGA of Canada coaching summit as well as a free junior girls skills clinic.
Opening ceremonies for the championship take place on Sept. 25 followed by the first round on Tuesday, Sept. 26. The tournament’s closing ceremonies will immediately follow the conclusion of play on Friday, Sept. 29.
Admission to the competition is free. Additional information regarding the fourth annual World Junior Girls Championship can be found on the competition’s website.
ABOUT THE WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
The World Junior Girls Golf Championship is an annual event conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with Golf Ontario. The international competition features three-player teams of 18-and-under athletes. As host country, Canada will field two of the tournament’s 20 teams competing over 72 holes for both individual and team honours. The event receives funding and support from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Ottawa Tourism; the Golf Canada Foundation (Women’s Golf Fund); Sport Canada; the R&A; the International Golf Federation; the PGA of Canada; and Levelwear. Admission and parking for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free. For more information, visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com.
Golf Canada
OTTAWA – For the fourth time since it’s inauguration, the world’s premier 18-and-under players will gather in Canada to compete in the annual World Junior Girls Championship. The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont., will host the event for the second time from Sept. 24-29 as the girls compete in both team and individual competitions.
“We are thrilled to head back to The Marshes Golf Club to host this year’s World Junior Girls Championship,” said tournament director Mary Beth McKenna. “Returning to the capital for Canada 150 marks a special celebration for the event, and a great way for us to close out our championship season.”
The Marshes Golf Club is a unique course that encompasses the many natural features in the area including wetlands, meadows and hardwood forests. The course was designed in collaboration between Robert Trench Jr. and Sr., and features six par-3, six par-4 and six par-5 holes.
Conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with Golf Ontario, with support from the International Golf Federation and The R&A, the 2017 edition of the World Junior Girls Championship will bring together 60 of the top 18-and-under female golfers from 19 countries around the globe. As hosts of the event, Canada will feature two three-member teams in the competition.
“We could not be more excited to once again bring the World Junior Girls Championship to the capital region,” said Mike Kelly, executive director of Golf Ontario. “The Marshes Golf Club is an exceptional venue that will serve as a fantastic backdrop for this competition. We greatly appreciate the support of our generous sponsors and partners without whom this championship would not be possible. We look forward to seeing the Ottawa golfing community rally around this wonderful event.”
The inaugural World Junior Girls Championship in 2014 saw teams from across the world take on Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont. Mika Liu of Beverly Hills, Calif., captured individual honours in leading Team USA to victory. Playing in her final event as an amateur, Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., finished fourth as Canada’s first team claimed bronze.
The second edition of the tournament was staged at The Marshes Golf Club. The team representing the Republic of Korea completed a wire-to-wire victory to secure the team title. Hye-jin Choi, a native of Paju-si, South Korea, registered a seven-stroke victory with a 12-under performance.
In 2016, Yuka Saso of Santa Rosa, Philippines, shot an opening-round 66 and cruised to a six-shot win in the individual competition while also leading Philippines to the team victory, finishing at 2 over par.
In addition to the 72-hole team and individual competitions, the World Junior Girls Championship will be a celebration of the sport with a specific focus on the development and promotion of junior girls golf. The days leading up to tournament play will see a PGA of Canada coaching summit as well as a free junior girls skills clinic.
“This world-class competition provides us with the opportunity to benchmark our domestic talent against the strongest female players from around the globe while also contributing to the continued growth and collaboration amongst the international governing bodies in the sport,” said Jeff Thompson, chief sport officer of Golf Canada. “We are proud to once again conduct this championship in support of these fine athletes and to aid in raising the profile of junior girls golf.”
The competition’s first round will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 26. The tournament’s closing ceremonies will immediately follow the conclusion of play on Friday, Sept. 29. Visit http://www.worldjuniorgirls.com/ for more.
Highlights from the 2017 Investors Group Ontario Women’s Senior and Mid-Amateur Championship, June 25-27 at Wildfire Golf Club in Lakefield, Ontario. Both titles were won by Thornhill’s Judith Kyrinis.
By Golf Canada
Christopher Vandette out-dueled Jeevan Sihota in the final round of the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship, while Monet Chun dominated the Girls Division on Sunday at Brockville Country Club in Brockville, Ont.
“I feel good about that win,” Vandette said, after the award ceremony. “It gives me confidence for the rest of the summer.”
Vandette shot a 3-under-par 68 in his final round denying Sihota his second straight win at a Future Links, driven by Acura championship.
The 15-year-old Vandette started the day one shot back of Sihota, who is just 13-years-old, and the two battled it out in the final pairing of the tournament. After both made the turn they were tied at the top of the leaderboard.
Sihota made bogey on the par-4 10th and dropped out of the lead for the first time in the tournament. Vandette, from Beaconsfield, Que., seized the opportunity and recorded four birdies in five holes to close out the victory.
“We were playing similar golf on the front nine,” Vandette said. “After Jeevan made his bogey a switch flicked in my head and I made three birdies in a row. That kind of put me away from the pack.”
Sihota ended his tournament with a 4-over par 75, dropping him into solo third and finishing six strokes back of Vandette. Tomas Giroux, of Georgetown, Ont., moved up into second place after Sihota dropped down the leaderboard. The 18-year-old finished his tournament at 2 over par, five back of the leader.
Louis-Alexandre Jobin-Colgan from Quebec, Que., and Olivier Menard from Valleyfield, Que., finished tied in fourth after they both fired their best rounds of the tournament: 68 and 69, respectively.
Toronto, Ont., native Zachary Greifenberger secured the final qualifying place for the Canadian Junior Boys Championship with an even-par finish. He was 5-over for the tournament.
Chun, a Team Canada Development Squad member, was dominant in her final two rounds of the tournament. After an opening round of 74, the 16-year-old shot two straight 1-under-par rounds of 70 and cruised to a four-stroke victory.
“I’m happy with my result today,” Chun said, after her win. “My putting was really good. I got kind of lucky on some of the bad strokes that I made and I was able to recover from that. My putting was key today.”
The win marks her second in as many weeks as the Richmond Hill, Ont., native is coming off a win at the Investors Group Junior Girls’ Spring Classic at Sleepy Hollow Country Club, in Stouffville, Ont., on May 20-22.
Ellie Szeryk, from London, Ont., finished comfortably in second after she shot a final-round 70, the only other person to shoot under par in the Girls Division. The 15-year-old was tied for the lead after the opening round, but after a 5-over-par 76 on Saturday Chun took over the tournament and didn’t look back.
After co-leading with Szeryk in the opening round, Céleste Dao shot a 3-over-par 74 on Sunday to move into a tie for third with Alyssa DiMarcantonio from Maple, Ont. The two finished nine back of Chun, 10-over for the tournament.
The top six finishers in the Boys Division earned exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf and Country Club in Kingston, Ont. The top six in the Girls Division earned exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland, Ont.
Rounding out the top six qualifying for the Canadian Junior Girls Championship are Bridgitte Thibault, from Rosemere, Que., and Chloe Currie, another member of Team Canada’s Development Squad. Thibault bogeyed two of her last three holes, but managed to hang on for a 2-over-par 73 finish and secure her qualifying spot, while Currie, a Mississauga, Ont., product, sat tied in seventh until she dropped a clutch birdie on the par-3 17th hole, vaulting her into a tie for fifth.
Full results.
MILTON— Golf Ontario took a new approach to their Annual General Meeting this year, April 21-22 at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club in Milton, by creating an Ontario golf industry weekend. The goal was to bring together the various associations that are involved with the sport in the province and to strengthen relationships. Nothing showcased that more than the Golf IN Ontario Awards Night on April 21.
The evening was a chance for Golf Ontario, the PGA of Ontario, Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association (OGSA), and Golf Canada to recognize their award winners from the past year in front of the Ontario golf industry.
In all, 19 of the award winners were in attendance and recognized by the various associations for their achievements.
“It was an exciting night to celebrate together the many people who make the sport of golf in Ontario so great!” Said Golf Ontario Executive Director Mike Kelly. “It was an impressive group of volunteers, players, PGA professionals and course superintendents all of whom champion and serve the golf industry in communities across Ontario. Congratulations to all!”
The evening appeared to be a hit with the individual award winners as well. Many were excited to be sharing the spotlight with the other winners from across the province.
“This event is really fabulous,” said PGA of Ontario Golf Professional of the Year Dustin Kerr-Taylor. “To be here and celebrate with all of the award winners from 2016 is great. We are all trying to do one thing and that is grow the game. It was interesting to mingle with everyone and to hear the successes they are having in their associations. I am hoping to translate some of those successes into what I am doing as a golf professional.”
“This is pretty exciting,” added Christopher Kertsos, Golf Ontario Senior Men’s Order of Merit winner. “It is the first time for me to be ranked number one for the seniors. It is nice to see everyone here from all corners of the industry. It is great to see what Golf Ontario has done here tonight.”
Golf Ontario would like to congratulate all of the award winners from all of the golf associations in Ontario.
PGA of Ontario Winners
Adam Tobin – Retailer of the Year
Adam Steinschifter – Candidate for Membership of the Year
Sean Casey – Junior Leader of the Year
Henry Brunton – Teacher of the Year
Dustin Kerr-Taylor – Golf Professional of the Year
Gareth Raflewski – Coach of the Year
Jason Helman – Professional Development Award
Iain Reston – Class A Professional of the Year
OGSA Award Winners
Patrick Greenman – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Women’s Mid Am/Sr. Championship
Peter Kinch – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Mid Amateur Championship
Jim Burlington – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship
Dave Girard – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship
Greg McFarlane – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship
Chad Adamson – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship
Brooks Young – Shelburne G & CC – Ontario Bantam Boys Championship
Dan Magrin – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Summer Games Championship
Phil Auger – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Senior Men’s Championship
Perry Beausoleil – OSGA Recognition – Mackenzie Tour National Capital Open
Tom Kinsman – OSGA Recognition – LPGA Manulife Financial Classic
Richard Creed – OSGA William Sansom Distinguished Service Award
Pelino Scenna – OSGA 50 Year Member
Cecil-Roy French – OSGA 50 Year Member
Paul Dermott – OSGA 50 year Member
Ontario Order of Merit Rankings
Juvenile Boys
- Peyton Callens
- Kelvin Lim
- Zack Mason
- Robbie Latter
- Johnny Travale
Junior Boys
- Sam Meek
- Peyton Callens
- Ty Celone
- Minwoo Park
- Tyler Nagano
Juvenile Girls
- Monet Chun
- Chloe Currie
- Isabella Portokalis
- Emily Ward
- Jasmine Ly
Junior Girls
- Grace St-Germain
- Monet Chun
- Chloe Currie
- Isabella Portokalis
- Alexandra Naumovski
Women’s Amateur
- Grace St-Germain
- Monet Chun
- Mary Ann Hayward
- Crystina Kertsos
- Samantha Spencer
Women’s Mid Amateur
- Judith Kyrinis
- Mary Ann Hayward
- Casey Ward
- Ivy Steinberg
- Marion Reid
Men’s Amateur
- Garret Rank
- Maxwell Sear
- Blair Hamilton
- Josh Whalen
- Austin James
Men’s Mid Amateur
- Garret Rank
- Philip Arci
- Charles Fitzsimmons
- Ryan Kings
- Matthew Sim
Women’s Senior
- Judith Kyrinis
- Mary Ann Hayward
- Ivy Steinberg
- Terrill Samuel
- Marion Reid
Men’s Senior
- Christopher Kertsos
- Larry Cooper
- Lars Melander
- Robert Gibson
- Nick Digiandomenico
Golf Ontario Volunteer Awards
Jim Arbuckle – Volunteer of the Year
Ralph Franchino – Distinguished Service Award
Elaine Jackson – District Volunteer of the Year
John Turner – Honorary Life Director
Future Links Order of Merit Rankings (Ontario players)
CN Future Links National Junior Boys Order of Merit
2. Peyton Callens
6. Sam Meek
7. Kelvin Lim
CN Future Links National Junior Girls Order of Merit
2. Monet Chun
3. Grace St-Germain
5. Chloe Currie
8. Isabella Portokalis
10. Ellie Szeryk
By Golf Canada
As the National Sport Federation and governing body of golf in Canada, Golf Canada, in conjunction with the R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA), has unveiled a preview of the proposed new Rules of Golf. This joint initiative was designed to modernize the Rules and make them easier to understand and apply.
The online release of this preview by the R&A and USGA begins a six-month feedback and evaluation period during which all golfers worldwide can learn about the proposed changes and provide input before they are finalized in 2018 and take effect on 1 January 2019.
The announcement follows a comprehensive review process that began in 2012 with a working group of key R&A and USGA Rules administrators, a Golf Canada representative, professional tour officials and other Rules experts. While the Rules are revised every four years, this is the first fundamental review since 1984, and was established to ensure the Rules fit the needs of today’s game and the way it is played around the world.
David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, “Our aim is to make the Rules easier to understand and to apply for all golfers. We have looked at every Rule to try to find ways to make them more intuitive and straightforward, and we believe we have identified many significant improvements. It is important that the Rules continue to evolve and remain in tune with the way the modern game is played, but we have been careful not to change the game’s longstanding principles and character.”
“We are excited and encouraged by the potential this work brings, both through the proposed new Rules and the opportunities to use technology to deliver them,” said Thomas Pagel, Senior Director of Rules & Amateur Status for the USGA. “We look forward to an ongoing conversation with golfers during the feedback period in the months ahead.”
“There was considerable effort, exploration and dialogue around how these proposed changes would both modernize the Rules and make them easier for all golfers to understand and apply,” said Adam Helmer, Director of Rules, Competitions and Amateur Status with Golf Canada. “We encourage Canadian golf enthusiasts to review the proposed Rules changes and participate in the feedback process of the next six months.”
The proposed 24 new Rules, reduced from the current 34, have been written in a user-friendly style with shorter sentences, commonly used phrases, bulleted lists and explanatory headings. The initiative also focuses on assessing the overall consistency, simplicity and fairness of the Rules for play.
The Rules are currently delivered in more than 30 languages, and the proposed wording will support easier translation worldwide. When adopted, the Rules will be supported by technology that allows the use of images, videos and graphics.
Highlights of the proposed Rule changes include:
– Elimination or reduction of “ball moved” penalties: There will be no penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the putting green or in searching for a ball; and a player is not responsible for causing a ball to move unless it is “virtually certain” that he or she did so.
– Relaxed putting green rules: There will be no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits an unattended flagstick in the hole; players may putt without having the flagstick attended or removed. Players may repair spike marks and other damage made by shoes, animal damage and other damage on the putting green and there is no penalty for merely touching the line of putt.
– Relaxed rules for “penalty areas” (currently called “water hazards”): Red and yellow-marked penalty areas may cover areas of desert, jungle, lava rock, etc., in addition to areas of water; expanded use of red penalty areas where lateral relief is allowed; and there will be no penalty for moving loose impediments or touching the ground or water in a penalty area.
– Relaxed bunker rules: There will be no penalty for moving loose impediments in a bunker or for generally touching the sand with a hand or club. A limited set of restrictions (such as not grounding the club right next to the ball) is kept to preserve the challenge of playing from the sand; however, an extra relief option is added for an unplayable ball in a bunker, allowing the ball to be played from outside the bunker with a two-stroke penalty.
– Relying on player integrity: A player’s “reasonable judgment” when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it to be wrong; and elimination of announcement procedures when lifting a ball to identify it or to see if it is damaged.
– Pace-of-play support: Reduced time for searching for a lost ball (from five minutes to three); affirmative encouragement of “ready golf” in stroke play; recommending that players take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke and other changes intended to help with pace of play.
– Simplified way of taking relief: A new procedure for taking relief by dropping a ball in and playing it from a specific relief area; relaxed procedures for dropping a ball, allowing the ball to be dropped from just above the ground or any growing thing or other object on the ground.
A series of materials have also been prepared to explain the proposed Rule changes and provide background on the initiative. Found on randa.org and usga.org/rules, they include:
– Overview of the Rules Modernization Initiative: goals, proposed changes and process for implementation in 2019
– Draft New Rules of Golf for 2019: the full text of proposed Rules 1-24 and Definitions
– Draft Player’s Edition of the New Rules of Golf for 2019: Written from the perspective of “you” the golfer, this shorter version covers the most commonly used Rules and is meant to be the rule book golfers will use when finalized and adopted in 2019
– Explanation for Each Major Proposed Change in the New Rules of Golf for 2019: Short summaries of each major proposed change
– Summary chart of major changes
– Videos and Infographics: Visual explanations of the proposed Rules.
Golfers are encouraged to review the proposed changes and submit feedback online via worldwide survey technology that can be accessed at randa.org or usga.org/rules from now until 31 August 2017.
The feedback will be reviewed by golf’s governing bodies in establishing the approved final version of golf’s new Rules. These are due to be released in mid-2018 ahead of a 1 January 2019 implementation. Social media users can also follow the discussion using #GolfRules2019.
Players are reminded that the current 2016 Edition of the Rules of Golf remain in force when playing, posting scores or competing, until the new Rules are officially adopted by The R&A and the USGA as well as Golf Canada in 2019. The Rules of Amateur Status and the Rules of Equipment Standards were not part of this review process.
As golf’s governing body in Canada, Golf Canada, in conjunction with The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA), has announced a new Local Rule which will come into effect January 1, 2017.
Along with the R&A and USGA, Golf Canada holds a unique position as the only other governing body that sits on the Joint Rules Committee.
Golf Canada will be implementing this Local Rule as part of their Standard Local Rules which will be formally ratified at their annual general meeting by the Rules and Amateur Status Committee. The Local Rule will be available for any committee in charge of a competition to use starting Jan. 1, 2017. It will be adopted by the USGA and The R&A in all of their championships, qualifying competitions and international matches. Golf Ontario has also opted to make this part of its Standard Local Rules and will be effective in all its qualifying and championships in 2017.
If a committee wishes to introduce this Local Rule, the following wording is recommended: “Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows:
When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment.
The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.
This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.
Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.
Further reading:
R&A – Click here for The R&A News Release including video
A look at Ontario Golf in Schools programs with a basic background on how teachers can run the program themselves!
