Golf Canada AGM

We received the following info from Golf Canada and changes or rather the focus that Golf is taking in Canada might change – all for the better.

In our Province of British Columbia golf seems to hit the “green’s” 365 days a year and seldom do we ever take a day off, but we might just take a “rain day” to clean up the clubs.

The new vision that Golf Canada has is on the future of the game for future generations that are looking to excel in taking up the sport. If you’re looking for somewhere closer to home to practice your golfing skills, check out golf course communities Charlottesville.

As briefly stated in Golf Canada’s message at its recent annual general meeting, One Vision aspires “to ensure golf maintains its status as the most popular sport in Canada.”

Golf Canada understands help is needed and simply put they “cannot do this on its own.”

Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons says “We are all golf and if we are going to move the game continuously forward, we have to be aligned. “

He continued “When we are aligned on a common vision, we can accomplish great things and achieve maximum potential through that synergy.”

The establishment of the National Allied Golf Associations brought together all the major stakeholders to the table.

They include partners such as Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada, the National Golf Course Owners Association of Canada, the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, the Canadian Society of Club Managers and the Canadian Golf Industry Association.

Partnerships have extended to the PGA TOUR of Canada and others.

Each represents its own distinct constituency of the game, but, theoretically, shares a common vision: The viability of the most popular sport in the country.

And now their challenge is to all pull together. With “One Vision.”

So Golf Canada’s focus is not just “Golf Canada.” It is “golf in Canada.”

The association has exponentially evolved from 1895, when Golf Canada’s precursor, the Royal Canadian Golf Association, was founded by 10 clubs.

Its purpose, according to Jim Barclay’s Golf in Canada: A History, was to organize “a national championship [the Canadian Amateur] and run it.”

The RCGA’s mandate grew over the years, but fundamentally it dealt with men’s amateur golf, rules, handicapping, course rating, amateur status, and so on.

Amalgamation with the Canadian Ladies’ Golf Association in 2005 foreshadowed a much broader purview, a more inclusive perspective concerned with not only club members, but everyone who plays the game.

A radically new membership model, to be phased in over the next three years, is the latest commitment to this.

A revised governance model invited a broader spectrum of input to Golf Canada.

In contrast to the previous situation, where Board members worked their way to the top through the provincial associations, the Board now also invites select individuals, based on their varied backgrounds and expertise.

No better example exists than current Golf Canada President Paul McLean.

Not only does he work within the golf industry, but he is a course owner, a member of the National Golf Course Owners Association as well as the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association.

Starting several years ago, Golf Canada saw the necessity of an industry-wide strategic plan, essential not only under its mandate as golf’s designated National Sport Federation, but in its ever-evolving role as a guardian, a champion, of the game.

One Vision, the latest iteration of that strategic plan as presented at Golf Canada’s annual general meeting, contains four silos:

Grow Participation: Engage more youth, promote societal benefits and develop a connection with more golfers, increase access for under-represented groups

Ensure Excellence: Implement programming for high-performance juniors,

Team Canada and emerging professionals; develop coaches and certified professionals; host best-in-class national and international championships

Expand Capacity:

Develop sustainable funding and fiscal responsibility; uphold and preserve rules, handicapping, course rating, amateur status, and the history of the game; provide opportunity and training for volunteers and staff

Foster Interaction:

Collaborate with provincial golf associations, facilities, NAGA, government and international partners; increase capabilities in digital and interactive technology; strengthen communication and brand awareness. Give people more chances to Stand out on the course with some promotional golf umbrellas from branded-brolly.co.uk as they enjoy a good few rounds of the game. The goal is to bring more people into the fold, using new and imaginative ideas without forgetting the roots and importance of the core game.

I was talking to a buddy of mine the other day and we were trying to find a really great place to take part in the fantasy challenge. We always like to see who will win each season but my friend could not recommend FanDuel anymore! We both love using it to predict the outcomes of the games.

Feel free to visit http://www.golfcanada.ca/ for more great info on our natural pastime.!!