Golf august 2013

August 2013

BRANDT SNEDEKER WINS 2013 RBC CANADIAN OPEN!

The Club Championship TBDGA 2013 Tournaments 2014 Chevrolet Silverado: All New From The Ground Up! Ronald McDonald House Helps Local Family

The Club Championship

2014 Chevrolet Silverado: All New From The Ground Up!

TBDGA 2013 Tournaments Note: Some of the dates or courses are subject to change AUGUST August 3-4 August 2-5 Stanley Thompson Memorial 2 Man Strathcona Invitational Kenogamisis Golf Course Strathcona Golf Club August 9-10-11 FWCC Invitational FWCC August 9-10-11 Barrick Gold Skins Game Peninsula Golf Club August TBA Bergstrom Kenogamisis Golf Course

August 10-11 Chapples Club Championship Chapples Golf Course August 17-18 Centennial Mens Club Championship August 17-18 Municipal Club Championship Municipal Golf Course August 24-25 Thunder Bay CC Club Championship Thunder Bay Country Club August 24-25 Aguasabon Mens Open Aguasabon Golf Course August TBA TBDGA District Junior Championship TBA August 24-25 Dragon Hills Club Championship Dragon Hills Golf Course August 30

Dragon Hills Senior Open Dragon Hills Golf Course

SEPTEMBER August 31September 2 Canadian Tire District Amateur Strathcona Golf Course Chapples Golf Course Whitewater Golf Club Aug 31- Sept 1 Geraldton Club Championship Kenogamisis Golf Course September 7-8 September 7-8 Marathon Club Championship

Aguasabon Golf Club September 8 Municipal Invitational Municipal Golf Course September 14 North Shore 2 man North Shore Golf Course September 14-15 Emerald Greens Club Championship Emerald Greens Golf Course OCTOBER October 5 Dragon Hills Open 4 Man Scramble Dragon Hills Golf Course October 13 Stokaluk Shoot-Out Municipal Golf Course

Terrace Bay Club Championship Peninsula Golf Course

Freedom 55 Celebrity Hockey Golf a Big Success!

BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

NW Ontario Golfing News The day was hot but the talk about hockey was prevelant. It was fun to see so many local NHL hockey players come out to play some golf at Whitewater for a good cause, the local cancer research arm of the TBRHSC!

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August 2013

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The Club Championship

BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

NW Ontario Golfing News Most golf clubs have an annual event where the members play a friendly competition amongst themselves to determine the “ Club Champion”. You will receive many perks if you win, such as a gift certificate for more balls or your own personal parking spot ! The biggest thing you win though is bragging rights for the next year!

This year was my chance to enter the Club Championship again after a several years absence. As a 11 handicap I was told I would be in the B Flight with about 12 other members. That means you could be Club Champion of th B Flight I guess, but that would be fine with me.

The timing wasn’t the greatest for me this year as I had just returned from a non golf trip watching Indycars race in the heat of

Toronto and hadn’t really played for awhile. Also I gave myself a slight injury on the trip which was as my dad used to say- self inflicted. But the first competition day arrived, a sunny cool morning and I was off to the course.

The first thing you notice playing competitive golf is you are nervous. Yes my stomach felt a little uneasy and I wasn’t really looking forward to that first tee shot.

I didn’t hit any range balls even though I was given a ticket, but did hit some practice putts. I talked to my fellow golfers and the starter and then it was off to the first tee. There our golf pro Matt Simmons welcomed us to the event, gave some rules and regulations and we were ready to play away.

My first swing was a driver and it went in the air to the left in the rough but I could find it so that was good. A second shot went to the bunker and then a two

putt gave me a bogie on Hole No1- not bad. I was starting to feel a little bit better being out there swinging the clubs and getting the day underway.

My partners were nice to play with, very encouraging and we all played away with not our best game but an OK game. After a few double bogies and not many pars I was happy I hadn’t lost a ball yet. But that happened soon enough on River 11 where I hit my second shot in the rough and made an easy double bogie. But the game

went along and after a front nine 46 ended up with 90, sort of respectable. Sometimes you wonder if you would break 100 on a day like this but the game improved and we finished Round 1.

At home I felt tired after the game and I think it was the mental concentration that is higher in competition. I slept better this night and was up and ready for Round 2.

Another beautiful day at Whitewater for golf and once again I didn’t hit any practice balls, just a few putts. The golf started better this day with a nice par on hole 1 but went down hill fast with double, double, triple and I thought to myself would I shoot 110? Fortunately my game turned around with some pars and a BIRDIE and the front nine score was 46 again. On the back I started with a double but then had 5 pars in a row and finished with 2 bogies and a par for a 40 and 86 overall. Much better than I envisioned after the rough start.

Overall the days were fun. It was good to have to concentrate on each shot including the 1 foot putts you had to make. I think everyone should enter their club championship and enjoy the comradery of the day.

You get to play with some new people, test out your game and learn some areas where you can improve. It will give me a new appreciation for competitive golfers when next weekend I am at the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey. Can you imagine the

pressure they feel playing for a $1 million first prize ! My goal, like every golfer, is to get better so hopefully next year I can improve my performance in the Club Championship!

Miranda Bolt Graphic Designer

Sonia Rutter @ 807-631-4244

August 2013

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2014 Chevrolet Silverado: All New From The Ground Up!

BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

NW Ontario Golfing News The truck business is big part of the automotive manufacturers overall sales and that is true especially in Northwestern Ontario. The big three of Chrysler, Ford and General Motors as well as Nissan and Toyota rely on trucks for lots of their profit. GM with Chevrolet and GMC has just released a brand new pick up truck that will make the segment even more competi-

tive. “ The last major change of the Chevy pickup was in 2007. For 2014 it has been totally redesigned from the frame up. We wanted a 6 ft 6inch box on a crew cab and they provided that. (You can also get a 5 ft 8inch.) The motors are also brand new with the 4.3 V6, 5.3 engines, and the 6.2 hauler engine. All have been totally redesigned. The engines are much more fuel efficient,” said Pat Spina, Sales Manager of Badanai Motors. “ The interior

2014 Chevrolet Silverado

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of the truck now has more of the I Pad look, with a lot of touch screen capabilities, three different radio options, back-up

The truck business is well over 50% of the business at Badanai Motors, according to Pat Spina. The truck is becoming a people

cameras, NAV systems, 100 volt plug ins for your computers, lots of power outlets and three places for memory sticks or to

mover and is bigger and safer.

plug in an I Phone or I Pad.”

long time coming. Ford put a new one out last year. Dodge also put out their new truck. I think GM has a winner here with many new features we weren't accustomed too in the old truck,” said Spina. “ The exterior look is quite similar for a reason.

GM surveyed their customer base and found they really like the look of the exterior of the truck. The changes are subtle, but it is a refreshed new truck. The air drag is better and there is more sound deadening equipment. We are sitting in a truck with cloth seats that has heated seating which we couldn’t get before.”

When I sat in the 2014 Silverado, ergonomically it offers more legroom, more options on the steering tilt and position and a totally new cockpit. It is very comfortable. The exterior look changes are subtle but if you park a 2013 and 2014 Silverado side but side you will see them.

“ This new Silverado truck has been a

Pricing for the 2014 Silverado will be similar to last year pricing according to Spina. “ The incentive programs will arrive as it is a big part of the market and you have to be in the game with the right price.

The customer has to get the best bang for their buck and we need to offer value. I think GM has a winner here,” said Spina. “ I love the truck. It is quiet. You have to really drive it to feel the comfort and the changes that have been made. The ease of using the features like the back up camera are great. We sold our first 2014 Silverado as soon as it landed. You can order a truck exactly how you like and we can get it landed here for you in Thunder Bay in 6 weeks.”

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August 2103

Ronald McDonald House Helps Local Family

BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

NW Ontario Golfing News Dustin Barr started golfing at age 2. The seventeen-year liked to play hockey as well but chose golf because he was better at it. “ I came down to the Piper Heath golf course for a Nike golf camp one year and that is where I met my current coach, Dustin Wilson and have worked with him for four years learning skills,” said Dustin Barr who plays to a 3 handicap.

Dustin was supposed to be at the Arnold Palmer Invitational for a 2-week golf camp with famed golf coach Sean Foley, but instead had to go to Sick Kids Hospital. “ I had gone to the hospital in Thunder Bay when I had some pain in December.

Later on my eyes turned yellow and I was not keeping food down.They said I had to go to Toronto and I was diagnosed with undifferentiated sarcoma.,” said Dustin. “ We never thought we would be going through this with a 17 year old boy who could hit the ball a mile and was very healthy. Dustin has just graduated from

out of Dustin who must stay in the hospital for 3 to 4 days just sitting there for the treatments for 7 or 8 hours in a row. We are not sure of the next steps. We have the best sarcoma specialists in the States and they are working with the Toronto doctors.” said Leanne Barr, mother of Dustin. “ The doctor is going to do everything he can to “make sure this kid gets back on the golf course” he tells us.” “ I have been pretty positive as long as I am on the golf course, it is good. That is the one place where I find peace. It keeps me calm, keeps me happy.” said Dustin who graduated with honours from high school.

Dustin will have to go through two big surgeries and then possibly have a hip replacement. Ronald McDonald House in Toronto has been the families home away form home. It is located a few blocks from Sick Kids Hospital. “ We are very happy to be at Ronald McDonald and staying right next to a room sponsered by George Badanai of Thunder Bay. We are taking it one step at a time and Dustin has been really positive and in a good frame of

take more time so we have had to grow and expand to meet the demand. The first house opened in Toronto in 1981 and was funded by McDonald’s. They are our founder and forever partner. It really grew just making sure families could be there with their sick child. Out of something so simple it has helped the family be with their child.”

The hospital in your city will refer the family to Ronald McDonald House and then they will come down. They are available 24/ 7. If the family can afford to contribute they pay $10 per night but no family is ever turned away. high school and was set to go to Core Golf in Florida similar to what local golfers Jeff Hunter and Evan Littlefield had done in the past. The goal was to get a US golf scholarship” said Jim Barr, father of Dustin. “ We have now been down to Sick Kids 6 times so far, every three weeks for chemotherapy. At this time they don’t know whether we will continue on with chemotherapy or go straight to surgery.

The chemotherapy has shrunk the tumour more than half and it now can be resectable. The chemotherapy takes lots

mind. We have so much support in Thunder Bay from people we don’t even now. We have a lot of people in our corner.” said Jim Barr.

“ It is beautiful bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, laundry facilities and a work out facility with lots of living space. There are

kitchens where families can meet with other families going through similar challenges. There is a fully accredited school, which allows the children to keep up with their schoolwork. It is a beautiful healing oasis, a really lovely space which allows the families to be a nuclear family and connect with other families,” said Loblaw. “ Traveling far away from home means coming to the house they don’t have to worry about the expenses. We try to be a warm hug that helps get your child better.

We are so grateful to the RBC Canadian Open for their support this year and it will allow us to take our support to families to the next level. McDonald’s has been extraordinary as well.” www.rmhc.ca is a great place to learn more about Ronald McDonald houses.

“ We have 24 Ronald McDonald houses across Canada and currently serve 10,000 families per year. By the end of 2014 we will double to over 20,000 families. The medical advances today mean kids are healing and getting better more often. The healing rates are now at over 80% from previously at 20 to 30%.” said Kathy Loblaw, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald Houses. “ The treatments today

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Golf In Canada Outlook Looks Good I sat down with Scott Simmons, CEO of Golf Canada at the Glen Abbey Golf course during the RBC Canadian Open and asked him some questions about the state of golf in Canada.

The RBC Canadian Open has come back to Glen Abbey in 2013?

This is the 26th time at Glen Abbey and the 104th Canadian Open. I grew up 45 minutes from here and have a personal fondness for this golf course. I watched Jack Nicklaus as a kid and think he did a great job designing this golf course. It is a very fair course for the average golfer but can be turned in to a monster for the PGA Tour players. I am not a fan of even par winning an event but like seeing low scores.

We have had so many great moments here such as Trevino winning the first open in 1977, Greg Norman in 84, Curtis Strange, Nick Price and Tiger in 2000. In 1983 the play between Johnny Miller and John Cook was amazing. I believe it is the best spectator course in the world. The course opened in 1975 and the first Canadian Open was held in 1977.

It has been easier to get a good field at the RBC Canadian Open as you help with the transportation?

We chartered a jet from Muirfield, the Open site this year. It is easy for the players with 100 first class sets turn key leaving from a private airfield with no customs

or security. They left at 9 pm and got here at 10:20pm Toronto time with a 5-hour time change. They then got driven to their hotels and tucked in. It is pretty easy for the guys to get here and compete. The attendance has been good. The gates are very busy. You can’t control weather and leader board but both have been great this year. The crowds here at 7am were huge.

As Canadians we need to embrace this event. It is the third oldest event in the world and is the biggest week in Canadian golf.

We have the highest per capita of golfers in the world with 5. 7 million and some 2000 18 hole golf courses. The popularity is huge. We do need to do a job to get our kids still playing the game. They have so many choices for their time. The sport of golf is great for the kids character and physical fitness. I have four kids and if they are out being active I don’t care. I prefer them to play golf though of course.

We have many good public courses that are inexpensive. 90% of the courses in Canada are public. The green fees can be as low as $20.

Golf participation had been good in Canada even though falling in some other countries?

The mandate of Golf Canada has expanded recently?

We are blessed in Canada with hockey and golf and have the highest participation rates in the world, 1 in 5 people or 20 %.

At Golf Canada we are proud of our National Sport designation. Our traditional mandate of handicaps and course regulations are still there but now we are starting our national team program and programs

like Future Links in the schools. We are also going to start investing in our young professionals to create heroes. You have to take a long-term outlook, say 20 years from now. We are into over 2000 schools now but need to get that to over 10,000.

We need to support our young pros and to help them get there faster.

We are negotiating with sites for 15, 16 and 17 of the RBC Canadian Open. We like to make some funds at this event to help fund amateur activities but it also a great stage to promote golf in Canada, the Golf Canada platform and important to our culture and the pride it creates for Canada.

RBC has been a great partner and helps us in ways we couldn’t do on our own.

Scott Simmons is a member of the Brantford Golf and Country Club. He has played this course once this year and 4 times last year. Scott usually plays 15 times a year, mostly in the fall.

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August 2013

BRANDT SNEDEKER WINS 2013 RBC CANADIAN OPEN Victory marks Snedeker’s sixth career PGA TOUR title and second this season David Hearn wins Rivermead Cup Trophy as low Canadian Oakville, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Brandt Snedeker carded a 2-under 70 on Sunday to win the 2013 RBC Canadian Open by three strokes at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

On a breezy day that saw Glen Abbey play much tougher than the previous three

In his 11th appearance at Canada’s National Open Championship, David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., earned low Canadian honours, clinching the Rivermead Cup with a final-round score of 1-over-par 73. Hearn finished T44 at 4under par 284 for the championship.

Bright’s Grove, Ont.’s Mike Weir finished in a tie for 49th at 3-under 285, while Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., finished in a tie for 52nd at 2-under.

RBC CANADIAN OPEN – MEDIA GUIDE AND PAST PLAYER PERFORMANCES First conducted in 1904, this year will mark the 104th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship. Download the official RBC Canadian Open Media Guide and the Player Performance Book to access 104 years of scores, history and notable championship records.

ABOUT THE 2013 RBC CANADIAN OPEN rounds, Snedeker held off Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, William McGirt and Jason Bohn who all finished in a tie for second at 13-under par.

Tied with Johnson through 15 holes at 15-

under, Snedeker, unaware Johnson had made a triple-bogey on the short par-4 17th, birdied the par-5 16th to lead by three with two holes remaining.

“I had no clue, I don’t look at leaderboard because you can’t control anything anybody else is doing,” Snedeker said following his round. “Coming down 18, it felt like the tension was out of the air. I felt like I had a chance and a pretty cushioned lead to get it done.”

With this win, Snedeker becomes the fourth multiple winner on the PGA TOUR this season and moves to No. 3 in the FedExCup standings.

“This is a tournament I said early on in my career I wanted to win just because my caddie is actually from Canada and it’s his national open,” he said. “It meant a lot to him and it means a lot to me. It’s the third oldest tournament on tour and it has some great history to it and now to put my name on that trophy it means a lot.”

August 2013

The 2014 RBC Canadian Open will be contested July 21-27, 2013 at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Que. A complete list of final round scores from the 2013 RBC Canadian Open is available

Part of the FedExCup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5.6 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 22-28, 2013 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. Conducted by Golf Canada for more than a century, the RBC Canadian Open provides an opportunity for Canada’s top talents to compete against the world’s best golfers while also leaving a significant impact in the event’s host community. The RBC Canadian Open is proud to support

with the PGA TOUR and Golf Canada.

RBC is the Official Banking and Financial Services partner of touring professionals Luke Donald, Brandt Snedeker, Graeme McDowell, Hunter Mahan, Matt Kuchar, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, Graham DeLaet, David Hearn and Morgan Pressel. As the title sponsor of both the RBC Heritage and the RBC Canadian Open, RBC also supports emerging Canadian golfers through Golf Canada’s grassroots developmental programming, their Canadian Amateur Golf Championships and high performance national team. RBC is one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies and among the largest banks in the world, as measured by market capitalization GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME. Golf Canada is the National Sports Organization and governing body for golf in Canada representing more than 340,000

at www.pgatour.com.

Additional stories are available at www.rbccanadianopen.com as well as www.pgatour.com.

The following are final scores for Canadians in the 2013 RBC Canadian Open T44 – Hearn, David, Brantford, Ont., 7073-68-73 (-4) T49 – Weir, Mike, Bright’s Grove, Ont., 73-67-73-72 (-3) T52 – Sloan, Roger, Merritt, B.C., 71-7172-72 (-2) INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS FROM SUNDAY, JULY 28th.

Interview video and transcripts from Sunday, July 28th for Brandt Snedeker, Dustin Johnson, William McGirt, Matt Kuchar, David Hearn, Mike Weir and Roger Sloan are available online in the Shaw Media Centre at www.rbccanadianopen.com.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada as the event’s official charity partner.

Established in 1904, Canada’s national open golf championship is the third-oldest national open golf championship worldwide next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. The RBC Canadian Open is proudly sponsored by RBC, Shaw Business, BMW Group Canada, C.F.F Stainless Steels, Molson Canadian 67, TaylorMade adidas Golf, The Glenlivet, PepsiCo, The Globe and Mail, Jacob’s Creek, Keystone Dental, Jack Link’s Beef Jerky and 5-hour Energy.

For tickets or tournament information, please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com or call 1-800-571-6736.

golfers at nearly 1,500 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

RBC GOLF RBC proudly supports golf around the world through high profile relationships

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August 2013