Featuring the top professional and amateurs in the country, the event is the final tournament in the She Plays Golf series, which also serves as a qualifying circuit for this year’s CPKC Women’s Open.

As part of its commitment to support women’s golf, PING has partnered with the PGA of Canada to continue offering a separate purse for PGA of Canada Club Professionals at the prestigious event.

“Coming on board as a partner of the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship reflects PING’s dedication to fostering growth and development within the women’s game and providing greater opportunities for athletes to showcase their talent on the national stage,” said Dave Wilson, General Manager of PING Canada. “We believe in the power of golf to inspire and empower individuals and we are thrilled to extend our support of PGA Professionals in this country.”

The full field of the event will be comprised of 60 players, including PGA of Canada members and touring professionals, along with top amateurs and juniors. The field will be cut to the top 30 players plus ties following the second round.

The 54-hole event is set to be played on the links-inspired Heathlands course, which has hosted several notable events over the past few years, including the PGA TOUR America’s Osprey Valley Open.

“We are so grateful to PING for their generous support of women’s golf and the PGA of Canada,” said PGA of Canada CEO Kevin Thistle. “We are proud to welcome both amateur and professionals into this national championship, but it is always nice to do something a little extra for our PGA members thanks to PING.”

For more information about the 2024 ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada, click here.

Today, Gord Percy was named the 49th president of the PGA of Canada at the association’s Annual General Meeting. The PGA of Canada, first established in 1911 is the second oldest and third largest professional golf association in the world.

Percy is an esteemed community member, golf professional, and golf industry leader. I would also say he is the best father in the world. He once said in an article about his career that his primary motivation is his children, so it feels only fitting that his daughter is the one to introduce him as the new President of the PGA of Canada.

I was lucky enough to work for my dad for many years at Carleton Golf and Yacht Club as a back shop and pro shop employee (since then, my dad has moved to become the Head Professional and General Manager at Smiths Falls Golf Club).

One of my favourite parts of working for him was our drives to and from work. Sometimes during those drives, we would listen to the news or music, but more often than not we would talk about golf – not just about how he was playing, but about growing the game, changes in the industry, and memories over his lifetime. These conversations brought up industry challenges, dreams of what golf could be in the future, and a lot of nostalgia.

My favourite stories my dad tells are often about his adventures and experiences as a young golfer in his hometown of Verona, Ontario. He was first introduced to golf, not at a course, but at home, by his babysitter while his parents were at work. He transitioned from playing golf around the house to Rivendell Golf Course (although he certainly still plays a lot of golf around the house, even today).

He still holds the course record of an 11-under par, 60 at Rivendell!

Growing up, I often heard stories about him giving golf lessons to senior members, setting course records, and making shots he sometimes still considers his best.

Although an injury changed his career trajectory, he still aspired to work in the golf industry and ended up getting a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education from Queens University and a Professional Golf Management Graduate Certificate from Humber College.

His ability to change direction, persevere and still follow his passions are the same qualities he has instilled in my brother and me. He has always emphasized the importance of pursuing education, whether formal or informal, which the PGA of Canada has further supported through their Ian Webb scholarship program for members’ spouses, children, and grandchildren.

At home and at work, supporting education and professional development is a top priority for my dad.

“I think the big things for me are finding ways to get pros into jobs where they can have successful careers and can stay with it,” he says. “You used to hear stories about pros working a ton, not making a lot of money, and not having that work-life balance. I think we’re moving in the right direction but there is still some work to do. The education, continuing being innovative with it, and getting more people interested and using that platform – that is all very important to me.”

It’s clear that growing the game of golf has always been a passion for my dad. This is particularly evident when he runs junior golf camps or gives junior lessons. During these camps I got to watch so many young people become passionate about golf through his teaching. His ability to inspire and teach is a talent he’s had since the beginning of his career.

I’m so proud that to him growing the game isn’t just about getting more people to play. Rather, it is about making sure that as the game of golf grows in an inclusive way. Whether it is attending events for military veterans golfing, working with organizations to provide youth memberships, or prioritizing growing the game for women, he works to make sure golf grows inclusively.

He was instrumental in having Brooke and Brittney Henderson both join the PGA of Canada and is proud he was part of naming our Female Player of the Year award after Brooke. Having known the family since his early days of being a professional he is proud to have fit Brittney for her first set of Ping Clubs that would later become Brooke’s. Brooke went on to use an old 46 inch extra stiff driver with his name imprinted on it that she had much amateur success with. He jokes its his fault she chokes up on her clubs.

The PGA of Canada has also taken this up through their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force, which he was involved with and personally invested in. This extends his commitment to making sure that golf takes care of its professionals. He says priority for him going into his presidency is ensuring golf professionals across Canada have access to support, such as through the Members Assistance Program, the mentorship program, and the Benevolent Fund.

“Another thing that really is important to me; I’d like to find a way to help our members more – in sync with the Benevolent Fund – whether it is getting them more benefits from being a golf professional, or more value added so that we can help everybody out,” he says.

Over the last several years, it’s been so exciting to watch my dad take on his board leadership roles, first with the PGA of Ottawa, and most recently with the PGA of Canada. I’ve seen him work with people across the country and globally, making sure the golf industry is not only innovative, but fun. I most recently witnessed this during the 2021 RBC PGA Scramble, which brought professional and amateur golfers from across Canada together in Cape Breton. The event highlighted how golf experiences can change people’s lives and bring people together, something my dad truly appreciates and emphasizes in his work.

The 2021 season marked his 25th season as a PGA professional. During his career he has won numerous tournaments and has received accolades such as Ottawa Zone Teacher of the Year, Assistant of the Year, and Golf Professional of the Year. Although he has amassed many trophies and awards over the years, he always says he’s most proud of being a father. Likewise, as he becomes President of the PGA of Canada, I am still most proud along with my brother Ethan that he is our father.

Percy succeeds Teejay Alderdice as President, while Scott Kolb becomes Vice-President of the Association. In addition, Tiffany Gordon becomes the first female Secretary of the Association.

The full list of Directors of the Association includes:

For 3 years
Alberta – Mrs. Tiffany Gordon
Ontario – Mr. Simon Bevan
Québec – Mr. Rémi Bouchard

For 2 Years
Northern Ontario – Mr. Travis Spiess
Manitoba – Mr. Adam Boge
Ottawa – Mr. Gordon Percy

For 1 Year
British Columbia – Mr. Scott Kolb
Saskatchewan – Mr. Jeff Chambers
Atlantic – Mr. Gordon Smith

To ensure this safe environment, the PGA of Canada has updated its code of professional practice and developed the PGA Code of Professional Conduct and Safe Sport Policy, which includes education and policy that will further strengthen our members ability to provide a respectful and welcoming environment for golfers throughout the country.

“As leaders in the golf industry, we must ensure the safety of all of those who enjoy the game throughout the country,” said PGA of Canada President Teejay Alderdice. “The Safe Sport framework developed will serve as a guide for our association to follow and infrastructure we encourage facilities to implement into their policies.”

What Is Safe Sport?

Safe Sport refers to the process and measures implemented to protect and effectively care for the health, well-being, and human rights of all participants in the PGA of Canada community, especially children and youth. Individuals participating in all disciplines of golf in Canada, including athletes, coaches, officials, sport administrators, volunteers and others should be able to engage in a sport environment free from abuse, discrimination and potential harm.

This Safe Sport webpage includes a group of specific policies that collectively promote a Safe Sport environment by communicating expected standards of behaviour. These policies also enable consistent, immediate, appropriate, and meaningful action should any issues arise.

Should any individual wish to report any instance of misconduct or maltreatment, they may do so directly through the PGA of Canada’s independent Third Party as identified in this set of Policies. The Case Manager will then refer to this document to determine the appropriate forum and manner to address the report.

We encourage all PGA of Canada members and anybody involved with golf in Canada in any form to read the PGA Code of Professional Conduct and Safe Sport Policy to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all golfers and athletes.

In addition, there are a few great PGA of Canada courses and resources available to members who would like to learn more about Safe Sport and implementing it at your facility: Respect in the Workplace, Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders, CAC Safe Sport Training.

When Nick Kenney’s second shot on the par-5 12^th hole at Lookout Point Country Club hit the cart path and sailed 50 yards over the green, just minutes after Dean North hit it to tap-in length on the hole prior to get within two, it looked like the momentum may have been shifting at the PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf with support from G&G Brands. 

READ ALSO: PGA of Canada Releases Task Force Report

Momentum shifted alright – fully in Kenney’s favour.

From behind the green, he blindly hit his next shot, with the green running away from him, to five feet – where he would make his birdie putt and take a four-stroke lead of the championship.

The National Golf Club of Canada Head Teaching Professional never looked back, making three more birdies on his way into the clubhouse to win by four strokes over Danny King and defending champion Gord Burns.

“I don’t think it’s settled in yet,” said Kenney with the trophy in hand. “I think by far this is the biggest win of my career so far. This is the first time I’ve played the Head Pro Championship, so to be the champion with some of the others on that trophy, it hasn’t settled in yet, but it’s quite an honour and I feel so lucky to have won.”

Kenney noted that this was the first time he has been in a situation with a chance to win since the 2019 PGA of Ontario Zone Championship, which he thought back to and had a similar mindset, trying to get as low as possible.

“I figured I had to keep going under par,” said Kenney, who takes home $9,000 with the victory. “I had a great feeling this week and my putter felt good in my hands. You have to think about every shot at this golf course, which really kept me in the moment, and I was able to execute.”

Kenney also noted that he received lots of support between the first and final round – which continued into the post-round celebration.

“Every pro I’ve worked with and all my friends and family, I’ve heard from all of them, and with social media these days, it has really brought my friends and family into the mix a little bit,” said Kenney. “I briefly looked at my phone, I have lots of messages to get back to, and it’s amazing they get to see what is going on.”

Moreover, a relatively recent father, Kenney notes how their support and having them in his life has changed his mindset playing tournament golf.

“Being a parent puts everything in perspective. Having kids now, you appreciate everything, and it calms you down on the golf course,” said Kenney. “The pressure isn’t quite there. if I don’t perform, I’m not too upset and I’m a role model for them as well.”

Lookout Point Country Club, which is set to celebrate its centennial season in 2022, was a true test of golf this week, with only four players finishing the week under par. In addition, 30 volunteers, most of whom are members at the club, stepped up to help put on the terrific event which was hosted for the first time in Canada since 2003.

“The golf course, volunteers and sponsors stepped up big time,” noted Kenney. “For the volunteers to come and sit out for hours and show us where our golf balls are and give up their golf course for four days, it was incredible. I had heard nothing but good things about Lookout Point and now it holds a very special place in my heart. I can’t wait to come back here.”

The low Club Professional this week earned an extra $500 on top of their purse money. The low club pro was Marc-Ettiene Bussieres, who shot 73-70 to win by one stroke over Dean North.

The Ontario InterZone Team, which included Ed Maunder, Gord Burns, Danny King and James Skrypec, captured the InterZone championship after finishing the two days at 5-under par.

BetRegal, who will announce the final tally tomorrow of the “Support Your Pro” contest, announced on Thursday that they would like to support the event even further, and offered a $300 prize to the low female player this week, which ended up being Shannon Briggs after firing 79-75.

Focus Golf Targets conducted an activation on the driving range where each pro had three shots to hit one of their driving range targets placed 40 yards away. Todd Halpen ended up dunking two of his shots, giving him the $250 prize.

National Partner NoSweat also handed out a $125 prize to the player who conquered the “NoSweat Hardest Hole of the Day”, which was the par-4 10^th hole on Thursday.

There were just three players who made birdie on No.10, and after running the names through a random generator, Phillip Jonas wins the final NoSweat prize of the season.

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Saturday at Parcours du Vieux Village in Bromont, Quebec belonged to Riley Fleming.

From the time he made a 15-foot eagle putt on the fifth hole to break the deadlock between himself and Kevin Stinson to take the lead at the PGA Championship of Canada to the time he narrowly fought off water works on the 18th green with the P.D. Ross trophy in hand, the day was his, and the game is seldomly played as beautifully as Fleming played it this week.

FULL SCORES PROVIDED BY GOLF GENIUS CAN BE VIEWED HERE

“This is the biggest win of my career by far,” said Fleming, who pieced together rounds of 66-63-68-66 this week to win by three. “Kevin (Stinson) and I duked it out pretty good on the front, and even on the back, I was only one clear after 13, so it was pretty tight. I’m just so excited.”

While the 63 the pro from Lynx Ridge Golf Club in Calgary, Alberta managed on Thursday may have been his lowest number, Saturday’s 66 was arguably his most impressive.

With a one-stroke lead on the par-5 7th hole, Fleming made one of his only major mistakes of the week – hitting his tee shot right, where it landed out-of-bounds. After striking his provisional perfectly down the center, a long-way down the center, I may add, his demeanour was unflustered, and he only sacrificed a single shot.

The 8th hole at Parcours du Vieux Village presents an interesting option for players. At only 330-yards and slightly downhill, it is certainly drivable, but with a pond guarding the right side, Fleming, who “is almost always against laying up,” as he told us after his round, took iron off the tee early in the week.

This was not the case on Saturday. Fleming, with thoughts of his wayward drive on seven nonexistent, made a winning decision and drove the green. Birdie for Fleming and bogey for Stinson, erasing the blemish from the seventh and adding even more cushion between himself and the PGA of BC pro. He never looked back and didn’t relinquish his lead for the remainder of the tournament.

By the time Fleming strolled down the 18th fairway, he had given himself a three-shot cushion. The scene could have been from a movie, (and the scene of Fleming walking towards the green with the Bromont faithful encircling him was like a tamed-down version of Tiger Woods at the 2018 FedEx Cup Finals) as Fleming buried a 35-footer for birdie and put his hands in the air.

“The crowd was so friendly and supportive, even cheering on the Alberta guy,” said Fleming, who takes home $10,000 with the win. “It was so much fun to see them there and our group hit some really good shots today so hopefully they enjoyed it as much as we did.”

His caddie, Chad Thompson, who booked his own ticket to Montreal to be there for his friend (and, little did he know, a moment of Canadian golf history), gave him a big bear hug.

When asked how it felt to have his name alongside Lee Trevino, Moe Norman and Arnold Palmer on the P.D. Ross trophy, Fleming fought back tears.

“It’s hard to believe… it’s pretty cool to have my name on a trophy with Arnold,” he said.

Kevin Stinson, who made only one bogey all tournament, finished in second place at 22-under, while Sang Hwa Lee rounded out the top three at 20-under. The full leaderboard can be viewed here.

“We have a lot of great people that run events, but you can’t do it without sponsors,” said Fleming. “We’re all really appreciative that they jumped on board and we can’t say enough about how great it is to have their support.”

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Prairie girl Amanda Minchin has always been a master of all tasks. As a youngster she excelled in a variety of sports — hockey, softball, soccer, basketball — and when she started working at Estevan Woodlawn GC in her teens after getting hooked on golf at 12, she didn’t limit herself to one gig. She toiled in the back shop, on the turf crew and in food and beverage. Need a grip changed? Check. A green cut? Check. A burger for lunch? How would you like it cooked?

Now, some three decades after starting in the junior program at the 400-member Saskatchewan club — known as TS&M Woodlawn Club since 2012 when a naming rights agreement was struck with TS&M Supply to fund a renovation after flood damages — Minchin is its general manager. Serendipitously, but also maybe predictably, she’s the boss.

“I guess I had the best education in terms of experience,” laughed Minchin, who was born and raised in Estevan.

But just like her days punching a clock, general manager isn’t Minchin’s sole title. Along with being vice-president of the PGA of Saskatchewan, she is also Woodlawn’s head professional. She’s one of 29 female head professionals in the country and one of a very few to hold both head pro and GM titles. Minchin says she enjoys a bond with other female head professionals in Saskatchewan, and across the country, citing Bobbi Brandon, the head pro at Saskatoon’s Moon Lake G&CC, as a friend and mentor specifically. However, she also says she doesn’t ever think about working in a male-dominated industry.

“It’s never been an issue, if you’re a woman or man,” she said. “To me, I wasn’t raised like that. I was just raised that you do whatever you want. The stuff that you want to do, that’s what you do. Sort of a genderless thing. And that’s how we try to approach things at our golf club.”

A club that recognized and conceded her desire to keep the head pro job when she was named GM. Minchin was adamant about that.

“I got in the golf business because I love being a golf pro, I wanted to be a golf pro,” she stated. “I didn’t want to give up that side of it.”

Not necessarily a club pro, however. After getting into the game just for fun, Minchin improved dramatically around the time she turned 16. It seemed to happen overnight, she explained. It was then that she started to play competitively and discover the places the game could take her. She won multiple Saskatchewan Junior Girls titles and twice finished second in the Saskatchewan Women’s Amateur. She wound up on provincial teams and competed nationally for the first time at the 1998 Canadian Junior Girls at Toronto’s York Downs G&CC. She loved it all — the trips, the courses, the people she met. A U.S. college scholarship emerged as a possibility and she wound up a two-time tournament winner and three-time first team all-conference player at Eastern Illinois University.

Upon graduating Minchin gave tour life a shot, plying her trade on the old Canadian Women’s Tour and teeing it up in mini-tour events whenever and wherever she could. Success — and cash — didn’t come, however, so at 27, having already lent a helping hand in the TS&M Woodlawn junior program from which she graduated, she became a PGA of Canada member and joined the club as assistant professional. She became head professional in 2016 and head professional/GM in 2018. Through the years the accolades have piled up: PGA of Saskatchewan Assistant of the Year in 2012; PGA of Saskatchewan Teacher of the Year in 2015; PGA of Saskatchewan Junior Promoter of the Year in 2013 and ’16; and the PGA of Canada’s Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year in ’16 as well. She was also an assistant coach for Golf Saskatchewan’s 2017 Canada Summer Games team. It’s those junior leader awards of which she is most proud.

“I love teaching kids,” Minchin said. “As a GM/head pro I still get to do our Tiny Linkster junior lessons. I still get to be out there with the five-, six-year-olds on the weekend and teach those lessons. Might be funny to some people but I think it’s cool.”

Of course, a world with COVID-19 has changed some of that. After a long shutdown, Minchin was just getting junior camps at Woodlawn up and running again in early June, having to create regimes for physical distancing, especially at the youngest levels. But she also noted enrollment for camps is up over last year as are junior and adult memberships. The school of thought that golf might benefit from the pandemic with people unable to participate in teams sports has come to fruition at TS&M Woodlawn with members of the public struggling to get tee times as season pass holders gobble them up with the ability to book seven days in advance. That is something Minchin said she has never seen at the club. As for golf being a safe haven in these uncertain times, her sell of the game remains the same.

“I’m going to push junior golf no matter what, COVID or not,” she avowed, noting the club has produced nine juniors who played competitively last summer and had graduates playing collegiately in the U.S. before the shutdown. “I feel bad for kids. I can’t imagine not being able to play sports and do all of their activities. I mean, I grew up loving all sports. So I feel for kids. And adults. I mean, I miss sports. I miss watching hockey and whatnot. If I could say anything, it’s that we of course feel very safe here, it’s a great place for kids to meet other kids. We see it now. Kids are coming here, they are learning how to make tee times on their own, they’re booking online because kids are so good on computers obviously. But it’s not just about hitting golf balls. It’s learning how to talk to adults, play with adults because we have to fill those tee times. The life skills alone, I’ll always preach that, in a COVID world or not a COVID world.

“We want your kids — boys and girls,” she continued. “We just think kids should be introduced to golf. Whether they decide to go play competitively or whatnot, obviously as golf lovers we see the benefits of it as a lifelong game, so we’re going to be really pushing that in the next year.”

And why not? Look what joining the junior program way back when has done for Minchin.

“I’m from the junior program and here I am 30-odd years later as the GM. To me, that’s a cool story.”

“Considering the large number of highly accomplished business leaders who entered this competition, I am excited to announce that our Board of Directors has selected Kevin Thistle to lead the PGA of Canada into an exciting new era of success,” Steve Wood, President of the Board of Directors of the PGA of Canada announced Tuesday.

Mr. Thistle, former President of Golf Operations for the Windmill Group in Calgary, has held leadership positions at some of Canada’s most recognized golf clubs including Angus Glen.

“I want to emphasize that while he was, until Wednesday of last week, an active member of our Board of Directors, he was chosen because of his track record in business, his demonstrated leadership skills, his proven marketing acumen and his ideas about sustaining growth and profitability in our business through innovation,“ Mr. Wood said.

“Kevin is extremely well-known and respected in our business across Canada, not only because of his extensive professional accomplishments but because of his ethics, his energy, his ideas and his ability to work with others to achieve common goals. The number of high calibre leaders who expressed interest in this challenge should have made a difficult choice. In the end, Kevin’s knowledge of our industry and experience as a marketing innovator made him a clear and unanimous choice of our Board,” Mr. Wood said.

“Thanks to the work of Gary Bernard, our former Chief Executive Officer, we are in a strong position, with the means to identify and pursue exciting new directions. The transition process towards those new directions will require vision, leadership and strong people skills.  We are confident Kevin has those skills. “

“To me, this is a dream come true,” Mr. Thistle said. “I have been part of the PGA of Canada throughout my career. I have been active in both Ontario and Alberta zones of the PGA of Canada and I have close friends across the country.  Our members value the PGA of Canada and the brand credibility it offers. I think they realize change is inevitable. I look forward to working closely with our Board and our members across Canada to help our association and its members enjoy a robust and exciting future.”

Founded in 1911 the Professional Golfers Association of Canada is the oldest professional golf association in North America and the second oldest PGA in the world. The PGA of Canada is a non-profit association comprising 3,700 golf professionals across the country and has evolved to become one of the most innovative and respected in the world.

Biography – Kevin Thistle, CEO PGA of Canada

Mr. Thistle, an accomplished PGA of Canada member since 1984, is a recognized leader in the Canadian golf industry who combines a demonstrated track record in golf management with superior business management and marketing skills.

While he was equipped with a Bachelor’s Degree (Commerce and Economics) from the University of Toronto, it was his passion for golf developed as a youngster at Pickering’s Seaton Golf course that established his career path. His PGA of Canada Executive Professional Qualification took him to Angus Glen where he started the new facility and grew the staff from two to more than 400 while overseeing development of a 15,000 square foot clubhouse and later, a 50,000 square foot addition. In 15 years there he progressed from Head Professional and Director of Golf to President and General Manager, all the while maintaining his PGA of Canada Executive Professional designation as an active part of his duties.

In addition to hosting the RBC Canadian Open twice, the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open and the Telus Skins game, Kevin continued to grow revenue at Angus Glen while adding another 18 holes to the course to make it a 36-hole facility.

From there he was lured to the exclusive Coppinwood Golf course, a Tom Fazio design consistently ranked among the best courses in Canada. In four years there, he and his team increased membership from 137 to over 400. During his time at the club he doubled revenues through innovations in all areas of the club.

Then Toronto Hunt Club called upon Kevin’s magic touch. In his first year he grew both membership and revenues with his proven tactics. He implemented new programs to an already robust food and beverage operation and instituted critical changes to grow pro shop revenues, but his plans for Toronto Hunt were interrupted by a phone call from Calgary.

As a result, Kevin said goodbye to the hands-on golf business to take on marketing and management challenges for the Windmill Group, owners, operators or managers of eight golf clubs including Calgary’s new Mickelson National. As President of Golf Operations and Vice-President of Business Development, he and his team grew revenues and increased membership from 108 to 500 in a four-month period at the Windmill Group’s private facilities.

Throughout his life, Kevin has shared his professional skills with the community. From coaching baseball and hockey in Markham to working with numerous charitable organizations including the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, the Sunnybrook Hospital’s One Night Live event, Toronto Raptors Foundation, Ronald McDonald House charities and many others, he is a committed believer in giving back to the communities in which he lives. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his community service.

His volunteer work extends to the sport that gives him a living. In addition to years of service on the PGA of Canada Board and zones, Kevin has been a Board member of the Golf Management Institute of Canada and Humber College Golf Management Advisory Board. He has also been a guest lecturer for the National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA of Canada Zones and numerous Professional Golf Management Programs across the country.

Kevin is married to his wife Heather and together they have two sons, Calvin and Christian.

“It is with a strong sense of impending loss that I inform you of the decision by our Chief Executive Officer to take early retirement. Effective July 31, 2017, Gary Bernard will leave his post as Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Canada to focus on his health, his family, and to pursue lifestyle dreams,“ Steve Wood, President of the PGA of Canada wrote in an email to members released Tuesday.

“Gary has been with us 14-years, and has been CEO since 2010. During that time, he has significantly strengthened our financial position, our education program and our brand. He has brought the PGA of Canada to a position where it is regarded as being among the most respected in the world.”

Wood, Director of Golf Operations and Head Professional at St. Boniface Golf Club in Manitoba, said that the CEO’s departure is not related to, nor would it alter, the association’s current evolutionary process. “We have been in a change process for several years and we are confident that we will emerge from this process better equipped to serve our members and drive our brand. Gary is leaving us in a strong position financially, with a healthy and vibrant membership base, one of the best training programs and insurance packages in the business and a trained and experienced national office team capable of maintaining operations.”

“The golf landscape is shifting dramatically due to lifestyle realities that have the potential to impact every organization in the channel. We are looking at those shifts, at our operations, at our professional skill sets and assets to implant a business model that will best meet those realities and enable us to better serve our members.”

“Gary is an energetic and strong leader and a loyal and committed friend to the PGA of Canada and he will be missed,” Wood said.

Established in 1911, the PGA of Canada is the second oldest and third largest professional golf association in the world. The PGA of Canada is a non-profit Association comprised of 3,700 golf professionals across the country.

Since joining the PGA of Canada as a National Education Learning Facilitator in 1995, Gary Bernard moved up the education ranks to become the association’s Chief Executive Officer in 2010. He took over operational management of the PGA of Canada following the 2009 recession and embarked upon a significant financial turn-around, guiding the PGA of Canada to record seven consecutive years of surplus.

His Masters degree in Education has heavily influenced his management style. Staff training and development and Board development and leadership training have been hallmarks of his management. Turning his training skills to membership performance, he increased the conversion rate of ELITE Cohorts into “Class A” designation. He introduced a new professional development platform, which has received strong support from golf teaching professionals. He is a strong believer in the use of technology to deliver operational efficiencies.  Under his tenure, his team implemented the PGA of Canada digital magazine; became the first to use drones to enhance the broadcast of PGA of Canada events and has maximized the use of social media to strategic advantage.

He is a past Chairman of the National Allied Golf Association.

This unique championship sees two PGA of Canada professionals pairing up with the partner of his or her choice. The pair competes together in their respective PGA of Canada Zone Qualifier with hopes of landing one of the coveted spots in the $90,000 purse Nike Golf PGA Team Championship of Canada.

“We couldn’t be more excited to launch this one-of-a-kind PGA national championship with our friends from Nike Golf Canada,” said PGA of Canada CEO Gary Bernard. “Their support of the association, at both the national and zone level. with this championship will create incredible competition and camaraderie around the country.”

A Nike Golf PGA Team Championship of Canada qualifier will be held in each PGA of Canada Zone this summer with the 52 top teams booking their ticket to the national championship final at a location that will be announced in the very near future.

“We are proud to launch the inaugural Nike Golf PGA Team Championship,” said Tyler Keenan, Marketing Director at Nike Golf Canada.  “We are confident the format will inspire PGA professionals across the country to team up and compete for a spot in this one-of-a-kind national championship.”

The Nike Golf  PGA Team Championship of Canada will be a 54-hole championship with a different team format each day—fourball, scramble and foursomes.

The winning team from the Nike Golf PGA Team Championship of Canada will also receive an exemption into the Confederation of Professional Golf International Team Championship in December to represent the PGA of Canada

The 32-year-old Ancaster, Ont., native has worked in numerous roles for the PGA of Canada since 2004 and says he’s looking forward to opportunity.

“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to take my career to the next level here at the PGA of Canada,” said Dykeman, a graduate of Brock University’s Sport Management (Honours) Program. “The PGA of Canada has had a great run in the past number of years and I look forward to continuing the momentum for the association,” he said, adding, “I’ll be working closely with CEO Gary Bernard and the entire national office staff for the betterment of the PGA of Canada’s 3,700 members and our brand.”

In his most recent position of Director of Business Development & Brand for the PGA of Canada, Dykeman played an integral part in increasing national partnerships with top corporate brands from Canada and around the world. He also had a significant hand in re-launching the PGA Championship of Canada, creating of the PGA of Canada Player Rankings and launching of the PGA of Canada’s national golf magazines.

Dykeman’s previous roles with the association include Manager of Business Development, Manager of Education & Employment and Assistant Tournament Director. Prior to joining the PGA of Canada, Dykeman worked in a number of different capacities at various golf courses in Ontario, as well as spending time with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League (AHL) as part of game day promotions team.

In 2013, Dykeman was named one of the Most Influential People in Canadian Golf by CanadianGolfer.com.