‘Fore Words’ from the Inbox …

CANADA’S LARGEST GOLF COMPLEX

They’ll be singing a new song at Cardinal Golf Club this summer as the RedCrest Course takes flight at what is now Canada’s largest golf complex.

just 1 of soon to be 72 holes at Cardinal

For 20 years golfers of all shapes and sizes (species) have been migrating to Cardinal GC to indulge their passion for the game their spring, summer fun. What started out as a Northern Adventure mini-putt course and driving range in 1988 is now a unique and unparalleled 72-hole golf experience.

“What we have been aiming to do is develop a complex where we can grow the game and entertain golfers of all skill levels,” says General Manager Bob Kilgour.“With the opening of the championship calibre RedCrest Course this summer we have completed the vision and are truly where the public golfer belongs.”

Cardinal GC features the Kettle Creek Course, an 18-hole executive layout, two player-friendly regulation 18 courses renamed East Wing and West Wing for 2009 and the new 5,400 to 6,800-yard, par-71 Kevin Holmes designed RedCrest Course – and that doesn’t include 18 holes of mini-putt!

RedCrest is an exceptional walking course on terrain laced with wetlands, creeks and ponds. The beautifully paced holes roam freely with lush and green bentgrass tees, fairways and greens. Holmes has designed rugged, flashy bunkers to challenge golfers and created raised undulating greens with an intriguing mix of false fronts and roll-off collars that require skill and precision shot-making.

RedCrest Architect, Kevin Holmes

“Golfers are going to find a lot of different options to consider when playing every hole. That’s where the course pulls its strength from,” says Holmes, who has strategically pinched fairway landing areas with aggressive bunkering.“They’re going to have to decide if they want to challenge the bunkers or play for the open fairways and that’s what will make RedCrest an exciting course to play.”

The RedCrest experience will be highlighted by a new Normerica custom built timber frame clubhouse that is under construction and will open later this summer. The 7,500 square-foot facility will feature a quaint dining and bar area, outdoor patio, fully-stocked pro shop and locker room facilities.

Green fees at RedCrest will be $75 Monday to Friday and $85 on weekends. For East Wing and West Wing the fees are $50 M-F and $60 on weekends, while Kettle Creek is $23 and $28 respectively.

2008 Canadian Open Champion - Chez Reavie

Last year Quagmire seemed to have a knack for picking Winners. Of Course there was Chez Reavie winning at the Canadian Open, which was convenient as it was right in Quagmire’s home turf of Ontario. There was also a win by Swedish Native Kristina Tucker on the Futures tour as well. Quagmire Plans to keep this winning streak alive by continuing and adding to their sponsorship roster.

On the Nationwide tour Quagmire has signed two great young talents; Brennan Webb a cool young dude, hailing from just outside of Toronto.  Another young nationwide rookie that Quagmire will have well dressed is Dustin Risdon. Dustin is also proud to be Canadian and proud to be wearing Quagmire gear. Dustin resides in Alberta and has a great reputation of being one of the best players on the Canadian tour last year.

On the Canadian tour our friend JC Deacon is back on board for another season. JC is not only a fantastic up and comer but a great ambassador for the brand.

Over to the ladies side of things, on the LPGA Quagmire has re-signed popular Kelli Keauhne, as well added Stephanie Louden! Stephanie took last year off to have a baby but is now ready to roll in her new Quag gear.  Also with partial status, All-American Nicole Hage is part of the team for ’09.

On the futures and CN tour Quagmire has re-signed Kristina Tucker and Claudine Foong. Claudine also a fellow Canadian has a great start to her pro career with huge potential for the future. Kristina a winner on the futures tour in 08 not only has a beautiful swing but is always showing that great smile to match. It will be exciting to watch them both shine.

Golf is one of seven sports vying for inclusion in the 2016 Games.
The others are: baseball |  karate |  roller sports  |  rugby sevens  |  softball  |  squash.

Many of the game’s biggest stars already have voiced support for golf’s Olympic bid. A number expressed their viewpoint in a series of short films shown to the IOC Programme Commission during the formal bid presentation made by Peter Dawson, chief executive of The R&A and joint secretary of the IGF, and PGA TOUR executive Ty Votaw, Executive Director of the IGF Olympic Golf Committee.  Among the players featured in the films were the world’s top-ranked male and female players, Tiger Woods of the United States and Lorena Ochoa of Mexico. [watch the video]

The next step in the process is for each sport to submit responses to a detailed questionnaire this month that will constitute the formal and technical bid.  Prior to the final decision, each sport under consideration will respond by May to any questions the IOC Programme Committee might have regarding the detailed questionnaire. A second presentation to the IOC Executive Board will take place in June, with the final vote taking place in October in Copenhagen.

“Golf truly is an international sport, with 60 million people playing the game in nearly 120 countries.  And it continues to grow with new initiatives being implemented all over the world to teach the game to both young and old.  We believe the time is right for golf to be brought back to the Olympic Games.” – Peter Dawson

George Lyon

An interesting Canadian note:

The actual trophy presented to Canadian George Lyon for winning the individual stroke play in 1904 in St. Louis, the last time golf was an Olympic sport is on perpetual display at the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in Oakville, Ontario.

At the time of Lyon’s victory in 1904, men’s individual and team titles were contested among 77 golfers representing just two nations – 74 from the U.S. and three from Canada.

The Canadian Tour’s 2009 Seaforth Country Classic is gearing up for their scheduled date of August 24-30th.

And once again they are encouraging area golfers to chase their dream of playing with the pros by hosting a Chase the Dream Sponsor’s Qualifier on Saturday May 30th.

Entrance fee is $125.00 (if paid by May 15) and $150.00 on the day of the qualifier.

If there are 50 or more paid participants there will be an additional (that’s 2 spots!) entry into the field.  With each paid entry players will also be allowed one free practice round any weekday prior to May 30th.

Visit www.seaforthcountryclassic.com for more information and applications.

The Stephen Ames Foundation and junior golf are the beneficiaries of a sponsorhip from RBC.

RBC today announced a partnership with the Stephen Ames Foundation as presenting sponsor and official bank of the Stephen Ames Cup, an annual international tournament for junior golfers from both Canada and Trinidad and Tobago.

“I am proud to represent RBC on the PGA Tour – they have shown a tremendous commitment to our tour and to golf in Canada,” said Stephen Ames. “From a player’s perspective, RBC’s leadership role in revitalizing the Canadian Open has had immediate impact and I look forward to supporting them in their efforts to continue to elevate our National Championship in the future.”

“Further, I am especially delighted to have their support for the Stephen Ames Cup and more importantly, junior golf,” said Ames. “Every year I look forward to watching these young people develop the skills and confidence they will use for the rest of their lives and I am excited that RBC will be there to share in the experience.”

“We are proud to partner with Stephen Ames, a world-class athlete committed to the development of youth and the game in both his home countries – Trinidad and Tobago and Canada,” said Jim Little, chief brand and communications officer, RBC. “As a world-class golfer, a strong ambassador for golf in Trinidad and Tobago and Canada, and someone who shares our belief in giving back to the community through charitable activities, Stephen is an ideal representative of the RBC brand.”

RBC is the title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open, Canada’s national golf championship and the third oldest national championship in the world. The Stephen Ames Cup gives kids in Canada and Trinidad and Tobago the opportunity to travel and explore different cultures, as well as develop their talent and character.

Still one of our favourite products at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show — Flair Hair !.

What’s even better is the unabashed endorsement of the product.

Flair Hair comes in blonde, brown or grey.

Since I started using Flair Hair® visors, my golf game has dramatically improved. My slice is gone, I’m averaging 20 more yards on my drives, and I’ve got the confidence that helps me win each week on tour.