The State of Golf – Perception is Reality

February 15, 2016February 15, 2016 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

The poor state of golf is an easy target for most writers. By gathering stats about the golf industry, it is easy to paint a picture of despair or economic boom. It is an industry that influences most areas of across Canada and has an economic impact that most people do not realize or understand.

Here are some stats about the Canadian 2014 golfing industry from the National Allied Golf Association:

The total direct economic activity (total direct sales, golf related travel, capital spending) resulting from the Canadian Golf Industry is estimated at $19.7 billion.

These facts come from Based on direct, indirect and induced impacts, Canada’s 2013 golf cluster economic impact accounts for about $14.3 billion of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), up from $12.2 billion in 2008. Continue reading →

Golfing in Cooler Weather

December 30, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Golf in cooler weather is a challenge.

Golf is not a sport for fair-weather players. Well actually, many golfers are fair-weather players, but I am not one. I play in the rain, wind, heat, and cold. Of all these conditions, I find playing in the cold the most difficult.

Playing in the cold is a given in Canada. Unlike this year, the cold weather starts to set in around October and does not leave until April. However, if the brave are willing to embrace the cooler weather, the off-season can be shortened by a couple of months.

I have written about playing in the cold weather before and I touched on 5 main topics to consider when playing fall or spring golf in the northern climates. For more details on the 5 topics below, click here:

A toque is a must.
Gloves are a benefit.
Keeping hydrated is critical.
Choosing the correct golf ball!
Lastly, avoid getting wet.

I recently did a poll on about golfing in cold weather and wondered what the golfing community considered what to keep warm when playing in cooler temperatures. Not surprisingly, here is what the masses had to say:

When playing #golf in the cold, what is most important to your game?

— The Grateful Golfer (@TheGratefulGolf) December 27, 2015

Keeping our hands warm is the most important thing for me aswell. When my hands get cold, I loose my feel, strength, and flexibility. Also, every miss hit feels like I am holding a giant frozen tuning fork that will not stop vibrating! Playing with cold hands is extremely uncomfortable and sometimes painful.

As many of you venture out to play golf in cooler temperatures, remember to keep your hands warm; warm hands will help you shoot lower scores and have fun as you loop the links enjoying the great outdoors!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Canada Wins Gold at the 2015 Special Olympics

December 1, 2015November 30, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Although somewhat dated, I recently heard the awesome news of Canadian golfers at the 2015 Special Olympics held at Los Angeles in the United States. As I started to dig into the details, I was amazed to find out that 1209 golfers are registered in Special Olympics programs across Canada. Special Olympics Canada is an amazing organization that provides awesome opportunities for many athletes.

The Team Canada golf coaches (Head Coach: Nicola McGovern, Male Coach: Ben Postmus, Support Staff: Mike McCarther) are dedicated people whose leadership lead the Canadian athletes to great success. A big shout out to these and all the dedicated volunteers who made the dreams of the Canadian golf team come true!

Golf Team 2015 Special Olympics – Canada

Meet the team! Click here.

For the Special Olympics golf rules click here.

Here is how the the Canadian Golf team did overall:

On the second-last day of competition at the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games, Team Canada earned its first-ever World Games medals in golf and took the overall medal total to 126 (63 gold, 41 silver, 22 bronze).

These World Games mark the first time Special Olympics Team Canada has included golf, basketball, and bocce athletes, and the Canadian golfers served notice on the Harding Course that our country has game.

Danny Peaslee of Manitoba and Tess Trojan of Ontario both won gold in Level 4 nine-hole golf, while Ontario’s Lorrine Russell finished second to Trojan and Kyle Grummett of B.C. captured bronze as the team’s Level 5 golfer playing 18 holes.

Peaslee golfed neck and neck the whole four rounds with Andrew White of Special Olympics South Africa. In the last round, Peaslee shot a 36 to beat out his South African competition by just one stroke to win the 2015 Special Olympics World Games gold medal.

Ontario’s Kyle Koopman finished fourth by one stroke in Level 4 play – he had been eight strokes out of bronze going into the fourth and final round, and he made up seven strokes today, but ultimately could not make that last step onto the podium. His coaches were blown away by his comeback.

All five players had their best round of the Games in today’s final day of competition. (Special Olympics Canada)

The Special Olympics is an amazing organization! I previously mentioned my nephew-in-law’s involvement in the Special Olympics ball hockey team in Sudbury, Ontario; it is he and the other 19,645 volunteers who make a real difference in the lives of 41,301 athletes!

Thank you to everyone involved in the Canadian Special Olympics; your dedication is an inspiration to us all!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Happy Canada Day!

July 1, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA! I believe Canada is the greatest country in the world and I am thankful to be a Canadian citizen. Today is for celebrating and being grateful.

Happy Canada Day!

June 30, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Happy Canada Day

The first of July is special to all Canadians. Its Canada’s birthday. This year Canada is 146 years old! Still young as a country, but deep in history. I believe that Canada is the best country in the world!