Golf slowly returning to some of Canada, but I say beware !

Hello all, trust everyone has been ticking all the boxes and staying healthy, I know many  of you are itching to get back to playing golf, we usually are here in Canada at this time of year !

Today word came out today that Manitoba will be opening up courses as of May 4. That means by mid May golfers in PEI, NB, Sask, and BC will be joining them allowing golfers to tee it up for the first time since the pandemic raged across the world. Alberta is getting close.

It must be said that these provinces, perhaps BC not quite so much have the lowest numbers of positive tests for COVID-19, in fact PEI has only had 27 since it started.

Ontario continues under Emergency lockdown until May 12 and while numbers of daily cases is slowly coming down, the medical staff have been advising us consistently that there will be no gradual slackening of the lockdown until they are sure we are safe enough to do so.

Recently Japan had to put the entire country back on complete lockdown after the virus spiked again after they lifted restrictions too soon.

We all have our own opinions on this topic from the avid golfers, to those who condemn the discussion from even being considered when they have lost their jobs, can't visit or have lost loved ones, can't take their children to park playgrounds.

I must admit I tend to lean that way, I'm all in for staying the course until I'm told by the doctors it's ok.

On the other hand I know we have to keep exercising out in the fresh air in isolation from others, and I would walk the trails of my local golf course every day if it were close by.

To be fair courses who are open are doing everything to encourage play while staying isolated. On line bookings, no practice before rounds, no touch take out food, clubhouses closed, one person per cart, no ball washers, flags left in with raised cups.

Courses are also in the best shape I've seen, perfectly groomed grass, not a divot to be found with no play.

Many of us I'm sure would adhere to the golfing rules, but then again, we can't even trust everyone to stop socializing in groups in our parks, or tearing down tape surrounding playgrounds, and we know, as soon as people start to relax, social distancing which has saved Canada compared to other countries including the USA, will go right out the window!

I watched a documentary on magnificent Muslim gardens on TV0 last night with host Monty Don as he traveled through Morocco, Iran amongst others and they were spectacular. You could also see how important a part of their life revolves around gathering in large numbers in gardens, parks to socialize and worship. 

My point is our country is as ethnically diverse as most any, and it is very difficult for many cultures who flock to our parks in the summer as they do back at home, to give that part of their lives up, but right now they have no choice.

Perhaps we should follow that lead where COVID-19 is still not nearly contained, like here in Ontario. Just keep the courses closed, don't give us the choice. Better safe than sorry.

Golfing is a wonderfully frustrating pastime, but is hardly a factor in the process of getting safe, and slowly bringing our lives, our economy back on track.

We are doing without a lot right now, golf should be no different.


Bryan Angus

European Tour takes a more common sense approach to re-scheduling re COVID-19

Yesterday European Tour CEO Keith Pelley issued a statement regarding further postponements/ cancellations with regard to COVID-19, which included their plan about possible re-scheduling which was in stark contrast to the missive in my previous posts from the PGA Tour.

While PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and his staff in Ponte Verde have listed proposed re-scheduling beginning on June 8th at the Colonial Club in Texas and continuing for 4 events without spectators ending with the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit on July 5th, it is all speculative on the USA's condition with COVID-19, and a myriad of other "if's" I have listed in my last post.

While we are on a complete shutdown except for essential services in major cities across Canada, with self isolation being an absolute key to defeating the pandemic, attitudes across America differ widely.

For example this weekend the governor of Minnesota opened up all golf courses with parks soon to follow, while many other states have been playing before this, and many other beaches have had restrictions removed with thousands pictured pouring into one at Jacksonville Florida last weekend for example.

As such, Pelley and the European Tour seem much more aligned to the Canadian attitude and priorities towards COVID-19, than the USA.

Here is Keith Pelley's last statement.


As I wrote in my previous message to you, as important as golf is to all of us, public health and well-being continues to be our absolute priority.

That is why today we have announced the cancellation of the BMW International Open and the Open de France, as well as the postponement of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

These are three of our most prestigious events, but it is essential that we continue to follow the guidance of the individual national Governments as we stand united in our efforts to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

While today I am informing you about the change in status of these three tournaments, my primary message to you, as a valued fan of the European Tour, is actually one of optimism because I am genuinely hopeful that from now on the information I send you in relation to our 2020 schedule will be positive.

We cannot emphatically commit to a start date because, as I have said many times, we will not resume until it is safe, and we are permitted to do so. We now have 14 weeks with no tournaments, but those three and a half months are also the time where the global situation may well begin to show signs of improvement. There are already discussions centering around the easing of restrictions in several countries and everyone is optimistic that these can continue.

This window also gives us the opportunity to continue working behind the scenes on a variety of scheduling options which would allow us to provide you with a busy calendar of golf to enjoy when we do resume.

For now, on behalf of our players, staff, partners and everyone at the European Tour, I would like to say a huge thank you to all the health professionals and frontline workers around the world. We are all indebted to the incredible work you are all doing and, as some of our players said in a special video recently, you are our true heroes.

Until we talk again, please stay safe, stay healthy and stay indoors wherever possible.

Bryan Angus

PGA Tour rescheduling is a proposal that simply can't happen

To be clear on my previous post regarding the rescheduling of the PGA Tour season(s), they are proposals, not fact, based on the health and safety of us all with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Today's announcement provides a template for the game to return to all tours under the PGA Tour umbrella, which has involved a ton of work by Jay Monahan and his staff.

However consider the implications. 

*Covid19 continues to spread at various levels throughout the world and there will be no  mass vaccine available for at least a year.

*countries like USA, Canada, Italy, Japan and Spain are under virtual lock down, with the COVID curve continuing to climb in them all. 

*a second wave is expected as countries strive to keep their populations isolated from each other.

*economies have crashed or are in dire straits with millions out of work and all but essential business's shut down.

*PGA Tour staff, players, caddies,families,sponsors, television crews and others will have to travel, in many cases from other countries, stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, all in the face of social distancing which is the key to putting a halt to the pandemic. This amounts to around 1500 people by my count.

*one positive test for the virus will shut down this whole proposal

*MLB, NHL,NBA and every other professional league around the globe which are far more popular than golf, are shut down at enormous financial loss to all but the players, and they will be looking at this and saying..WTF!!

*and what about you and I, locked at home from loved ones in isolation until we are all safe. How will our leaders manage to keep us all from saying if it's ok for the PGA Tour it must be ok for us.

* Neither most of you nor I are health officials dealing with this awful virus, but it seems obvious to us all that until COVID19 has been brought to a safe clean end around the world, life will not be the same as before for all of us. Remember, this all started with just one case in China, didn't it.

Bryan Angus.

“The health and safety of all associated with the PGA TOUR and our global community continues to be our No. 1 priority, and our hope is to play a role – responsibly – in the world’s return to enjoying the things we love,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Today’s announcement is another positive step for our fans and players as we look toward the future, but as we’ve stressed on several occasions, we will resume competition only when – working closely with our tournaments, partners and communities – it is considered safe to do so under the guidance of the leading public health authorities.”

RBC Canadian Open cancelled as PGA Tour issues proposed new schedule

The RBC Canadian Open has been forced to cancel this year's championship at St George's GC in Toronto due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

With continued public health concerns as well as international travel and government restrictions due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the PGA TOUR, in consultation with Golf Canada and RBC, has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 RBC Canadian Open.

The event was scheduled for June 8-14 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club with Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. The cancellation of the 2020 RBC Canadian Open also includes the RBCxMusic Concert Series which was scheduled to take place June 12-13 at Richview Collegiate Institute, featuring headline performances by The Chainsmokers and Keith Urban.


The PGA Tour has announced a proposed new schedule, with the first four events to be played without spectators Full schedule

With additional time needed to ensure PGA TOUR tournaments are staged in the most safe and responsible manner possible given the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the PGA TOUR is announcing further schedule modifications for the remainder of the 2019-20 season, as well as plans for the opening portion of the 2020-21 PGA TOUR Regular Season, the restart of the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour season and updates regarding the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada schedule.

• June 8-14: Charles Schwab Challenge, Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas
• June 15-21: RBC Heritage, Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, South Carolina
• June 22-28: Travelers Championship, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut
• July 2-5: Rocket Mortgage Classic, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, Michigan
• July 6-12: John Deere Classic, TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois
• July 13-19: the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide, Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio
• July 20-26: 3M Open, TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minnesota
• July 27-August 2: World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee
• July 27-August 2: Barracuda Championship, Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood), Truckee, California

• August 3-9: PGA Championship, TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California

• August 10-16: Wyndham Championship, Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, North Carolina
• August 17-23: THE NORTHERN TRUST, TPC Boston, Norton, Massachusetts
• August 24-30: BMW Championship, Olympia Fields Country Club (North), Olympia Fields, Illinois
• August 31-September 7: TOUR Championship, East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Georgia

With 22 events having been played through the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, the adjusted season-long schedule – subject to change – now consists of 36 events, including three FedExCup Playoffs events concluding with the TOUR Championship over Labor Day weekend, where the 2020 FedExCup Champion will be crowned.


Additionally, the TOUR today introduced the season-opening weeks of the 2020-21 PGA TOUR Season, which now has 13 FedExCup events, including – as announced on April 6 by the USGA and Augusta National Golf Club, respectively – the U.S. Open and Masters Tournament

• September 7-13: Safeway Open, Silverado Resort and Spa North, Napa, California

• September 14-20: U.S. Open, Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, New York
• # September 21-27: Ryder Cup, Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wisconsin

• September 21-27: Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, Corales Golf Club, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• September 28-October 4: Sanderson Farms Championship, Country Club of Jackson, Jackson, Mississippi
• October 5-11: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada
• October 12-18: THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES, Nine Bridges, Jeju Island, Korea
• October 19-25: ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
• October 26-November 1: World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, China
• October 26-November 1: Bermuda Championship, Port Royal Golf Course, Southampton, Bermuda
• November 2-8: Houston Open, Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas

• November 9-15: Masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia

• November 16-22: The RSM Classic, Sea Island Resort (Seaside and Plantation), Sea Island, Georgia
• November 23-29: Open week (Thanksgiving)
• November 30-December 6: Mayakoba Golf Classic, El Camaleón Golf Club, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
• # November 30-December 6: Hero World Challenge, Albany, New Providence, Bahamas
• # December 7-13: QBE Shootout, Tiburón GC, Naples, Florida
• # December 14-20: PNC Father-Son Challenge, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida
# indicates unofficial event




Bryan Angus

World Golf governing bodies announce tentative rescheduling dates

United by what may still be possible this year for the world of professional golf, and with a goal to serve all who love and play the game, Augusta National Golf Club, European Tour, LPGA, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, The R&A and USGA have issued the following joint statement:

“This is a difficult and challenging time for everyone coping with the effects of this pandemic. We remain very mindful of the obstacles ahead, and each organization will continue to follow the guidance of the leading public health authorities, conducting competitions only if it is safe and responsible to do so.

“In recent weeks, the global golf community has come together to collectively put forward a calendar of events that will, we hope, serve to entertain and inspire golf fans around the world.  We are grateful to our respective partners, sponsors and players, who have allowed us to make decisions – some of them, very tough decisions – in order to move the game and the industry forward"

The U.S. Open, previously scheduled for June 15-21 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, has been officially rescheduled for September 14-20 and is confirmed to remain at Winged Foot. For more information and comments from USGA CEO Mike Davis, click here.  

The R&A has decided to cancel The Open in 2020 due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, and the Championship will next be played at Royal St. George’s in 2021. The Open was due to be played in Kent, England, from July 12-19, but it has been necessary to cancel the Championship based on guidance from the UK Government, the health authorities, public services and The R&A’s advisers. For more information and comments from The R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers, click here.

The PGA of America is announcing today that the PGA Championship is now scheduled to take place August 3-9 and will remain at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, California.  The PGA Championship was originally slated for May 11-17 but was postponed on March 17.

Furthermore, the PGA reconfirmed the Ryder Cup remains as originally scheduled, September 22-27, at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.  For more information and comments from PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh, click here.

Augusta National has identified November 9-15 as the intended dates to host the 2020 Masters Tournament, which was previously scheduled for April 6-12 and postponed on March 13. For more information, and comments from Chairman Fred Ridley, click here.

While collaborating with the PGA of America to find a viable date for the PGA Championship in August, the PGA TOUR worked with its host organizations and title sponsors to move the Regular Season finale – the Wyndham Championship – and all three FedExCup Playoffs events one week later, starting the week of August 10 and concluding with a Monday, September 7, Labor Day finish for the TOUR Championship.

The TOUR will seek to reschedule tournaments into the weeks formerly occupied by the U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the Men’s Olympic golf competition in June and July.  The TOUR will make further announcements about this potential, as well as its fall schedule, in the coming weeks.  For more information and comments from PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan, click here

Due to the many complexities involved, the European Tour is currently working through various scenarios in relation to the rescheduling of our tournaments for the 2020 season. The European Tour will make further announcements on these in due course.

On April 3, the LPGA released a revised look at the LPGA Tour’s 2020 summer schedule, beginning on the week of June 15 with the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. In addition, the LPGA Tour announced that they have successfully rescheduled their first two majors of the year (the ANA Inspiration moves to the week of September 7 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California; and the U.S. Women’s Open conducted by the USGA moves to the week of December 7 at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas). For more information, click here.

Masters rescheduled for November : Full statement..

The Masters committee has announced they have tentatively re-scheduled this years event for November 9-15 2020.

Here is the full statement from chairman Fred Ridley  https://www.masters.com/en_US/news/articles/2020-03-13/2020_masters_tournament_postponed.html

On March 13, we announced the postponement of the Masters Tournament and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur based upon the risks associated with the Coronavirus COVID-19, a pandemic that continues to impact lives everywhere.

We remain very mindful of the extraordinary and unprecedented challenges presented by the Coronavirus around the world. As such, we continue to keep in close contact with local, state and national health authorities to help inform our decisions.

In collaboration with the leading organizations in golf, Augusta National Golf Club has identified November 9-15 as the intended dates to host the 2020 Masters. While more details will be shared in the weeks and months to come, we, like all of you, will continue to focus on all mandated precautions and guidelines to fight against the Coronavirus. Along the way, we hope the anticipation of staging the Masters Tournament in the fall brings a moment of joy to the Augusta community and all those who love the sport.

We want to emphasize that our future plans are incumbent upon favorable counsel and direction from health officials. Provided that occurs and we can conduct the 2020 Masters, we intend to invite those professionals and amateurs who would have qualified for our original April date and welcome all existing ticket holders to enjoy the excitement of Masters week.

After careful consideration and following an extensive review process, we also have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Ultimately, the many scheduling challenges with NCAA tournaments, the World Amateur Team Championships, the LPGA Q-Series and other events when women’s amateur golf resumes led to this decision.

Each player who accepted an invitation for the 2020 championship will be invited to compete in the 2021 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, provided she remains an amateur. Also, those who purchased tickets will be sent a refund in May and given the opportunity to purchase tickets for the event next year. We thank everyone for their understanding of this decision, and we look forward to the championship returning in full strength next spring.

Open Championship cancelled first time since WWII...full statement

As expected as COVID-19 continues its evil spread across the world, events that seemed untouchable are relegated to unplayable and finally today the R&A announced the Open will be cancelled and has been re-scheduled for Royal St Georges next year, with the 150th edition at St Andrews in 2022.

Here is the full statement from CEO Martin Slumbers https://www.theopen.com/

The Open was due to be played in Kent from 12-19 July but it has been necessary to cancel the Championship based on guidance from the UK Government, the health authorities, public services and The R&A’s advisers. This is the first time since the Second World War that golf’s original Championship, first played in 1860, has been cancelled.

The 149th Open will be played at Royal St George’s from 11-18 July 2021. The 150th Open will be played at St Andrews from 10-17 July 2022.

The R&A will transfer over 2020 purchased tickets and hospitality packages to The Open in 2021. Purchasers who no longer wish to (or are no longer able to) attend in 2021 will receive a full refund. Further information on this process will be sent directly to ticket and hospitality purchasers in due course.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “Our absolute priority is to protect the health and safety of the fans, players, officials, volunteers and staff involved in The Open. We care deeply about this historic Championship and have made this decision with a heavy heart. We appreciate that this will be disappointing for a great many people around the world but we have to act responsibly during this pandemic and it is the right thing to do.

“I can assure everyone that we have explored every option for playing The Open this year but it is not going to be possible.

“There are many different considerations that go into organising a major sporting event of this scale. We rely on the support of the emergency services, local authorities and a range of other organisations to stage the Championship and it would be unreasonable to place any additional demands on them when they have far more urgent priorities to deal with.

"In recent weeks we have been working closely with those organisations as well as Royal St George’s, St Andrews Links Trust and the other golf bodies to resolve the remaining external factors and have done so as soon as we possibly could. We are grateful to all of them for their assistance and co-operation throughout this process.

“Most of all I would like to thank our fans around the world and all of our partners for their support and understanding. At a difficult time like this we have to recognise that sport must stand aside to let people focus on keeping themselves and their families healthy and safe. We are committed to supporting our community in the weeks and months ahead and will do everything in our power to help golf come through this crisis.”

The R&A’s remaining professional and amateur championships scheduled this year are under review and we will continue to update on any further changes

Bryan Angus

RBC Canadian Open set to cancel for 2020

We are just awaiting word from Golf Canada regarding the postponement of this years RBC Canadian Open scheduled for St George's Golf and Country Club June 11-14.

The US Open which follows the week after is already postponed as are all the tournaments up to and including. St Georges is in the west end of Toronto which yesterday cancelled all major city events until June 30.

The scope of organizing a major sporting events is one I am well aware of, having begun my career managing major event facilities, so I know what the Golf Canada staff in conjunction with the PGA Tour, sponsors, City officials etal have to go through to see if the event is postponed to a later date or just cancelled all together.

Here is the City of Toronto statement.


Today, the City of Toronto made the decision to cancel all permits and access to City services for events through June 30 due to ongoing developments with COVID-19. 

We appreciate the factors that led to this decision, in particular that all city resources are being directed to support our communities during this unprecedented health crisis.  The health and safety of everyone who supports the RBC Canadian Open – and our community as a whole – will always come first, and we respect the City’s decision.Together with the PGA TOUR, we are assessing this recent development along with other challenges posed by COVID-19 to determine the best course of action for the RBC Canadian Open.  

We will make further announcements in the coming week

Inspiration : Why we will beat COVID-19

First a big hello to you all, I know if you are ticking all the boxes provided by our health officials we will all get through this pandemic sooner rather than later, as overwhelming as it may seem. 

I am in my 3rd week of isolation at home and we are doing great. I do an isolation walk every day, we only shop when necessary and compared to other countries I must say I'm very proud once again to be Canadian. In general our country's strong financial status is evident as the billions of dollars our leaders have stocked away and are now using to help us quickly with all their deployments are there for us.

Despite that it's not unusual to worry, or even complain, so please consider this when all we are asked to do is stay home, in the comfort of our own homes to stay safe.

Inspiration 

My grand dad Tom fought in WW1 and lost his leg, he survived and lived to 88. My dad Bill fought in WWII through the Battle of Britain etc, survived and lived until he was 97.

They also survived the plague, polio, influenza, swine fever, diabetes, the mumps, amongst others, that swept the world. killing millions and crippling more.

They had no money to lose when the stock market crashed, they huddled together as a family around a small coal fire for warmth in the long damp cold winters, with few if any luxuries

I'll be damned if I'm going to let this COVID-19 virus get me when all I have to do is follow our world class doctors advice, staying home, safe, clean and comfortable and how the heck can I complain after all my grand dad and my dad endured and survived.

Think about what your grandparents and parents went through, and survived so that you have the life you enjoy today. They had no choice when confronted with World wars and pandemics which had no cure. They were and are survivors.

So are we, don't let your children or grandchildren down.

Bryan Angus