In the News

[Jeffrey Reed]

Golf Great For Heart Health,
by Jessica Kilcoyne
April 2010

Despite the fact today’s professional golfers are seen first as athletes and second as golf pros, the game of golf is still perceived as a leisure-time activity. In fact, for golfers of all abilities, the game can actually be a heart-healthy sport.

Golf, for many, is a physical activity necessary for keeping healthy and reducing the chance of becoming a victim of Canada’s No. 1 killer: cardiovascular disease. Indeed, cardiovascular disease – heart disease and stroke – accounts for 31% of all deaths in Canada. Every seven minutes in Canada, someone dies from this disease.

Did you know that nine out of 10 Canadians over the age of 20 have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease (risk factors which include smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes)? Sally Brown, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, recognizes that this disease is avoidable. She says, “We now know that up to 80 per cent of premature heart disease and stroke are preventable.”

“Preventable cardiovascular diseases are robbing families of their loved ones and is costing our society and our economy billions,” concludes Dr. Eldon Smith, chair of the Canadian Heart Health Strategy and Action Plan Steering Committee. “It’s up to everyone, from policy makers to individual Canadians to make the changes we need to build a heart healthy Canada.”

As risk factors for cardiovascular disease can all be controlled, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario recommends some tips on combating risks associated with cardiovascular disease – and increased physical activity is the most important rule of thumb.

You don’t have to work up a sweat every day in order to gain the benefits of physical activity. The Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends adults get 30 to 60 minutes a day of light to moderate physical activity most days of the week. The payoff will be immense, as the benefits of regular physical activity may begin within the first week.

Golf can be a great activity which provides that much-needed activity throughout the week. Being physically active on the golf course will not only help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, but will also increase energy, improve sleep and reduce stress levels – all of which can also help improve your game and lower your scores.

Golfing provides a great workout, since the average golf course sees those walking the course trek 5 to 6 kilometres while taking (on average) 100 strokes. Pass on the golf cart and opt for a brisk walk while carrying, pushing or pulling your clubs around the 18-hole track: this will make for some great physical activity you can add to your week.

So, the next time your ball lands in the woods or off course in that dreaded hazard, just remember that those extra steps taken to retrieve your ball may not help with your score, but they could help save your life.

Jessica Kilcoyne is a recent graduate of the Corporate Communication and Public Relations graduate program at Fanshawe College of Applied Arts & Technology in London, Ontario.

[Jeffrey Reed]

Imagery: The Mind’s Power Tool,
by Dr. Natascha Wesch
May 2010

Imagery, commonly known as visualization, is the creation or recreation of an experience in the mind. However, imagery is more than visualization. Imagery involves all the senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, and kinaesthetic (the feeling of how the body moves in space).

So why is imagery so powerful? When we imagine something, that ‘something’ comes alive on our mental movie screen. The brain, however, experiences this imagined ‘something’ in the same way as it would a real experience. The easiest way to understand it is by experiencing it first hand. Imagine yourself walking down a dark alley, alone at night. The street is dark, with the exception of the moon reflecting in a few puddles left from a recent rainfall. You hear a sound coming from behind you. You turn around but no one’s there. You begin to walk a little faster. Then you hear the sound again and you are sure it is the sound footsteps. You walk faster and the footsteps speed up.

Pay attention to what’s happening in your body as a response to what you just read. If you really immersed yourself you likely felt your heart rate increase, maybe even felt a little tension or anxiety. Even though you were imagining the scenario, your brain and body reacted as if you were actually in that particular situation. Your brain released certain chemicals, which caused your muscle to tighten and your heart to race … but it was all imagined; yet the response was very much real!

Using imagery in sport is powerful because it allows you to imagine yourself hitting a golf ball, for example, and to experience the same physical response that you would if you were actually doing it in real life. The only difference is the intensity of the physical response. Imagery can be used for many purposes: for skill or strategy rehearsal and development, for motivation, for injury rehabilitation and pain management, as well as for relaxation and energy control.

Let’s just focus on skill rehearsal for now. Think of a particular type of shot in your game. It may be a shot that you are struggling with or a shot in which you lack consistency. Think of the three or four key components required for a successful performance of that shot. For example, shoulders relaxed, head down, eye on ball, and smooth swing. Now, imagine yourself on the golf course just about to perform this shot. First, imagine your surroundings: notice what you see, hear, smell, and feel. Now focus on your body. Feel the club in your hands, approach the ball and feel your body as it moves through space. Now perform your shot and pay attention to the three or four key components you identified previously. Allow yourself to feel your body go through the motion, see and hear the club make contact with the ball, and feel the success of the shot. Imagine yourself playing that shot over a few times in your head, and each time imagine success. That’s it, that’s imagery!

The most important part about imagery is that you treat it like you would any other skill. To master any skill, deliberate practice, repetition, and time are required, and imagery is no exception. Practice imagery on a daily basis. You don’t have to spend hours on it; seconds are enough: quality over quantity. By using imagery regularly you will begin to notice marked improvements in your performance. It’s not magic, but it is extremely powerful if you practice it. And remember, involve all the senses: see, hear, feel, taste, and smell it!

Dr. Natascha Wesch is a Sport Psychology Consultant who works with amateur and professional athletes or all ages and sports. Natascha is a former international athlete and coach, who now focuses her time helping athletes and teams master their mental game.

[Jeffrey Reed]

Futures Tour: Road to the LPGA,
by Rachel Poliszuk
Summer 2011

For over 30 years, the Futures Tour has been one of the most structured women's tours in the world. The tradition will be continuing this spring with the 2011 Duramed Futures Tour. With a lot to look forward to this season, now is a good time to review some of the historical achievements of the Futures Tour.

The mission of the LPGA Futures Tour has always been to prepare the world's best young women professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. Each season, the top 10 money winners earn automatic memberships on the LPGA Tour for the following season. Last year's schedule included 17 tournaments in 13 states and Mexico. Although the Tour is based in North America, the young women who make up the Futures Tour are a diverse group. The Tour's 2010 roster attracted top women professionals from 31 different nations and 40 U.S. states.

The LPGA Futures Tour is often referred to as "the Road to the LPGA," and has a special connection to the LPGA. Since 1999, it has been designated as the LPGA's developmental tour. Many of the young women who start out on the Futures Tour have gone onto successful careers on the LPGA Tour. More than 500 LPGA Futures Tour alumnae have graduated and earned full LPGA membership. Through 2009, LPGA Futures Tour alums owned a total of 353 LPGA victories and 37 major championships. Futures Tour alums also won eight LPGA tournaments in 2009. Six alums won LPGA titles in 2009, including three by alumnus Lorena Ochoa, who was the 2002 Player of the Year on the LPGA Futures Tour.

Twenty LPGA Futures Tour members earned 2010 LPGA Tour status at the LPGA's Final Qualifying Tournament in December 2009. A total of 57 players have automatically graduated since 1999. In addition, the average winning score on the 2009 LPGA Futures Tour was 69.176, while the average winning score on the 2009 LPGA Tour was 68.188 – a difference of .988 strokes.

The Futures Tour played for a record season purse of nearly $2 million in 2010. In 2006, the Tour signed a multi-year agreement with national title sponsor Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an innovator in women's healthcare pharmaceutical products. Duramed FUTURES Tour events have contributed more than $4.65 million to charitable organizations throughout the U.S. since 1989. Duramed was acquired by Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in 2009.

You can follow the Duramed FUTURES Tour on the web at DuramedFUTURESTour.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DuramedFUTURESTour, on Twitter at Twitter.com/Road2LPGA, and on Youtube at YouTube.com/Road2LPGA.

Rachel Poliszuk is a member of the Class of 2011, Corporate Communication and Public Relations post-graduate program at Fanshawe College of Applied Arts & Technology in London, Ontario.

[Jeffrey Reed]

UWO Women's Golf Team: 2010 Recap,
by Jessica Wilkie
Summer 2011

The Western Mustang Women's Golf team had a rollercoaster season in2010. They began with placing 7th at the Mercyhurst invitational, peaked with a win at McMaster and ended with an underwhelming 5th at the OUA Championships.

The 2010 squad included veterans Lauren lantomasi, Amy Williams, Wesley Janzen and Arielle Notte, along with two newcomers, Miranda David and Jessie Mercer. Mercer, a Stephen Ames Cup winner, was the standout on this 2010 team, placing in the Top 10 in nearly every tournament the Mustangs entered.

The McMaster Invitational took place in early-October 2010 at the Beverley Golf Course in Hamilton, Ontario and saw the team take 1st place overall after a strong performance from newcomer Jessie Mercer. Despite the rainy weather conditions, Mercer finished 4 strokes ahead of her nearest competitor, and placed fourth overall. With strong performances from team members Lauren Iantomasi (10th), Amy Williams (12th) and Wesley Janzen (19th), the Mustangs claimed gold.

Finally, after a somewhat disappointing 3rd place finish in 2009, the University of Western Ontario women's golf team had high hopes for a comeback at the 2010 OUA Championships, but unfortunately it wasn`t meant to be. The team settled for a 5th place finish overall at the tournament, which took place at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham. Rookies Jessie Mercer and Lauren lantomasi placed 9th and 10th respectively in the overall competition.

Mustangs coach Chris Dickinson was named the Women`s Coach of the Year, marking the third time a UWO women`s golf coach has won this award in the past five years.

Despite the OUA results, the women worked very hard in 2010, and were rewarded for their efforts with solid finishes in each tournament: Mercyhurst (7th); St. Thomas (4th); Sunningdale (4th); Guelph (3rd); McMaster (1st); and OUA Finals (5th).

Look for a bright future for the Mustangs women's golf team in 2011.

Jessica Wilkie is a member of the Class of 2011, Corporate Communication and Public Relations post-graduate program at Fanshawe College of Applied Arts & Technology in London, Ontario.

[Jeffrey Reed]

U.S. Kids Golf,
by Michelle Anderson
Summer 2011

Interactive video games have become the primary source of exercise for a large number of North American youth. Therefore, when a child expresses an interest in a sport that is not played using a joy stick, encouraging his or her desire to become active is a must.

Golf is the ideal sport for families looking to become active as a whole. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, parents are able to walk alongside their children,

encouraging them as they play. While many children beg their parents for a chance to play golf, this interest is often short lived. As Dan Van Horn, a father of two young golf players, discovered that a child’s desire to play golf may quickly disappear if the child is forced to play with clubs that are meant for older, stronger individuals. Watching his children struggle to swing their heavy clubs inspired Van Horn to design clubs light enough for a young child to use comfortably.

In 1997, Van Horn established U.S. Kids Golf, a company whose main objective is to make golf fun for children. They have accomplished this by designing a line of Ultralight Kidsklubs that are easily swung by small children. These clubs are 25-per-cent lighter than those designed for adult and even junior players.

In 2007, U.S. Kids Golf launched their Tour Series line of equipment. Each set is customized for the individual purchasing them, offering the perfect fit for each pint-sized player. The Tour Series clubs are already the most popular for 12-and-under competitors at the World Championship because they help improve a child’s swing, resulting in the ball being hit farther.

"As a baseball coach, I had some kids on my team who were striking out too much, and I noticed they weren’t keeping their eye on the ball. They’d come back to the dugout frustrated because they tried so hard and had not succeeded," said Van Horn.

Golf and baseball both require a great deal of hand-eye coordination, which younger children have not yet developed. In order to counteract the disappointment of a missed swing, Van Horn recommends parents focus on something the child has improved on, in order to encourage them to keep playing. Van Horn’s experience coaching young children has certainly given him insight about the importance of making sports fun for kids. His outlook makes U.S. Kids Golf stand out amongst other companies, because of their family-oriented vision of what golf should be. Van Horn started the business in order to mitigate any aspect of the sport that children were turned off by, allowing a child’s initial interest to be developed into a "lifelong enthusiasm for the game."

The company also hosts over 400 events globally, which gives people of all ages a chance to compete in their preferred sport. By combining instruction, proper equipment and competition, U.S. Kids Golf allows participants to feel good about their game while they simultaneously improve it.

The frustration associated with using inappropriate equipment can be felt at any age; however, children are more likely to simply give up once they have deemed golf too strenuous and no longer fun. When children are given the Ultralight or Performance Light Kidsklubs they are able to enjoy the game as it was meant to be played. Making golf fun for children means they are more likely to continue playing the sport for years to come.

Michelle Anderson is a member of the Class of 2011, Corporate Communication and Public Relations post-graduate program at Fanshawe College of Applied Arts & Technology in London, Ontario.

[Jeffrey Reed]

London Ontario Golf Promotes Municipal Courses In 2011,
by Patricia Cifani
Summer 2011

London Ontario Golf www.LondonOntarioGolf.com has always assisted with the promotion of the municipal golf system which many people in London enjoy each summer. London Ontario Golf is enjoying its seventh season in 2011, and concurrently is the official online marketing partner of the City of London municipal golf system.

The City of London trio of golf clubs – Fanshawe Golf Course and the Parkside Nine, Thames Valley Golf Club and the Hickory 9, and River Road Golf Course – are now officially showcased by London Ontario Golf.

London Ontario Golf continues to grow each year, and 2011 is no exception. Editor of London Ontario Golf, Jeffrey Reed says, "I've always admired how the City operates what is widely considered one of the best-run and best-kept municipal operations in Canada." Reed says it's important to note that the City offers accessible, great golf at an affordable price.

To further promote the City of London courses, London Ontario Golf will be announcing a new fundraiser and community golf award that will help make this possible. "With the assistance of Fanshawe and River Road golf professional manager Andy Shaw, we've created a real win-win," says Reed.

When asked how this new partnership will benefit the three clubs and London Ontario Golf, Reed responds, "The City now has an international forum, really, to promote their trio of courses." There are hundreds of thousands of people all around the world who visit London Ontario Golf. A 24-year CPGA professional, Shaw states, "Having LondonOntarioGolf.com on board as an official partner will help us showcase our beautiful and challenging courses to an even wider audience."

London Ontario Golf now has further support from the City which will add to their already industry-leading credibility, mentions Reed. Tourism London has called London Ontario Golf "an absolute key to promoting and generating interest in London and area golf." This partnership plays a crucial role in promotion of City of London golf.

You might be wondering, what separates this trio of golf clubs from others? Fanshawe offers multiple unique experiences. The Traditional course is "heavily-treed and the newer Quarry Course has wide open fairways," says Reed. In 1998 the Parkside Nine opened as one of North America's only course designed for physically-challenged golfers.

Thames Valley is one of the oldest public courses in Eastern Ontario and according to Reed, "It still provides a great test of golf today thanks to its many trees and risk-reward golf."

River Road is unique, and is the youngest course amongst the City golf system. It offers what Reed calls "a supreme test of golf with its narrow fairways."

Now that the City of London and London Ontario Golf are marketing partners, there is great new growth potential not only for the golf system here in London, but London Ontario Golf as well. As winner at the 2010 Golf Journalists Association of Canada for Best Website Feature, London Ontario Golf looks forward to a great 2011 – and beyond.

Patricia Cifani is a member of the Class of 2011, Corporate Communication and Public Relations post-graduate program at Fanshawe College of Applied Arts & Technology in London, Ontario.

[Jeffrey Reed]

Golf Canada Promoting Women's Golf,
by Nikki Sasso
Summer 2011

Golf Canada is taking some progressive steps to help grow women's golf in Canada.

Golf Canada offers the CN Future Links program which benefits junior girls' golf. The program is not only for experienced golfers, but first-time golfers as well. Young golfers have a variety of programs from which to choose. The Learn to Play is a 7-level development program that allows young golfers to learn and play, while having fun with the games as they make their way up the levels. New golfers can view their digital progress report online and communicate with their golf instructors.

The Junior Skills Challenge allows young golfers to track their personal progress with "skills challenges" throughout the season. Online, they will be able to keep track of their personal score card. The Junior Golf League is an organized league for young golfers. These participants will be able to communicate with their instructors as well as their fellow peers online. The Golf Buddy Event allows young golfers to show their parents and golf mentors what they have learned. The Girls' Club is a club designed for girls aged 7-18 years old. They can interact with girls with the same interests as well as develop the necessary skills needed to be successful in golf. The Mobile Clinic comes to any location to teach young golfers the game. And the CN Future Links Championships are a series of six regional junior golf championships. Finally, the CN Future Links Membership allows access to online and interactive benefits, as well as contests and prizes.

Golf Canada is a member-based organization governed by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA). Golf Canada is responsible for promoting participation of golf in Canada, as well as sharing a passion for the sport. Golf Canada actively conducts championships, programs and services to help shape the present and future of golf in Canada. Canada's National Amateur Golf Team program, National Golf in Schools, Golf Fore the Cure, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum and CN Future Links, Canada's national junior golf program, are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada.

As the authority for the game of golf in Canada, the association also administers the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status as well as Handicapping and Course Rating under the esteemed RCGA brand. In addition, Golf Canada conducts Canada's most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women's Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships provide world-class competitive opportunities for Canada's top golfers to showcase their talents.

For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit us online at www.golfcanada.ca.

One of the world's premier developmental tours, the CN Canadian Women's Tour continues to attract rising Canadian and international female golf professionals as well as top female amateurs. Many of Canada's top professionals including Lorie Kane and Alena Sharp as well as 2010 LPGA Tour member Lisa Meldrum and Samantha Richdale have competed on the CN Canadian Women's Tour as a springboard to future success. The 2011 season promises to be an exciting one. For more information, visit www.cncanadianwomenstour.ca.

 With these initiatives in place, girls interested in golf can easily find the help they need to be successful. With major women players being put into the spotlight, the sport will be able to grow and more girls will want to pick up a golf club and get out there.

Nikki Sasso is a member of the Class of 2011, Corporate Communication and Public Relations post-graduate program at Fanshawe College of Applied Arts & Technology in London, Ontario.