Canadian PGA Members Receive Accolades from Golf Media for '08 Accomplishments

Canadian PGA Members Receive Accolades from Golf Media for '08 Accomplishments as decided by Canadian Golf journalist Ian Hutchinson

GolfNewsNow (GNN) is a website developed by Canadian golf journalist Ian Hutchinson devoted to providing up-to-date information on the Canadian golf industry. In his latest feature story, Hutchinson highlighted three Canadian PGA Members as his top choice for accomplishments in the golf industry for the 2008 year. Honourary Life Member Herb Paterson, 2007 Club Professional of the Year Patty Howard and 2008 Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professional Champion Kyle German were all given accolades this year as noted in the article below.

They Got What They Deserve in ‘08

December 4, 2008 by Ian Hutchinson

The last few miles of a journey home last night saw a light snow begin to fall, a reminder that the holidays are coming to balance the ridiculous antics going on in Ottawa and the darkness of recent economic forecasts that seem secondary to the shameless attempted power grab happening in the nation’s capital.

If only those behind it would truly get what they deserve, which is something completely different than what they think they deserve, then a lot of Canadians would be smiling, but thankfully, some people outside of politics got what they deserve in 2008 and it was all good.

Every now and again, a story pops up about good people being recognized for their accomplishments, and here are a few random names from golf in 2008 that took the edge off the bad news and cold temperatures yesterday.

Herb Paterson: His enthusiastic handshake and ready smile have been a part of the Canadian golf industry for over 50 years. The Titleist and Acushnet sales legend is still revered, which was illustrated quite nicely when he accepted a lifetime membership with the Canadian PGA at the Titleist and FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Patty Howard: Perhaps not as flamboyant as Paterson, it would be very difficult to find anyone who would say they’ve ever seen the executive professional of Sunningdale Golf Club in London, Ont., without a smile. Her warm personality, however, cannot mask the respect she has earned from her peers, which is why she was recognized as the Canadian PGA Club Professional of the Year at the same celebration as Paterson.

Kyle German: The gregarious head professional at Point Roberts, not far from Vancouver, was able to laugh off a 10 he took on the 18th hole during the first round of the Club Professionals Championship and go on to win the national title in a playoff on that same 18th hole. At times, it looked like the 18th might come back and bite him again, but he got it done, even though it wasn’t pretty.

Dawn Coe-Jones: Those who have been around the LPGA Tour for any length of time will have exchanged jokes and good-natured insults with the three-time winner on tour and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member. Coe-Jones played her final tour event in Canada at the CN Canadian Women’s Open in August and, while she didn’t win anything to put in the trophy case that week, there were plenty of people who wanted to wish her well in the future. Oh by the way, while she isn’t sure what she wants to do now, Zamboni-driving is definitely an option.

Lisa Walters: Coe-Jones’ long time pal figured she had been forgotten after retiring from the LPGA Tour following a variety of injuries, but she was definitely wrong on that one as the three-time winner was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame during the CN Canadian Women’s Open. A word of warning if you ever talk to people from Walters’ home town about her career – it’s Prince Rupert, not Prince George.

Quagmire Golf: The Toronto-based apparel company is run by a couple of young, personable – if slightly offbeat – guys whose timing was perfect when they had a little-known tour pro play with local media early in the week of the RBC Canadian Open. That pro’s name was Chez Reavie, who is now the defending Canadian Open champ.

Jim Rutledge: We will know on Monday when Q-School is over , but who wouldn’t like to see the Victoria native get one more kick at the can on the PGA Tour after becoming the second-oldest rookie ever to play there a couple of years ago? After a disappointing season on the Nationwide Tour and a sore back/hip, Rutledge went out and finished first at his second stage qualifier. He’s eligible for the Champions Tour as of next August.

Nancy Haley: She isn’t Canadian, but nobody who has ever met the chief executive officer of Tehama would ever argue with the bubbly Haley taking out citizenship here. Her contributions to golf were recognized at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando in January when she won the PGA of America’s Ernie Sabayrac Award for lifetime achievement in the golf industry.

Mike Francis: He moved to Nike Golf Canada from Wilson in 2003 and his rapid ascension indicates the high regard that company has for Francis, who began as general manager in Canada before moving to Holland to become general manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa for the past three years. Late this year, he was named GM for Nike Golf in the United States, a post that will surely have its challenges in the current economic climate, but one for which he is ready.

About GolfNewsNow:

GolfNewsNow (GNN) is a website devoted to providing up-to-date information on the Canadian golf industry.
GNN is owned and operated by veteran Canadian golf writer Ian Hutchinson, whose history in the game includes an extensive background with Canadian golf trade publications. A golf columnist with Sun Media, Hutchinson is also a regular contributor to publications and websites in Canada and the United States. Hutchinson started GNN in 2008 as a way of offering the industry immediate access to breaking news and new product introductions and to offer a central meeting place for information through links to company, association and media websites. www.golfnewsnow.ca