A New President and a New Goal!

Trivia: “You accidentally breach the rules during the playoff of a stroke-play competition and are disqualified. Are you disqualified from the competition or just from the playoff round?” Answer below.

It’s been a busy, productive and enlightening Saturday thus far. I started off with some office work and then quickly transitioned into some snow shovelling, grocery shopping and house work.

During the latter half of the morning I attended a lecture at the University of Waterloo titled “What it does(n’t) mean to be adopted.” A clever title, indeed. And since I came to my family, my parents, via adoption, I was intrigued. I’m glad I attended!

I also heard this morning that a young, budding hockey star, Tina Malone-Wright’s son, scored his first goal of the season this morning! He went to the net and handily picked up a very juicy rebound. Way to go!

In golf news, the Golf Association of Ontario has a new President. Universitysport.ca has reported that Liz Hoffman was named by the GAO on January 24, 2009. You can find the full story here, and also included verbatim below. Ms. Hoffman comes to the role as an accomplished golfer, bearing a highly decorated and extensive resume in sport and sport administration. She takes over from Waterloo resident, and outgoing 2008 President, Steve James. This sounds like great news for the GAO and golf in Ontario!


Liz Hoffman named 2009 President of the Golf Association of Ontario

universitysport.ca
January 27, 2009

UXBRIDGE, Ont. - Liz Hoffman of Thornhill, Ontario will assume the Presidential role of the Golf Association of Ontario for 2009. Hoffman was named President at the Annual General Meeting of the Members on January 24th, 2009 at Thornhill Golf and Country Club.

For over three decades, Liz Hoffman has been an influential leader in Canadian sport, as an elite athlete, successful coach and widely-respected administrator. Hoffman is currently the University of Toronto's Director of Athletics in the Faculty of Physical Education and Health. During her time as Director of Athletics, since 1994, the Varsity Blues have claimed eight national titles and 90 provincial team championships.

Hoffman has been a driving force behind intercollegiate competition in Canada, including serving a term as President of Canadian Interuniversity Sport from 1995 to 1997 and as President of Ontario University Athletics from 2002 to 2004. She now serves as a member of the Board of Directors of both organizations.

Beyond her leadership in the boardroom, Hoffman's positive energy, encouragement and ability to motivate athletes, employees and sport administrators to reach their full potential is what has made her stand out among her peers.

From the moment she began her studies at U of T, Hoffman was leading the way on the university sports scene. As a Physical Education student, she was involved in two varsity sports, swimming (three years as captain) and field hockey (three undefeated teams), from 1968 to 1971. She was President of the PHE Women's Athletic Association and upon graduating, received the Benson honour award for her outstanding ability in athletics and scholarship.

Hoffman was no less successful in coaching, leading Varsity Blues field hockey to 16 Ontario league titles and eight CIAU championships in 20 seasons. She was named CIAU coach of the year three times and the annual award for the Canadian university women's field hockey player of the year is named in her honour. Hoffman was inducted into the U of T Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.

In golf, she was the Ontario Junior and Quebec Amateur champion. Hoffman was ranked nationally from 1971 to 1976 and was a member of the National Team in 1973 and 1975, participating in the Commonwealth championship. Her other appearances include the United States Amateur and Open championships, the Australian and British Amateur championships and the Canadian amateur and open championships.

Hoffman has served on the GAO Board of Directors for two years and is an invaluable asset to the organization.

The GAO would like to thank 2008 President Steve James for his hard work and dedication to the association. James, a Waterloo resident, served as the GAO's 7th President since amalgamation with the Ontario Ladies' Golf Association (OLGA). Filling the role of 1st Vice-President is John Swift of Smithville while Kathy Pilkey of Claremont will assume 2nd Vice-President duties.

The 2009 GAO Board of Directors consists of:

President: Liz Hoffman, Thornhill
1st Vice President: John Swift, Smithville
2nd Vice President: Kathy Pilkey, Claremont
Director: Marilyn Field-Marsham, Toronto
Director: Jim Furlong, Waterloo
Director: Stu Hamilton, Mississauga
Director: Gilles Hurtubise, Kingston
Director: Bill Muzak, Baden
Director: Ian Murray, Oakville
Director: Bob McMenemy, Sault Ste. Marie
Director: Susan Wickware, Thornhill
Director: Ken Teshima, St. Catharines
Past President: Steve James, Waterloo

About the GAO

The GAO is representative of over 425 member clubs/groups and over 110,000 individual members across Ontario. While promoting the growth and development of amateur golf, the GAO provides core member services such as the Rules of Golf, Handicapping, Course Rating, and Player Development initiatives. The GAO also conducts Provincial Championships, Camps, Clinics and Seminars across the province.

Source:
Claire Welsh Marketing and Communications Coordinator Golf Association of Ontario


And the answer: “Just from the playoff round. The disqualification only applies to the playoff since it is considered a new stipulated round.”