What a year. For people playing golf that game has safely provided a respite from the global pandemic. Golf in Canada enjoyed a record year for participation and based on the availability on the tee sheet at my home course I can attest to the emerging popularity of the game. Covid-19 may go down as one of the greatest drivers to help grow the game than anything else in recent memory.

I want to thank the people who supported my blog. I am not alone as a golf writer/blogger who’s seen record numbers; seems we’re not just playing the game more! And while there’s been extensive travel restrictions, to the almost 25% of readers who reside outside of Canada, I hope this means you may travel here soon with clubs, seeking to experience some of Canada’s finest and more enjoyable public golf courses.

I am proud of the first feature piece I wrote this year. Focusing on the role of a golf course superintendent, I was grateful to shadow Hidden Lake’s Super, Steve Sibbald for a day this summer. A 5:00 am start time is not for the feint of heart and learning about the incredible scope of this work has given me an even greater appreciation for the amazing work Steve and his colleagues do at courses all across Canada. No surprise, it was the most popular piece I had written in 2020. However, top viewed piece overall this year was a 2019 piece I had written about Canadian Golf Brands to Embrace. Nice to see that piece generate significant interest, especially as we headed into the holiday season.

I have not looked too far ahead to see where I may be able to travel to play golf in Canada in 2021. I am taking a very conservative approach to the pandemic. Courses will be there once it’s safer to travel. Yet I am hopeful. Nova Scotia will have some more allure, as my daughter has moved out east now.

It’s been a tough year, I am not going to lie. Yet with good health, steady employment and the opportunity to play the game I love regularly in 2020, I feel fortunate. As we prepare for 2021, I wish you all good health, happiness and lots of shots played from short grass!