Checking in with Team Canada

Copa de Las Americas

All that was standing in the way of an overall title was a 12-foot par putt for Albin Choi on the final hole.

He dropped in that lengthy putt on the 18th green of the TPC Blue Monster at Doral, giving the Canadian squad – that also included Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and Augusta James of Bath, Ont. – a third Copa de las Americas title since 2003.

Choi’s title clinching putt was a perfect sendoff for the Toronto, Ont. native, who was competing for Team Canada for the last time. He’d been a member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team program since 2009.

Albin Choi @AlbinChoi: What a great way to finish this week! Played my last event as a part of team Canada and finished with a bang! #memorable #Copa #Goldmedal

The week was filled with plenty of highlight moments, as the championship saw 15-year-old Brooke Henderson fire two of the lowest rounds of the tournament after posting rounds of 70 and 71. The men’s duo also lit up Doral as Choi posted 20 birdies throughout the week, while Conners wasn’t far behind, racking up 18 on the Blue Monster. Both the men’s and women’s teams made a solid effort for team titles, coming up just short on the final day.

The win is a big success for the Team Canada coaching staff of Derek Ingram, Tristan Mullally, Ann Carroll and Robert Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe travelled to Miami this week with the squad and noted he waivered from the game plan on the final hole, telling Choi exactly what the team needed for the victory.

Across the country, fans, players, and media didn’t hesitate to notice the great play of the Canadian Squad as they took to Twitter and Facebook with well wishes for the players. They also received mentions from media outlets such as Golf Channel, PGA Tour and Golfweek.

Nick Starchuck @nickstarchuk: Congrats to Team Canada for their win! @TheGolfCanada @dingramgolf @tmullallygolf @ratcliffegolf and @AlbinChoi for a solid putt!

Taylor Schmidt @taylor_schmidt: @TheGolfCanada @augusta_james @coreconn @AlbinChoi congrats on the win guys! Way to represent Canada!

Dave Dewan @davedewan: Congrats to the @TheGolfCanada team for winning the Copas! @AlbinChoi buries a 12-footer on the last for the win! #godragons #brightfutures

Grand Niagara @thegrandniagara: Congratulations to @TheGolfCanada team on winning the Copa de las Americas! Great players, great coaching; great success.

Scott MacLeod @flagstick: Great start to the year for Team Canada golf- @AlbinChoi @Coreconn @Augusta_James & Brooke Henderson win 2013 Copa de las Americas in Miami.

Training Camp

While some of Team Canada was in Miami, the rest of the squad hit the golf course in Phoenix, Arizona last week at The Raven at Verrado to take part in the first training camp of 2013.

The players got to shake the snow from up north and get back to work on the range, on course and in the gym with their coaches (Ingram, Mullally & Carroll), fellow players and fitness staff.

Kathy Lim @kathylimm: Biggest thanks to @TheGolfCanada for holding an unforgettable camp! The best coaches and teammates anyone could ask for #godragons

Team Canada fitness expert Jason Glass was also onsite with the players this week running them through various testing programs to get them ready for the 2013 season.

Jason Glass @jasonglasslab: Flew to @TheGolfCanada camp with an empty @UltimateSandbag and $4 sand purchase later and voila! #OlympicLiftin

They had some others guests this week as PGA Tour Player and fellow Canadian Chris Baryla stopped in for a visit to offer up some instruction and advice. PGA of Canada Coach Louis Melanson of New Brunswick also made the trip down to Arizona to help out and shadow the team and coaches.

Chris Baryla @bobbybaryla: Good time yesterday with @dingramgolf and the @TheGolfCanada development team! Talented players, good guys! #lotsoflefties #mustbeCanadians

Rank in Australia

The Australian Master of the Amateurs begins Tuesday morning in Melbourne, Australia and National Squad member Garrett Rank made the 28-hour flight overseas to compete for Canada.

The event is one of Australia’s premier amateur events and is notable for its champion receiving a green jacket. It was first contested in 1997 and is played over four days on the West Course of the famous Royal Melbourne Golf Club. The tournament is a 72-hole stroke play event, with the winner receiving exemptions into the UK Amateur Championship, Porter Cup, Players Amateur of the USA, Dogwood Invitational and the Canadian Amateur Championship. PGA Tour player Jason Day is a notable past champion.

Garrett Rank @garrettrank: RMGC is very nice and for good reason, the 12th ranked course in the world. Having fun practicing and tournament gets underway Tuesday.

This will be the first of a few January events for Rank in Australia, as he also plans to play the Australian Amateur and more of their competitive summer schedule. He tees off at 9:10am Tuesday morning in Melbourne.

To follow his scores this week, click here.