Bittorf also leads the women’s net stableford division; Randy McKay and Chris Tamas share the lead for the men’s net stableford division
GLOUCESTER, Ont. – Emma Bittorf leads both the women’s gross stroke play and net stableford divisions, while Josh Hunke and Victor Postillion are tied for the lead in the men’s gross stroke play standings after Wednesday’s opening round at the 2026 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, at Hylands Golf Club in Gloucester, Ont.
Bittorf of Strathmore, Alta. leads defending champion Natasha Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. by six strokes after shooting a 6-over 78 carding four birdies and recorded a total of 42 points in the net stableford division.
“My putter was on fire, and I have the best caddy,” said Bittorf on what lead to her success in the first round of the Canadian All Abilities Championship.
“I am just going to play my own game and continue to do what I did today,” added Bittorf on what she will do to built off her round today leading into the final two rounds.
This is Bittorf’s fourth time playing in the Canadian All Abilities Championship, she is the two-time defending champion in the women’s net stableford division but has never won the women’s gross stroke play division, finishing runner-up the past two years.
“It would mean the world to me, it is one of my goals to win the gross stroke play division,” said Bittorf. “Another one of my goals is to make Team Canada and go to Chile for the Special Olympics.”
Hunke of New Dundee, Ont. and Postillion of Winfield, Ill. are tied for the lead in the men’s stroke play division after shooting a 1-under 71. Hunke carded one eagle and two birdies, and Postillion carded five birdies during their opening rounds.
“It feels great, it’s what we kind of strive for and hope to be in competition to push yourself to get to there, so being at the top of the leaderboard after the first round feels quite nice,” said Hunke.
This is Hunke’s fourth time playing at the Canadian All Abilities Championship, his previous best finish was last year when he finished runner-up to Josh William of Tavistock, Ont.
Two-time Canadian All Abilities men’s gross stoke play champion, Kurtis Barkley of Williamsburg, Ont. is one stroke back of Hunke and Postillion after shooting an even par 72, carding four birdies.
“Today was a grind overall, I did not start off well in the first probably seven holes I had two three putts. So, I scrambled since then to get the speed of the greens but other than that it was a solid day,” said Barkley.
“I have not checked the leaderboard and I don’t usually, I just play my own game, I can only control myself so I just stick to our plan and hopefully just post good numbers,” added Barkley on how he feels being tied for second and what his mindset is going into the second round.
Randy McKay of London, Ont. and Chris Tamas of North York, Ont. are tied at the top of the leaderboard for men’s net stableford. They both have a total of 38 points following the first round of the All Abilities Championship. McKay finished his round carding two birdies and two net birdies shooting 2-over 74 net 70. Tamas carded one net eagle and five net birdies shooting 12-over 84 net 70. In third place is Jackson Policicchio of Petrolia, Ont. with 36 points and Williams with 34 points in fourth.
The current leaders from each division and sport class are as follows:
Gross Stroke Play – Men – Josh Hunke (New Dundee, Ont.) -1
Gross Stroke Play – Women – Emma Bittorf (Strathmore, Alta.) +6
Net Stableford – Men – Randy McKay (London, Ont.) and Chris Tamas (North York, Ont.) 38 points
Net Stableford – Women – Emma Bittorf (Strathmore, Alta.) 42 Points
Intellectual 1 – Men – Jack Houlahan (Ottawa, Ont.) +17
Intellectual 1 – Women – Emma Bittorf (Strathmore, Alta.) +6
Standing 1 – Spencer Easthope (Okotoks, Alta.) +10
Standing 2 – Derek Whitson (Medicine Hat, Alta.) +2
Standing 3 – Josh Hunke (New Dundee, Ont.) -1
Visual 2 – Kiefer Jones (Calgary, Alta.) +7
Sitting 1 – Ian St John (Tramore, Ont.) +18
The stableford scoring format of the Canadian All Abilities Championship awards set points based off a golfer’s net score for the hole. The points will be awarded as follows: Albatross (5 points), Eagle (4 points), Birdie (3 points), Par (2 points), Bogey (1 point), Double Bogey or higher (0 points). The golfers with the highest total of accumulated points over 54-holes will win their respective divisions.
The gross champions will earn exemptions into the 2027 Canadian All Abilities Championship, and the 2027 U.S. Adaptive Open taking place from July 5-7 at the Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon.
To view the full leaderboards from Wednesday’s first round at the Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.
