Two-time defending champions, Notre Dame Fighting Irish lead field of 13-teams in MacTier
MACTEIR, Ont. –The third playing of the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational is set for Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. from September 12-15.
The 54-hole tournament will feature an expanded field of 13 teams and eight individuals, totalling 73 collegiate players from Canada and the United States competing for the top spot in each of the event’s two competitions. An individual and team competition will run concurrently over 54 holes, with the top four scores from each team counting towards their final score following each of the three rounds.
This year’s individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2027 RBC Canadian Open, returning to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, June 7 – 13, 2027. The top five individual finishers will also receive exemptions into the 2027 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.
“We are excited to start the third playing of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club,” said Connor Doyle, Tournament Director, Golf Canada. “We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Penn State University and Kent State University for co-hosting this event, as well as all the staff and volunteers at Öviinbyrd Golf Club for their tireless efforts to ensure that they provide the field with a memorable experience.”
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish enter the tournament as the two-time defending champions, in search of their third consecutive Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational title. Last year, Notre Dame shot a collective score of 35-under to win the team championship by 10 shots over the University of Michigan. Notre Dame won the inaugural championship in 2024 by five shots over the University of Missouri and Michigan.
In the individual competition, Notre Dame’s Calen Sanderson of Newtown, Pa. added to the Fighting Irish’s hardware, winning by one over Rutgers’ Lucas Politano of Brandon, Vt. Sanderson finished the tournament with three rounds in the 60s to secure the individual win at 18-under and earned an exemption into the 2026 RBC Canadian Open. Team Canada member Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. (Kent State University) finished third individually marking his second consecutive top five finish at the tournament having finished as runner-up in 2024 to Team Canada teammate Hunter Thomson of Calgary, Alta. (Michigan).
The 2026 Canadian Collegiate Invitational features an expanded field and is led by co-hosts Kent State University and Penn State University. Returning this year are the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Rutgers University and the University of Missouri. Six new teams will compete in MacTier including Mississippi State University, Santa Clara University, Abilene Christian University, Northen Illinois University, Cal Poly University and the 2026 Canadian University/College champions, University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO).
Having debuted in 2024, the Canadian Collegiate Invitational features NCAA Division I male golf programs with prominent Canadian ties from both a player and staff level. Co-hosted by Kent State University, Penn State University and their respective Canadian head coaches, Jon Mills and Mark Leon, the tournament aims to showcase the best of collegiate golf from both Canada and the United States with an emphasis on bringing competing players together for three days of exciting competition.
Öviinbyrd Golf Club is one of Canada’s premier golf courses, designed by Thomas McBroom and opened in 2004 in Muskoka, Ont. The 7,118-yard layout is set amongst the forests and exposed granite of the Canadian shield in Ontario’s famous cottage country and will create a challenging and memorable experience for the players.
“On behalf of the entire Öviinbyrd community, including our membership, management team, and partners—we are thrilled to welcome the Canadian Collegiate Invitational back to Muskoka from September 12th – 15th,” said Nick Maracle, Director of Golf, Öviinbyrd Golf Club. We are honoured to host an expanded field featuring some of the NCAA’s elite Division 1 athletes alongside 21 of Canada’s top-ranked junior golfers, providing them the opportunity to compete at Öviinbyrd. Beyond the competition itself, we hope the players, coaches and families experience what makes Muskoka so special, the natural beauty, the hospitality, and the unique character of this remarkable part of Canada.”
In addition, the Team Canada Selection Camp will run concurrently with the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club as 21 of Canada’s best junior boys compete for one secured spot on the 2027 Team Canada – NextGen roster. To view the player field, please click here.
The 2026 Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational gets underway Sunday, September 13. To view the full field, tee times and live leaderboards throughout the week, please click here.
