Belgian rookie Laura Gonzalez Escallon birdied three of the final four holes Thursday for a 7-under 65 and a share of the lead with Sei Young Kim in the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.

Gonzalez Escallon, the 26-year-old former Purdue player who won twice last season on the Symetra Tour, also started fast in the first-year event, making birdies on three of the first four holes.

“The greens are playing soft, so you can be very aggressive,” Gonzalez Escallon said. “I think that helps with low scoring. It’s a really good course. Every hole is different. … It’s new for everyone, so I think rookies can really take advantage of that.”

Kim had eight birdies and a bogey at Thornberry Creek, the Oneida Nation-owned resort near Green Bay. The South Korean player won the Lorena Ochoa Match Play in May in Mexico for her sixth LPGA Tour victory.

“My shot solid today, and greens were softer, so I was able to go after the pins and give myself a lot of birdie opportunities,” Kim said. “And then putting was good. … It’s been a long time since I played well in the first round, so I’m very blessed to have shot 7 under.”

Tour rookies Madeleine Sheils and Min-G Kim shot 66. Sheils birdied four of the last seven holes.

“Very steady,” the former Nebraska player said. “I hit just about every fairway and I think I might have hit every green for like the first time in my life, so that makes golf really easy, as it turns out.”

Fifth-ranked In Gee Chun and Moriya Jutanugarn topped the group at 67. Jutanugarn had seven birdies in an eight-hole stretch, then played the final eight in 2 over with bogeys on Nos. 11 and 17.

Suzann Pettersen had a 68.

“First time I saw it, I’m like, ‘Well, you’ve got to bring your diving gear because you’ve got to go deep around this place,”’ Pettersen said. “I mean, I just shot 4 under and feel like I shot 100. … The golf course is great. I think it’s great to see a golf course that kind of invites birdies and kind of low scores. I’m a little bit surprised nobody has torn it up more than 7 under because I felt like I played average and shot an easy 4 under.”

Jutangarn’s younger sister, second-ranked Ariya Jutanugarn, had a 78. The six-time LPGA Tour winner had a double bogey on the par-4 10th, five bogeys and one birdie.

Brooke Henderson, the 19-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., coming off a one-stroke loss to Danielle Kang on Sunday in the major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Olympia Fields in Illinois, opened with a 71.

Kang, top-ranked So Yeon Ryu, No. 3 Lexi Thompson and No. 4 Lydia Ko are among those taking the week off before the U.S. Women’s Open next week at Trump International in New Jersey.

“Last week took a lot out of me being in contention, especially in that last round,” Henderson said. “It drained a lot of energy, and I’m just trying to rebuild that this week. Take a little bit more rest and maybe not practice quite as much and rebuild my energy so that next week at the U.S. Open I can go strong and hopefully make it count.”

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp was the low Canadian, tied for fifth at 5-under 67. Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., was tied for 36th at 3-under 69. Augusta James of Bath, Ont., was tied with Henderson for 71st and Calgary’s Jennifer Ha was tied for 121st 2-over 74.

Davis Love III can still get some solid work done in a PGA Tour event.

Heading into the World Golf Hall of Fame in September, the 53-year-old Love shot a 7-under 63 on Thursday in The Greenbrier Classic, leaving him two strokes behind first-round leader Sebastian Munoz.

Love is looking for his first win since the 2015 Wyndham Championship, which made him the third-oldest winner in PGA Tour history. He would be the oldest if he wins in West Virginia.

Slowed this year by a bad back and a broken collarbone sustained in a January snowboarding accident in Sun Valley, Idaho, Love took advantage of a course softened by overnight rain for his best round of the season. He birdied four of his first five holes in the morning round on Old White, the course that was reconstructed after deadly floods forced the cancellation of last year’s tournament.

Have a day, @Love3d!

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-7 and the early lead. pic.twitter.com/wlpZCNYDlc

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 6, 2017

His son, Davis Love IV, also is in the field, receiving a sponsor exemption. It’s the second time they are playing the same tournament; the other was the RSM Classic two years ago. The elder Love served as his son’s caddie in the U.S. Open last month.

“I’ve been working real hard the last couple of weeks on trying to fix my swing to kind of swing around a stiff back and a stiff hip,” the elder Love said. “I’ve given up on hitting it a long way. I’m just saying I’ve got to hit it straight, and this is the perfect golf course for me to get it in the fairway. A lot of hard work is kind of starting to pay off.”

Munoz, a 24-year-old Colombian, was boosted by five birdies on the back nine for a 61.

Defending champion Danny Lee was at 64 along with David Lingmerth, Ben Martin, rookie Xander Schauffele, and Canadians Graham DeLaet and Nick Taylor.

Taylor, from Abbotsford, B.C., had seven birdies, including a tap-in on No. 7, and just one bogey on his card.

Another #MackenzieTour alum making his move at the @GbrClassic.@ntaylorgolf59 is making a bucket of birdies. pic.twitter.com/0KOEEovbYd

— Mackenzie Tour (@PGATOURCanada) July 6, 2017

DeLaet (Weyburn, Sask.) was bogey-free with six birdies in round one.

David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., was 5 under while Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Ottawa’s Brad Fritsch were both 1 under.

Players were allowed to lift and clean their golf balls in the fairway because of the wet conditions. It took a full year after the June 2016 floods that killed 23 statewide to get Old White back to playing conditions.

“To get anything back in order out there would’ve been an incredible feat,” Love said. “But what they did with the renovation, to take really, really good golf course with a lot of history and make it even better, the redesign is incredible. The players are just raving about it.”

Round 1 complete @GBRClassic

1. Muñoz -9
2. Love III -7
3. Martin -6
3. Lingmerth -6
3. DeLaet -6
3. Schauffele -6
3. Taylor -6
3. Lee -6 pic.twitter.com/nuf9gxrmF0

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 6, 2017

Munoz is looking for his first top 10. His best finish is a tie for 27th at the Texas Open.

The PGA Tour rookie was 6 under through 10 holes. He missed a short birdie putt on the par-5 12th and bogeyed the par-4 13th after his approach shot found the greenside rough. He then took charge with birdies on the next four holes.

Phil Mickelson shot 67 in his first tournament since parting ways with his caddie of 25 years, Jim “Bones” Mackay. Mickelson’s brother, Tim Mickelson, is his caddie for the rest of the year.

“I think any time you have a change of environment it brings about a new energy,” Phil Mickelson said. “But more than that, Tim is one my favourite people to be around. We really had a lot of fun together today.”

Mickelson missed the cut in his three other Greenbrier Classic appearances and he hit some erratic shots Thursday, including striking a fan in the head on his approach to the par-4 11th.

Lingmerth is looking to atone for a collapse last week in the Quicken Loans Invitational. The Swede led after each of the first three rounds but shot 3 over in each round on the weekend to tie for fifth, along with Martin.

“I’m not going to dwell on it too much,” Lingmerth said. “A nice little start today. I didn’t really have my best stuff. I never really got into trouble. I gave myself a couple of opportunities.”

Click here for the full leaderboard

Estevan, Sask. – Ryan McMillan came from behind while Chaewon Baek went wire-to-wire to win the Future Links, driven by Acura Prairie Championship at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club on Thursday.

McMillan, who started the day T2, shot a bogey-free, 4-under-par 68 to close out the tournament 5 under par. The 17-year-old from Winnipeg, Man., made the turn at 1 under par in a tie with Tayden Wallin and then carded three birdies in five holes to cruise to the finish line.

Kade Johnson, from Yorkton, Sask., finished in solo-second after he made an eagle on the par-5 15th hole. The 18-year-old was in a three-way tie after the seventh hole, but made a double-bogey on the par-3 eighth hole and ultimately finished four strokes back of McMillan.

Wallin started his round at the top of the leaderboard and got off to a strong start with two birdies in the first five holes. After he carded a triple bogey he bounced back and scored two birdies after he made the turn, but he struggled in the final six holes where he went 5 over par.

Rounding out the top six finishers in the boys division who earned exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf and Country Club in Kingston, Ont., are: Callum Davision from Duncan, B.C., Andrew Campbell and Josh Nagy, who are both from Saskatoon, Sask.

In the girls division, Baek completed her wire-to-wire victory with a 5-over-par 77 in her final round. The 13-year-old from Langley, B.C., carded a triple-bogey on the par-5 fifth hole but had already built up a comfortable cushion between second place.

Angela Arora, from Surrey, B.C., shot the low round of the day in the girls division with an even-par 72 and jumped up the leaderboard to finish in solo-second place, nine shots behind Baek. She got off to a slow start with two bogeys in her first three holes, but a bogey-free back nine paired with two birdies got her back in it.

Vaijayanti Bharkhada finished her tournament with an 80, moving her to 23 over par for the tournament and a solo-third finish.

Rounding out the top six earning exemptions to the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Champions on Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland, Ont., are: Samantha Copeland of Calgary, Alta., Chloe Sies of Melville, Sask., and Hannah MacNeil of Shaunavon, Sask.

Full results.

Team Canada Young Pro Squad golfer Albin Choi carded an opening round 6-under-par 66 at the Web.com Tour’s LECOM Health Challenge to sit T4 through 18 holes at the Peek N’ Peak Resort Upper Course in Findley Lake, N.Y.

The Toronto product started the day with five straight birdies and was bogey free for the rest of his round carding one more birdie to sit two shots back of the leader China’s Xinjun Zhang.

Choi came to Findley Lake ranked 89th on the Web.com Tour’s Order of Merit. His best result of the season was a T5 at the rain shortened BMW Charity Classic presented by Synnex Corporation.

The afternoon wave is making moves up the leaderboard, including @AlbinChoi at -5 #LECOMHC ⛳ pic.twitter.com/L0JpLj8ru0

— LECOMHealthChallenge (@LECOMHC) July 6, 2017

Choi’s Young Pro Squad teammate Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.) is T25 at 3 under par after an opening-round 69 (-3), alongside Calgary’s Ryan Yip, and Ben Silverman (Thornhill, Ont.).

Merritt, B.C., native Roger Sloan is T47 (-2).

There are 11 Canadians in the field this week.

Click here for the full leaderboard.

Team Canada’s Grace St-Germain carded a 1-under-par 71 to share medallist honours with three others at the U.S. Women’s Amateur qualifier in Bermuda Run, N.C., to secure her spot at at the U.S. Women’s Amateur from Aug. 7-13.

The Ottawa native recorded three birdies and two bogeys at Bermuda Run Country Club’s East Course to finish at 1 under par alongside Payton Schanen (Johns Creek, Ga.), Sarah Bae (Pinehurst, N.C.) and the Philippines Lois Kaye Go – securing one of seven spots available in the U.S. Women’s Amateur at San Diego Country Club, in Chula Vista, Calif.,

St-Germain is coming off a strong freshman season at Daytona State College (NJCAA). The 18-year-old had four top-10s including two runner-up results.

U.S. Women's Amateur Qualifying Results https://t.co/2WZAiMktLx pic.twitter.com/OhogWYRNNw

— Carolinas Golf Assn. (@CGAgolf1909) July 6, 2017

She finished third at the 2017 NJCAA National Championship helping the Falcons win their ninth title in the program’s history and fourth in the last five years.

St-Hyacinthe, Que., native Valerie Tanguay is the other Canadian already in the field in Chula Vista – booking her ticket at the Monroe Township, N.J., qualifier on June 28.

St-Germain is no stranger to USGA events, reaching the round-of-16 at the 2016 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.

Congratulations @gracestgermain on advancing to the @USGA Women's Amateur!! pic.twitter.com/ziRLeWB1Ai

— Kathy St-Germain (@ckstgermain) July 6, 2017

Click here for the full Bermuda Run Qualifier leaderboard.

Estevan, Sask. – Tayden Wallin shot to the top of the leaderboard in the boys division with a 2-under-par 70 while Chaewon Baek held on to her lead at the Future Links, driven by Acura Prairie Championship at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club on Wednesday.

Wallin started the day two back off the leader and, after a bogey free front nine, the 18-year-old from Humbolt, Sask., made the turn at 1 under par before he carded two birdies and an eagle to offset his three bogeys. His back-to-back opening round 70’s give him a three-shot cushion at the top of the leaderboard.

“I didn’t realize that today was going to turn out as well as it did,” he said, after the low-round of the day. “I was making quite a few pars and my putts were going in, but I guess the eagle on the back nine really jump-start the round and put me in a good position at the end of the day.”

Kade Johnson, from Yorkton, Sask., and Ryan McMillian, from Winnipeg, Man., shot matching even-par 72’s to enter the final round within striking distance of the lead. The pair are 1 under par for the tournament.

Jacob Kydd entered round two with a two-shot lead after his opening round 68, but got off to a rough start with a bogey on the first hole that lead to a 9-over-par 81 on Wednesday.

In the girls division, Baek carded a 6-over-par 78, a score seven shots higher than her opening round, but was still able to hold on to her lead after all the golfers struggled on Wednesday. The 13-year-old recorded four bogeys on the front nine and managed to only card a single birdie but still entered the clubhouse with a 10-shot lead.

Vaijayanti Bharkhada, from Brampton, Ont., is the closest to Baek after her 10-over-par 82, and Samantha Copeland rounds out the top three in the girls division, two shots back of Bharkhada.

The top six finishers in the Boys Division will earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf and Country Club in Kingston, Ont. The top six in the Girls Division will earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland, Ont.

Full results can be found here.

The golf genes run deep for Carolanne Doig, her five siblings and a few future stars on their way up.

One of her earliest memories was picking stones pushed up by the pesky moraine at fledging Seaforth Golf and Country Club as her father Ken Sr. and his brother Rod worked to create what has become a charming family run golf course tucked in the eastern part of Huron County.

Carolanne isn’t the only one who had — and still has — duties on the golf course, however. The Doig family had just about enough members to run the entire place.

A total of six children grew up and helped their uncle and father run the family business. Carolanne is the oldest, while Gail was born second. Ken Jr., who spent time as a PGA Tour caddie, was next in the birth order ahead of Cam. After that, Ian, one of the more recognized Doigs, came along. Last to arrive was Todd, who is currently the course’s greens superintendent.

Carolanne, creator of the highly regarded Seaforth Rain Gear used by tour players around the world, was eight years old when the course opened was used to the labour.

“We all worked here when we were kids. I remember picking stones as far back as I can remember.”

“Some worked more than others,” she joked.

While all six siblings were involved with the course in some way during their childhoods, many have since left and done their own thing.

The most notable of which is Ian, who currently runs a golf academy in Barrie. Ian’s humble upbringing, plus the freedom to play essentially at will, contributed to his success, which includes more than 25 professional wins in an illustrious 27-plus year career.

Ken Doig Sr.’s commitment to amateur golf in Ontario earned him a spot on the GAO’s Wall of Recognition.

At the age of 19, in 1980, Ian left Seaforth and the Doig clan to caddie on the PGA Tour, a choice that would shape his future golf career. In his first event, the Kemper Open, he was linked up with Gary Koch, who kept him as a caddie for three seasons.

While caddying was Ian’s big break, it all stems from the opportunities he had as a youth at Seaforth.

“Back then, we didn’t think we were learning the sport; we were playing the sport,” said Ian, who often spent time alone fishing on the nearby Silver Creek. “We were given an opportunity to play golf every day.”

Although Ian spent a lot of time away from his own course competing, he was able to find a surrogate family of sorts.

“When you’re going to all these tournaments, you see a lot of the same people all the time,” said Doig, recalling playing alongside Rob Cowan, son of legendary golfer Gary Cowan. “It’s people like that you grow close with you. You all help each other on the course.”

While Ken Jr. didn’t have the playing success of his younger brother Ian, he has looped for some prominent golfers, such as Canadian Open champion Bob Murphy and Neil Lancaster. He’s also caddied for the likes of Jim Nelford, Dave Barr, and the late Dan Halldorson, who went on to become the deputy director of the Canadian Tour until 2011.

For Ken Sr. and Rod, the building of the original nine holes, built over the span of a year, was no get rich quick scheme. In fact, both held full-time employment elsewhere during the weekdays and spent their evenings and weekends working at the golf course and, of course, playing in tournaments. After playing golf for only one year, Ken Sr. qualified for the 1955 British Open at the age of 21. Additionally, Doig dominated local men’s tournaments through his adult years.

Robyn Doig, pictured after winning the 2014 GAO Women’s Match Play, is the third generation of Doigs to join the professional golf ranks.

The golf gift runs deeper than just the first and second generations of Doigs — there’s a third at play as well.

Cam’s two children — Robyn and Paul Doig — are on the cusp of big breaks in their careers. Robyn, who turned professional last year, just finished her first circuit in Australia with the ALPG. The results weren’t entirely favourable, with her top finish a T26 at the Brisbane Invitational, but it’s a step in the right direction for a youngster in the pro ranks.

Paul, a redshirt freshman at Kennesaw State, earned several junior accolades in Canada before playing at the NCAA level.

This article was originally published in the Family Issue edition of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine

Les gènes du golf sont puissants chez Carolanne Doig, ses cinq frères et sœurs ainsi que les futures stars de la famille.

Un de ses plus anciens souvenirs est d’avoir ramassé des cailloux poussés par le dégel sur le terrain du Seaforth Golf and Country Club naissant pour aider son père Ken sénior et son oncle Rod à façonner ce qui allait devenir une pittoresque entreprise familiale dans l’est du comté de Huron.

Carolanne, l’aînée, n’est pas la seule à avoir accompli des tâches – et à continuer de le faire – au Seaforth. La famille Doig compte juste assez de membres pour exploiter le club de golf.

Ken sénior a eu six enfants, en tout : Carolanne, Gail, Ken junior, Cam, Ian et Todd. Également créatrice des vêtements Seaforth Rain Gear qu’utilisent des pros de circuit partout dans le monde, Carolanne avait huit ans quand le parcours fut inauguré.

« On y a tous travaillé dans notre enfance, dit-elle. Je me souviens de ces cailloux qui poussaient comme des fleurs au printemps. »

Tous les enfants Doig ont contribué d’une façon ou d’une autre à l’évolution du Seaforth, mais certains sont partis pour poursuivre d’autres rêves, souvent associés au golf. Ainsi Ian, le plus connu, dirige une académie de golf à Barrie, après avoir connu une carrière professionnelle illustre de 27 ans marquée de 25 victoires en tournoi.

Le dévouement de Ken Doig sénior pour l’avancement du golf amateur en Ontario lui a valu en 2012 une mention au Mur de la reconnaissance de Golf Ontario.

Nourri de golf dès son plus jeune âge, Ian a quitté le clan Doig à 19 ans, en 1980, pour devenir cadet sur le PGA TOUR, une décision qui allait changer le cours de sa vie. À son premier tournoi, il fut affecté à Gary Koch qui le garda ensuite comme cadet pour trois saisons.

Si ce boulot allait lui permettre d’émerger sur la scène du golf professionnel, c’est avant tout ce qu’il avait appris dans son enfance au Seaforth qui s’avéra déterminant.

« À l’époque, on ne pensait pas qu’on était en train d’apprendre les secrets du golf, on ne faisait que jouer pour le plaisir, explique Ian. On avait le privilège de pouvoir golfer tous les jours. »

Longtemps sur la route à jouer en compétition, Ian a fini par trouver une sorte de famille de remplacement sur le circuit.

« Quand on va participer à tous ces tournois, on rencontre toujours les mêmes personnes », dit Doig qui se souvient d’avoir joué aux côtés de Rob Cowan, fils du légendaire golfeur Gary Cowan. « On en vient à se rapprocher de ces gens. Tout le monde s’entraide sur le terrain. »

Ken junior n’a peut-être pas connu le succès de son jeune frère Ian, il a quand même travaillé comme cadet pour certains golfeurs célèbres, comme le champion de l’Omnium canadien Bob Murphy, ainsi que Neil Lancaster, Jim Nelford, Dave Barr et le regretté Dan Halldorson.

Le Seaforth Golf and Country Club fut d’abord bâti à temps perdu, les fins de semaine et les soirs, par Ken sénior et son frère Rod qui avaient tous deux des emplois à temps plein ailleurs et jouaient aussi fréquemment en tournoi. Après seulement une année de compétition, à 21 ans, Ken sénior s’était même qualifié pour l’Omnium britannique de 1955. Il a dominé les tournois de la région pendant de longues années.

Robyn Doig, photographiée après sa victoire au GAO Women’s Match Play de 2014, appartient à la troisième génération du clan dans les rangs professionnels.

Et ce talent pour le golf passe d’une génération à l’autre chez les Doig, la troisième étant en éclosion.

En effet, les deux enfants de Cam Doig, autre rejeton de Ken sénior, sont sur le point de faire leur marque. Robyn, devenue golfeuse professionnelle l’an passé, vient de terminer son premier tour de circuit en Australie avec l’ALPG. Son meilleur résultat est une É26 au Brisbane Invitational, mais c’est déjà un bon pas dans la bonne direction pour une toute jeune pro.

Son frère Paul, en première année à l’Université Kennesaw State, a pour sa part connu plusieurs succès comme junior au Canada avant d’aller jouer au niveau de la NCAA.

Cet article a été publié dans l’édition Familles au jeu du magazine Golf Canada. Pour lire l’article dans le format original, cliquez sur l’image.

Four honourary Calgarians – Carlos Franco, Jeff Maggert, Fred Couples and Rocco Mediate – have tipped their Smithbilt cowboy hats to Calgary in search of another Shaw Charity Classic title.

The former champions of the award-winning PGA TOUR Champions event – Franco (2016), Maggert (2015), Couples (2014) and Mediate (2013) – have all confirmed they will return for the fifth anniversary celebrations of the Shaw Charity Classic at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country, August 30 – September 3, 2017.

Paraguay’s Carlos Franco fired a pair of 63s on the weekend last year to secure his first PGA TOUR Champions title. The four-time winner on the PGA TOUR is one of only two players who have won Rookie-of-the-Year honours and claimed a title against golf’s 50 and over crowd. Franco was the PGA TOUR Rookie-of-the-Year in 1999.

@CarlosFrancoPGA ? @jeff_maggert ? Fred Couples ? @RoccoMediate ?All 4 #ShawClassic champs will return to #yyc for the '17 #ShawClassic! pic.twitter.com/IpXP9yWQ9y

— Shaw Charity Classic (@ShawClassic) July 5, 2017

“I was so happy to finally win my first tournament on this Tour and to do it in Canada was extra special,” said Franco, who teamed up with Vijay Singh to win the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf earlier this year. “I love the people in Canada and the memories of last year in Calgary will always have a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to get back Canada to relive some of those memories and hopefully successfully defend my title.”

Three other big names also have good vibes around the Canyon Meadows track.

Jeff Maggert, who donned his white Stetson two years ago after blitzing the field and the greatest names in the game with a four-shot win, will be back in cowboy country in hopes of becoming the first second-time winner.

“I have lived in Texas for 40 years so I’ve seen a few cowboy hats in my time. It felt good to put one on in Calgary, and I definitely cherish it,” said the 53-year-old Maggert, “Everyone thinks just because you’re the defending champion you’re going to come in and it will be an easy week. If you look at the history of golf tournaments, that rarely happens. I wasn’t able to do it last year, but I sure hope to add my name onto that trophy for a second time.”

Maggert’s five wins on the senior circuit, including two majors, topped his total of three wins during his 25 years on the PGA TOUR. The 53-year-old is one of eight players to win on all PGA TOUR sponsored tours – PGA TOUR, Web.com, and PGA TOUR Champions.

Calgary golf fans will also welcome back one of their most famous adopted sons, Fred Couples. A crowd favourite since the tournament’s inception in 2013, Couples won the 2014 event in thrilling fashion after a career-best final round 61 that included a chip-in eagle on the 54th hole. He got sized up for a white cowboy hat of his own after winning the first playoff hole over Billy Andrade.

“Calgary has been a very enjoyable place for me. Last year I wasn’t physically able to compete, but I have always said, as long as I’m healthy I plan on coming here every year,” said Couples. “The people at Shaw are incredible. The crowds are huge. The course is always in great shape and I feel like I can play it well. There is nothing more a player could ask for. I look forward to getting back there.”

Couples’ 13th victory on the PGA TOUR Champions came two weeks ago at the Chubb Classic, American Family Insurance Championship. A winner of 15 PGA TOUR events, the smooth swinging Couples is remembered most for his 1992 triumph at the Masters Tournament. Once graduating to the senior Tour, he made an immediate statement. Finishing second in his first start, he went on to win his next three events, becoming the first player ever to win three of his first four tournaments. Couples has two major championship victories on the PGA TOUR Champions: 2011 Senior Players Championship, and The Senior Open Championship in 2012.

Fred Couples strolling across @canyonmeadows @ the '14 #ShawClassic. Congrats to #BoomBoom on his win yesterday!
?:Steve Dykes/Getty Images pic.twitter.com/JBYZD9LzXi

— Shaw Charity Classic (@ShawClassic) June 27, 2017

While more than 40,000 fans lined the fairways at Canyon Meadows to catch a glimpse of Couples’ debut at the inaugural event in 2013, they left talking about Rocco Mediate who was the first player to get white-hatted on the 18th green.

Mediate captured the hearts of Calgarians when he was crowned the inaugural champion with a seven-shot victory while tying the lowest 54-hole total at 22-under-par 191 on the PGA TOUR Champions. Since dusting the field in 2013, Mediate won his first major on the senior swing last year, when he finished on top at the 2016 Senior PGA Championship.

“What can I say – Calgary is one of my favourite places on earth so I can’t wait to get back up there again,” said Mediate. “It really is the people who make this event what it is. Everyone in the community comes out to support the event with the primary goal to raise money for youth-based charities. The money they have raised for children’s charities is just crazy. I don’t know how they do it. It just doesn’t happen anywhere else so I’m very proud to have my name attached to this tournament.”

One of the most colourful characters in golf, Mediate won six PGA TOUR events. His only other victory on the PGA TOUR Champions also came in 2013 when he won the Allianz Championship.

The four former champions add additional firepower to a star-studded class in 2017 that already includes World Golf Hall of Fame members, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal. Canada’s Stephen Ames and Rod Spittle will be scrapping to become the first Canadians to etch their name on the Shaw Charity Classic trophy.

It will be no easy task with nearly all of the top-30 players on the Charles Schwab Cup Money List, including Miguel Angel Jimenez, booking their team times on Labour Day weekend.

For more information on the Shaw Charity Classic click here.

In a bid to drive women’s participation in the game of golf, the ladies of Thornhill Golf Club have helped Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru get off to a hot start in 2017 by raising over $11,000 for breast cancer research.

Despite the poor weather conditions, the generous participants, predominantly women, were out in full force for the worthy cause.

“It was amazing to see the participation at the event in such poor conditions,” said Penny Spence, organizer of the event. “About 50 women donned pink sashes and proceeded to play 18 holes in 14-degree weather before the rain came in. Sadly, the pink sashes were covered by rain gear!”

In total, there were 75 people that attended the cocktail party and raffle draw that followed the golf on June 6.

“I was especially proud of the turnout from our female population,” said Spence. “It was also nice to see the two male fitness instructors and golf professional dressed in pink to serve cocktails and appetizers to the ladies.

“It was the event of the season!”

By the end of the night, the group raised a staggering amount.

In total, the donations added up to $12,136; including $4,486 from cheques and $475 in auction items, with the remaining $7,075 came in through WayPoint – the program’s official registration program.

During the past 13 years, Golf Fore the Cure, presented by Subaru has exposed more than 100,000 women to the game of golf and raised $5.9 million towards the fight against breast cancer. Each year, the organization holds a national event to mark the annual success in growing women’s participation in the game while raising funds to fight breast cancer.

This year, the event will be held at Brantford Golf & Country Club on Sept. 26. The 18-hole charity event expects more than 120 women to participate, including those from the top-three fundraising teams from across the country.

Spence has made her bid to be invited to the event.

You can register for free by visiting the website here.