ANCASTER, Ont. – As Roger Sloan walked up the 14th fairway at Hamilton Golf and Country Club he thought about how he could be doing better with his approach shot.

After opening the par-4 hole with a 294-yard drive the product of Merritt, B.C., knew that to stay competitive in the third round of the RBC Canadian Open on Saturday he’d have to get as near to the pin as possible.

“I’d been thinking all day ‘I haven’t hit it close, I haven’t hit it close,” said Sloan, whose 152-yard shot with his eight iron landed within eight feet of the hole.

“To be able to hit that eight iron in there within a couple of feet was definitely nice.”

With the green slightly elevated from his position on the fairway, it was the cheers from red-clad Canadian fans that let him know he was in position to birdie.

“I’ve always enjoyed this tournament,” said Sloan. “It’s our national championship, golf is obviously a huge part of Canadian culture and Canadian golf fans are very passionate.

“As a Canadian it’s so thrilling to be out there and hearing the cheers and hearing the support.”

Sloan had three birdies on the back nine in a 2-under 68 round. Although not a very low score, the entire field struggled on the rapidly drying course, helping him climb 17 spots up the leaderboard.

“You’ve got to stay patient out there with the wind being a little more severe, it’s in the same direction it has been,” said Sloan, who teed off at 9:10 in the morning. “It’s out there for the guys in the afternoon but I’m very pleased with how I played today.”

Toronto’s Richard Jung had a 5-over 75 round to drop down the leaderboard to 63rd.

Sloan, who has played in five Canadian Opens and made the cut three times, is excited to be playing on the Saturday and Sunday of the only PGA Tour event on home soil.

“Anytime you can play all four rounds here at the Canadian Open, it’s great being a Canadian,” said Sloan. “I’m excited for the opportunity to go out there and play well tomorrow.”

The National Junior Golf Development Centre (NJGDC) initiative was established to recognize facilities that offer a first-class experience for children aged 5-18. NJGDC support and run nationally endorsed programs, having trained and certified PGA of Canada golf coaches, they are also linked to schools in their surrounding communities.

All facilities meet the minimum national standards for the delivery of junior golf programs, coaching, and instruction. All of the parties involved are dedicated and committed to making these locations state-of-the-art facilities that offer a welcoming atmosphere for juniors of all levels.

This year there are 35 sites, up from 32 in 2018, established in seven different provinces – all of which were supported by PGA of Canada coaches, certified in the Coach of New Competitors or the Coach of Developing Competitors context.

Each centre has full access and use of National, Long-Term Player Development compliant programming and are recognized as a leading junior golf development facility in Canada.

To find a location near you click here.

Céleste Dao recently turned 18 years old in March but she is already regarded as one of Canada’s top golfing prospects.

That is backed up by her impressive list of recent accomplishments which includes a Quebec Women’s Amateur title in 2017, along with victories at the 2018 Mexican Junior Girls Championship and the Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

And just earlier this month, she won a qualifier in Boston to earn a spot at the upcoming the U.S. Women’s Open Championship – for the second consecutive year.

As she looks ahead to competing in perhaps the most prestigious tournament in women’s golf later this week, the second year member of the National Team Program took some time to reflect on her journey and her humble beginnings in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que.

“My dad, Duc, introduced me to golf when I was about three and a half years old. My dad was passionate about the sport as he just loved golf. We had nets and a mat in our garage and I remember just hitting off the mat,” she remembered fondly.

As Dao was growing up, she competed in a number of sports besides golf – notably soccer, tennis, swimming, and snowboarding.

“My parents put me in a lot of sports to see which one I liked the most,” she pointed out.

Young Céleste first realized she had a special talent for the game of golf at the age of 11 when she qualified for the Optimist Golf tournament in Florida.

“It was the first time that I got to play in tournament outside of Canada,” she noted.

“I had never played in Florida before and I remembered that it was so humid. I shot super high but I learned a lot from it and I really enjoyed the experience,” she recalled.

“I realized at that moment that golf can take me to other countries – and I loved travelling,” added Dao, who at the time was focusing her energy on both golf and soccer.

A year later, at age of 12, she decided to dedicate her time to golf – and she has not looked back since.

The five foot nine inch rising young Canadian golfer says her success on the golf course would not be possible without all the support away from it.

“My dad is still one of my coaches today and has always been very supportive. He really knows my swing and ever since I was young he has come to my lessons. He also follows me during my rounds so we could have a briefing afterwards,” said Dao.

“My mom, Annie, may not know as much about the technical aspects of golf but she’s always been there to provide support – kind of like a mental coach. And my younger brother, Malik, also plays golf, and so we would often work on our games together which makes it fun for both of us.”

Dao says the entire family was able to share a unique and special moment last year when she won the Mexican Junior Girls Championship.

“The last round of the tournament was on my dad’s birthday and I was thinking I really wanted to win this for him.  I was six shots back of the leader and came back to force a playoff; and then won the tournament. I gained a lot of confidence from that victory,” she recalled.

“My dad was really happy and after he was telling me how it was the best birthday present ever.”

The 2018 Canadian Junior girls champion also credits her time on the National Team Program for taking her game to the next level.

“It’s made a huge difference in my game. We have training camps regularly where we are able to practise with the best in Canada. Also, we have the chance to compete in tournaments around the world against the best juniors and amateurs,” said Dao.

She adds that it’s an inspiration to know eight-time LPGA Tour winner, Brooke Henderson, is a graduate of the program.

“Brooke has long been an inspiration to me because I’ve seen her win all those tournaments at such a young age. So knowing that she went through the same program just gives me confidence and motivation.”

Training out of Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, B.c., Dao is grateful to have the opportunity to work with highly respected coaches and experts that provide support in all aspects of the sport from technical to physiotherapy, mental performance and nutrition.

“All our coaches are amazing and very knowledgeable; and our head coach, Matt (Wilson), has been awesome. He gives me great technical support and always gives me great advice before tournaments,” said Dao.

“We have five junior boys and five junior girls working on our games and pushing each other each day to get better and better. It’s just an incredible program and definitely supports us in our goals to reach our potential,” she added.

According to Matt Wilson – the head coach of the national junior girls squad –  Dao is doing all the right things to reach her potential on the golf course.

“She’s worked really hard on her putting over the past couple of years and she’s progressed a lot in terms of the way she prepares for competition,” he pointed out.

Wilson says Dao is a star on the rise and is quick to highlight the keys to her recent success.

“She’s extremely long and hits the ball solid. The quality of her strike is superb. In addition, she also has a wonderful short game. I believe she’s got a very bright future ahead,” he said.

“Also, Céleste is dedicated to improving her game each day. She has a great attitude and is an excellent student and a quick learner.”

On the topic of learning, the 18-year-old Dao has committed to the University of Georgia for September.

“It was the first university that I visited and I was able to connect with the coach which is very important. The campus is just gorgeous and the practice facilities are great,” Dao said.

The Canadian junior standout hopes to continue her success in the NCAA; and has visions of turning pro and competing at the highest level one day.

But for now, the 18-year-old junior squad member is squarely focused on the U.S. Women’s Open.

“Last year, I didn’t do well, I shot in the 80s. But it was super fun and a great experience to play with the best pros in the world and I was able to learn so much,” said Dao.

“This year, I’m just looking forward to playing better. I will definitely be better prepared and I think the experience from last year will help me a lot.”

Canadian Nick Taylor stops in at Hambrgr, one of 8 restaurants delivering a unique culinary experience to fans at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open from June 6-9.

Arriving at 4:30 a.m. to the serenely quiet Hamilton Golf & Country Club, I was greeted with only the hum of the fairway mowers in the distance, and the birds slowly waking up to a sun hidden behind stormy clouds.

If you haven’t already heard… Summers Open, and Wednesday means Pro-Am day.

I wanted to arrive on site early to document the full experience of the Pro-Am Caddie, probably one of the best volunteer experiences one can have at a professional golf event. An early morning indeed, but worth it through and through.

As you arrive at the course, you get on the sign-up list, first come first serve style, for the jobs available. As you wait around the practice area, both professional and amateur players begin to trickle in, and you are greeted by growing anticipation of who’s group you’re going to loop.

The pro’s play with their own caddies (trust me you don’t want to carry their staff bags anyway), and some of the amateurs bring their own people, but one-by-one the names on the list get called up and given their caddie bibs. You cheer for your brethren in dawn waking, excited for their inside the ropes experience with their prospective playing partners, but you’re also excited that your name is one closer to the top.

Eventually, too, my name was read, and I stepped up. I ended up on the bag of a lovely and local father/son duo, who live for the pro-am setting and the cheer of the crowd for their shots, it’s not their first rodeo. The players, including my own, were on the range early and so were the fans, ooh-ing and aww-ing as wedges zipped backwards and drives cracked through the stately oaks of Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Standing on the practice tee, next to the best players in the world, holds an unimaginable sense of importance to it. The elusive inside the ropes experience. Everyone outside the ropes wants to get inside, and everyone inside wants to stay inside. Narrowed down to the exclusivity of cardinal essentialism, the inside the ropes pass to the range, the course, and the proceedings of a PGA TOUR tournament are second to none in “coolness.” It really must be on everyone’s tournament to-do list.

We were paired with J.J. Spaun, recent Web.com grad and Mackenzie Tour alum. Spaun could not have been more friendly, right from the start of the day, he was approachable, talkative, and ready to answer any question or laugh at any joke. Quick to say “Great shot!” I only wish there were more holes. Spaun and his caddie Zeke were as interested in us enjoying our time on the course, as they were with preparing for a PGA TOUR Tournament. It is truly an amazing phenomenon. You can spend hours shoulder to shoulder with one of the best golfers in the world, just by signing up, and there is nothing you can’t ask about, or get his opinion on, or hear some of his amazing stories from his life as a professional golfer. Just to watch these guys and girls hit a ball up close is phenomenal. To bring back the “These guys are good” saying would be an understatement.

The experience transcends Spaun as well, as everyone on the course today had a mirrored encounter. The way the PGA TOUR and the tournament directors instil the level of importance and appreciation for the fans in their players is amazing. It is a one of a kind experience, going shot-for-shot with a pro, and you won’t get it in any other sport in the world.

I only wish I could have played! But it’s the new age of golf, and growing the game through accessibility is king. Anyone with a basic understanding of golf can register to be a pro-am caddie, and although you don’t get to hit the shots, you get to be right there, walking up the fairways with an amazing and idolized golfer, some new amateur friends, and a swarm of happy patrons, who just like you, love to see great golf.

The Canadian flag over the clubhouse whipped as the wind started to pick up and the rains came this afternoon, but the crowds were still there all Wednesday long. It’s not even competition play, but that fans are ready to see some golf, and starting tomorrow morning after the D-Day Memorial Ceremony, some amazing golf, played by amazing professionals, on an amazing course, is exactly what they’ll see.

June 6, 1944 is remembered as a historic day and one of the most important dates of the Second World War. Considered the turning point in the Allied victory in World War II, nearly 150,000 troops including 14,000 Canadians landed or parachuted in Normandy off the coast of France. On Thursday, June 6^th, the RBC Canadian Open will pay tribute to the 75^th anniversary of D-Day with a 6:30am opening ceremony at the 10^th tee War Memorial. The HMCS Star Navy Band and Colour Guard will perform the national anthems and a bugler will also perform just before the first group tees off. At 12:10pm, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum will perform a WWII ceremonial fly over including a Lancaster Bomber, Dakota Paratroop Plane and B25 bomber—all three of which served as part of D-Day. As a thank you for their service, all active duty and veteran members of the Canadian Armed Forces will receive FREE admission on Thursday and discounted admission throughout the week.

Looping for Corey Conners is harder than it looks! PGA TOUR caddy Kyle Peters takes us inside the exclusive Levelwear Caddy Lounge this week at the RBC Canadian Open.

ANCASTER, Ont. – As soon as Mackenzie Hughes’s partners were done teeing off at No. 13 of Hamilton Golf and Country Club on Thursday, he bent down, opened up a small bag and pulled out a jersey.

It took a moment for fans to realize what he was doing, but as Hughes straightened out the familiar black and red of a Kawhi Leonard Toronto Raptors jersey, the cheers rose to a crescendo, with spectators pounding on the boards that surround the hockey-themed hole at the RBC Canadian Open known as The Rink.

“I try to have some fun with that hole. Life’s short so, whatever, I’m just going to have some fun,” said Hughes, who donned a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey at last year’s version of the Rink at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. “The crowd enjoys that stuff so it’s fun for me to do.

“I love all these Toronto sports teams whether it’s Leafs, Raptors, Blue Jays. That was just a fun way to show my Toronto pride and Canada pride.”

Hughes, from nearby Dundas, Ont., walked up the fairway in the jersey to chants of “Let’s go Raptors” and went on to shoot a 4-under 66 to finish the first round in a tie for 15th. He would have been in an even better position if he hadn’t double-bogeyed the 18th hole, his only score worse than par on Thursday.

“Just spoiled it at the end there, but I was 6 under through 17 and it was pretty stress free for the most part,” said Hughes. “All in all it’s a great day score-wise, just not the way I wanted to finish.”

Hughes was one of five Canadians within three shots of first-round leader Keegan Bradley of the U.S., who fired a 7-under 63.

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., led the Canadian contingent, shooting a 6-under 64. Taylor, who started on hole No. 10, made four birdies in a row to open his back nine.

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford carded a 5-under 65, while David Hearn of nearby Brantford, Ont., and Drew Nesbitt of Shanty Bay, Ont., both tied Hughes.

There are 26 Canadians in the field at the national championship, and they’re all hoping to end a 65-year spell of futility. The last Canadian to win the event was Pat Fletcher in 1954 at Vancouver’s Point Grey Golf and Country Club.

“We all obviously want to be the first one to win this, but we all want each other to do well,” said Hadwin, who briefly delayed his post-round news conference so that Hughes could concentrate on teeing off nearby. “Any Canadian winner is good.”

Bradley was convinced that his clubhouse lead would not withstand the afternoon groups, but it did. Roberto Castro of the U.S., was the only player that teed off in the second wave to reach second, tying Taylor, Ireland’s Shane Lowry, Korean Sungjae Im and South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen.

“Today I was in complete control of my ball,” said Bradley. “Then when you couple that with feeling good on the greens, that’s when a 63 or a good, nice round happens.”

A three-minute pause in play starting at 12:10 p.m. ET was held as six planes from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum flew over the course to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy, France.

The group of planes included a rare Lancaster Mk 10 bomber from the Second World War and a modern CC-130 Hercules.

“It’s obviously an emotional day for a lot of people,” said Hadwin. “To kind of see the planes that were used and then a couple newer age ones, it was pretty cool to stand on the fairway and see that.”

Like many Raptors fans, Hughes hopes that Toronto wins the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors and can re-sign Leonard, who will become a free agent this summer.

“I don’t think my wearing the jersey influenced him at all, but I hope that he stays,” said Hughes.

ANCASTER, Ont. – Although his students at the University of Florida weren’t surprised that J.C. Deacon made the RBC Canadian Open, he was definitely taken aback.

Deacon has been the head coach of the Gators’ golf team for five years and likes to take a round in with his student-athletes from time to time to show that he’s still got it. The Toronto native put those skills to the test on Monday at the RBC Canadian Open’s final qualifier and was one of four players to make the cut, putting him into his first career PGA Tour event.

“You know what’s weird? My students aren’t that surprised,” said Deacon, who carded a 4-over 74. “They’re happy for me, but I play with them enough and shoot enough 65s, 66s, not all the time but often enough that they could say ‘OK, we can see coach doing that.”’

Deacon, however, was surprised enough that he hadn’t made any travel or accommodation plans and had to quickly bring his family up from Gainesville, Fla., for the event at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

“It was unexpected, to be honest,” said Deacon. “Definitely wasn’t planning on being here. Had to fly my family up a couple of days after that.

“It’s been fun. I take pride in my golf game and want to be good and want to impress my kids that play for me. I want to make sure that if they’re not playing their best, I can handle them.”

Deacon was a star in the NCAA ranks, helping UNLV to a Mountain West title in 2002 by tying for second in the individual contest. He competed in the 2002 and 2003 NCAA championships and was a member of the Golf Coaches Association of America All-American Scholar Team and the Academic All-Mountain West Team in 2004.

He went on to play professionally on the Gateway Tour and Canadian Tour. He was a U.S. Amateur semifinalist in 2005 before capturing two Minor League Golf Tour Titles in 2007, taking top honours at the Emerald Hills Classic and the Miami Shores Shootout.

Deacon played in 35 events over a three-year span (2008-10) on the Canadian Tour and made 17 cuts. His best finish came at the 2008 Saskatchewan Open, where he shared a spot for fourth place.

Still, an appearance at a PGA Tour event eluded him – including missing out on a couple of U.S. Open qualifiers – before Monday. He was grateful to finally soak it in.

“It’s cool leading up but when you get inside the ropes and start playing the competitive edge starts kicking in,” said Deacon. “I got off to a terrible start, I was 2 over through three. That’s not good enough. I’m not good enough to handle stuff like that.

“Gotta be better tomorrow, gotta get off to a quicker start. I did have fun. It’s so cool seeing my mom and dad and my wife is here.”