Oakville, ON – Golf Canada and Chartright Air Group (Chartright) are proud to announce today a new partnership with the Canadian company becoming the exclusive Private Aviation Partner of Golf Canada and the 2025 RBC Canadian Open. The partnership will also see Chartright be a supporting partner of the 2025 RBC Canadian Open’s Wednesday Championship Pro-Am.

“We are proud to partner with a Canadian company that brings a longstanding legacy in the private aviation industry and shares our commitment to growing the game of golf in Canada,” said Mark Palmer, Chief Commercial Officer, Golf Canada. “Chartright’s proven experience and alignment with our values make this collaboration a natural fit as we continue to elevate our men’s National Open Championship.”

Chartright is a leading Canadian aviation services provider, offering a full range of solutions including private jet charter, JetClub memberships, empty leg opportunities, aircraft management, FBO operations, maintenance, and aircraft sales and acquisition. Renowned for its unwavering commitment to safety, service excellence, and operational integrity, Chartright continues to set the standard in Canada’s private aviation industry. To learn more about Chartright Air Group, visit Chartright.com

“This partnership brings together two established Canadian organizations with a shared commitment to excellence,” said Adam Keller, President of Chartright. “Private aviation and golf both serve as platforms for connection, performance, and meaningful engagement. We’re proud to support the continued growth of the sport in Canada and to contribute to the success of such a prestigious event.”

The 2025 RBC Canadian Open takes place June 4-8 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. For more information, please visit rbccanadianopen.com.

Squamish, B.C. – Brett Webster of Chilliwack, B.C. birdied the first hole of a playoff to edge out Sukhraj Gill of Surrey, B.C. to earn a direct exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, following the B.C. Regional Qualifier at Squamish Valley Golf Club in Squamish, B.C. on Thursday.

Webster, a six-time winner on the Vancouver Golf Tour admitted he hadn’t had much success in playoffs as of late but emerged victorious on Thursday evening to earn his first ever appearance at the RBC Canadian Open and on the PGA TOUR.

“I told my caddie, this is my Rory McIlroy moment. I bogeyed the last hole, let’s make up for it here,” said an excited Webster following the playoff win.

“I feel like it hasn’t quite sunk in. I can’t wait to call my wife and facetime my kids, they’re down in Chilliwack and tell them I’m coming home. We have a two-and-a-half-year-old and six-week-old so my wife is probably ready for me to come home, but she will be really excited about this,” added Webster.

Webster was part of the afternoon wave and players were faced with a change in the weather as the winds had picked up. He admitted he did not play in a practice round prior to the qualifier, making his task a little taller. He carded seven birdies in his round, including a strong finish with birdies on holes 14, 16 and 17, which put him into the lead. However, a bogey on 18 would bring him back into a tie with Gill at 5-under (67), who had finished his round hours prior.

Webster has gone back and forth in his career on whether or not to check the leaderboard, after his tee shot on 18 he wanted to know.

“I asked my caddie what he thought I needed, and he said to try and make par, so I thought I may have had the lead,” he added.

The pressure built for Webster as Gill connected on his drive to begin the playoff. Webster found the cart path off his drive for the third consecutive hole, having done so on holes 17 and 18. He was able to take relief in the rough and hit a 3-iron into the green.

“When I hit it, I thought I smoked it over the green, but it slowed down on the edge of the rough and trickled down. My hands were shaking as much as they ever shook on the first putt and once it got to two feet I was like ok, I think I can handle this,” said Webster.

Webster admitted that while he is a little older in golf terms, and competing with many up and comers on the Vancouver Golf Tour, earning this qualification is special.

“Winning on the Vancouver Golf Tour is amazing and you beat a lot of good pros and all that, but this was 139 guys playing for the opportunity to play on the PGA TOUR and where I’m at in my career, I feel like this is the last thing I want to do and I feel like I could be satisfied if I didn’t play after that and just get to play with my kids,” he added.

In addition to Webster’s exemption, the top 10 per cent of the 139-player field, 8th place plus ties (20 players total) from the B.C. Regional Qualifier have advanced to the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier on Sunday, June 1 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont.

RBC Canadian Open – B.C. Regional Qualifier Results:

*won in playoff

For the full leaderboard, click here.

The B.C. Regional Qualifier at Squamish Valley Golf Club was the third of five 2025 RBC Canadian Open Qualifiers. There are two qualifiers remaining, both taking place on Wednesday, May 21 at Sundre Golf Club in Sundre, Alta. and at Griffon des Sources – Aigle Lion in Mirabel, Que.

Multi-time PGA TOUR winning group join eight in-season winners on PGA TOUR including two-time RBC Canadian Open champion and 2025 Masters champion, Rory McIlroy along with defending champion Robert MacIntyre and 2023 RBC Canadian Open winner Nick Taylors part of week-long festival atmosphere at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley

Mike Weir accepts Tournament Exemption into the 114th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship to compete alongside Canadian PGA TOUR winners Corey Conners, Taylor Pendrith, Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Hadwin and Adam Svensson

2026 RBC Canadian Open set to return to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley

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Caledon, ON – Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Wyndham Clark and Max Homa have confirmed their commitment to compete June 4-8 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in the 2025 RBC Canadian Open.

Lowry, the 2019 Open Championship winner has won three times on the PGA TOUR along with four international wins. Lowry has played in two Ryder Cups; he was part of Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup winning side and competed on the 2020 team. In addition, he has represented Ireland at the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games. The world no. 12 ranked fan favourite will be making his seventh appearance at the RBC Canadian Open. His top finish was T2 in 2019, along with a T10 (2022) and T12 (2018). This season, Lowry finished as runner-up at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and has earned three top 10’s and seven top 25 finishes in 10 events.

Rose is an 11-time PGA TOUR winner and was the 2018 FedEx Cup champion and 2013 U.S. Open champion. The no. 14 ranked player in the world has also won 12 international tournaments and has represented Team Europe at the Ryder Cup on six occasions, winning four (2012, 2014, 2018, 2023). Rose also won the gold medal for Great Britain at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This season, Rose has earned a runner-up, three top 10’s and three top 25 finishes on the PGA TOUR. His runner-up finish came at the Masters Tournament, where he lost on the first hole of a thrilling playoff to Rory McIlroy. He is a three-time runner-up at the Masters. Rose will be making his sixth appearance in tournament history, he has finished T4 twice at the RBC Canadian Open, in 2004 and 2022.

Clark has won three times on the PGA TOUR, including the 2023 U.S. Open. Clark has represented the United States on three occasions including the Ryder Cup in 2023, the Olympic Games in 2024 and was part of the Presidents Cup winning side last September in Montreal. The world no. 15 ranked player will be making his fourth appearance in tournament history, his best finish at the RBC Canadian Open was T7 in 2022. This season, Clark has earned a top 10, and four top 25 finishes in 11 tournaments on tour.

Homa has earned six PGA TOUR victories in his career and has represented the United States on three occasions, at the Presidents Cup (2022, 2024) and the Ryder Cup in 2023. This season, Homa has earned a top 25 finish in 10 events on tour. A fan favourite on the PGA TOUR, Homa will be making his third appearance in tournament history.

“The RBC Canadian Open continues to be a significant event for golf in Canada, driving economic and community impact across the country,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “Each year, we raise the bar around the fan experience, and with a field featuring many of the world’s best golfers and recent champions, we can’t wait to see how this year’s tournament captivates audiences at home and around the world.”

The group is joined by eight in-season winners including, Thomas Detry (WM Phoenix Open), Brian Campbell (Mexico Open at VidantaWorld), Joe Highsmith (Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches), Garrick Higgo (Corales Punacana Championship), Andrew Novak (Zurich Classic of New Orleans), Ben Griffin (Zurich Classic of New Orleans), and previously announced 2023 RBC Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor (Sony Open) and two-time RBC Canadian Open champion and three-time winner on the PGA TOUR in 2025, Rory McIlroy (AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, PLAYERS Championship, the Masters Tournament).

A full Canadian contingent will also challenge for the national championship, led by PGA TOUR winners Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Taylor Pendrith of Richmond, Hill, Ont., Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., and Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. Also confirmed is Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont. The group will compete alongside Team RBC ambassadors, Sahith Theegala, Cameron Young and Sam Burns.

2024 RBC Canadian Open champion, Robert MacIntyre will also be defending his title at TPC Toronto. MacIntyre earned his first PGA TOUR victory last year in Hamilton, Ont. finishing at 16-under, one shot clear of Ben Griffin. MacIntyre has won twice on the PGA TOUR and has three international wins. He was part of Europe’s winning side at the 2023 Ryder Cup. This season, MacIntyre has two top 10’s and four top 25 finishes in ten events on the PGA TOUR.

Also accepting an exemption to compete is Canadian golf icon Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont. who will be competing in his 32nd RBC Canadian Open. By competing this year at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Weir will tie the all-time record for starts in Canada’s National Open Championship with fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George Cumming.

In addition to world class golf, fans at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open will be treated to the two-night SiriusXM Concert Series onsite at TPC Toronto featuring an all-Canadian line-up. As previously announced, multi-time JUNO Award winning bands Billy Talent and Sam Roberts Band will headline the concert series, with JJ Wilde and Ruby Waters set to open the two-night concert series.

Golf Canada is also proud to announce that TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley will host the 115th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship in 2026. The Doug Carrick designed North course underwent a major golf course renovation in 2023 led by architect Ian Andrew with consultation from the PGA TOUR for the course to host large-scale, global championship level competition. TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is also the site for the future Home for Canadian Golf that will include Golf Canada’s national headquarters, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, First Tee – Canada national headquarters and a community accessible 18-hole putting green.

“We are incredibly excited to add four of the top players on the PGA TOUR to a growing field that will compete along side Rory McIlroy, defending champion Bob MacIntyre and a great Canadian contingent for our National Open Championship,” said Ryan Paul, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open. “We are equally as excited to announce that TPC Toronto will also play host to the 2026 RBC Canadian Open. The venue has established itself as one of the premier facilities in the country and as we look to build on the momentum of what will be a special championship in 2025, we are grateful to Chris Humeniuk and the staff at TPC Toronto for their commitment to hosting our prestigious National Men’s Open Championship.”

Tickets for the 2025 RBC Canadian Open are available here. Children aged 12-and-under get free admission with a ticketed adult.

Two-night concert series featuring all-Canadian headliners part of week-long festival atmosphere at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley

JJ Wilde and Ruby Waters join performance line-up
for two-night concert series

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Toronto, ON – Golf Canada and SiriusXM Canada are pleased to announce that Billy Talent and Sam Roberts Band will headline the SiriusXM Concert Series at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

JUNO Award winning Canadian band, Billy Talent will be the headliner on Friday, June 6 followed by fellow JUNO Award winner, Sam Roberts Band on Saturday, June 7 as part of Canada’s Men’s National Open Championship. In addition, JJ Wilde will be opening night one and Ruby Waters will perform on night two of the concert series.

Hosted by SiriusXM Canada in partnership with Live Nation Canada and Golf Canada on location at the RBC Canadian Open, the two-night onsite concert series will continue to shine a spotlight on Canadian talent and artists.

“We’re proud to champion Canadian artists and to deepen connections between fans and the music, sports, and entertainment that define our culture,” said Rob Keen, SVP, Sales & Marketing, SiriusXM Canada. “These are core to who we are and what we do every day. Our continued partnership with Golf Canada gives us a uniquely Canadian opportunity to bring two national passions—music and sports—together in a way that truly resonates. The SiriusXM Concert Series is a great way to celebrate homegrown talent and create unforgettable moments both on and off the course.”

Billy Talent has been entertaining fans worldwide since forming in Mississauga, Ont. in 1993. The band has produced six studio albums and has won seven JUNO Awards along with earning 22 nominations. Billy Talent was among the top awarded artists in the history of the Much Music Video Awards (MMVA) with 10 awards. Billy Talent’s first two studio albums, Billy Talent and Billy Talent II both reached quadruple platinum certification from Music Canada, while Billy Talent III earned triple platinum certification.

“RBC Canadian Open is a world class event. As a couple of us are huge golf fans and golfers, we’re stoked to be able to perform at this year’s event which is bound to be a good one!” said Billy Talent frontman, Benjamin Kowalewicz.

Sam Roberts Band originally began in 2002 in Montreal, Que. and has performed across North America, Europe, Australia and Japan and at a number of festivals. In 2003, Sam Roberts released his first full-length album, We Were Born in a Flame, it went on to be certified Double-Platinum and won JUNO Awards for Album of the Year, Rock Album of the Year and Artist of the Year. Additional albums won JUNO Awards for Rock Album of the Year, including Chemical City (Platinum-certified) and Love at the end of the World (Gold-certified). The band has since release five additional studio albums, for eight in total with many singles toping the Canadian rock charts.

“The band and I are really looking forward to a great Saturday night and rocking out with music and golf fans alike,” said Sam Roberts.

JJ Wilde from Kitchener, Ont. won the Rock Album of the Year at the 2021 JUNO Awards, becoming the first female artist to win the award since Alanis Morissette in 1996. Wilde has released two studio albums, Ruthless (2020) and Vices (2024) along with three EP’s, Wilde Eyes, Steady Hands (2019), Wilde (2021) and Best of Me (Pt.1) in 2024.

Ruby Waters, a native of Shelburne, Ont, is a powerful artistic force set on a path that is wholly her own creation. Ruby’s music is an extension of her truest self—good times, good friends, and honest storytelling. As an independent artist, Ruby has amassed over 50 million streams, with her singles and two EPs, Almost Naked (2019) and If It Comes Down To It (2020), as well as a JUNO Award nomination for Alternative Artist of the Year in 2022 and 2024. Touring is where Ruby thrives, having previously sold-out headline shows across the US, Canada, Europe and the UK. Looking ahead to 2025, Ruby Waters is captivating fans with her full-length debut, What’s The Point, summer festival appearances, and headline tours, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

Along with the SiriusXM Concert Series and world class golf, fans will enjoy a week-long festival atmosphere at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. Highlighted by the iconic “Rink Hole,” fans can belt out their best rendition of “O’Canada” while watching the world’s best players up close. As well as enjoying premium food and beverage options and patio experiences in The Fare Way featuring The Keg.

“We are excited to announce an award winning all-Canadian line-up for the 2025 RBC Canadian Open,” said Ryan Paul, RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director. “Live music is a staple of the RBC Canadian Open and fans will have the opportunity to enjoy a day of world class professional golf followed by incredible live performances from Billy Talent, Sam Roberts Band, JJ Wilde and Ruby Waters at TPC Toronto this year.”

Tickets for Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 include full day access to the tournament and the SiriusXM Concert Series. The concert grounds will be located on the southwest side near the Heathlands course clubhouse at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. To purchase tickets to the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, please visit RBCCanadianOpen.com/tickets/.

Oakville, ON – Golf Canada and Turkish Airlines are proud to announce a multi-year partnership, naming Turkish Airlines the Official Commercial Airline Partner of the RBC Canadian Open.

The 114^th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship will take place June 4-8, 2025, for the first time ever at TPC Toronto (North Course) at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont.

As the Official Commercial Airline, Turkish Airlines will elevate the fan experience with the debut of the Turkish Airlines Lounge — a premium onsite viewing space that blends elevated comfort with authentic Türkiye hospitality and cuisine. The airline will also engage fans through a national contest offering the chance to travel to Istanbul and experience world-class golf in Türkiye.

This partnership underscores Turkish Airlines’ commitment to bringing people together through sport, and reflects its broader investment in the global golf community. In May 2025, the airline will relaunch the Turkish Airlines Open on the DP World Tour — returning to the Race to Dubai after a six-year hiatus. Turkish Airlines also operates the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort in Antalya, Türkiye, the world’s largest amateur golf tournament, hosted across 117 destinations in 73 countries.

Through this collaboration with Golf Canada, Turkish Airlines aims to connect with Canada’s passionate and growing golf community, nearly six million active participants, including 360,000 Golf Canada members who posted close to 11 million scores in 2024.

“We are happy to partner with Golf Canada and the RBC Canadian Open as part of our ongoing commitment to building meaningful connections through sport,” said Ahmet Olmustur, Turkish Airlines Chief Commercial Officer. “Golf holds a special place in our global engagement strategy, and we’re excited to deliver a world-class experience to Canadian fans that reflects the warmth of Turkish hospitality.”

“Welcoming Turkish Airlines as a proud partner of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship reflects Golf Canada’s vision of aligning with world-class brands committed to growing the game of golf and supporting the sport’s long-term growth through multi-year collaborations,” said Golf Canada Chief Commercial Officer Mark Palmer.  

2025 NextGen Championship season kicks off at Ledgeview Golf Club

156 of Canada’s top junior golfers to compete over 54 holes in Abbottsford with exemptions into the Canadian Junior Boys and Girls Championships on the line

Golf Canada’s 2025 championship season kicks off on Friday, May 2, at Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, B.C. with the NextGen Pacific Championship.

The 54-hole stroke play competition gets underway with a practice round on Thursday, May 1, and championship rounds beginning on Friday, May 2. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 50 Junior Boys and top 20 Junior Girls, including ties, for the final round which wraps up on Sunday, May 4.

The starting field will feature 156 male and female competitors – 114 Junior Boys and 42 Junior Girls – vying for a spot into their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer. Among those competing in Abbotsford include, Team Canada NextGen members, Austin Krahn of Christina Lake, B.C. and Charlie Gillespie of Calgary, Alta. Last season, Gillespie won the 2024 NextGen Western Championship and finished as runner-up at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

The top eight players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, August 12-15, at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, N.B. The top eight players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, August 13-16, at Sainte-Marie Club de golf in Sainte-Marie, Que.

The Ledgeview Golf Club was established in 1962 and operates as a not-for-profit society. Leasing the land and buildings from the City of Abbotsford, Ledgeview serves both members and guests. The undulating fairways, small and tricky greens, and narrow holes provide an enjoyable experience but also a good test of golf. With a unique and proud history of producing some of Canadas top golfing talents in Ray Stewart, James Lepp, Adam Hadwin, and 2023 RBC Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor. Ledgeview continues to be an industry leader in junior golf development and growth. Service, Stewardship, Attention to detail, and Member Experience continue to be the pillars of Ledgeview.

“Ledgeview is proud to be hosting the NextGen Pacific Championship as we continue to support junior golf at all levels and showcase to competitors what makes Ledgeview unique and proud to be ‘Where Legends are Born’. Hosting some of the top junior golfers is exciting for all involved, staff, management, and members as we are proud of what we have to offer,” said Brad Clapp, General Manager, Ledgeview Golf Club. “Players should not underestimate Ledgeview at all when seeing the 6,200 total yardage. Precision tee shots, extremely strong short game, and patience will be needed for all three days in order to be successful. It is what helped develop players such as Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor and it is what will be needed by the eventual winners come Sunday.

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Pacific Championship, click here

About the NextGen Championships

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2025 national junior championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.

Professional women’s championship series provides enhanced national qualifying path into CPKC Women’s Open.

Participation festivals are set for Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto in 2025 with an additional participation festival in Atlantic Canada

Oakville, Ont. — Golf Canada is pleased to announce that She Plays Golf is returning for a third year and will see another expansion in 2025 with the addition of a fourth participation festival. Events will return to Calgary, Greater Vancouver and Greater Toronto this summer to align with the She Plays Golf Championship Series, with a fourth festival added for Atlantic Canada.

She Plays Golf is a citywide celebration of women’s golf anchored in three regions by a $60,000 CAD professional golf championship contested over 54-holes with a field of 60 professionals and elite amateurs. The She Plays Golf Championship Series will once again feature three enhanced championships that mark the continued support of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada.

The top finisher in each event from the She Plays Golf Championship Series will earn a direct exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, set for Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from August 20-24. Players will also compete for WAGR points if applicable.

The 2025 Championship Series will kick off with the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open at Nicklaus North Golf Course in Whistler, B.C. from June 5-7. The second stop will be the Peloton Glencoe Invitational in Calgary, Alta. at The Glencoe Golf and Country Club from June 12-14 and the final tournament will be the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada, taking place at Burlington Golf and Country Club in Burlington, Ont. from July 7-10.

Players will earn points for their finishes in the She Plays Golf Championship Series towards a series-long standings. The top finisher on the season-long point standings, who does not already have an exemption through winning a She Plays Golf Championship Series event, will also receive an exemption to the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open. Any Canadian professional who participates in the She Plays Golf Championship Series will be supported by Golf Canada’s Q school bursary program if they enter LPGA Q school in the fall and meet the established criteria.

Last season, six members of the Team Canada program earned direct exemptions in the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open through the She Plays Golf Championship Series. Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. and Anna Huang of Vancouver, B.C. finished as the top two respectively at the Peloton Glencoe Invitational. Ellie Vorster (then Szeryk) of London, Ont. and Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont. finished first and second at the Golf BC Group BC Women’s Open. The final two spots were secured by Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. and Katie Cranston of Oakville, Ont. through the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada. Xing was also the youngest champion in tournament history, at the age of 15.

Complementing the She Plays Golf Championships Series are concurrently held She Plays Golf Festivals, which feature inclusive programming for women and girls who are recreational golfers or exploring the sport for the first time. She Plays Golf Participation Festival events will take place at golf courses across the host city during the same week as She Plays Golf Championship Series tournaments. A new She Plays Golf Participation Festival will take place in Atlantic Canada in the fall of 2025.

“We are very proud to announce the second year of the She Plays Golf Championship Series following a successful first season. The series provided opportunities for accomplished amateur and professional women’s golfers from across the country and internationally to compete and try to earn exemptions into the CPKC Women’s Open,” said Emily Phoenix, Director of High Performance, Golf Canada. “Laying the groundwork to support elite amateurs and developing professionals in Canada is critical to ensure we help create more future LPGA tour prospects. We would like to especially thank our tournament delivery partners at the PGA of Canada, the Vancouver Golf Tour and The Glencoe Golf & Country Club for working with us to support developing this professional women’s golf tour in Canada.”

She Plays Golf was originally successfully piloted across Calgary as part of the Glencoe Invitational in 2023. Additional information about the 2025 festival schedule for each She Plays Golf event will be made available in the coming weeks.

For more information on the She Plays Golf Championship Series or to register for the tournaments, please click here.

Sacramento, Calif. – Leah John secured her spot in the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open after finishing in a tie for first in open qualifying at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento, Calif. on Monday.

The Team Canada member from Vancouver, B.C. fired rounds of 65-70 (135) to finish at 7-under for 36 holes and earn one of three spots available along with her former University of Nevada teammate Gabby Kano. John became overwhelmed with emotion once she finished her second round, knowing she secured her spot.

“It was a really long day and hard to hold the lead for 36 holes and I honestly just sort of broke down a bit, so happy to have done it and I am beyond beyond beyond excited.

“It probably felt like one of the best days of my life, I was over excited and proud and also super excited to see my teammate Gabby also qualified as well. I had some former teammates there, my caddy this year is really wonderful, so to share that with them and reassuring that I trust my process, trust who I am and the things that I am working towards,” said John.

John couldn’t have asked for a better start as she opened the day with a hole out for eagle from 97 yards out. She went on to add five birdies to finish with an opening round of 6-under 65. She was happy that there wasn’t a long break in between rounds.

“I didn’t want time to think, I just wanted to get back to doing and the mindset was to just be joyful. That was my goal, my focus for the entire round, the whole day, I just wanted to enjoy my time on the golf course with my caddy and that was it, so really just joy and embracing the moments, the pressure, the nerves knowing that’s exactly where I want to be,” she said.

John describes herself as a conservatively aggressive player who likes to play bold. “I tend to stick to what my gut tells me to do and if we do need to change things we talk about it, but for the most part I keep my foot on the gas and just go. I’m just playing for me and whatever happens happens.”

That mindset certainly helped, as she opened her second round with an eagle on the par five first hole. She went on to complete her second round bogey-birdie-bogey to record a 1-under 70 and secure her spot into the U.S. Women’s Open.

“On the 18th hole I was in the rough, I knew where I was in the rankings, and on this particular hole you cannot miss short, missing long isn’t amazing but you absolutely cannot miss short so I ended up bogeying my last hole and I just had to be ok accepting that even a bogey can be good enough.”

Good enough indeed as John will be making her U.S. Women’s Open debut and playing in her second career LPGA Tour event, having played in the CPKC Women’s Open last summer in Calgary.

“I am over the moon and so excited, I have not been able to sleep, it’s been tough to focus, I am just so excited and really excited to share it with people.”

There is no time to rest as John is back in action this week on the Epson Tour at the IOA Championship in Beaumont, Calif. John has made three starts this season, her second season on Epson. She will play a practice round on Wednesday, followed by the pro-am on Thursday before tournament play begins on Friday.

Even after a hectic travel day from Sacramento to Beaumont, John is still riding high.

“Feeling pretty pumped, it’s so nice to be with some awesome friends over here celebrating, so looking forward to bringing that momentum with me and just keep working on the simple things of how I want to be and my values and enjoying the game. I really think things are more meaningful when you can share it with those who care about you so just happy to be doing all this.”

The 2025 U.S. Women’s Open is taking place May 28 – June 1 at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis.

On March 6, during Golf Canada’s 2025 Annual General Meeting, Adam Daifallah of Westmount, Que. was elected as the organization’s 118th President. He most recently served as vice president for consecutive terms and has been a board member since 2018.

Golf Canada sat down with Daifallah to talk about a range of topics, from his early days as a competitive golfer, where he became a provincial champion, his wide-ranging career path, what led him to join Golf Canada and eventually becoming the youngest president in the organization’s history. We also discuss his thoughts on the strength of Canadian golf and much more.

You grew up in Peterborough, Ontario…what sports or activities were you drawn towards as a child? Was golf always high on your list?

I wasn’t interested in any sports until I found golf at age 10. My parents didn’t play but my grandfather did, though wasn’t playing anymore. I sort of caught the “golf bug” channel flipping the TV one day. The Skins Game was on, and I saw Lee Trevino make a hole-in-one, then proceed to jump up and down and hug his caddie, Herman. I said to my parents that I really want to try that game! I asked them to go to the bookstore and I picked up an instructional book. It was called The Golfer’s Bible. I spent that winter in the basement copying the swing movements in the book’s photos, so that in the spring, I would be ready to play for the first time. I started that year and totally loved it.  

That is a perfect segway into my next question, you were a competitive junior golfer and won the Ontario Bantam Boys’ Championship in 1992. What are your memories from that win? Do you still have the trophy or medal?

(Laughing) Yes, I still have the trophy. I also still have the prize that the OGA (now Golf Ontario) used to give for provincial winners, which was a Tudor watch. My main memory of it was playing with [eventual PGA tour member] David Hearn and defeating him by eight shots. That was the first and last time I ever beat David! We became good friends.

Shifting gears if I may to your studies. You hold a BA with honours in history and political studies from Queen’s University, and began working as a Washington correspondent at the New York Sun. From there you joined the editorial board of the National Post and wrote two books on Canadian politics. You’ve also contributed pieces for SCOREGolf. What about the journalism world interested you to pursue that early on in your career?

I have always loved writing. I was always interested in public policy and public debate, and I saw journalism as a way to advance the ideas and the causes I believed in. I liked the idea of getting those ideas out to a wider audience.

You were a Sauvé Scholar at McGill University and enrolled into law school at Université Laval. You later became a member of the Quebec Bar and practiced law at Norton Rose Fulbright (then Ogilvy Renault) in Montréal. What was the draw for you to transition from the journalism world into practicing law?

I was interested in politics from a young age and someone I idolized was Brian Mulroney. I always wanted to be near him, and he was a lawyer at Ogilvy Renault in Montréal. He was the primary reason that drove me to do that.

You later co-founded HATLEY Strategy Advisors, which was then acquired by Teneo in 2020, where you currently work as a senior managing director. Teneo offers corporate consulting, strategy and advising. On paper, those are three different paths in your career from journalism to law to consulting, but I have to feel there would be many similarities in each profession?

Absolutely. The corporate consulting work I did at HATLEY and now at Teneo allows me to draw on the skills developed from past experiences in politics, journalism and law. I use them daily in my work.

In addition to your role with Teneo and serving as president of Golf Canada you’ve also given your time as a volunteer to Dunham House in Dunham, Que. a residential treatment centre specializing in mental health and addiction recovery. What drives your passion to give back to your community?

It really boils down to wanting to get directly involved in causes you believe in. When you have a personal interest, and you’re invested in it on an emotional level, you do more. In the case of Dunham House, it’s an institution that founded by a very good friend who was touched by the issues of addiction and mental health. So, I am happy to contribute and support that cause.

Let’s talk about how you joined Golf Canada. Your journey originally began in 2013 as a volunteer. Was there something or someone that drew you or spoke to you about joining?

I had always wanted to get involved and I was fortunate to have a friend, Norman John Hébert, whose mother, Diane Dunlop Hébert, was then president of Golf Canada. She is the one who opened the door to help me get involved as a volunteer.

In your time with Golf Canada, you have sat on the committees across a number of areas including Compensation, Investment, Governors Council, People and Culture, Heritage Services and Volunteer Services Working Group, and volunteered on duty rosters, including as a starter at the RBC Canadian Open. You were then elected to the Board of Directors in 2018, became vice president for consecutive terms in 2023 and 2024, and are now the 118th president. I would have to think, that amount of experience across a number of committees has helped you ahead of joining the board and eventually becoming VP and now president?

Without a doubt. I think it’s important to know the organization well if you’re going to lead the board. I’ve benefited from being involved in a lot of areas of the organization which has allowed me to not only understand how it works operationally but also get to know a lot of the key staff, which is nice.

There has been a shift in governance at Golf Canada in compliance with Sport Canada best practices, recently the addition of an athlete category on the board and many working professionals have taken positions. In your opinion, what makes for an effective board for a national sports federation.

I think there are two things. One is people who bring a passion to the cause and a deep affection for the sport in question. And two, a diversity in range and skill sets so that everything required to govern effectively — things like legal background, accounting, human resources, etc…is covered. You need people who represent all the different skill sets and backgrounds needed.

You were on the board when the current strategic plan launched. What are your thoughts on the operational and commercial success of the organization coming out of the pandemic and the strength of the organization’s financial performance in recent years?

We’re so fortunate to be in such a strong position. We’ve been the beneficiaries of strong leadership by our CEO, Laurence Applebaum, combined with good fortune. A lot of new people have picked up the game due to the pandemic, and many who had quit have come back. The numbers keep on increasing even though we’re a few years out of the pandemic. So I think it’s a combination of good leadership and the positive impacts of external factors. There’s that saying that “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

People across Canada are engaged in golf. Record numbers of participation, 11 million scores posted on the Golf Canada App. There is great strength in Canadian golf and programming from First Tee – Canada, She Plays Golf, the Team Canada High Performance program and those competing professionally on the world stage. It’s all been a point of pride for Golf Canada, what are your thoughts on the state of Canadian golf today?

I would say we’re in an enviable position. I’m not sure that anyone could have predicted where we would be right now, both in terms of the amateur game and the pro game, a few years ago. Tee sheets are jam packed at public courses. Private clubs have waiting lists. We had four Canadians participate in The Masters.

If you could pick one event or moment during your time with Golf Canada thus far that would be your fondest, what would it be?

That’s a tough one. Probably being a first tee starter at the RBC Canadian Open. Meeting the players, introducing the players –especially the Canadians and the ones you’re personally a fan of –that’s a really neat experience. Another that comes to mind is meeting Lee Trevino, who originally sparked my golf interest. He came to the RBC Canadian Open a few years ago and we spoke for about two hours!

In your first year as president of Golf Canada. Are there any particular goals you hope to achieve or see continue this year?

Capitalizing on the growth of the game and the gains of recent years is top of mind. We need to keep the momentum going. Also, good governance and modernization of our volunteer infrastructure. Over the years, people have asked whether I have enough time to volunteer for Golf Canada because I worked full time. We must continue to make our organization friendly to those who work and who have other commitments, like young families.  

During your time as president, Golf Canada will transition its national headquarters to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, home of the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, how exciting is that and another new chapter for Golf Canada?

Tremendously exciting. It’s a project that I’ve seen go from a mere concept to now almost being a reality. There’s been a lot of work and commitment from staff to make this happen and I think everyone is just excited now to see it come to fruition and to be ready. It will be a new era for Golf Canada.

You have been a generous donor to the fundraising activities of the Golf Canada Foundation – how impactful have the efforts of the foundation and its network of donors been to the advancement of Canadian golf?

It really makes a difference. The Golf Canada Foundation under the leadership of Martin Barnard must be lauded for the growth we’ve seen in fundraising in the last number of years – particularly when it comes to the First Tee – Canada program, lining up a lot of major gifts across the country to fund provincial First Tee chapters. It’s going to take a while for us to see the fruits of that because it’s a fairly new program, but I am confident it’s going to pay huge dividends down the road.

I’d like to ask a couple personal questions. How do you maintain relationships? I am sure there are many areas, places and people you’d like to connect with, or re-connect with. How do you achieve that? How do you maintain relationships?

At a basic level it’s about reaching out and keeping frequent contact. Emails, calls, text messages, playing golf together, you have to keep the effort going through touchpoints to keep relationships alive. It does take effort, and it has to be a mutual effort.

You live in Westmount, Quebec with your wife and two young sons. Are they golf enthusiasts?

Everyone plays, including my wife. We have a family membership at Knowlton Golf Club and the boys and I play nine holes almost every weekend there in the summer. They’re showing a keen interest, which is exciting.

I am sure that your responsibilities as a father and husband take you in many different directions. On-top of that you work full-time and volunteer your time extensively. With that, how important is it to maintain a good work-life balance?

It’s very challenging, but it’s essential. There’s always a tension between the two and you just have to do the best that you can. It’s a juggling act. It helps if you have a supportive spouse or partner, and I am lucky to have that.

How would you describe your golf game today?

(Laughs) I’d say that I am pleased with it, considering my age and how often I play. I am very happy to break 80 on any given day.

Finally, what is something that we should know about you, beyond reading your bio?

I am a very communicative and open person. I am an open book. I want to be accessible so if anybody ever wants to reach me, please do not be shy. Pick up the phone or send the email if I can help with anything.

Oakville, ON – Golf Canada and Stalk&Barrel Whisky are proud to announce a multi-year partnership extension that will see Stalk&Barrel remain the official Canadian Whisky partner of Golf Canada and both the RBC Canadian Open and the CPKC Women’s Open.

The new agreement will run through 2027 and will see Stalk&Barrel Handcrafted Canadian Whisky poured exclusively at the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open in hospitality and concession locations at both championships.

“We are excited to extend our partnership with Stalk&Barrel, a premium Canadian whisky as we collectively continue to deliver exceptional experiences for fans at both of our National Open Championships,” said Mark Palmer, Chief Commercial Officer, Golf Canada.

Stalk&Barrel is a handcrafted Canadian whisky, produced locally at a craft distillery in Ontario. Stalk&Barrel’s commitment to a ‘grain to glass’ process offers a small-batch, single malt that is 100% Canadian owned and operated.

“We’re incredibly proud to continue our partnership with Golf Canada as the Official Canadian Whisky. Over the past few years, this collaboration has grown into something truly special – built on shared values of excellence, integrity, and a deep appreciation for the Canadian spirit. Like a great round of golf, Stalk&Barrel Whisky is all about patience, precision, and celebrating the moment. We couldn’t ask for a better partner to help us toast the best of Canadian sport and culture,” said Karen Lai Drake, Senior Brand Manager, Stalk&Barrel Whisky.

The 2025 RBC Canadian Open takes place June 4-8 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. The 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will be contested, August 20-24 at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.