Stasiuk and Emma Bittorf co-lead the Women’s Net Stableford Championship and Ian St John leads the
Men’s Net Stableford Championship

Brighton, Ont. – There are familiar names atop the leaderboard following the opening round at the 2024 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO.

Natasha Stasiuk leads the Women’s Gross Stroke play division and co-leads the Net Stableford division. While in the Men’s Gross Stroke play division, there is a three-way tie with Josh Hunke, Reggie Millage and defending champion Chris Willis tied for the lead. Ian St John leads the Men’s Net Stableford division following play on Tuesday at Timber Ridge Golf Course in Brighton, Ont.

A field of 57 players, regardless of disability classification, are competing over 54-holes in four different divisions in the national championship: Women’s Gross Stroke Play; Women’s Net Stableford; Men’s Gross Stroke Play; and Men’s Net Stableford.

In the Women’s Gross Stroke Play Championship, Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. is in search of her fourth straight national championship after shooting a 10-over 81, to take a 12-shot lead into Wednesday’s second round.

Stasiuk is happy to be in Brighton and defending her title this week, “the golf course is very challenging with tough pins. Things were going very well until the 16th hole, but I still managed to shoot an 81. My goal will be to shoot under 80 and I hope to achieve that the next two rounds. Sleep and healthy foods will be the key to keep things going positively.”

Emma Bittorf of Strathmore, Alta. sits second at 22-over (93) and Tess Trojan of St. Catharines, Ont. is third in the Women’s Stroke Play division following a 28-over 99 on Wednesday.

Bittorf and Stasiuk are currently tied for the lead in the Women’s Net Stableford competition after earning a total of 31 stableford points in the opening round. Trojan, the three-time Women’s Stableford defending champion is third with 27 points.

In the Men’s Gross Stroke Play Championship, defending champion Chris Willis of Aurora, Ont., Reggie Millage of Milton, Ont. and Josh Hunke of New Hamburg, Ont. are all tied at 3-over following rounds of 74. They collectively own a three-shot lead over two others tied for fourth at 6-over.

Willis, who is playing in his third Canadian All Abilities Championship is coming off two top 10 finishes in Major Championships, the G4D British Open and the U.S. Adaptive Open says he has high hopes to have a strong tournament this week.

“The course is fun. The greens are huge with lots of tiers, so approach shots will be tricky. While the course has started soft a couple of days with warm weather and this course will firm up and play even tougher.”

Willis added, “the adaptive golf community is growing quickly in Canada, events like this showcase people with disabilities and how they can achieve, perform, and compete at a high-level. I’m very happy to be a part of this rapidly growing community.”

Hunke, opened and closed his round with birdies on Tuesday and reflected on a great day with amazing playing partners on a tricky course, “Timber Ridge is in good shape and the greens are tricky to figure out. I hit it well but just could not find the bottom of the cup. With a couple more rounds and the help of my caddie Bob, we should be able to dial that in. Looking forward to the next two days of competition golf.”

Co-leader Millage also found the approach shots and greens difficult, “today was a battle. I was a little uncomfortable on some tee shots and Timber Ridge gives us all we can handle around the greens. I made a lot of pars today and some from some tricky places so that allowed me to get away with a decent score.”

In the Men’s Net Stableford competition Ian St John of Ireland leads after earning 39 stableford points on Tuesday to hold a three-point lead over Hunke (36 points). Kevin Delaney of Windsor, Ont. (35 points) sits in third, while Vic McClelland of High River, Alta. (34 points) is fourth. There is a tie for fifth with Geoff Beecroft of Newcastle, Ont. and Dave Marchand of Camrose, Ont. at 33 points.

The stableford scoring format of the Canadian All Abilities Championship awards set points based off a golfer’s net score for the hole. The points are awarded as follows: Albatross (5 points), Eagle (4 points), Birdie (3 points), Par (2 points), Bogey (1 point), Double Bogey or higher (0 points). The golfers with the highest total of accumulated points over 54-holes will win their respective divisions.

The fourth playing of the national championship features competitors from Canada, the United States, Australia, Ireland and Sweden with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments and the largest field in tournament history. First conducted in 2021 at Humber Valley Golf Course in Toronto, Ont., the competition supports Golf Canada’s commitment to create a more inclusive and respectful sport environment across the Canadian golf community.

For the full leaderboard following the opening round of the 2024 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Final national championship of the season features a field of 156 golfers competing for the senior title along with a super senior division and an
inter-provincial team competition

Saugeen Shores, Ont. – The 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO is set for September 12-15 with a field of 156 amateur golfers competing over four rounds at Saugeen Golf Club in Saugeen Shores, Ont.

The field competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy features five past winners including defending champion Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga., Darren Ritchie of St. John, N.B. (2021), Brady Exber of Las Vegas, Nev. (2018), Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga. (2015) and David Schultz of Calgary, Alta. (2013).

Along with the past champions, among those in the field are Dave Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. who won the 2024 Ontario Senior Men’s Championship in July. Miles McConnell, a Canadian who now resides in Tampa, Fla. who has enjoyed a successful season having won the 2024 Gate Senior Invitational back in January and followed it up with three runner-up finishes and a third-place finish in tournaments throughout the season. Accomplished Australian golfer, Ken Brewer of Newcastle, Australia will also be heading to Saugeen Shores.

“We are very excited to welcome an incredible and talented field of golfers set to compete for our Canadian Men’s Senior Championship this week at Saugeen Golf Club,” said Daniel Suppa, Tournament Director, Golf Canada. “The staff, volunteers, host committee along with the entire community have really gone to great lengths to ensure that those competing for our national championship are given an experience they won’t soon forget at Saugeen.”

Founded in 1925 by a group of local visionaries, Saugeen Golf Club stands as a testament to their vision and community spirit. Recognizing the growing popularity of golf, they established a premier golfing destination in Port Elgin and Southampton. Hiring renowned golf architect Stanley Thompson, they crafted the initial nine holes now known as Legacy with meticulous attention to detail, setting the stage for a Legacy of excellence.

Expanding their vision over the decades, first with the addition of the Sunset nine in 1956 and the Sunrise nine in 1996 solidified their reputation for exceptional golf and camaraderie for players of all levels. Next year, Saugeen Golf Club will celebrate its centennial anniversary as it celebrates the enduring legacy of their founders and guide their team into the next century with pride and a reverence for the past.

“Saugeen Golf Club is extremely proud to be hosting this prestigious national championship. The process began four long years ago, and we cannot be more exhilarated to display what our golf club and community has to offer,” said Brad Young, General Manager and COO, Saugeen Golf Club. “With playing conditions that rival any in our country, to the 200 plus volunteers that are donating their time, we’re confident that this weeklong event will set the precedence of national championships for years to come”

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship was established in 1962 for golfers aged 55-and-over and includes a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over that was introduced in 1995. The national championship consists of 72 holes of stroke-play with a cut after 36 holes. The Super Senior Championship is contested concurrently over the four rounds of the championship. In addition, the Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship was added in 1977 and runs concurrently through the first 36 holes of the tournament.

A trio of Canadian Golf Hall of Famers lead the way having won the most Canadian Men’s Senior Championships in tournament history including, Bob Wylie of Calgary, Alta. with seven (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995). Nick Weslock of Oakville, Ont. with six (1973, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983) and Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que. with four (2001, 2002, 2008 and 2009).

Prior to the start of the national championship, there will be a one-day qualifier on Tuesday, September 10 at Saugeen Golf Club where a field of 56 golfers will be playing for six spots in the tournament. Practice rounds are scheduled for Wednesday, September 11, and the tournament gets underway on Thursday, September 12.

The champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Biltmore Forest Country Club in Asheville, N.C.

For the full player field competing in the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Fourth playing of the national championship will see largest field in tournament history, headlined by three-time women’s champion,
Natasha Stasiuk, men’s defending champion Chris Willis and
three-time women’s stableford champion Tess Trojan

Brighton, Ont. – The 2024 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO is set for September 10-12 with a field of 60 amateur golfers competing at Timber Ridge Golf Course in Brighton, Ont.

The fourth playing of the national championship will see an additional tournament round added, increasing to a 54-hole competition, featuring players with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments.

There are four different divisions in the Canadian All Abilities Championship that players will compete in, regardless of disability classification: Women’s Gross Stroke Play; Women’s Net Stableford; Men’s Gross Stroke Play and Men’s Net Stableford.

The field of competitors includes three-time Women’s Gross Stroke Play defending champion Natasha Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont., who is currently the no. 1 ranked female golfer with an intellectual disability on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) and three-time Women’s Net Stableford winner, Tess Trojan of St. Catharines, Ont.

Stasiuk has enjoyed a successful season thus far, she finished third overall and first in her sports class at the USDGA Championship at the PGA Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla in April. She followed that up by finished first in the intellectual disability category and eighth overall at the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kan. in July. Stasiuk also placed fourth with two-time Canadian All Abilities men’s champion, Kurtis Barkley at the G4D Tour Nations Cup at Betfred British Masters at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England last month. In addition to three straight national championships, Stasiuk has also won the Ontario Adaptive Championship four times and won the bronze medal at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany.

On the men’s side, defending champion, Chris Willis of Aurora, Ont. currently ranked no. 14 on the WR4GD, 2022 Men’s Net Stableford winner Kevin Delaney of Windsor, Ont. Russell Aide of Stirling, Ont. currently ranked no. 61 on the WR4GD will be competing at Timber Ridge.

Earlier this season, Willis finished third at the G4D Open at the Duchess Course at Woburn in Milton Keynes, England. Along with winning the national championship last year, Willis also won the 2023 Ontario Adaptive Championship.

In January, Stasiuk, Willis and Aide were among 12-golfers that were invited to Quinta do Lago, Portugal for the first Player Development Camp created by the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA), which was supported by the European Tour Group.

“We are very proud and excited to host the largest field in tournament history for the fourth playing of the Canadian All Abilities Championship,” said Golf Canada Tournament Director Sam Meek. “This year also sees our national championship expand to a 54-hole competition and is a signature event on the Golf Canada tournament schedule. We are proud to feature both a gross stroke play championship and a net stableford championship which provides equitability for the field competing in this national championship and demonstrates our continued commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are looking forward to a great week at Timber Ridge Golf Course and thank the staff for their efforts in making this championship a memorable one.”

Designed by Stephen Ward and opened for play in 2001, Timber Ridge offers a unique challenge to all levels of players. With wildly undulating greens and rolling fairways, the layout at Timber Ridge offers a variety of links and parkland style holes, offering two distinct styles that somehow flow together perfectly. Located in Brighton, about an hour east of the GTA, Timber Ridge offers an escape from the confines of the city to a calm, quiet country setting.

“It is an honour to have the opportunity to host an event like the Canadian All Abilities Championship and play even a small role in growing the game of golf,” said Nolan Walsh, Head Golf Professional, Timber Ridge Golf Course. “We are excited to welcome the participants to the property and hope that Timber Ridge offers the perfect setting for such an exciting national championship.”

First conducted in 2021 at Humber Valley Golf Course in Toronto, Ont., the competition supports Golf Canada’s commitment to create a more inclusive and respectful sport environment across the Canadian golf community.

The stableford scoring format of the Canadian All Abilities Championship awards set points based off a golfer’s net score for the hole. The points will be awarded as follows: Albatross (5 points), Eagle (4 points), Birdie (3 points), Par (2 points), Bogey (1 point), Double Bogey or higher (0 points). The golfers with the highest total of accumulated points over 54-holes will win their respective divisions.

Practice rounds are scheduled for Monday, September 9, and the tournament gets underway on Tuesday, September 10.

Golf Canada is grateful for the financial support of the Government of Ontario for the All Abilities Championship from the Ontario Sport Hosting Program.

“Our government is proud to support the 2024 Canadian All Abilities Championships through the Ontario Sport Hosting Program,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “This event offers amateur golfers with a disability an opportunity to showcase their skills in competition with their peers from across the country. I applaud Golf Canada for their unwavering commitment to accessibility and inclusion and wish all players the best of luck for a successful tournament.”

For the full player field competing in the Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Largest field in tournament history will feature
23 countries and 72 competitors

Mississauga, Ont. – With less than a month to go until the start of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, the field of participating countries is now set. The ninth playing of the world championship will feature a record, 23 counties and 72 players competing at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from September 30 – October 5.

In total, 24 teams will battle for the team championship while also competing for individual honours, with the individual champion earning an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open being held at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., August 18-24, 2025.

Team Canada 1 will be defending the championship after a thrilling final round in 2023 which saw them push ahead of the Republic of Korea to win the title for the first time in tournament history. Canada will be represented with two teams again this year and rosters for both teams will be announced at a later date.

Joining Canada are past champions, Italy (2018), Republic of Korea (2015, 2019), Spain (2017, 2022) and the United States (2014). In the eight-year history of the tournament, aside from the host nation, six other countries have participated in every tournament including: Denmark, England, Italy, Mexico, Spain and Sweden.

The Republic of Korea are the most successful team in tournament history. In addition to two championships, the team has also finished in second on three occasions (2016, 2017, 2023).

Sweden have finished on the podium on four occasions including two runner-up finishes (2014, 2022) and two third place finishes (2015, 2017). The United States have also earned a second-place finish (2018) and third place finish (2016) along with being the inaugural champions. In addition to tournament wins, Team Canada 1 and Italy have also earned a third-place finish in 2014 and 2019 respectively.

This year’s tournament will mark the debut of Hong Kong, China and Morocco who will both be competing for the first time. Last year’s tournament saw the first appearances from Iceland, Peru and Poland. All three countries are returning this year.

This year’s field for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is highlighted by Soomin Oh from the Republic of Korea (Korea). Oh, was part of Korea’s runner-up finish last year in Brampton, Ont. and also finished in third in the individual competition. Oh, is currently ranked no. 14 on the World Amateur Rankings (WAGR). Teammate Seojin Park also returns this year and is currently ranked no. 68 on WAGR. The United States are represented by Gianna Clemente (no. 23), Nikki Oh (no. 128) and Scarlett Schremmer (no. 211). Alice Kong of France will also be competing in Mississauga and currently is ranked no. 150.

Team Canada will be represented by Shauna Liu, Aphrodite Deng, Clairey Lin, Lindsay McGrath, Nobelle Park and Eileen Park. Lin of Langley, B.C., McGrath of Oakville, Ont., Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont. and Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. all earned their places through a qualifying tournament last month. Liu of Maple, Ont. and Deng of Calgary, Alta. secured their exemptions to Team Canada prior to the qualifying tournament. Liu earned her exemption following her win at the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship while Deng earned her exemption as being the low eligible Canadian on the WAGR as of August 7. Deng was no. 175, she has since improved to no. 171 and is Canada’s lowest ranked player. The rosters for Team Canada will be announced at a later date.

A number of players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Championship have gone on great success on the LPGA Tour, led by Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 13-time LPGA winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, who finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship hosted in 2014.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned a number of runner-up finishes on the LPGA Tour including the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open.

Credit Valley Golf and Country Club will play host for the world championship and boasts a challenging 18-hole Robbie Robinson designed parkland course. Nestled alongside the winding Credit River and the natural setting of the valley, it offers members a hidden golf and country club oasis within the bustling cityscape of Mississauga.

The following is a list of competing countries in the ninth annual World Junior Girls Championship:

Belgium

Canada (Team Canada 1 and Team Canada 2)

Chinese Taipei

Colombia

Czechia

Denmark

England

Finland

France

Germany

Hong Kong, China

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Mexico

Morocco

Peru

Poland

Republic of Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United States of America

Practice rounds for the 72-hole competition will take place September 30 and October 1 with the first round of play set for Wednesday, October 2. The tournament’s closing ceremony will immediately follow the conclusion of play on Saturday, October 5.

Admission to 2024 World Junior Girls Championship is free for all spectators.

Samuel wins both the Senior and Super Senior titles; Team British Columbia won the Katherine Helleur Trophy as inter-provincial team champions
on Wednesday

Georgetown, Ont. – Terrill Samuel held off late charges from both Ellen Port and Shelly Stouffer to win the 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO on Thursday at The Club at North Halton in Georgetown, Ont.

Samuel, of Etobicoke, Ont. shot a final round 1-under 71 to finish at 2-under and beat Ellen Port by one. Samuel finished with rounds of 72-71-71-214 to win the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship for a third time. With her previous wins coming in 2012 and 2015.

“It’s pretty exciting actually, I’m surprised how emotional you get when the final putt goes in,” said Samuel after signing her scorecard on Thursday.

Samuel entered the day with a four-shot lead over first round leader Port, of Sunset Hills, Mo. Samuel dropped a shot on the second while Port birdied no. 2 to cut the lead to two shots. Port gave one back with a bogey on six, before closing the front nine with back-to-back birdies on eight and nine to sit one behind Samuel.

“She’s an awesome player, she was putting and hitting it really well and I was trying to hang in and I said I’m still in the lead, I remember Tiger (Woods) saying that and I said ok I’m still in the lead and she’s got to still come at me and I was able to make some putts on the back side,” said Samuel on her thoughts through nine holes.

Ahead of the final group, was two-time Canadian Women’s Senior champion, Shelly Stouffer of Nanoose Bay, B.C. who was making a run with six birdies on the front to also pull herself to within one of Samuel at the turn.

“You kind of need to know a little bit, but generally no, I’d rather just play my own game until the last hole,” Samuel said on whether or not she likes to know what’s happening around her.

When asked if she knew what was happening with Shelly on the front nine, “no, I had no idea, probably a good thing,” she said with a laugh.

All three women went on to record consecutive pars to begin their back nine from holes 10 through 13. It was on the 14th where Samuel would gain a stroke and go ahead of Port and Stouffer by two with a birdie.

“It was the first putt I made all day, so I was happy that finally one went in,” said Samuel. All three went on to par no. 15, Stouffer bogeyed no. 16 and closed with two pars to finish with a 4-under 68 and jump into third at 2-over.

On the 17th Port birdied and Samuel responded with one of her own to maintain a two-shot lead.

“I made a really good putt on 17 because she (Ellen) poured one in again and I was thinking she has to make two birdies on the last two holes to tie me and she did so thank goodness I made that birdie. Mine was pretty slippery coming down and she had an uphill putt, I was closer, but it was very treacherous, so I was glad it went in.”

On the 18th hole, both had birdie putts with Samuel leaving hers just short while Port drained her putt to finish with a 4-under 68 to get to 1-under for the tournament.

Samuel walked up to her short par putt, her neon yellow shirt piercing through the grey overcast skies as the crowd watch silently as her putt dropped to secure the national championship for a third time.

“It changed it, I don’t care, I missed a short putt this week and it wasn’t straight in, so it made it feel longer for sure,” said a relieved Samuel after tapping in on 18 for the win.

The win highlights a strong run for Samuel, having finished T19 and earning low amateur honours at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh, Pa. earlier this month.

“I’ve been playing well all season and even before that in Florida I played really well too. Usually, my swing can go off a little bit, but it hasn’t, I found something and it’s really working so I’m really happy. My ball striking is not an issue at all, the putting is, I didn’t putt well this week, but I hit the ball really well,” said a reflective Samuel.

In addition to the win, Samuel has earned an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Championship taking place September 21-26 at the Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle, Wash. Along with exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, 2025 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2025 U.S. Women’s Senior Open.

Samuel also won the Super Senior title, with Port finishing second and Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. finishing third.

On Wednesday, Team British Columbia battled to the final hole to claim the Inter-Provincial Team title for the second time in three years.

The team of Shelly Stouffer of Nanoose Bay, B.C., Jackie Little of Procter, B.C. and Sandra Turbide of Maple Ridge, B.C. won together in 2022 at Breezy Bend Country Club in Headingley, Man. and did it again this year at The Club at North Halton finishing with a combined score of 16-over to win the Katherine Helleur Trophy by two.

Team Ontario consisting of, Mary Ann Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont., Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. and Debbie Court of Huntsville, Ont. tied for second with Team Quebec at 18-over. Quebec was represented by, Suzanne Ricard of Montreal, Que., Marie-Thérèse Torti of Candiac, Que., and Helen Chartrand of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.

The Senior and Super Senior championship rounds were played concurrently over 54 holes. The cut line was set at 32-over with 72 players advancing to Thursday’s final round. Players over 50 were eligible to compete in the Senior championship and those 60 and over were eligible to compete for the Super Senior title.

For the final leaderboard from the 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Two-time champion Terrill Samuel grabs lead in both the Senior and Super Senior divisions following a 71 on Wednesday

Georgetown, Ont. – Team British Columbia battled to the end to claim the Inter-Provincial Team title for the second time in three years at the 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO on Wednesday.

The team of Shelly Stouffer of Nanoose Bay, B.C., Jackie Little of Procter, B.C. and Sandra Turbide of Maple Ridge, B.C. won together in 2022 at Breezy Bend Country Club in Headingley, Man. and have done it again this year at The Club at North Halton in Georgetown, Ont. finishing with a combined score of 16-over to win the Katherine Helleur Trophy by two.

Two-time Canadian Women’s Senior champion, Jackie Little has now won the inter-provincial title for a third time and this one is special, “it means a lot to us. Ontario is pretty strong so when we can beat them it’s pretty special for B.C.”

“In Ontario too!” added Turbide.

Stouffer, also a two-time Canadian Women’s Senior champion added, “it’s very special to win this trophy again, the team event is fun because we don’t get to play a lot of team stuff anymore so it’s cool that we had the team trophy and the way we had the opening ceremonies.” Teams were paraded and piped in by province as part of the opening ceremonies on Monday evening.

This is the second inter-provincial team title for Stouffer this season after winning the title at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur in July, where she also claimed the Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master titles.

“It’s cool, it’s good. I did this a couple years ago and did it again so it’s pretty exciting to happen again,” said Stouffer.

“We’re really proud of her,” added Little.

Ontario and British Columbia have enjoyed much of the success recently in the inter-provincial team competition at the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship. In the past 23 tournaments, Ontario has won 12 team titles, British Columbia is now at nine, with Alberta and Quebec grabbing one each since 2000 (there were no team events in 2020 or 2021).

Team Ontario consisting of, Mary Ann Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont., Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. and Debbie Court of Huntsville, Ont. tied for second with Team Quebec at 18-over. Quebec was represented by, Suzanne Ricard of Montreal, Que., Marie-Thérèse Torti of Candiac, Que., and Helen Chartrand of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.

Two-time Canadian Women’s Senior champion, Terrill Samuel has grabbed the solo lead in both the Senior and Super Senior divisions following a 1-under 71 on Wednesday. Samuel now sits at 1-under for the tournament and takes a four-shot lead into the final round.

“I played awesome today except for one really bad drive and my putting, nothing would go in, but I putted tentatively and that was my fault. I just didn’t have confidence for some reason today on some of them, I was leaving them just there. I had so many birdie putts today it was too bad,” said Samuel.

Samuel credited her iron play, which is the strength of her game for her round today. The two-time champion says nerves will always be there, but she intends to stick to her plan.

“My mindset is just one shot at a time, and I know that’s a cliché but whatever your game plan is on every hole you do that, and you continue to do that, you can’t worry about what anybody else is doing, you just worry about taking care of your own business and hopefully you have a chance on 18.”

Trailing Samuel in the Senior division are Lara Tennant of Portland, Ore. and first round leader, Ellen Port of Sunset Hills, Mo. both at 3-over. Port sits alone in second in the Super Senior division behind Samuel.

The 118-player field faced a change in temperature on Wednesday as the hot and sunny conditions from yesterday changed to overcast skies and cooler temperatures for the second round at The Club at North Halton.

The Senior and Super Senior championship rounds are played concurrently over 54 holes. The cut line was set at 32-over with 72 players advancing to Thursday’s final round. Players over 50 are eligible to compete in the Senior championship and those 60 and over are eligible to compete for the Super Senior title.

The winner of the 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship will earn an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Championship taking place September 21-26 at the Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle, Wash. Along with exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, 2025 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2025 U.S. Women’s Senior Open.

The final group of Samuel, Tennant and Port will tee off at 9:50 a.m. ET on Thursday. The tee times for Thursday’s final round can be found here.

For the leaderboard following the second round of the 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Port leads both the Senior and Super Senior divisions following an opening round 69. Team Ontario leads Inter-Provincial Team Championship

Georgetown, Ont. – Ellen Port fired an opening round 3-under 69 to lead the 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at The Club at North Halton in Georgetown, Ont. on Tuesday.

Port, of Sunset Hills, Mo. recorded three birdies and 15 pars in a solid opening round to take a three-shot lead in both the Senior and Super Senior divisions into Wednesday. Port hit every green while only missing one fairway along with having several looks for birdie during her opening round.

“My lag putting when I was a little further away, these greens can certainly see a lot of three putts and I avoided three putts, I had a few longer putts and I managed those well and let the round unfold,” she said.

In addition to her work on the greens, Port credited something specific for today’s strong round, “my space between my ears,” she said with a smile. “I turned it off and played a little bit more feel and not so much static in my brain. I tend to get a little mechanical and I made a big change in feel right before I came.”

The change for Port involved her shoulder turn in her take away, “any change for a golfer is strange and number one that helped me because it took me off results a little bit and I just focused on this new feel and every golfer knows when you have the right thing that helps get everything in sync that’s good and that took me off thinking about results.”

The 62-year-old is a decorated champion having won seven USGA events in her career. This season, Port hasn’t played as many tournaments but did earn a runner-up finish at the AGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in May.

She said the experience of winning can have its pros and cons, “I think sometimes it actually hurts you because your expectations get very high and my friends know I can be pretty hard on myself and they keep saying give yourself some slack, give yourself some grace. So yes and no, I think we all know when we don’t have good rounds in us or where were winding down and I don’t feel that yet, but I haven’t had a lot of reasons to believe that I can shoot these numbers the last few years so mentally overcome that and stick with it is a big victory.”

Port is playing in her first ever Canadian Women’s Senior Championship and only her second Canadian National Championship, “I love being in Canada, I love all the Canadians that have come and stolen victories away from us Americans. Maybe one of the Americans can get them this time on their home soil,” she said with a laugh.

“There are so many wonderful players here and the hospitality and how much you love golf, I really felt like I might be inspired and remember why I love this game coming here,” she added.

Port leads both divisions over two-time Canadian Women’s Senior champion Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont. who shot an opening round even par 72. Lara Tennant of Portland, Ore. also sits tied for second in the Senior division with Samuel.

Samuel was pleased with her opening round, “my ball striking was excellent, I had a few sloppy ones on the back nine. I thought I had good speed on the greens today and hopefully tomorrow a few more go in otherwise it was a pretty solid round.”

Defending champion, Mary Ann Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont. is currently tied for fourth with Carolyn Janidlo of Moncton, N.B. at 3-over.

Team Ontario leads the Inter-Provincial Team Championship following the opening round with a combined score of 9-over to lead Team British Columbia by two shots. Team Alberta and Team New Brunswick are tied for third and are both four back of Ontario. Team Ontario has won 10 of the past 12 inter-provincial titles at the Canada Women’s Senior Championship. This year, Ontario is represented by Mary Ann Hayward, Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. and Debbie Court of Huntsville, Ont. Hayward’s 3-over 75 and Kyrinis’ 6-over 78 counted towards the team score for Tuesday. The Katherine Heller Trophy, awarded to the Inter-Provincial Team champions will be handed following Wednesday’s second round.

The 118-player field battled hot and humid temperatures from start to finish at The Club at North Halton on Tuesday, with temperatures hitting 32 C which felt more like 40 C during the afternoon tee times.

The Senior and Super Senior championship rounds are played concurrently over 54 holes, with the low 70 players plus ties in the Senior division and a minimum of five players in the Super Senior division advancing to Thursday’s final round. Players over 50 are eligible to compete in the Senior championship and those 60 and over are eligible to compete for the Super Senior title.

The winner of the 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship will earn an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Championship taking place September 21-26 at the Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle, Wash. Along with exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, 2025 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2025 U.S. Women’s Senior Open.

For the leaderboard following the opening round of the 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Shauna Liu earns spot on 2025 Team Canada – NextGen

Caledon, Ont. – Clairey Lin, Lindsay McGrath, Nobelle Park and Eileen Park have earned their spots on Team Canada for the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship following a 54-hole qualifying tournament at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. They join Shauna Liu and Aphrodite Deng who already qualified based on their results from 2024.

Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. finished the tournament at 5-under to secure the first of four spots. Lin posted rounds of 71-71-69 – 211, including a 3-under 69 on Monday to claim the top spot in qualifying. Lin will be making her first appearance at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

This season, the 14-year-old has won twice on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), including The AJGA Panama Junior, presented by St. Georges Bank in March and The Spin Junior Championship in August. Lin was also runner-up at the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, B.C.

Lindsay McGrath of Oakville, Ont. has been a member of Team Canada NextGen for two seasons and will also be making her first appearance at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship. McGrath finished at 4-under following rounds of 70-71-71 – 212 to grab the second spot. The 17-year-old won the Visit Goldsboro NC Junior Championship in Goldsboro, N.C. in April as part of the AJGA.

Nobelle Park also of Oakville, Ont. will be making her first appearance as well after finishing third at 2-under. Park posted rounds of 71-71-72 – 214. The 14-year-old has won three provincial tournaments this season including the 2024 Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship in June at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, Ont., the Ontario Junior Players’ Invitational in March and the Junior Girls Spring Classic in May.

Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. grabbed the final spot and will be returning to the World Junior Girls Golf Championship after representing Team Canada 2 last year in Brampton, Ont. Park jumped ahead after closing with an eagle on no. 17 and a par of the 18th to finish the tournament at 1-under. Park finished with rounds of 70-72-73 – 215. This season, the 15-year-old has won twice including the AJGA Junior All-Star at College Station in College Station, Texas in March and the NextGen Pacific Championship at the Summerland Golf and Country Club in Summerland, B.C. in May.

The four will join Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. and Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. who previously earned exemptions to Team Canada for the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship. Liu earned her exemption following her win at the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship while Deng earned her exemption as being the low eligible Canadian on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) as of August 7, where she was no. 175. Both will be making their first appearances at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

Deng, 14, has won twice as part of the AJGA this season including The Nelly Invitational in Bradenton, Fla. in May and the New Jersey Junior Girls Championship in West Windsor Township, N.J. in June.

In addition to the qualifying tournament, players were competing for a guaranteed spot on the roster for Team Canada – NextGen for 2025.

Liu finished atop the leaderboard at 10-under over three rounds to secure her spot on Team Canada NextGen for 2025. Liu posted rounds of 71-66-69 – 206 to win by five shots over Lin. The 15-year-old has enjoyed a successful 2024 season highlighted by winning the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO and the CDW Girls Junior All-Star Championship as part of the AJGA earlier this month in Illinois.

Liu was two shots back of fellow Team Canada NextGen member, Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. (3-under) following Saturday’s opening round. Liu fired a 6-under 66 on Sunday to take a two-shot lead over Anna Huang of Vancouver, B.C. heading into Monday’s final round.

Selection for the World Junior Girls squads is separate from the 2025 Team Canada – NextGen squad. The remaining places for the 2025 Team Canada – NextGen squad will be decided by Golf Canada’s selection committee by late September. When making final decisions for player selection, the committee will consider player results from the 2024 season along with selection camp results including information gathered during skills testing. The full selection criteria for Team Canada – NextGen can be found here.

The 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship will take place at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from September 30 – October 5. For more information on the tournament, please click here. Team Canada’s rosters will be announced at a later date.

For the final standings of the Team Canada World Junior Girls Championship qualifier and Team Canada – NextGen selection camp, please click here.

123 of Canada’s top women’s senior golfers will compete for the Ada Mackenzie Challenge Trophy; along with a Super Senior division title and an inter-provincial team championship all up for grabs in Georgetown

Georgetown, Ont. – The 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO is set for August 27-29, with a field of 123 golfers competing over three rounds at The Club at North Halton in Georgetown, Ont.

This year’s field competing for the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship features seven of the most recent winners including defending champion and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member, Mary Ann Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont. Last year, Hayward battled with Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. right up to the final hole to claim her fourth Canadian Women’s Senior national championship.

Kyrinis, a two-time champion (2016 and 2019) is in the field in Georgetown coming off her sixth Ontario Senior Women’s Championship earlier this month at Lora Bay Golf Club in Thornbury, Ont. Kyrinis joined Marlene Streit and Gayle Borthwick as the only six-time winners of the provincial championship.

Fellow two-time champion (2022 and 2021), Shelly Stouffer of Nanoose Bay, B.C. will also be competing next week. Stouffer has enjoyed a successful season thus far earning a clean sweep at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship last month, winning the Mid-Amateur, Mid-Master and Inter-Provincial Team titles at the Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community in Courtenay, B.C. Stouffer also added the B.C. Women’s Mid-Master and B.C. Women’s Senior Championships to her trophy cabinet this season.

Additional past champions in the field include Sue Wooster of Australia who won back-to-back Canadian Women’s Senior titles in 2017 and 2018. Wooster won the 2024 Australian Mid-Amateur in May. Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont., also a two-time champion (2012 and 2015) is coming off a T19 finish and earned low amateur honours at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh, Pa. earlier this month. Joining them is 2014 winner, Helene Chartrand of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que. and two-time winner (2008 and 2009) Jackie Little of Procter, B.C.

“We are excited to welcome such a strong field with a number of past champions ready to compete for our Canadian Women’s Senior Championship next week at The Club at North Halton,” said Sam Brown, Tournament Director, Golf Canada. “The staff at North Halton have done a tremendous job in preparing to host our national championship and will provide a great test and hospitality for our field.”

The Club at North Halton is hosting the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship while celebrating its 70th anniversary. Established in 1954, the course presents a test that allows golfers to use every club in the bag. The course features tree lined fairways, wooded ravines and natural foliage set in the valley of Georgetown. The history of the golf course itself extends back to 1914 and 1915 when local entrepreneur, J.A. Willoughby purchased two farms that would eventually become North Halton Golf and Country Club.

“We are honoured to be hosting a national championship at The Club at North Halton.  Players will be welcomed into our home and community during the championship week,” said Marc Bezaire, Director of Golf Operations, The Club at North Halton. “The field of players is very strong, we are looking forward to watching some of the best players in the country compete at the highest level.”

Conducted since 1971, the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship has featured the country’s most accomplished senior golfers including Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members Marlene Streit, Gayle Borthwick, Marilyn O’Connor, Margaret Todd, Alison Murdoch and Mary Ann Hayward who all own senior national championship titles. Four women have won the national championship four times including: Marlene Streit (1985, 1987, 1988, 1993), Gayle Borthwick (1994, 1995, 1999, 2000), Alison Murdoch (2002, 2004, 2005, 2007) and Mary Ann Hayward (2010, 2011, 2013, 2023).

The Senior and Super Senior championship rounds are played concurrently over three rounds, with the low 70 players plus ties in the Senior division and a minimum of five players in the Super Senior division advancing to the final round. Players over 50 are eligible to compete in the senior championship and those 60 and over are eligible to compete for the super senior title.

In addition, the Inter-Provincial Team Championship will be played over the first 36 holes, where teams will compete for the Katherine Helleur Trophy. Last year, Team Ontario won by 14-strokes over Team British Columbia. Ontario was represented by Mary Ann Hayward, Judith Kyrinis and Terrill Samuel. It marked Ontario’s tenth title in a 12-year span, with Hayward being part of all ten championships. Kyrinis earned her sixth team title and Samuel claimed her second team title.

The winner of the 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship will earn an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Championship taking place September 21-26 at the Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle, Wash. Along with exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, 2025 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2025 U.S. Women’s Senior Open.

Practice rounds are scheduled for Monday, August 26, with the opening round scheduled to begin on Tuesday, August 27. For the full player field competing in the 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Ibit was seven shots back of the leader after second round;
Spencer Shropshire tops Juvenile division;
Team Ontario wins Inter-Provincial Team Championship

Innisfail, Alta. – The saying it’s not over until it’s over certainly applied this week as Isaiah Ibit fired a final round of 6-under 66 to come from two shots back to win the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta on Friday.

“It’s really nice and it’s kind of bittersweet because it’s my last junior tournament as my junior career is over but it’s pretty surreal, it hasn’t really sunk in yet as of right now. I’m just worried about getting to school first,” said Ibit following his round.

His 66 propelled him to a final score of 16-under, five shots clear of Charlie Gillespie of Calgary, Alta, posting rounds of 67-72-67-66-272.

Ibit of Orleans, Ont. entered the day at 10-under, trailing Spencer Shropshire of Ramara, Ont. who held the lead following rounds two and three. On Friday, Shropshire opened with a bogey to pull Ibit to within one. They would both go on to birdie the second and fourth holes, keeping Shropshire ahead by one through six. Ibit grabbed a share of the lead with his third birdie of the day at no. 7 putting both competitors at 13-under.  

“I was one back and I knew Spencer was going to be really solid and he wasn’t going to come back to me so I figured I needed to make some good birdies and capitalize and when he ended up missing that short putt for bogey I knew that I had the lead and from there I knew that I couldn’t give it up and just kind of build on it,” added Ibit.

It was on the eighth hole where the Team Canada NextGen member grabbed the solo lead and he did not relinquish it following a double bogey from Shropshire, Ibit went two ahead.

He opened his back nine with four consecutive pars followed by back-to-back birdies on 14 and 15 before adding another for good measure on 18 to finish at 16-under. Through the week Ibit found success on no. 18 going birdie-eagle-eagle-birdie over four rounds.

After Wednesday’s second round and a second consecutive inter-provincial team title, Ibit found himself seven shots back of the lead and responded with a solid round on Thursday.

“After we won the inter-provincial cup title for Ontario, I knew that Thursday would have to be a pretty big moving day especially considering I was seven back, so I knew I had a lot of ground to make up and thankfully I played a really good round that day,” said Ibit of his 5-under 67 on Thursday.

Ibit who joined Golf Canada’s Team Canada NextGen program ahead of this season was complimentary of the staff who have helped him get here.

“Team Canada has been great and really helping me develop as a player both physically, golf wise and mentally it’s been great to work with the coaches and everyone at Golf Canada just really willing to help me get better,” he said.

Ibit’s junior career has now come to a close as he will be heading to Kent State University, where he will compete as a member of the Golden Flashes similar to Canadian PGA TOUR winners, Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith.

“This summer has gone by really fast. Didn’t seem long ago where I was playing in March as there was still snow on the ground up here, so it’s gone by pretty fast but it’s nice to end off the season with this,” he reflected.

Shropshire finished with a 3-over 75 to finish the tournament at 9-under and win the Juvenile division for players 17-and-under. Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. and Eddie Gu of Aurora, Ont. finished at 7-under to tie for second in the Juvenile division.

On Tuesday, Team Ontario successfully defended their title as the Inter-Provincial Team champions, finishing with a combined score of 10-under to beat Team British Columbia by two. Along with Ibit and Pain, Team Ontario was represented by Gabriel Mainella of Markham, Ont. Team B.C. finished at 8-under and were represented by Austin Krahn of Christina Lake, B.C., Ryan Vest of Vernon, B.C. and Manpreet Lalh of Nanaimo, B.C. Team Alberta rounded out the top three finishing at 5-under.

In addition to his national championship, Ibit has also earned an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship as well as the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

For the final standings at the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.