Shropshire holds lead in both the Junior and Juvenile divisions following windy conditions on Thursday

Innisfail, Alta. – Spencer Shropshire battled the wind and the field on Thursday to shoot an even par 72 to sit at 12-under, good for a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.

“The wind was a huge factor, it was essentially a different golf course today,” said Shropshire following his round on Thursday.

The 16-year-old from Ramara, Ont. got off to a strong start with two birdies on the front nine and a string of pars. After bogeying no. 10, he recorded three straight birdies to stretch his lead to five shots through 13. He ran into some trouble on no. 14 where he carded a double bogey and then responded with three more pars before dropping a stroke on 18 to finish with a 72.

“I played the front really well, just played conservative and birdies came when they came and, on the back, just hit a couple bad shots and a couple bad breaks and just didn’t finish how I wanted but still happy with a two-shot lead going into tomorrow,” said Shropshire.

While he admitted that leading a tournament is something new for him, having now held the lead on consecutive days has certainly helped him feel more comfortable heading into the final round.

There are a trio of golfers behind Shropshire at 10-under, including Team Canada NextGen member, Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. On Wednesday, Ibit was part of Team Ontario’s Inter-Provincial Team championship win for the second year in a row. After firing an even par round on Wednesday, Ibit responded with a 5-under 67 where he carded five birdies and closed with an eagle on no. 18 for the second straight day to jump up the leaderboard.

Tied for second with Ibit are Dawson Lew of Toronto, Ont. and Matthew Wilson of Nanaimo, B.C., who both shot rounds of 2-under 70 on Thursday.

Some prefer to know what the competitors are doing as you get down the stretch, while others do not. Shropshire embraces playing with those that are in contention, “I think it makes it easier when you play with guys that are in contention, when they’re close to you, it makes you play solidly the whole round.”

He says the game plan he set out for the week won’t change tomorrow regardless of his position on the leaderboard.

“I want to put as many wedges in my hands as possible and I need to be better on the par fives, I haven’t played them well, so I need to be better on the par fives,” he added.

Team Canada NextGen member Matthew Javier of Toronto, Ont. and Charlie Gillespie of Calgary, Alberta round out the top five, both at 7-under. Low round of the day belonged to Manav Bharani of Brampton, Ont. who fired a 6-under 66 to move into a tie for 12th at 2-under.

In addition to being atop the Junior division, Shropshire also leads the Juvenile division by two shots over Lew with a trio of golfers tied for third at 3-under including defending champion, Alex Zhang of Richmond, B.C.

The Junior and Juvenile championship rounds are played concurrently over four rounds. The Junior champion of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship earns an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship as well as the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

In Friday’s final round, Shropshire will be playing in a group with Ibit and Lew they will tee off at 10:00 a.m. MDT. For Friday’s final round groupings and tee times, please click here.

For the leaderboard following the third round of play at the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Spencer Shropshire leads both the Junior and Juvenile divisions
at 12-under

Innisfail, Alta. – Team Ontario has successfully defended their title as the Inter-Provincial Team champions at the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.

Team Ontario entered the day with a two-shot lead over Team British Columbia (B.C.) and that is exactly how things would end, as the defending champions finished with a combined 10-under score to win back-to-back team championships.

“It’s just really nice to represent our province and show out strong for Ontario and represent as a team,” said Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont.

Ibit, a member of Team Canada NextGen was the lone returning player to Team Ontario after winning the inter-provincial team title last year in North Bay, Ont.

“It’s really nice to not only win it twice but just be part of this team twice. It’s nice to have a little competition and just have more fun with it. Hopefully both of these guys may even be on the team next year as well, so hopefully they can bring home the triple crown if they can,” said Ibit.

Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. recorded rounds of 3-under 69 and even par 72, while teammate Gabriel Mainella of Markham, Ont. had his scores count both days with a 3-under 69 and 2-under 70. Ibit opened with a 5-under 67 on Tuesday and eagled the no. 18 on Wednesday to shoot an even par 72.

Team B.C. shot a combined 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 rounds out the top three finishing at 5-under.

Spencer Shropshire of Ramara, Ont. sits alone atop the standings in both the Junior and Juvenile divisions following a second consecutive 6-under 66 to sit at 12-under for the tournament.

Shropshire is two shots clear of Team Canada NextGen member, Matthew Javier of North York, Ont. in the battle for the Silver Cup in the Junior division and four shots ahead of Dawson Lew of Toronto, Ont. in the Juvenile Division.

“Progressively getting better every week which is awesome. I’ve noticed more consistency, and my putting has been really good,” said Shropshire reflecting on his season thus far.

The 16-year-old who won at AJGA Junior Championship last month in Michigan has said his putting has been one of the strong points of his game and he credits a hot putter for his strong start over the first two rounds of the national championship.

“I played great again today, putter was nice, made the putts I was supposed to and added a couple bonuses there too. It feels great, never been in this position before so looking forward to tomorrow,” said Shropshire following his second round.

Javier finished with a 3-under 69 on Wednesday to move to 10-under for the tournament. The 17-year-old was rolling along with seven birdies and one bogey through 14 holes on Wednesday before running into some trouble late in his round. Javier recorded a bogey on no. 16 and a double bogey on 17 before closing with a par to finish his round.

There is a three-way tie for third with Matthew Wilson of Nanaimo, B.C., Brett Jones of Calgary, Alta. and Lew all at 8-under. A trio of golfers are tied for sixth at 5-under, with Team Ontario teammates Ibit and Mainella along with Tim Hachey of Osoyoos, B.C.

The Junior and Juvenile championship rounds are played concurrently over four rounds. The 156-player field has been cut to the low 76 players following a cut line of 7-over.

The Junior champion of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship earns an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship as well as the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

For the leaderboard following the second round of play at the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Team Ontario leads inter-provincial team championship over
Team B.C. by two

Innisfail, Alta. – Matthew Javier and Austin Krahn find their names atop a stacked leaderboard following the opening round of the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.

After sitting at even par through his opening nine holes, Team Canada NextGen member, Matthew Javier of North York, Ont. got on a roll collecting seven birdies including four consecutive to start his second nine to card a 29, good for a 7-under 65.

“I hit the ball really good all day. On the back putts started dropping. Got off to a good start on hole one, made a ten-footer, two putt birdie on two, threw a dart on three and up and down for birdie on four and just made a lot of putts coming in,” said Javier who took the early clubhouse lead at Innisfail on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old has said that his putting has been the key to his success so far this season, but that hasn’t always been the case. Javier has had a strong season with two provincial tournament wins including the 2024 Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship in late June.

Contending at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship is not new for Javier, having been part of Team Ontario’s Inter-Provincial Team Championship winning side and finishing tied for fourth in the Junior division and solo third in the Juvenile division last year in North Bay, Ont. That experience is something he will draw on this week in Innisfail.

“I was in the second last group, so I was right there and when you get into situations like those and you get into them again…just the experience of being in that situation helps you the next time and gives you confidence,” he added.

Tied in the lead for the Silver Cup is Austin Krahn of Christina Lake, B.C. Krahn also began his round on the back nine Tuesday morning and recorded two birdies to start. After making the turn he made three consecutive birdies and eventually closed his round with two more to move to 7-under (65).

“I just hit the ball really well today, every swing felt good, and I felt really confident over every shot. There are a couple tricky holes out here where you have to commit to different lines and every swing, I hit to where I wanted to and there were a couple holes today where I was a little out of play but got it up and down and able to save pars and after that the putter was rolling good today,” said Krahn who finished after Javier.

The 17-year-old has enjoyed a successful season thus far, winning the B.C. Indigenous Championship in June for the second consecutive year along with the B.C. Junior Boys Championship in early July.

Krahn says he plans to stick to his game plan which he created during practice rounds earlier this week.

“Hitting the same clubs off the tee that I plotted out and don’t get too scared over tee shots and commit to the ones you decided you’re going to and just stay patient and try to make some putts. It’s a four-day tournament, there’s still lots of golf left so don’t need to make birdies on every hole out here, just make some pars and wait for the birdies to fall.

Spencer Shropshire of Ramara, Ont. is currently alone in third following a 6-under 66 on Tuesday. The 16-year-old also leads the Juvenile division by one-shot over Canadian Junior Boys defending champion, Alex Zhang of Richmond, B.C. Zhang became the 11th player in tournament history to win both the Junior and Juvenile divisions last year.

Zhang is in a three-way tie for fourth in the Junior division along with Team Canada NextGen teammate Isiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. and Nathaniel Yoo of North York, Ont. all at 5-under (67).

Team Ontario leads the battle for the Junior Boys Inter-Provincial Team Championship following the opening round over Team British Columbia by two shots. The defending champions shot a combined 8-under on Tuesday led by Isiah Ibit, the lone returning player from last year’s championship team. Teammates Gabriel Mainella of Markham, Ont. and Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. both recorded rounds of 3-under 69. Team B.C. sits with a combined score of 6-under and was led by Austin Krahn along with teammates Manpreet Lalh of Nanaimo, B.C. (1-over) and Ryan Vest of Vernon, B.C. (3-over). The host province, Team Alberta sits at 2-under to round out of the top three. The two lowest scores of three count towards the team score each day. The team championship will be awarded following Wednesday’s second round.

The Junior and Juvenile championship rounds are played concurrently over four rounds. The 156-player field will be cut to the low 70 players plus ties in the Junior division and a minimum of ten players in the Juvenile division following Wednesday’s second round.

The Junior champion of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship earns an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship as well as the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

For the leaderboard following the first round of play at the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

(August 13, 2024) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce that The Royal Ottawa Golf Club and Rivermead Golf Club in Gatineau, Québec. will be the host courses for the 120th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, taking place July 25-31, 2025.

“Golf Canada is incredibly proud and excited to have two historic courses host one of our most prestigious amateur events and the oldest amateur event in the country,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director, Amateur Championships and Rules, Golf Canada. “We’re grateful to the membership of The Royal Ottawa Golf Club and Rivermead Golf Club, its volunteers and the city of Gatineau who we know will welcome some of the world’s top amateur golfers and present a true test for those competing.  Returning to The Royal Ottawa Golf Club, the host club of the first playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur will be memorable and the support of Rivermead Golf Club will set the stage for an incredible National Championship.”

The Royal Ottawa Golf Club stands as the premier golf club in the National Capital Region, celebrated for its rich heritage and top-tier facilities. The Club features a traditional Championship Golf Course, alongside a challenging nine-hole course ideal for families and avid golfers. Renowned for its world-class practice facilities equipped with TrackMan technology, the Club also takes pride in its active, award-winning competitive Junior program. Additionally, the Club’s reciprocal program grants members access to prestigious clubs in nine countries around the globe. The Royal Ottawa Golf Club last hosted the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in 2016 where Hugo Bernard of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Québec. won the national championship.

“The Royal Ottawa Golf Club is honoured to once again partner with Golf Canada to host their 120th Canadian Men’s Amateur. The club’s history of supporting amateur golf events in Canada is storied, dating back to the first ever such competition hosted by the club in 1895,” said Greg Richardson, General Manager, The Royal Ottawa Golf Club. “Our members are excited to welcome the best amateur men’s golfers to see them play our fantastic golf course and compete for an historic tenth such crown here at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club, the most of any club in Canada.”

Established in 1910, Rivermead Golf Club is located in Gatineau, just a few hundred metres from the north shore of the Ottawa River. Initially opened as a 9-hole course, it was expanded to 18 holes in 1915. In 1989, the course was completely renovated by Ken Skodacek working with Ken Venturi to the current outstanding championship layout. In 2023, the Club completed a 5-year course improvement project under the guidance of Jeff Mingay. Rivermead, along with the Royal Ottawa and Ottawa Hunt golf clubs, formed the Ottawa District Golf Association in 1948. These same three clubs have rotated hosting the prestigious Alexander of Tunis tournament since its inception in 1950, with the 75th playing the event held at Rivermead in 2024. Throughout its history, Rivermead has hosted many championships, including the 1920 Canadian Open, the 1925 Ladies’ Canadian Amateur Championship, the CPGA Championship in 1932 and 1959, and the CN Canadian Women’s Tour in 2005 and 2010. Of special pride to Rivermead members is our link to the RBC Canadian Open through the Rivermead Cup. The Rivermead Cup was awarded to the winner of the Canadian Open until 1935. Since 1936, the Rivermead Cup has been awarded to the low Canadian in the RBC Canadian Open.

‘’We are very pleased to be co-host of the 120th edition of the Men’s Canadian Amateur Championship,” said Mathieu Perron, General Manager, Rivermead Golf Club. “Rivermead has a long-standing relationship with competitive golf in Canada and we are eager to receive the best amateur players in the world on our newly renovated course. It will be a great way for us to celebrate our 115^th anniversary.’’

Established in 1895, the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is the third oldest amateur championship in the world. The tournament was first contested as one of the newly formed Royal Canadian Golf Association’s (RCGA), now known as Golf Canada, first orders of business in 1895 at the Ottawa Golf Club.

The national championship originally began as a match play competition but changed to stroke play for the 1969 championship. It remained that way through 1994 when it reverted to match play in honour of the RCGA’s and the championship’s centennial in 1995. The championship once again reverted to stroke play in 2008 and in 2010, the tournament changed to a double field format for the first time ever. Four-time PGA TOUR winner Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. was the last player to win the championship as a match play competition in 2007 at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask.

Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George S. Lyon won the Amateur eight times between 1898 and 1914 and was runner-up two more times. Fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Sandy Somerville made it to the match play final ten times between 1924 and 1938, capturing six championships. Other past champions include Canadian Golf Hall of Famers and four-time winners, Nick Weslock (1957, 1963, 1964, 1966) and Doug Roxburgh (1972, 1974, 1982, 1988). Most recently, two-time PGA TOUR winner and two-time Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion, Mackenzie Hughes (2011, 2012) and 2023 RBC Canadian Open and four-time PGA TOUR winner Nick Taylor (2007).

Last week, Tyler Mawhinney of Fleming Island, Fla. won the 119th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at 15-under, one shot better than defending champion Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. at Riverside Country Club and Saskatoon Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask.

156 of Canada’s top junior golfers will compete for the Junior title along with a U17 Juvenile division and an inter-provincial team competition

Innisfail, Alta. – The 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO is set for August 13-16 with a field of 156 junior golfers competing over four rounds at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.

This year’s field competing for the Canadian Junior Boys Trophy, also known as the Silver Cup, features a talented field of Canadian players, including five 2024 NextGen tournament winners, Charlie Gillespie of Calgary, Alta. (NextGen Western), Ryan Mosher of Saskatoon, Sask. (NextGen Prairie), Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. (NextGen Ontario), Bode Stephen of Kingston, Ont. (NextGen Atlantic) and Matthew Wilson of Nanaimo, B.C. (NextGen Pacific).

In addition, five members of Team Canada NextGen will be competing in Innisfail including, Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont., Matthew Javier of Toronto, Ont., Luke Smith of Toronto, Ont., defending champion Alex Zhang of Richmond, B.C. and Eric Zhao of North York, Ont. Last year at North Bay Golf and Country Club, Zhang won the national championship beating out two others by one shot.

“We have a great field ready to compete for our prestigious Canadian Junior Boys Championship,” said Sam Brown, Tournament Director, Golf Canada. “We’d like to thank the staff and volunteers at Innisfail Golf Club for all the work they’ve put in to prepare the golf course as we welcome some of Canada’s best young talent to Innisfail. The club has great experience hosting a number of provincial championships and we are excited to get play underway.”

Innisfail Golf Club is hosting the Canadian Junior Boys Championship while celebrating its centennial year. Established in 1924, the Bill Robinson designed course features 27 holes with three different 9-hole courses each with a scenic and diverse experience. The tournament will be contested on the Aspen and Spruce nines. Innisfail Golf Club has previously hosted the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship on three occasions as well as the Alberta Senior Ladies Championship.

“We are so proud to be hosting an event like this with the best young talent in the field from across the nation.  The club has been around for 100 years and can be challenging for many. Diligent strategy is required to play well here or may find some of the tough shots out there in a hurry. Subtle, yet distinct…pictures don’t the contours or elevation changes justice,” said Jeff McDowall, Head Professional, Innisfail Golf Club. “We hope those who are playing enjoy the experience at Innisfail Golf Club and all competitors do their best in the pursuit for a national championship title.”

Established in 1938 with the first championship played at London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont., the Canadian Junior Boys Championship has given Canadians a glimpse into the future glory that many of its champions have gone on to enjoy. Canadian Golf Hall of Famers Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowan, and Doug Roxburgh have all won the Silver Cup before moving on to amateur and professional careers.

2023 RBC Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor won the Junior in 2006, the only Canadian male golfer to win the trifecta of national championships comprised of the Canadian Junior Boys, Canadian Men’s Amateur, and Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. Brooke Henderson who is the lone female Canadian golfer to win the Canadian Junior Girls, Canadian Women’s Amateur, and the CPKC Women’s Open.

In addition to the 18-and-under Junior Championship, the 17-and-under Juvenile Championship was added in 1970, with the winner receiving the Jack Bailey Trophy. Since its inception, only 11 golfers have won both the Juvenile and Junior titles — Jim Rutledge, Jeff Makahon, Rob McMillan, Jesse Collinson, Dustin Risdon, Gord Scutt, Rafael Lee, Mitch Sutton, Charles-Éric Bélanger, Christopher Vandette and Alex Zhang.

There will be a final qualifier held on Friday, August 9 at Innisfail Golf Club where 45 golfers will be competing for the final four spots into the national championship. Following the qualifier, practice rounds will take place on Saturday, August 10. The Junior and Juvenile championship rounds are played concurrently over four rounds, with the low 70 players plus ties in the Junior division and a minimum of ten players in the Juvenile division advancing to the final 36 holes. The Junior Inter-Provincial Team Championship will be played over the first 36 holes, where teams will compete for the Junior Inter-Provincial Championship Trophy. Last year, Team Ontario finished three shots clear of Team British Columbia to win the championship.

The Junior champion of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship earns an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship as well as the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

For the full player field competing in the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Mawhinney’s late charge enough to hold off
defending champion Ashton McCulloch

Saskatoon, Sask. – The final round of the 119^th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO was one to remember on Thursday at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask.

The leaderboard had more twists and turns than a rollercoaster throughout the day with five players holding a piece of the lead at various points and numerous lead changes on the back nine. In the end, the name a top the leaderboard is the one that was there all week as Tyler Mawhinney of Fleming Island, Fla claimed the Earl Grey Cup as the 2024 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion.

“Don’t have much to say right now, kinda sinking in but proud I could finish it off after some great golf,” said a visibly emotional Mawhinney.

Mawhinney began the day one ahead of defending champion Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. He began his round with a birdie and followed it up with an eagle to pull three shots ahead. However, a triple bogey on the par 4 third hole saw McCulloch pull ahead by one following a birdie of his own.

Mawhinney pulled level with McCulloch on the fifth hole at 12-under. The two matched birdies on six before Mawhinney took the solo lead with another birdie on the eighth hole. Making a charge in front of the lead group was Garrett Rank of Waterloo, Ont. Rank, an NHL referee during the season, collected three birdies and a par to close the front nine one back of Mawhinney who sat at 14-under.

The back nine continued to provide drama fitting of a national championship as Rank and Mawhinney were joined by Rylan Shim of Centreville, Va. as co-leaders at 13-under through 11 holes. Mawhinney birdied no. 12 to move back to a one-shot lead but bogeyed no. 13, bringing Shim back into the co-lead.

More twists and turns following no.14 as Rank birded to get to 13-under to pull level with Mawhinney and joining them was Declan O’Donovan from New South Wales, Australia following his birdie on 14. The co-lead was short lived as both Rank and O’Donovan bogeyed no. 15, giving the lead back to Mawhinney with three to play.

Rank birdied no. 16 as Mawhinney approached the tee, where a crucial decision was made.

“Decided to hit 3-wood off 16 which was the first time we did that this week and that kept us back and didn’t have to turn it around the corner and you could still make birdie that way. I think I had 205 into the green and hit it middle of the green and two-putt,” said Mawhinney on his birdie to retake the lead by one.

Rank closed with two pars to take the clubhouse lead at 13-under. Mawhinney responded with what he described as “the greatest shot I’ve ever hit in my life” on no. 17 as he stuck it to within one foot from 178 yards out and tapped in for birdie to move to 15-under and a two-shot lead.

“The winds we think switched and it was 178 downhill. I have to change for elevation because I am sea level, and it was about a 72 shot with the wind and a perfect 8-iron and hit it right at the flag and it was the right number,” said Mawhinney.

McCulloch was making the finish even more interesting as he continued to battle and moved to 13-under following another eagle on no. 16, his third consecutive day doing so. McCulloch went on to birdie the 18th to finish at 14-under.

Mawhinney played no. 18 as he had all week with a 3-iron off the tee followed by a pitching wedge into the green and two-putted for the win. Mawhinney shot rounds of 65-69-70-69-273 to claim the national championship.

As he finished speaking with the media, the 16-year-old asked what was next?

“A couple people said I’ll see you at Hazeltine, so I guess that’s what’s next, but we’ll figure it out when we get there,” he responded.

With the win, Mawhinney receives an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. and the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. from August 12-18. He will also receive an exemption from local qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Championship and $1,200 CAD.

McCulloch finished solo second at 14-under and Shim and Braxton Kuntz of Winnipeg, Man. finished tied for third at 12-under. Rank finished the tournament at 13-under which was solo third place but was unfortunately disqualified following his round for signing an incorrect score card.

On Tuesday, Team British Columbia claimed the Willingdon Cup as Inter-Provincial Team champions. Team British Columbia shot a collective 9-under and was represented by Wyatt Brook of Heffley Creek, B.C., James Fahy of Vancouver, B.C. and Team Canada NextGen member Cooper Humphreys of Vernon, B.C. Team Ontario finished second with a collective 5-under, with Team Manitoba rounding out the top three at even par.

For the final leaderboard following the 2024 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Defending champion Ashton McCulloch and Braxton Kuntz both one back following thrilling third round at Riverside Country Club

Saskatoon, Sask. – The final round of the 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO is setting up for quite the finish on Thursday at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask.

Following an exciting battle on the back nine, Tyler Mawhinney of Fleming Island, Fla. maintains his lead by one-shot over defending champion Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. and Braxton Kuntz of Winnipeg, Man.

Mawhinney held the lead for most of the day but temporarily found himself on the outside looking in. Heading to the par 5 16th hole, Kuntz was one behind Mawhinney while McCulloch was two back. Both Canadians would card eagles to jump the leaderboard with Kuntz grabbing the lead at 12-under ahead of Mawhinney and McCulloch at 11-under. It marked the second consecutive day McCulloch earned an eagle on no. 16.

“I hit a cut and it’s a cutters tee ball for sure and luckily both days were down wind so you can take advantage of a par five, but really it was two good second shots,” said McCulloch.

From there he went on to record pars on his final two holes to shoot a 5-under 67 and sit at 11-under for the tournament. McCulloch was handed an additional two strokes to his second round score following a ruling that was changed Wednesday morning, resulting in a double bogey on no. 14. “Keep on going, there’s nothing you can do about it, it was the right ruling, you just take it in stride,” said the defending champion.

Kuntz meanwhile eventually dropped a stroke following bogey on no. 18, the lone blemish on a solid back nine, giving him a 3-under 69 to also sit 11-under for the tournament.

“Couldn’t really get momentum going but played really solid on the back nine, put myself on fairways and on greens and didn’t really put too much stress on myself, so overall I am really happy with how I’ve been hitting it this week and hopefully keep it going tomorrow,” said Kuntz.

The Canadians sat as co-clubhouse leaders as Mawhinney collected four consecutive pars following a bogey on no. 13. Mawhinney narrowly missed holing out on the 18th and was able to tap-in for birdie to regain his lead at 12-under with a 2-under 70.

Mawhinney said it was much of the same for him on Wednesday, keeping patient and allowing the birdies to fall to him, as he now holds the 54-hole lead.

“I’m just going to keep playing how I’ve been playing and just play for tomorrow and not the whole thing and see where I end up,” said a calm Mawhinney following his round.

Many are within striking distance of the lead group, including Rylan Shim of Centreville, Va. and Garrett Rank of Waterloo, Ont. both tied for fourth at 9-under. Mackenzie Bickell of Richmond, B.C. and Declan O’Donovan of New South Wales, Australia are tied for sixth at 8-under.

Play was delayed for three hours on Wednesday due to smoke that caused poor air quality in the area. Eventually the first groups teed off at 11 a.m. CST.

Thursday’s final round at Riverside tees off at 8 a.m. CST, with the lead grouping of Mawhinney, McCulloch and Kuntz teeing off at 10:20 a.m. CST. For final round pairings, please click here.

The 2024 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion receives an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. and the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. from August 12-18. The winner will also receive an exemption from local qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Championship. In addition, the winner will receive $1,200 CAD.

For the leaderboard following the third round of the 2024 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Levelwear, CPKC, Sleeman Breweries and Golf Canada have announced that a combined donation of $120,000 will be made to The Canadian Red Cross Alberta Wildfires Appeal.

As previously announced last week during the CPKC Women’s Open, Levelwear and Golf Canada would commit 100 per cent of the net proceeds from the tournament’s merch tent at Earl Grey Golf Club over the weekend in addition to online sales from July 27 -31.

“The wildfires in Alberta and B.C., and particularly Jasper, are devastating for all Canadians and affect so many families.  With the CPKC Women’s Open hosted in Calgary, we felt compelled to extend a helping hand.  Partnering with Golf Canada and CPKC, we are thrilled to make this monetary donation to the Red Cross Alberta Wildfires Appeal,” said Hester Ngo, Chief Executive Officer, Levelwear. “Additionally, 4,650 units of Levelwear apparel are on their way to designated Alberta locations for distribution to those impacted by the fires.”

Sleeman Breweries have also made a financial contribution to the combined effort to help those impacted by the wildfires across the province.

“The devastation from these fires is a significant test on Jasper’s resiliency. Being able to support those affected as they cope with these losses and in rebuilding is an important part of Sleeman Breweries’ commitment to community,” said Lorne Zweig, Vice-President, Sales, Sleeman Breweries.

In addition to the record $4.3 million raised for heart health in Alberta during the CPKC Women’s Open, CPKC has matched the combined donations from Levelwear, Sleeman Breweries and Golf Canada. CPKC will also be donating a number of unused water bottles and sunglasses that were available at Earl Grey during tournamnet week.

“As railroaders, we are passionate about giving back,” said Chad Becker, chief of staff at CPKC. “Thank you to Golf Canada, Levelwear and Sleeman Breweries for joining together with us to bring more aid to our neighbors in Jasper. Big thanks also to all those who attended the CPKC Women’s Open in Calgary who made this support possible.” 

Along with the combined financial contribution, Levelwear will also be donating 4,650 pieces of brand new apparel in various sizes in men’s, women’s and youth.

“We are incredibly grateful to our partners at Levelwear, CPKC and Sleeman for leading this incredible initiative and the significant financial contribution being made following the CPKC Women’s Open in Calgary,” said Laurence Applebaum, Chief Executive Officer, Golf Canada. “We are certainly thinking of everyone in Jasper and across the province of Alberta who have been affected.”

For more information on the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Wildfires Appeal or to donate, please click here.

Tyler Mawhinney takes solo lead by two following second round
in Saskatoon

Saskatoon, Sask. – The battle for the Willingdon Cup came down to the wire as Team British Columbia pulled away from Team Ontario to claim the Inter-Provincial team title at the 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO in Saskatoon, Sask.

Team British Columbia was led by Wyatt Brook of Heffley Creek, B.C. who shot a 4-under 68 on Tuesday to help push his team to a collective 9-under, four shots clear of Team Ontario.

“The putter made everything, I couldn’t miss it felt like, it was just one of those days and you just ride it out until the end and finished four under, so it was good,” said Wyatt.

James Fahy of Vancouver, B.C. enjoyed the team experience and competing for his home province while developing new friendships that can be made while playing at the national championships.

“I think it’s important for a team situation even though golf is very individual, but we’ve seen each other in the clubhouse and our tee times were close together and seeing each other on the range and wishing each other luck, I think that makes a difference,” said Fahy.

Team Canada NextGen member Cooper Humphreys of Vernon, B.C. shot rounds of 66-73 to have also have his scores count both days for Team British Columbia fittingly added on to Fahy’s comments.

“Good vibes on and off the course,” he said as he held the Willingdon Cup with his teammates right beside him.

Team Ontario finished second with a collective 5-under, with Team Manitoba rounding out the top three at even par. The teams battling for the inter-provincial title played their rounds at Riverside Country Club (Riverside) on Tuesday after opening at Saskatoon Golf and Country Club (Saskatoon). The two lowest scores from the teams of three counted towards the team total each day.

In the battle for the Earl Grey Cup, first round co-leader, Tyler Mawhinney of Fleming Island, Fla. has taken the solo lead following a 3-under 69 on Tuesday to move to 10-under. The 16-year-old birdied three of his final four holes to take a two-shot lead into Wednesday’s third round.

Right behind Mawhinney are four golfers at 8-under, including Nathaniel Gray-Lamont of Guelph, Ont. who was co-leader with Mawhinney after round one. Also tied for second are Mackenzie Bickell of Richmond, B.C., Braxton Kuntz of Winnipeg, Man. and defending champion, Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. who posted a second consecutive round of 4-under 68.

Four others are tied for sixth at 7-under including Owen Kim of Oakville, Ont. who fired a 6-under 66 at Saskatoon on Tuesday. Along with Daniel Choi of Westlake, Texas, Sam Easterbrook of Tomworth, England and Baron Szeto of Moraga, Calif.

Rylan Shim is among five golfers tied for ninth at 6-under, after tying for the low round of the day with a 7-under 65 at Saskatoon. Harrison Davis of Fort Payne, Ala. also posted a 65 at Saskatoon on Tuesday and is tied for 14th at 5-under with four others.

Play was delayed 45 minutes on Tuesday due to early morning lightning in the area. The first two rounds of this year’s tournament were contested on both courses with the 264-player field playing each course once. The field has now been reduced to the top 90 players following a cut line of 1-over, a total of 55 players are currently at 1-under or better. Wednesday and Thursday’s rounds will both played at Riverside Country Club.

The 2024 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion receives an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. and the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. from August 12-18. The winner will also receive an exemption from local qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Championship. In addition, the winner will receive $1,200 CAD.

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

Brooke Henderson set to tee off at 4:11 a.m. ET, Alena Sharp will tee off at 6:28 a.m. ET on Wednesday

Women’s golf will be getting underway on Wednesday morning at Le Golf National in Paris, France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Team Canada is represented by Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.) and Alena Sharp (Hamilton, Ont.) for the third consecutive Olympic Games. Henderson will tee off at 4:11 a.m. ET and is grouped with Hyo Joo Kim (Republic of Korea) and Xiyu Lin (China). Sharp will begin her first round at 6:28 a.m. ET and will be playing with Ana Belac (Slovenia) and Sara Kouskova (Czechia). On Thursday, Sharp’s group will begin play at 4:33 a.m. ET and Henderson’s will tee off at 6:06 a.m. ET.

Henderson is Canada’s winningest professional golfer of all time, with 13 LPGA Tour wins, including two major titles. Henderson is a graduate of Golf Canada’s national team program and is the only female athlete to win Canada’s national Junior (2012), Amateur (2013) and National Open Championship (2018 CPKC Women’s Open). This season, Henderson has earned seven top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour including three third place finishes, she finished T8 at the CPKC Women’s Open last month. Henderson previously finished T7 at Rio 2016 and T29 at Tokyo 2020. For Henderson the experience of Paris has been memorable thus far.

“Rio was really fun, for me and I think for both of us it was a really great week.  It was the first Olympic Games that golf was involved.  It was really cool just to be part of the whole experience and learning the ins and outs of everything in the Olympics, which was pretty cool. Tokyo was a very different experience with no fans and very secluded and just went to the hotel and to the course. It’s fun to be at a Games where there’s so many people and there’s so much excitement surrounding it.  I feel like so far it has been the best one, yeah,” said Henderson.

Sharp, a long-time LPGA Tour member most recently earned a bronze medal for Team Canada at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games in Chile last November. Sharp has won twice on the Epson Tour and has earned 16 top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour in her career. Last month, Sharp earned back-to-back top-20 finishes at the Dana Open (T19) and CPKC Women’s Open (T14). Sharp previously finished 30th at Rio 2016 and 49th at Tokyo 2020. Sharp will draw on her experience winning bronze at the Pan Am Games to help her in Paris.

“I think being in contention with nine holes to go and knowing I could finish, I could maybe get a medal.  And being in that pressure situation, I can still remember it because it was only in November, and I feel like that’s going to help me. I feel like this time that the other two Games — like Rio I was feeling good about my game.  Tokyo, not so good. This week, I feel like coming here, I could actually win now. Tokyo, I didn’t think that. I wasn’t coming to — not participate but do my best.  The last two weeks playing before here were really solid.  I had two really good finishes and coming into my stride at the right time.  I feel like I’m more confident as the week goes on and had good prep.  So ready to get started,” said Sharp.

Henderson and Sharp will look to become the first Canadian to win an Olympic golf medal since George Lyon’s gold medal at St. Louis 1904. Henderson’s T7 at Rio 2016 is the best recent finish by a Canadian since golf returned to the Olympics in 2016. Last week the men’s golf wrapped up with Corey Conners finishing T9 and Nick Taylor T30.

For a live leaderboard, click here.

To watch the free live stream of women’s golf on CBC Gem, click here.