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.

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.