For over four decades, Glen Abbey Golf Club has been synonymous with the RBC Canadian Open. When the lone Canadian stop on the PGA Tour gets underway next week, it will mark the 30th time the venerable course in suburban Toronto has hosted the event.

It might also be the last. Glen Abbey’s owner, ClubLink Corp., announced plans to redevelop the site last year and the future of the venerable course – the first ever solo design project by the legendary Jack Niklaus – is in doubt.

The idea of the distinctive course in Oakville, Ont., with a parkland-style upper portion and an infamous 11th hole that leads into a steep drop into a valley, being bulldozed over for condos and offices does not sit well with some of Glen Abbey’s past champions.

“It’s a terrible idea,” said Chez Reavie, who won the 2008 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey. “All the people spent all that money to live on a golf course and they should still be on a golf course. It’s sad when you see pretty golf courses like that get torn up.”

ClubLink plans to build more than 3,200 residential units on the site along with office space and commercial/retail space. Officials from the Town of Oakville, which is fighting the development proposal, and ClubLink were in Toronto Superior Court this week arguing the property’s future.

Built in the late 1970s, Glen Abbey first hosted the Canadian Open in 1977. Golf legend Lee Trevino, who won that tournament, said he’s never been an advocate for plowing up a golf course to develop real estate, but understands its a business decision.

“There are dozens of golf courses that go under, but that would be a shame. It’s a great spot,” he said.

Nick Price, who won two RBC Canadian Opens at Glen Abbey, said he can see both sides of the development argument.

“Obviously as real estate becomes more valuable, and there is a need for people and housing, it’s hard to hang on to a golf course,” says Price. “But it would be very sad to see it go.”

With the future of Glen Abbey up in the air, Golf Canada and tournament sponsor RBC have decided to take event on a rotation of clubs in the Greater Toronto Area.

“From our standpoint, not knowing what that future was (of Glen Abbey) we had to re-tool and look at moving the Open around,” says Bill Paul, Golf Canada’s Chief Championship Officer.

Jane Clohecy, commissioner of community development for the Town of Oakville, said Glen Abbey is a cultural heritage landscape and that ClubLink’s proposal doesn’t fit in with the town’s growth management policy.

Clohecy says Oakville has identified six primary areas where it wants to grow. Glen Abbey’s location isn’t on the town’s radar.

“From a growth management perspective and a cultural heritage perspective, we didn’t see it as an appropriate place to redevelop,” she said.

The tournament will be played at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in 2019 and 2023. Paul said Glen Abbey will always be “part of the mix” in to deciding where to host the Canadian Open so long as the course remains intact.

But an official from Mississaugua Golf and Country Club told The Canadian Press the club has had discussions with Golf Canada about potentially hosting an upcoming Canadian Open, and a member of St. George’s Golf and Country Club said discussions have taken place there as well.

“For 2020 and 2021 we’ve had really developed discussions with a number of phenomenal golf courses,” Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum said in a recent press conference. “Hopefully in the short term we’ll have some announcements in that regard.”

While the Greater Toronto Area appears set for the next five years to host the Canadian Open, British Columbia has a PGA Tour winner in Adam Hadwin, whose best result at the tournament came at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club outside Vancouver in 2011.

Calgary also hosts an annual event on the senior PGA Tour Champions circuit, the Shaw Charity Classic, which has been named the top tournament on that Tour (for professional golfers aged 50-plus) three out of the last four years.

Hadwin says he would like to see the tournament moved around, but understands why it remains in the GTA.

“Any sort of national open – British Open, U.S. Open – they move it around the country and around some of the best courses the area has to offer,” Hadwin says. “I understand it from a tournament standpoint. I get why they do it. It’s the largest population to draw from and one (RBC) knows that’s supported well.”

Starting in 2019 the tournament will also have a new date, moving from early June after more than a decade following the British Open in late July.

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. — Canadians Nick Taylor and Ben Silverman were the top Canadians after the first round of the Barbasol Championship on Tuesday, sitting five strokes off the lead at 5 under.

Brittany Lincicome has a huge hole to climb out of if she hopes to make golf history.

Lincicome shot a 6-over 78 in the first round of the Barbasol Championship on Thursday, leaving the LPGA Tour pro’s goal of making the cut likely out of reach.

Lincicome was hoping to become the second woman to make the cut in a men’s event and the first since Babe Zaharias in 1945. She’s the first woman to get a PGA Tour start since Michelle Wie a decade ago.

Troy Merritt surged to the first-round lead with a 10-under 62, equaling the course record on the Champion Trace course at Keene Trace Golf Club, which is hosting the event for the first time.

However, much of Thursday’s attention centred on Lincicome, whose eight LPGA Tour victories include two majors.

Although Lincicome expected to struggle with the length of the golf course, her worst holes were two par 3s. She missed her tee shot well right on the 191-yard seventh _ her 16th hole of the day _ leaving her a difficult pitch from a downhill lie in the rough. That came up short of the green and she ultimately made a triple-bogey 6.

“Probably one too many clubs,” Lincicome said of her tee shot. “Hit it short of there in case I do miss the green, because over that green was absolutely dead.”

On the 205-yard 18th, her tee shot came up short in the water, leading to double bogey.

She played the other 16 holes in 1 over, making her only birdie on the par-4 third.

Lincicome ended up in a three-way tie for 129th and would likely need a round in the mid-60s on Friday to make the cut.

“If I can drive it like I did today and just make a few putts here and there, I think I’ll be back in good shape,” Lincicome said.

“It’s out there. I was much calmer than I thought I was going to be. I love playing with the guys. It’s so much fun being inside the ropes with them. Hopefully, I can get a good one tomorrow.”

Lincicome was cheered while being introduced on the 10th hole. Her gallery was among the largest and encouraged playing partners Sam Ryder (68) and Conrad Shindler (72).

Initially concerned about nerves, Lincicome got off to a solid start with pars on her first three holes. She appeared unfazed by a bogey on No. 13 after her 10-foot par putt edged the cup.

“She’s a very solid player,” Ryder said.

Lincicome bogeyed the par-4 16th, but her quest became tougher after the double-bogey 5 on 18. She hung in and was able to post her only birdie before unraveling on the seventh.

Lincicome’s goal now is remembering what she did well and using it to salvage what’s left of her PGA Tour debut.

“Pretty happy with my game overall,” she said. “I had two bad holes, but I drove it well. I did all the things I said I needed to do, but my putter let me down today.”

Playing in the afternoon and using a new putter, Merritt surged into the lead by shooting 6 under on his second nine. He holed a 34-footer for eagle on the par-5 sixth, and his four other birdies on the side were from inside 11 feet.

“This is a week where you might have to get up to 20 under to win this thing,” said Merritt, who got his only tour victory in 2015. “We were just fortunate enough to make a lot of birdies and didn’t make any mistakes.”

The golf course was firm on Thursday, but that may change with thunderstorms in the forecast Friday.

Andres Romero, Billy Horschel and Joel Dahmen shot 65s and were three shots back. Hunter Mahan was one of eight players to shoot 66.

Eleven years ago, the last time the British Open was played at Carnoustie, Romero finished alone in third, one shot out of a playoff won by Padraig Harrington. But the up-and-down Argentinian hasn’t won in the U.S. in a decade and didn’t qualify for the Open this year.

He tied for seventh last week at the John Deere Classic in only his third PGA Tour start of the season.

TORONTO – Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. and Golf Canada are pleased to announce that Single Malt Scotch Whisky brand, The Glenlivet, will continue as the official spirit supplier of Golf Canada’s National Open Championships—the RBC Canadian Open taking place from July 23-29, 2018 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. as well as the CP Women’s Open, August 20-26 at The Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.

“We’re excited to extend our partnership with the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open as it allows us to celebrate the tremendous excellence and heritage of golf in Canada with The Glenlivet,” says Bryan Lin, Scotch Whisky Brand Manager, Corby Spirit and Wine. “The Glenlivet is the ultimate Single Malt Scotch whisky that was distilled for pleasure since 1824. We are committed to delivering a first-class experience that can be shared by golf fans and patrons throughout the championship with multiple onsite activations and touchpoints.”

Attendees at the RBC Canadian Open Spectator Village will have the opportunity to sample the award-winning Single Malt Scotch Whisky The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve and take home their own custom label with The Glenlivet Label Maker Experience.

Fans can also enjoy a more premium viewing experience inside the Single Malt Super Seats Lounge behind the 16^th Hole Green, with feature tastings of the newly launched Ballantine 15 Year-old Glenburgie Single Malt Scotch led by The Glenlivet Brand Ambassador, Frank Biskupek.

Additionally, Corby Spirit and Wine will feature several of its premium spirits at public concessions, including Absolut Vodka, Havana Club Rum, Altos Tequila and Ungava Gin.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. an offer our fans a truly world-class whiskey at both the RBC Canadian Open as well as the CP Women’s Open,” said Craig Sharp, Golf Canada Managing Director, Partnerships. “The tremendous history behind The Glenlivet pairs perfectly with well over 100 years of delivering a premium spectator experience at our historic National Open Golf Championships.”

More details about Golf Canada’s National Open Golf Championships including tickets can be found at www.rbccanadianopen.com and www.cpwomensopen.com.

PORT BLANDFORD, N.L. – Owen Mullen emerged as leader in the Boys Division while Haley Baker captured a playoff victory at the Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship at Twin Rivers Golf Course on Thursday.

Mullen, who started the day co-leading with Peter Blazevic, shot a 1-over-par 72 — the low round of the day — to earn his victory in the Boys Division. The Truro, N.S., talent had a slow start with three consecutive bogeys but rebounded with an impressive eagle on the 9th hole, followed by three birdies on the back-nine to earn a two-stroke victory.

“I’m really excited. It’s my second win of the year. I haven’t been playing my best lately so it was good to close this one out and get the win. It’ll be my first nationals and going to Medicine Hat should be a good time looking to play well and hoping to make the cut.”

“It’s my second win of the year. I haven’t been playing my best lately so it was good to close this one out and get the win,” said the 14-year-old, who is heading to the Canadian Junior Boys Championship in near the end of the month. “The tournament will be my first nationals. I’m just looking to play well there and am hoping to make the cut.”

Blazevic, Mullen’s second round co-lead, finished close behind in second after carding a 3 over. The 14-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., struggled throughout the round but ended strong with back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes. He finished at 6-over-par 221.

Finishing in third place was Ewan Jr. Kelly from Beaver Bank, N.S., at 11-over-par 224. The 17-year-old fired a tournament-low 70 on Tuesday to lead after the first round but fell to third place after carding 78-76.

The other top-six finishers earning exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 30-Aug. 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta., are:  Michael Simms of St. John’s, N.L., Mark Chandler of Chester, N.S., and Eric Yun of Richmond Hill, Ont.

In the Girls Division, Haley Baker and Raesa Sheikh fired final rounds of 11 over and 7 over, respectively, to finish the round at 17-over-par 230 and enter into a playoff for first. Baker outlasted Sheikh and won the playoff by one stroke on hole number one.

“I think it’s a pretty big win for me. It was probably one of the better tournaments I played in score wise but it was pretty nerve-wracking,” said Baker, who played alongside her younger sister in the final round. “My sister was really supportive of me because she saw I was struggling. She just told me to stay with it, so that was very helpful.”

Four shots back from Baker and Sheikh was Haley’s younger sister, Abbey Baker. The 13-year-old finished in third at 21-over-234.

Rounding out the top six earning exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C. are Ashley Chow (North York, Ont.), Taylor Cormier (Corner Brook, N.L.) and Mackenzie Deveau (Moncton, N.B.).

2018 FUTURE LINKS, DRIVEN BY ACURA ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – JUNIOR BOYS DIVISION

1. Owen Mullen, Truro, NS, *76-71-72-219 +6
2. Peter Blazevic, Mississauga, ON, *74-73-74-221 +8
3. Ewan Jr Kelly, Beaver Bank, NS, *70-78-76-224 +11
4. Michael Simms, St. John’s, NL, *77-73-76-226 +13
5. Mark Chandler, Chester, NS, *77-75-76-228 +15
6. Tae Kyoung (Eric) Yun, Richmond Hill, ON, *77-78-75-230 +17

2018 FUTURE LINKS, DRIVEN BY ACURA ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – JUNIOR GIRLS DIVISION

1. x-Haley Baker, Halifax, NS, *73-75-82-230 +17
2. Raesa Sheikh, Caledon, ON, *74-78-78-230 +17
3. Abbey Baker, Halifax, NS, *81-75-78-234 +21
4. Ashley Chow, North York, ON, *75-82-79-236 +23
5. Taylor Cormier, Corner Brook, NL, *86-89-80-255 +42
6. Mackenzie Deveau, Moncton, NB, *88-91-90-269 +56

Full results.

PORT BLANDFORD, N.L. — Haley Baker holds onto her lead in the Girls Division while Peter Blazevic and Owen Mullen co-lead the Boys Division at the Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship on Wednesday.

Baker held on to the top spot in the Girls Division after posting a second-round 4 over.  The Ashburn, N.S., native extended her lead to head into the final round with a comfortable four-stroke margin. Despite being unable to register a single birdie, Baker tied with her younger sister Abbey for the low score of the day.

Raesa Sheikh was in a great position after 9 holes but struggled on the back-nine with two double bogeys, eventually sinking a birdie on her last hole. The Caledon, Ont., product sits in second place at 10-over-par.

Rounding out the top-three in the Girls Division is Abbey Baker at 14 over. The 13-year-old was the only junior girl to score multiple birdies during the second round.

In the Boys Division, Owen Mullen moved from fourth to a tie for first after firing four birdies and posting an even-71, the low score of the day.

“It’s a little tight off the tee so you can’t be super aggressive out there and have to strategize well because it was so windy today. The stretch from 4 to 12 really got my round going and kept it together,” said the 14-year-old from Truro, N.S. “My plan tomorrow is just to play my own game and not worry about what the other guys are doing.”

He will enter the final round tied for the lead alongside Mississauga’s Blazevic, who started round two in a tie for second.

Yesterday’s leader, Ewan Jr. Kelly, sits one shot back from the leaders. The 17-year-old, who shot a 7 over, faced troubles throughout the round but found redemption with an eagle on hole 16.

The top six finishers in the junior boys’ division will earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 30-Aug. 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta. The top six finishers in the junior girls’ division will earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C.

Up-to-date results can be found here.

VANCOUVER, B.C. –  Marine Drive Golf Club is prepared to host the world’s premier female amateur golfers from July 23-27 for the 105th playing of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

The top-two ranked players on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) headline the 156-player field as Marine Drive hosts the Women’s Amateur Championship for the first time. World No. 1 and defending champion Jennifer Kupcho headlines the group alongside Lilia Kha-Tu Vu (No. 2) and Patty Tavatanakit (No. 6).

Designed in 1922 by the late Arthur Vernon Macan, Marine Drive has been home to many champions. The 6,300 yard, par 71 course is known for its difficulty and has continued to provide an exceptional test of golf. Macan will be celebrated at RBC Hall of Fame Day on July 24 during the RBC Canadian Open as one of two inductees this year into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame for his excellence in Canadian golf architecture.

“We are so excited to host the 105th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Marine Drive in the beautiful city of Vancouver,” said Tim Tait, Director of Golf at Marine Drive. “We look forward to welcoming the world’s up-and-coming stars to Marine Drive, and crowning the next champion of this storied tournament.”

LPGA stars Brooke Henderson (2013) and Ariya Jutanugarn (2012) are two of many great champions to have hoisted the Duchess of Connaught Trophy before moving on to the professional ranks. 

“This tournament has proven to be a stepping stone for many amateurs working towards joining the professional ranks,” said Tournament Director, Dan Hyatt. “Eight of our past 10 winners, including 2013 champion Brooke Henderson, have gone on to find success as professionals. We are very excited to write the next chapter of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Marine Drive.” 

In 2018, the Marlene Streit Trophy will be awarded to the runner-up for the first time since its retirement in 2006. Streit, a Canadian golf Hall-of-Famer, holds the record of 11 victories at the Canadian Women’s Amateur.

All four members of Team Canada’s Amateur Squad will be in attendance: World No. 16 Maddie Szeryk (London, Ont.), No. 26 Jaclyn Lee (Calgary, Alta.), No. 177 Naomi Ko (Victoria, B.C.) and No. 249 Grace St-Germain (Ottawa, Ont.). Céleste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., will be joined by her fellow Team Canada Development Squad members Monet Chun (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Ellie Szeryk (London, Ont.) and Alyssa DiMarcantonio (Maple, Ont.).

In addition to Kupcho, Vu, Tavatanakit, Szeryk and Lee, players in the field from the top-30 world rankings include Mariel Galdiano (No. 19), Haley Moore (No.25) and Emilia Migliaccio (No. 27). Also included in the field is Avril Li, who earned her spot in the event after winning the 2018 Canadian University/College Championship.

A practice round will be conducted on July 23 prior to the championship’s opening round. Following the first two rounds of play, the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties. A tie for the championship will be decided by a hole-by-hole playoff immediately following the conclusion of play.

An inter-provincial team championship will take place in conjunction with the first two rounds of play. British Columbia’s Naomi Ko, Michelle Kim and Gloria Usu Choi claimed the team title in 2017. 

The winner of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship will earn an exemption into the CP Women’s Open from Aug. 20-26 at the Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.

For more Information on the 2018 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship including the full field, starting times and live scoring, click here.

NOTABLES
Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont.
The National Amateur Squad member is the highest ranked Canadian in the field (No. 16). The three-time All-American golfer already has two wins in 2018:  the Bruzzy Challenge and Dale McNamara Invitational. In 14 events this season, the 21-year-old has five top-five finishes and eighteen top-twenty finishes. She captured both the BC Women’s Amateur Championship and Women’s Western Amateur Championship.

Jaclyn Lee of Calgary, Alta.
The Team Canada National Amateur Squad member has made a name for herself this season with wins at the NCAA Big Ten Championship and Westbrook Invitational and six top-ten finishes, including a tied for fifth at the NCAA Women’s Medal Championship. The 21-year-old recently climbed up ten spots to No. 26 in the world rankings after a strong showing at the Meijer LPGA Classic and making it to the semi-finals at the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship.

Jennifer Kupcho of Westminster, Colo.
The defending champion and current world No. 1 has three wins so far this season: the NCAA Medal Championship, the NCAA Tallahassee Regional and the Bryan National Collegiate. Kupcho won the event last year by a 5-stroke margin. The 21-year-old amateur most recently finished T16 at the Marathon LPGA.

Lilia Kha-Tu Vu of Fountain Valley, Calif.
The current world No. 2 has four victories in 2018 so far: the Pac-12 Championship, the Arizona Wildcat Invitational, Bruin Wave Invitational and the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge. The 20-year-old placed second in this event last year.

Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand
The current world No.6, Tavatanakit has won three of the seven 2018 tournaments she has played in, including the NCAA San Fransisco Regional, Pac-12 Championship and Silverado Showdown.

FAST FACTS
Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship is among the oldest golfing competitions in Canada.

The champion will earn an exemption into the CP Women’s Open from Aug. 20-26 at the Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.

Ten provincial teams with three players each will compete in an inter-provincial championship that will take place in during the first two rounds.

The Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship is an ‘A’ ranked event on the World Amateur Golf Ranking. 

Last year’s champion: Jennifer Kupcho from Colorado, current world No. 1 amateur golfer.

Recent past winners and current LPGA major winners include Brooke Henderson (2013), Ariya Jutanugarn (2012)

During the 1901 season, the Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Que. hosted the first competition which was won by Canadian Lillas Young.

Canadian Marlene Streit has the most wins at the event (11) in its history: 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973.

Canadian Mary Ann Lapointe is the oldest to ever win the event at 44-years-old. 

Judy Darling Evans and Dora Darling are the only mother-daughter combo to win the event.

Five golfers have won the tournament at least three years in a row: Mabel Thomson, Dorothy Campbell, Marlene Stewart Streit, Debbie Massey and Lisa Meldrum. 

The Duchess of Connaught was donated in 1914 as the new championship trophy, Dorothy Campbell had won the Lady Grey Trophy outright in 1912 after her third consecutive victory.

The tournament was not held between 1939-1946 because of WWII.

The Marlene Streit trophy, awarded to the runner-up, will be returning for the first time since its retirement in 2006.

ABOUT THE COURSE
Designed by A.V. Macan, who will be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame at the 2018 RBC Canadian Open.

Established 96 years ago. 

6,300 yard, par 71 golf course 

Host Club for past Canadian Men’s, Men’s Senior and Junior Boys Championships.

PORT BLANDFORD, N.L. — Ewan Jr. Kelly and Haley Baker carded a 1 under and 2 over, respectively, to lead their divisions at the Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship at Twin Rivers Golf Course.

Kelly was the only player to score under par during the first round of the tournament. The Beaver Bank, N.S., native overcame a couple of bogeys on the front-nine with four birdies to head into the second round with a four-stroke lead.

“I hit it pretty solid and managed really well,” said the 17-year-old. “My plan tomorrow is to keep it in play and miss in the right spots. I only hit one driver today and probably not going to hit any more.”

Jordie Cooper of Fall River, N.S. and Peter Blazevic of Mississauga, Ont. both shot 3 over to share a piece of second place.

In the Girls’ Division, Haley Baker fired four birdies in order to recover from a rough front-nine that included three bogeys and a double-bogey.

“My start was a little shaky but my putting was really good today,” said the 16-year-old Halifax, N.S. product. “I got into some trouble on a couple of holes today so my plan for the second round is to keep it in play.”

The race in the Girls’ Division will be tight on Wednesday. Raesa Sheikh of Caledon, Ont., sits one shot behind Baker in second place at 3 over while Ashley Chow of North York, Ont., is in third at 4 over.

The top six finishers in the Boys Division will earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 30-Aug. 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta., while the top six (including ties) in the Girls Division will earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on July 31- Aug. 3 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C.

Up-to-date results can be found here.

Marc-Etienne Bussieres held on to the top spot of the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC following the recent PGA Championship of Canada presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf.

With the No. 1-ranking, the 31-year-old from Club de golf Longchamp in Sherbrooke, Que., earns an exemption into the RBC Canadian Open, which takes place July 23-29 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

Pierre-Alexandre Bedard moved into the top-five of the player rankings after his first national championship win at the PGA Championship of Canada presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club. Bedard, an assistant professional at Club de golf Cap Rouge in Quebec, is the PGA of Canada’s reigning Mike Weir Player of the Year Award winner. The 23-year-old is now in a good position to become the first back-to-back player of the year in the history of the association.

The Mike Weir Player of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding player among the ranks of the PGA of Canada membership. The Player of the Year is awarded to the member who attains the most points based on the criteria within the PGA of Canada Player Rankings for the calendar year of the award.

Other nice jumps in the player rankings after the PGA Championship of Canada include Gordon Burns (who placed second at Credit Valley) who moved into the top-10 at No. 8, up from No. 16. John Shin of the Northview Golf Academy in Surrey, B.C., jumped 20 spots to No. 21.

The new look PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC are as follows:

1. Marc-Etienne Bussieres, Club de Golf Longchamp
2. Bryn Parry, Point Grey Golf & Country Club
3. Billy Walsh, Modern Golf
4. Dave Levesque, Golf Chateau Bromont
5. Pierre-Alexandre Bedard, Club de Golf Cap Rouge
6. Danny King, The Performance Academy at Magna
7. Oliver Tubb, University Golf Club
8. Gordon Burns, Gord Burns Golf School
9. Lee Curry, Camelot Golf & Country Club
10. Dustin Risdon, National Golf Academy Dome

The PGA of Canada Player Rankings is based on a points-based system from a number of national and zone championships.

The remaining events for points are:

• PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada
• PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada
• PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada
• British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northern Ontario, Ontario, Ottawa Valley, Quebec and Atlantic Zone Championship and Club Professional Championship
• Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Ottawa Valley, Quebec and Atlantic Assistants’ Championship

For more information about the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC, CLICK HERE.

PORT BLANDFORD, N.L. —  Golf Canada concludes its 2018 Future Links championship season as the Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship is ready to take place at Terra Nova Resort on the award-winning Twin Rivers Golf Course from July 17-19.

With support from Golf Newfoundland and Labrador, the Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship is the final regional junior championship presented in partnership with Acura this season. The 54-hole stroke play tournament will begin with a practice round on July 16 before the tournament gets underway with round one on July 17.

Twin Rivers Golf Course officially opened in August 1984 as a nine-hole public course in Terra Nova National Park designed by Robbie Robinson. A second nine-hole, designed by Doug Carrick, opened in July 1991.

“Golf Newfoundland and Labrador is excited to present the 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship alongside Golf Canada,” said this week’s Tournament Director, Greg Hillier. “We look forward to seeing how Twin Rivers Golf Course tests Canada’s premier junior golfers while giving them an opportunity to showcase their skills.”

The field will consist of  57 junior golfers in the Junior Boys Division with the top six earning exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 30-Aug. 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta. A tie for the sixth position will be decided by a playoff following the conclusion of play.

The Junior Girls Division will consist of 8 golfers with the top six (including ties) earning an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on July 31- Aug. 3 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C.

Results from the previous 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura championships can be found here:Pacific, Ontario, Western, Quebec and Prairie.

More information regarding the Future Links, driven by Acura Championships can be found here.

NOTABLES
Haley Baker of Halifax, Nova Scotia
The 16-year-old has placed in the top-ten in five out of the six events she played in this season. Her best finish in 2018 so far was second place at the 2018 East Cost Junior Championship.

Owen Mullen of Truro, Nova Scotia
The 14-year-old finished T10 at the event last year. Mullen won the 2018 CJGA Atlantic Spring Classic and has three other top-five finishes this year. He ranks 50th on the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit.

Daniel Kirby of Woodstock, New Brunswick
The 15-year-old finished T7 at the same event last year, the highest of anyone in the Boys Division this year. Kirby finished first at the CJGA DeLaet Cup Team East Qualifier at Northumberland Links Golf Club and currently ranks 36th in the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit.

Taylor Cormier of Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
The 16-year-old had a stellar 2017 season, winning four out of the five events that she competed in addition to being named Golf Newfoundland and Labrador’s Junior Female Golfer of the Year. She tied for thirteenth at the event last year.

FAST FACTS
In 2018, Golf Canada is conducting its six regional Future Links, driven by Acura championships in conjunction with the Provincial Associations.

Top six finishers in the Boys Division earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

Top six finishers (including ties) in the Girls Division earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

Calvin Ross successfully defended his 2015, 2016 and 2017 Future Links Atlantic titles, and continuing on to win the Canadian Junior Boys Championship last year by two strokes.
Meghan McLean went wire-to-wire to win the Girls Division in the 2017 Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship.

ABOUT THE COURSE
Twin Rivers Golf Course officially opened in August 1984 as a nine-hole public course in Terra Nova National Park.

The second nine hole opened in July 1991.

Acknowledged as one of the top 100 courses in the country

SILVIS, Ill. — David Hearn and Mackenzie Hughes were the top Canadians, finishing T16 at the John Deere Classic on Sunday.

Brampton’s Hearn was one to watch this weekend. The 39-year-old recorded third place and second place performances during the first two rounds but finished tied for sixteenth alongside Hughes after a fourth round 1 under.

Hughes moved up 18 spots to end tied with Hearn and five other players after firing 6 under to finish at 14-under-par 270.

Michael Kim didn’t just win his first PGA Tour event on Sunday. He dominated in a fashion never seen at TPC Deere Run.

Kim’s prizes? A little over a million bucks, a two-year exemption on tour and a trip to the British Open.

Kim shot a final-round 66 on Sunday to win the John Deere Classic by a record-setting eight strokes. Kim, who turned 25 on Saturday, finished at 27-under 257 to break Steve Stricker’s tournament record from 2010 by one shot.

Kim also qualified for next week’s Open at Carnoustie _ an unexpected bonus for a player who had missed five of his last six cuts before his breakthrough in the Quad Cities.

Kim also made 30 birdies for the week, a season high on tour in 2018.

“To be able to finish out in style like this, it means a lot,” said Kim, who nearly quadrupled his season earnings with a winner’s share of $1.044 million. “To be sitting here with a trophy, I’m at a loss for words.”

Bronson Burgoon, Francesco Molinari, Joel Dahmen and Sam Ryder all finished at 19 under.

Kim took all the drama out of the final round with birdies on his first three holes and secured the largest margin of victory during the tournament’s stay at the course, which began in 2000. J.P. Hayes (2002) and Vijay Singh (2003) won the event by four strokes.

Kim, who had previously had just one top-10 finish in 84 career starts _ a third at the Safeway Open two years ago _ entered play with a five-shot lead. It was the biggest edge for a third-round leader at the John Deere Classic since Stricker’s six-stroke advantage eight years ago.

Kim, a former star at Cal who had struggled to find his footing as a pro, made it obvious from his first swing that he wasn’t about to let anyone catch him.

Kim knocked in a 13-foot birdie putt on the opening hole, and then holed two more from 15 and 24 feet to give him seven straight birdies dating back to the end of Saturday’s round _ and a seven-shot lead.

The field might have felt a glimmer of hope when Kim dumped his tee shot into the greenside bunker on the par-3 seventh hole.

But Kim got his bunker shot to within 7 feet and made the downhill par putt, and he walked to the next tee with an eight-shot edge.

“Even the last couple of weeks, I felt like my game was getting there,” Kim said. “I just felt like I needed just a couple of good starts to the rounds.”

Kim surpassed Stricker’s mark with a 21-foot putt on No. 16. The understated Kim finally let loose, holding his hand to his ear in a nod to a cheering gallery.

Kim’s day ended on No. 18 in emotional fashion when he saw his brother, father and mother _ all of whom had made a surprise trip in hopes of seeing him get his first win _ on a video screen.

“I teared up a little bit on the green,” Kim said. “To see my parents here … it made me even more nervous.”