First Tee – Atlantic participants represent Canada at Ernie Els International Golf Tournament
Golf Canada
Four skilled competitors represented First Tee – Atlantic and Canada at the third annual Ernie Els #GameON Autism® International Golf Tournament.
The global tournament is for individuals with autism to benefit from competition, physical activity, and social connection. Participants as young as five and up to 18 compete alongside their teammates in a six-hole match at their Official Program Provider (OPP) in their respective countries, and scores are submitted.
This year, the Canadian squad was made up of four First Tee – Atlantic participants from Newfoundland.
Joseph Tobin, eight years old, Gabe Spence, nine years old, and Theo Jenkins, nine years old, from Corner Brook, NL and Jackson Pink, 11 years old, of Pasadena, NL faced off against the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, and Ghana.
Pink shot the lowest team score, with a 43, and Tobin was not far behind, with a 49. The team was supported throughout the day by head coach Wayne Allen as well as his two daughters, assistant coaches Rosie and Paige Allen.
The players competed at First Tee – Atlantic program location, Humber Valley Resort, where Coach Wayne ran registered First Tee programming out of this year.
The partnership between First Tee – Atlantic, Els for Autism Foundation and Humber Valley is exemplary of First Tee’s mission to provide more inclusive pathways to golf for children from all backgrounds. By collaborating with the Els Foundation, First Tee – Atlantic provided a life-enhancing opportunity for its participants and helped children with autism feel more included in the culture of sports and recreation.
First Tee – Atlantic’s Program Manager, Colin Gillis, and dedicated First Tee coach, Wayne Allen, completed additional training through the Els Foundation to provide an ideal learning environment for participants with autism.
The #GameOn Autism Golf Program is infused with evidence-based practices for teaching golf to people with autism. Coaches take a deeper dive into helping participants learn golf skills while practicing specific autism learning concepts, including communication, emotional regulation, motor, and social skills.
First Tee – Atlantic and Coach Wayne have also been working with the Autism Network of Newfoundland since 2023.
“This is what First Tee is all about,” said Gillis. “When locations like Humber Valley Resort open their doors so any child can participate in golf, we break down those barriers of entry to our sport and ensure that all children feel included, welcomed and celebrated. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to play golf and reap the benefits the sport has to offer on and off the course.”
First Tee – Atlantic launched across the Atlantic provinces in 2022 and now offers programming at over 17 locations through partnerships with golf courses, schools, and community organizations.
“We will continue to provide a safe and empowering environment for children with autism at First Tee – Atlantic,” said Gillis. “We look forward to competing again next year at the Ernie Els International tournament and hope to bring home the championship title!”
To learn more about the Els Autism Foundation, click here. To get involved with First Tee – Atlantic, click here.
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PGA TOUR
Matt McCarty played the final five holes in three under par to win the Black Desert Championship by three strokes. It is his first PGA win in just his third-ever tour start and his fourth win in his last 10 combined starts on the PGA and Korn Ferry Tour. McCarty began the year on the Korn Ferry Tour and earned promotion to the PGA Tour after winning three times on the development tour. He’s the first player since Jason Gore in 2005 to earn PGA promotion and win in the same season. The victory earns him an invitation to the Masters and PGA Championship. He earned a spot in the U.S. Open by finishing atop the points race on the Korn Ferry Tour. Stephan Jaeger moved within a shot of McCarty after back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th holes. But McCarty ended any threat with an eagle on No. 14. Lucas Glover and Kevin Streelman tied for third. The result moves Streelman to No. 138 in the FedEx Cup Fall standings. He has four more events to try and move into the top 125 which would see him retain his PGA Tour card for 2025. The tournament marked the return of the PGA Tour to Utah for the first time in 61 years. …Nick Taylor notched his first top-25 result since March. …Adam Svensson’s opening round 60 was a career-low and marked the ninth round of 60 or better on the PGA Tour this season. …Roger Sloan slipped four spots to 172 in the FedEx Fall Cup standings.
POS
SCORES
TOTAL
T25
Nick Taylor
69-67-66-69
-13
T25
Adam Svensson
60-69-71-71
-13
T61
Roger Sloan
66-67-72-74
-5
MC
Mike Weir
68-74
NEXT EVENT: Shriners Children’s Open (Oct 17)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Adam Hadwin, Taylor Pendrith, Ben Silverman, Roger Sloan, Adam Svensson, Nick Taylor
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
Jerry Kelly made six birdies over his first 13 holes then survived a final hole bogey to win the SAS Championship by one stroke. It is his 12th win on the
Champions Tour but the first since 2022. He joins Bruce Lietzke, Russ Cochran and Bernhard Langer as the only multiple winners of the event. Kelly has been dealing with a wrist injury and rheumatoid arthritis for much of the season. Padraig Harrington, who started the final round with a three-shot lead, missed an eight-foot par putt on the final hole that would have forced a playoff. The tournament was the last before the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs start next week for the top 72 players. Ernie Els goes into the postseason as the No. 1 seed. Stephen Ames, who had held the No. 1 ranking as late as the end of June, goes into the playoffs as the No. 3 seed. Mike Weir starts the playoffs at No. 25.
POS
SCORES
TOTAL
T38
Stephen Ames
70-73-72
-1
NEXT EVENT: Dominion Energy Classic (October 18) CANADIANS ENTERED: Stephen Ames, Mike Weir
EUROPEAN TOUR
Dan Bradbury made four birdies on the back nine, including three straight starting at No. 14, to hold off four other golfers and win the FedEx Open de France by one shot. It is his second career European Tour win. The win vaulted Bradbury up to No. 25 in the Race to Dubai ranking, earning him spots at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the World Tour Championship in Dubai. Jeff Winther shot up the leaderboard with seven birdies including four on the back nine but he could only manage par on the final two holes to finish tied for second with Thorbjørn Olesen, Sam Bairstow and Yannik Paul. Third-round leader Jesper Svensson tumbled down the leaderboard with a round of 5-over 76 to finish tied for 27th. …Aaron Cockerill posted his sixth top-15 finish of the season and carded four sub-par rounds for the second time in three starts.
POS
SCORES
TOTAL
T13
Adam Cockerill
68-68-69-69
-1
NEXT EVENT: Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters (Oct 17)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Aaron Cockerill
LPGA TOUR
Ruoning Yin made eight birdies including five over her final six holes to rally and win the Buick LPGA Shanghai tournament by six shots. It is her fourth career LPGA Tour victory and second of the season. She is also the first Chinese player to win the Shanghai-based tournament. Her 25-under 263 total shattered the 72-hole tournament scoring record set in 2019 by nine strokes. Third-round leader Mao Saigo of Japan finished tied for second, her seventh top-10 finish of the season. That ties her with Brooke Henderson and Sarah Schmelzel for the most top-10 results without a win in 2024. Sei Young Kim also finished runner-up for the second time at this event and has three top-10 results in four starts in Shanghai.
Golf Canada Hole-In-One Report – Week of September 2, 2024
Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).
Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.
Kevin Trayling, Woodington Lakes, Hole #15
I did have my first ever hole-in-one this past weekend! It was my second round of the day, our first round was played at Glen Eagle, but the second round was played at Woodington Lakes where I got the hole-in-one on hole #16.
I was playing with my two friends, Adam and Jim. The yardage was 145 (playing like 160) and I used an 8 iron. It was a moment I will never forget!
At first I was like where did my ball go? Then I thought to myself, “Oh man I think I hit an ace!” I ran and got my phone in the golf cart and video taped the moment going to the pin and my ball.
The group that just completed the hole were on the next hole close by and they saw the ace and they too were amazed.
Steve Smith, Tarandowah Golfers Club, Hole #3
The hole was playing at 145 yards that day (according to Garmin). I used my 7 iron. I was playing with Bryan Gast, Barry Kennedy and Doug Campbell with Ron McLeod also witnessing. This was first hole-in-one!
Jadyn Lit, Chateau Whistler Golf Club, Hole #8
I was playing with Bill Lit who is also a Golf Canada member, along with Amar Paddam and Parb Rehal. The official yardage I got was 152 and I used a 9 iron (Ping i530) and Taylormade Project A ball.
Nancy Wynter, Greyhawk Golf Club, Hole #7
I was playing in the third and final round of our Senior Intersectional Qualifier event that also happened to coincide with our weekly women’s league.
It was a 91 yard shot and I used an 8 iron. It wasn’t pretty as I just barely got over the green side bunker and was so lucky that the rough slowed it up enough as it rolled on the green and went into the hole.
I was one of the earlier tee times so I took my time to come into the clubhouse to give the women a chance to partake in a hole-in-one drink. At our club, everyone will get a free drink for up to an hour after the person getting the hole-in-one enters the bar.
It sure helped that there was a thunderstorm in the area and they sounded the horn which forced everyone to come back to the clubhouse.
This is my third hole-in-one. All have been at GreyHawk. I’ve had a hole-in-one on hole’s #7 and #17 on Talon and hole #11 on Predator.
I was golfing with Sylvie Goulard and Elaine Willcock that day.
Bruce Liski, Murray Municipal, Hole #4
I was playing golf with Hal Wilkie, Joe Bladyko and Shawn Koroluk.
The fourth hole at the Murray Golf Course that day was playing 187 yards. I used a 4 hybrid.
It took 51 years of playing golf to finally get a hole-in-one!
Starting playing golf as a unattached junior at one of the local country clubs at age 13. I am now 64 years old and the wait is officially over.
Shawn Woolls, Forest Heights Golf Course, Hole #5
It’s been a good year of golf for me so far. Put in some solid work over the winter and it seems to be paying off. The women in my wife’s family have had the upper hand over the men in the hole-in-one department.
Wife has one, mother-in-law has one and sister-in-law has two! Two years ago my brother-in-law ended the drought with two of his own. I’ve been close a few times in the past. Inches away a few times and once I damaged the hole by hitting pin and cup at same time.
This year I was close twice. Just missing by inches, until I got to hole #5 at Forest Heights Golf Course in Sundre, Alta. The hole was 164 yards, back pin. I used my Titleist 8 iron and Pro-V1x combo. Hit a nice tight fade, landed about 10 feet from the pin, rolled up and disappeared! We weren’t sure until we got up to the green. The guys at the next tee box seen it and waited for us as they figured we didn’t know it went in because we weren’t hollering and cheering. Sent them four beers when the cart came by!
Now the monkey is off my back and the women have been in a drought for a couple years now, although I suspect they won’t let that last long!
Kristin Lewis, Ponoka Community Golf Course, Hole #15
I got my hole-in-one on hole #15 at the Ponoka Community Golf Course on the last round of an eleven day golf trip with my husband (Gary Sandberg), my dad (Dale Lewis) and my dad’s significant other (Susan Johnston). This is our third annual golf trip, how lucky am I that I get to golf with both my dad and my husband! We often colour match our golf outfits (my dad started it), and we were all in our matching blue “hammer time” shirts for our last day, it’s lots of fun.
This trip, in particular, was a special one, as it was the start of my recovery and my return to golf as I tried to get my game back and just enjoyed every day loving life on the course. I received the all clear in May of this year after spending the last year in treatment (surgery, chemo and radiation) after being diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2023.
The hole-in-one is my first, and likely only! I’ve been golfing pretty regularly for over 30 years! When I stepped up to the 102 yard hole from the forward tee boxes, I certainly didn’t have any big expectations, to the point where when I hit the ball with my pitching wedge, I was very excited just to see it clear the front sand trap (it wasn’t my best shot). And then it bounced and started rolling toward the pin and disappeared! I didn’t really believe it. I looked over to my husband and he nodded and threw his arms up, and then I lost my mind! I started cheering and screaming, threw my club down, ran a lap around the tee box like I’d just won the World Series and proceeded to give hugs all around! Everyone within a three hole radius had a pretty good idea what happened.
Some of my friends and family have speculated that this is my consolation prize for the last year of what I’ve been through. I’ll take it! So many reasons to keep smiling!
Claire Chanyi, Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club, Hole #8
The day I got my hole-in-one I was playing with my two friends, it was our second round of the day. The yardage was 108 and I used my 54 degree wedge.
Kate Pascal, Greystone Golf Club, Hole #11
That day was absolutely amazing! I am still processing what happened. I was in a disbelief at first, then shock and finally, a crazy state of happiness. Getting the hole-in-one is such an incredible feeling! From the red tees and I’m not sure what the exact distance was but for me to use 6 hybrid must’ve been 112-115 yards. Kirkland ball used. I was playing with my boss Craig H., Jeremy R. and Steve B. It was our team golf day.
Lindsey Hermer-Bell, Georgian Bay Club, Hole #3
I was playing with my friends Sue and John Chippendale. Approaching hole #3, I selected a 7 wood to hit the ball 138 yards into the wind. I walked up to the hole and just hit the ball. It bounced about two times in front of the hole and disappeared. I thought it may have gone past the hole but we didn’t see the ball. It was in direct line to the hole so my playing friends were convinced it dropped in the hole. Sure enough, there it was. I guess I was in a state of shock! It was my first!
Norm Piche, Osprey Links Golf Club, Hole #15
The funny thing is that I detest this hole because for years golfing this hole I have a terrible time hitting the green from my tee shot. While I had a pretty good front nine, I had struggled on holes #12, #13, and had a triple bogey on #14. I was walking up the hill to the 15th tee and told my buddy, Darryl, that we should have quit playing after nine holes. Anyways, as we prepared to tee off on #15, my nemesis hole, I finally hit a shot that was actually going to stay on the green. Little did I know it would fall two inches past the hole and back spin into the hole. I was in disbelief at first then realized what had happened.
Svensson has personal-best 60 to lead in Utah’s return to PGA Tour after 61 years
Adam Svensson of Canada lines up his shot from the 16th tee during the first round of the Black Desert Championship 2024 at Black Desert Resort on October 10, 2024 in St George, Utah. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Associated Press
VINS, Utah — Adam Svensson made a 35-foot eagle putt he thought he had missed and closed with a birdie from the bunker for a career-best 11-under 60, giving him a two-shot lead Thursday in the Black Desert Championship as the PGA Tour returned to Utah for the first time in 61 years.
Black Desert Resort had a gorgeous day to make its debut with a Tom Weiskopf design cut through an ancient field of black lava and surrounded by the red rock mountains some 30 miles from Zion National Park.
Svensson and so many others made short work of the course in ideal scoring conditions.
Henrik Norlander hit all 14 fairways and all 18 greens in posting his career-low of 62. He was joined by Korn Ferry Tour grad Matt McCarty, who had an eagle on the reachable par-4 fifth.
And then Svensson, from Surrey, B.C., came through in the afternoon and made seven birdies through 10 holes before he finished with a flourish.
The Canadian chose to lay up on the fifth — reachable par 4s are a signature of the late Weiskopf in his golf course designs — and made an 8-footer. Then came his 35-foot eagle on the par-5 seventh to move into the lead.
“I thought it was going to go left and it went right and went in,” Svensson said. “You’ve got to get a little bit lucky here and there. But overall I played very well.”
He saved par from 8 feet on the par-3 eighth and then got up-and-down from a bunker by making a 4-foot birdie putt on the par-5 ninth.
“It’s just one of those rounds where everything just comes together,” Svensson said.
It was the second straight week during the FedEx Cup Fall portion of the PGA Tour that a player shot 60. David Skinns missed a 10-foot putt for a chance at 59 in the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Svensson would have needed an eagle on his final hole for a sub-60 round, but found a bunker. He wasn’t even aware a 59 was in play because he thought Black Desert Resort was a par 72.
“I didn’t even think about it, really,” he said.
Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., was tied for 16th after a 5-under 66, Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., was tied for 42nd at 3 under, and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., was tied for 62nd after shooting 69.
The opening round could not finish before darkness in southwestern Utah. Among those who didn’t finish was 65-year-old Jay Don Blake, the Utah native and one-time PGA Tour winner given an exemption to play in his 500th career PGA Tour event.
Blake grew up about a half-mile away from the resort when it was just an ancient lava field. He was 3-over par through 15 holes.
Norlander couldn’t have asked for much more. He hit all 14 fairways and every green in posting his best round on the PGA Tour.
“I think everybody out on this tour when they play well, every course is going to be fine for them, and vice versa,” Norlander said. “I really like it here. It’s a fun course, a lot of opportunities, but you’ve got to hit good shots because the greens are somewhat severe, and you’ve got to get it in the right portions to play well.”
McCarty started his year on the Korn Ferry Tour and won three times, earning an instant promotion to the PGA Tour. He had to wait until the FedEx Cup Fall to get started, and this is his second tournament.
Kevin Streelman had a 64, while the group at 65 included Ben Kohles, who had a hole-in-one on the 17th hole, which was playing 130 yards with a front pin and a backstop. Several other players came within inches of an ace.
Others at 65 from the early side of the draw included Houston Open winner Stephen Jaeger and Harry Hall, who won the ISCO Championship in Kentucky. That win didn’t get Hall into the Masters because it was held the same week as the Scottish Open.
The Black Desert Championship comes with a Masters invitation. Most of the focus this time of the year is on finishing in the top 125 to retain a full PGA Tour card for 2025.
Golf Canada Hole-In-One Report – Week of August 26, 2024
Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).
Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.
Eric Hatton, Lowville Golf Club, Hole #13
I was playing with Curtis Hatton (brother) and my friends Kevin Blanchetee and Chris Miles. Hole #13 at Lowville Golf Club. 129 yards, used a 54 degree wedge and a Taylormade TP5 Ball. It was a blind tee shot so when we didn’t see it on the green by friend Kevin decided to record a video checking the hole. Sure enough it was there in the hole and excitement ensued. This was my third hole-in-one.
John Vincent, Pinewa Golf Club, Hole #13
Playing with Steve Daviduik. 192 yards. Used a Callaway Rogue 4 Hybrid and a Taylormade TP5X Golf ball.
Tyler Reil, Twin Willows Golf Club, Hole #7
That day, hole #7 was 174 yards to the pin. I used my 7 iron and landed approximately five yards short, it rolled up and dropped in.
It’s an interesting story on what lead up to this day. My grandfather was a golf pro and owned a golf shop here in Edmonton. As a kid, I golfed quite a bit, but totally stopped at 14 years old. Four years ago I thought I should get back at it and have been getting in 50 – 70 rounds per year since then.
This March, my wife and I were in a serious head on collision at highway speed which put an end to all sporting activities, as we focused on physiotherapy and recovery. July 13th, we receive a call that one of our golf partners (Dale) had a heart attack and sadly passed away on the course. The following day I golfed the first round of the year in his spot, with the foursome that had been together for 20 years, a group that I had spared with for three years.
The next weekend, I played my second round of the year, and the following weekend was when I was lucky enough to get my first hole-in-one. That day I was golfing with my friends Marcel, Doug and Billy, but I’m sure there was a fifth riding along with us.
Becki Ross, Cedar Hill Golf Club, Hole #4
Marsha Mallow, Angela Lucia, Erin Duhaime Yuen and Becki Ross were playing the July – Cloud Series four game (stableford). On hole #4 at the Cedar Hill Golf Course in Victoria, B.C., Becki Ross had a hole-in-one. She hit her M2 Senior Men’s Taylormade 9-iron the distance of 121 yards, and with two bounces, her Titleist Pro V1 golf ball was in the cup! This was the first hole-in-one for Becki. She has been golfing for 54 years and thought she was never going to get a hole-in-one. As we all watched it go in, there was much cheering, screaming and excitement for all, especially for Becki.
– Written by Marsha Mallow, Becki’s playing mate
Ryan Kahro, Cutten Fields, Hole #17
I was playing in our weekly mens league. I usually only play nine on Thursdays, but this time, we decided to play 18. We had just finished playing through a group on hole #16 so I hurried to the tee with an 8 iron. I then realized it was too much club as it was playing 148 yards. So I hit a knock down. It was just a bit right of the flag but landed softly and rolled down the hill and disappeared. I had my first ace on hole #17 at Cutten in 1999, but the hole has been completely remodelled, so it was kind of extra special to get one on the newer hole. Thanks to my long time playing partner Greg Hosker who witnessed the shot. Unfortunately, Tyler Campagnolo had left after hole 14, but made sure to make it back to the patio to enjoy a cocktail!
Steve Siriska, Calerin Golf Club, Hole #11
It was my first one and yes, what a feeling. I was playing with James Aston, Dean Morgan and Andy McClure who are all Golf North members as well. Yardage was 145. Used my trusted 7 iron.
Jacey Kennedy, Greyhawk Golf Club, Hole #8
My hole-in-one was on Predator #8 at my home club of GreyHawk. The best part, it all went down during our Ladies League, with my golf besties Shari Cooper, Diane Roscoe and Christine Sabourin right there to witness it! The sound of excited screams and cheering carried across the course, echoing through the nearby fairways and greens. The distance was 135 yards and I used my 5 iron, the very same club that brought me my first hole-in-one at Islesmere Golf Club.
Dwight Christensen, Greyhawk Golf Club, Hole #15
I was golfing in the Greyhawk Hopwood League for senior golfers with the regular foursome of my wife, Nancy Christensen along with our friends Brian Veinot and Phyllis O’Brien. On hole #15 of Predator, which is nominally 197 yards as the pin was at the back of the green and according to my Garmin GPS was 204 yards from the tee. With some headwind, I decided to go with a choked-up driver rather than my usual three wood. I was able to hit the ball low against the wind such that it hit the front of the green with little bounce and then tracked straight to the pin. I did not see the ball drop and since I have never had a hole-in-one, I expected that the ball had just rolled through and over the back of the green. Upon reaching the green, I looked for a few minutes in the rough at the back of the green before I approached the hole and was quite shocked to see the ball nestled at the bottom of the hole with the pin.
Mike Appleyard, Mountain Woods Golf Club, Hole #15
It was hole #15 and the yardage was 115. We were playing in the Arrow Construction Products Dave Boyle Memorial Tournament to honour a friend. I used a pitching wedge and the ball landed 16 inches from the flagstick and rolled right in. I was playing with Adrian Thompson, Shawn Arsenault and Michael Mooney. The timing and the event couldn’t have been more special.
Jenna Brooks, Royal Woodbine Golf Club, Hole #8
It was good fun and very surreal. I was playing with a few friends from my Tuesday night Iron Lady Golf League, Ainsley, Agnes and another woman who’s name was Julie that joined us that night. It was roughly a 120 yard, downhill par 3 and I used a 7 iron. The pin was forward, it bounced off the fringe and rolled in!
Ron Rhode, Mount Brenton Golf Course, Hole #14
It was the first one for me on that hole, and given the length at 160 yards, I was happy to get it. I hit a 5-iron with a draw, starting it at the right bunker, and I think it landed short and rang into the hole (white pin in the center of the green).
This is the third one this year for me, and I’m hoping for more. I guess playing almost every day of the week does have some advantages.
Bruce Dussault, Mount Brenton Golf Course, Hole #16
Amazingly, I finally got my first hole-in-one on the 124 yard, hole #16. Gap wedge to the green and rolled in. Promptly lost the ball on the next hole!
Dylan Wotton, Hartlen Point Forces Golf Club, Hole #5
I was playing with my Mother, Denise Snow and 2 other fellow club members. Thursday, August 29th, I got a hole-in-one at Hartlen Point Forces Golf Course. It was hole #5, par 4, 291 yards and I used a 3 wood. I play the white tees. The hole has a blind hill you hit over that is straight out. My shot was struck well, high in the air and dead straight over the hill towards the green. I saw it land and bounce once on the other side of the hill, high and straight at the green knowing it was a safe shot. The group in front of us were on the green when I hit. After our foursome teed off, one of the gentleman that were on the green started driving back towards us. We all at that point thought my ball might have landed really close to them. The golfer driving towards us asked who hit over the hill? My group pointed to myself, the gentleman then got out of the golf cart and I was starting to apologize for the shot as I thought it may have hit one or was to close for comfort but he cut me off saying, “congratulations, your ball is in the hole!” We could not believe it. I heard from the three witnesses that they were getting ready to putt when a ball bounced and rolled up to the green and proceeded to drop in the hole. They thought to themselves who is putting before us. As we approached the green the other men congratulated myself and signed the score card as witnesses because i would never have seen it go in from the tee box.
The team comprised of PGA of Canada professional Devon Schade and amateurs Ethan Hunter, Kayle Tosh, William Middleton and Tanner Chamberlin, who originally qualified from Larters at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in Manitoba, were dominant the past three days at Cabot Cape Breton, firing net -64.1 (gross rounds of 58-55-56) to win by 4.1 strokes over the team from Niagara National Golf Club at the RBC PGA Scramble National Final.
With the win, the full team wins special Cabot Cape Breton RBC PGA Scramble headcovers produced by Dormie, as well as a trip to the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto.
The runner-up was the team from Niagara National Golf & Country Club which included PGA of Canada professional Keaton Jones and amateurs Ryan Nagy, Mike Formica, Shane Belanger and Mike Maloney, while the team from Pinegrove Country Club featuring PGA of Canada professional Louis-Alexandre Pitre and amateurs Luc Guevremont, Laurence Guevremont, Amelia Guevremont and Charles Guevremont rounded out the top 3.
For the second-straight day, the roar of a team who made an ace could be heard across the property. Darcy Myers made an ace on the 7th hole of the Links, joining Jason Sikrtanc who aced the 12th hole on the Cliffs on Monday.
In total, the 2024 RBC PGA Scramble featured over 12,000 players from across the country looking to earn a spot at Cabot Cape Breton at over 180 local qualifiers hosted by PGA of Canada professionals. The tournament also set a record with over 1,200 women participants.
If you are a PGA of Canada professional interested in hosting a local qualifier next season, email RBC PGA Scramble Manager Wayne MacPhee at Wayne@PGAofCanada.com.
2025 RBC PGA Scramble qualifying information will be available in the coming months.
Junior Skills Challenge National Event crowns eight champions at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club
Golf Canada
The 15th edition of the Junior Skills Challenge National Event wrapped up today in Mississauga after 30 of the top Canadian junior golfers showcased their skills in one of Golf Canada’s signature junior events. The event took place at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club which also played host to the World Junior Girls Golf Championship from September 30 – October 5.
The National Event culminates a year-long program consisting of 92 qualifying events across Canada and 1,600 participants who competed at the local level.
In partnership with Cobra-Puma Golf and the PGA of Canada, participants went head-to-head in a three-part (putting, chipping, and driving) competition:
Driving: each competitor received three drives with points awarded for distance and aim of the drive.
Chipping: each competitor received three shots for chipping with points awarded on distance of the chip from the target.
Putting: each competitor received one putt from each distance of 5, 10, and 20 feet with points awarded for holing the putt and proximity to the hole.
The winners for each division of the Junior Skills Challenge National Event received a brand-new putter courtesy of Cobra-Puma Golf.
Below are the winners in each of the age groups:
Girls 7 to 9:
Four participants competed including Myra Raycroft, Sierra Storey, Brooke Sundquist, and Annabel Zhao.
Zhao of Richmond, B.C. captured the title with a final score of 195 (45 points from driving, 80 points from chipping, 70 points from putting), with the top chipping score across all Girls divisions.
Boys 7 to 9:
Three participants competed including Albert Cui, Gianni D’Ambrosio, and Owen Durkin.
In his second time qualifying for the National Event, Gianni D’Ambrosio was able to capture the title, with a final score of 170 (60 points from driving, 40 points from chipping, and 70 points from putting).
Girls 10 to 11:
Four participants competed including Keira Chin, Emily Joy, Soleil Lindholm, and Angela Qi.
It was a close competition, but Lindholm of Toronto, Ont. pulled away with a final score of 180 (75 points from driving, 35 points from chipping, and 70 points from putting).
Boys 10 to 11:
Competing in the division included Nicholas Gallo, Lennon Goyette, Noah Olver, and Benjamin Vandolder.
Goyette of Bathurst, N.B. was a stand-out competitor with an impressive final score of 270 (80 points from driving, 80 points from chipping, and 110 points from putting), and tied Kaitlyn Joy (Girls 12 to 13) with the top putting score of the day across all age divisions.
Girls 12 to 13:
Four participants competed in the division including Kaitlyn Joy, Riviera Lindholm, Kate Yang, and Shannon Zhang.
Joy of Calgary, Alta. led the division with a notable final score of 255 (90 points from driving, 55 points from chipping, and 110 points from putting), and tied Goyette (Boys 10 to 11) for the top putting score of the day across all age divisions.
Boys 12 to 13:
Competing in the division included Hunter Burke, Spencer Forsyth, William Henry, and Jagger Shi.
Burke of Charlottetown, P.E.I. dominated in his division, earning first place with a final score of 245 (75 points from driving, 80 points from chipping, and 90 points from putting).
Girls 14 to 15:
Tristyn Anderson, Aliyah Hull, Ceilidh Spare, and Addyson Tatlonghari participated in the division.
Hull of Chestermere, Alta. captured the title for the second year in a row, with a score of 200 (30 points from driving, 70 points from chipping, and 100 points from putting).
Boys 14 to 15:
Three participants competed in the division including Luke Deplaedt, Kai Kriekle, and Tommy Xu.
Kriekle of Regina, Sask. took home the title with a score of 215 (75 points from driving, 50 points from chipping, and 90 points from putting).
On Sunday, October 6, Junior Skills Challenge National Event participants will also play Lionhead Golf Club in Brampton, Ont. in an exciting match play format, outfitted by program sponsor COBRA PUMA Golf.
For more information on the Junior Skills Challenge National Event, click here.
Republic of Korea edge Canada by tie breaker to win the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship
Republic of Korea - 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship Winners
(L to R): Seojin Park, Soomin Oh, Soomin Hong
Photo: Christian Bender/Golf Canada
Mike Masaro
Soomin Oh shoots four consecutive rounds in the 60’s to win individual competition and an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open
Mississauga, Ont. – The Republic of Korea won the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship for the third time in tournament history, beating Team Canada 1 on a tiebreaker at the Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. on Saturday.
The Republic of Korea (Korea) entered the day two shots back of Team Canada and at one point trailed the defending champions by six shots during the final round. Coming down the stretch Canada had a one-shot lead with three to play. As the final group teed off on no.18 Canada and Korea were tied at 19-under.
Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. hit her second shot just behind the pin leaving a lengthy look at birdie while Soomin Oh from Korea hit her second shot closer than Deng but still faced a difficult putt. Both players went on to record pars keeping the score tied at 19-under. As per tournament tie breaking rules, the decider is the third non-counting score on the day. Sumin Hong’s score of 74 just beat Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. by two.
“I am very very proud of my girls. We had a tough day yesterday and today, but I told them to hang tight and with four holes left I said we start right now, and they did, and they made it, and I am very proud of them,” said Korea Coach Naon Min.
This marked the second consecutive year that Korea and Canada battled right to the very end, with Canada winning by one last year in Brampton, Ont.
“Two of my girls were here last year and last year was the opposite ending so they had that experience and that gave them a stronger mindset so that helped,” added Min.
Korea was led again by Oh, who shot a 3-under 69 on Saturday and Seojin Park who shot a 1-over 73. Canada’s scores on Saturday came from Deng and Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. who both shot even par rounds of 72.
Oh said that the experience from last year helped their team this year and their mindset for the tournament.
“Our team are all friends, and we cheer for each other and that makes me more comfortable, and the result was good.”
The win gives Korea’s it’s third team title, which is the most in the nine-year history of the world championship.
Team Canada 1 Coach Jeff MacDonald was proud of how his team competed all week and when one player struggled, they bounced back the next day throughout the week.
“They were amazing all week, they played great today, they battled. Team Korea is a real strong team, and we knew that going in and our girls fought really hard and I’m just so happy for them and so proud for them, tough way to finish at the end but still a huge battle,” said MacDonald.
Team Canada 1 earned a podium finish for the second consecutive year and was a completely new team this year. MacDonald said it’s an exciting time in Canada with a lot of strong talent coming through the program.
“It just goes to show you the depth that we have within the program, two of these girls are 14 and one is 15 years old so I think we got a really bright future ahead. There are lots of girls on our NextGen program that are going to step up and do the same thing,” he said.
The United States shot a combined 2-under on Saturday to improve their total score to 9-under and took bronze medalist honours.
Team Canada 2 finished tied for 12th with Italy at 13-over. Team Canada 2 was represented by 14-year-old Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont., 15-year-old Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. and 17-year-old Lindsay McGrath of Oakville, Ont.
The following are the final standings following the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship:
1
Republic of Korea
-19*
2
Canada 1
-19
3
United States
-9
T4
France
+2
T4
Denmark
+2
T6
Hong Kong, China
+3
T6
Chinese Taipei
+3
T8
Mexico
+5
T8
Sweden
+5
10
Germany
+9
11
Czechia
+11
T12
Canada 2
+13
T12
Italy
+13
14
Belgium
+15
15
Colombia
+16
16
England
+19
17
Spain
+20
18
Switzerland
+21
19
Iceland
+23
20
Ireland
+25
21
Poland
+32
22
Finland
+34
23
Peru
+49
24
Morocco
+66
*Team Champions by way of Tie-Break
Click here for the final team leaderboard following the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.
Soomin Oh – 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship Individual Champion
Photo: Christian Bender/Golf Canada
In the individual competition, Soomin Oh took the lead on Thursday and didn’t look back finishing with four consecutive rounds in the 60’s (69-68-68-69-274) to finish the tournament at -14 under.
“I actually started the tournament bogey, bogey on my first two holes but I hung on tight, and I finished strong, so I am very happy,” said Oh through her coach.
Oh finished eight shots ahead of Aphrodite Deng to earn an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. August 19 – 24, 2025. It will be the second appearance on the LPGA Tour in her young career having played the 2023 BMW Ladies Championship which is co-sanctioned by the LPGA of Korea Tour and the LPGA Tour.
Coach Min was very proud of Oh’s performance throughout the week, “Beautiful play. This year she’s been playing good and ranks number one in Korea. The first time I saw her was a year ago, but she’s been growing up and I’m expecting more for her future now,” said Min.
When asked if Oh could become one of the next great Korean women’s golfers, she did not hesitate.
“Yes, I am 100 per cent sure,” she said.
Deng finished second at 6-under following rounds of 67-75-68-72-282. Arianna Lau of Hong Kong, China finished third at 4-under with rounds of 70-70-72-72-284.
Click here for the final individual leaderboard following the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.
This year marked the largest field in tournament history, with a total of 72 athletes comprising 24 teams and representing 23 countries competing for the team and individual titles.
Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 13-time LPGA Tour winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship in 2014.
Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned several top five finishes on the LPGA Tour.
The 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship will be played at St. Catharines Golf and Country Club, in St. Catharines, Ont., September 15 – 20. The 2026 tournament will be held at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Que., September 28 – October 3, 2026.
Team Canada grabs the lead heading into the final round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship
Mike Masaro
Soomin Oh maintains individual lead following a second consecutive 68 on Friday
Mississauga, Ont. – The defending champions have taken the lead after 54 holes, as Team Canada 1 has pulled ahead of the Republic of Korea at the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.
Moving day lived up to its name as Team Canada 1 started the day four shots behind the Republic of Korea (Korea), but now leads by two with 18 holes remaining. Canada shot a collective 11-under to move to 19-under overall, with Korea shooting 5-under today to now sit at 17-under.
Canada was led by Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. who fired a 7-under 65 and Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. who shot a 4-under 68 to put Canada ahead by two.
Team Canada 1 Coach Jeff MacDonald complimented his team’s strong start and just how much all three players have played well together.
“This whole week has been such a team effort, Clairey was so good yesterday to get us in this position today, so it’s great, every day it’s been a different combination of players counting. In an event like this if you can just get all three players going then that’s huge and I know tomorrow I got three players ready to go and they’re going to play great,” said MacDonald.
Liu recorded three birdies and two eagles to sit at 7-under on the day through nine. She said that she was able to hit fairways and greens where she wanted to and made some putts. Liu’s first eagle came on the 6th hole.
“I hit the drive close to the water. I had a little bit shorter than 190 in and had a hybrid in my hand and it’s a club I’m more confident in, so I was able to take a whack at the ball and it ended up pretty ok,” Liu said with a laugh. Pretty ok indeed as she sank an eight-foot putt for eagle. On the ninth hole, Liu drained a 35-footer for her second eagle.
Liu complemented her teammates for their togetherness over the first three days.
“I think we’re doing really well. We’re all working really well together. For example, on the first day, I didn’t play well but my teammates did, and they had my back, yesterday Aphrodite didn’t but we had her back and today Clairey didn’t but we had her back, so I feel that we’re working really well as a team and helping each other,” said Liu.
MacDonald added, “We start at zero tomorrow the most important part of this event is the team event and even if you have a tough day, you regroup and rebound and contribute tomorrow and any one of them can do it so they’re feeding off each other, they’re supporting each other and that’s the beauty of the event really.”
Another team that charged up the leaderboard on Friday was the United States who shot a collective 10-under to sit at 7-under for the tournament and moved up into third. Scarlett Schremmer from Birmingham, Ala. shot a 6-under 66 and Nikki Oh of Torrance, Calif. added a 4-under 68 to help the Americans gain ground on moving day. Coach Chris Zambri was happy his team was able to grab birdies on some non-par 5’s on the front.
“It was also good that we got through the first three or four holes without any bogeys from them because those are also tough holes to start with, so it was a great start to the round. They both played well on the back, Nikki ran into some trouble on 16 and 17 but both birded 18 which was awesome, so it was a good day and nice to feel like we’re in the mix a little bit,” he said.
Mexico sits alone in fourth at even par with Hong Kong, China in fifth at 1-over.
Team Canada 2 is currently tied for 13th with Belgium at 8-over. Team Canada 2 is represented by 14-year-old Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont. (1-over 73) and 15-year-old Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. (4-over 76) and 17-year-old Lindsay McGrath of Oakville, Ont. (6-over 78).
The following are the standings following the second round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship:
1
Canada 1
-19
2
Republic of Korea
-17
3
United States
-7
4
Mexico
E
5
Hong Kong, China
+1
T6
France
+3
T6
Denmark
+3
T6
Chinese Taipei
+3
T6
Sweden
+3
10
Czechia
+5
11
Italy
+6
12
Germany
+7
T13
Canada 2
+8
T13
Belgium
+8
T15
Colombia
+12
T15
Switzerland
+12
17
Ireland
+13
T18
Spain
+14
T18
Iceland
+14
20
England
+15
21
Finland
+22
22
Poland
+28
23
Peru
+38
24
Morocco
+49
Click here for the team leaderboard following the third round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.
In the individual competition, Soomin Oh of Korea maintains her lead following a second consecutive round of 4-under 68 to move to 11-under for the tournament and holds a five-shot lead over Aphrodite Deng. Oh recorded four birdies in a bogey free round on Friday.
Five are tied for third with Alexis Lamadrid of Mexico, Arianna Lau of Hong Kong, China, Shauna Liu, Seojin Park of Korea and Scarlett Schremmer all at 4-under.
The individual champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open being held at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club in Mississauga from August 19 – 24, 2025.
Players, coaches and staff wore black ribbons on Friday in honour of the President of the Italian Golf Federation, Franco Chimenti who passed away on Thursday at the age of 85. Chimenti led the Italian Golf Federation for 22 years.
Teams Canada 1, Korea and the United States will play together during the final round. For final round tee times and groupings, please click here.
Click here for the individual leaderboard following the third round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.
Republic of Korea leads Canada by four following second round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship
Mike Masaro
Soomin Oh takes individual lead by two after shooting 68 on Thursday
Mississauga, Ont. – The Republic of Korea maintains the team lead following two rounds at the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.
The Republic of Korea (Korea) were led by Soomin Oh who shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to move to 7-under following 36 holes and now leads the individual championship. Seojin Park shot a 2-under 70 to have her score count toward the team total. Park carded four birdies on her first nine, then ran into some trouble with four consecutive bogeys on her second nine before finishing with a birdie and an eagle on her last two holes. Teammate Sumin Hong shot a 1-over 73 on Thursday. The two lowest scores count towards the team’s combined score for the day. Korea combined to shoot 6-under to move to 12-under for the tournament and take a four-shot lead over Team Canada 1 heading into Friday’s third round.
“They played well but the only thing I didn’t like was in the middle of the round the wind picked up and they struggled but still they finished strong, and I tried to encourage them today,” said Korea Coach Naon Min. “Two more days, this is not the end. I will tell them to keep their focus individually and then the results will come.”
Defending champions, Team Canada 1 hold their place alone in second at 8-under. Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. fired a 3-under 69 to help lead her team on Thursday. Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. finished with an even par 72 to give Canada a 3-under combined round on the day. Teammate Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. shot a 3-over 75.
“They battled really hard, Clairey played really well, got off to a really good start and that was promising, the first six or seven holes there wasn’t much wind, so it was kind of gettable, but the Korean team was making a lot of birdies, so I knew we had to keep pace,” said Team Canada 1 Coach Jeff MacDonald.
MacDonald added that moving from the valley to head back up top meant the players faced a tough test with swirling winds on the top five holes, as Canada 1 began their round on the back nine.
“It’s a good start, we’re in a good position, Korea finished strong to get four ahead, but anything can happen, it can switch so quickly. I remember last year going back and forth so just reminding them of that and just keep battling the whole time,” said MacDonald.
Hong Kong, China has moved into third at 4-under, Sweden sits in fourth at 3-under with Mexico and Italy tied for fifth at even par.
Team Canada 2 is currently tied for 10th with Chinese Taipei and the United States at 3-over. Team Canada 2 was led by 14-year-old Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont. on Thursday (1-under 71) 15-year-old Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. (2-over 74) and 17-year-old Lindsay McGrath of Oakville, Ont. (11-over 83).
The following are the standings following the second round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship:
1
Republic of Korea
-12
2
Canada 1
-8
3
Hong Kong, China
-4
4
Sweden
-3
T5
Mexico
E
T5
Italy
E
7
France
+1
T8
Belgium
+2
T8
Denmark
+2
T10
Canada 2
+3
T10
Chinese Taipei
+3
T10
United States
+3
13
Czechia
+4
T14
Germany
+6
T14
Iceland
+6
16
England
+9
17
Ireland
+11
18
Spain
+12
T19
Switzerland
+13
T19
Colombia
+13
21
Finland
+18
22
Poland
+22
23
Peru
+31
24
Morocco
+34
Click here for the team leaderboard following the second round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.
In the individual competition, Oh recorded two eagles and four birdies on her way to a 4-under 68 on Thursday. Oh is now at 7-under for the tournament and leads Ebba Lundqvist of Sweden by two. Lundqvist shot a 3-under 69 to move into second.
“Today I managed the par fives very well and hit tee shots very well and hit the greens with good positioning today,” said Oh through her coach.
Alexis Lamadrid of Mexico and Arianna Lau of Hong Kong, China are tied for third at 4-under. Clairey Lin and Seojin Park are tied for fifth at 3-under.
The individual champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open being held at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club in Mississauga from August 19 – 24, 2025.
Click here for the individual leaderboard following the second round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.
This year marks the largest field in tournament history, with a total of 72 athletes comprising 24 teams and representing 23 countries competing for the team and individual titles.
Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 13-time LPGA Tour winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship in 2014.
Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned several top five finishes on the LPGA Tour.
Teams Korea, Canada 1 and Hong Kong, China will play together during Friday’s third round. For round tee times and groupings, please click here.
