Puma Golf’s new performance collection was created to combat the elements.

CARLSBAD, Calif. – PUMA Golf has announced a new line of performance apparel designed to be functional and stylish while protecting players from the elements. Built on weather-proofing technologies, Made for This represents a versatile collection that offers optimal performance for golfers dedicated to the game in all conditions.

“PUMA Golf is fully committed to the layering and performance technology category,” said Juston Tucker, Head of Product Design, PUMA Golf. “We’ve put together a technology-driven collection with style. We call it Made for This because regardless of wind, rain, dry or cold conditions, well… we made it for this.”

Offered for both men and women whose passion for the game compels them to play in all seasons, “Made for This” has players fully covered. PUMA GOLF’s new layering collection, which includes both WRMLBL and DRYLBL families, features an array of pieces from mid-weight sweaters and vests to windbreakers, rain suits, and quilted cold weather jackets.

“You came to play, not worry about the weather. We all share a passion for the game that inspires us to practice and play year-round,” said Mike Diaz, Marketing Director, PUMA Golf. “PUMA Golf can fully outfit all types of players in any weather condition, with premium apparel that looks, fits, and performs exceptionally well.”

For players that aim to combat the wind and rain, look no further than Puma Golf’s DRYLBL lineup, which is comprised of waterproof and windproof pants and jackets that feature fully seam-sealed, stretch fabrics and functional trims. The DRYLBL premium line is designed with Sympatex material, which offers 100% windproof and waterproof performance with exceptional durability.

If wind and cold are the main challenges, Puma Golf’s WRMLBL lineup is the solution. Featuring a wide array of pieces including quilted vests, jackets, fleece, cashmere sweaters, windblock sweaters, hoodies, quarter zips and more, the WRMLBL line can keep any player comfortable while allowing for the full range of motion needed to play.

The made for this collection from PUMA GOLF is available now in Canada. Please visit https://ca.pumagolf.com/ for more information.

Canadian golfing legend Mike Weir is counting the days until he can again hear the roar of a Presidents Cup crowd.

Weir, from Brights Grove, Ont., was doing site inspections and meeting key organizers of the 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club on Tuesday. He said that although the 12-on-12 tournament will feature some of the best players on the PGA Tour, the atmosphere is on an entirely different level than the top men’s circuit.

“There’s roars, there’s not just pops,” said Weir, who is the first Canadian to captain the International team. “It’s a whole different experience, not only for the players, but the fans, the fans are more engaged.”

“It becomes more like a hockey game. There’s chanting, there’s songs being sung out there.”

The Presidents Cup sees 12 players from the United States face 12 players from around the world, excluding Europe. Because the team-based event has significantly fewer groups on the course at any given time, the crowds follow players from hole to hole, creating a lively atmosphere with thousands of people surrounding every tee box and green.

The first hole at a Presidents Cup is especially impressive, with players arriving at the tee through a tunnel with an announcer and video packages heralding their arrival.

“The first tee experience is incredible,” said Weir. “There’s music playing as players come out through the tunnel, there’s a big screen up on the first tee, and you can see the opening tee shots go down and the camera pans with it.”

“People cheer when the home team hits the fairway and people jeer when the ball goes in the rough and it’s a totally different experience for the fans and the players in a team competition.”

Weir and Jim Furyk, as the non-playing captains of the International and American teams, are responsible for almost every detail for their squads.

Although the first eight players selected to each team are taken automatically based on their PGA Tour rankings, Weir and Furyk will get to choose the remaining four players themselves. They’re also responsible for decking out the team cabins where the players and their spouses prepare for their matches, the design of the team uniforms and bags, as well as when and how their teams practice.

Weir and Furyk have to balance these responsibilities with playing on the PGA Tour Champions, the senior circuit for men’s golf.

“As soon as I accepted the position I knew my own game would go on the back burner for a couple of years,” said Weir, who missed Champions Tour events last week and this week so he could focus on preparing for the Presidents Cup. “This team and the Presidents Cup, for me have always been a huge part of my career.”

“Being the captain is priority No. 1 in the golf world for me, and my own game is second.”

Royal Montreal Golf Club is hosting the Presidents Cup from Sept. 24 to 29, 2024. It’s the second time the oldest golf club in North America will host the event. Both Weir and Furyk played in the 2007 edition of the tournament.

“The golf course really hasn’t changed that much since ’07,” said Furyk in the midst of his day in Montreal. “They’re going to add a little yardage to it, but it still looks very similar. It’s withstood the test of time, for sure.”

“The event’s grown in stature, as far as the number of eyes, the television outlets, the worldwide appeal. I think the game of golf has kind of grown worldwide as well.”

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., and Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., were on the International team at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., last year, the first time two Canadians played in the event. The United States beat the Internationals 17.5-12.5 and Furyk said that his team will be ready to play in hostile territory when the tournament heads north of the border.

“We’re the away team so a lot of fans will be pulling for the International team,” said Furyk. “I think as a player, you enjoy both scenarios, right?”

“You enjoy being the home team, you enjoy support, but it’s nice to have an away game once in a while and play the villain role.”

Kamloops, B.C. – The 2023 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO is set for September 14-15 with a field of 44 amateur golfers competing at The Kamloops Golf and Country Club in Kamloops, B.C.

The third playing of the national championship will be contested as a 36-hole competition and will feature players with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments.

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

The field of competitors includes two-time Women’s Gross Stroke Play defending champion Natasha Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. and two-time Women’s Net Stableford winner, Tess Trojan of St. Catharines, Ont. On the men’s side, two players ranked in the top-20 on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) will be in the field including Jesse Florkowski of Medicine Hat, Alta. (no. 17) who finished third in last year’s tournament and 2022 runner-up Chris Willis (no. 20) of Aurora, Ont. The 2022 Men’s Net Stableford winner Kevin Delaney of Windsor, Ont. is also set to defend his title this week in Kamloops.

“We are very proud to get the third playing of the Canadian All Abilities Championship underway this week at an incredible golf course,” said Golf Canada Tournament Director Adam Cinel. “This national championship is a signature event on Golf Canada’s calendar and demonstrates our continued commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are proud to feature both a gross stroke play championship and a net stableford championship that provides equitability for the field competing in this national championship. The staff and volunteers at Kamloops Golf and Country Club have been preparing the course to ensure that the field competing is treated to a memorable experience.”

The Kamloops Golf & Country Club (KGCC) was established in 1914 by a group of fifty residents of Kamloops. The original golf course was located at the present-day Hillside Cemetery on Notre Dame Drive. By 1946 the KGCC had outgrown the Notre Dame Drive location and they negotiated an agreement with the City of Kamloops to sell the Notre Dame property. The new location of the KGCC was a parcel of leased land adjoining Fulton Field where a nine-hole, sand green layout, was prepared. In April of 1950, the KGCC exercised its option to buy the 171-acre Brocklehurst property from the City. The KGCC has remained at this property since that time.

In 2007, the Board of Directors wanted to enhance the playing conditions on the golf course and contacted golf course architect Ted Locke to provide options. After an ergonomic assessment of the golf course for irrigation, managing the effluent water source, fairway renovation recommendations and rerouting of golf holes to better utilize existing space and the practice facility, the renovation began in September 2009. The golf course fully re-opened on July 31, 2010, following completion of the project.

“Kamloops Golf and Country Club is excited to host our first national championship and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to our club and our great sporting city!”, said Alec Hubert, General Manager, Kamloops Golf and Country Club.

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

The stableford scoring format of the Canadian All Abilities Championship awards set points based off a golfer’s net score for the hole. The points will be awarded as follows: Albatross (5 points), Eagle (4 points), Birdie (3 points), Par (2 points), Bogey (1 point), Double Bogey or higher (0 points). The golfers with the highest total of accumulated points over 36-holes will win their respective divisions.

Practice rounds are scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, and the tournament gets underway on Thursday, September 14.

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

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

Calgary, Alta. – Étienne Papineau finishes his PGA Tour Canada season with a Korn Ferry status card for the first time in his career. He finished 4^th in the Fortinet Cup rankings.

Papineau has been a Team Canada member for six years. Native of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu just outside of Montreal and alumni of West Virginia University.

He started off his season strong when he won the season opener the Royal Beach Victoria Open presented by Times Colonist. He finished runner-up at the CentrePort Canada Rail Park Manitoba Open. He also finished 4 times in the top 5.

Étienne will receive conditional status on the Korn Ferry tour. The top five finishers are also exempt into the final stage of the PGA TOUR Qualifying School. Since he is the top Canadian finisher in the standings he will receive an exemption into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open.

“If I just keep doing what I’m doing … There are some little details that I need to work on and get better at, but golf game-wise, I think I’m trending in the right direction. So just adjust those little details and the stuff that I would like to work on, and I think we’ll be there one day.” Said Papineau when asked about his future on the PGA Tour.

Vanessa Borovilos and Matthew Javier earn spots on
2024 Team Canada – NextGen

Cambridge, Ont. – Anna Huang, Miranda Lu, Luna Lu and Vanessa Zhang have earned their spots on Team Canada for the 2023 World Junior Girls Golf Championship following a 54-hole qualifying tournament at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ont.

Anna Huang of Vancouver, B.C. finished the tournament at 11-under to secure the first of four spots. Huang shot rounds of 71-69-65 = 205 to finish five shots clear of Miranda Lu. Huang was part of Team Canada 2 in the 2022 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

Miranda Lu of Vancouver, B.C. earned the second spot after finishing 6-under with rounds of 73-70-67 = 210. The 14-year-old recently won the UHY Albany Junior tournament last month, the tournament is part of the American Junior Golf Association.

Luna Lu of Burnaby, B.C. earned the third spot after finishing 5-under following rounds of 70-71-70 = 211. Lu has been part of Team Canada – NextGen for the past two years and will make her first appearance at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship. The 16-year-old finished as runner-up in the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship and qualified for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open through the final Monday qualifier.

Vanessa Zhang earned the fourth spot following a playoff win over Swetha Sathish and Joline Truong with a birdie on the first hole. Zhang finished the tournament at 3-under, following rounds of 73-71-69 = 213. The 16-year-old from Vancouver, B.C. won the 2023 K.J. Choi Foundation Texas Junior Championship in March.

The four will join Vanessa Borovilos and Eileen Park who earned exemptions to Team Canada for the 2023 World Junior Girls Championship. The official rosters for the two Canadian teams will be decided at a later date.

In addition to the qualifying tournament, players were competing for places on their respective Team Canada – NextGen teams for 2024.

Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. won the Junior Girls division and has confirmed her place on Team Canada – NextGen for 2024, which marks her second consecutive year on the team.

Borovilos led through all three rounds of the selection camp, finishing at 14-under with scores of 67-69-66 = 202 to top Huang by three strokes. Last month, the 17-year-old competed in the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open and finished fourth at the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO. Borovilos will play on one of the two Team Canada sides competing at the 2023 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

Matthew Javier, of North York, Ont. won the Junior Boys division and has earned his place on Team Canada – NextGen for 2024. Javier finished the tournament at 7-under posting rounds of 70-69-70 = 209. This will mark the first time that Javier will be part of Team Canada – NextGen. Last month, Javier was part of Team Ontario’s Inter-Provincial Junior Boys Team Championship win and finished T4 individually at the 2023 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

The remaining places for the 2024 Team Canada – NextGen squad will be decided by Golf Canada’s selection committee by early October. When making final decisions for player selection, the committee will consider player results from the 2023 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 2023 World Junior Girls Golf Championship will take place at Brampton Golf Club from October 2-7. For more information on the tournament, please click here.

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

Hanzel defeats two-time champion Gene Elliott on first playoff hole

Pemberton, B.C. – Doug Hanzel’s birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff sealed the win and the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO on Friday at Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, B.C. With the win, Hanzel, of Savannah, Ga. also takes home the Super Senior Championship, becoming the first player to win both titles in the same year since the Super Senior division was added in 1995.

“I’m 66 but still competitive in senior golf. I don’t feel like a super senior, I’m still hitting it far. This was my third time playing the Canadian Senior and what a beautiful place. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to come to this part of the world unless a tournament was hosted here, so I’m grateful,” said Hanzel following the playoff win.

The final round provided plenty of drama with numerous lead changes throughout the day, particularly on the back nine. Hanzel grabbed a piece of the lead following a birdie on the seventh hole to pull even with third round leader Ken Griffith at 4-under. Both men birdied the ninth hole and then bogeyed the 10th to remain tied for the lead.

Hanzel took the solo lead by two shots with a birdie on 11, coupled with a bogey by Griffith. Hanzel dropped a stroke on 12, before losing the lead following a double bogey on 13. Griffith would then go on to double bogey 16 putting himself along with Hanzel and Dave Bunker all tied at 2-under with two holes remaining.

During that time two-time champion Gene Elliott had posted a 5-under 67 to position himself as the clubhouse leader in search of his third national senior championship. Elliott holed out from the fairway on 18 for eagle, putting himself at 3-under for the tournament.

Hanzel enjoyed success on 18 as well as he closed his round with a birdie to finish with an even par 72 and move to 3-under to force a playoff.

“I only made two bad swings on the back nine. I hit it in the hazard on 12 and saved a nice bogey. Lost ball on 13, sucked it up and moved forward. I hit decent shots coming in, but the key was the 20-foot birdie on 18. I had a difficult up and down, and I didn’t want to leave it short. I knocked it a bit past the hole but was happy to make probably my second longest putt of the week there,” he said.

Hanzel and Elliott would go back to 18 for the first hole of the playoff, where Hanzel birdied to seal the victory.

“The hole sets up for me, there’s room to move it left to right. I had 184 to the pin on my second shot and knew it was a nice easy seven iron to put enough spin on it to keep it on the green. I had a straightforward 20-foot putt and was happy to knock it up to six inches for the birdie,” said Hanzel.

Hanzel also won the Super Senior Championship (golfers 65-and-over) by six shots over Lance Lundy of Pemberton, B.C. and 2018 champion, Brady Exber of Las Vegas. By winning the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, Hanzel has earned an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

On Wednesday, Team Alberta won the Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship shooting a combined score of 2-under to win their third consecutive team title. Team Alberta finished seven shots clear of Team New Brunswick, who finished in second at 5-over, with Team Manitoba in third place at 10-over. Team Alberta consisted of Ken Griffith and Brian Laubman and James Varnam both from Edmonton.

For the final standings of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, please click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

(Toronto) – The Golf Journalists Association of Canada has announced Rick Young will become the 15th recipient of its Dick Grimm Award.

Grimm, who passed away in 2014, was a true giant of the game in Canada, and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.

The award which bears his name is GJAC’s highest honour and is given annually to someone who has made a significant lifetime contribution to Canadian Golf.

Young has had a remarkable 40-year career covering almost all aspects of the game in Canada.

He started writing for his hometown paper the Woodstock Sentinel-Review in 1983 and penned a weekly column for them for 28-years. He went on to write for numerous publications across Canada and the United States including Ontario Golf News, MyGolfSpy, The Toronto Star, Golf Business Canada, GreenMaster Magazine, Golf Canada Magazine, Pro Shop Magazine, MacLean’s, LINKS Magazine, Golf World, Golf Journal (USGA), GolfStyle, ClubLink Life, Fairways Magazine, The London Free Press, The National Post, and the Globe and Mail.

Young began writing for SCOREGolf in 1999 covering golf business and equipment and continues in that role both in print and with an online blog.

He has been a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame selection committee, the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame selection committee and currently sits on the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame selection committee.

Young was instrumental in the resurrection of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada and served as president from 2008-2011 and from 2020-2021.

He remains on the GJAC board as Immediate past president and vice-president of outreach and industry relations.

“This is a fitting honour for Rick given his immense contributions to golf in Canada along with his instrumental role in the development of our Association,” said GJAC Board President, Mike Johnny.  “In my conversations with original members, Rick was a driving force behind the establishment of the GJAC.  On behalf of all our members I would like to congratulate Rick and thank him for all he has done to build and support GJAC.”

Through his writing Young has been a big supporter of junior golf, municipal golf, and women’s golf as well young amateur and professional players. And he’s given a platform to many startup Canadian golf businesses.

Earlier this year the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame honoured Young with their Lorne Rubenstein Award for contributions to golf in Ontario.

The Dick Grimm Award will be presented to Young at the GJAC annual meeting and golf day Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Copetown Woods Golf Club in Hamilton.

PAST WINNERS:
2010 – Dick Grimm
2011 – Jim Barclay
2012 – Sandra Post
2013 – Bob Weeks
2014 – Jocelyne Bourassa
2015 – Lorne Rubenstein
2016 – Marlene Stewart Streit
2017 – John Gordon
2018 – Lorie Kane
2019 – Doug Carrick & Tom McBroom
2020 – Kim Locke
2021 – Garry McKay
2022 – Jim Clark

About GJAC:

GJAC encourages, promotes and recognizes quality Golf Journalism in Canada by:   

• connecting journalists across the country to share ideas, interest and knowledge
• encouraging members to celebrate equity, diversity and inclusiveness in golf in the stories they cover; and 
• encouraging and supporting equity, diversity and inclusiveness in the membership of the golf journalism industry; and
• acknowledging excellence through annual awards

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.

Andrew Krestick, Galt Country Club, Hole #11

Lovely day!

Andrew Lyon, Willows Golf and Country Club, Hole #8

After a few rounds in the past 30 years, this is my first summer to have a club membership and learn how to golf. I had one golf lesson with a pro in the spring and then set out to practice and play. On Saturday, August 26, Martha and I had a follow up lesson playing the course with pro Mitch Bach and Josh (who signed up to complete our foursome). Hole #8 is about 100 yards over water, so I used my 9 iron. We all watched the ball lob up, bounce once and then disappear. It was all over in a few seconds, but I had excellent witnesses.

Anthony Iozzo, Oakdale Golf and Country Club, Hole #12

I was playing with Michael Gentile, Al Noseworthy and James Lau. I hit it 128 yards with my 9 iron.

Bernie Robert, Kananaskis Country Golf Course, Hole #16

I was playing Kananaskis Mt.Kidd course and got the hole-in-one on hole #16. The hole is 160 yards, and I used an 8 iron from the elevated tee. I was playing the round with my wife, Lisa Robert, and also Gary Tomchuk and Elaan Zaleschuk. As the Kananaskis folks mentioned in their post, it was my first one after playing golf avidly for decades.

Carl Beaulieu, Sorcier Golf Course, Hole #9

My witnesses were Robert Belanger and Richard Lambert. Short par three teeing off from the hill. The ball landed at the beginning of the green and rolled 50 feet to the back pin left. Nicest hole to make a hole-in-one since you have an amazing view of the green.

Cathy Austin, Hawk Ridge Golf Course, Hole #8

Hole #8 had a forward flag with a pond in front and bunker behind the flag. It was 65 yards to the pin, and I used my sand wedge. The ball landed two feet from the hole and rolled right in! It was witnessed by my husband Bryan Austin who has two aces of his own and playing partners Bruce Devenz and Paul Cooke. It was so exciting!

Chris Lange, The Hamptona Golf Club, Hole #15

It was 140 yards and I used a 7 iron. Played with Richard and Barb Payter. Ironically, on one of the other prior par 3’s, I mentioned to Richard that there had been a lot of holes-in-one at the course this year, and although I had played golf for many years, I had never even witnessed one. Then when I hit the shot I thought, “It’s on a pretty good line.” Saw it hit the green and roll, thinking it would stop a few feet short of the hole. There was no ball to be seen, we saw it drop into the hole.

Cindy Ibach, Radium Springs Course, Hole #17

I hit an 8 iron over a ravine and the distance was 105 yards. We saw the ball hit the green, roll left into the hole. Playing partners were Darrell Ibach, Georgina Moxam and Harry Ferguson. Fun day.

David Drosky, Peninsula Lakes Golf Club, Hole #8

I was playing in the Men’s League. The hole was 130 yards, and I used an 8 iron.

David McNeil, Mactaquac Provincial Park Golf Club, Hole #4

I was playing with Harry Fleming, Richard Lister and Lucas Jensen. We are all members of Mactaquac. I have been playing with Harry and Richard for about seven years whereas Lucas is a new member this year, although I have played hockey with him for a few years, it is getting harder to keep up with those young guys.

It was hole #4, my yardage had it at 161, so I used my 8 iron. I hit it about three quarters up the green and it rolled uphill with a slight bend to the left and then disappeared. What a feeling!

Denise Trottier, Hylands Golf Club, Hole #7

I played with fellow Hylands member Marie Yelle-Whitwam on our Wednesday ladies’ day. It was 142 yards with a driver.

Doug Eagles, Whistle Bear Golf Club, Hole #17

The hole was playing 165 yards so I hit a 7 iron and turned to Brad, one of my playing partners, and said this looks good. It bounced once then rolled left into the hole like a putt.

Doug Speed, Twenty Valley Golf and Country Club, Hole #13

My playing partners were Paul Smeltzer, John Heywood, Drew Orosz.

Eddie Mah, Royal Mayfair Golf Club, Hole #16

Wednesday, August 30^th was the semifinals for Royal Mayfair’s Men’s League. The two teams with the lowest net scores of the two best rounds would move onto the finals.  “Drive Home” is the name of our team, and we were pitted against “Team X Stiff”. The foursome consisted of two players from each team. 

My round progressed as usual – some good holes followed by some bad holes which was the case for all the players in the group. By the 13^th hole my teammate was called away for a family issue. I was representing the team and flying solo. I was hoping for something good to help me finish the round with a reasonable score. We arrived at the 16th hole par 3, 147 yards. My routine was the same as any par 3. I measured the distance and then chose my club. In this case it was my 8 iron. I rehearsed my swing a couple of times and being an average golfer, I hoped for the best. The moment I struck the ball, I knew it going to be good. You just get that feeling when you hit it pure. In my world “good” means close to the hole. Then my playing partners, Ted Yoo and Barry McNabb yelled, “I think it’s going in the hole.” I looked up just in time to see the ball land close to the hole and slowly roll into the hole. Just at that moment, I turned the clock back in time, yelled and ran around the tee box like an excited little boy.

The excitement of the hole-in-one was magnified with my score of net -3, pushing us into the finals. Receiving $950 for the hole-in-one pot for the Men’s League put an exclamation mark to the day. This is my third one (all at Royal Mayfair but the other two were on a different par 3), and every one of them has a special story behind it which makes the achievement even more special.

I’m very fortunate to belong to the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton. At the end of the season, the club hosts a dinner for all the hole-in-one golfers. We all get a chance to tell our stories with family and friends. The gathering is priceless, and we all go away hoping for that next “hole-in-one”.

Eddie Wiley, The Pulpit Club, Hole #4

I was playing with Kevin Meisner and George Frempong. The yardage was 178, pin at the back, and I hit a 7 iron. I did not see the ball finish and initially thought the shot was too long. As I walked up to the green, I could not see my ball. I approached the pin and saw my ball mark about four feet in front of the pin and checked the hole “just in case”. I saw my ball in the cup and started yelling that I got a hole-in-one and George and Kevin watched me pull the ball out of the cup. 

Evan Traverse, Coloniale Golf Club, Hole #8

It was hole #8 at Colonial Golf Club. We teed off just after 2pm so I would guess it was around 4pm when it happened. I booked alone and got paired with three great guys. Two of them (Jeff and Mike) are members at Colonial and provided some tips along the way for me since I had only played the course once before.

When we got to the #8 tee box, we all immediately complained about the pin placement. It was a front pin tucked behind a bunker, short of the bunker was water. We were not pleased that the greens keeper that morning decided to place the pin so close to that pesky bunker.

I ranged the pin at 158 yards, there was a little wind right to left but nothing a nine handicap like me should really worry about factoring in. Coming off a bogey on the previous hole, I was focused on just keeping the ball in play and aiming for the centre of the green. Normally, I would hit a 9 iron to that distance, but I opted for an 8 iron. The idea was to try and hit a three quarter swing with my 8 iron with a bit of a draw, keeping the ball away from the water as much as possible.

I teed off first and as soon as it left my club face, I knew it could be good. I hit it pure, and thanks to the tee I also hit it high. The ball flew up towards the right edge of the bunker and as it began to reach its zenith it started to draw. It turned in the air just enough to land dead on line with the pin. Pleased with my shot I picked up my tee and backed off the tee box, still watching the ball roll.

I thought the ball had stopped moving when Mike shouted, “Get in!” Then just like that, the ball vanished.

We all went crazy. There were clubs and hats flying in the air, I was high fiving and hugging these three strangers like we had just won the Stanley Cup together.

I couldn’t contain myself and ended up feeling obligated to apologize to the group of seniors golfing behind us. 

I went on to nearly get my first eagle on the next hole, just missing a chip in.

As you can imagine the round was all downhill from there. I ended up shooting an 85 overall. The three double bogeys I got on the back nine are well hidden thanks to that beautiful encircled one on my card.

George Gee, Kings Links by the Sea, Hole #15

I was playing a practice round before the Vancouver Chinese Golf Club yearly tournament. I was playing with Alen, Alene and Jason. We didn’t have a birdie yet and I hit a 9 iron from 123 yards with a little draw. It’s my third ace!

Glenn Wiebe, Winkler Golf Club, Hole #8

It is a 168-yard par three. I had at least one club tail wind, so I used a 5 iron. It was a red flag, so the ball hit the green just over the bunker and curved into the hole. It kind of felt surreal.

Gordon Norrie, Willow Park Golf and Country Club, Hole #2

This happened on hole #2 from blue tees which was 144 yards. I used a 9 iron and was golfing with two other members, Jeffrey Mann and Joyce Gibson. I ended the round with one of my best scores in many years, an 83.

Jan Broer, Carstairs Golf Club, Hole #14

It was a wonderful day for golf at the community golf course in Carstairs, Alberta. I had chosen to play from the back tees that day and was only three-over by the time we reached the 14^th tee. For me, 67 years young, that is pretty good. On #14, I hit a 9 iron from the back tee, about 145 yards. I saw I had pulled it slightly left. However, it hit the bank on the back side of a bunker protecting the left side of the green. The ball bounced right then was seen rolling towards the cup. I expected to see it on the other side of the pin. It never appeared.

My playing companion that day was Dale Fleming. He asked me where it went. I said, “I think it went in the hole.” The third member of my group that day, Charles McConnell, responded he thought it may have gone in as well. They hit their tee shots, we went to the green and sure enough it was in.

Jim Ewanek, Henderson Lake Golf Club, Hole #4

Another great tournament with family and friends. It was a 147-yard par 3 and I used an 8 iron.

Karen Lewis, Bridgewater Country Club, Hole #6

It was on a Tuesday morning which is ladies’ day. I was playing with Nicky, Glenda and Bonnie. The pin placement that day was on the upper right side of a very sloped green about 120 yards. It was a nice shot with my 5 hybrid landing just beyond the left bunker and it rolled up towards the hole and disappeared. One of the maintenance crew was watching and started yelling, as well as the group behind us, who heard our cheers!

Kyle Burroughs, Northview Golf and Country Club, Hole #5

I was playing with some of my ex-teammates from the Vancouver Canucks – J.T. Miller, Tyler Myers and J.T.’s dad, Dennis. It was during Northview which is a PGA experience where they set up courses like the ACC tournament back in ‘96 or ‘97. It was 207 yards, adjusted to 202 and we had wind behind us. The green was rolling so I hit like a 180 shot with my 8 iron. It landed in the middle of the green and trickled perfectly and dropped in the hole.

Lary Blanchard, Two Eagles Golf Course, Hole #7

Great day!

Linda Denson, Barcovan Golf Club, Hole #2

I played with Ann Newberry, Kathie Forder and Linda Denyes. It was a lady’s league play day. We were on hole #2 which is a par 3 at 113 yards. I used my 5-hybrid club.

Michelle Hudon, Vernon Golf and Country Club, Hole #17

I played with three other ladies from Vernon Golf and Country Club (Tina, Karen and Brenda). The adventure happened on hole #17. The flag was set at the back of the green with a yardage of 145 to the back of the green. I used my 5 iron because I thought I needed a bit more to climb up the green. I was happy with the shot, but I thought I was short. Tina said that the ball was good and was heading toward the flag. Unfortunately, I chose to pick up my tee instead of watching the ball and I missed it going into the hole. Oh well, lesson learned; it was still an exciting moment!

Mike McCullough, Hawk Ridge Golf Club, Hole #3

A great day!

Noah Connolly, Wildwinds Golf Links, Hole #17

I was playing with my father and was paired with Andrew and Evan who are from Acton. It was 205 yards and I used a 5 iron.

Norm Koch, Deer Creek Golf Club, Hole #9

I golfed with three other players that day, Tony De Bortoli, Bill Kitscha and Warren Orton.

After 44 years of golfing, I finally had my first ever hole-in-one June 2, 2019. It was at Deer Creek Black Pearl #9 using a 5 wood. It bounced twice and hit the flagpole and went in.

I watched it happen, and it was an emotional moment for sure.

Fast forward to August 24, 2023, this hole has a pond guarding the green and the shot bounced once that we could see over the pond, but we could not see it finish because the pond bull rushes blocked our view.

There was a ball in the centre of the green, but not mine.

We thought that it may have gone long so I started looking behind the green in the bush trying to find it.

Then a voice yells out from the green, “Norm, we found your ball.” Unbelievable, my second one on the same hole, what are the odds.

Parampal Gill, River Spirit Golf Club, Hole #8

It happened on the 8th hole (17th of our round) of Spirit which was playing about 182 yards according to my Bushnell scope. I hit a 5 iron. I was golfing with my regular foursome.

Patricia Williams, Kelowna Springs Golf and Country Club, Hole #13

I will remember it forever!

Preston Leeder, Prescott Golf Club, Hole #4

I played with Kevin Devaney and used a pitching wedge 120 yards with a front pin.

Russell Cook, Dakota Dunes Golf Links, Hole #6

The pin was playing 143 yards that day with little to no wind and was slightly elevated. I thought about a pitching wedge, but I knew it wasn’t quite enough club. I grabbed the 9 iron and took a little off, it landed past the hole, the green however had a small back stop which allowed the ball to trickle back and curve right into the cup!

Sarah Porterfield, Royalwood Golf Club, Hole #18

I found Ledgeview Golf Course to be quite challenging and of course the next day we played at Royal Wood Golf Course.

I was just telling my golf partner Janice that it would be nice to finish this last hole with a hole-in-one. I had a couple of friends already waiting at the clubhouse and watching me tee off. I had been golfing with three other women that I had never met.

It was 110 yards, so I decided to use my 8 iron. When I teed off, I thought to myself it looked like a nice shot, as it got closer to the green, I said it’s going to land on the green. Which it did and I continued to watch it roll forward in a straight line heading to the flag. Then it disappeared and I knew from my friends screaming and seeing it disappeared it would be my first hole-in-one.

That was a wonderful game to finish off at the 55+ B.C. Games. I actually took home a medal which I was informed it was a gold one at that.

Scott Stacey, Grand Niagara, Hole #14

I was fortunate enough to get my second hole-in-one of my life. Both were on Grand Niagara. The first one was on the second hole and this was over the Labour Day long weekend was on the 14^th hole. I was 146 yards away according to my range finder, which is right on my 8 iron yardage of about 145. I was very comfortable stepping into the shot.

What was very gratifying about it was I hit a perfect shot, got that flushed feeling from the clubface. The ball tracked right down the line and never left the flag. The cup was in a little gully on the green so I didn’t actually see the ball go in, but I thought it had a chance as normally the ball will rise on the upslope of the gully when you hit just at the beginning of the gully, which is where it landed. As I approached the green and didn’t see the ball in the gully, I knew it was in and sure enough it was in the cup when I got up to it.

I didn’t see the ball go in for both of my hole-in-ones as the cup was in a dip on the greens. I joked with my wife and friends that if I ever get another one, I would actually like to see the ball go in the hole!

Tristan Frenette, The Riverside Country Club, Hole #8

My hole-in-one was on #8 at Riverside Country Club. It was 125 yards and I hit my 52-degree wedge. I was playing with Kyle McClune and Kehlan Munroe.

Pemberton, B.C. – Three rounds have been completed at the 2023 Canadian Senior Men’s Championship, presented by BDO and there is a new name atop the leaderboard as Ken Griffith takes a one-shot lead into Friday’s final round at Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, B.C.

After winning the Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship with Alberta on Wednesday, Griffith of Red Deer, Alta. fired a 2-under 70 to move to 4-under for the championship and leads over Dave Bunker and Doug Hanzel who both sit at 3-under.

Griffith enjoyed a solid round on Thursday with a 1-under 35 on the front nine and finished strong with birdies on 13 and 15, with his driver being the difference for him, “first couple of days it was struggling a bit, but the driver set the golf course up and it was actually a very uneventful day. So felt like a good round…feel like I left a few out there but I’m happy with the way I played and that’s the most important thing,” said Griffith.

Right behind Griffith is Dave Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. who was co-leader heading into the third round. Bunker shot a 2-over 74 on Thursday to move into a tie for second, just one shot back. Bunker opened the back nine with bogeys on 10 and 11 and a double bogey on 15 before closing his round with a birdie to stay within one.

“I hit a lot of good shots today. Back nine got a couple of bad breaks on 10 and 11 and made bogeys there, hit a bad tee shot on 15 to make double but I finished with a birdie on 18 so if I make more birdies and get rid of the other stuff, I’ll be happy with that, but I am hitting the ball well enough I just got to convert on some chances that I didn’t today,” said Bunker.

Both Bunker and Stephen Jensen of England finished the first two rounds tied for the lead, but Jensen shot a 4-over 76 on Thursday to drop into a tie for sixth at 1-under.

Tied with Bunker for second is Doug Hanzel, the 2017 runner-up who shot a 1-under 71 on Thursday. Along with being one back of Griffith, the Savannah, Ga. native continues to lead the Super Senior division by three shots over 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Champion, Brady Exber of Las Vegas, who sits at even par following a 1-under 71 on Thursday.

Griffith’s Team Alberta teammate, Brian Laubman of Edmonton sits tied for fourth place in the Senior division with Robert Funk of Canyon Lake, Calif. at 2-under for the championship.

The tournament began with a field of 156 golfers competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

For the full leaderboard of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, please click here. For Friday’s final round pairings and tee times, please click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

Dave Bunker and Stephen Jensen remain tied for the lead in individual Senior Championship

Pemberton, B.C. – Team Alberta shot a combined score of 2-under to win their third consecutive Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship at the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, B.C. on Wednesday.

Team Alberta finished seven shots clear of Team New Brunswick, who finished in second at 5-over, with Team Manitoba in third place at 10-over. Alberta opened the day with a four shot lead and were led by Ken Griffith of Red Deer, Alta. who shot an even par 72 on Wednesday. Teammate Brian Laubman of Edmonton shot a 2-over 74, with his score also counting, while James Varnam, also of Edmonton shot a 4-over 76.

“Being on the team is a great honour in our province. Alberta takes the team event very seriously and we have a lot of very competitive golfers. It means a lot; we’re representing all of the Alberta golfers and we really enjoy that and it’s a great honour to be able to play at national level and represent your province,” said Ken Griffith, who has won back-to-back inter-provincial team titles with Alberta.

“Feels wonderful. It’s the third senior win for myself. I’ve made a total of 11 provincial teams, but the senior teams, I think are the best. Playing with guys that really good friends and we have a lot of fun off the course, but we try to beat each other’s brains out on the course which makes it all that much better. To share this with these guys is an honour,” added Brian Laubman.

James Varnam was playing for the Alberta Senior Men’s team for the first time and was very proud to play for his province, “even at the events before we got here, we met and we talked and it has tremendous meaning to everybody in Alberta, especially the seniors to be on this team. I’m delighted, I just feel grateful to be a part of this.”

Big Sky played to tougher conditions on Wednesday, with Dave Bunker and Stephen Jensen both finishing with rounds of 2-over 74 to remain tied for the lead in the Senior Championship division at 5-under.

Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. put in a solid round, recording 16 pars and only two bogeys on Wednesday. Jensen of England had a tough finish to the front nine with a triple bogey on nine but played the back nine at 1-under with one birdie and eight pars for his round.

The duo increased their lead to three shots over a trio of golfers at 2-under heading into Thursday’s third round. Rupert Kellock of England and Team Alberta’s Ken Griffith both posted rounds of 72 to remain at 2-under for the tournament. Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga. shot a 2-over 74 to drop two strokes and is at 2-under for the tournament. The 2017 runner-up maintains the lead in the Super Senior division by three shots over 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Champion, Brady Exber of Las Vegas, who sits at 1-over.

Following today’s round, the cut has been set at 12-over with the top 74 players advancing to the final two rounds in the Senior division of the national championship. The tournament began with a field of 156 golfers competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. The Super Senior division will have 15 golfers making the cut and progressing to the final two rounds.

For the full leaderboard of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, please click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.