Sherbrooke, Que. – The NextGen Fall Series East Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards begins this week with a field of 99 amateur golfers set to compete at Club de Golf Milby in Sherbrooke, Que.

The starting field will feature – 81 Junior Boys and 18 Junior Girls competing for three spots each into their respective Canadian Junior Championships next summer.

“The NextGen Fall Series East Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards provides a great chance for players to showcase their talents on a national stage throughout the fall months of the season,” said Golf Canada Tournament Director, Sam Meek. “Golf Canada is thrilled to welcome the field to the Club de Golf Milby & look forward to crowning our champions come Sunday.”

Practice rounds are scheduled for Thursday, September 21 before the official 54-hole tournament gets underway on September 22. The tournament will conclude on September 24 with an awards ceremony following play.

“Club de golf Milby cannot wait to host 99 of Canada’s best young golfers later this week as they attempt to conquer the challenging greens and fairways of this popular rural golf course,” said Stephen Currier, Club Chair, Club de Golf Milby. “The course is well-prepared & our members are looking forward to the week! Best of luck to all competitors!”

Club de Golf Milby is located just outside Sherbrooke in the Eastern Townships and offers golfers an interesting challenge in a beautiful setting featuring wooded areas, rivers and hills. Designed by Howard Watson, the club opened in 1964 and is known for its large undulating greens and is considered to be among the top semi-private golf courses in the province of Quebec. The club has hosted several prestigious tournaments in prior years including, the Canada Games in 2013 and the Quebec Open in 1992 and 1993, along with several university and high school tournaments.

The NextGen Fall Series East Championship is one of Golf Canada’s eight regional junior championships presented in partnership with JOURNIE Rewards. Andreas Diogenous of Cambridge, Ont. and Kelly Zhao of Richmond Hill, Ont. won their respective divisions in the 2022 NextGen Fall Series East Championship.

Following this week’s tournament, there will be one final stop on the NextGen Series schedule for this year with the NextGen Fall Series West Championship, taking place from October 5 – 7 at The Hills at Portal Golf Club in Surrey, B.C.

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Fall Series East Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards, click here.

About the NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards
The NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards is a high-performance junior golf series which totals eight competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2023 national championships. Two additional Fall Series events will be hosted to close the season. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. For more information on the NextGen Championship series and 2023 results, click here.

Golf Canada is now accepting nominations for its 2023 National Facility Awards for Junior Golf.

This award program was created with the intention of celebrating and recognizing facilities making outstanding contributions to junior golf in their communities. Our hope is that these awards will shine a spotlight on the extraordinary support of junior golf by these facilities and set a positive example for others to follow.

Please consider nominating your facility based on the six categories below:

Junior Golf Opportunity Award

Awarded to a facility that provides exceptional access and membership opportunities for junior golfers. Special consideration is given to facilities with strong non-family sponsored junior programs and facilities with fundraising programs to help athletes compete at provincial, national, and international competitions.

2022 Winner: Sawmill Golf Club

Competitive Junior Program of the Year

Awarded to a facility or academy program with many junior athletes competing in provincial and national championships and earning strong results in those championships.

2022 Winner: Académie de Golf Fred Colgan

Grassroots Junior Program of the Year

Awarded to a facility or academy program that is excelling at creating new junior golfers through local programming.

2022 Winner: Blomidon Golf and Country Club

Tournament Host of the Year

Awarded to a facility that gives back to junior golf by embracing the opportunity to host junior competitions. The facility creates an excellent tournament experience for players and involves the local community through volunteers and fundraising support.

2022 Winner: Royal Regina Golf Club

First Tee – Canada Program Location of the Year

Awarded to a First Tee – Canada Program Location that demonstrates excellent enrolment in First Tee – Canada programming and makes a significant impact on growing participation among new juniors within its community.

2022 Winner: Club de Golf Municipal Dallaire

Youth on Course Program Location of the Year

Awarded to the facility that provides the largest number of Youth on Course green fee subsidies to junior golfers in the calendar year. 

2022 Winner: Shaganappi Point Golf Course

National Facility Awards for Junior Golf

Nominations are set to close Monday, October 16th 2023 and we will announce the 2023 Awards Winners at the Golf Canada Annual General Meeting in early 2024.

If you have any questions in regard to the awards or nomination process, please feel free to email NFAJG@golfcanada.ca.

Tess Trojan and Patrick Griffin win the Women’s and Men’s Net Stableford Championships

Kamloops, B.C. – Natasha Stasiuk and Chris Willis earned wire-to-wire victories at the third playing of the Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO at the Kamloops Golf and Country Club in Kamloops, B.C on Friday.

In the Women’s Gross Stroke Play Championship, Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. earned her third straight national championship, finishing at 28-over following rounds of 85 and 87 to win by 16 strokes ahead of runner-up Tess Trojan of St. Catharines, Ont. (95-93 – 188). Emma Bittorf of Strathmore, Alta. finished third (95-101 – 196). Stasiuk has enjoyed quite the season as she also won the Ontario Adaptive Championship in July for a fifth time.

“Pretty amazing that I can do it three times now and nice to have more competition. It was great to have another girl, even though I love playing with Tess, but it was nice to have more people,” said Stasiuk after her round on Friday.

Another three-time champion was crowned in the Women’s Net Stableford competition as Trojan edged out Bittorf in a close battle. Trojan earned 34 points on Friday to finish with 67 stableford points, to win by two over Bittorf (65 points), Stasiuk finished third with 57 points.

In the Men’s Gross Stroke Play Championship, a playoff was required and Chris Willis of Aurora, Ont. beat Dustin Boydell of Chilliwack, B.C. on the first playoff hole with a 15-foot putt for eagle to win the national championship.

“It’s really special. When I was young I didn’t compete as hard as I would have liked because of my disabilities, kind of kept me from playing high level hockey or soccer or golf and it was only really in my late 20’s and early 30’s that my brother and I started to play tournament golf together and we played in a couple Canadian amateurs, Canadian mid-ams and Ontario’s and he encouraged me to do the disability golf. I signed up for the Ontario’s and just three days before the Ontario’s my father passed away and my family was away at that time, but they all convinced me to continue and play and I did well. I had a special round the first round and I met Kurtis [Barkley] and sort of discovered this whole disability golf world. Since then, I’ve played in the British Open and the U.S. Adaptive and just watching how all the competitors take it so seriously and really enjoy fighting and competing and the high quality of play, especially amongst the top players it’s quite remarkable. So, I feel very proud and honoured to win a national championship and to do it against such great competition,” said Willis following the playoff win.

Willis and Boydell battled back-and-forth throughout Friday’s final round and both men birdied 18 to send the championship to a playoff. Willis finished the tournament at 2-over (68-78 – 146) as did Boydell (69-77 – 146). Willis matches Stasiuk as he also won the 2023 Ontario Adaptive Championship in July. Craig Dowling of Vancouver finished third at 4-over (76-72 – 148), Keifer Jones of Calgary, finished 5-over (75-74 – 149) for fourth and Jesse Florkowski of Medicine Hat, Alta. finished 6-over (78-72 – 150) to round out the top-five.

In the Men’s Net Stableford competition, a new winner has been crowned as Patrick Griffin of Leduc, Alta. earned 41 points on Friday to finish with a combined 83 stableford points. Griffin finished eight points clear of Rod Reimer of Thorndale, Ont. (75 points). Walter Vanderrijst of Victoria, B.C. (74 points), Craig Dowling of Vancouver (73 points) along with Josh Hunke of Wilmot, Ont. (70 points), and Kevin Delaney of Windsor, Ont. (70 points) round out the top-five.

A field of 43 players, regardless of disability classification, competed over 36-holes in four different divisions in the national championship: Women’s Gross Stroke Play; Women’s Net Stableford; Men’s Gross Stroke Play; and Men’s Net Stableford.

The third playing of the national championship featured competitors from Canada and the United States with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments. 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.

For the final leaderboard following the 2023 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.

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.

Aaron Campbell, Countryview Golf Club, Hole #16

My playing partners were Shawn Arbing, Mike MacNeill and Alex MacFayden. The hole yardage was 120, and my club was a pitching wedge. The ball played was a Srixon Z-Star XV, Club was a Srixon ZX-5 pitching wedge.

The event was day one of the Countryview Golf Course Club Championship. I went on to win the second division flight in a one-hole playoff.

Art Lappalainen, Penticton Golf and Country Club, Hole #16

I was playing with my regular golf buddies, Glen Brennan, Eric Johnson and Rod Zornes. Rod was the first to hit on the 16th hole which was playing about 164 yards. We couldn’t see the ball, but we thought it was really close to the hole. The other two guys hit but didn’t hit the green. Then I hit, I thought it was a pretty good 6 iron but I thought I was a little long, but we couldn’t see it from the tee box.

When we got close to the hole, we noticed there was only one ball on the green just past the hole. I said to Rod, “Are you going to check in the hole” because I thought it was his ball that went in. When he looks in the hole he said, “That’s not my ball because I wasn’t playing a Callaway.” I looked in the hole and I realize it’s my ball with my blue marks on it.

Bev Born, Southside Golf Course, Hole #15

I was playing with our fun Friday afternoon group, the Swingers. My foursome consisted of Arlane Balichowski, Joan Chittick, Mikki Dandonneau and myself. Our hole #15 at Southside is 88 yards, and I used my new 9 iron hybrid. I am very fortunate for this to be my third hole-in-one (the second time at Southside).

Bob Fox, Carstairs Golf Club, Hole #12

I finally joined the “club” at age 69. I was playing with my wife, and two friends.   hit a pure shot into a breeze, right at the flag. It carried the bunker and went in the hole.

Brad McIlroy, Kawartha Golf Club, Hole #12

It was a father son outing. Once a year my dad and I invite a longtime friend from public school and his dad. My buddy wasn’t having a great day, and on the 12^th hole I said to him, “Okay this is a short hole, if you’re going to turn your day around or get a hole-in-one out here, this is the hole to do it on!” We had 111 yards uphill over a bunker, down wind. I hit a high draw with a 54-degree wedge that looked to land just right of the hole. Because it was over a bunker we couldn’t see where the ball finished. When we approached the green, we didn’t see my ball on the green, and it turns out it was one of those rare occasions where you look for your ball in the hole and there it was!

Brandon Bird, Coppinwood, Hole #11

The hole-in-one was made from 193 yards with my 4 hybrid. I was playing with my wife, Janis Bird, father, Brian Bird, and friend, Andrew Rowland.

Cam Kissick, Land O Lakes Golf Course, Hole #11

Great day!

Charles Greene, Greyhawk Golf Club, Hole #12

I was playing with my wife, Susan Quinn, and a friend, David Pfeiffer. It was a blue flag, 166 yards into a breeze. I took an extra club, using a 5 iron. It hit the side of the green on the left which slopes to the right and tracked into the hole. My last and only other hole in one was on the 17^th of August 2008 on the 15^th hole.

Cohen Bitzer, Penticton Golf and Country Club, Hole #10

I was golfing with Jackson Coates, Matt Jones and Matt McDermont, all members of Penticton Golf and Country Club.

I made the hole-in-one on hole #10, with a middle-left pin placement 163 yards away. I was shooting into the wind, so I decided to use my 7 iron.

Darold Kurytnik, Fairwinds Golf Course, Hole #14

The golf game was one of our regular men’s section games played each Wednesday. I was playing with fellow members Brad Reimer, Bill Stuart and Gerry Adams. We were playing the 14th hole, which is a par 3 and 198 yards long. I used a 4 hybrid for the shot. When Bill Stuart hit teeing off first, the rest of us were standing around with nobody rushing to hit next. I said I’m not looking forward to this shot either, but I’ll hit. I struck one of my best hits that day and the ball was going straight for the pin, we are all watching and none of us saw the ball go in the hole as the pin was in a shadow. However, my 17-year-old grandson Samuel was in the group behind us, and he was on the 13th green with a good view of the 14th green. He came running over to congratulate me. That made the experience more enjoyable.

Darren Sopkow, Red Deer Golf and Country Club, Hole #2

Our group for the day was eight individuals and we were doing our final year end battle it out amongst the golf group for who’s the best. We have a fun golf group that passes around a club head cover for who’s the best for the year. The winner gets to keep the club head cover for the following year until it’s up for grabs again. Unfortunately, I never won the club head cover, but I did get a hole-in-one. We’ve been talking about how cool it would be for someone to get a hole-in-one in our informal year end event. 

The wind was quite gusty. Our #2 hole is an uphill par 3 with three tiers to the green and a couple of bunkers on the left side and trees to the side. You want to hit the correct tier or miss short of the green altogether and rely on your chipping skills to get up and down because any putt from the wrong tier can often result in a three putt bogey.

It was a middle tier, back right-side pin location playing 192 yards. I hit a high spin fade shot so I opted for my 4 iron and hit what was a perfect shot. It was fading from left to right, I knew it looked good and that it would zip across the green from left to right. Our foursome got a little excited by the look of the shot and as it was zipping across the green my thoughts said if that ball passes the pin and disappears, it’s got to be a hole-in-one. It disappeared and we got really excited but needed to rush up there to check and see. Sure enough, it was in the hole.

Our other foursome behind us and people on the 18^th tee and third tee all heard the commotion and it was all very exciting for those who were a part of it.

Dave McCafferty, West Hills Golf Club, Hole #5

I had a hole-in-one on June 17^th at the West Hills Golf Club in Fredericton on hole #5. Measured that day at 102 yards and used a 52-degree wedge.

Dylan Wescome, Island Brae (Club de golf), Hole #6

It was an exciting hole for sure! It was about 140 yards, and I used a 7 iron.

Ed Bond, Assinibone Golf Club, Hole #4

Pretty exciting to get my first!

Here’s a couple of pictures and some information:

– August 18th, 2023

– Dale Esopenko memorial Pro-Am
4th hole

– Assiniboine Golf Club

– Winnipeg, Manitoba

– 134 yards

– 9 iron

Gaige Weseen, Olds Golf Club, Hole #13

I was playing with three other members in Olds: Mike Dezall, Mark Schultz and James MacDonald. Hole #13 was 152 yards and I hit a 9 iron. It was a tricky day, there were 35 km winds blowing left to right very slightly helping.

Garfield Moore, Picton Golf and Country Club, Hole #18

The hole-in-one was at the Picton Golf and Country Club on the 18th hole. I used my 6 hybrid and the yardage would have been approximately 160 yards. This is my third ace.

Gary Stephen, Penticton Golf and Country Club, Hole #16

Making a hole-in-one is always a fun experience. This is my fourth time, the other three were at Shadow Ridge Golf Club in Kelowna, B.C.

The 16th hole at the Penticton club is 150 yards and I used a 6 iron. I was playing with my good friend Chris Stodola along with Lawrence and Ken. We celebrated with a shot of “birdie juice”.

Gordon Penny, Berwick Heights Golf Course, Hole #5

I shot a hole-in-one on September 2, 2023 at the Berwick Heights Golf Course in Nova Scotia on hole #5. It was 146 yards with a 5 iron. I was playing with members Troy and Kathy Ferguson.

Jack Vicq, The Glencoe Golf and Country Club, Hole #14

I was playing in our junior club championships and it was 135 yards.

Jane Lavoie, Sunset Ranch Golf Club, Hole #8

It was during the Club Championship.

Jason McGonigal, Earl Grey Golf Club, Hole #7

I was playing with Al-Karim Moloo and Hussein Bhanji. If I recall correctly, the yardage was lasered at 152 and I hit a 9 iron. I was told we had the loudest hole-in-one in Earl Grey history with our celebration.

As an aside, my first-born daughter started kindergarten the day after my ace, my wife had her academic research published in a scientific journal that same day and we welcome our second daughter exactly one week after the hole-in-one, so it was a very memorable week!

Jen Stocks, The Club at North Halton, Hole #9

I was playing with my three golf friends Alanna, Whitney and Vanessa on our regular ‘Women’s Day’ Tuesday. It was on hole #9, a par 3, and 88 yards. I used my pitching wedge and had a lovely lofty shot over the pond to land about a foot above the pin which then rolled right in. The balcony at our clubhouse was packed as it was around 5:45pm and lots of people had finished their rounds so were able to see it happen. I didn’t really believe it, but the balcony of members and guests cheered and yelled my name. It was pretty great.

Jill Barrigan, Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club, Hole #5

I was playing with my husband, Cory Letourneau, and Diane Banman and Al Stafford. I hit my 7 iron, and it was about 105 yards.

Joe Ardito, Brampton Golf Club, Hole #3

It was an amazing September 4th Labour Day Monday. I was playing with Phil Menary, Mike Menary and Jon Tyner. Got the ace on the third hole at the Brampton Golf Club. A 132-yard 9 iron to a slightly elevated green. What a great day!

Joseph MacMullin, North Bellingham Golf Course, Hole #14

I was in a tournament held by the TGA Tour. As you’ve seen it was at North Bellingham Golf Club just south of the border.

We were playing from the blue tees. I was playing in my foursome with Freddy Fredrickson, Chris Wareing and Azi Mohammed. Hole #14 was 121 yards. I used a pitching wedge, and it landed about 15 feet short of the hole and rolled in the left side of the cup. At that point I dropped my club and fell on the ground, covering my face, screaming, “I did it!” I think I can safely say that was the most magical and surreal moment of my life.

Justin Miller, Cattail Crossing Golf and Winter Club, Hole #6

I was playing with my brother Ben, his friend Luke and my friend Jack. It was a tryout for a highschool golf team. I was using a 7 iron there was a little bit of a back wind and it hit the green and rolled right in.

Lyne Beauregard, Rosemère (club Link), Hole #6

The distance was 116 yards with an 8 iron.

Mark Way, TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Hole #4

It was quite exciting, especially after coming very close a few times this year. I was playing with Gavin Mistry, also a preferred member at TPC Toronto. The yardage was 160 and I used my 7 iron.

Michael Evans, Cedar Brae Golf Club, Hole #11

The yardage was 185 yards, I used a 7 iron.

I was playing with Collin Charles, and Curtis Mascall, Mr. Charles’ guest.

Mike Legg, Prince George Golf and Curling Club, Hole #14

The hole was 131 yards and I hit a 9 iron. My playing partners that day were Gary Long, Jason Mckague, Blair Scott and Tyler Hapke.

Mike Malek, Hollinger Golf Club, Hole #8

On Monday, September 4th, I was playing golf with my daughter, Heather Seguin, and two of her friends at the Hollinger Golf Club, my home club. On the 158-yard par 3, 8th hole, which was playing shorter I hit my high lofted (33 degree) hybrid onto the front of the green. Luckily the ball had eyes, and rolled right into the hole, for my first ever hole-in-one. I love golf!

Noah Mugenyi, Dentonia Golf Course, Hole #18

I luckily got three holes-in-one at Dentonia Golf Course for the month of August 2023. Occurred on holes #12 (August 3), #10 (August 23) and #18 (August 24).

Also, I can proudly confirm that in just four years of playing and getting into this intriguing and wonderful game; I have registered six holes-in-one.

Percy Clark, Chapples Municipal Golf Club, Hole #8

I was playing with Tony, Paul and Rob who I met at the first tee that day after being paired with them! It was 145 yards to the pin and hit one of the best 9 irons I’ve ever hit. We didn’t see it go in, but Paul was sure it was. Sure enough, he made a beeline for the pin and announced it for the group. As exciting of an achievement as it was, it wasn’t the most exciting of the weekend. The next day, I won the 5th annual “Skatman Invitational”, a yearly tournament played by a group of buddies.

Peter Flemming, Fox Hollow Golf Club, Hole #3

My partners were Alan LeBlanc, Barrie Clarke and Joe Devison. It was 129 yards with a 7 iron.

Randal Braden, Aberdeen Glen Golf Club, Hole #6

The yardage that day was 146 yards, and I used a hybrid club. I didn’t actually see it go in the hole. I was playing Men’s Day with my regular group, Dan Aviss, Jason Proctor and Shane Sucholotosky.

Richard Grimes, Guelph Country Club, Hole #7

It happened on August 29^th at the Guelph Country Club. I was playing with Paul Walton, our club pro, and two other members. Our 7th hole was 146 yards that day, so my 6 iron was a good choice!

Robert Macphail, Berwick Heights Golf Course, Hole #16

I started golfing in 2019 after my retirement. This was our weekly men’s day at Berwick Heights Golf Club. I was playing with my normal foursome, Tom Goode, Stephen Sangster, John Yuille. The 16th hole is around 160 yards, and I used my 6 iron with a slight breeze from behind. We saw the ball land on the green rolled towards the pin and disappeared, quite a feeling.

Ron Streatch, Craigowan Golf Club, Hole #3

I was playing with Mark Alparan, Nick Weszner and Matt Gibbons. The yardage was 155 into a slight breeze. My 8 iron landed just beyond and to the right of the pin and spun into the hole.

Sheila Kennedy, Lingan Golf and Country Club, Hole #6

I was playing with three other Lingan members Jayne Burke, Peggy Sheppard Forward and Abbie Boudreau. It was hole #6 and 120 yards, and I used my 8 iron. It was an awesome day shared with great friends!

This was my second hole-in-one in the past six months, but my first at my home club at Lingan, which I was very excited about.

Steve Redden, Granite Springs Golf Course, Hole #13

I was playing with Mike Hutton and Fred Hill. The yardage was 143 yards, and I used an 8 iron.

Steve Whitford, University Golf Club, Hole #16

I used a 6 iron from 175 yards. I played with my lifelong friends.

Stuart Burnie, Muskoka Bay Club, Hole #2

My hole-in-one was on hole #2 at Muskoka Bay. The pin was a blue flag, back left location, approximately 157 yards. I hit an 8 iron and it went in on the fly. My playing partners are Gary Maracle, Mike Thomson and Roy Micks.

TJ Keslick, Woodlington Lakes Legacy Course, Hole #8

It was the 8th hole, playing 142 yards. While the ball was in the air one of my buddies called it, “that’s going in!” It hit about four feet in front of the hole, bounced once, rolled a little and disappeared into the cup! I was still in disbelief until I got up there and saw the ball at the bottom of the cup!

Todd Chevalier, Galt Country Club, Hole #11

It was on Men’s League Day. I was playing with Kory Mortimer, Taylor Moffitt and Geoff Genzle.

Todd Fraser, Banff Springs Golf Club, Hole #8

My partners were two Banff residents and an 85-year-old father. It was 130 yards, and I used a pitching wedge.

Vito Bommarito, Beverly Golf and Country Club, Hole #7

I played with three good friends, Mark Maguire, Jon Jurus and Jason Daleo. It was 156 yards downwind. I used my Cobra LTD 9 iron.

Emma Bittorf and Patrick Griffin lead in the Women’s and Men’s Net Stableford Championships

Kamloops, B.C. – Two-time defending champion Natasha Stasiuk and Chris Willis find themselves atop their respective leaderboards after the opening round of the 2023 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO at the Kamloops Golf and Country Club in Kamloops, B.C.

A field of 43 players, regardless of disability classification, are competing over 36-holes in four different divisions in the national championship: Women’s Gross Stroke Play; Women’s Net Stableford; Men’s Gross Stroke Play; and Men’s Net Stableford.

In the Women’s Gross Stroke Play Championship, Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. is in search of her third straight national championship after shooting a 13-over 85 to take a ten-shot lead into the final round on Friday. Stasiuk also won the Ontario Adaptive Championship for a fifth time in July. Tess Trojan of St. Catharines, Ont. and Emma Bittorf of Strathmore, Alta. are both tied for second after shooting rounds of 23-over 95 on Thursday.

Bittorf leads the Women’s Net Stableford competition after earning a total of 37 stableford points in the opening round and takes a four-point lead into Friday over two-time defending stableford champion Tess Trojan (33).

In the Men’s Gross Stroke Play Championship, Willis of Aurora, Ont. shot a 4-under 68 and leads by one shot over Dustin Boydell (3-under 69) of Chilliwack, B.C. Willis was the runner-up at the 2022 Canadian All Abilities Championship and is currently ranked no. 20 in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD). He also won the 2023 Ontario Adaptive Championship in July. Russell Aide of Stirling, Ont. is alone in third following a 2-over 74 on Thursday. Kevin Delaney of Windsor, Ont. and Kiefer Jones of Calgary are tied for fourth at 3-over.

In the Men’s Net Stableford competition Patrick Griffin of Leduc, Alta. leads after earning 42 points stableford points on Thursday. Defending champion Delaney is three points back at 39 stableford points. Dustin Boydell (37 points), Thomas Martineau of Kingston, Ont. (36 points), and Chris Willis (36 points) round out the top-five.

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 are 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.

The third playing of the national championship features competitors from Canada and the United States with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments. 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.

For the full leaderboard following the opening round of the 2023 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.

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.