Team Canada athletes will join international amateurs and professionals among the list of 11 exempt players to challenge for the 49^th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship

Vancouver (August 14, 2023) – Golf Canada, in partnership with the title sponsor CPKC, announced today the names of 11 players that have earned tournament exemptions into the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, August 22-27, at the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver.

Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont. headlines the list of seven Canadians who have earned exemptions into the 2023 championship. The two-time Olympian and long-time LPGA Tour member will make her 18^th appearance at the National Open Championship where she posted a career-best 4th place finish in 2016. Sharp, who earned the exemption for winning the 2023 PGA of Canada Women’s Championship, is ranked 13^th on the 2023 Epson Tour points list in a season that features a victory at the Champions Fore Change Invitational and two other top-10 finishes.

Also accepting invitations are Team Canada professionals — Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que., and Sarah-Eve Rhéaume of Quebec City — who will be making their fourth, and second respective starts in Canada’s National Open Championship. Thibault is currently the top-ranked Canadian on the Women’s All-Pro Tour while Rhéaume is competing in her rookie year on the Epson Tour.  

The group will be joined by four Team Canada amateurs, led by 17-year Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., who will compete in her first CPKC Women’s Open after earning an exemption through the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Also accepting exemptions are fellow Team Canada athletes Katie Cranston, 19, of Oakville, Ont., and 19-year-old Lauren Zaretsky of Thornhill, Ont., making their second CPKC Women’s Open start along with 18-year-old Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont., who will make her first-ever start in the event.

Vancouver resident and Shaughnessy member Victoria Liu has also accepted an exemption to compete at her home golf club.

Rounding out the list of current exemptions are a trio of international talents including 2023 British Women’s Amateur champion Chiara Horder of Germany, American rising star amateur Gianna Clemente and Australian Gabriella Ruffels who currently sits no. 1 on the 2023 Epson Tour money list.

“Together with CPKC we are very proud to welcome this exceptional group of Canadian and international athletes to Vancouver for the CPKC Women’s Open,” said Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “Extending playing opportunities through tournament exemptions is an important component of the CPKC Women’s Open and we are very pleased that these talented amateur and professional players can join us at Shaughnessy for the 49th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship.”

The final five tournament exemptions into the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open have yet to be announced. Additionally, four playing spots will also be awarded through the Final Qualifier on Monday, August 21 at nearby Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.

The group will join two Canadian LPGA Tour players at Shaughnessy including 13-time LPGA Tour winner Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont.

A stellar field for the 49^th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship will also include defending champion Paula Reto and world no. 1 Lilia Vu, along with global stars Nelly Korda, Minjee Lee, Jennifer Kupcho, In Gee Chun, Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson, Jin Young Ko, Megan Khang, Sei Young Kim, Stacy Lewis, and Paula Creamer. Other fan favourites include 20-year-old sensation Rose Zhang and Lydia Ko who will be looking for her record fourth CPKC Women’s Open title.

The final field for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open will be released on Tuesday, August 15 after 5:00pm ET.

Tickets for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country are available here – children 12-and-under get FREE admission all week long.

CPKC HAS HEART CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION…

CPKC and Golf Canada are proud to support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation as the primary charitable beneficiary for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. Among the charitable engagements tournament week will be the Birdies for Heart hole on no. 16 at Shaughnessy with a $5,000 donation made for every birdie made on the hole during the four rounds of the competition. In addition, CPKC is also proud to support a community beneficiary in Royal Inland Hospital Foundation in support of cardiac care. In nine years of title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, more than $16 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in the event’s host communities.

CPKC WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT RETURNS TO KICK OFF TOURNAMENT WEEK…

Golf Canada and CPKC will host the sixth annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 22 at nearby Marine Drive Golf Club as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will bring together like-minded businesspeople from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment, and philanthropy. The Summit will also raise awareness for the CPKC Women’s Open, with attendees receiving access to the tournament during the week and participating in clinics.

“THE RINK” FAN EXPERIENCE RETURNS…

Golf Canada is pleased to announce that the fan-favourite Rink hole spectator experience will return following a successful debut last year in Ottawa. The energetic hockey-themed hole, complete with fan-pounding rink boards, volunteers dressed as referees and a surrounding hospitality experience will be situated on par-3 17th hole at Shaughnessy.

CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN BROADCAST…

The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open will feature four days of domestic and international television broadcast coverage including Canadian broadcast partner TSN as well as international coverage on GOLF channel.

KIDS 12-AND-UNDER GET IN FREE…

Golf Canada and CPKC are committed to offering a fan friendly, family event with the CPKC Women’s Open. To introduce more juniors to the sport, children aged 12-and-under get FREE admission to the CPKC Women’s Open for the entire week.

GOLF CANADA MOBILE APP EXPERIENCE…

Spectators at Shaughnessy will experience the CPKC Women’s Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada Mobile App on their iOS or Android device. Essential tournament features include a live map, leaderboard and pairings, tickets, breaking news, and unique events. Golf enthusiasts can also use the Golf Canada Mobile App to enhance their everyday golf experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches, follow friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.

ABOUT THE CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN 

The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the CPKC Women’s Open from August 22-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C. Through its CPKC Has Heart program, title sponsor CPKC will once again make a substantial donation to the host community of Canada’s National Open Golf Championship by supporting the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation. The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by CPKC, BDO, Audi, RBC, theScore, Levelwear, Transitions, Titleist, FootJoy, Journie Rewards, Hilton, Sleeman Clear 2.0, Think Turkey, The Keg, Johnsonville, Cayman Islands, Masi, Celebrity Cruises, STALK&BARREL, Matt & Steve’s, Coca-Cola, Rolex and is supported by Sport Hosting Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada.

For information visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com.

ABOUT CPKC

With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Canada, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and México, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf of México to Lázaro Cárdenas, México. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpkcr.com to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC.

Stephen Ames continued the best year of his PGA TOUR Champions career on Sunday with a victory at the Boeing Classic at the Club at Snoqualmie Ridge just outside Seattle.

Nursing a one-shot lead over defending Boeing champ Miguel Angel Jimenez and defending Schwab Cup champion Steven Alker entering the final round, the 59-year-old Ames fired a bogey-free, 9-under 63 to win by seven strokes and record his fourth victory of 2023. Only Steve Stricker has more (five).

Ames chipped in for eagle on the par-5 first hole to push his advantage to two, and it never got closer the rest of the way. He also eagled 18 to finish at 19 under and tie the tournament scoring record. Ames played his last five holes in 6 under to shoot 30 on the back nine.

It stood in stark contrast to a year ago, when Ames led the Boeing heading to the back nine only to shoot 3 over coming in and be overtaken by Jimenez to finish in a tie for third. The Canadian played quickly and confidently on Sunday, and he rolled in seemingly every putt he looked at.

“Even up to 14 it was still a ballgame because it was only two shots still in it,” Ames said. “I mean, when Steven missed the birdie putt on 14 and I made mine, then it went to three again. Like I said, it was still a ballgame, still had to play golf coming in.

“A lot of players always get themselves ahead of the game and you’ve got to stay in the present, which I kept telling myself.”

Alker and Jimenez simply couldn’t keep up with Ames on this day. Both went out in even par, digging their hole to four strokes. Jimenez wound up in second after a 3-under 69. Alker shot 1-under 71 to tie for third with K.J. Choi, who shot 65.

But it was another Sunday that was all about Ames. It was the fourth time in 2023 he entered the final round with a lead, and the fourth time he closed successfully. It was a bit of a home game as well: Ames’ Vancouver home is about a short, two-hour drive from Snoqualmie. He rolled in a 20-footer on the par-3 17th, the hardest hole on the course, for birdie and followed with an eagle on the par-5 18th after hitting driver, long iron to 3 feet.

“I kept pushing myself as the closing holes were coming in just to keep in front, keep pedaling, keep pushing the pedal, and I did,” Ames said. “The way I ended up finishing, I didn’t expect that that, but it came out on top, which is nice.”

Alker could only tip his cap.

“He didn’t miss a shot,” Alker said. “He made the putts he needed to. I think all his wins have been, I don’t know, five-shot wins this year at least, so it’s pretty impressive.”

Ames got his big year started in February at the Trophy Hassan II in Morocco with a five-shot victory. He won the Mitsubishi Electric Classic outside Atlanta in May by four, and he claimed the Principal Charity Classic in June by a shot.

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.

Alwyn Rees, Northern Bear Golf Club, Hole #8

It happened at the Northern Bear Golf Club: 158 yards par 3. There were four of us, my mate Bob Cooper, a young student and a club employee. We were playing alternate white tees and I hit the shot watched the ball hit the behind the front bunker and bounce forward from there we lost sight of it. When we got up to the green, we only counted three balls. Bob said, “it’s in the hole”, and there it was!

Beverly Swan, Brudenell Golf Course, Hole #16

I was playing with my husband John and Marty Wry (who is from Moncton, N.B). I used my 3 wood, and it was 150 yards on hole #16.

Bill Finley, Westfield Golf and Country Club, Hole #2

I was playing with Dave Hache who works in the pro shop here and Carl Tilley one of my long-time regular weekday playing partners. There was a lot of dew on the ground and the sun was making it kind of a glare to see. Hole #2 is 155 yards from the white tees. I hit a 7 iron and Carl said he could not see it. I said it was going right at the hole but then we kind of lost sight of it in the glare, but we didn’t really see it go in. Carl drove ahead in his power cart and went onto the green, looked in the hole and raised his arms and so then I did. The ball was a Taylor Made TP5 that I had just taken out of the package on the first hole.

Bob Copeland, Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club, Hole #14

I used a 7 iron on hole #14 at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club during our Club Championships. I was playing in a twosome with Janek Guminski. The yardage was 137 yards.

Bryan Nevison, Black Mountain Golf Club, Hole #4

I was playing with Grant Nevison, John Koning and Wendy Koning. The yardage was 183 and the club was 7 iron.

Craig McDonald, Fox Hollow Golf Course, Hole #15

I started playing golf at the age of 11 and have played fairly regularly throughout my life. On July 29, 2023, 41 years after taking up this wonderful game, I recorded my first hole-in-one! I was playing at my home course, Fox Hollow Golf Club in Nova Scotia. I also had the fortune to be playing with my regular weekend foursome and good friends Todd Black, Chris Villeneuve and Rob Peters. Hole #15 was playing about 130 yards that day. I hit a 9 iron that landed on the front of the green then disappeared. The hole plays slightly uphill with a dip at the front of the green, so we all thought the ball came to rest there. As we approached the green my ball was nowhere to be seen. Chris ran up on the green, looked in the hole and exclaimed, “it’s in the hole!” I was mostly in shock but remember throwing my hat in the air and letting out a yell. Finally, the eagle helped me shoot a 74!

Dana Haaf, Seymour Golf and Country Club, Hole #14

I am still on cloud nine about that accomplishment and though I acknowledge there’s a certain amount of luck, it does feel the efforts and recent lessons I’ve been getting are paying off.

 

Interesting story, I went with my daughters to Stanley Park Pitch and Putt yesterday and got another hole-in-one on a par 3 there. What an amazing weekend of golf after 40 years of never having achieved a hole-in-one before!

I was playing alone but the tee box for the 14th hole at Seymour is continuous with the tee box for #15 and is perpendicular. The group in front of me teeing off on hole #15 included a staff member of the club and he saw my tee shot as it was a laser for the flag. Though the green was raised, and we couldn’t see the ball drop, they did witness the shot and the scream when I reached the green and saw the ball in the cup. The yardage was 128 and I used a Ping G410 49.5-degree gap wedge.

Dave Chisholm, Royal Ontario Golf Club, Hole #11

I wasn’t supposed to play on Saturday. I was supposed to be spending time with my family that day, but the wife’s plans changed so I booked as a single at Royal Ontario with a 6:30am tee time. I got matched up with three guys from the area and off we went at 6:30am. I was hitting the ball well and playing a pretty typical round. We got to the par 3, 11th hole. I measured the hole at 110 yards. I had the honours, pulled out my 50 degree-wedge and let it fly. The ball came off the club well, one of the guys said, “that looks good”. We watched the ball land then disappear. A quick look of disbelief with the guys then high-fives and handshakes all around. It was the first hole-in-one anyone in the group had seen in person. I played the rest of the round with a smile from ear to ear.

David Connell, Fort McMurray, Hole #4

I was playing with my usual weekend group (Claude Howse, Brian Goodale and Rob Lacroix). The yardage was 189 and I used a 5 iron.

Derek Chalker, Dragonfly Golf Links, Hole #5

What a day!

Gennaro Iacobucci, Lakeview Golf Club, Hole #3

It was playing 119 yards to the flag from the blue tees on #3. I used a pitching wedge. One yard draw, dropped three feet in front of the flag and about one foot to the right of it. It spun left and toward the hole and what seemed like forever, it finally disappeared! The group on the tee beside the green were screaming, my foursome was screaming which included my good friend Jamie that I have been playing with for 25 years! It is the first hole-in-one for myself and I for sure woke up everyone in the houses behind the green!

Geoff McLean, Green Gables Golf Club, Hole #16

I hit a 4 hybrid into a moderate wind, not wanting to be short as the hole crosses a water inlet and that day’s pin placement was tucked in behind the beginning of a large green side bunker. It was well hit and on line but we didn’t see it drop or roll out. I was worried it was long. Hole #16 at Gables is a huge and fantastic green. I love to talk about Stanley Thompson shaping it in 1939 and how it remains so perfect 80 years later. It has so much undulation that often perfect shots end up 60 feet away. So, as we approached the green, I could not see my yellow ball and my assumption was that I rolled off and perhaps caught the bunker. I checked the green and the bunker and no ball, so I checked the hole and bingo.

It was a great day before and after the ace. I was happy to buy the beer and appreciated the gift of a flag from Green Gables to mark the occasion. Love this game.

Glenn Corbett, Whistle Bear Golf Club, Hole #17

It was 178 yards and I hit an 8 iron.

Hiep Ong, Kanata Golf and Country Club, Hole #16

I was playing with my friend James Salim (Greyhawk Member) and another member from Kanata. The flag was on the left side of the green playing at 117 yards that day. I used a 54-degree Vokey wedge playing for a high draw. When I hit it, I knew it was going to be tight. The ball landed five feet short right of the hole and rolled the rest of the way in. I didn’t quite believe it when I saw the ball disappear, but we walked up, and the ball was in the cup! First hole-in-one ever for me and will be quite the memory.

Ian McInnes, Prince George Golf Club, Hole #12

It was an amazing experience, my first. My son and grandson were playing with me, and they saw it go in. My eyesight isn’t the best and I knew it was on line but lost sight once it hit the ground. It was 185 yards into a breeze, so I used my 4 hybrid. One hop onto the green and the ball rolled into the cup. A pretty cool moment for sure. I shared my free jugs of beer with my men’s night group the next day.

Jack Merritt, Fundy National Park Golf Club, Hole #12

For the hole-in-one I was playing with my friend Liam Warr, the yardage of the par 3 was 175 from the back tees. I hit a 6 iron.

James Roberts, Heritage Golf and Country Club, Hole #5

I was playing with Kevin Gallinger, 140 yards with a 9 iron. I didn’t actually see the ball go in. There was a sand trap short of the green and the lip blocked the cup. I actually thought it had bounced into the sand trap. Kevin had a slightly better angle, he thought it was close, but I was sure it went in the trap. Walking up to the green I could see a pitch mark; I was still sure I was in the trap, but my heart started beating quicker. Once I could see the trap was empty and no ball on the green, I sprinted to the cup and sure enough, there was my TaylorMade sitting in the cup. 20 years of playing and finally got my first!

Janet Dutot, Kingsville Golf and Country Club, Hole #7

The hole-in-one happened on hole #7 red. It was 150 yards to the pin.  I used a 5 wood. It bounced on the left side of the green. I thought it might go in the bunker but bounced up on the green. I did not see it go in as the pin was in the back of the green. I thought it had gone off the back of the green. I looked for it and could not find so looked in the hole not really thinking it had gone in and was pleasantly surprised. I was playing with Diane Piroli, Sue Marentette and Deb Kobayashi.

Janice Gould, Windsor Golf Course, Hole #10

I recently got a hole-in-one at Windsor Golf Course in Winnipeg. It was on the 10th hole which is 130 yards. I used my 7 iron. I saw it bounce and roll on the green. I was satisfied I made it to the green, so I turned around to pick up my tee. The people at a nearby tee box started cheering. I turned around and they were standing on our green yelling. To this day, I still can’t believe it. Every day I pinch myself! The ironic part is the hole before I was saying to my husband, “wouldn’t it be nice to have just one hole-in-one in our lifetime?”

Jeff Mcguffin, Forest City National Golf Course, #17

My first ever hole-in-one was on #17 at Forest City National Golf Course in London, ON. I lasered the pin at 108 yards. I went to my bag and pulled out my 54-degree Vokey wedge. There was a tee already in the ground at perfect height! I placed my ball on it a couple waggles and pulled the trigger. It landed six inches beside the hole, and it slowly rolled in! Everyone’s wedges went flying and all three buddies tackled me in celebration. We rolled around on the tee box as the other group pulled up to the tee. Best day of golf so far!

Jeremy Hunka, Glendale Golf and Country Club, Hole #7

It was quite the feeling getting my first hole-in-one! I was approximately 144 yards out to an upper right pin location. Heavy downhill to the back of the green with bushes behind it. I hit a smooth pitching wedge, the ball was hit high and started out just left of the flag, the ball was cutting slightly back towards the hole. It landed about three inches from the hole, one hop and in!

Jim Baker, Ardmore Golf Course, Hole #14

The 14th hole is a 110-yard par 3. It is a fairly narrow shot with a 1,500-year-old tree on the left and frost fencing on the right to protect the tee box. I was playing with my brother-in-law Ray Morris and a single we picked up on the back nine named Dan. We had a KP competition going for $0.25. I pulled out my 9 iron and hit my best shot of the day, right on the flag all the way. One big bounce onto the green and the ball rolled and rolled (we thought past the hole) until it disappeared out of sight. Our new friend Dan did more jumping up and down than I did. I got off relatively easily in the bar with a tab under $200. I still think the guy that gets the ace should get free drinks from everyone. Congratulations to the greens crew at Ardmore. The greens are as good as I have seen anywhere.

Jim Chobrda, Orchard View Golf Club, Hole #18

I hit a 7 iron 152 yards into the wind. There were three witnesses in my group including my wife, Nancy. It’s the fifth hole-in-one for me.

Jonathan Goodman, Greystone Golf Club, Hole #6

It was 158 yards, and I used a 6 iron. Dave Rogers and Scott Gamble were with me. This was my fourth hole-in-one and my third one at Greystone (I have also gotten a hole-in-one on hole #11 and hole #14).

Kurtis Atkinson, Peninsula Golf Course, Hole #17

I was playing with my wife Lindsay and son Bennett on July 24^th at our local course in Marathon. On top of the ace, I also shot my career low! I lasered the flag at 127 yards and hit a 52-degree wedge. It landed about three feet short of the hole and tracked right into the cup. Fortunately, my wife got the shot on video and a bit of my celebration after it went in. This was the first in my life so it was a very special one to be able to do it with my wife playing alongside me and my son who will turn two in a couple of weeks.

Linda Prior, River Bend Golf Club, Hole #3

My hole-in-one was the fourth of my life. This one was very exciting as we saw it tracking all the way. It was 85 yards uphill over water with a tough right far front pin placement. I used my 9 iron. I was playing in our regular Ladies league with only two other ladies from the league.

Mark Smith, Pickering Glen Golf Club, Hole #2

I was playing with my friend of 40+ years Vince McCormack and his brothers Victor and Steve. We were playing the grey tees, basically the whites at most courses, and the hole was playing 155 yards to the middle. I hit a 5 hybrid that went dead straight and hit the green about 20 feet below the hole; we watched it roll closer and Vic said, “That might go in.” Interestingly, Vince got one on the same hole back in May.

Martin Snell, Georgetown Golf Club, Hole #12

The hole was listed at 177 yards but playing a little shorter, so I used a Mizuno MP-32 6-iron with a TaylorMade ball. My playing partners were long-time members Greg Tomlinson and Cathy Kearney (woman’s team captain), and a guest and friend, Chris Mundreon.

Maxine Clarke, Spallmacheen Golf Course, Hole #7

I scored a hole-in-one on hole #7 at Spallmacheen golf course, in Vernon, B.C. It was off the green tees 111 yards, using my 7 iron. My ball landed on the green then trickled right into the hole. What a shot! I was using a pinnacle soft ball. It could not have been a better day to do it because it was Wednesday, which happens to be ladies’ day at our club!

Mike Connor, Royal Ashburn Golf Club, Hole #16

My other players were Brent McCaw, Andy Macrae and Chris Thomson (all Golf Canada members). The hole played 152 yards (into the wind) and I hit a 9 iron.

Mike Kasubeck, Forest City National Golf Club, Hole #4

It was the 4^th hole at Forest City National, from the gold tee block, playing 167 yards. I hit a 5 iron for my first hole-in-one, which took 59 years and 361 days to get! I was playing with Michael MacDonald, Kevin Laye and Brian Hodgert.

Nadeem Mughal, Cherry Downs Golf and Country Club, Hole #6

It was on the sixth hole at Cherry Downs from the white tees I used an 8 iron with a beautiful draw towards the pin. Of course, the pin was hidden at back middle so I couldn’t see it go in but as soon as I checked the cup there it was! My son Easa Mughal was playing with me at the time.

Nathalie Fugere, Blue Springs Golf Club, Hole #5

The details about my first hole-in one:

• Blue Springs, who is my home course. It was my first time playing there this season as my other course, Glen Abbey, is 5 minutes from my home.
• Witness: Debbie Rogers from Glencairn and a nice lady we talked to, who was taking care of the beautiful flowers at the tee box
• 120 yards with a red pin
• 7 iron

I hit the ball, and it went in the middle of the green and came down. I was assuming that my ball kicked to the left and it never crossed my mind that it went into the hole. My friend and I were looking all around the green and Debbie suggested looking inside the hole. I couldn’t believe it. We started to laugh and enjoy the moment.

Fun fact: five years ago, when I restarted playing golf (being a busy mom raising twins), I decided to play Glen Abbey when my husband was competing at the senior men’s tournament. I felt very comfortable as I was playing with a member that I knew and his son. His son used to be a junior there with my son. Another gentleman was with us and was playing only the front nine. This gentleman was giving me good advice, and I played my best game on that day. I had no clue who that gentleman was. The following week, a staff member asked me how my game with Laurence was. That was when I realized that I had played with Laurence Applebaum!

Our heart is with Glen Abbey as our son is an amazing player, thanks to Sean Casey, who was in charge of the Academy. And a big thank you to Ben Ferguson, who, each winter, helps me reach my wildest expectations.

Reg Gionet, Metcalfe Golf Club, Hole #5

I was playing with my wife Pam Gionet, Judy Schmidt and Jim Ewanovich who are all members of Metcalfe Golf Club. The yardage was 138 and I used a 7 iron.

Rick Hall, Pakenham Highlands Golf Course, Hole #4

I sunk my first ace at Pakenham Highlands Golf course yesterday. I used a 7 iron to land it short and run it to the back well past the 161-yard center. I didn’t have the pleasure of seeing it drop because of the contour of the green. The pin was at the back and when the ball disappeared, I thought it had rolled off into the rough. One of the other players announced that there was a ball in the hole, and sure enough it was mine. What a hoot!

Ryan Redekopp, Tower Ranch Golf and Country Club, Hole #5

It was hole #5 at Tower, playing 120 yards. I hit a 56-degree wedge, was playing with Brandon Forrester, Brent Barr, and Cody Carrier.

Ryan Sjoberg, Penticton Golf & Country Club, Hole #6

I was playing with a couple of friends Rob Cole and Alan Cohk and I hit a 9 iron. The hole was playing 142 yards.

Sebastian Bell, Osprey Links Golf Club, Hole #2

It was 143 yards, and I used a 9 iron. I was playing with Michela Chirico Bell and Ben Ayling.

Shawn Feero, Predator Ridge Golf Resort, Hole #13

It was on the 13th hole at the Predator Course using a pitching wedge. It looked like a one hop hit the pin and drop shot. I was there with a group of 15 people on a work trip with contractors and our top Edmonton Dealer. To have that moment with a great group of customers was extra special, we were playing team format and that helped us win the day. I want to say a big thanks to Doug Lemieux (birthday boy) and Tony Carroll from LBH Timbermart for organizing the trip.

Steve Hyatt, Picton Golf and Golf and Country Club, Hole #4

The hole-in-one occurred on the 4^th hole of the Picton Golf and Country Club in Picton, Ontario. Fortunately, the pin was located on the front portion of the green therefore we were able to see the ball drop in the hole. Even though it appeared that the ball had dropped in the hole, unlike my playing partners Judy, John and Earl, I was guardedly optimistic. Once on the green and seeing the ball in the hole I was then convinced.

The interesting thing was the amount of notoriety that I received from this. Apparently, Judy wasted no time in posting a picture of me pulling the ball from the hole on Facebook for everyone to see. Everywhere I went I had people congratulating me on my hole-in-one. On one occasion I had a cashier say to me, “hey didn’t I see your picture on Facebook, aren’t you the guy who did something in golf recently?”

Steve Walter, Whistle Bear Golf Club, Hole #17

I was playing with three members, and I was a guest. Whistle Bear treated me like a king when I got it, and it was very much appreciated. Great golf club and great members there.

Tony Gilbert, Rivershore Golf Links, Hole #7

It was 153 yards with a 9 iron. I played with Ray, Scott and Brett.

Zach Weese, Sunningdale West Course, Hoe #14

It was 168 yards to a back middle pin, with a 7 iron. It helped me win our match play in the quarter-finals!

This week on Road to the Tour presented by Hilton, all eyes are on Johnny Travale as he takes his game to the next level. Tune in to see how Johnny has official turned professional, and what lead him to achieve this goal.

Rest and Relax like a Pro, start planning your next stay with Hilton today.

156 of Canada’s top junior golfers head to Northern Ontario to compete for the Junior title along with a U16 Juvenile division and an inter-provincial team competition.

North Bay, Ont. – The 2023 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO is set for August 14-17 with a field of 156 junior golfers competing over four rounds at The North Bay Golf and Country Club in North Bay, Ont.

This year’s field competing for the Canadian Junior Boys Trophy, also known as the Silver Cup, features a talented field of Canadian players, including five 2023 NextGen tournament winners—Dougie Basadur of Fonthill, Ont. (NextGen Atlantic), Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. (NextGen Ontario), Jerry Li, Vancouver, B.C. (NextGen Pacific), Kye Fisher of Leduc, Alta. (NextGen Prairie) and Henry Dao from Laprairie, Que. (NextGen Quebec).

“North Bay Golf & Country Club is a classic Stanley Thompson design and will provide a tough but fair test for the country’s best junior golfers,” said Golf Canada Tournament Director Daniel Suppa. “The Host Club committee at North Bay and its members are extremely proud to host this prestigious event. In working with the staff at North Bay and their tournament committee, everyone involved is passionate and committed to providing a world-class event for all participants travelling to the tournament.”

Established in 1921, the North Bay Golf and Country Club is a privately owned club with shareholders and governed by an elected Board of Directors. In 1921, a group of golf enthusiasts formed the North Bay Golf and Country Club and engaged Stanley Thompson, the renowned Canadian designer to lay out the new course on what was once farmland originally owned by the Macintosh family.

The original nine holes spanned 2,800 yards and were ready for play in 1923 with the second nine opening in 1966. With seasonal renovations and a strong commitment from members giving of their labour, resources and donations, the course has evolved into one of the finest eighteen-hole challenges in North Ontario.

“The entire membership and professional staff are extremely excited to showcase our Northern hospitality and our beautiful property to the best junior golfers in the country,” said Jeff Mancini, Director of Golf and General Manager, North Bay Golf and Country Club. “What our course lacks in distance it makes up for with narrow corridors, challenging lies and undulating green complexes that require your attention on all putts.”

Established in 1938 with the first championship played at London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont., the Canadian Junior Boys Championship has given Canadians a glimpse into the future glory that many of its champions have gone on to enjoy. Canadian Golf Hall of Famers Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowan, and Doug Roxburgh have all won the Silver Cup before moving on to amateur and professional careers.

Reigning RBC Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor won the Junior in 2006, the only Canadian male golfer to win the trifecta of national championships comprised of the Canadian Junior Boys, Canadian Men’s Amateur, and Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship (joining Brooke Henderson who is the lone female Canadian golfer to win the Canadian Junior Girls, Canadian Women’s Amateur, and the CPKC Women’s Open).

In addition to the 18-and-under Junior Championship, the 16-and-under Juvenile Championship was added in 1970, with the winner receiving the Jack Bailey Trophy. Since its inception, only ten golfers have won both the Juvenile and Junior titles — Jim Rutledge, Jeff Makahon, Rob McMillan, Jesse Collinson, Dustin Risdon, Gord Scutt, Rafael Lee, Mitch Sutton, Charles-Éric Bélanger and Christopher Vandette.

The Junior and Juvenile championship rounds are played concurrently over four rounds, with the top 70 players plus ties in the Junior division and a minimum of ten players in the Juvenile division advancing to the final 36 holes. The Junior Inter-Provincial Team Championship will be played over the first 36 holes, where teams will compete for the Junior Inter-Provincial Championship Trophy.

The new purse payout that was introduced in 2022 will continue at this year’s championship. To align with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship will compete for a purse of $8,000 CAD. Amateur golfers may accept prize money up to a maximum of $1,200 CAD, and payouts will be awarded to the top 10 finishers and ties.

The Junior champion of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship earns an exemption into the 2024 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship as well as the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

For the full player field competing in the Canadian Junior Boys 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.

Caledon, Ont. – Ashton McCulloch shot a final round of 70 to win the 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship by five shots at The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont.

McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. was the only player in the field to shoot under par all four days of the tournament, posting rounds of 69-68-70-70 to finish at 7-under and win the national championship.

“It feels amazing, a lot of hard work has gone into this over many years of golf, I have so many people to thank, that are such big role models in my life and that have propelled me to this point,” said McCulloch after walking off the 18th green of The Pulpit. “I can’t thank enough people and Golf Canada for running this event, it was a lot of fun and I’m happy to play well this week.”

Pleasant conditions to start the day quickly changed as rain rolled in shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Thursday and remained heavy at times through just past 1:30 p.m. giving players four days of different conditions to contend with during the tournament.

McCulloch and Caleb VanArragon were battling when things turned on the 11th hole as McCulloch birdied while VanArragon triple bogeyed to give McCulloch a four-shot lead and he didn’t look back, adding two more birdies and four consecutive pars to close out his final round.

“I mean I’m really proud of myself, I got off to a slow start yesterday like I said and just willed the ball in the hole a couple times on the back. Today, I kept on saying to my best friend on the bag, the gas pedal is on the right…gotta keep on going and they’ll fall and I just kept hitting good shots and got lucky enough they went close enough that I could make them.”

By winning the Canadian Men’s Amateur, McCulloch has earned a spot into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont.

“I’ve missed Monday qualifying by one both times, so it’s cool to get in another way this year I’m really excited about that,” added McCulloch with a big smile. He also earns an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. from August 14-20.

McCulloch will also be awarded a cheque of $1,200. To align with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, competed for a purse of $8,000 CAD. Along with McCulloch, the top-10 finishers earned prize money.

Phil Arci of Woodbridge, Ont. and Pulpit Club member earned silver medalist honours, finishing the tournament at 2-under. Jordan Gilkison of Washington Township, Ohio and VanArragon of Blaine, Minn. finished tied for bronze medalist honours at 1-under.

On Tuesday the Willingdon Cup was awarded to Team Ontario, who won the Inter-Provincial Team Championship. Ontario finished the team competition at 3-under to edge, the defending champions Team Quebec by one shot. Team Ontario consists of Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont., Cameron Pero of Bloomfield, Ont. and Garrett Rank from Elmira, Ont.

For the final standings of the 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur 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.

Caledon, Ont. – The term “Moving Day” certainly lived up to its definition on Wednesday at The Pulpit Club as Ashton McCulloch finished strong to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. was two-over through 13 holes on Wednesday but finished with three straight birdies on holes 14 through 16 to sit at 6-under for the tournament and hold a one-shot lead over Collin Hodgkinson and Caleb VanArragon.

“It’s exactly why you don’t quit in a round. I really struggled with the putter early, I missed a couple putts that I felt I should have had…I couldn’t get anything going. It all started when I lipped out from forty feet on 10. I was like no, they’re going to start dropping and then I made back-to-back ten footers on 15 and 16 and that really propelled me to a strong finish today,” said McCulloch.

McCulloch has played well all week posting rounds of 69-68-70 and was part of Team Ontario’s Inter-Provincial team championship win on Tuesday. For McCulloch it comes down to trusting himself and his game, “I’ve played well all week, when I haven’t had my best stuff, I’ve found a way to grind through for a couple holes and find something that works. It’s going to be fun tomorrow.”

Behind him are Hodgkinson of Beaverton, Ore. and VanArragon of Blaine, Minn. both players sit at 5-under. Hodgkinson caught fire with four straight birdies from 11 to 14 but ended with a double bogey on the 18th to shoot 67 and sit in a tie for second.

“I was playing really well…six-under and hit one poor tee shot on 18 and it cost me two shots. Other than that, just hitting the ball really well and putting really well,” said Hodgkinson.

VanArragon was one-over through 11 holes on Wednesday but finished with three birdies and an eagle in his final seven holes to finish with a 68 and sit tied with Hodgkinson.

“I was able to hit a good wedge to within about two feet on 12 and then 13, I had a good number in the fairway, the wind was into the face which was good, it helped me stopped the ball on the green, hit a good seven iron to about six feet and made the putt from then on I felt I had a lot of momentum going,” said VanArragon.

The packed leaderboard includes three players at -4 heading into Thursday’s final round at The Pulpit. John Wild of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Xavier Marcoux of Concord, Mass., and round two leader Jordan Gilkison of Washington Township, Ohio all sit two back of McCulloch.

The final round at The Pulpit will tee off at 8:00 a.m. with the leaders teeing off at 10:01 a.m. For final round pairings, please click here.

The 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion receives an exemption into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. and the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. from August 14-20.

For the leaderboard of the 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur 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.

Jordan Gilkison leads Men’s Amateur by one shot after second round

Caledon, Ont. – The Willingdon Cup belongs to Team Ontario, as the host province was crowned as the Inter-Provincial Team champions on Tuesday at the 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

Ontario finished the team competition at 3-under to edge, the defending champions Team Quebec by one shot. Team Ontario consists of Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont., Cameron Pero of Bloomfield, Ont. and Garrett Rank from Elmira, Ont.

“I’ve never played for the inter-provincial team in the Canadian Men’s Am so it means a lot to me and to play with these two incredible guys and win it for Ontario is pretty cool,” said Ashton McCulloch after Tuesday’s round. McCulloch’s scores of 69 and 68 counted for the team on both days.

“My name is not on that trophy, and I’ve done some cool things in golf so it’s cool to be on there,” said Garrett Rank with a smile.

“There’s a lot of really sweet names on there of guys that have gone on to do some really cool things in the game of golf. Golf is a very individual sport so anytime you get to play in a team setting and play with two other guys and get in that team atmosphere…it’s fun,” added Rank.

Rank shot a 1-over 72 on Tuesday to have his score count, while Cameron Pero’s 1-over 72 counted on Monday towards the team score. “This is my first Canadian Am and it was a pretty cool experience here at The Pulpit Club. I didn’t have my best stuff this week, I fought the putter pretty bad, but Ashton stepped up for the team and put together two pretty great scores so thanks to him,” said Pero.

Play resumed at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday on both courses of The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont. after Monday’s opening round was suspended due to darkness. 108 players in the field completed their opening rounds and were treated to sunny skies but windy conditions for round two.

Jordan Gilkison of Washington Township, Ohio shot back-to-back rounds of 68, to sit at 6-under for the tournament and leads by one shot over McCulloch in the race for the Earl Grey Cup heading into Wednesday’s third round.

“I think I’m playing really solid, and my bogey avoidance has been really good,” said Gilkison after finishing his second round at The Paintbrush.

“I’m hitting a lot of greens and giving myself a lot of birdie putts. When I am missing greens, I’m doing a good job of saving par so I would say all parts of my game are feeling pretty good right now,” he added.

Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont. finished his first round at The Paintbrush in the morning with a 68 and followed up with a 1-under, 70 at The Pulpit to sit in a tie for third with Alejandro Alonso of Mexico and Zach May of New Zealand at 4-under. Round three will be reduced to low 70 and ties.

The first two rounds of the tournament saw the field of 264 golfers split between playing both The Pulpit and The Paintbrush. The final two rounds of the national championship will be played on The Pulpit.

The 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion receives an exemption into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. and the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. from August 14-20.

For the leaderboard of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur 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.