Josh Nagy holds clubhouse lead at -6 with 108 golfers still to complete opening round

Caledon, Ont. – Josh Nagy shot an opening round of 65 on Monday to sit as the clubhouse leader in the 118th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

The opening round was delayed due to fog that pushed back tee times by two and a half hours or more on both courses of The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont. Most of the players in the afternoon wave were not able to complete their rounds on either course with play being suspended for darkness at 8:15 p.m. As a result, round one will resume at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday with round two tee times to follow.

Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont. was one of those not able to finish his opening round and is also at 6-under through 13 holes at The Paintbrush.

Nagy of Saskatoon, Sask. played in the morning flight and recorded seven birdies on his way to 6-under to hold the clubhouse lead by one-shot over Brady McKinlay of Lacombe, Alta. and Nicholas Dentino of Carmel, Ind.

“Just kept the driver in play all day and then the putter started to heat up on the front nine,” said Nagy following his round. “Made a nice long birdie putt on one and then on three, had a good look at eagle and was able to get that down for birdie and played the par fives really well too so that really helps.”

Nagy did just that as he birdied all three of the par-5 holes on The Paintbrush on Monday. He has had a successful run of late having won the 2023 Saskatchewan Amateur men’s title last month and said he hopes to build off that tournament through this week.

McKinlay, was also playing The Paintbrush and briefly held the lead on Monday. He finished with six birdies, including four in a row from holes 14 through 17.

“I birdied 11, made a good birdie there and those four in a row I just had good numbers, good wedges and I think I had about three or four putts from seven feet, and I made them all,” said McKinlay.

In the Inter-Provincial Team Championship, Team Alberta sits at 6-under to lead Team Saskatchewan by one-stroke and defending champions, Team Quebec by two. Team Alberta consists of Brady McKinlay, Ethan Wilson (St. Albert, Alta.) and Kye Fisher (Leduc, Alta.). The team championship is being played over the first 36 holes of the tournament.

The first two rounds of the tournament see the field of 264 golfers split between playing both The Pulpit and The Paintbrush. Players who start on The Pulpit will then play the Paintbrush for round two and vice versa. 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.

FARMINGTON, Utah – Canadian Roger Sloan capped a final-round 5-under 66 with birdies at Oakridge Country Club’s par-4 17th and 18th, hitting back-to-back approaches inside 10 feet, including a near hole-out to set up the winning putt, en route to victory at the Utah Championship. Sloan’s closing birdies moved him to 24-under par for the tournament, one stroke ahead of runner-up finisher Christopher Petefish, who did not make a bogey all week.

The win snaps a winless drought of just over nine years for Sloan, who earned his only previous Korn Ferry Tour win at the 2014 Nova Scotia Open in his native Canada.

“It feels great,” Sloan said. “To (win) here is special just because this place reminds me so much of being back home. I love Salt Lake City. It’s a great place. Anytime you win, though, is very special. This one, my family was here. To see my kids run onto the green and hug them, that’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

Sloan began Sunday’s final round one stroke behind outright 54-hole leader Kevin Dougherty at 20-under par. An eagle at the par-5 seventh and back-to-back birdies at the par-4 eighth and ninth moved Sloan into the outright lead at 23-under par. Sloan fell back to the pack after bogeys at the par-3 11th and par-4 13th, and Petefish jumped in front at 23-under par with an eagle at the par-5 15th.

Petefish eventually made a miraculous par save at No. 18, rebounding from a second shot which hit a tree. Petefish signed for a bogey-free 5-under 66 and became the first player since Brandon Crick at the 2021 Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS to finish a 72-hole event without a bogey. Every other player in the field made at least three bogeys (or worse) this week.

Once Sloan stuffed his approach inside of 3 feet on the 72nd hole, Petefish ceased playoff preparations and settled for a career-high finish and third top-10 in his 34th career start on the Korn Ferry Tour.

“I knew I was tied for the lead,” Sloand said. “I knew once I had that (birdie) putt on No. 17. When I hit a really good putt on No. 17, I had a feeling we might be able to do something on No. 18. I just had a perfect number, hit a 56-degree wedge, and I hit it 95 (yards). Couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Sloan previously graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour at the conclusion of the 2014 and 2018 seasons. Sloan played four consecutive seasons on the PGA TOUR, until a No. 160 finish on the 2021-22 FedExCup Playoffs and Eligibility Points List relegated him to the Korn Forn Ferry Tour for 2023.

The win moves Sloan inside the top 30 of the Korn Ferry Tour Points List and into contention for a return to the PGA TOUR.

“I haven’t had the greatest of years results-wise, but it’s because I’ve been having to work on my game more than I have lately,” said Sloan, who entered the week without a top-10 in 14 starts this season. “I really just got to keep chipping away at what I’ve been doing all year, stay committed to that. The goal is for me to be the best player I could be, hopefully get back to the PGA TOUR soon, but I’m just taking it one day at a time.

“While this is great and we’re going to enjoy it, it’s back to the grindstone next week.”

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.

Abe Fehr, Essex Golf and Country Club, Hole #7

It was a wonderful feeling and accomplishment for me. I was playing with fellow Essex Golf and Country Club members Gary Langeman and Jake Neudorf. It was hole #7 and we were playing the blue tees. I used my 8 iron from a distance of 142 yards.

Adele Williamson, Canmore Golf Club, Hole #12

It was a thrill to have a hole-in-one on July 15, 2023. I was playing with Sandra, Judy and Cheryl, the members of my newly formed Masters competitive curling team. I was trying to impress them at my Canmore course but without much success until we came to hole #12.

When I stepped onto the tee box, I recognized that the pin placement was the same as it had been last July 13th when I had an ace on the same hole. The same white flag was again placed in line with the left edge of the sand trap. The distance was the same at 107 yards. Even though I have new clubs this year, I reached for my 7 hybrid as last year’s success was with a 7 iron. The ball soared and landed three feet from the hole and rolled in at the same angle as my last. How uncanny is that! The other cool fact is that everyone watched the ball go into the hole. There was a pause and a look of disbelief between us before the cheering began.

Alison Griffin, Andersons Creek Golf Club, Hole #8

It was an exciting moment. I was playing with my mother, Iva Griffin. The hole is 95 yards, and I used my 7 iron. It was a beautiful day, and the wind was just enough to help my ball get into the hole.

Amanda Barney, Prince Rupert Golf Club, Hole #4

I was playing with my partner Tim Young, and the yardage was 115 so I used my 7 iron. The pin placement was behind a large sand bunker, so we didn’t see the ball go in. We knew it was a great shot, but we looked for the ball off the back of the green before I glanced in the hole and saw the ball.

Angela Arora, Ashburn Golf Club, Hole #8

Editor’s Note: Angela Arora, a Team Canada and University of Tennessee golfer, recorded a hole-in-one during the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

Ann Newberry, Barcovan Golf Course, Hole #18

I had a hole-in-one at Barcovan Golf Course on hole #18 on July 25^th. I was playing in the weekly ladies’ league with Janet, Linda and Kim. I used an easy 8 iron for the 99 yard shot. The ball landed off the green and rolled on and into the hole. A superb ending to what had been a horrendous round.

Bill Woodley, Mabel Lake Golf and Country Club, Hole #17

It was an absolutely gorgeous day, 29 degrees with a light wind. My playing partners were Phil Malbeuf, Mike Striha and Eric Hoffman. It was 159 yards, and I used a 6 iron.

Brodie McRae, Shaganappi Point Golf Course – Valley, Hole #7

I had been playing with my friends (Aiden McRae and Riley Douglas) and the yardage was 170 yards. I used my 6 iron.

Chloe Wills, Ashburn Golf Club, Hole #14

My first hole-in-one!

Cliff Truax, Islington Golf Club, Hole #10

On July 25, 2023, I aced the 10th hole at Islington Golf Club. The hole was playing 165 yards uphill to the green. I was playing with my buddy, Brian Beith, and I used my Taylor Made M4 driver. This was my second hole-in-one, having aced Islington #6, on September 22, 2020.

Dan Klimas, Lachute, Hole #2

The hole-in-one was the fifth in my lifetime. This was just as special as the others. It was hole #2 on the Thompson Course at Lachute Golf Club. It was 164 yards, and I used a 5 hybrid.

Dave Lewis, Gander Golf Club, Hole #4

I used a 6 iron to complete this feat and the hole was playing 135 yards.

David Huffer, Canmore Golf Club, Hole #8

This was my second hole-in-one, both have come on the 8th hole of the Canmore Golf Club. I was playing with my friend Dieter Kuhn. My first was October 2014 with an 8 iron from 135 yards out, my recent was with a 5 iron from 157 yards.

DJ Stevenson, Woodlands Links, Hole #7

I used a 9 iron from 155, landed roughly eight feet past the hole and spun back into the hole! It took about 10 seconds to fall into the hole. I didn’t think it was going to go in but finally fell! I was playing with a couple of my buddies at men’s night, their names are Brandon Gibson and Tom Dawson.

Dustin Boydell, Cultus Lake Golf Club, Hole #2

I was playing with my friend Andrew and a twosome that got paired up with us. Their names were Jae and Mac. The hole was playing about 110 yards so I hit a nice, controlled pitching wedge. The depth perception of the green made it seem as though the ball had landed short of the pin and spun away. However, when we arrived at the green, we discovered the ball in the hole!

Evan Cranshaw, Malone Golf Club (east), Hole #3

It was in the second round of the St. Lawrence eight man tournament at Malone Golf Club. I was playing with Sean O’Conner, Matt Heney and Tanner Wiseman. The hole was 186 yards and I hit a 6 iron.

Fred Hill, Granite Springs Golf Club, Hole #16

My latest hole-in-one was at Granite Springs Golf Club from 123 yards. I used a Callaway Apex Pro 8 iron and a Vice Pro Plus golf ball. Stuart Tebbutt and Scott Murphy were my witnesses.

Gail Halsall, Cardinal Lakes Golf Club, Hole #12

I had a hole-in-one at Cardinal Lakes Golf Club! It was on the back nine on the Sparrow course! We were 94 yards with a 7 iron! Margaret Edwards and Tom Halsall were with me to celebrate the shot.

George Mulligan, Deer Ridge Golf Club, Hole #6

The yardage was 160 yards and I hit my pitching wedge. I was using Titleist clubs and a ball. My playing partners were Kevin Casey, Bob Fleming and Brian Hopkins.

Guy Allford, Granite Hills Golf Club, Hole #12

I played Granite Hills Golf Course in Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba. We were visiting from Calgary and played with my brother-in-law, nephew and a longtime friend. I used a 7 iron on the 12th hole, 154 yards. It hit the pin and straight in the cup. This was my 7th hole-in-one.

Nine years ago, we were playing Granite Hills and on the 12th hole, as we were teeing off, we received a phone call that our son who was 35 years old passed away very unexpectedly. It will be nine years on August 5th. I was golfing with my brother-in-law and nephew as well that day. As I was teeing off the other day my thoughts were with our son Ryan and as everyone said he was as definitely looking down on me. We are going to make a trip to Scotland next July, hopefully to play the Old Course to honour my grandparents who immigrated from Scotland, my parents and Ryan; they were all avid golfers.

Jackson Telka, Pine View Golf Course, Hole #11

Today, I’m overjoyed to share the incredible news that I achieved a hole-in-one! The magic began with a special moment before the match at 11:11, I made a wish to become the world’s greatest golfer. Little did I know that destiny had something extraordinary in store for me. On my way to the course, my friend Gavin Hopkins and I shared laughter, imagining what it would be like to get a hole-in-one. As I reached the 11th hole, 132 yards to the pin, I confidently stood at the tee, holding a 7 iron. I took a swing, and to my absolute amazement, my ball disappeared into the hole. It could only mean one thing! A dream come true that I will cherish forever.

Jamie Girolametto, St. George Golf Club, Hole #17

I was playing with my son Elijah Girolametto, Ernie Romaine and Tom Fisher. It was on the 17th hole at the Oaks of St. George. The hole was 117 yards. I used a pitching wedge. The ball went over the flag, stuck on the green and then came back down the slope about 10 feet. This is my first ever hole-in-one.

Jamie Spademan, Water Valley Golf and Country Club, Hole #2

I was in a group of four with two of my golfing buddies. It was James McKeage and Keith Field. The fourth member of the group was James’s nephew Chris VanTilborg. The yardage was 105 and I hit a pitching wedge.

Jean-Guy Boudreau, Pine Needles Golf and Country Club, Hole #4

On July 17th, I was playing with Freddy Vautour who shot 91, and Bernard Savoie who shot 83. They witnessed my hole-in-one on the 4th hole of the Pine course which is 150 yards long. I hit my pitching wedge. I used a Titleist ProV1x ball. My score that day was 74 from the yellow tees.

Jean-Philippe Bolduc, Saint Raphaël (Club de Golf), Hole #17

I was playing with Vincent Lecavalier, Mark Allison and Karik Boisjoly. It was 108 yards and I hit a 56-degree wedge.

Jérôme Himbeault, Kanawaki Golf Club, Hole #11

I had a hole-in-one on July 30th on the 11th hole at my home course Kanawaki Golf Club, during my final qualifying round for my Interclub team tryouts. The distance was 163 yards, I used my 9 wood to hit my shot and it took a bounce and in. My playing partners were Paul Rice and Nicolas Ponton.

Jerome Northcott, Gander Golf Club, Hole #4

It is the fourth hole at Gander and I used a 5 wood. I played with Judy Goulding, Ryan Tobin and Kevin O’Keefe on the 29^th of July.

Jim Gerhart, National Pines Golf Club, Hole #17

After 58 years of golf, I finally made a hole-in-one! A few weeks earlier, on the same hole, I hit the pin and finished six inches from the hole. I wondered if I would ever score an ace.

I was playing with fellow National Pines members Mike Sullivan and Shael Dolman in our regular Tuesday morning tee time. The scorecard yardage was 158 yards. The actual yardage to the pin was 142 (front pin). I used an 8 iron. 

John Powers, Sunset Ranch Golf and Country Club, Hole #17

I was golfing with Mike Hodder and Brian Bleakley. I used a 7 iron for 181 yards. I did not catch the ladies name that was the spotter as it was a hole-in-one for 5,000 dollars during the Sunset Men’s invitational.

Jordan Hollett, Cabot Cliffs, Hole #14

The yardage was 143 yards, and I used an 8 iron. I was playing with Shane Roney, Brodie McGregor and Ron Hately (there was also a Cabot caddie with us).

Karen Dove, Blue Springs Golf Club, Hole #5

This is my fourth hole-in-one. On July 18, 2023, I scored an ace on hole #5 at Blue Springs Golf Club. It was 115 yards over a pond with a 7 wood. It was witnessed by my good friend Leini Locsin and my husband Ron Falsetto. We celebrated later in the club house along with other members, one of whom had also scored an ace on the same hole earlier in the afternoon. High fives all around! I have to say it never gets old.

Karen Hodgins, Maple Ridge Golf Club, Hole #3

It was my ladies night at Maple Ridge. It was 99 yards on hole #3 with my pitching wedge. I will remember it forever!

Leslie Rahie, Pointe West Golf Club, Hole #2

It was hole #2, 141 yards and I used my 8 iron. I was golfing with Mike Vrionis and Nick Magyar.

Luke Fender, Quarry Oaks, Hole #15

What a day!

Marcel Desloges, Cowichan Golf and Country Club, Hole #6

I’ve only been playing golf for four years. I started when I was 59. It happened on hole #6 which is the most difficult par 3, according to many golfers. The green slopes left to right. My club selection was a 9 iron. The ball landed left of the pin, which was my aiming point, about eight feet. It looked like the ball had stopped then it started slowly rolling to the right and fell in! All the playing partners, Nate especially, were as excited as I was.

I’ve played many different sports in my life; golf is by far the most challenging and rewarding of all. I am hooked!

I would like to acknowledge Doug Morgan, the Club Professional at Richmond Golf and Country Club, in Richmond B.C, that I belonged to when I first started my journey in golf.

Doug’s first lesson, was a verbal lesson and a very important one. He said, “Marcel, you are not good enough to get mad.” I’ve taken that advice to heart, and it has paid off immensely.

Marlene Vickers, The Links at Dover Coast, Hole #1

It was 115 yards from the yellows, and I used my driver.

Martyn Gray, Bally Haly Country Club, Hole #13

I was playing my friend and work colleague Paul McGrath and shared the tee time with Don Bursey and Jim. It was 115 yards, and I used a pitching wedge. The wind was blowing right to left, I aimed at the right side of green. The ball hit the green and rolled, then it disappeared. Of course, we just thought it rolled behind a mound, but Paul took out his range finder and couldn’t see a ball on the green. It was in the hole!

Mitzi Koebernick, Drayton Valley Golf Club, Hole #4

It was the first time golfing with my three good friends after Drayton Valley had to evacuate due to a wildfire. The hole was one of the most beautiful holes at our course, 81 yards from the red tees, over a pond that looks as large as the Pacific Ocean. I was the first to tee off, I grabbed my 8 iron, and had a great swing. The ball hit the green about two yards in front of the hole and rolled to the flag. From the angle I was standing I was sure the ball had rolled past the flag, but my friends whooped and hollered and told me it was in the hole. I didn’t believe them.

Morley Woloschuk, Windermere Valley Golf Course, Hole #16

My first ace on hole #16! It was 145 yards uphill with a 7 iron. I was playing with my wife and son.

Nathan Le-Nguyen, Weston Golf and Country Club, Hole #8

I was playing with my sister and hit a pitching wedge from 137 yards.

Nathan Strom, Greensmere Golf Club, Hole #14

I played with my dad, wife, daughter and one of my good friends and his son. The pin was over water and 130 yards. I went on to shoot 81 that day, it was unreal!

Rob Atitise, Whitewater Golf Club, Hole #5

I had 178 yards from the blue tees to the pin and it was favouring the right side of the green just a bit so as a leftie I decided to play a little draw to that pin. It landed about one foot past the pin and it one hopped back right into the cup. It was special because I had just missed one on the Friday prior with my friends on hole #15 at Whitewater. It was a very cool experience and even cooler because it was in the presence of my parents and daughter.

As a side bar, a good friend of mine was playing behind me and drove up to the green after he realized I had made an ace and almost tackled me to the ground; obviously very happy for me as well. I will never forget it!

Rob Mannila, Spruce Needles Golf Club, Hole #9

I used a 7 iron and was playing with Luke Boiseneau and Ron Maxwell.

Rosemary Willett, Paragon Golf and Country Club, Hole #15

This was my sixth hole-in-one, and I am very happy about it. It was a sunny July 30th, and I was playing with Michael Willett, Lorraine and John Drummond. Hole #15 at Paragon is 128 yards, and I used my 3 wood.

Spencer Hagopian, Calgary Golf and Country Club, Hole #17

It was a 165-yard hole and I hit an 8 iron to about 10 feet on the left side slope of the green. It had some side spin and managed just to go right in the hole.

Stephanie Holland, Hylands Golf Club, Hole #16

My hole-in-one was made while playing in our weekly Ladies League, so I was credited with an eagle for our Birdies, Ringer and Chip-in competition. I was playing with my friends Linda and Elise who helped me celebrate, very loudly, I might add.  The distance to the flag on hole #16 measured 111 yards but as the green is elevated and there was a bit of wind, I played it 121 yards with a 7 iron. My shot was perfectly straight and aimed at the flag. The ball landed on the front of green and rolled perfectly straight into the centre front of the hole.  Honestly, it seemed to take forever to get there.

There is a bit more to this story. Two days later, I was playing on our South course again in our Senior Intersectional team try-outs with a lady named Heather. I told her about my hole-in-one, and she said that it was on her bucket list. As we played the 16th hole, she made a hole-in-one! Unbelievable!

Steve Stone, The Okanagan Golf Club, Hole #11

I was playing with my wife Megan Stone, and our good friends Geoff and Cathy Cruickshank. It was 140 yards with a pitching wedge that never left the flag.

Thomas Considine, Landings Golf Course, Hole #17

A magnificent day for me!

Tim Helferty, Greyhawk Golf Club, Hole #13

I had joined three other members as a single that day. Paul, Ferd and Ian who had someone drop out of their regular group. It was 170 yards, I used an 8 iron.

Tony Cupido, Beverly Golf and Country Club, Hole #14

I’m thrilled about my hole-in-one on July 30. I was playing the par 3, the 200-yard 14^th hole at Beverly Golf and Country Club.  I’m a proud member of Beverly. I used a 3 wood and because of the glare and distance, we couldn’t actually see it go in the hole! We knew it was close but did confirm until I investigated the hole.

Trevor Klassen, Pine Ridge Golf Club, Hole #14

It was hole #14 at Pine Ridge Golf Course, which is 178 yards adjusted to a back pin. I used an 8 iron on a perfect evening. I was with my brother-in-law and two friends.

Trevor Quesnelle, Settlers’ Ghost Golf Club, Hole #11

I was playing with my good friend Adam Bourgeois. We were playing from the gold tees and it was 163 yards uphill in the wind and the rain! I used a 7 iron.

Trudy Spidle, Eagle Crest Golf Course, Hole #1

I was pretty excited to get a hole-in-one! I’ve been a member of Eagle Crest since 2001 so it’s been a long time. I was golfing with my great girlfriends Ruth Ward, Karen North and Ann Marie Legge. I used my 3 wood and a Noodle golf ball. It ran onto the green and right into the hole. Ruth was standing right beside me!

Yvonne Gütz, Pakenham Highlands Golf Club, Hole #6

My golf partner Kate Swift and I were playing our front 9 on the Island Course at Pakenham Highlands Golf Club in Pakenham, ON. 

Hole #6 is the Island green and is Pakenham Highlands’ signature hole. It is unforgiving. I knew I needed lots of loft to not overshoot the green. Since I tend to slice my irons when under pressure, I choked down on my 5 wood and aimed directly for the flag. 

Kate shouted, “you did it – you did it, a hole-in-one.” I was skeptical and Kate just kept grinning at me. I thought that I had bumped into the flag stick and rolled onto the fringe. She said, “I saw and heard it hit the flag stick and drop in the cup.” When we approached the flag stick, with my putter in hand and peeked in, sure enough there was my Pinnacle Rush ball in the cup!

Caledon, Ont. – The final field is now set for the 118th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

Nine players earned the final spots in the field of 264 following Friday’s supplemental qualifier at The Pulpit in Caledon, Ont. The national championship is set to begin on Monday, August 7 with the opening two rounds being played on both courses of The Pulpit Club (The Pulpit and The Paintbrush).

There was a four-way tie for first with Isaiah Ellis (Smithville, Ont.), Patrick Deardorff (Clarkston, Mich.), Matthew Bremer (Burlington, Ont.) and Alex Wilson (Orangeville, Ont.) all shooting rounds of 69, good for 2-under. Mike Kray (Oakville, Ont.) shot an even par, 72 while four players shot 1-over, 72 to round out the nine players that secured their spots on Friday.

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 full player field competing in the 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship Supplemental Qualifier Results

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.

Halifax, N.S. – Lauren Kim shot a final round 2-under 71 on Friday to win the 109th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO at Ashburn Golf Club (New) in Halifax N.S.

Team Canada’s Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. held second place during the first three rounds of the championship and entered Friday’s final round two-strokes behind Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont. Kim recorded five birdies on Friday to finish with rounds of 67, 69, 73, 71 to edge out Rivers by one-stroke to win the national championship.

“I just needed to take down one stroke at a time, its hard to stay focused sometimes with the wind out there but I’m glad I came in strong for the last hole,” said Kim. “It’s crazy because I haven’t won in a few years and to do it on homeland, and one of the biggest championships in Canada, it’s unreal.”

With the win comes an exemption into the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C., from August 22-27 and the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Bel-Air Country Club, Calif., from August 7-17.

Rivers played an impressive tournament and finished second after shooting 1-over during the final round on Friday. Rivers started off the tournament by firing an opening-round course-record 65 and continued to hold top spot after a second-round 69 on Wednesday.

During the third round, Rivers got off to a fiery start by carding two back-to-back birdies on the par-5 second hole and the par-4 third hole. She encountered a challenging end to the front nine, carding three bogeys in a row but was able to push through till the end to maintain her lead.

In today’s final round Rivers shot a final round of 74 to finish in second place. Sadie Englemann from Austin, Texas, shot an even par, 72 and finished the tournament in third at 5-under.

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

For the full leaderboard 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, CPKC, Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear, and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

This week on Road to the Tour, presented by Hilton, the spotlight is placed on Team Canada coaches and the impact they have on players’ growth. These coaches are committed to the performance of Team Canada athletes and play a key part in the development of all players.

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

Halifax, N.S. – Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont., shot 1-over-par 73 at Ashburn Golf Club (new) in Halifax, N.S. on Thursday and will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the 109th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship presented by BDO.

The 18-year-old Rivers—who opened the championship with a course-record 65 followed by a second-round 69—sits at 9-under-par (207) through 54 holes of the prestigious championship. She got off to a good start Thursday with back-to-back birdies on the par-5 second hole and the par-4 third, then struggled with three consecutive bogeys on holes six through eight. Rivers’ back nine included a birdie and a bogey as the Team Canada member looks ahead to Friday’s final round with hopes of going wire-to-wire for her first-ever Canadian Women’s Amateur title.

“I still think that having a good game plan going into the last day is the most important thing,” said Rivers. “The pins are getting more tucked as the day goes on so paying attention to where the pins are and where the flat putt is crucial to have a good score.  I like to play my own game, focus on one shot at a time and not focus where everyone else is in correlation to me but just try to hit a good shot and leave the ball where I want.”

Rivers will need to hold off a hard-charging group of competitors including her teammate on the National Amateur Team, 18-year-old Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., who continues to sit alone in second at 7-under (209) through 54 holes after shooting a third-round 1-over 73.

A trio of Americans—Sadie Englemann (Austin, Tex.), Phoebe Brinker (Wilmington, Del.), and Maisie Filler (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), hold a share of third at 5-under (211), four shots off the lead, while defending champion and Team Canada member Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont. sits alone in sixth at 2-under for the championship.

The low round of day belonged to Vanessa Borovilos (Toronto, Ont.) and Antonia Malate (Seaside, Cal.) who shot matching 5-under 68’s to sit T7 and T12 respectively.

The winner of the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship will earn an exemption into the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship

For the full leaderboard 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, CPKC, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist, FootJoy and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

Field of 264 will compete in the prestigious tournament; final spots up for grabs in supplemental qualifier on Friday

Caledon, Ont. – The 118th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO is set to begin on Monday, August 7 with a field of 264 amateur golfers competing over four rounds of competition at The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont.

This year’s field features a talented field of Canadian players, including the following 2023 Provincial Men’s Amateur Champions: Cooper Humphreys (B.C.), Ethan Wilson (Alberta), Josh Nagy (Saskatchewan), Braxton Kuntz (Manitoba), Cameron Pero (Ontario), James Newton (Quebec), Isaac MacNaughton (Nova Scotia), and Teran Newall (Newfoundland and Labrador). In addition to Charles Fitzsimmons (2021, 2022 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion) and Jean-Philippe Parr (2021, 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Champion). Golfers from all 10 provinces and one territory are represented in the field along with nine additional countries: Australia, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, England, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, United States, and Wales.

The first two rounds of this year’s tournament will be contested on both courses of The Pulpit Club, The Pulpit and The Paintbrush. Following the opening 36-holes of the championship, the field will be reduced to the top 70 players plus ties. Wednesday and Thursday’s rounds will both played on The Pulpit course with an awards ceremony following Thursday’s final round.

“We are excited to get the 118th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship underway next week at two incredible golf courses,” said Golf Canada Tournament Director Adam Cinel. “The staff at The Pulpit Club have been working tirelessly in preparation for this prestigious national championship. The championship field is as strong as we’ve seen in recent years, featuring the best amateur players from across Canada, as well as a strong international contingent. The players competing in the tournament will enjoy the unique tests that are presented by The Pulpit and The Paintbrush.”

Prior to the start of the tournament, there will be a supplemental qualifier on Friday at The Pulpit where a field of 113 players will be competing for the final spots in the tournament.

The inventors of the “Trivial Pursuit” board game, Chris Haney and Scott Abbott, created Devil’s Pulpit in 1990 and the name of the course comes from a rock formation seen from the 7th tee. Haney and Abbott constructed another 18-hole course, Devil’s Paintbrush, two years later. In 2020 Longridge Partners Inc. purchased the Devil’s Pulpit Golf Association and in February 2021, the name was changed to The Pulpit Club. The Courses were also re-named from Devil’s Pulpit & Devil’s Paintbrush to The Pulpit and The Paintbrush.

“It’s an honour for The Pulpit Club to be the host venue for the 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur. Hosting any national championship is a great responsibility. But the level of support we’ve received from our membership, ownership and surrounding community is a testament to the positive momentum golf is experiencing,” said Rob Roxborough, General Manager, The Pulpit Club. “The Pulpit Club’s championship courses will offer two completely different tests. The Paintbrush is a Scottish links style design, while the Pulpit is more of a traditional parkland course with incredible changes in elevation. The winner will be a player with great imagination, creative shot making abilities, and a strong short game. Wishing each player in the field an enjoyable walk, and good luck.”

Established in 1895, the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is the third oldest amateur championship in the world. The tournament was first contested as one of the newly formed Royal Canadian Golf Association’s (RCGA), now known as Golf Canada, first orders of business in 1895 at the Ottawa Golf Club.

The national championship originally began as a match play competition but changed to stroke play for the 1969 championship. It remained that way through 1994 when it reverted to match play in honour of the RCGA’s and the championship’s centennial in 1995. The championship once again reverted to stroke play in 2008 and in 2010, the tournament changed to a double field format for the first time ever.

Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George S. Lyon won the Amateur eight times between 1898 and 1914 and was runner-up two more times. Fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Sandy Somerville made it to the match play final ten times between 1924 and 1938, capturing six championships. Other past champions include Canadian Golf Hall of Famers and four-time winners, Nick Weslock (1957, 1963, 1964, 1966) and Doug Roxburgh (1972, 1974, 1982, 1988). Most recently, two-time PGA TOUR winner and two-time Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion, Mackenzie Hughes (2011, 2012) and 2023 RBC Canadian Open and three-time PGA TOUR winner Nick Taylor (2007).

Nick Taylor is the only Canadian male golfer to have won the Canadian Junior Boys (2006), Canadian Men’s Amateur (2007) and RBC Canadian Open (2023) titles. Brooke Henderson is the only Canadian female golfer to win the national championship trifecta, having won the Canadian Junior Girls (2012), Canadian Women’s Amateur (2013) and the CPKC Women’s Open (2018).

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 Men’s Amateur 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 national championship will also feature an Inter-Provincial Team Championship that will take place over the first 36-holes of the tournament. Team Quebec will be defending their title as nine provinces and one territory will be vying to etch their names into the Willingdon Cup.

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 full player field competing in 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.

TORONTO – Nick Taylor was exhausted after his four-round sudden death playoff where he edged out England’s Tommy Fleetwood to win the RBC Canadian Open. After an hours-long marathon of celebrations and media obligations, he was starving so he and his family went to the nearest McDonalds drive-thru.

His phone, plugged in after getting blown up with calls and text messages following the historic victory, started ringing. On the screen was the name Wayne Gretzky.

“Now, I’ve never met Wayne before, so we reversed out of the drive-thru and I chatted with him for two or three minutes,” said Taylor on Monday. “That was really nice, but surreal.

“For someone like that to call, let alone want to reach out and say congrats, that’s really cool.”

That chat with the legendary hockey player while in a fast-food joint’s parking lot is emblematic of Taylor’s new life.

He has quiet moments where he’s just a Mario Kart-loving family man, and then unreal situations where he’s the centre of attention, greeted like a conquering hero after ending a 69-year stretch of futility by Canadian golfers at the men’s national championship.

Taylor was in Toronto on Monday for one of those more surreal days, doing a host of media appearances including being interviewed on Sportsnet ahead of a Blue Jays game. Sitting in the lobby of RBC’s headquarters before a meeting with the executives of one of his biggest sponsors, Taylor gestured to a wraparound screen above the entrance to the bank branch that was showing a video of his climactic 72-foot putt to win the Canadian Open.

“Hey, there I am,” said Taylor with a chuckle.

“It has been cool to be at events with players caddies, everyone in the golf world. coming up to both of us, (caddy Dave Markle) and I, to congratulate us, saying they were watching,” said Taylor. “Countless comments about how it was one of the most exciting things they’d ever seen.

“Even people who aren’t Canadian saying ‘I was in tears,’ like that impact I think is very unique from that standpoint.”

And that experience is something that Taylor is still processing two months later as he balances being the father of two young children and playing in PGA Tour events.

“My perspective of, say, the putt, has changed with seeing the video so many times, my perception is almost now more the video rather than me being in it,” said Taylor, who is from Abbotsford, B.C. “I think being at home has helped that reflection process because golf is funny, you have an amazing moment like that but within three days you’re playing another tournament and you’re trying to put that in the rear-view mirror and focus on the new event.

“But being able to soak it up, be at home a little bit, be with family and friends, has been as part of processing it.”

Taylor is taking a short break from competition after he made his British Open debut. He qualified for the final major of the men’s golf season based on his ranking in the FedEx Cup standings, which got a huge boost from his Canadian Open win.

As a result, he will not play in this week’s Wyndham Championship.

Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., is the highest-ranked Canadian in the field, sitting 37th in the FedEx Cup standings. Adam Hadwin (39th) of Abbotsford, Mackenzie Hughes (44th) of Dundas, Ont., Taylor Pendrith (113th) of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Michael Gligic (207th) of Burlington, Ont., comprise the Canadian contingent at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C.

KORN FERRY TOUR – Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., is third on the Korn Ferry Tour’s points list and has already guaranteed himself a PGA Tour card for next season. He’s in the field at this week’s Utah Championship at Oakridge Country Club in Farmington, Utah, along with Edmonton’s Wil Bateman (56th) and Roger Sloan (92nd) of Merritt, B.C.

PGA TOUR CANADA – Etienne Papineau of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., is the top-ranked Canadian on the PGA Tour Canada, sitting third in the points list of the third-tier tour. Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald is right behind him in fifth. Both are in the field at this week’s Windsor Championship at Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ont.

LPGA TOUR – Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., is the lone Canadian at this week’s Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, Scotland. She’s 84th in the Race to CME Globe rankings.

EPSON TOUR – Hamilton’s Alena Sharp is the top-ranked Canadian on the Epson Tour’s money list this week. She sits 12th heading into the French Lick Charity Classic at the Pete Dye Course in French Lick, Ind. Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont., is 46th and Quebec City’s Sarah-Eve Rheaume is 142nd.

Halifax, N.S. – Team Ontario has won the inter-provincial team championship after firing a team-total 5-over through 36 holes at the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur championship presented by BDO.

Heading into second-round action at Ashburn Golf Club (New), the Team Ontario squad of Jasmine Ly of Windsor, Ont., Joline Truong of Mississauga, Ont., and Sydney Naro of Toronto, Ont., held a four-stroke lead over Team British Columbia. Ly and Truong captained the ship for Ontario, firing rounds of 72 and 73, respectively to secure the 36-hole team championship title. Individually, Ly is T11, while Truong is T27 heading into day three.

“I am honoured to represent my province and have had the pleasure of doing it with two amazing golfers,” said Ly.

After a head-to-head battle towards the end, Team British Columbia placed second in the interprovincial competition at 17-over par with Manitoba rounding out the top three at 18-over par.

For the individual competition, Rivers, who fired an opening-round course-record 65, continues to hold top spot after a second-round 69 to sit at 10-under through 36 holes.

Team Canada’s Lauren Kim remains in second place at 8-under, two strokes behind Rivers after firing a 3-under 69 while Maisie Filler from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., is third at 6-under after a round of 2-under 70.

The round of the day belonged to Sadie Englemann from Austin, Tex., who shot 30 on the back nine after carding four birdies and an eagle.

Following the conclusion of second-round action, a cut was made with 79 players moving on to play the final 36 holes of the championship. 

The 2023 winner of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship will earn an exemption into the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship

For the full leaderboard 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, CPKC, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist, FootJoy and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.