Kyrinis maintains lead in both the Women’s Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master divisions

Creemore, Ont. – The Margaret Todd Trophy is headed to La Belle Province. Team Quebec was crowned as the Mid-Amateur Inter-Provincial Team champions on Wednesday at the 2023 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

Quebec finished the team competition at 25-over to hold off the defending champions, Team British Columbia by three strokes. Team Quebec consists of Natacha Brossard and Suzanne Ricard from Montreal and Marie-Thérèse Torti of Candiac, Que.

For Torti winning the first team championship in the first year as a stand-alone tournament was special and their team spirit helped them this week, “we encourage each other, we’ve played our mid-am long ago together, I’ve played with Natacha and Suzanne and we’re really good representatives of Quebec. I’m happy we’re here, it’s a tough course and I’m glad we prevailed,” she said.

Ricard and Torti’s scores counted in the second round, with Ricard shooting a 3-over, 75 and Torti an 11-over, 83. The two lowest scores from the team are counted towards the team score for the day.

Ricard credited her putting for a solid round on Wednesday, “I was not tentative, but I was not aggressive either on the putting side, so I was just trying to be on the greens in regulation and get away with two putts and if the putt falls that’s great and if not, I don’t want to be left with a six-footer,” said Ricard.

“For my first Canadian Championship playing with Marie-Thérèse and Suzanne was a blessing, it was amazing. My first experience and we won it, proud to be from Quebec, proud to be Canadian as well,” added a jubilant Brossard.

Soaring temperatures made for tougher conditions during Wednesday’s second round at The Mad River Golf Club.

In the Women’s Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master divisions, two-time champion, Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. holds the lead heading into Thursday’s final round. Kyrinis shot a 1-over, 73 on Wednesday to now sit a 2-under for the tournament and hold a 11-shot lead in the Mid-Amateur division and a 12-shot lead in the Mid-Master division.

Kyrinis had another strong finish with birdies on holes 14 and 18 but said the weather definitely played a factor today, “yeah, you know swirly winds out there, you’re walking up to you your ball and the wind’s into you and you pull a club then it turns around and its behind you and these greens are really hard right, so you really have to have the right club going in and be confident with it. It was a tough golf course out there for sure.”

For the second straight day, Kyrinis finished her round with a birdie on 18 after dropping a long putt from the back of the green, “missed a way shorter one on 17, very makable so you know sometimes it all just evens out when you make a long one,” Kyrinis said with a chuckle.

Those in attendance were treated to an appearance by Canadian Golf Hall of Famer and member of the Order of Canada, Sandra Post who visited The Mad River Golf Club during second round action.

Post is excited that the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship is now its own stand-alone event, “it’s a great beginning and a great golf course and I know you’re going to have a great champion.

“What a great kickoff, this is like history to me. I am witnessing history and that’s what I feel about this tournament. It will only go on and be bigger and better in the future,” added Post.

The individual winner of the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, taking place from September 9-14 at Stonewall (North Course) in Elverson, Pa. In addition, the champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 Canadian 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, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

No one has won the Evian Championship in back-to-back years since it became a major, but Canada’s Brooke Henderson is in a position to do just that this week.

Henderson beat Sophia Schubert of the United States by a stroke to win the Evian last year for the second major title of her career.

Although women’s golfing greats like Helen Alfredsson, Laura Davies, Annika Sorenstam and Ai Miyazato have won the Evian multiple times, none of them won it after 2013 when the LPGA Tour named it a major.

“I love the opportunity to try to defend my title,” said Henderson at a news conference on Wednesday. “Holding the trophy yesterday when I had to give it back was very sad but, at the same time, it was very emotional.

“It was really cool for me to see my name engraved on the trophy and join a long list of past champions with an incredible history. It’s really cool for me to be a part of that.”

Only Davies won the Evian Championship in consecutive years, winning what was then a Ladies European Tour event in 1995 and 1996, more than a decade before it was elevated to major status. Alfredsson (1994, 1998, 2008), Sorenstam (2000, 2002), and Miyazato (2009, 2011) all won their titles with at least a year between them.

“That’s really exciting to have the opportunity to be the first one back-to-back,” said Henderson, who said it was her goal this week at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France. “But there’s so many talented players here this week, the best in the world, and just have the opportunity to do well and compete against them every week is really cool.

“Hopefully I just start out Thursday and Friday with some solid rounds, and see if I can put myself in contention to try to do it again.”

Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., is the other Canadian in the field at the Evian. Henderson is 17th on the LPGA Tour’s points list and Szeryk is 84th.

Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., has the most career wins of any Canadian professional golfer with 13. Her most recent was the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions on Jan. 22, the first event on the LPGA Tour schedule.

It’s an annual goal of Henderson’s to win at least twice every season – one of the reasons why she’s the most successful golfer in Canadian history – and with seven months since her last victory, she’s ready to complete this season’s set.

“It’s been a goal of mine since I’ve been on Tour to win twice a year,” said Henderson, who has won a pair of tournaments in five of her nine seasons since turning pro in December 2014. “I’ve done it most years, not all years.

“It was really great to start out the year with a win my first time out this season and then it’s been a little bit up and down since, but I’m looking forward to a lot of great events coming up, especially this week.”

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.

PGA TOUR – There are six Canadians in the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn., this week. Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., leads the Canadian contingent into the tournament. The 36th ranked golfer on the FedEx Cup standings will be joined by Adam Hadwin (37th) of Abbotsford, B.C., Mackenzie Hughes (44th) of Dundas, Ont., Taylor Pendrith (108th) of Richmond Hill, Ont., Michael Gligic (207th) of Burlington, Ont., and David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., who is unranked.

KORN FERRY TOUR – Edmonton’s Wil Bateman and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., are the only Canadians in the NV5 Invitational at The Glen Club in Glenview, Ill. Bateman is 54th on the second-tier tour’s points list and Sloan is 111th. Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., clinched a full PGA Tour card next season with his runner-up finish at he HomeTown Lenders Championship on Sunday.

CHAMPIONS TOUR – Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., is the lone Canadian in The Senior Open Championship at Royal Porthcawl Glof Club in Bridgend, Wales. He’s 36th in the Schwab Cup rankings.

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. He’s the top Canadian in the field at this week’s Osprey Valley Open at TPC Toronto (Heathlands) in Caledon, Ont.

Leading stars from men’s and women’s golf poised for Olympic glory next summer at Le Golf National’s Albatros Course

A year from now, 120 of the world’s best golfers – 60 men and 60 women – will gather at Le Golf National to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The course, which is just southwest of Paris and 15 minutes from the majestic Palace of Versailles, is no stranger to international competition after hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup as well as the Open de France on the DP World Tour 28 times.

PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 29: A general view of the 16th green at the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 29, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Paul Severn/Aberdeen Standard Investments via Getty Images)

Golf in the Olympics is in its relative infancy, though. The sport returned to the roster of events in 2016 after an absence of 112 years and the coveted gold, silver and bronze medals awarded in France will be just the fifth set for the men and the fourth for the women.

Even so, what unfolds during that two-week span in August 2024, could be historic.

No male or female golfer has ever medaled in three Olympics. But barring a precipitous drop in the Olympic Golf Ranking over the next 12 months, Lydia Ko of New Zealand will head to Paris with just that opportunity.

Ko won a silver medal in 2016 at the Rio Olympics, finishing five strokes behind South Korea’s Inbee Park despite making her first-ever ace during the third round. And in the 2020 Games in Tokyo, Ko lost a silver medal playoff to Japan’s Mone Inami after both players finished a shot behind Nelly Korda of the United States.

KAWAGOE, JAPAN – AUGUST 07: Lydia Ko of Team New Zealand celebrates with the silver medal at the victory ceremony after the final round of the Women’s Individual Stroke Play on day fifteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club on August 07, 2021 in Kawagoe, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Ko, who is a 19-time winner on the LPGA Tour, recently told Olympics.com that getting to play in Paris is one of her biggest goals over the next year. And while earning a third straight medal — of any kind — is a top priority, she’d like nothing better than to complete her set with a gold. 

“Paris is probably going to be my last Olympics,” the 26-year-old said. “Obviously, it’d be another year on top of this year and then another four on top of that, and I don’t know whether I’d like to be competing by the time it comes to L.A. (and Riviera Country Club).

“(Paris is) definitely the biggest thing that’s lingering in my mind. … It’d be pretty surreal to say that you’ve medaled at all three of the Olympics since its return in over 100 years… it’d be really cool to say I have the trio of all three colors.”

Ko is used to making history, too. She won her first LPGA event at the age of 15 and her first major at 18 – in each case, she was the youngest to ever do so. And when she was ranked No. 1 in the world at the age of 17, she was the youngest male or female to reach that position.

The competition on the Albatros Course at Le Golf National, designed by Hubert Chesneau and Robert Von Hagge, will be challenging, though. The men’s stroke-play event will be held Aug. 1-4, 2024 while the women take center stage Aug. 7-10.

The players are selected from the Olympic Golf Rankings (which are based on the Official World Golf Ranking). The top 15 men and top 15 women are eligible to play in the Games — with a limit of four from a single country.

Once past No. 15 in the Olympic Golf Rankings, there will be a maximum of two eligible players from each country that doesn’t already have two or more in the top 15. Ko currently ranks third behind No. 1 Jin Young Ko of South Korea and Korda, the 2020 gold medalist, who is also looking to have another shot at a medal.

“I kind of had watery eyes,” Korda told Golf Channel after her victory. “I was like wow, this is surreal. You don’t understand it until you’re in the position. It’s such an incredible feeling at the end of the day.

“You’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for your country. There’s so much history in the Olympics and just to be a part of that is amazing.”

Based on the current ranking, the Canadian women’s golf team would consist of Brooke Henderson and Maude-Aimee Leblanc. Meanwhile, the men’s team would be comprised of Corey Conners and Nick Taylor.

Scottie Scheffler, who won the 2022 Masters Tournament and the 2023 PLAYERS Championship, leads the men’s Olympic Golf Rankings. A rookie on the PGA TOUR in 2020, he would be making his Olympic debut, as potentially would two other U.S. players currently ranked among the top six – Patrick Cantlay and Max Homa, if they can hold onto their spots.

Reigning gold medalist Xander Schauffele is also well positioned in the mix for the Americans with a little over a year – and four major championships, all four in 2024 – to go before the teams are finalized.

World No. 2 Jon Rahm, the reigning Masters champion, is looking to potentially begin his Olympic experience in Paris. He had to withdraw from the Tokyo Games – postponed until the summer of 2021 as the coronavirus continued to spread – due to a positive COVID test of his own.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 09: Jon Rahm of Spain celebrates on the 18th green after winning the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who currently is second in the Olympic Rankings, was part of an unusual seven-man playoff for the bronze medal in Tokyo that was won by C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei. Entering the competition, McIlroy said he wasn’t sure of what to expect at the Olympics but playing for his country clearly impacted the 34-year-old. 

“It makes me even more determined to go to Paris and try to pick one up,” McIlroy said after missing out on the bronze medal. “It’s disappointing going away from here without any hardware, I’ve been saying all day I never tried so hard in my life to finish third.

“But it’s been a great experience. Today was a great day to be up there in contention for a medal. It certainly had a different feeling to it than I expected and yeah as I said I’m already looking forward to three years’ time and trying to go at least one better but hopefully three better.”

McIlroy acknowledged the Olympic spirit had “bitten him” in Tokyo, but he thinks he’ll have a better chance to come home with some hardware in Paris now that he’s been to an Olympics and knows what to expect.

“I would come in with a slightly different mindset of targeting a medal just instead of seeing how it goes and seeing what the experience is like,” the four-time major champion said. “But I would like to keep the sort of relaxed vibe and atmosphere that we have had within the team all week, because I think honestly, part of the reason I played well this week is because of that atmosphere that we have had.”

That’s the Olympic experience at its best.

Hampton, N.B. – Warm and sunny weather conditions continued into round two of the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO making for another excellent day. Team Ontario were victorious in defending their title and have been crowned this year’s winners of the Inter-Provincial Team Championship.

Heading into round two with a four-stroke lead, Team Ontario consisting of Shauna Liu (Maple, Ont.), Aryn Matthews (Little Britain, Ont.) and Joline Truong (Mississauga, Ont.) won by four-strokes with a final score of 10-over par.

Liu contributed to the team efforts with scores of an even-par 72 on Monday and 72 on Tuesday, along with Matthews who shot 83 on Monday and 81 on Tuesday and Truong’s 1-over par 72 on Monday and 77 on Tuesday. The team combined for a total score of 10-over par and a four-stroke triumph over the runner-up, Team British Columbia.

“I love the team aspect of golf, I always have. It’s a big part of our history and a big part of the championship so I think its really neat when the athletes get to come together and play as a team and to do it at an event like this just makes it all that much more meaningful,” said Reggie Millage, coach of the Ontario team.

For the individual component of the competition Michelle P. Ding holds the lead after the second round of the 2023 Canadian Juniors Girls Championship. Ding went into the second round with a score of 1-under and finished the second round with a score of 2-over 73 to maintain the lead.

“I tried to not think any differently today, my mindset was to still make par, par is your best friend on this course as its very challenging,” said Ding. “I feel like I never broke my concentration and kept pushing through.”

In second place, Chelsea Truong is a single stroke behind Ding after shooting an 1-over par 72 score during the second round. Truong has played two very consistent rounds, shooting 72 in both the first and second round of the championship.

Alexa Ouellet (Toronto, ON.), who shot a 2-under 69 which was the low round on Tuesday, Shelby Hardwick (Aurora, ON.), Luna Lu (Burnaby, B.C.), Eileen Park (Red Deer, A.B) and Lui are in a four-way tie for third  after the second round.

The 2023 Canadian Junior Girls champion will receive an exemption into the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, if age applicable.

Full results can be found here.

For more information on the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship 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.

Creemore, Ont. – There is a familiar name atop the leaderboard after round one of the 2023 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur, presented by BDO.

Two-time champion, Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. shot an opening round of 3-under, 69 to lead both the Women’s Mid-Amateur division and Women’s Mid-Master division at The Mad River Golf Club in Creemore, Ont. on Tuesday.

Kyrinis started her round with four consecutive pars and was 2-under through seven. She headed to No.15 at even par and closed with birdies on 15, 17 and 18, a stretch of holes known as “The Mad Mile” to finish her round with six birdies.

“Putter was solid, made some pretty long ones. Got it around the hole, no three putts. It’s a tough golf course, you got to grind your way around out there and you cannot take one shot off or you could make a big number,” said Kyrinis. “I certainly had some misses, but they were decent misses, made a lot of nice up and downs so it was solid.”

Kyrinis who won the 2019 and 2016 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships has consistently been around the top of the leaderboard every year of the tournament and said getting off to a good start is key in a national championship.

“When you don’t, it makes it really tough to kind of get back in the game, so at least I’ll be in the game but there’s still a lot of golf out there left with two days on this golf course, it’s tough.”

Kyrinis leads the Mid-Amateur division by five shots over Isabella DiLisio of Hatfield, Pa. and Samantha Perrotta of Bordentown, N.J. who both shot 74 and sit at 2-over. In the Mid-Master division, Kyrinis holds an eight-stroke lead over defending champion, Shelly Stouffer who shot a 5-over, 77 on Tuesday.

In the Mid-Amateur Inter-Provincial Team Championship, Team Quebec sits at 11-over and leads by one-shot over Team Manitoba after the opening round. Team Quebec consists of Natacha Brossard and Suzanne Ricard from Montreal and Marie-Thérèse Torti of Candiac, Que. Defending champions, Team British Columbia sit five shots back at 16-over. Seven provinces with three players per team are competing for the team championship over the first 36-holes of the tournament.

This year’s championship marks the first time that the Women’s Mid-Amateur division is being held as a stand-alone competition. The 54-hole stroke play championship was previously held in conjunction with the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, as well as the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. In addition, the Women’s Mid-Master Championship (players aged 40-and-over as of July 25, 2023) is being contested over three championship rounds this week.

Female golfers (aged 25-and-over as of July 25, 2023), with a handicap index of 12.0 or less are eligible to compete in the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The individual winner of the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, taking place from September 9-14 at Stonewall (North Course) in Elverson, Pa. In addition, the champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 Canadian 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, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

Hampton, N.B. – Sunny weather conditions made for a great start at Hampton Golf Club as the opening round of the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship presented by BDO kicked off on Monday. The leaderboard fluctuated throughout the day, but 17-year-old Michelle P. Ding persevered through the heat to sit atop the lead after firing a 1-under 70 after a competitive day.

The Toronto native tallied three birdies in a row on the par-5 sixth hole, par-3 seventh hole and par-4 eighth hole. Ding also fired one birdie on the back, on the par-4 11th, to come back and finish off the round.

“My mindset today was about hitting par, I thought that if I made par, I would do amazing, so I tried to just keep that in mind,” said Ding. “The course was in pretty good shape and my highlights were my up and downs, I barely hit any greens but if I missed them, I made it work. Going forward I plan to just keep hitting par.”

Ding’s best finish at this competition was in last year’s tournament finishing T25 at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont.

Abbey Baker (Halifax, N.S.), Rebecca Kim (Surrey, B.C.), Joline Truong (Mississauga, Ont.), Shauna Liu (Maple, Ont.), Cadence Ko (Richmond, B.C.), Chelsea Truong (Victoria, B.C.) and Luna Lu (Burnaby, B.C.) are all heading into the second round tied for second place, all a single stroke back of Ding.

Last week’s winner of the NextGen Atlantic Championship Abbey Baker said, “I’ve just been focusing on hitting the fairways and greens and knowing that the birdie putts will come. The course was great today, it wasn’t too windy out there for us, but the greens can be tough if you’re out there in the rough.”

Two other players, Bridget Wilkie (Toronto, Ont.) and YanLing (Elaine) Liu (Vancouver, B.C.) are 2-over, and both are within one shot of the leaders, tied for ninth going into the second round.

Team Ontario, consisting of Truong, Liu and Aryn Matthews (Little Britain, Ont.) lead the inter-provincial team competition at 2-over and are looking to defend their title. The defending champions of last year hold the lead by four strokes, over team British Columbia who sit 6-over after the first round.

“Today started off a little rough but I just tried to hang in there. We had some ups and downs with pars and took the birdies as they came,” said Truong. “The course is in good shape, the balls were rolling well, overall went pretty well.”

The Inter-Provincial Team Championship for the Mary Pyke trophy will wrap up tomorrow at the conclusion of the second round.

The 2023 Canadian Junior Girls champion will receive an exemption into the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, if age applicable.

Full results can be found here.

For more information on the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship 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.

Halifax, N.S. – Adam Blair won the gold medal, and Payne Wood won the bronze in the U16 age category at the North American Indigenous Games played at the Links at Brunello in Halifax.

The 54-hole stroke play competition hosted many different Indigenous golfers from all over North America. They had four categories: U16 Female, U16 Male, U19 Female, and U19 Male.

The Manitoba Gold team member Blair from Winnipeg maintained a strong lead throughout the tournament, shooting 72-69-72, for a total of 213. His teammate Wood, also of Winnipeg started in third place with an opening round of 74, and climbed his way up to second place on the second day shooting 1-under. He shot an even par on the final day to secure the bronze medal, finishing one shot behind the silver medalist.

The games happen every four years across North America. The NAIG’s mission is to improve the quality of life for Indigenous Peoples by supporting self-determined sports and cultural activities that encourage equal access to participation in the social, cultural, and spiritual fabric of the community in which they reside and respect Indigenous distinctiveness.

The games bring together over 756 Indigenous Nations to celebrate, share, and reconnect through sport and culture in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth, and Millbrook First Nation. The games began in the 1970’s and continue to happen every four years with a growing number of athletes.

Defending Champion Shelly Stouffer among five past winners in the field for new stand-alone national competition for Mid-Amateur aged competitors

Creemore, Ont. – The 2023 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO kicks off on Monday, July 24 at the Mad River Golf Club in Creemore, Ont.

Defending champion Shelly Stouffer is among five past champions in the field of 68 golfers competing at Mad River. The Nanoose Bay, B.C. resident is looking to become the first player to claim back-to-back titles since Christina Proteau won four consecutive championships from 2011-14.

Last year, Stouffer shot an even-par 72 in the final round to win by one-stroke over 2015 champion Terrill Samuel, and two clear of six-time champion Proteau at Breezy Bend Country Club in Headingly, Man.

In addition to winning the mid-amateur title, Stouffer also took home the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship and the Mid-Master division titles and was part of Team B.C. winning both inter-provincial team titles. The victories capped a successful summer for Stouffer who also won the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur last August. In doing so, Stouffer became only the second Canadian to win the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship and the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship in the same year. She joined elite company as World Golf Hall of Famer Marlene Streit won both titles in 1995.

Four past champions will be joining Stouffer at Mad River including, two-time winner (2016, 2019) Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., 2010 champion Marie-Thérèse Torti of Candiac, Que., 2015 winner and 2022 British Women’s Senior Amateur champion, Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont. and Canadian Golf Hall of Famer and 2008 champion, Mary Ann Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont. A four-time winner of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, Hayward is also a member of both the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame (2006) and the Quebec Golf Hall of Fame (2011).

This year’s championship marks the first time that the women’s mid-amateur division will be held as a stand-alone competition. The 54-hole stroke play championship was previously held in conjunction with the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, as well as the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

“The Mad River Golf Club will be an incredible host for the first ever Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship,” said Golf Canada Tournament Director Adam Cinel. “The staff and volunteers at Mad River have been tremendous to work with in the lead up to the tournament and we are excited to make this national championship a special event for the players.”

The Mad River Golf Club is a member owned, Bob Cupp-designed, championship golf club that offers golfers a variety of strategic choices and shot variations. The course features small and unique green complexes that require precision iron play to hit and hold the greens, and a creative short game to overcome the variety of challenges the golfer will face when missing a green.

“The competitors are going to love Mad River, the sheer beauty, challenge and condition of the golf course coupled with the tranquil country environment is a rare combination on one property,” said Gary Ward, General Manager, The Mad River Golf Club. “Mad River feels strongly about supporting and growing this important demographic of golfer, so were thrilled to host the event in its first year as a “stand alone’ tournament. As importantly the Legacy program we’ve initiated will leave a lasting impact on the community. The program entails creating a junior women’s golf development program involving selected participants from some local high schools (Stayner Collegiate, Our Lady of the Bay, Collingwood Collegiate).”

The championship will also feature two additional competitions running concurrently at Mad River. The Women’s Mid-Master Championship (players aged 40-and-over as of July 25, 2023) will be contested over three championship rounds and the Women’s Mid-Amateur Inter-Provincial Team Championship will take place over the first 36-holes of the tournament. Seven provinces will have 3-player teams represented in the competition.

Female golfers (aged 25-and-over as of July 25, 2023), with a handicap index of 12.0 or less are eligible to compete in the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The individual winner of the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, taking place from September 9-14 at Stonewall (North Course) in Elverson, Pa. In addition, the champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

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

Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).

Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.

Alex Lawrence, Gage Golf and Curling Club, Hole #5

I was playing in a two-man scramble. My teammate hit his wedge long, then I stepped up and thinned mine! The other guys in my group said it’ll be good, watching it go towards the green it hit once and rolled into the hole! My first hole-in-one and I thought I thinned it! What an experience I was stunned! Finally, I have checked it off the bucket list!

Arlene Omelchuk, Eaglepoint Golf Resort, Hole #4

It was July 11, 2023, and it was ladies’ night at Eaglepoint Golf Resort in Kamloops. I was using my TaylorMade 4H hybrid RBZ from 140 yards when my amazing orange ball landed and rolled into the hole. Then the next thing I knew I had my golfing girls jumping up and down hugging me and yelling you got a hole-in-one! The ladies on the putting green from the hole behind us also saw and started yelling too. I could hardly write my score as I was shaking so bad. I feel so grateful that this happened and was able to share it with my three awesome golfing friends.

Belinda Steckler, Mission Golf and Country Club, Hole #12

I was playing with my friends Kathy and Patti. We were playing an early nine holes before our ladies’ night. The hole was measuring about 110 yards, and I used my 9 iron. I thought I saw the ball land just short of the green and bounce up toward the hole, but it was difficult to tell if it went in. I walked up with my putter in case it did bounce by the hole and was pleasantly surprised to find it in the hole!

Brett Olynyk, The Glencoe Golf and Country Club

It was a great moment that I was able to share with my foursome who were a couple of great friends and my sister who has just taken up golf! The couple in the group behind also were able to celebrate with us.

It was a gentle 197-yard draw into the wind with a 4 iron that landed on the front of the green and disappeared into the cup. With the flag creating a shadow, I wasn’t totally sure it was in until I reached the cup. What a great feeling! The Glencoe Golf and Country Club provided a beautiful case for the ball, and a head cover, and of course a drink for all of those in the clubhouse!

Brady Belliveau, Royal Oaks Golf Club, Hole #8

The hole was 150 yards, and I used a 9 iron. I was playing with Anthony Cormier, Jean Mainville and Jeremie Leger.

Bruce Christensen, Fort St. John Links Golf Club, Hole #6

I was golfing with Jim Vanderwark and the yardage was 116. I used my 7 iron by mistake!

Cliff Hodder, Listowel Golf and Country Club, Hole #14

I was playing with my son Cole, and two friends Brady Werth and Rick Snider. The hole was a front pin on #14 sitting just beyond the pond. I hit a very high gap wedge exactly 138 yards directly into the hole, didn’t touch a blade of grass. It was a great moment, especially considering my son was with us! I’ve seen hole-in-ones twice before, but this was my first!

Dale Triol, Malone West Course, Hole #13

The yardage was 132 yards over water. I used an Adams 6 hybrid. A group of 12 guys were on our annual golf trip to Malone, N.Y. The weather was ideal, and the tee shot landed left of the pin approximately 15 feet and followed the break on the green into the hole. We were able to see the ball go into the hole from the tee deck.

David Grant, Lookout Point Country Club, Hole #2

This was my second hole-in-one and a proud moment. I was playing with fellow Lookout members Bob Anderson, Peter Glaub and Don Robert. The second hole at Lookout Point that day was playing approximately 150 yards into a slight headwind. I used my Titleist 6 iron and ProV1x for the shot. After the ball was in the air, I heard one of my playing partners say that the shot looked good. When it landed, I saw it go towards the hole but stated I think it went long. On arrival at the green I saw the ball in the hole. A little celebration and then onto the next.

Don Roper, Links at Crowbush Cove, Hole #17

It was my first hole-in-one. It was a short par 3 which was only 90 yards to an elevated green. I used my pitching wedge. My partners were my wife, Judy Roper, and Lynn and Bill Cabel.

Donna Longo, Summit Golf and Country Club, Hole #17

I got my third hole-in-one at the Summit Golf and Country Club of which I’ve been a member since 2020. I was with my three good friends, Rosanne Longo, Carmela D’Avino and Colette Griffin. It was a back pin reading about 120 yards, I used my 6 hybrid. We saw it land and then disappeared so I assumed it was in the back bunker or in the rough. When I got to the green, I looked in the bunker. I then went straight to the hole. It was so much fun being able to share with my friends!

Evan Grierson, Carman Golf and Curling Club, Hole #8

I was playing with Darci Wood, Eric Klassen and Shelby Orchard. It was hole #8 which was 147 yards with a pitching wedge.

Fraser Allen, Grey Silo Golf Course, Hole #8

I hit a 6 iron from 170 yards and I saw it take a bounce right at the pin. Then we couldn’t see the ball as it was blocked by the hill and bunker that it was tucked behind. We heard all the spectators say, “Go in!” then they all started cheering and our group went crazy!

Garry Fotheringham, Shuswap Lake Golf Course, Hole #7

It was a red pin located behind the sand trap about 110 yards from the tees. I used a King Cobra 9 iron to make the shot which landed nicely on the green and rolled into the hole. My playing partners were my good friends Ecky Pilz, Bill Colley and Dave Kinley. It was also witnessed by a young couple from Armstrong, B.C., who were on their way to the 18th hole. Shuswap Lake Golf Course presented me with a nice keepsake mug and a $100 chip to honour the occasion.

Garth Doll, Earl Grey Golf Club, Hole #15

As luck would have it, I got my second ace in two weeks yesterday. I was playing at Heritage Pointe in Calgary, and on the 5th hole of the Heritage 9, I sunk a pitching wedge from 146 yards. It landed five feet left of the pin, it hopped once and spun back into the cup for the third ace of my lifetime! I was playing with my friend Luke Milan.

Geoff McGowan, Kanata Golf and Country Club, Hole #13

I was playing with Jason Brum, our head professional, Tim Bonnar, our superintendent, and Don Ferrar. It was a 6 iron, 150 yards on #13 at Kanata. I managed to keep it together and finish with a tie for my personal best at Kanata with a 76 as well.

Graham McIsaac, Capilano Golf and Country Club, Hole #11

1988 on the fourth hole at Capilano. It was from the silver tees and was 125 yards. I used a 9 iron and the shot landed on the front and rolled in!

Greg Szabo, Cottonwood Golf and Country Club, Hole #17

A very exciting moment in my golf life!

Jack Logan, Olympic View Golf Club, Hole #16

I was playing hole #16 at Olympic View Golf Club. It was a Callaway ball and 106 yards.

Jake Jeffries, Bayview Golf and Country Club, Hole #8

My first ace occurred on the 145-yard 8th hole during the Bayview Golf & Country Club member/guest tournament. I hit a gap wedge to a blind pin placement and luckily there was a group on the first green who were able to witness it.

Janet Bremner, Rasberry Ridge Golf Course, Hole #3

I got my first ace 20 years ago on this course. It was a great feeling, I used my pitching wedge, and the distance was 105 yards. I played with Susan Curll, Gina Boswell and Linda.

Janis Byrne, Bally Haly Country Club, Hole #2

I played with Sharon Gregory, Janet Ash, Jeannie French and Madeline O’Keefe. The yardage was 93 yards to the flag and I used a 9 iron. I hit it past the hole and it rolled in off the slope. Sharon had a hole-in-one on #2 at Bally Haly South the week before and I played with her then too.

Jean-Guy Faubert, Pheasant Run Golf Club, Hole #8

My father-in-law, Randall Drake and I were out on July 10th, at Pheasant Run, north of Toronto. The track we started on was Highland and we would later finish on Midland. It was a bright warm morning, and we weren’t paired up with anyone that day.  Gave us some quality time to catch up and enjoy this wonderful course. 

The first few holes were slow off the get go. My drives were off, but my short and putting saved them for a close to par start to my day. My father-in-law gave me the honors to hit first on the 8th tee box, and I lined up the shot, which was over some water. I decided to use my 7 iron.

I struck the ball, with a solid hit, really good compression, and the ball lands at the edge of the front of the green. As I was watching, the ball took a light curve towards the pin, and then, I lost it. Having only golfed at this particular track twice, I wasn’t sure if the ball had fallen off the green behind the pin, and then, behind me, the groundskeeper let’s out a huge “Wow, that’s a hole-in-one.” Still unsure, my father-in-law hits his ball, and we get in the cart, and head on over to the green. I couldn’t see my ball, but there was no other possible reason why, other than it being hidden in the cup. I walked to the pin, and I let out a huge scream. The groundskeeper was applauding on his tractor, and my father-in-law was so excited, as he had never seen one. What a feeling.

Jill Snell, Fernie Golf and Country Club, Hole #11

I was playing with my partner, Greg Kosinski, from the green tees. The shot was to a front pin giving it a distance of about 45 yards.  This is the hardest shot on the course given it is over a mound onto a downhill sloped green. I used a half swing with my gap wedge. This is my first hole-in-one ever and it was nice to get it on my home course.

Jo Chow, Delta Golf Course, Hole #17

I was playing on a Tuesday for our Ladies Club at Delta with Donna, Leslie and Cheri. It was playing 125 yards that day over water, so I figured a 7 iron. Cheri said she thought it went in and I said it went by the hole. We get up there and there it is in the hole. It only took 44 years for this moment to happen. The members of our Ladies Club were very congratulatory, and they all had a free drink on the Ladies Club.

Jo-Ann Richardson, Saint-Raphaël (Club de golf), Hole #3

On July 11th, 2023, I was playing a round of golf at Saint Raphaël with my husband, Mike Baumel, and friends Anne Wilson and Donald Reid.

On hole #3, the pin was positioned in the middle of the green. There are sand traps at the front of the green and the back, and a lip at the front preventing you from seeing the hole. It was about 115 yards, and I used an 8 iron. The ball landed just after the sand trap and while it was dead straight at the flag, we couldn’t see if it had come up short or had rolled in. I was thrilled to see that it had, indeed, rolled in the hole!

Joe Guagliano Jr, Hamilton Golf and Country Club, Hole #7

I was playing with Gino Ingraudo, Anthony Rizzuto and Brian Hoyle. After a good start to my round, I came to #7 one-over par. I dialed in the yardage at 149 yards and was the first to play. I chose a pitching wedge for my shot. When I struck it, I knew immediately it was good, the ball was right at it. Hugs and high-fives were shared all around.

This is my second hole-in-one at Hamilton, my first one was July 15, 2008, almost fifteen years to the day! This one was really special as all four of us saw it go in, very memorable! Something I won’t forget.

Jordan Thiel, Galt Country Club, Hole #8

I love the game of golf and find it to be both rewarding and challenging at the same time. I go into each game trying to make it better than the previous.

On July 13th was my second hole-in-one in two years and I couldn’t believe it.  It was a very exciting for myself, and the guys I played with couldn’t have shown more gratitude. Vinny Luka, Chris Hohol and my dad, Marc Thiel, are always a great group of guys to play with and make the game that much more enjoyable. The yardage was 195 and I used a 5 iron with a little draw. It took one bounce and a couple yards of roll; it dropped in the hole!

Justin Neufeld, Aberdeen Glen Golf Club, Hole #8

This is my third one in my life. My round started off well and I stumbled a bit in the middle, then started hitting some pretty good shots coming in. The hole was 169 yards, with the pin in the front right, and tucked behind a bunker. I hit the exact shot I envisioned, a cut starting at the center of the green, cutting towards the right. It was struck so well that I exclaimed out loud “that’s perfect” followed by “go in the hole.” The ball landed, bounced twice and disappeared. I could hear the ball contact the pin. We were the first group to play that pin location that day, and I hit the first shot of the group. The greenskeepers had just finished setting the pin on that hole and were still waiting behind the green for us to finish the hole. I was using a Pro V1 that I had found and had been playing for a few holes after having lost my original ball earlier in the round. I still have the ball; it is my current provisional.

Justin Schultz, Kelowna Golf and Country Club, Hole #17

It was hole #17. The shot was 152 yards, playing about 146 with slope. The pin was placed dead centre of the green. I flushed it off the tee, started about eight yards left of the hole with a tiny butter cut on it. The ball landed about five feet left of the pin and had some side spin on it and rolled in like a putt. We could see the entire thing. The boys went crazy. I was playing with Craig Eisenhut, Cody Franson and Brock Raddatz.

Ken Kachur, Willows Golf & Country Club – Lakes-Bridges, Hole #4

I got a hole-in-one at Willows playing with Colin Bowerman and Bob Morrison. I used an 8 iron and it was 125 yards.

Laura Kim, Carnmoney Golf Club, Hole #4

I was playing with my husband Harry Kim and Carnmoney members Chris and Sheph McIntyre. I played from the silver tees, 90-yard distance and used my pitching wedge. While I have golfed sporadically throughout my life, my husband and I joined Carnmoney in 2021. Since joining Carnmoney, I have played in the Ladies program and have benefited tremendously from Ladies Clinics led by Tiff Gordon.

Les Channell, Beverly Golf and Country Club, Hole #12

It was a mixed match on hole #12. I was 153 yards out and I hit a 7 wood. I am 72 years old, and my wife Liz and I are avid golfers and supporters of Golf Canada.

Magda Salib, Weston Golf and Country Club, Hole #8

I used my 7 wood, and the hole was 114 yards. I played with Christine Johnson and Teresa Karolidis.

Marc Donnelly, La Champêtre, Hole #4

This is my fifth hole-in-one. It was on the fourth hole at Le Champêtre and used an 8 iron. The hole was about 148 yards.

Marco Rulez, Turtle Creek Golf Club

Great day!

Mary McNeill, Hampton Golf Club, Hole #4

I was playing with Gary, my husband and Gerry Connolly. I used a 7 iron to hit it 110 yards. I have been golfing for 12 years and go out twice a week.

Matthew Di Vona, The National Golf Club of Canada, Hole #5

I made my ace on July 12, 2023, at The National Golf Club of Canada. It was hole #5 from the black tees, which was playing 183 yards into the wind. The pin was at the back right. I hit a perfect 6 iron with a soft fade that landed eight feet short of the hole, bounced twice, and trickled in.

Patrick Leonard, Georgetown Golf Club, Hole #6

I was playing with Ian Patterson, Steven McShane and Covy Mareemootoo. The hole was 149 yards. I used a 7 iron and was playing with a Pro V1X golf ball. This is in fact my third hole-in-one at Georgetown as I have also previously aced the 8th and the 12th hole. Now I set my sights on the two remaining par 3’s, the 14th and the 16th.

Peter Shield, Riverside Golf Club, Hole #14

I was playing in the men’s league at Riverside Golf Club in Edmonton. My playing partners were David Halbauer, Kevin Bouchard and Norman Modeste. It was 130 yards and I hit a perfect pitching wedge that never left the flag. Unfortunately, as a raised green, we didn’t see it go in. When we got up the green, we were missing a ball and looked over the back; it was not there. We could see a pitch mark six feet short of the hole. Norman was the first to see it in the hole and then the cheering started.

I have kept the ball and have a picture of the scorecard. This is my second hole-in-one, but social media and camera phones make things easier.

Rick Button, Tower Ranch Golf and Country Club, Hole #12

I was playing with Vic Margetts and Marty Bray. Vic is a part of my regular foursome, the other two (Neil and Mick) were away that day. Also present was Liam Kightley-Kauser who works in the pro shop at Tower and just happened to be there putting slope adjusted yardages on the yardage board. The distance was 141 yards and I hit 9 iron. It was my third hole-in-one at Tower Ranch but my first on the 12th hole.

Sid Green, Avon Valley Golf Course, Hole #5

I played Avon Valley with Allan Rendell and Paul Marriott. I had a hole-in-one on #5. It was playing 130 yards and I used a 9 iron. 

Terry Bell, GlenDenning Golf Course, Hole #15

It was a front pin location from 144 yards. There was a strong headwind, so I clubbed up to a 6 iron. It glided through the air and landed perfectly on the side of the hole and dropped in.

Vince Kennedy, Huron Oaks, Hole #17

I celebrated my first ace at Huron Oaks. I used a 7 iron and hit it 145 yards.

Will Belanger, Greyhawk Golf Club, Hole #13

On hole #13 at Greyhawk Predator, the hole was playing 155 yards from the black tees. I hit a 9 iron with the wind in my back and it landed six feet away from the pin and slowly rolled in. I was also playing with Andrew Milloy and two members from Greyhawk that I didn’t know at the time.

This week on Road to the Tour, presented by Hilton, viewers will have the opportunity to learn more about Katie Cranston and Nicole Gal, Team Canada’s best friends on the path to pro golf.

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