Ashton McCulloch was the low Canadian on Wednesday with a 2-under 70

SINGAPORE – Mexico holds a two-shot lead over South Africa following the opening round of the 2025 Men’s World Amateur Team Championship at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) in Singapore.

Mexico was led by Carlos Astiazaran who carded five birdies on his way to a 4-under 68. Eduardo Derbez added a 3-under 69 to give Mexico a combined score of 7-under. Gerardo Gomez’s 1-over 73 did not count to the team total on Wednesday. Right behind the leaders is South Africa who shot a collective 5-under, led by Christian Maas’ 6-under 66. Maas currently is one shot back in the individual standings. France is alone in third at 4-under, while host nation, Singapore is in a four-way tie for fourth with Australia, Sweden and Czechia at 3-under. Canada sits T13 with New Zealand, People’s Republic of China, Denmark and Spain at even par of the 36 countries competing for the Eisenhower Trophy.

Canada was led by Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. who shot a bogey free 2-under 70 on Wednesday. Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont. closed with a 2-over 74 and Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. finished with a 3-over 75.

Hiroshi Tai of Singapore fired the low round of the day with a 7-under 65 to take the 18-hole lead in the individual competition by one over Maas. Tai carded eight birdies on his round including three straight on Nos. 16 through 18. Behind Tai and Maas is Astiazaran who is solo third. Derbez is in a four-way tie for fourth with Timotej Formanek (Czechia), Filip Fahlberg Johnsson (Sweden) and Michael Mjaaseth (Norway) at 3-under. McCulloch is tied for eight with six others, including 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, Declan O’Donovan (Australia) at 2-under in the 108-player field.

The second round of the Men’s World Amateur Team Championship will begin at 7:15 a.m. locally (Singapore) on Thursday and 7:15 p.m. EST Wednesday. Ibit will tee off at 8:21 a.m., Matthews at 8:32 a.m. and McCulloch at 8:43 a.m. local time.

For team and individual leaderboards following the opening round, please click here.

Canada finishes 10th; All three team members finish inside top 40 individually

SINGAPORE – The United States of America shot a collective 5-under on Saturday to win on a tiebreaker and claim the Espirito Santo Trophy at the 31st Women’s World Amateur Team Championship at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) in Singapore.

The U.S. was led by Megha Ganne, the fifth ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), who shot a bogey free 4-under 68. Farah O’Keefe (no. 7 WAGR) and Catherine Park (no. 11 WAGR) both added rounds of 1-under 71 to move the Americans to 18-under, tied with the Republic of Korea and Spain. The U.S. won the tiebreaker as it had the lowest non-counting score from the team’s third player. The two lowest scores count towards the team total each day. The win gives the U.S. its 15th gold medal at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship and its first since 2018.

Spain made the largest charge in the final round, shooting a collective 6-under thanks to a pair of 3-under 69s from Paula Martin Sampedro and Andrea Revuelta Goicoechea. The 54-hole leaders, Republic of Korea shot a team score of 2-under on Saturday to move to 18-under. England and the People’s Republic of China finished T4 at 16-under.

Canada finished the championship in 10th at 7-under among the 36 countries competing as all three players finished with even par 72s on Saturday. Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. finished as the low Canadian at 3-under, good for T18 individually. The 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion posted rounds of 72-73-68-72-285. Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. finished T29 at 1-under following rounds of 73-70-72-72-287 and Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. shot 70-76-72-72-290 to finish the championship in 38th at 2-over in the 108-player field.

Individually, Ying Xu of the People’s Republic of China fired a 5-under 67 on Saturday to win the individual championship by four shots of Rianne Mikhaela Malixi (Philippines), Sampedro (Spain) and Soomin Oh (Republic of Korea). Six golfers finished tied for fifth at 7-under.

For both the final team and individual leaderboard, please click here.

The Men’s World Amateur Team Championship will also be contested in Singapore from October 8-11, for the final field that will compete for the Eisenhower Trophy, click here.

Michelle Xing led Canada on Friday with a 4-under 68

SINGAPORE – The Republic of Korea will head into Saturday’s final round with a three-shot lead at the 31st Women’s World Amateur Team Championship at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) in Singapore.

Ajin Sung led the defending champions on Friday with a 4-under 68 through rainy conditions to help increase their team lead. Soomin Oh’s 1-over 73 also counted for the Republic of Korea. The United States of America is three back of the lead at 13-under. The People’s Republic of China and Spain are tied for fourth at 12-under and England and Sweden are tied for fifth at 11-under. The Republic of Korea is looking to become the first country to win consecutive titles since 2012, a feat it last accomplished winning the Espirito Santo Trophy in 2010 and 2012.

Ying Xu of the People’s Republic of China is 8-under and holds a one-shot lead heading into the final round over Rianne Mikhaela Malixi of the Philippines and Aira Nagasawa of Japan. Catherine Park (U.S.A.), Soomin Oh (Republic of Korea) and Paula Martin Sampedro (Spain) are tied for fourth at 6-under. Seven players are currently T7 at 5-under making for a crowded individual title race.

Canada currently sits T8 with Japan of the 36 countries competing at 8-under following a 4-under 140 on Friday, for its lowest team total of the tournament (142-143-140).

Michelle Xing led Canada on Friday with a 4-under 68 to move to 3-under and sits T18 individually for the tournament. Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. finished her round with five birdies, four of which came from her front nine. All three players have contributed to the team score over the first three rounds. Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. and Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. both shot even par 72s. Kim is 1-under and T28, while Borovilos is 2-over and sits T40 in the 108-player field.

The championship sustained a 58-minute delay in the early afternoon due to dangerous weather in the area.

Individually, 20 players are within five shots or less of Xu’s lead. For both the team and individual leaderboard, please click here.

The final round will tee off at 7:15 a.m. (Saturday) in Singapore, 7:15 p.m. EDT (Friday). Borovilos will tee off at 11:30 a.m., Kim at 11:41 a.m. and Xing at 11:52 a.m. locally. For all tee times, please click here.

Lauren Kim led Canadians on Thursday with a 2-under 70

SINGAPORE – The Republic of Korea are back atop the leaderboard after posting a 6-under on Thursday to take a two-stroke lead through 36 holes at the 31st Women’s World Amateur Team Championship at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) in Singapore.

Soomin Oh and A Jin Sung each finished with 3-under 69s to lead the defending champions climb on Thursday. The Republic of Korea’s team total of 13-under leads the United States of America and Spain by two-strokes in the battle for the Espirito Santo Trophy. The People’s Republic of China is fourth at 7-under, with England rounding out the top five at 6-under. Canada sits in eighth at 3-under among the 36 nations competing.

Oh, who won the 2025 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship and both team and individual honours at the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship is now tied for first individually at 7-under with Aira Nagasawa of Japan. Right behind the co-leaders are Spain’s Paula Martin Sampedro (-6) and Andrea Revuelta Goicoechea (5). Catherine Park of the United States is tied with Goicoechea for fourth.

Canada was led by Lauren Kim’s 2-under 70 and Michelle Xing’s 1-over 73 on Thursday to keep Canada in the top ten of team championship, 10 shots back of the defending champions. Kim of Surrey, B.C. sits at 1-under and is T21 individually, six back of the co-leaders. Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. is 1-over for the tournament and is T35, with Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. sitting T42 at 2-over in the 108-player field.

Individually, 18 players are within five shots or less of the co-leaders. For both the team and individual leaderboard, please click here.

The third round will tee off at 7:15 a.m. (Friday) in Singapore, 7:15 p.m. EDT (Thursday). For tee times, please click here.

Fall is the last gasp before winter shuts golf down for recreational players, but it’s also when professional players have a chance to move up to the next level of the sport.

Drew Nesbitt was the lone Canadian to make the jump from the third-tier PGA Tour Americas to the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour at last week’s Fortinet Cup Championship. Nesbitt tied for 43rd in the season finale to maintain a top-10 ranking to earn promotion. 

Born in Toronto but playing out of Hockley Valley, Ont., Nesbitt finished the year with three top-five finishes, including a win at the Times Colonist Victoria Open on Sept. 21. 

“The title may say Korn Ferry Tour rookie, but I certainly don’t feel like one in the sense that I have experience at the higher levels,” said Nesbitt on Tuesday. “I have played in PGA Tour events, so I can again draw on those experiences and how to operate my schedule.

“I hold myself to a very high standard in terms of my routines and how I go and operate about my business. I’m proud of that but I can always improve.”

As the leading Canadian in the Fortinet Cup, Nesbitt earned an exemption and will make his fourth appearance at the RBC Canadian Open next year. He will join the Korn Ferry Tour for the first time in 2026, making him one of the older rookies on that tour at the age of 30.

“I’m a little bit older than a few guys, but somebody I’m really fond of is (PGA Tour player) Justin Rose. He’s 45 and he’s playing the best golf of his career,” said Nesbitt. “I think age is just a number. I try not to think of it as how many years I may potentially have left or this and that.

“I just think of it like I’m playing really great quality golf now and I don’t see it slowing down any time soon. I take care of my body, I’m in good shape, I hit it really hard.”

More Canadians might move up to the next tier of golf in the coming weeks.

Vancouver’s Leah John and Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont., are both within striking distance of earning an LPGA Tour card this week when they tee it up at the Epson Tour Championship. 

The top 15 players at the end of the second-tier Epson Tour’s season get promoted. John is 20th on the Race for the Card points list and Rivers is 25th.

John said that her goal when she tees it up on Thursday is to be focused on her process and if she earns her way up to the LPGA Tour, that’s just a bonus.

“You know, commitment to shots, commitment to tempo and a positive attitude and taking care of all my controllables as best as I can,” she said on Wednesday after finishing her pro-am rounds. “Those are my big goals. 

“Obviously, winning would change my career but at the end of the day, I just want to enjoy my time out here and see what I can bring out of myself. I’m feeling good, I’m excited. Usually that’s a recipe for some good things.”

John and Rivers will be joined at Indian Wells Golf Resort, Celebrity Course in Indian Wells, Calif., by Monet Chun (61st) of Richmond Hill, Ont., Maddie Szeryk (45th) of London, Ont., Josee Doyon (T101st) of Saint-Georges, Que., Mary Parsons (106th) of Delta, B.C., and Megan Osland (unranked) of Kelowna, B.C.

AROUND THE TOURS

PGA TOUR — Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., leads the Canadian contingent into this week’s Sanderson Farms Championship. He won the event back in 2022 and is currently ranked 60th in the FedEx Cup’s fall standings. Adam Hadwin (139th) of Abbotsford, B.C., Adam Svensson (162nd) of Surrey, B.C., and Ben Silverman (163rd) of Thornhill, Ont., are also in the field at the Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, Miss.

KORN FERRY TOUR — Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., is the top Canadian on the Korn Ferry Tour headed into this week’s Compliance Solutions Championship. He’s 18th on the second-tier tour’s points list heading into the penultimate event of the season. He’ll be joined at The Patriot Golf Club in Owasso, Okla., by Myles Creighton (30th) of Digby, N.S., Vancouver’s Stuart MacDonald (46th), Matthew Anderson (66th) of Mississauga, and Etienne Papineau (121st) of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.

CHAMPIONS TOUR — Calgary’s Stephen Ames and Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., are the only Canadians that will tee it up at Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS on Friday. Ames is 39th on the Schwab Cup points list and Weir is 69th.

LPGA TOUR — Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., was in one of the featured groups when the LOTTE Championship presented by Hoakalei teed off on Wednesday afternoon. She played with returning champion A Lim Kim of South Korea and 2002 winner Hyo Joo Kim, also of South Korea. Henderson is the only two-time champion in the event’s history, having emerged victorious in 2018 and 2019. Henderson is 28th in the Race to CME Globe standings with seven events left on the LPGA Tour calendar. Savannah Grewal (142nd) of Mississauga, Ont., Maude-Aimee Leblanc (144th) of Sherbrooke, Que., and Hamilton’s Alena Sharp (151st), are also in the field at Hoakalei Country Club at ‘Ewa Beach, Oahu, Hawaii.

Vanessa Borovilos led Canadians on Wednesday with a 2-under 70

SINGAPORE – The United States stands atop the leaderboard following the opening round of the 31st Women’s World Amateur Team Championship at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) in Singapore.

The U.S. shot a collective score of 8-under to hold a one-shot lead over defending champion, Republic of Korea (Korea). Farah O’Keefe, ranked No. 7 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), led the way with a 5-under 67 for the Americans and also leads the individual standings by one over a trio of players including 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship team and individual winner Soomin Oh of Korea, Aira Nagasawa (Japan) and Andrea Revuelta Goicoechea (Spain).

Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. led the way for Canada with a 2-under 70 and sits T9, just three shots back in the individual battle. Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. contributed to the team score with an even par 72. Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. is also representing Canada and shot a 1-over 73 on Wednesday. The two lowest scores count towards the team total each day.

Borovilos grabbed back-to-back birdies on Hole Nos. 6 and 7 and closed her round bogey-free with 11 consecutive pars.

“Well, weather, there’s no doubt it’s hot… Honestly, this grass is so nice to hit off of. Being from Toronto, it’s a bit different. I’ve just enjoyed hitting shots off these fairways,” said Borovilos following her round on Wednesday as temperatures hit 34 degrees Celsius, feeling closer to 42 degrees Celsius with the heat index.

Trailing the United States (-8) and Korea (-7) are Spain at 5-under, England and the People’s Republic of China at 3-under, with Canada, Thailand and Japan tied for sixth at 2-under. Denmark and Sweden are tied for ninth at even par to round out the top 10.

Individually, 22 players are within four shots or less of O’Keefe’s lead. For both the team and individual leaderboard, please click here.

The second round will tee off at 7:15 a.m. (Thursday) in Singapore, 7:15 p.m. EDT (Wednesday). For tee times, please click here.

Women’s teams will compete October 1-4 and Men’s teams from
October 8-11 in Singapore

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada announced Friday the roster that will represent Canada at the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships, taking place at the Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) in Singapore.

The 31st playing of the Women’s competition for the Espirito Santo Trophy will run October 1-4, while the 34th edition of Men’s competition for the Eisenhower Trophy will follow from October 8-11.

Representing Canada on the women’s team will be Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. and Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. The women’s team will be led by coach Jeff MacDonald of Chester, N.S.

“We are very proud to name our women’s and men’s teams that will represent Canada at the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships this fall in Singapore,” said Emily Phoenix, Director, High Performance, Golf Canada. “Both teams are comprised with a good mix of experience on the national and international level and we are very confident both rosters will compete and represent Canada proudly.”

Kim is currently ranked No. 17 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and will be making her third appearance for Canada at the World Amateur Team Championships. Kim is heading into her junior season at the University of Texas following a memorable sophomore year. Kim captured her second collegiate title at the Betsy Rawls Invitational in March and earned eight top 10 finishes last season. Kim also competed in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) for a second consecutive year, finishing T14 to tie the best-ever Canadian finish at the prestigious championship. Borovilos (No. 44 WAGR) recently set the record for the lowest round of stroke play in the 125-year history of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Golf Championship earlier this month at Bandon Dunes in Bandon, Ore. Borovilos also qualified and competed in the U.S. Women’s Open in May. Borovilos is heading into her sophomore year at Texas A&M University. Last year, she earned her first collegiate title at The Chevron Collegiate along with three additional runner-up finishes and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. Xing (No. 147 WAGR) recently won the 111th playing of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO. The 17-year-old was the only player under par for the tournament and won the Duchess of Connaught Gold Cup by four shots. All three players recently competed in the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open in Mississauga, Ont.

Team Canada on the men’s side will be represented by Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont., Isaiah Ibit or Orleans, Ont. and Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont. The men’s team will be led by coach Benoit Lemieux of Montreal, Que.

McCulloch, the 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion is currently the lowest ranked Canadian male on WAGR at No. 38. McCulloch is in his final year at Michigan State University and competed in his second consecutive RBC Canadian Open in June. McCulloch appeared in three tournaments before missing the remainder of his 2025 season with Michigan State due to injury. McCulloch enjoyed a successful 2024 season with Michigan State, earning a victory at the Johnnie-O at Sea Island and five top five finishes as well as finishing the year with the best scoring average in program history. He will be making his second consecutive appearance for Canada at the World Amateur Team Championship. Ibit is entering his second year at Kent State University. Last season, Ibit was named the MAC Freshman of the Year and earned a T3 finish at the Hal Williams Collegiate. Ibit (No. 402 WAGR) was runner-up last month at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship after losing in a playoff. The 2024 Canadian Junior Boys champion will be making his debut at the World Amateur Team Championship. Matthews will also be making his debut in October. Matthews (No. 237 WAGR) is entering his senior year at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and was named a 2024-25 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar. Last season, Matthews earned a pair of collegiate top five finishes including a runner-up at the Gators Invitational.

The World Amateur Team Championships are a biennial international amateur golf tournament that is conducted by the International Golf Federation. Both events consist of 72 holes of stroke play with teams of three players. Each round, the two lowest scores will comprise the team score for that round.

In 2023, the Republic of Korea won the Espirito Santo Trophy for the fifth time. Canada has earned four silver medals in tournament history in 1966, 1978, 2004 and 2014. The 2014 was represented by 14-time LPGA Tour tournament winner, Brooke Henderson, Brittany Marchand and Augusta James.

The United States will be defending the Eisenhower Trophy, after winning the title for the 16th time in 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Canada won the 1986 gold medal and was represented by Mark Brewer, Brent Franklin, Jack Kay Jr., Warren Sye and was captained by Doug Brewer. Canada has also earned five additional silver medals (2014, 2006, 1978, 1964, 1962) and one bronze in 1968.

For more information on the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships, please click here.

Canada’s rising star Anna Huang has written another chapter in her breakthrough season, capturing the Lacoste Ladies Open de France with a two-shot victory at Golf Barrière. The win marks her second consecutive triumph on the Ladies European Tour (LET), just a week after claiming the La Sella Open.

At only 16 years old, Huang carded a brilliant final-round 65 (-6) to finish at 16-under-par, becoming the first Canadian in LET history to record multiple victories and the third player in 2025 to win in back-to-back weeks, joining England’s Mimi Rhodes and Czechia’s Sara Kouskova.

“I’m honestly still in shock,” Huang admitted. “I hadn’t even processed my first win, and now to win again feels unbelievable. I’m so proud of myself—it’s something I never thought would happen. To have two wins in one year is just incredible, and I’m really grateful.”

A Composed Final Round

Starting the day with the lead, Huang wasted no time extending her advantage with birdies at the first and second holes. A bogey at the fourth was her only blemish, but she quickly rebounded with birdies at the fifth, eighth, and 10th.

Germany’s Helen Briem surged into contention with her own string of birdies, briefly pulling level and testing the teenager’s composure. But Huang closed in style, sinking birdies on 16 and 18 to seal her second LET crown.

“It was so much fun playing with Helen—we were trading shots all round,” Huang said. “We were tied until 16, so it got pretty nerve-wracking. Oddly enough, I didn’t feel nervous until my approach on 18, but then it hit me. I’m just glad I pulled it off.”

Looking ahead, Huang plans a rare break: “I’m going home and then to China to see family I haven’t seen in about 10 years. I might even treat myself to something nice. But my mindset stays the same—work hard, stay focused, and keep building on this momentum.”

One of the core principles of the World Handicap System (WHS) is fairness. For golfers of all skill levels to compete equitably, handicaps must reflect a player’s demonstrated ability as accurately as possible. A key part of achieving this is peer review — a principle that promotes transparency, accountability and integrity in the game.

What is peer review?

In the context of handicapping, peer review is the process by which fellow golfers, club members and club officials can view — and, if necessary, question — the scores a player submits for handicap purposes. It ensures that a player’s scoring record is open to reasonable scrutiny, promoting a culture of trust within the club.

The concept is simple: golf is largely self-regulated. With no referee overseeing every round, players are responsible for recording and attesting to scores in a manner that reflects the true spirit of the game. Peer review provides a safeguard within the self-managed system, allowing the golf community to support the integrity of each player’s scoring record.

What’s expected of golfers?

For peer review to work effectively, golfers are expected to:

• Submit all acceptable scores: This includes both competition and casual rounds played under the Rules of Golf, ensuring the Handicap Index is a true reflection of ability.
• Be truthful and transparent: Players should not manipulate scores to influence their handicap.
• Play by the Rules of Golf: Proper rules knowledge and consistent application ensure scores are fairly comparable across players and courses.
• Support fellow members: If there are irregularities or concerns with a player’s scoring record, golfers are encouraged to raise them constructively through the club’s handicap committee.
• Attest when required: In formal competitions, signing a fellow competitor’s scorecard is a direct form of peer review.
• Understand the Rules of Handicapping: A basic understanding of the WHS can help players know what should or shouldn’t be done on course or when posting a score.

Benefits to the club

Peer review strengthens the golfing community at your club in several ways:

• Promotes fairness: By discouraging manipulation and encouraging accountability, it ensures that competitions are won by ability rather than questionable handicaps.
• Builds trust: Knowing everyone is playing on a level field fosters confidence in the system and the club environment.
• Supports the handicap committee: Peer review provides the committee with valuable feedback, helping them address anomalies or investigate unusual scoring patterns.
• Encourages participation: When members trust the system, they are more likely to take part in competitions and club events.

Benefits to the World Handicap System

On a broader scale, peer review is fundamental to the integrity of the World Handicap System:

• It ensures a player’s Handicap Index is portable and meaningful worldwide.
• It provides a consistent, player-driven safeguard against misuse of the system.
• It maintains the reputation of the WHS as a fair and credible measure of golfing ability.

Golf has long been known as a game of honour. Peer review reinforces that tradition within the modern framework of the World Handicap System. By being open, honest and supportive of one another, golfers not only protect the integrity of their own handicap but also help sustain the fairness of the game at their club and around the world.

CALGARY, Alta. — First Tee – Alberta celebrated a milestone moment in 2025, with nearly $200,000 raised through the generosity of its partnership with the Rogers Charity Classic.

Backed by Calgary’s Patron Group of business leaders along with PGA TOUR professional Stephen Ames, the Rogers Charity Classic (formerly the Shaw Charity Classic) is the lone Canadian stop on the PGA TOUR Champions. Since its launch in 2013, the tournament has raised an incredible $137 million for more than 300 charities supporting children and families in need across Alberta.

The generous funding to First Tee – Alberta is helping Golf Canada expand the reach of its youth development program across the province, providing more equity-deserving children access to golf while fostering life skills development, confidence and community connection. Since 2024, First Tee – Alberta has introduced more than 6,000 youth to the sport through programming at schools, community centres, and golf facilities.

“A year like this doesn’t happen without meaningful partners who believe in what we’re building,” said Kelsey Chadwick, development officer of First Tee – Alberta. “The impact of the Rogers Charity Classic and its philanthropic efforts in the community have been transformational. First Tee is proud to be supported by the Rogers Charity Classic and the event’s tremendous commitment to helping the next generation of golfers thrive both on and off the course.”

A highlight for the program’s fundraising activity came during the Rogers Legends of Hockey Shootout, where junior elite golfer Sydney Bisgrove represented First Tee – Alberta in a 100-yard closest-to-the-pin challenge. Bisgrove’s performance helped secure a $115,000 donation, marking a turning point for the chapter.

“Being part of that moment was unbelievable,” said Bisgrove. “To represent First Tee – Alberta in front of so many people and know that it helped raise such a big donation that will have an impact on grassroots golf opportunities across the province is something I’ll never forget.”

Sean Van Kesteren, executive director of the Rogers Charity Classic, is proud to see the tournament’s impact extend far beyond golf.

“Our mission has always been to showcase the game’s greats while using the tournament to give back,” Van Kesteren said. “The Legends of Hockey event brings fans and families together in a unique way, while also driving real support for charities like First Tee – Alberta.”

Through the 2025 Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink program, donations made between March and August were matched up to 50 per cent, generating additional funding of $17,000 for the Alberta chapter.

First Tee – Alberta also received a $50,000 Charity Champion Grant earlier this season which supported First Nation outreach and provided access to the program for communities that may not otherwise have the opportunity to play.

“The Rogers Charity Classic has become a staple in Calgary’s summer calendar and a great example of what can happen when community and sport come together,” said Van Kesteren.

First Tee – Alberta continues to grow thanks to the generous support of donors, organizations and events such as the Rogers Charity Classic. The support of Calgary’s signature championship in helping the chapter achieve this fundraising milestone demonstrates the power of sport in bringing people together and creating lasting change both on and off the golf course.

To learn more about First Tee – Alberta, visit firstteealberta.ca.