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.

Balwinder Sahota, Glen Eagle Golf Club, Hole #8

Hello,

Thanks. It was an amazing time. I experienced this with family and friends. That day, I played with my neighbour, Jazz Makkar, Aman Saggu and nephew, Raman Sahota. We were on 8th hole par 3 and playing from white tees. Hole measured 165 yards and I used a 7 iron. I was the last guy to shoot and had a good swing. One bounce and it rolled in.

Cody Yaremovich, St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino, Hole #7

Thank you! That was my first, and it couldn’t have happened at a better time. The annual boys trip! Yes, it got pricey, but it was unforgettable. 

My playing partners that day were Dave Lengyel, Jamie Hiltz and Jonathan Hirst. Yardage for the day was 126, playing into a slight breeze. I hit a choked down, sawed off 9 iron that flew right over the flag, eight inches passed the cup and spun back into the hole! We may have been the loudest group on the course once we realized it went in.

Thanks again! 

Cody Yaremovich 

Craig Huxter, Glendenning Golf Course, Hole #11

Thanks for the congratulations. I was playing with Kent Rowe, a Golf Canada member, as well as Jennifer Baker and Phonse Leonard. The tees were forward on September 3^rd on the 11th hole and I lasered the flag at 122 yards. I pulled a Callaway Apex DCB pitching wedge which is my 115–120-yard club. The ball was blown by the wind, a little right to left. It landed on the right edge of the bunker on the left of the green and bounced right and spun right across the green, hit the flag and dropped into the hole.  

Glen Erickson, Connaught Golf Club, Hole #3

Thanks so much for the kind words and congratulations! This was a cool experience, my second hole-in-one.

I was playing with Gary Kavanaugh (Medicine Hat) and Brian Paush (Edmonton) in the final round of the 89th Southeastern Open at the Connaught Golf Club in Medicine Hat. I had a four-shot lead after two rounds but by the time we reached our 14^th hole (it was shotgun start), I’m pretty sure were all tied for the lead, or at least within a shot of each other. I’d played kind of an erratic round in the wind.

The second hole at Connaught, our 14^th of the day, is a par 5. Both Gary and Brian made birdie while I four-putted for a double-bogey seven. I was livid about the three-shot swing, but knew I had to keep my wits about me. When we arrived at the par 3, third hole, our 15^th of the day, I joked with the volunteer on the tee box that I would have to hole my tee shot to play #2 and #3 in even-par.

Gary hit his tee shot on the 3^rd into the left greenside bunker, then Brian hit his into the bunker on the right side. I hit a good shot, a high draw with my 9-iron, a shot the wind moved slowly toward the flagstick. One bounce and in, from 127 yards! I think I flipped my club into the air and raised my arms and looked back at the guys with some bewilderment. Gary and Brian came running up to me with handshakes and congratulations. Gary laughed, “that’s how you make up for a double-bogey”.

We took a couple of pictures at the green before Gary and Brian played out the hole. They both made bogey. So, that was a three-shot swing in my favour!

Three holes later, I rolled in a birdie putt on the last hole to win the Senior Men’s Division by one stroke. It’s really fun to be in the hunt!

Coincidentally, I used a Ben Hogan FTX 9-iron to make the ace, the same club I used back in 2008 when I made my first hole-in-one at the Shannon Lake Golf Club in West Kelowna.

A few days later, head pro, Brian Oliphant, presented me with a wonderful memento on behalf of the entire team at Connaught. It’s just beautiful! The ace is a nice accomplishment, but the camaraderie that day and the celebration after play with my friends and competitors is really what made it all so special!

Glen Erickson

Gordon Harrison, Napanee Golf & Country Club, Hole #16

I was golfing with fellow member, Mike Bellerive, and two green fee players whose names I have forgotten. I used a Jumbo 32* 11 wood, and the yardage was about 125 (not measured). This was my second hole-in-one.

Gord

Graham Macdougall, Algonquin Golf Course, Hole #14

Many thanks for the recognition of my hole-in-one last week at the Algonquin Golf Course in St. Andrews N.B. I am a 79-year-old Senior who plays out of the Riverside Country Club in Rothesay N.B. (not Saskatoon). I have a 12 handicap and was visiting the Algonquin Golf Course with my brother, Alan, who was visiting from Toronto. The magic moment came on the 130-yard, 14th hole. Used a 7 iron. As so often happens, the shot was later in the afternoon and directly into the sun, so I did not see the result until I got to the green. Just to bring a bit of sobriety to the day, I made a double bogey on 18 to shoot 80. Nevertheless, a magic golfer’s day. We went to the Rossmount Inn for a nice celebratory dinner. This was my second hole-in-one.

Thanks for being interested.

Graham Macdougall

Grant Noble, Scarboro Golf & Country Club, Hole #11

Firstly, thank you for the email and yes, I’m super stoked. 

So, I had the worst round of the year funnily enough when I dropped the ace. I was playing with good friends Nathan Tam, Taylor Tolleffson and Ryan Son Kee who are just beauties and were just as happy as myself. 

It was playing 96 yards and we thought 100 yards with the wind.  Nathan went up first and flushed a shot into the back bunker. I went and changed my club from a 50-degree wedge to a 54-degree. Flushed the shot to the right of the hole and it juiced back into the hole. We went crazy.

Heather Murray, Predator Ridge, Hole #4

Dear Golf Canada,

Thank you so much for the note and the wonderful graphic acknowledging my hole-in-one.

My playing partners were Doris Ritter and Barbara Reid. I was the first player to hit off the tee on hole #4 of the Predator Ridge Golf Course. The yardage was 98 from the lavender tees and I chose to hit my 9 iron. The pin was middle centre on the green. My ball landed below the hole but was moving forward towards the pin. My ball had good line to the pin, but it seemed like it was moving in slow motion, and I thought to myself, “Geez this is probably going to be one that stops just inches from the cup.” But the ball kept rolling forward and then disappeared into the hole! Whoa! I turned to my playing partners and said, “That is unbelievable!” Next were high fives and texting to my other golf buddies to meet after the round in the clubhouse because drinks were on me!

It was a rush and a thrill to walk to the hole, look down into the cup and say, “Yup, that’s my ball”. TaylorMade black number zero ball marked with a red racing stripe and that is the picture I took to remember this hole-in-one. I retired the ball.  

Cheers,

Heather

Jeff Ostrow, Ambassador Golf Club, Hole #16

Thank you for your interest in my story.

It was a beautiful day for golf, 22 degrees, light breeze. It was the last day of league play at Ambassador Golf Club. Starting on the back 9 and walking up to the tee, I surveyed the distance to be 190 yards to the par 3 16th hole. I placed my tee a yard or so behind the pewter tee markers and took my swing with my TaylorMade 3 hybrid. It felt good, since I knew it was going to be on the green, I bent down to pick up my tee and I heard Enzo say, “Jeff you might want to watch this”.  Watch it I did. The ball was fading from left to right, landed about 15 feet left and short of the hole, rolled towards the pin and disappeared. Steve and Enzo were convinced, but from 190 yards I needed to get closer to know for sure. As I drove up to the green and noted it was not behind the pin I was thrilled to walk up to the hole and find it at the bottom of the cup. How awesome. High fives, fist pumps and pictures! Witnessed by Enzo Pappini and Steve Jaksich. 

After I finished my round and went into the clubhouse to buy some drinks for everyone, I realized that another league member had a hole-in-one on the same hole 30 minutes after me. No one has had a hole-in-one all year on that hole, and two in the same night.  I guess I don’t even get a skin!

What a great feeling.

Jeff Ostrow

John Volcko, Fox Harb’r, Hole #7

Thank you very much for the email! It took 45 years to get my first one and now I’m hoping for many more. 

The hole-in-one occurred on the 7th hole at Fox Harb’r on September 3rd, 2022. I hit a 5 iron to pin that was at 173 yards into a slight breeze on a bright sunny day. It was witnessed by Cindy Bruce.

Thanks for reaching out!

Sincerely,

John Volcko

Judy Chin, Stony Plain Golf Course, Hole #12

Thank you for your congratulatory email. Yes, I was very excited and totally elated to have a hole-in-one on September 5th.

I was golfing with Murray Chase and my significant other, Patrick Kelly, who just had his first hole-in-one in June at Stony Plain. My hole-in-one was on hole #12. The yardage was 150 with wind towards me. So, I played a toned down 5 wood and it did the job superbly for me! I actually have a picture taken at hole #12 and also Jeff, our Pro/General Manager, gifted me with a flag for that.

I do not have an objection in sharing this good news with Golf Canada. I hope this will help inspire more women golfers to come out and play. 

Best regards,

Judy Chin

Justin Ward, Redwood Meadows Golf & Country Club, Hole #8

Hey Golf Canada! 

Thanks for the email. 

Details on the hole-in-one. We only played 9 holes as it gets dark early. Played the gold and black combo (tips). 8th hole. 150.9 yards out. Centre red flag pin. It two hopped then rolled straight to the pin then disappeared. I was the first to shoot as well. I played with my friend Cherokee Eagletail and her boyfriend, her boyfriend’s younger brother and another friend (we were allowed a fivesome). 

Keith Wyman, Mount Brenton Golf Course, Hole #3

I was playing with Ron Voldeng, David Pringle and Mike Smith. Hole number 3 is about 120 yards so I used a nine iron. Hit a high one over the sand trap. lost sight of the ball when it went past thousand trap. When I went to find the ball on the green. it was not there, so I looked around the edges. I found my ball mark when I was repairing the green which is when Ron said my ball was in the hole. I said yeh sure thing it must have run off the green, but then I looked and it was there.

Kody Thorne, RedTail Landing Golf Club, Hole #4

Hello, 

Thanks so much for offering congratulations on my recent hole-in-one at RedTail Landing Golf Club on September 5^th, 2022.

I was with my regular golfing buddy, Walter Richards. We have golfed together regularly for the last five years. I have been golfing on and off over the last 30 years, but it has really been the last five years that I have taken it more seriously, setting new targets every year and focusing on reducing my handicap index which I am happy to say now sits at a very healthy 3.5. 

We were also paired up with two other gentlemen. Unfortunately, I can’t recall their names, but I remember that they are both very fine first responders enjoying some time off by golfing. I was very pleased to buy them both some drinks to mark them sharing this occasion with us!

It was hole 4. It was an overcast day and there had been a little bit of light rain, but nothing to warrant putting waterproofs on. The yardage was 180. I chose a 6 iron. When the ball was hit, we watched it land just in front of the green, bounce onto it and then roll eight or so feet and drop into the hole. A very surreal moment and one that I will never forget, especially as this was my first hole-in-one!

Thanks for reaching out with the congratulations! It was unexpected and a very pleasant surprise!

Kind regards, 

Kody

Latch Sanker, Watson’s Glen Golf Club, Hole #13

Thanks for noticing and following up. To fill you in with the details of my hole-in-one. I was playing with my wife, Rosemarie, and a buddy, Jim Doucet. We also had a walk on playing with us. His name was Jay. I was playing from the blue tee blocks and that day where the pin measured 164 yards. I used an eight iron (Srixon ZX7). After teeing off and approaching the green, the Marshall informed us that the group behind us was on a timeline and if we would let them play through. We waved them to hit on and watched them putt. One of the players was surprised that there was already a ball in the hole. The group was then told about the hole-in-one.

Just an added note. My wife, Rosemarie Sanker, also had a hole-in-one on the same hole on August 31, 2020.

Thanks,

Latch Sanker

Linda Gordon, Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club, Hole #17

Thank you.

I was playing with my husband, Tom Gordon, and Ben and Greg Poggemoeller. The yardage was 84 and I used my 9 iron.

Thank you,

Linda Gordon

Matthew Langelaan, St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, Hole #12

Good morning, 

Thank you very much for reaching out!

Some information about the round:

– Course: St. Catharines Golf & Country Club

– Hole: #12

– Yardage: 165

– Club: 8-iron

– Played with: Tom Rankin, Brendan Robertson and Mark Cahill

Sincerely,

Matthew Langelaan

Maureen Bowerman, The Legends Golf Club, Hole #3

Thank you so much for your acknowledgement of my hole-in-one. It was a real surprise and fun shot! I was playing with Luella, and Trish on the first day of our League Championship. Trish Santo got a hole-in-one in August, so we feel we are lucky charms for each other. The hole measured approximately 117 yards with a fairly strong left to right wind. I used a Callaway 8 hybrid (clubbed up for the wind). Again, thank you for the acknowledgement.

Maureen Bowerman

Nickie Aumiller, Wildwood Golf Course, Hole #14

I was golfing with Gus Gerecke, John Zerr and Dick Froese who are also members of the Wildwood Golf Course. They told me to go first, and I said to them, “you just want me to show you how to get a hole-in-one.” The hole was reading approximately 110 yards and I used my seven iron. The ball hit the green and we all watched it drop in the hole. It was very exciting as it was my third hole-in-one. I had two prior in Hanna, Alberta. 

Thanks for the message. 

Nickie Aumiller

Patrick Hammerschmidt, Valley Ridge Golf Club, Hole #11

Hi,

It was one of those rounds of golf where everything clicked and to make it special, a hole-in-one on hole #11 to top it off.

The 11^th hole is a par 3, with an elevated green. The pin was in front, playing 131 yards and my 9 iron was the choice. I played past the pin, the ball rolled back to the flag and in the hole.

I was playing with two other Valley Ridge members and a guest, my wife’s uncle, who was my guest for the day.

What a great day.

Pat

Rick Atkinson, St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, Hole #4

I was playing last Wednesday with Ed Fox (who was kind enough to take the picture), Bill Longlade and John Giddings at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club. I hit a 9 iron on the 155-yard fourth hole. It rained the entire 9 holes, so we were unable to play 18. It was my third hole-in-one. Better to be lucky than good!

Rick Lambert, Broadmoor Public Golf Course, Hole #16

The hole-in-one occurred on Wednesday, September 7 during our Men’s night (a costly one for sure).

Hole #16 was playing uphill at 120 yards and a pitching wedge was used.

This is my fifth hole-in-one. It took me about 35 years before I got my first in 2000 and it seems that I get one every 5 years or so although at times it seems longer.

Robert Fellows, Westfield Golf & Country Club, Hole #12

Thank you.

I was playing with Dale Price and Reggie Williams. It was hole #12 which is 200 yards but it was back pin (blue) so it was playing 211 yards. I striped a 3 iron which landed in middle of green and rolled right towards pin. Ball disappeared but we thought it just went over back. Dale discovered it in the hole.

Russ Ingram, Hartlen Point Forces Golf Club, Hole #6

Hello,

My name is Russ Ingram, and I had a hole-in-one at Hartlen Point Forces Golf Club in Eastern Passage, N.S.

It was on the 9th of September 2022, a beautiful day for golf in Nova Scotia. It was the par three, hole number six, and I was hitting from the gold tees.  The distance was just over 130 yards and the club I used was a nine iron. The shot was high like a nine iron should be and the ball landed on the edge of the green, took one bounce and curled perfectly into the hole. Bingo! My second hole-in-one, 31 years after my first.

Here is a picture of me taken from just off the number six green that day with my three witnesses, Gerry Locke, Mike Taylor and Bert Elms standing behind. 

Steve Blair, Shilo Country Club, Hole #16

Thank you for the congratulations. 

I hit a 7 iron 154 yards on the 16th hole in Shilo. It landed three feet from the hole and rolled in. There was a backup on our hole so there were 9 people who witnessed it. Marlene Blair (my wife), Roy Demers, Jake Degroot, Stewart Burnett, Dwight Edwards, Jim Renwick, Dick Scott, Myles Hubbard and Bob Cummings. 

Steven Polsinelli, The National Golf Club of Canada, Hole #10

Thank you so much for the kind words. 

I was playing with my good friends, Andrew and Stephen, at our home course: The National Golf Club of Canada. I was having quite an average round when we made the turn to a back nine, I will never forget. 

I was the first to tee off on hole 10. For background, the hole is one of the most beautiful on the course: an elevated tee shot to a green surrounded by water and perfectly placed bunkers. 

The hole was playing 158 yards into the breeze. I pulled out my trusted 7 iron and gave my best swing. At first, I thought my shot was going to fly the green. However, to my surprise, the ball landed four feet from the pin and rolled in! We all screamed in celebration!

I am thrilled to have experienced this special moment at The National, but more importantly, with great company.

Thank you,

Steven Polsinelli

Thom Hannah, Shannon Lake Golf Course, Hole #5

I achieved my fifth hole-in-one on September 7, 2022, on hole #16 at Shannon Lake Golf Course. I hit an 8 iron since the hole was playing 147 yards. I was playing with fellow members, Oliver McEvoy, Steve Gorkoff and Bernie Cundliffe. What a thrill that all four of us saw the ball go in the hole.  

If anyone visits the Okanagan Valley, make sure you play our hidden gem, Shannon Lake Golf Course in West Kelowna, B.C.  

Cheers,

Thom Hannah 

Tom Schurman, Green Gables Golf Club, Hole #5

Well, the hole-in-one gods are in my favour again. Haha!

Funny thing is…it was a reunion of our “Scotland Trip” back in May when I had the hole-in-one at the Old Course in Scotland. Almost four months later, I’m at it again. 

This time it was on the fifth hole at Green Gables Golf Club in Cavendish, P.E.I. I used a pitching wedge from about 120 yards. My playing partners were Ian Power, Mark Francoeur and Andrew Mills. 

2nd of 2022 and 6th ace in my golfing career. ?

Tony Barnes, Langara Golf Course, Hole #14

Thanks. My first one in 30 years of golf. 118 yards into the wind. 7 iron. Played with two old friends. Saw it go in from tee box. Yippee! 

HAMPTON, N.B. – The NextGen Fall Series East Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards, tees off this week with 65 amateur golfers taking the stage in Hampton, N.B. 

Practice rounds are scheduled for Thursday, September 15, before the official 54-hole tournament gets underway on September 16. Play is scheduled to conclude September 18^th with an awards ceremony scheduled immediately following play at Hampton Golf Club.

The starting field will feature 65 players –50 Junior Boys and 16 Junior Girls – vying for a spot in their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer. Thirteen players in the field hail from host province, New Brunswick, and 12 boys and eight girls are competing from the Bantam Division (Under 15 years of age).

The top 3 male competitors will earn a spot in the 2023 Canadian Jr Boys Championship, presented by BDO. The top 3 and female golfers (including ties) will also earn exemptions into next year’s Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, August 1-4, 2023, also at Hampton Golf Club. 

“Hampton Golf Club is in excellent shape and will serve as a challenging test to this talented field of junior competitors,” said tournament director Melany Chong. “We look forward to what is sure to be an exciting competition and are grateful for the support from the community and our hard-working volunteers”.

The NextGen Fall Series East Championship is one of Golf Canada’s regional junior championships presented in partnership with JOURNIE Rewards. Ella Weber and Cameron Pero took home the honours in their respective divisions in 2021.

For the full schedule of 2022 competitions, click here.

Hampton Golf Club is a 18-hole located in the Town of Hampton, a 25-minute drive from Saint John, N.B. Hampton offers scenic views and sits high up on a hill overlooking Darlings Lake and the rolling hills of Kings County.

Additional information about the 2022 NextGen Fall Series East Championship can be found here.

NOTABLES

Andreas Diogenous: Whistle Bear GC

• 3 year member of Team Ontario
• 2021 Ontario (U17) Juvenile Boys Championship
• T3 at the 2021 Ontario Junior Tour Championship
• Semi-finalist in the 2021 Ontario Junior Boys Match Play Championship
• Qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship

Isaiah Ibit: Greyhawk GC

• Top 3 finishes at 2021 Ontario Junior Boys Championship, Ontario Juvenile Boys Championship and winner of the Ottawa Valley Association Junior and City District Championship

Jacob LeBlanc: Fox Creek Golf Club

• 2020 Junior Boys U-15 Champion

Lindsay McGrath : Rattlesnake Point Golf Club

• Youngest female member of Team Ontario
• 2021 Ontario Bantam Girls Champion

Emily McKee: Rattlesnake Pointe Golf Club

• Qualified for the 2021 U.S Junior Girls Championship

Carlee Meilleur: Loyalist Golf and Country Club

• 2022 Ontario Women’s Am & Mid-Am Champion
• 3^rd Place in 2022 Canada Summer Games

Kelly Zhao: Station Creek Golf Club

• 2022 top 10 finish at AJGA Junior at Southpointe
• 2022 top 10 finish at Canadian Women’s Am Championship
• 3^rd place finish at 2022 Golf Ontario Junior Girls’ (U19) Championship

The NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards is a high-performance junior golf series which totals eight competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2022 national championships, with two Fall Series events taking place in September. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. 

Windsor, Ont. – Kurtis Barkley of Williamsburg, Ont. and Natasha Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. both completed wire-to-wire victories to defend their respective Gross Stroke Play titles at the second annual Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO and hosted at Essex Golf and Country Club in Windsor, Ont.

Barkley followed up an opening-round 4-under 67 with an even par 71 on Wednesday to finish the championship at 4-under 138, one shot better than runner-up Chris Willis of Aurora, Ont. whose round of 1-under 70 was the low round of the day.

“The conditions were awesome tee to green. It’s a ball striker course you know, tee to green which I’m usually pretty good at it. I think I hit 14 greens today and I hit 17 yesterday, so it was definitely suited to my game,” said Barkley, a member of Cedar Glen Golf Course who came into the championship ranked no. 6 on the World Gross Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD). “I played smart percentage wise, and Kris is an amazing player. I battled with him in the Ontario one and I look forward to many battles with this guy.”

Rounding out the top-five behind Barkley (67-71—138) and Willis (69-70—139) were Jesse Florkowski of Medicine Hat, Alta. (73-72—145), Michael Pisaric of Fort Erie, Ont. (77-77—154) and local product Kevin Delaney of Windsor (76-81—157).   

The win marks back-to-back victories in the Men’s Gross Stroke Play division for the 34-year-old Barkley, who won the inaugural Canadian All Abilities Championship in 2021 at Humber Valley Golf Club in Toronto. Barkley’s impressive season also includes a victory at the 2022 Ontario Disability Championship in July, his fourth consecutive win at the provincial event.

In the women’s Gross Stroke Play division, defending champion Natasha Stasiuk carded rounds of 84-82 to finish 24-over 166. The 24-year-old Oakville, Ont., native finished 13 strokes ahead of runner-up Tess Trojan of St. Catharines, Ont. (91-88—179).

“It feels pretty awesome and amazing,” said Stasiuk, who also collected her fourth consecutive title at the Ontario Disability Championship earlier this summer. “It was a tough situation. It was back-to-back-to-back with Tess on the back nine. I’ve been working a lot on my game, my mental game. I went to Pinehurst in July, and it helped me prepare for this.”

For the Women’s Net Stableford Competition, Trojan, a public player with the Golf Canada, earned 39 stableford points in the second round for tournament total of 74 stableford points to defend her division title. Trojan finished 20 points clear of Stasiuk who earned 28 points Wednesday and a tournament total of 54 stableford points.

In the Men’s Net Stableford competition, the local favourite Delaney, a member of Pointe West Golf Club in Windsor, earned 35 stableford points Wednesday to finish with 75 total points for the championship, two clear of Pisaric (73). Rounding out the top-five were Randall Mackus of Prince George, B.C., (72) in third and Willis in fourth (71) with Vic McLelland of High River, Alta. and Kristian Hammerback of Winnipeg, Man. in a share of fifth at 70 stableford points.

Click here for complete final results from the 2022 Canadian All Abilities Championship.

A total of 39 players, regardless of disability classification, competed over 36 holes across four divisions— Women’s Gross Stroke Play; Women’s Net Stableford; Men’s Gross Stroke Play; and Men’s Net Stableford. 

As a legacy of the second annual Canadian All Abilities Golf Championship, Golf Canada was proud to donate a SoloRider (Para Golfer adaptive golf equipment) to the City of Windsor to support golfers with a disability. The SoloRider will be utilized at the Roseland Golf & Curling Club.  

A venue for the 2023 Canadian All Abilities Championship will be announced at later date.

The Canadian All Abilities Championship was contested September 13-14 as a 36-hole competition featuring players from Canada and the United States with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments. First held in 2021 at Humber Valley Golf Course, the competition supports Golf Canada’s commitment to create a more inclusive and respectful sport environment across the Canadian golf community.

Golf Canada has worked with several partner organizations on the Canadian All Abilities Championship including Special Olympics Canada, Blind Golf Canada, Canadian Amputee Golf Association, Emeritus Golf, The R&A, EDGA, and others to ensure an inclusive and fair competition is provided to the athletes.

Tess Trojan and Randall Mackus lead in the Women’s and Men’s Net Stableford Competitions

Windsor, Ont. – Defending champions Natasha Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. and Kurtis Barkley of Williamsburg, Ont. have jumped out to an early-opening lead at the second playing of Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO and hosted at the Essex Golf and Country Club in Windsor, Ont.

A total of 39 players, regardless of disability classification, are competing over 36 holes across four divisions— Women’s Gross Stroke Play; Women’s Net Stableford; Men’s Gross Stroke Play; and Men’s Net Stableford. 

In the Women’s Gross Stroke Play Competition, Stasiuk, a member of Heron Point Golf Links who won the 2021 Women’s Gross Stroke Play title at the Canadian All Abilities Championship, shot a 13-over 84 and heads into Wednesday’s final round with a seven-shot lead over Tess Trojan of St. Catharines. Earlier this year Stasiuk won the 2022 Ontario Disability Championship.

For the Women’s Net Stableford Competition, Trojan, a public player with the Golf Canada, earned 35 total stableford points and leads Stasiuk (26) by nine points. Trojan also won the Women’s Net Stableford Competition in 2021.

In the Men’s Gross Stroke Play Competition, Barkley, currently ranked no. 6 on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disabilities (WR4GWD), fired an opening-round 4-under 67 to take a two-shot lead into Wednesday’s final round. A member of Cedar Glen Golf Course, Barkley also won the 2022 Ontario Disability Championship in July.

Chris Willis of Aurora, Ont. sits alone in second at 2-under 69 while Jesse Florkowski of Medicine Hat, Alta. (2-over 73), local product Kevin Delaney of Windsor (5-over 76) and Michael Pisaric (6-over 77) round out the top-five.

In the Men’s Net Stableford competition, Randall Mackus, a member of Prince George Golf and Country Club, earned 42 total stableford points Tuesday and leads Delaney by two points. Vic McLelland of High River, Alta. is third with 39 points with Pisaric is fourth with 37 points. Barkley and Willis round out the top-five with 36 points each.

The national golf championship is being contested September 13-14 as a 36-hole competition and features players from Canada and the United States with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments. First held in 2021 at Humber Valley Golf Course, the competition supports Golf Canada’s commitment to create a more inclusive and respectful sport environment across the Canadian golf community.

Golf Canada has worked with several partner organizations on the Canadian All Abilities Championship including Special Olympics Canada, Blind Golf Canada, Canadian Amputee Golf Association, Emeritus Golf, The R&A, EDGA, and others to ensure an inclusive and fair competition is provided to the athletes.

Click here for opening-round results from the 2022 Canadian All Abilities Championship.

WINDSOR, Ont. – The Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, heads to Essex Golf and Country Club this week to celebrate the second playing of the now-annual championship.
 
With international competitors permitted to take part this year following restrictions in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the field will expand to feature 39 golfers from Canada and the United States.
 
The national golf championship will be contested September 13-14 as a 36-hole competition and will feature players with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments. First held in 2021 at Humber Valley Golf Course, the competition supports Golf Canada’s commitment to create a more inclusive and respectful sport environment across the Canadian golf community.
 
“We are extremely proud to host the Canadian All Abilities Championship, a signature event on Golf Canada’s calendar that demonstrates our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Golf Canada Director of Rules and Championships, Mary Beth McKenna. “Essex Golf and Country Club will prove to be an excellent test for our talented competitors, and we look forward to an exciting competition ahead.”
 
There are four different divisions in the Canadian All Abilities Championship that players will compete in, regardless of disability classification: Women’s Gross Stroke Play; Women’s Net Stableford; Men’s Gross Stroke Play; and Men’s Net Stableford. 
 
Williamsburg, Ont., product Kurtis Barkley will return to defend his title in the Men’s Gross Stroke Play division. The 34-year-old is currently ranked no. 6 on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disabilities (WR4GD) and carded the lowest score in last years tournament at 3-under 67.  Barkley, who is a member at Cedar Glen Golf Course, also claimed victory at the 2022 Ontario Disability Championship back in July.
 
2021 Women’s Gross Stroke Play champion Natasha Stasiuk will also make her way to Essex Golf and Country Club to compete for a chance at back-to-back victories. Like Barkley, the Oakville, Ont. resident came out on top of her division at the 2022 Ontario Disability Championship.
 
2021 Canadian All Abilities Women’s Net Stableford champion Tess Trojan will also return to the field to compete in the second playing of the championship in Windsor.
 
Essex Golf and Country Club was designed by renowned golf course architect Donald Ross and played host to the Canadian Open in 1976 won by Jerry Pate. In 1998 the club also hosted the world’s finest female golfers by staging one of the four “Majors” on the LPGA tour, the du Maurier Classic, won by Brandie Burton. This year, the club celebrates its 120th year of operation.
 
As part of Golf Canada’s commitment to create a more inclusive and respectful sport environment, the national sport federation in concert with the PGA of Canada has also launched the EDGA 359 Pilot Project, partnering with EDGA (formerly the European Disabled Golf Association) on coach training designed to demystify adaptive golf and give coaches the confidence needed to launch and develop programs for golfers with disabilities across Canada. More information about the EDGA 359 Pilot Project is available here.
 
More information about the 2022 Canadian All Abilities Championship can be found here.

RED DEER, Alta.  – As the saying goes, there’s power in momentum. It’s a saying that Rusty Strawn knows all too well after securing back-to-back victories this September at the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship in Marion, Mass., and the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO in Red Deer, Alta. Nine days separated the two wins. Needless to say, the McDonough, Ga. resident is going to need a bigger trophy case.

Heading into the final round at Red Deer Golf and Country Club, the 59-year-old shared the lead with fellow American, Mike Lohner of Southlake, Tex. The pair went back and forth throughout the day, both beginning their round at 5-under-par. It wasn’t until the back nine when Strawn hit a groove, birdieing three of his last eight holes to pull away from the pack to secure the 60^th Canadian Men’s Senior Championship title.

“I was very fortunate last week to win the United States Senior Amateur,” said Strawn. “And of course, by doing it I got the exemption to the United States Mid-Amateur, and I told the people at the USGA, I said, there is no way I’m going to miss the Canadian Men’s Senior. I absolutely love it here.”

To celebrate, Strawn popped a bottle of champagne and toasted the volunteers, Red Deer Golf and Country Club staff, and fellow competitors “To my new Canadian friends!”. He also commented, “having my picture taken with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is the coolest picture I’ve ever taken.”

Strawn was also highly complimentary of the host club.

“It’s just been a wonderful week here in Red Deer,” said Strawn. “When I arrived here for my practice round on Sunday – probably the strength of my game is my putting – and when I rolled those first few putts on the practice green, I was like, I have nobody but myself to blame because they were absolutely awesome.”

Low Canadian Ken Griffith, who is a member at Red Deer Golf and Country Club, placed third on the leaderboard, carding a total score of 288, his best finish ever at the national championship.  Fellow members, Grant Lee and Peter Innes also competed in the tournament and finished T7 and T15, respectively.

Frank Van Dornick ran away with the Super Senior division securing the title and the Governor’s Cup by 10 strokes.

Earlier in the week, host club Team Alberta won the 36-hole inter-provincial team competition in an impressive 11-stroke victory over runner-up Team British Columbia. Ken Griffith (Red Deer Golf & Country Club), Senan Foley (Public Player – Alberta), and Kelly Risling (Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club) shot a collective one-under to give Team Alberta the back-to-back victory as they defended their 2019 title and claimed the Phil Farley Memorial Trophy.

Quick Links:

Leaderboard
Course statistics

Championship history

For more information on Golf Canada’s Amateur Championships, click here.

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.

Balwinder Sahota, Glen Eagle Golf Club, Hole #8

Hello,

Thanks. It was an amazing time. I experienced this with family and friends. That day, I played with my neighbour, Jazz Makkar, Aman Saggu and nephew, Raman Sahota. We were on 8th hole par 3 and playing from white tees. Hole measured 165 yards and I used a 7 iron. I was the last guy to shoot and had a good swing. One bounce and it rolled in.

Cody Yaremovich, St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino, Hole #7

Thank you! That was my first, and it couldn’t have happened at a better time. The annual boys trip! Yes, it got pricey, but it was unforgettable. 

My playing partners that day were Dave Lengyel, Jamie Hiltz and Jonathan Hirst. Yardage for the day was 126, playing into a slight breeze. I hit a choked down, sawed off 9 iron that flew right over the flag, eight inches passed the cup and spun back into the hole! We may have been the loudest group on the course once we realized it went in.

Thanks again! 

Cody Yaremovich 

Craig Huxter, Glendenning Golf Course, Hole #11

Thanks for the congratulations. I was playing with Kent Rowe, a Golf Canada member, as well as Jennifer Baker and Phonse Leonard. The tees were forward on September 3^rd on the 11th hole and I lasered the flag at 122 yards. I pulled a Callaway Apex DCB pitching wedge which is my 115–120-yard club. The ball was blown by the wind, a little right to left. It landed on the right edge of the bunker on the left of the green and bounced right and spun right across the green, hit the flag and dropped into the hole.  

Glen Erickson, Connaught Golf Club, Hole #3

Thanks so much for the kind words and congratulations! This was a cool experience, my second hole-in-one.

I was playing with Gary Kavanaugh (Medicine Hat) and Brian Paush (Edmonton) in the final round of the 89th Southeastern Open at the Connaught Golf Club in Medicine Hat. I had a four-shot lead after two rounds but by the time we reached our 14^th hole (it was shotgun start), I’m pretty sure were all tied for the lead, or at least within a shot of each other. I’d played kind of an erratic round in the wind.

The second hole at Connaught, our 14^th of the day, is a par 5. Both Gary and Brian made birdie while I four-putted for a double-bogey seven. I was livid about the three-shot swing, but knew I had to keep my wits about me. When we arrived at the par 3, third hole, our 15^th of the day, I joked with the volunteer on the tee box that I would have to hole my tee shot to play #2 and #3 in even-par.

Gary hit his tee shot on the 3^rd into the left greenside bunker, then Brian hit his into the bunker on the right side. I hit a good shot, a high draw with my 9-iron, a shot the wind moved slowly toward the flagstick. One bounce and in, from 127 yards! I think I flipped my club into the air and raised my arms and looked back at the guys with some bewilderment. Gary and Brian came running up to me with handshakes and congratulations. Gary laughed, “that’s how you make up for a double-bogey”.

We took a couple of pictures at the green before Gary and Brian played out the hole. They both made bogey. So, that was a three-shot swing in my favour!

Three holes later, I rolled in a birdie putt on the last hole to win the Senior Men’s Division by one stroke. It’s really fun to be in the hunt!

Coincidentally, I used a Ben Hogan FTX 9-iron to make the ace, the same club I used back in 2008 when I made my first hole-in-one at the Shannon Lake Golf Club in West Kelowna.

A few days later, head pro, Brian Oliphant, presented me with a wonderful memento on behalf of the entire team at Connaught. It’s just beautiful! The ace is a nice accomplishment, but the camaraderie that day and the celebration after play with my friends and competitors is really what made it all so special!

Glen Erickson

Gordon Harrison, Napanee Golf & Country Club, Hole #16

I was golfing with fellow member, Mike Bellerive, and two green fee players whose names I have forgotten. I used a Jumbo 32* 11 wood, and the yardage was about 125 (not measured). This was my second hole-in-one.

Gord

Graham Macdougall, Algonquin Golf Course, Hole #14

Many thanks for the recognition of my hole-in-one last week at the Algonquin Golf Course in St. Andrews N.B. I am a 79-year-old Senior who plays out of the Riverside Country Club in Rothesay N.B. (not Saskatoon). I have a 12 handicap and was visiting the Algonquin Golf Course with my brother, Alan, who was visiting from Toronto. The magic moment came on the 130-yard, 14th hole. Used a 7 iron. As so often happens, the shot was later in the afternoon and directly into the sun, so I did not see the result until I got to the green. Just to bring a bit of sobriety to the day, I made a double bogey on 18 to shoot 80. Nevertheless, a magic golfer’s day. We went to the Rossmount Inn for a nice celebratory dinner. This was my second hole-in-one.

Thanks for being interested.

Graham Macdougall

Grant Noble, Scarboro Golf & Country Club, Hole #11

Firstly, thank you for the email and yes, I’m super stoked. 

So, I had the worst round of the year funnily enough when I dropped the ace. I was playing with good friends Nathan Tam, Taylor Tolleffson and Ryan Son Kee who are just beauties and were just as happy as myself. 

It was playing 96 yards and we thought 100 yards with the wind.  Nathan went up first and flushed a shot into the back bunker. I went and changed my club from a 50-degree wedge to a 54-degree. Flushed the shot to the right of the hole and it juiced back into the hole. We went crazy.

Heather Murray, Predator Ridge, Hole #4

Dear Golf Canada,

Thank you so much for the note and the wonderful graphic acknowledging my hole-in-one.

My playing partners were Doris Ritter and Barbara Reid. I was the first player to hit off the tee on hole #4 of the Predator Ridge Golf Course. The yardage was 98 from the lavender tees and I chose to hit my 9 iron. The pin was middle centre on the green. My ball landed below the hole but was moving forward towards the pin. My ball had good line to the pin, but it seemed like it was moving in slow motion, and I thought to myself, “Geez this is probably going to be one that stops just inches from the cup.” But the ball kept rolling forward and then disappeared into the hole! Whoa! I turned to my playing partners and said, “That is unbelievable!” Next were high fives and texting to my other golf buddies to meet after the round in the clubhouse because drinks were on me!

It was a rush and a thrill to walk to the hole, look down into the cup and say, “Yup, that’s my ball”. TaylorMade black number zero ball marked with a red racing stripe and that is the picture I took to remember this hole-in-one. I retired the ball.  

Cheers,

Heather

Jeff Ostrow, Ambassador Golf Club, Hole #16

Thank you for your interest in my story.

It was a beautiful day for golf, 22 degrees, light breeze. It was the last day of league play at Ambassador Golf Club. Starting on the back 9 and walking up to the tee, I surveyed the distance to be 190 yards to the par 3 16th hole. I placed my tee a yard or so behind the pewter tee markers and took my swing with my TaylorMade 3 hybrid. It felt good, since I knew it was going to be on the green, I bent down to pick up my tee and I heard Enzo say, “Jeff you might want to watch this”.  Watch it I did. The ball was fading from left to right, landed about 15 feet left and short of the hole, rolled towards the pin and disappeared. Steve and Enzo were convinced, but from 190 yards I needed to get closer to know for sure. As I drove up to the green and noted it was not behind the pin I was thrilled to walk up to the hole and find it at the bottom of the cup. How awesome. High fives, fist pumps and pictures! Witnessed by Enzo Pappini and Steve Jaksich. 

After I finished my round and went into the clubhouse to buy some drinks for everyone, I realized that another league member had a hole-in-one on the same hole 30 minutes after me. No one has had a hole-in-one all year on that hole, and two in the same night.  I guess I don’t even get a skin!

What a great feeling.

Jeff Ostrow

John Volcko, Fox Harb’r, Hole #7

Thank you very much for the email! It took 45 years to get my first one and now I’m hoping for many more. 

The hole-in-one occurred on the 7th hole at Fox Harb’r on September 3rd, 2022. I hit a 5 iron to pin that was at 173 yards into a slight breeze on a bright sunny day. It was witnessed by Cindy Bruce.

Thanks for reaching out!

Sincerely,

John Volcko

Judy Chin, Stony Plain Golf Course, Hole #12

Thank you for your congratulatory email. Yes, I was very excited and totally elated to have a hole-in-one on September 5th.

I was golfing with Murray Chase and my significant other, Patrick Kelly, who just had his first hole-in-one in June at Stony Plain. My hole-in-one was on hole #12. The yardage was 150 with wind towards me. So, I played a toned down 5 wood and it did the job superbly for me! I actually have a picture taken at hole #12 and also Jeff, our Pro/General Manager, gifted me with a flag for that.

I do not have an objection in sharing this good news with Golf Canada. I hope this will help inspire more women golfers to come out and play. 

Best regards,

Judy Chin

Justin Ward, Redwood Meadows Golf & Country Club, Hole #8

Hey Golf Canada! 

Thanks for the email. 

Details on the hole-in-one. We only played 9 holes as it gets dark early. Played the gold and black combo (tips). 8th hole. 150.9 yards out. Centre red flag pin. It two hopped then rolled straight to the pin then disappeared. I was the first to shoot as well. I played with my friend Cherokee Eagletail and her boyfriend, her boyfriend’s younger brother and another friend (we were allowed a fivesome). 

Keith Wyman, Mount Brenton Golf Course, Hole #3

I was playing with Ron Voldeng, David Pringle and Mike Smith. Hole number 3 is about 120 yards so I used a nine iron. Hit a high one over the sand trap. lost sight of the ball when it went past thousand trap. When I went to find the ball on the green. it was not there, so I looked around the edges. I found my ball mark when I was repairing the green which is when Ron said my ball was in the hole. I said yeh sure thing it must have run off the green, but then I looked and it was there.

Kody Thorne, RedTail Landing Golf Club, Hole #4

Hello, 

Thanks so much for offering congratulations on my recent hole-in-one at RedTail Landing Golf Club on September 5^th, 2022.

I was with my regular golfing buddy, Walter Richards. We have golfed together regularly for the last five years. I have been golfing on and off over the last 30 years, but it has really been the last five years that I have taken it more seriously, setting new targets every year and focusing on reducing my handicap index which I am happy to say now sits at a very healthy 3.5. 

We were also paired up with two other gentlemen. Unfortunately, I can’t recall their names, but I remember that they are both very fine first responders enjoying some time off by golfing. I was very pleased to buy them both some drinks to mark them sharing this occasion with us!

It was hole 4. It was an overcast day and there had been a little bit of light rain, but nothing to warrant putting waterproofs on. The yardage was 180. I chose a 6 iron. When the ball was hit, we watched it land just in front of the green, bounce onto it and then roll eight or so feet and drop into the hole. A very surreal moment and one that I will never forget, especially as this was my first hole-in-one!

Thanks for reaching out with the congratulations! It was unexpected and a very pleasant surprise!

Kind regards, 

Kody

Latch Sanker, Watson’s Glen Golf Club, Hole #13

Thanks for noticing and following up. To fill you in with the details of my hole-in-one. I was playing with my wife, Rosemarie, and a buddy, Jim Doucet. We also had a walk on playing with us. His name was Jay. I was playing from the blue tee blocks and that day where the pin measured 164 yards. I used an eight iron (Srixon ZX7). After teeing off and approaching the green, the Marshall informed us that the group behind us was on a timeline and if we would let them play through. We waved them to hit on and watched them putt. One of the players was surprised that there was already a ball in the hole. The group was then told about the hole-in-one.

Just an added note. My wife, Rosemarie Sanker, also had a hole-in-one on the same hole on August 31, 2020.

Thanks,

Latch Sanker

Linda Gordon, Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club, Hole #17

Thank you.

I was playing with my husband, Tom Gordon, and Ben and Greg Poggemoeller. The yardage was 84 and I used my 9 iron.

Thank you,

Linda Gordon

Matthew Langelaan, St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, Hole #12

Good morning, 

Thank you very much for reaching out!

Some information about the round:

– Course: St. Catharines Golf & Country Club

– Hole: #12

– Yardage: 165

– Club: 8-iron

– Played with: Tom Rankin, Brendan Robertson and Mark Cahill

Sincerely,

Matthew Langelaan

Maureen Bowerman, The Legends Golf Club, Hole #3

Thank you so much for your acknowledgement of my hole-in-one. It was a real surprise and fun shot! I was playing with Luella, and Trish on the first day of our League Championship. Trish Santo got a hole-in-one in August, so we feel we are lucky charms for each other. The hole measured approximately 117 yards with a fairly strong left to right wind. I used a Callaway 8 hybrid (clubbed up for the wind). Again, thank you for the acknowledgement.

Maureen Bowerman

Nickie Aumiller, Wildwood Golf Course, Hole #14

I was golfing with Gus Gerecke, John Zerr and Dick Froese who are also members of the Wildwood Golf Course. They told me to go first, and I said to them, “you just want me to show you how to get a hole-in-one.” The hole was reading approximately 110 yards and I used my seven iron. The ball hit the green and we all watched it drop in the hole. It was very exciting as it was my third hole-in-one. I had two prior in Hanna, Alberta. 

Thanks for the message. 

Nickie Aumiller

Patrick Hammerschmidt, Valley Ridge Golf Club, Hole #11

Hi,

It was one of those rounds of golf where everything clicked and to make it special, a hole-in-one on hole #11 to top it off.

The 11^th hole is a par 3, with an elevated green. The pin was in front, playing 131 yards and my 9 iron was the choice. I played past the pin, the ball rolled back to the flag and in the hole.

I was playing with two other Valley Ridge members and a guest, my wife’s uncle, who was my guest for the day.

What a great day.

Pat

Rick Atkinson, St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, Hole #4

I was playing last Wednesday with Ed Fox (who was kind enough to take the picture), Bill Longlade and John Giddings at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club. I hit a 9 iron on the 155-yard fourth hole. It rained the entire 9 holes, so we were unable to play 18. It was my third hole-in-one. Better to be lucky than good!

Rick Lambert, Broadmoor Public Golf Course, Hole #16

The hole-in-one occurred on Wednesday, September 7 during our Men’s night (a costly one for sure).

Hole #16 was playing uphill at 120 yards and a pitching wedge was used.

This is my fifth hole-in-one. It took me about 35 years before I got my first in 2000 and it seems that I get one every 5 years or so although at times it seems longer.

Robert Fellows, Westfield Golf & Country Club, Hole #12

Thank you.

I was playing with Dale Price and Reggie Williams. It was hole #12 which is 200 yards but it was back pin (blue) so it was playing 211 yards. I striped a 3 iron which landed in middle of green and rolled right towards pin. Ball disappeared but we thought it just went over back. Dale discovered it in the hole.

Russ Ingram, Hartlen Point Forces Golf Club, Hole #6

Hello,

My name is Russ Ingram, and I had a hole-in-one at Hartlen Point Forces Golf Club in Eastern Passage, N.S.

It was on the 9th of September 2022, a beautiful day for golf in Nova Scotia. It was the par three, hole number six, and I was hitting from the gold tees.  The distance was just over 130 yards and the club I used was a nine iron. The shot was high like a nine iron should be and the ball landed on the edge of the green, took one bounce and curled perfectly into the hole. Bingo! My second hole-in-one, 31 years after my first.

Here is a picture of me taken from just off the number six green that day with my three witnesses, Gerry Locke, Mike Taylor and Bert Elms standing behind. 

Steve Blair, Shilo Country Club, Hole #16

Thank you for the congratulations. 

I hit a 7 iron 154 yards on the 16th hole in Shilo. It landed three feet from the hole and rolled in. There was a backup on our hole so there were 9 people who witnessed it. Marlene Blair (my wife), Roy Demers, Jake Degroot, Stewart Burnett, Dwight Edwards, Jim Renwick, Dick Scott, Myles Hubbard and Bob Cummings. 

Steven Polsinelli, The National Golf Club of Canada, Hole #10

Thank you so much for the kind words. 

I was playing with my good friends, Andrew and Stephen, at our home course: The National Golf Club of Canada. I was having quite an average round when we made the turn to a back nine, I will never forget. 

I was the first to tee off on hole 10. For background, the hole is one of the most beautiful on the course: an elevated tee shot to a green surrounded by water and perfectly placed bunkers. 

The hole was playing 158 yards into the breeze. I pulled out my trusted 7 iron and gave my best swing. At first, I thought my shot was going to fly the green. However, to my surprise, the ball landed four feet from the pin and rolled in! We all screamed in celebration!

I am thrilled to have experienced this special moment at The National, but more importantly, with great company.

Thank you,

Steven Polsinelli

Thom Hannah, Shannon Lake Golf Course, Hole #5

I achieved my fifth hole-in-one on September 7, 2022, on hole #16 at Shannon Lake Golf Course. I hit an 8 iron since the hole was playing 147 yards. I was playing with fellow members, Oliver McEvoy, Steve Gorkoff and Bernie Cundliffe. What a thrill that all four of us saw the ball go in the hole.  

If anyone visits the Okanagan Valley, make sure you play our hidden gem, Shannon Lake Golf Course in West Kelowna, B.C.  

Cheers,

Thom Hannah 

Tom Schurman, Green Gables Golf Club, Hole #5

Well, the hole-in-one gods are in my favour again. Haha!

Funny thing is…it was a reunion of our “Scotland Trip” back in May when I had the hole-in-one at the Old Course in Scotland. Almost four months later, I’m at it again. 

This time it was on the fifth hole at Green Gables Golf Club in Cavendish, P.E.I. I used a pitching wedge from about 120 yards. My playing partners were Ian Power, Mark Francoeur and Andrew Mills. 

2nd of 2022 and 6th ace in my golfing career. ?

Tony Barnes, Langara Golf Course, Hole #14

Thanks. My first one in 30 years of golf. 118 yards into the wind. 7 iron. Played with two old friends. Saw it go in from tee box. Yippee! 

Sanele Mlotshwa, Willow Valley Golf Club, Hole #8

Thank you for reaching out to me. It was a surreal moment that I can’t forget. 

I was playing with friends, Cody Devine and Parker Buckbroough. The hole was number 8 alongside of the highway (upper James) with multiple cars buzzing by. It read 155 from the blues and I used a 9 iron by trying to play it safe by hitting it at the top of the hill. I got fitted two months ago for TaylorMade p790s so I’m playing everything safe. I hit the ball flush and straight at the top of the hill and it slowly rolled down the hill in the direction of the hole. I wasn’t expecting it to go as my colleagues were saying it’s looking good, and it just disappeared! Cody was at his cart and ran as fast as he can and tackled me as they congratulated me.  I was in shock, disbelief and happy all at once!

Great way to start the long weekend with a great group of friends. 

Best regards,

Sanele Mlotshwa

Shelley Allard, Prince George Golf Club, Hole #5

Thank you, this was very exciting. I was golfing with my friend, Louise Giese, as I normally do on Ladies Day. We were on hold #14 at the Prince George Golf Club. I would normally use a pitching wedge but on this hole, you have to clear water, so I used my 9 iron and eased up a little. It was a great feeling shot, it flew over the water and bounced on the green and gently rolled into the hole.  

Sue Wesley-James, Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club, Hole #2

I would be thrilled to share my hole-in-one story! I used a 9 iron and I believe the yardage was 110 yards that day. I was playing with three other ladies from our Saturday morning group at Dundas Valley. It was a shot over a little pond, took one bounce and slowly rolled in. 

It was a very good day! ?

Sue Wesley-James

Thomas Hebert, Brundenell Golf Course, Hole #3

Thank you. I was playing with Joe Johnson and Taylor Johnson. It was 160 yards to the flag I hit an 8 iron. 

Todd Read, Riverview Golf Club, Hole #8

Good afternoon,

Thank you for the email. I was fortunate to have holed out on our 8th hole on September 1, 2022. It was playing 220 yards. I used my 5 iron as it was down wind. It was witnessed by my wife, Karen Read, and our Club General Manager, Jaubron Widdis. I have been fortunate to have holed out on this hole two previous times and it was my 26th hole-in-one in my lifetime.

Take care,

Todd Read

Xin Zhang, Country Hills Golf Club, Hole #16

Thanks so much for your email, which extended my excitement!

It’s #16, 161 yards to the pin, I used my 8 iron. Simon Deng, Michael Pat and Hai Wang were the witnesses. At that moment, my ball hit the back edge of the green, nine yards behind the pin, then bounced forward about one yard, after an obvious pause in the short cut rough (maybe two seconds only), the ball came back slowly, rolled towards the hole, and in the hole finally. Fantastic shot!

Thanks again!

Jackie (Xin) Zhang

TORONTO – The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) have announced Jim Clark is the recipient of the 2022 Dick Grimm Award, the association’s highest honour.

A committee of past GJAC Presidents selected Clark, who has volunteered for the RBC Canadian Open every single year but one since 1984. 

Named in honour of Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Richard “Dick” Grimm, whose legendary service to the Canadian Open and the Canadian golf industry is unparalleled in Canadian golf history, the Dick Grimm Award is presented annually to those who have made a significant lifetime contribution to Canadian golf.

Clark’s leadership was put on display 11 times as the RBC Canadian Open Tournament Chair, in addition to being the CP Women’s Open Tournament Chair on two occasions. 

Clark has been recognized for his work in the golf industry by virtue of the Golf Canada Distinguished Service Award, which he received in 2016, as well as being named an Honourary Life Governor earlier this year. Clark was named to the Town of Aurora Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 in the ‘builder’ category. 

I am so honoured and thrilled to receive the Dick Grimm award from @GJ_AC . Dick Grimm was a friend and mentor of mine for many years which gives this even more special meaning. Much appreciation to the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. https://t.co/NfeGthhg6l

— Jim Clark (@cognashene) September 9, 2022

Grimm, who passed away in 2014, was a true giant of the game in Canada, and in the world of golf. He was an energetic supporter of GJAC, and the association’s highest annual award is named after him.

PAST WINNERS
2021- Garry McKay
2020 – Kim Locke
2019 – Doug Carrick & Tom McBroom
2018 – Lorie Kane
2017 – John Gordon
2016 – Marlene Stewart Streit
2015 – Lorne Rubenstein
2014 – Jocelyne Bourassa
2013 – Bob Weeks
2012 – Sandra Post
2011 – Jim Barclay
2010 – Dick Grimm

Clear skies over Red Deer Golf and Country Club set the stage for a picturesque day in Red Deer, Alta. as the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, wrapped up its third day of play in the Energy Province.

For the third consecutive day, Mike Lohner continues to hold prime real estate at the top of the leaderboard, firing even par 72 to share the lead with fellow countryman Rusty Strawn. A resident of Southlake, Tex., Lohner finished second in the Carlton Woods Invitational earlier this year and is in the hunt for his first victory north of the border.

Strawn finished the first round tied for the top spot with Lohner, but dipped down to second place after navigating three bogeys during yesterday’s second round. After a steady performance today where the McDonough, Ga. resident made birdie on five holes, Strawn holds a share of the lead once again and will look to keep the momentum going after securing a victory at the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship last week.

Occupying the third spot, local golfer and Red Deer Golf and Country Club member Ken Griffith came in at one-under par today. Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Alta. (4), and Dave Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. (5) round out the top five with an even score.

In addition to sitting fourth for the overall tournament, Van Dornick also leads the 65-and-over Super Senior division that runs concurrently throughout the week. The Super Senior champion will be crowned tomorrow and awarded the Governor’s Cup.

Tomorrow promises to be an exciting battle of top amateur talent with an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship on the line. Not only will the winner etch their name into the historic John Rankin Memorial Trophy, but also into Canadian golf history as the field of 156 top senior golfers comes down to one champion.

The final round is set to commence at 8:10 a.m. MT tomorrow with the awards ceremony scheduled to take place at approximately 3:00 p.m. MT at Red Deer Golf and Country Club.

2022 CANADIAN MEN’S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 3 LEADERS

2022 CANADIAN MEN’S SUPER-SENIOR DIVISION ROUND 3 LEADERS

Additional information, including a full list of competitors and scores can be found here.

CALEDON, ONT. – Forty-seven players from 8 Canadian provinces have travelled to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont., to compete in the annual playing of the Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp, which is taking place September 8-11, 2022  

This event’s main purpose is to help Golf Canada’s High Performance staff assess and evaluate some of the best Canadian golfers under the age of 21 who are not currently playing collegiate golf.

The selection camp includes a skills testing portion run concurrent to a practice round and a 54-hole stroke play event which gets underway Friday, September 9^th and concludes Sunday, September 11^th.

The boy’s and girl’s division champions of the 54-hole stroke play event receive an exemption onto the 2023 Team Canada NextGen Squad. The top-3 girls also receive exemptions to the 2022 World Junior Girls team to be played October 10-15, 2022 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont. 

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