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.

Bill Wiseman, Don Valley Golf Course, Hole #5

had my first hole-in-one today which is Wednesday, June 21, 2023. It was on hole #5 at Don Valley Golf Course in Toronto. I used a 6 iron, and it was 163 yards out.

Bob Lalonde, Marvel Rapids Golf Course, Hole #4

I played Marvel Rapids Golf Course in Apsley, Ontario on June 19, 2023. I was with Guy McDougall, John Wilcox and Dave Husband. I holed out on hole #4. It was 124 yards, and I used an 8 iron. Celebrations ensued!

Brad Heykoop, Port Hope Golf and Country Club, Hole #1

I was playing with my good friend Darren White. The distance was 173 yards, and I used my 8 iron!

Chris Stapleton, Yellowknife Golf Club, Hole #11

It was very exciting, it’s my first one. It was a 7 iron from 165 yards over the pond. I was playing with Ryan Moss.

Dave Bowers, Yarmouth Golf and Curling Club, Hole #15

It was a very exciting event for me. My playing partners were Paul Foote, Happy Bourque and Frank Laxton. Hole #15 is 125 yards, and I used an 8 iron. This is my third year as a member and before becoming a member I played in a couple of best ball charity tournaments. My average score has gotten down to the low 90’s. With the hole-in-one I actually broke 90 and got an 88.

Jason Cheng, Don Valley Golf Club, Hole #5

On Monday, June 12^th, I was rewarded with my second hole-in-one. This happened on the 160-yard hole #5 at Don Valley Golf Course. I say “rewarded” because an hour before our 5:50 AM tee time, I sent a screenshot of Environment Canada’s special weather statement to Cameron Tedford hoping that he would be sensible and cancel. Nope! He said, “Since we are up, we should go check it out!” As long as there was no lightning, he was going to play.

Little did we know that it ended up being a record setting rainfall day! It was the most rainfall on that day since 1954. I was in head-to-toe Gore-Tex and double FootJoy rain gloves looking more like a hunter than a golfer. Conditions were miserable to say the least. 

I hit a 7 iron to the front fringe, and we watched it roll and disappear into the cup. What will always stand out in my memory after seeing the ball drop was Cam’s excitement for me and witnessing his first hole-in-one. As we walked up to the hole, I reserved my excitement until I knew for sure the ball was in the hole. Cam couldn’t contain his excitement and was quick to bring out the camera to capture photos and videos of this moment. 

Our threesome (including Phil Bermingham) and apparently, one other single were the only crazy people on the course that morning but it was worth it! Thanks Cam!

Jo-Anne Jobin, Rideau Lakes Golf and Country Club, Hole #8

I was playing Rideau Lakes Golf and Country Club. It was hole #8 from the white tees. The distance was 136 yards, and I used a 6 iron. It was my first and it was so much fun.

Josh Lawlor, Diamondback Golf Club, Hole #3

I was playing Diamondback Golf Club and aced hole #3.

Link Neufeld, Winkler Centennial Golf Course, Hole #8

On June 18th at the Winkler Centennial Golf Course, I made my first hole-in-one! It was hole #8, 196 yards to the pin with a 4 iron. I was golfing with Golf Canada member Stephen Dueck.

Michael Tablit, Copper Point Golf Course, Hole #15

It was a very memorable time for me when I got my first hole-in-one. First of all, the three gentleman that I was playing with was Greg Adams, Lawrie Anderson and Randy Kieper, all of them have a Golf Canada membership. 

It was twelve of us that went on this golf trip in the Kootenays. We played seven courses all over the Kootenays and wouldn’t you know it, I got my first hole-in-one at Copper Point Golf Course. It was about 142-yards, and the pin placement was back right of the green. I was telling my buddy Lawrie about what shot I will pull and told him I’ll use an 8 iron and aim at the flag and spin it back. We were joking about it as it is their signature hole and both Greg Adam and Randy Kieper were close. Then it was my turn to hit so I decided to hit my 8 iron and tee up a little higher. We watched the ball, and it was heading straight to the hole. We saw it hit the back of the green and because of the shadow of the tree and the flag we did not see it go in the hole. Greg said to me, “It will either be very close or in the hole.”. When all of us finished hitting, we started driving to the green and of course with my excitement I was a bit shaky. Closer to the green we only saw two balls, so someone yelled at me to check the hole, so I ran to the hole, and my ball was in the hole. I was so happy and shaky at the same time.

Mike Di Savino, Kedron Dells Golf Course, Hole #12

My buddy hit a 6 iron over the green, so I decided to pull out my 7 iron which I normally hit 170 yards. A nice light swing as I kept my head down and hit it as straight as I’ve ever hit a ball. Because it was so far, we didn’t see it go in. My buddy scoped it with his range finder and told me he couldn’t see it. I said, “Come on there must be a hill on the green and it’s got to be there hopefully for a tap in birdie”. So, my other two buddies hit their tee shots and we started the walk to the green. As we got closer, I noticed there was a small hill on the green so again I assumed it was on it. When we didn’t see it, my buddy yelled to check the cup. I went to the cup and there it is. My buddies came and congratulated me. I took a picture of the ball in the hole and then waited for them to finish the hole. It was so amazing, and I’ll never forget it.

Mike Roberts, Innerkip Highlands Golf Club, Hole #12

I was playing with my brother Jamie Roberts and my friend Dan Dunlop. I hit a 6 iron and the hole was 180 yards.

Peter Atkinson, Camelot Golf and Country Club, Hole #15

I was playing with Rick Hillier, his son Chris Hillier and my son Mitchell Atkinson. It was hole #15 and the yardage was 172. I used a TaylorMade Stealth Rescue #4 and a Vice ball. When I approached the green which is elevated, you cannot see the landing area from the tee box, I thought the ball had gone off the back of the green. I was looking for my ball in the rough when Rick called out my name and pointed to the hole. Life is good, I love golf, especially getting to play with your friends and in this case also our sons.

Rob Duggan, Peterborough Golf and Country Club, Hole #16

This is my first hole-in-one ever! It definitely wasn’t my best round, but I was having a fun day with a fellow member Glen and his guest Andy. We came up to the 16th tee chatting away, stepped up and got a distance from my range finder. It was 142 yards. I grabbed my 8 iron and hit a nice smooth shot straight towards the pin, it landed short and rolled towards the hole. I was happy thinking it was going to be nice and close for maybe a tap in birdie. Then the ball disappeared as it fell in the hole! I think we scared the ladies who were playing the next hole beside us cheering and screaming! We got up to the green and I found my pitch mark about 10 feet from the pin.

Robert Jackson, Eden Golf and Country Club, Hole #11

I was playing with my brother, Stephen Jackson. It was 150 yards uphill with an 8 iron (TaylorMade Stealth).

Roger Anderson, Monthill Golf and Country Club, Hole #3

It was the third hole on the blue course of Monthill. The pin was on the front of the green about 100 yards away. I used a gap wedge, and it landed on the fringe and took a bounce and rolled into the hole. My foursome that day was Della, Bruce and Rick.

Ron Mitten, Galt Country Club, Hole #16

It was a 142-yard shot with a light 8 iron. I was golfing with another member and his guests. I was originally supposed to be out of town, but my daughter was due with our fifth grandchild, so we cancelled the trip at the last minute, and I figured why not try and find a game. It was my first ace!

Savio Dias, Glasgow Hills Resort, Hole #7

I was on my own as I live in Glasgow Hills and decided to play the front nine. It was 145 yards, and I used a 4 hybrid.

Shabina Bholim, Meadowbrook Golf and Country Club, Hole #12

It was just amazing to watch with great friends! I knew roughly the white pin is around 115 yards with the wind and just hit it and it was in the air, bounced right in the hole. Fantastic moment!

Simon Richard, Royal Oaks Golf Club, Hole #8

This is my first hole-in-one, and I made it on #8 at the Royal Oaks Golf Club from 135 yards with a pitching wedge. I was playing with my friends Gabriel, Jean-Luc and my father, Marc. I was hitting first off the tee, and we proceeded to celebrate for at least a few minutes. After all the excitement, my dad Marc (who was hitting last), proceeded to hit the pin and dropped down to about an inch and proceeded to roll a few inches away. Almost going in on the same hole! His is the ball that you see by the hole in the picture. I managed to hold it together and shot a 71 that day.

Steve Shaw, Brookfield Golf Club, Hole #1

I was playing my Saturday morning game with my buddies. In our group there was Dan Cain, Steve Hay and Dave Hett. Unfortunately, we did not see it go in the hole because the green is slightly below the fairway, and the hole was at the front center. Another group was in front of us on the next tee, and two of them walked on our green after I finished hitting. They walked to the hole and signaled that the ball was in the hole. They watched it drop! It was at the blue course at Brookfield. The first hole was 135 yards that day and I used a 7 iron.

Tracy MacDonald, Countryview Golf Club, Hole #8

I got my hole-in-one at Countryview Golf Club with Renee Williams. It was about 110 yards, and I used an 8 iron. It was very exciting watching it head straight to the flag, land on the green and then watching it roll closer and drop.

Troy Avis, Broadmoor Public, Hole #11

I was playing in a Broadmoor Men’s club tournament. The hole was 189 yards with a front left pin. I hit a 6 iron with a slight cut. Unfortunately, I could not see it go in the hole as there is a mound in front of the green. I was playing with Chris Krogen, Bob Richardson and Grant Weissbach.

Tyler Barker, Island Brae, Hole #6

I was playing men’s night with Jake Shields and Jayden Reid. The hole was a 145-yard par 3 and I used a pitching wedge. I had no idea the ball went in at first since you can’t see the hole from the tee blocks only the top of the flag. Then, as I approached the green, I wasn’t happy since I expected my ball to have been on the green and it was nowhere in sight. Of course, I had to look in the hole just in case and there was my ball sitting in the cup.

Vic Rosser, King’s Forest Golf Club, Hole #14

It was playing 130 yards and I hit a 9 iron.

Victor Warren, Elmira Golf Club, Hole #14

I was on the 14^th hole at Elmira Golf Club. It was a 130-yard par 3. I hit an 8 iron from a new set of Wilson’s. I was playing with Bill, Barney and George, all members of Elmira.

Wayne Delbridge, Bighorn Golf and Country Club, Hole #17

I was playing with three members on June 1^st. I stepped up to tee off and hit my ball into the bush. I decided to tee off again and aced the hole for par. This was on the 17^th hole par 3 at Bighorn Golf & Country Club. Ten days later on June 11^th, I was playing with Dean Bachand, Kirk Galbraith and a green fee player. We reached the 17^th hole again. This time when I stepped up to hit, I managed to ace it for real. The shot was 100 yards with a pitching wedge. I guess practice makes perfect.

67 of Canada’s top junior golfers to compete over 54 holes at one of Saskatchewan’s most attractive layouts, with exemptions into the Canadian Junior Boys and Girls Championships on the line.

Golf Canada’s 2023 championship season continues on Thursday, June 15 at Evergreen Golf Club, in Nipawin, Saskatchewan with the NextGen Prairie Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards.

The 54-hole stroke play competition gets underway with a practice round on Thursday, June 15 and championship rounds beginning on Friday, June 16. There will be no cuts in this NextGen Championship.  

The starting field will feature 67 male and female competitors – 52 Junior Boys and 15 Junior Girls – vying for spots into their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer.

The top six players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, August 14-17, at North Bay Golf and Country Club Ltd. in North Bay, Ont. The top six players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 24-27, at Hampton Golf Course in Hampton, N.B.

Evergreen Golf Course is located in the heart of Nipawin, known as Saskatchewan’s vacation capital. Surrounded by two spectacular lakes where the prairies meet the boreal forest, Nipawin is renowned for its exceptional outdoor recreation offering world class golf, superb fishing, camping and boating opportunities.

“Having the opportunity to host a Golf Canada event is an honour that not many facilities get. It is a chance for us to showcase the high-quality golf course we have. Our course management team, staff and members put a lot of effort into providing a first-class golf experience and this is a way to share with guests from across Canada,” said Derrick Tallon, Head Pro at Evergreen Golf Course. “It is our goal to have the golfers and visitors to the Evergreen Golf Course share a positive story with their friends and encourage more visitors to our golf course.”

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Prairie Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards, click here.

About the NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards

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 2023 national championships. Two additional Fall Series events will be hosted to close the season. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. For more information on the NextGen Prairie Championship, click here.

ABOUT GOLF CANADA

Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing more than 319,000 golfers and 1,435 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to increase Canadian participation and excellence in golf. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

For 100 years, FootJoy has been synonymous with golf-specific design and performance innovation.  The brand was born from a company-wide naming competition in 1923, where an associate in the Brockton, MA stitching room submitted a name for a new line of shoes the company was developing – FOOTJOY.

The brand continues to lead and innovate in golf wearables and will celebrate 100 years in the making with the Centennial Premiere Series Wilcox. This shoe is FJ’s take on an unmatched legacy of performance innovation and style.

The exclusive footwear design features an iconic red, white and blue colourway, highlighted in spectacular fashion at the 1973 U.S. Open Championship.  The shoe is packaged with a 100-Year Medallion that commemorates FJ’s history of innovation and leadership, supercharged for today’s player with the very popular VersaTrax+ outsole,  with multiple traction elements that create a system that delivers excellent performance on any surface.  

FootJoy will be providing a select number of Tour players with the Centennial Premiere Series Wilcox footwear at the 123rd U.S. Open Championship at The Los Angeles Country Club, including Justin Thomas, Max Homa, Cameron Young, Adam Scott and many more. 

The Centennial Premiere Series Wilcox shoe has been designed to artfully combine vintage vibes with a modern twist. The shoe is crafted with great attention to detail, featuring carefully chosen premium uppers, such as patent leather, that possess a timeless and visually appealing look. Additionally, the eyelets and ornaments are adorned with striking gold finishes, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication, ensuring these shoes are a desirable addition to any golfer’s footwear collection.

Pricing:

Limited Edition Premiere Series Centennial Wilcox: $349.99 CAD

The Centennial Premiere Series Wilcox is available beginning Thursday, June 15, 2023, while supplies last. Learn more at www.footjoy.ca.

Athabasca, Alb. — After the final round on Sunday, Jaiden Koonar and Anne-Sophie Bourgault won their respective divisions to claim the NextGen Western Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards at Athabasca Golf Club in Athabasca, Alb.

The 54-hole stroke play competition marked the third tournament in the NextGen Championship series and featured a starting field of 112 male and female golfers. There were a total of 78 boys and 34 girls competing.

Konnar of Calgary, shot a 2-under 70 in Sunday’s final round to hold off Christian Flick by one shot to secure the NextGen Western Championship and a spot in the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

Koonar and Flick were tied for the lead heading into Sunday at 1-under. Kooner shot an even par 72, while Flick shot a 2-under 70 on Saturday. On Sunday, Kooner would pull ahead after recording four birdies on his way to shooting a 2-under 70 to finish the final round on Sunday atop the leaderboard.

Bourgault of Gatineau, Que. was co-leader after Friday but fired a 1-under 71 on Saturday to take the solo lead heading into the final round. On Sunday, she finished strong with birdies on 14 and 16 to shoot a final round of 1-over 74 to secure the NextGen Western Championship by six shots over Eileen Park.

In the Junior Boys division, the top six players earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, August 14-17, at North Bay Golf and Country Club Ltd. in North Bay, Ont.

In the Junior Boys division, the top six players earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, August 14-17, at North Bay Golf and Country Club Ltd. in North Bay, Ont.

The top six players in the Junior Girls division have earned exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 24-27, at Hampton Golf Course in Hampton, N.B.

About the NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards

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 2023 national championships. Two additional Fall Series events will be hosted to close the season. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.

TORONTO – Nick Taylor became the first Canadian in 69 years to win his national open, holing a 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth playoff hole to beat Tommy Fleetwood in the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday.

Taylor tossed his putter into the air and jumped into the arms of his caddie after the longest made putt of his PGA Tour career, and fellow Canadian players Mike Weir, Corey Conners and Adam Hadwin were among those who ran onto the green to congratulate him. Hadwin, Taylor’s close friend, was tackled by a security guard while spraying champagne from a bottle.

“I’m speechless. This is for all the guys that are here. This is for my family at home,” Taylor said with tears in his eyes. “This is the most incredible feeling.”

The last player from Canada to win the Canadian Open was Pat Fletcher in 1954 at Point Grey in Vancouver. Fletcher was born in England; Carl Keffer had been the only Canadian-born champion, winning in 1909 and 1914. Weir lost a playoff to Vijay Singh in 2004.

With galleries cheering his every move and even serenading him with “O Canada” on one tee box, Taylor curled in an 11-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to finish at 17-under 271 at Oakdale, walking backwards with his fist raised as the ball dropped into the cup. He shot a 6-under 66 on Sunday.

Fleetwood needed a birdie on the reachable par 5 to win in regulation, but he missed his tee shot right, laid up into an awkward lie in the right rough and two-putted for par to force the playoff in rainy conditions.

The players traded birdies on their first time playing No. 18 in the playoff. They both parred 18 and the par-3 ninth before heading back to 18.

Taylor’s tee shot found a divot in the fairway, but he hit his second shot 221 yards to the front of the green, while Fleetwood laid up after his drive found a fairway bunker. Fleetwood hit his third shot to 12 feet, but didn’t need to putt after Taylor’s uphill eagle putt hit the flagstick and dropped.

Fans swarmed toward the green, and Hadwin who like Taylor grew up in Abbotsford, British Columbia got leveled amid the chaos. He said had so much adrenaline that the tackle didn’t faze him.

“It’s incredible. I mean, what do you say to one of the greatest moments of Canadian golf history?” Hadwin said. “I think we all predicted that this was going to happen.

“I’m not sure that any one of us predicted a 72-foot (eagle) putt … to get it done, but what a way to go.”

The 35-year-old Taylor, who was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, won for the third time on the PGA Tour. He shot 75 in Thursday’s opening round but rallied with a 67 on Friday to make the cut, then shot 63 on Saturday to begin the final round three shots behind leader C.T. Pan.

Two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy, two shots back of Pan entering the final round, closed with a 72 and finished in a tie for ninth, five shots back.

Fleetwood, a two-time Ryder Cup player from England and a six-time winner on the European tour, remains winless on the PGA Tour.

“I played great today, even though I missed some chances, if you like, on those playoff holes,” Fleetwood said. “Yeah, it was close. I just have to take the positives from it and start practicing tomorrow. I got a major next week. So can’t dwell on it too much.”

Tyrrell Hatton (64), Aaron Rai (69) and Pan (70) finished one shot out of the playoff.

Back-to-back birdies to close out the third round put C.T. Pan two strokes up on the field at the RBC Canadian Open, but that lead is far from safe with a pack of big names and two Canadians in the hunt.

Pan, from Taiwan, shot a 6-under 66 to sit at 14-under overall on Saturday at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in the northwest corner of Toronto. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was in a six-way tie for second as he looks for a third consecutive title at the men’s national golf championship.

“You still have to play aggressive, because this course is a lot of rough, but if you hit it in the fairway you will have a lot of short irons in and you’re going to create a lot of birdie opportunities,” said Pan, adding that he won’t change too much as he tries to fend off the group tied for second that includes McIlroy, Americans Mark Hubbard, Harry Higgs, and Andrew Novak, as well as England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if someone shoots 8-, 9-under, because the PGA Tour guys are really good.”

Nick Taylor, from Abbotsford, B.C., did just that earlier Saturday, firing a 9-under 63 to set a new course record at Oakdale Golf and Country Club. That round rocketed Taylor up the leaderboard to sit in a tie with England’s Aaron Rai at 11-under, good for eighth.

Taylor surpassed the record of 8-under that England’s Tyrrell Hatton matched in Friday’s second round. Oakdale actually has 27 holes on its property and is using a composite course for the PGA Tour event.

Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George Knudson, who won on the PGA Tour eight times in the 1960s and ’70s, was a regular at Oakdale and has nine of the holes at the 98-year-old course named after him.

“To have a course record is really cool,” said Taylor. “I don’t think I have one out here on Tour.

“To do it at the RBC Canadian Open is even more special and to be mentioned in the same breath as George Knudson is phenomenal.”

Corey Conners (70) of Listowel, Ont., rounded out the top 10 at 10-under overall. He and Taylor agreed that they’d be happy with either one of them winning the Canadian Open and end a nearly 70-year drought for Canadians at the event.

“I think we’re rooting for each other, but we still want to win,” said Taylor, who regularly practices with Conners ahead of PGA Tour events. “If we don’t win, I think we want another Canadian to win.

“If I look up and I’m second and Corey Conners is first then that’s almost as good as winning.”

Pat Fletcher won at Vancouver’s Point Grey Golf and Country Club in 1954. Although there have been some close calls in the past 20 years, this year’s edition of the tournament holds a great deal of promise as eight Canadians, the most since 2002, made the cut.

“It’s been far too long,” said Conners. “I’m going to be letting it fly, giving it my all tomorrow and I’m sure (Taylor’s) going to be doing the same thing.

“I’ve got some ground to make up, but you never know. We have a chance.”

McIlroy won in 2019 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club and again last year at St. George’s Golf and Country Club. The event was canceled in the intervening years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It feels eerily similar to the last two tournaments,” said McIlroy. “I was tied for the lead with (Webb Simpson) at Hamilton in 2019. Then last year with (Tony Finau and Justin Thomas).

“Looks like there could be a lot of guys up around the lead tomorrow. So it’s going to be a really interesting day.”

COURTENAY, British Columbia—It was a popular win as Jimmy Jones held it together just enough to walk away with medalist honors at Crown Isle Resort, shooting an even-par round of 72 Friday to capture the top spot at the sixth and final 2023 PGA TOUR Canada Qualifying Tournament.

Jones—who lists Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, as home and is the son of the late LPGA Canadian great Dawn Coe-Jones—had a strong following all week, just two hours from his mom’s hometown.

It was just as an attractive runner-up finish for Max Sear, who hails from the provincial capital of Victoria, where the opening tournament—the Royal Beach Victoria Open—begins play this coming week as PGA TOUR Canada’s ninth and final season gets underway.

Sear, a member of Royal Colwood in Victoria, had family and friends on hand to witness his play as he tied for second with U.S. player Carr Vernon, a stroke behind Jones’ leading pace.

Jones and Sear started the day in the top two spots, respectively—with Jones holding a two-stroke lead—and managed to hang on for the gallery that followed. The winner had rounds of 72-63-68-72, finishing at 13-under, while Sear suffered a double bogey on his final hole for a 1-under 71 to fall one shot short of forcing a playoff.

Vernon birdied his last two holes to catch Sear with his round of 69.

With the win, Jones earns full playing privileges for the year, eligible for every open tournament. It was an emotion triumph, he admitted.

“The nerves were real. Exciting nerves, too. This win is going to bring me to tears,” he said, his eyes starting to mist up. “This one is for Mom. She was up there, cheering me on, and it means a lot to me, especially with all the support here.

“It feels, like we said [Thursday], like a home game. You want to perform for everybody in the crowd. But there were a lot of emotions and thoughts out there. Everyone knows golf, though, you have to keep it simple, and that was the goal.”

It was a cautious start as Jones had to hit a provisional drive on the first tee, but he luckily found the errant first tee shot. He had three birdies and three bogeys on the day and gutted things out, which the fans appreciated at tournament’s end.

“I signed a bunch of autographs today, more than I ever have, which is pretty cool and makes you feel good. It’s so special to have my boy Mark (Valliere, his caddie) with me and my godmother, Kelly, was here watching,” said Jones.

“It was Family Part Two up here, and it’s something I will always wear on my sleeve, and I hope to come back here as many times as I can,” said the Tampa-born Jones, who won with the tattoo DCJ (his mom’s initials) and a Maple Leaf freshly stamped on his right wrist.

Jones was also glad he pulled off the win and had Sear there right behind to make it a Vancouver Island affair.

“We had a fun day. We were chatting a lot, and I’ve known Carr, too, from playing college, so it was a good grouping,” Jones said.

As for Sear, it was a bit of a struggle all day, but his putter saved him just enough, until the final hole when he missed an eight-footer for bogey that would have forced a playoff with Jones.

“I didn’t have my best stuff. I struggled all day, hitting wipey cuts again. I just managed it with a good couple of up and downs before I completely puked on myself on the last hole,” he said. “I slipped on the drive (on 18); chipped it out; hit another bad shot; bad chip and missed the putt and missed by one.

“It is what it is. I’d rather do it now than when there’s a purse on the line, I guess,” Sear said, still glad to have played in the final grouping. “I had never played with Jimmy before, so it was nice to connect. Any time you can feel like it’s a home game and play well makes it that much sweeter.” 

Several others made their charges to earn exemptions through the first half of the season, including Canadian amateur Matthew Anderson, who just turned pro, finishing fourth after his final-round 66 propelled him 11 spots.

Tyson Dinsmore’s 67 left him fifth, while Kyle Vance made the biggest leap, with his 8-under 64 that left him tied for sixth with fellow U.S. player Daniel Wetterich and Canadian Raoul Ménard, who both shot 69s.

A four-player playoff featuring Canadians A.J. Ewart and Jake Lane and U.S. players Hagen Fell and Dylan Healey produced the last two exemption spots for the first half of the season with Lane making a par on the third extra hole to advance and Healey making birdie on the fifth playoff hole to secure the final spot.

Ewart and Fell, along with 18 others, picked up conditional playing status.

Did you know that 2022 PGA TOUR Canada Fortinet Cup winner Wil Bateman earned the right to start in the field at the PGA TOUR’s Canadian Open in Ontario this week and turned in a scintillating, 6-under 66 Friday to move into a tie for 23rd after two rounds at Oakdale Golf and Country Club? The 66 moved him up 84 spots on the leaderboard after an opening 74.

Key Information 

How the Tournament Worked 

PGA TOUR Canada, along with PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, are international PGA TOUR-sanctioned tours that provide access to the Korn Ferry Tour and are part of the pathway to the PGA TOUR. Since its inception in 2013, PGA TOUR Canada has held 34 Qualifying Tournaments across the U.S. and Canada. This event was the final of six 2023 PGA TOUR Canada Qualifiers scheduled in advance of the 2023 season. Each qualifier was a 72-hole, no-cut event, with playoffs, if necessary, for the medalist position and for the 10th and final position available.

One-hundred-seventeen players started the tournament Tuesday, with 114 completing all 72 holes. Below is a breakdown of the various PGA TOUR Canada memberships earned this week.   

• There were 15 amateurs playing at Crown Isle Resort. The top finisher was Matthew Anderson of Mississauga, Ontario, who was fourth after rounds of 70-69-72-66 – 277. He, of course, turns pro with the result. Here are the three players who earned status this week:

Etienne Brault of Mercier, Quebec, ran into a nice stretch of holes midway through his final round. A birdie on No. 8 was followed by par on 9 before he birdied the 10th hole and eagled the par-4 11th with a rare deuce on the hole that plays 401 yards. It was the third eagle on the hole for the week and second on the day as Hagen Fell also turned the trick Friday after Ty Campbell completed the feat in the second round.

Callum McNeill, who shot a course record 60 on day two and was in position for a finish that would lead to exempt status, struggled to a 75 and fell 11 places into a tie for 14th. The Scotsman started the day four shots back of winner Jimmy Jones. McNeill will have conditional status this season. 

Crown Isle had been good to Jimmy Jones and Max Sear. Sear finished fourth here last year and Jones tied for seventh.

Matthew Anderson, of Mississauga, Ontario, got on a heater in the much-cooler temperatures Friday, weather that also featured some light rain throughout the day. Anderson finished with seven birdies and a bogey for an impeccable round of 6-under 66. “It feels good. I definitely expected to be sitting in this position, with status, but it’s actually nice to have done it. Having to go out and shoot a good round when I needed it was cool as well,” he said.

Kyle Vance made a big leap of his own via a spectacular 8-under 64 that moved him up 27 places into the tie for sixth and status through the first half of the season. “I had to make it happen. It was definitely there. I had a great practice round. The second round killed me,” Vance said of his 77. “I felt like I was stumbling. The next round I figured it out and shot minus-5 and then minus-8 to finish. We were checking the leaderboard. I knew I needed two more (birdies) and went birdie-birdie to finish. I really needed it.”

It’s amazing what can transpire when your give-a-darn factor drops. Take Aidan Goodfellow for example. The Parksville, British Columbia, resident got over the disappointment of shooting his way out of a top-10 spot Thursday. With the stress gone, he turned in an 8-under 64 in the final round, adding to his 71-78-77 start. The 64 moved him up 27 positions on the leaderboard, but still left him at 55th overall.

Will Stewart from the United States kept a nice, clean scoresheet on his final round, with three birdies on each side and no bogeys to be seen for a 7-under 65. It was a nice bounce-back from his 77 Thursday. The 65 pushed him up 32 spots on the leaderboard to a tie for 40th, but he ultimately fell short of getting his card.

Quotable

“It was a rough winter. I needed surgery on my hip and couldn’t play for about three months, but the people behind me stuck with me and this is for them. A little fight back to show what I have in me.” – Kyle Vance

“A lot less than you think. It was a lot of trust in my game that was the main reasoning. That putter got going. I gave myself some chances and took advantage of them.” – Noah Steele speaking about the difference in his play the last two days (rounds of 70 and 65) following opening scores of 74-75. His tie for 24th left him with conditional status.

“I’m thrilled. There was a lot of behind-the-scenes work to get me to this stage.” – Noah Steele

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

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

Alex Heuton, Scarlett Woods Golf Club, Hole #9

I was playing with my friend Kyle the day before his wedding, along with my friends Mike and Andrew. The hole was playing just over 170 yards and I hit a soft 7 iron.

Brian Jamieson, Bridges Golf Course, Hole #7

On May 29th I made a hole-in-one at the Bridges Golf Course in Manitoba. It was the 7th hole, a par 3 measuring 142 yards that day and I used an 8 iron. My foursome consisted of Bob Fitchener, Dave Rowe and Steven Milligan. It was a great swing that landed probably 20 feet short and rolled straight into the cup.

My partner Bob got to the green first and didn’t see anything so walked straight to the cup and yelled “it’s in the hole”. It was only then that we had a little celebration and high fives all around. It took about five or six more holes for it to sink in, it was my first ace and nobody else in my group had ever made one, so it was pretty exciting.I’m 63 and have been golfing for 52 years and I’m glad I made one now because it was a bucket list item for me.

Chuck Meyers, Whistle Bear Golf Club, Hole #17

My hole-in-one at Whistle Bear Golf Club occurred on June 7, 2023. My playing partner, Sean Wilson, and I actually saw the ball disappear into the hole from the tee. It is the first of my three-career hole-in-ones that I saw go in. It occurred on the 17th hole, which was 164 yards that day from the blue tees. I hit a 5 iron and it took the slope of the green and disappeared into the cup.

Craig McMorris, Nicklaus North Golf Club, Hole #12

It was hole #12 at Nicklaus North and it was pretty much entirely over water. To the front edge was 150 yards and the pin was about 158 just slightly to the left. I hit a soft 8 iron which rolled straight in. 

Darcy Smith, Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club, Hole #12

I was with most of my regular crew including Cliff Riemer, Randy Murdoch and my 80-year-old dad Syd Smith but we were missing Marcel Ducharme. On May 2nd at Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club we were on hole #12, 157 yards to a front red pin. The wind was in our face, and I decided to hit a smooth 7 iron. Well, I must say I hit it pretty well, the ball went straight at the stick and hit the ground a few paces in front of the green, it appeared to hop a couple times and rolled straight into the cup! My playing partners Cliff and Randy all got excited and high fived me! Dad was sitting in his cart doing what he does best, eating. I’m happy my dad got to be there for it.

David Rossall, Dear Creek Golf Club, Hole #5

I was playing with my brother Wayne Rossall, my nephew John Alcott and Jeff Eadie. We play closest to pin on par 3’s and I had the last shot. Nobody was on the green, so it was wide open. I originally had a pitching wedge in my hand but watching all the other shots I thought let’s change it to a 9 iron. The hole was 135 yards that day. As soon as I hit it all I heard was, “that’s got a chance.” I hit the ball as perfectly as I ever could, and it bounced twice and in the hole. I let out a yell and so did everyone I was playing with, the best feeling ever to have in the game of golf. I’m 61 years old and have been playing for 41 years.

Doug Williams, Bearspaw Golf Club, Hole #5

I was golfing at my home course of Bearspaw Golf and Country Club in Calgary, Alberta. The club is in fantastic shape! We were playing in a men’s night tournament, and I was with three of my good friends (Trevor Davies, Jarvis Nichol and Ryan Stewart). We golf religiously together on Thursday nights. It was hole #5 which was playing 131 yards into a bit of a breeze. I used a TaylorMade 9 iron. Needless to say, hitting one of these early in the golf season at men’s night on my home course was an unbelievable experience! It was the first of my life (hopefully not the last).

Eric Normore, Fort McMurray Golf Course, Hole #4

I got a hole-in-one at Fort McMurray Golf Course. The club used was a RBZ 5 wood by TaylorMade. I was playing with Cathy Normore, Carly Davis and Grayden Northey.

Eric Stinson, Blue Ocean Golf Club, Hole #6

Hole #6 at Blue Ocean is a par 3 which measured 198 yards. I hit an 8 iron to a middle pin, and it hopped in!

Finley Steube, The Links at Penn Hills, Hole #15

I was playing with my two friends, Findlay Conacher and Sam Tanenbaum. I hit a 46-degree wedge on the par 3 which is 135 yards. It landed softly on the green and rolled down into the hole.

Gareth Seys, Talking Rock Golf Course, Hole #1

I got a hole-in-one at Talking Rock Golf Course in Chase, B.C. yesterday! It was on hole #6, 174 yards off the yellow tees.

Greg Morris, Taboo Golf Course, Hole #15

I recently made my first ever hole-in-one at Taboo Golf Course in Gravenhurst! I was playing with my buddy Mitchell and Tyler Seguin who plays for the Dallas Stars. I made the ace on the 140-yard 15th hole using an 8 iron with a Pro V1 golf ball.

Ian Robbie, Lively Golf Club, Hole #14

It was 168 yards with an 8 iron from the tips. Also, I was golfing with two brothers that I was randomly paired up with.

Jill Kubica, Noth Shuswap Golf Club, Hole #7

It was during our Anglemont Estates Ladies’ Golf Club Thursday tee time. I was playing with Doris Hunter, Marie Newton and Brenda Buffel (we are all members of the Anglemont Estates Ladies’ Golf Club). I used my 7 iron and I am not certain of the yardage. The score card says 142 yards from the white tees, but there is no yardage on the score card for the red tees. I’m guessing the yardage was somewhere around 125 yards from the red tees.

Manuela Newell, Riverbend Golf Community, Hole #5

It was a surprise and we all got to see it go in the hole! It was Tuesday while playing in the ladies’ league with three ladies who graciously congratulated me, Bev Padfield, Louise Morin and Daryle Pryde. I used my 9 iron for a 90-yard shot. My only thought was to get closest to the pin, as every Tuesday we have closest to the pin contests. Putting the ball in the hole wasn’t even on my mind. So needless to say, I was a happy golfer. This was my third hole-in-one, and it was as exciting as the others. These unexpected happenings on the golf course keep me coming back.

Pat Varley, Seaview Golf and Country Club, Hole #14

I was golfing with my husband, Colin. It was a windy but sunny day at Seaview Golf and Country Club in North Sydney Cape Breton. Colin and I decided to leave our previous golf course after 12 years and join Seaview.

We were on an elevated tee with my golf watch indicating 137 yards. The course had just recently opened for the year so, before I let my bad habits get established, I was just concentrating on the very basics of golf, mostly just keeping my head down. I carefully brought my 5 wood around and fortunately, the ball came off my club just the way I wanted. The bright red Callaway ball soared through the air, landed at the front of the green and rolled toward the hole located in the center of the green and just disappeared. It felt like I was watching the whole scene in slow motion.

I don’t remember too much about the following holes because I was in such a mental state. After the game, when I was returning the golf cart key to the pro shop, I couldn’t hide my excitement about the 14th hole and told the staff about the hole-in-one. I must say the staff was so happy and excited for me, it just pleasantly took me by surprise and enhanced the feeling of the accomplishment. The flag that was given to me by Seaview Golf Club will be signed by their golf pro, Lorne Jennex, who was the very first person who gave me a golf lesson approximately 40 years ago. I hope every golfer gets to experience the feeling of a hole-in-one.

Peter Cocciolo, Fernie Golf and Country Club, Hole #16

I was playing hole #16 at the Fernie Golf Course, where I am a member. The distance was 158 yards to a middle pin. I hit a 7 iron straight at it and the ball bounced on the front part of the green then rolled up the rest of the way and disappeared into the hole. I was playing with my wife, Jane, and friends, Jamey and Karen Farr.

Raymond Barkwill, Cowichan Golf and Country Club, Hole #13

It was in our inter-club match (Harry Young) against Highland Pacific. It was on hole #13 from 121 yards and I hit a gap wedge.

Ron Boychuk, Royal Regina Golf Club, Hole #7

I was playing golf with three co-workers after work. The hole was uphill, 132 yards to a two-tiered green. The pin was on the upper tier. There was a left to right wind as per usual in Saskatchewan. I used an easy 8 iron, hit it short, left of the pin about eight feet. It took a kick and we all saw it roll toward the flag and then disappear. None of us believed our eyes until I pulled the ball from the hole.

Shota Ishizawa, Aberdeen Glen Golf Club, Hole #8

I was playing with Rick Cooper and Ralph Posteraro at Aberdeen Glen Golf Club. I used a 9 iron from 164 yards out. It was a front pin and the ball hit the fringe then disappeared into the hole. A day I will never forget!

Tim Stewart, Lookout Point, Hole #8

I made a hole-in-one at Lookout Point on hole #8 with a 7 wood into the wind. It was my eighth hole-in-one and sixth at Lookout. When I hit the shot, I thought I was a bit right of the hole, but the playing partners thought it was good. Getting to the elevated green, a playing partner investigated the hole and saw the ball.

Trevor Warke, Ardmore Golf Course, Hole #10

My hole-in-one was at my home club Ardmore Golf Club on June 9, 2023. At the time, I was golfing with Ken, Dan and Si. It was on the back nine 102 yards, and I used a pitching wedge. This is my second hole-in-one, my first was in Alberta 32 years ago at Wolf Creek Golf Resort. Now I’m trying for my third!

Victor Bijendra, Langara Golf Course, Hole #8

I was playing with George Mak, Barry Guarino and Niall Boag. I played with a 7 iron, and it was 122 yards.

Xavier Després, South Cove Golf, Hole #7

Great moment!