After arriving in the U.S. in May, 17-year-old Saki Baba of Japan has shown an affinity for American golf. She made the cut in the U.S. Women’s Open (T-49), was the stroke-play medalist and reached the Round of 32 at the U.S. Girls’ Junior and now is into the final four of the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Chambers Bay.

During Friday’s quarterfinal, Baba shone brighter than the August sunshine at Chambers Bay by defeating 21-year-old Lauren Lehigh of Loveland, Colo., 4 and 3. After the players tied the first five holes, Baba made four straight birdies – including a chip-in on No. 7 – to pull away from Lehigh. Her lead reached 5 up after a highlight-reel approach on the 281-yard par-4 12th, where she spun a wedge from 118 yards into the hole for an eagle.

“Lauren’s drive went to a really good position,” said Baba through a translator. “I just had to make that birdie. That’s where I aimed it, and I didn’t expect it to go in. I’m really happy about it.”

Baba’s opponent in Saturday’s semifinal round will be fellow 17-year-old Bailey Shoemaker of Dade City, Fla., who defeated Leigh Chien of Irvine, Calif., 5 and 3. Like Baba, Shoemaker tied for 49th at the U.S. Women’s Open, and just three weeks ago made a run to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Girls’ Junior. In April, she was runner-up with partner Kaitlyn Schroeder in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship in Puerto Rico.

While she didn’t have her best stuff on Friday, making only one birdie compared with the 8-under golf she played in defeating future USC teammate Amari Avery in the Round of 16, the high school senior used crisp ball-striking and timely putting to defeat Chien.

“Pars are your friend, especially on a day like this with tough conditions,” said Shoemaker. “The wind was up and the greens were faster, too, for sure. It was good to be able to just get by, and I know I’m still confident.”

In the first quarterfinal match, Annabel Wilson of Ireland was seeking to continue her winning formula: birdie the par-5 first hole and build an insurmountable lead, this time against Catherine Rao of Camarillo, Calif. Wilson did win the first hole, with a par, but Rao got it back at the third hole and the two were tied for most of the match until Wilson was able to win Nos. 15-17 to clinch the 3-and-1 victory.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever played this course in the wind, and it really picked up on the back nine,” said Wilson, a 21-year-old UCLA senior. “It becomes a completely different strategy. I had to adapt, and I did that well out there.”

The match between Brianna Navarrosa of San Diego, Calif., and Monet Chun of Canada was tight throughout and included some memorable late fireworks. The players were tied when they reached the par-3 17th hole, where Chun struck the shot of the championship by holing a delicate bunker shot for birdie to take a 1-up lead heading to 18. Navarrosa poured in a gutsy birdie putt to win that hole and extend the match. The players moved on to play the par-4 10th (19th hole of the match), and Navarrosa found trouble off the tee while Chun striped a drive and hit an approach to the middle of the green to seal the victory.

“That was a pretty exciting last couple holes there, and it was definitely intense,” said Chun, who won the Canadian Women’s Amateur earlier this summer. Chun will play Wilson in the first semifinal match on Saturday.

OTTAWA, Ont. – Golf Canada, in partnership with the title sponsor Canadian Pacific (CP), announced today the names of 14 players that have earned tournament exemptions into the 2022 CP Women’s Open, August 22-28, at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont.

Lorie Kane headlines the list of 11 Canadians who have earned exemptions into the 2022 championship. The CP ambassador confirmed in late June that her record 30th career appearance will also be her final go around as a player at the CP Women’s Open. A member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Canada Sports Hall of Fame, Kane made her debut at Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship in 1991 and has played in each of the 29 tournaments since. In 2019, the Charlottetown, P.E.I., native broke the record previously held by World Golf Hall of Famer JoAnne Carner for the most all-time appearances at the event.

Joining Kane in the nation’s capital in late August will be LPGA Tour veteran, Alena Sharp. The Hamilton, Ont., native recorded a top-10 finish at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in mid-July. Sharp will be making her 17th appearance at the National Open Championship where she posted a career-best 4th place finish in 2016.

Also accepting invitations to the championship are a foursome of Team Canada Young Pro Squad members and Epson Tour professionals: Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Megan Osland of Kelowna, B.C., Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont. and Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont. The 30-year-old Lee-Bentham, in the midst of a career resurgence, will be returning to the CP Women’s Open for the first time since 2016. Osland will be making her third CP Women’s Open appearance having recently qualified for the US Women’s Open Championship as well as the LPGA Tour’s inaugural Palos Verdes Championship in April. Szeryk, who has posted five career top-10 finishes on the Epson Tour since her rookie season in 2019, will be making her seventh appearance at the CP Women’s Open while Costabile, who currently leads all Canadians on the Epson Tour money list, will make her debut at the CP Women’s Open.

Some of the brightest young amateur talents on the Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad will also be joining the field in Ottawa. Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont., the highest ranked Canadian on the World Amateur Golf Rankings, earned a spot by way of winning the 2022 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., who plays for Clemson University and competed at the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, also joins the strong Canadian contingent in Ottawa. Fellow Team Canada athlete Sarah-Eve Rhéaume will join LPGA Tour member Maude-Aimée Leblanc in representing La Belle Province at Ottawa Hunt. The 21-year-old Furman University product won the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada to earn her first CP Women’s Open start.

Team Canada’s National Junior Squad will be represented by a pair of budding stars in Katie Cranston and Lauren Zaretsky. Cranston, 18, of Oakville, Ont., was crowned champion of the 2022 Women’s Porter Cup and will make her first appearance at the professional ranks. A unique consideration for 2022—following two years of event cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic—Golf Canada will honour select exemptions that were previously earned since the last CP Women’s Open was hosted in September of 2019. That leads to Zaretsky, the 2021 Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion, who did not get a chance to play in a CP Women’s Open last year due to the event cancellation. The 18-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., is coming off a T17 finish at the U.S. Junior Girls Championship and will be playing in Canada’s National Open Championship for the first time.

Rounding out the list of early exemptions are 2022 British Women’s Amateur champion, Jess Baker, 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion, Anna Davis, and, finally, the no. 1 ranked player on the Epson Tour, Lucy Li.

“Together with CP we are very proud to welcome this exceptional group of Canadian and international athletes to the celebrated return of the CP Women’s Open,” said Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “Extending playing opportunities through tournament exemptions has always been an important component of the CP Women’s Open and we are very pleased that these talented amateur and professional players can join us at Ottawa Hunt for the 48th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship.”

The Canadian and international players earning exemptions will join a field a stellar field of LPGA Tour stars led by Canadian sensation, two-time LPGA major champion, and honorary Ottawa Hunt member Brooke Henderson, as well as the defending champion and current world no. 1 ranked Jin Young Ko. The pair will also be joined by 87 of the top 100 players on the LPGA Tour’s Race to the CME Standings including global stars Minjee Lee, In Gee Chun, Jennifer Kupcho, Lydia Ko, Lexi Thompson, Ashleigh Buhai, Nasa Hataoka, Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda, Charley Hull, Celine Boutier, Hannah Green, Sei Young Kim, Anna Nordqvist and Danielle Kang.

The field will include seven past CP Women’s Open champions, and 13 of 17 in year winners including all five 2022 LPGA Tour Major winners.

The final field including additional exemptions (excluding Monday qualifiers) will be confirmed on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. Four spots will be up for grabs at the Monday qualifier which will be played at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont., on August 22.

CP HAS HEART CHARITY CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT THE CHEO FOUNDATION:

Canadian Pacific and Golf Canada are proud to support the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Foundation as the primary charitable beneficiary for the 2022 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. Among the charitable engagements tournament week will be the Birdies for Heart hole on no. 15 at Ottawa Hunt with $5,000 donation made for every birdie made on the hole during the four rounds of the competition. In addition, CP is also proud to support a community beneficiary in the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation in support paediatric cardiac care. In the nine years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, more than $13 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada.

CP WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT RETURNS TO KICK OF TOURNAMENT WEEK:

Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific will host the fifth annual CP Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 23 at the Infinity Convention Centre as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2022 CP Women’s Open. The CP Women’s Leadership Summit will bring together like-minded businesspeople from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment, and philanthropy. The Summit, which will be headlined by renowned Canadian venture capitalist Arlene Dickinson as the keynote speaker, will also raise awareness for the CP Women’s Open, with attendees receiving access to the tournament during the week. For more information about the CP Women’s Leadership Summit, including panels, tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.cpwomensopen.com/wls.

2022 CP WOMEN’S OPEN WELCOME “THE RINK” FAN EXPERIENCE:

Golf Canada is pleased to introduce the fan-favourite Rink hole spectator experience to the CP Women’s Open for the first time. The energetic hockey-themed hole, complete with fan-pounding rink boards, volunteers dressed as referees and a surrounding hospitality experience will be situated on par-3 17th hole at Ottawa Hunt.

CP WOMEN’S OPEN BROADCAST:

The 2022 CP Women’s Open will feature four days of domestic and international television broadcast coverage including Canadian broadcast partner TSN as well as international coverage on GOLF channel. For the first time ever, the CP Women’s Open will also be broadcast on US network television with Sunday’s final round coverage on CBS. A full schedule of TV Times and on course activities can be found at www.cpwomensopen.com.

KIDS 12-AND-UNDER GET IN FREE…

Golf Canada and CP are committed to offering a fan friendly, family event with the CP Women’s Open. To introduce more juniors to the sport, children aged 12-and-under get FREE admission to the CP Women’s Open for the entire week.

GOLF CANADA MOBILE APP EXPERIENCE

Spectators at Ottawa Hunt will experience the CP Women’s Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada Mobile App on their iOS or Android device. Essential features include a live map, mobile ordering, leaderboard & pairings, tickets, breaking news, and unique events. Golf enthusiasts can also use the Golf Canada Mobile App to enhance their everyday golf experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches against friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.

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 Vandenbosch, Flamborough Hills, Hole #11

I was playing with my friend, Brian, and a couple of other members. The back pin was about 151 yards and I hit a smooth 9 iron. The ball took one hop and dropped out of sight. Last year, I had a hole-in-one on the same hole, middle pin. Now I’m hoping for a front pin there every time I go out!

Thanks,

Alex

Alice Melanson, Pine Needles, Hole #4

Thank you. It felt pretty good yes to finally make a hole-in-one. I was golfing with my husband and had an employee from Pine Needle just behind us that witness the event. It was approximately 140 yards, and I used my 4 hybrid.

Barry Nichol, Spallumcheen, Hole #15

I was golfing with the regular Saturday group; Mel Krysko, Dan Vukadinovic and Donn Kim. We come to the 15^th hole and Dan was saying he birdied last three holes and we check for yards, and it was 162 yards to the center of pin. I took my Titilist hybrid 818 and got a good contact and it felt good. The ball was high in the air so at that time, the sun was in our ruses and could not see where it landed. We heard it hit the green and thought it went over. Or short. Walked up to green and could not find my ball. So, one of the guys says, “look into the cup it may be there”. So, there it was sitting in the cup. It had rolled down the green into the hole. This is my first birdie I have made. Came close but never had one. 

Becker Handous, Glendale, Hole #2

Thank you, it truly was a great feeling.

I was playing with three other members at Glendale; Mike Chanak, Ray Elwenni, and my brother, Mohamed Handous. The hole was playing 191 yards and I used my 5 iron. The shot looked amazing but, I thought I went over the green because I couldn’t see it land. I drove down to the back of the green and immediately started looking for my ball in the rough. After spending a few minutes down there, I thought I would check the hole because going out long didn’t make a lot of sense with the club I used. As I was walking towards it, Mike was setting up for his putt and noticed the edge of the hole being damaged and said, “I think you might be in”. I took a look and there it was, jarred!

Thanks again for the recognition and shout out.

Regards,

Becker Handous

Berkley Beingessner, Redwood Meadows, Hole #12

The round when I got my hole-in-one, we were competing in an interclub match with the Inglewood golf team. The foursome competing included Rob Wilson (Redwood), Colin Hasick and Davis Yates (Inglewood). The 12th hole was playing 142 yards. I hit a 9 iron.

Bill Dettweiler, Stone Tree, Hole #16

On July 16, on hole #16 at the Stone Tree in Owen Sound. This was my first hole-in-one and was witnessed by Watson Rowe. A #8 iron was used for 131 yards to flag.

Thanks,

Bill Dettweiler

Blaine Reid, Pheasant Glen Golf Resort, Hole #8

Hole-in-one occurred on the 12^th hole at the Victoria golf course. I used a 56-degree Vokey wedge.

Brett Arthur, Lost Creek Golf Club, Hole #8

I hit my first hole-in-one on August 3^rd, 2022, on the 8^th hole at Lost Creek Golf Club in Beaverbank, Nova Scotia! The Yardage was 140 yards and I hit a draw with my pitching wedge just right of the pin when my ball bounced once and hopped right in the hole. The ball also happened to be a Titleist 1 ProV1, so it seemed like it was meant to be. None of us knew how to react as it was our first time witnessing a hole-in-one, but once we realized what happened, we celebrated on the tee box for about five minutes. My playing partners that day were my cousin, Jaden Griffen, and my friends, Nolan MacIntyre and Michael Crawley. It was a special experience, especially since we got to see the ball go in from the tee box! It felt like a dream at the time and it’s something that me and my playing partners will never forget.

Brock Brown, Westmount, Hole #6

Hello Golf Canada!

Thank you for your email and I appreciate your words! 

It was the 2nd round of our Club Championship at Westmount last Sunday, so it was extra special to have an ace during that event! I was playing with Brad Goulding and Rob Cowan (son of Canadian Golfer of the Century, Gary Cowan). The hole was measuring 204 yards that day and I took out my 5 iron. The ball (ProV1) sailed on a straight line towards the hole, about two feet left of the pin, just cleared the bunker, landed on the green and broke that two feet to the right and disappeared! One to remember for sure!

Very happy to be a Golf Canada member and I look forward to playing in more of your events next year!

Best regards,

Brock Brown

Christine Gervais, Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course, Hole #9

Thank you for the acknowledgement of my hole-in-one.

I was playing with two business ladies’ members, Kathy McGuire and Kristin Hamaguchi. It was the ninth hole and measured 106 yards and I used a 9 iron. The good news is that it was also a round of our club championship – bonus.

Christine

Darsey Lavigne, Moncton, Hole #8

I was playing with Shawn Murphy, Remi Cyr and David Moore. The pin was 183 yards away. I hit an easy 5 iron with a small fade. It bounced at the front, and we could see the ball rolling straight at the pin. I yelled ‘disappear’ which has never worked before…until now because this time, the ball just dropped into the hole. I was obviously fired up to say the least and on a big adrenaline high for a few holes afterwards. Certainly, a memory of a lifetime. 

Doug Stewart, Assiniboine Golf Club, Hole #13

Thank you for your e-mail.

Ed Gough, Oliver’s Nest Golf Club, Hole #3

Thank you for your kind words.

I was playing with my good friends Gil Gauthier, Rick Foster and Rick Purdy. The third hole at Oliver’s Nest is 115 yards from the white tees and I used a pitching wedge. This was my second hole-in-one, the first time being in April 2010. That time I used a 9 iron from the blue tees (125 yards) on the same hole at Oliver’s Nest. In 2010, the hole was number twelve because the front and back nines were reversed a few years ago.

Thanks,

Ed

Gary Carew, Black Bull, Hole #2

The 2nd hole at Black Bull is a par 3. 176 yards. I hit a 4 hybrid right at the stick. It landed about 15 yards short and rolled into the cup. 

The best part of getting that hole-in-one was getting four “specials” on my opponent, Ian Johnston. Made some money on that shot. 

I am 68 years old I live in Edmonton and am a member at the Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club   

This is my second hole-in-one. My first came in July of 1980 at the Peterborough Golf Club. 42 years ago. Wow. 

Greg Harris, Braestone Club, Hole #13

Looks like another beautiful day for golf in Canada!

Our Men’s night group that day was Artie Rogers, Norm Feaver and Neil Kennerney.

The par 4, 13^th hole, had a temporary green in the fairway at 159 yards. I used a 6 iron (Titleist AP2).

At the time, I did not accept any congratulations from the group, as I did not believe a temporary flag and green would be honoured. Regardless, I bought the group a round of drinks.

The club pros Brady Zordan and Cole Posluns have confirmed, it will be the only hole-in-one there as the temporary flag has now been removed.

This is my 3^rd hole-in-one. The first two were at Sleepy Hollow in Stouffville.

Thank you,

Greg Harris

Gustiaman Deru, Nicklaus North Golf Club, Hole #10

Thank you for your email.

This was my first ever hole-in-one after over 30 years of golf. I was playing my casual round with my guest, Neal Rockowitz, and fellow Nicklaus North members, Alan and Kim Cross. We teed off the blue tees that day and on the 10th hole, the pin was located on front left of the green, at 145 yards. I hit my 8-iron straight at the flag and thought it was good and walked to pick my tee. Kim Cross, who was standing at the ladies red tee, shouted “it’s in the hole!”.

Best,

Gus

James Maloney, Humber Valley Resort, Hole #14

I hit a 9 iron and it was 138 yards. I played with a friend James Rottboll, a fellow club member. It was my second hole-in-one, I also had one on number 17, about 10 years earlier.

Jim Maloney

Josh Rutherford, Nanaimo Golf Club, Hole #8

I was playing the third and final day of the Nanaimo AM and got off to rough start and was two over through three. I made a great two putt par on hole #4 and a great bunker save on hole #5, this got me going a little bit. I made a great birdie on hole #6 and then almost made back-to-back birdies on #7.

On the 8th tee box, a member of our group withdrew from the tournament because he thought he might have a broken bone on his hand, and it was just too painful for him to play. It was actually my turn to go, we were exchanging score cards and I’ve never had to deal with that in a tournament before, so I was a little bit rattled by everything, making sure the scores were right my score was now on the card I had. So, I wasn’t 100% zoned in like I was the previous four holes. The hole was playing 146 yards into wind. It’s my home course and I knew to get it to the back blue line tucked behind the right bunker I had to take a little more club than normal because it plays 4-5 yards uphill. I figured the hole was playing 160 yards. I hit a really smooth iron and still remember the feeling of the ball hitting the face of the club, felt very buttery to say the least. I knew it was going at the pin, once it came down behind the bunker, I just picked up my tee since I can’t see it anyways. Put my club in my bag and the group ahead of us and the spectators watching them started to try and get our attention and yelling, “It went it”. I was very confused since I never got one until the members of my group started saying it as well, then pure adrenaline took over and huge smile on my face, high-fives to everyone in the group and the people following us as well. Such a cool moment and a memory I’ll never forget. 

Josh Rutherford

Joshua Lane, Tobiano Golf Course, Hole #15

Hello!  

I appreciate the message! 

It was on hole #15 on Tobiano, wind coming off the water from the left, 162 yards/ I’m a lefty so I took a 7 iron and hit a fade to fight the wind. The ball landed about 15 feet short and right of the hole and rolled down the slope to the left, dropped in the hole right before it stopped rolling. Could see the ball all the way from when I hit it to right when it vanished into the cup!

I was with my cousin, Stephen, and friends Trevor and Dave, but I should add that the twosome behind us, Matt and Riley (one of the pros at Tobiano, both witnessed it drop in the hole as well and came running down to join in the celebrations on the tee box with us, and of course the post round drinks as well!

Thanks,

Joshua

Kellie Howe, Brockville Country Club, Hole #17

On July 17, 2022, I had my first hole-in-one on #17 “The Hilltop” at the Brockville Country Club, where I am a member. It is 158 yards with a big elevation drop. I used my 5 wood. I didn’t see my ball go in the hole as I was looking all around behind the hole for my ball. I was playing with my mother, and she suggested I should look in the hole, and there it was to my surprise.

Kellie Howe

Ken Benoit, Duntroon Highlands, Hole #3

Thank you for sending me an emailing regarding my hole-in-one on hole number three at the Duntroon Highlands Golf Course. I have been a member at Duntoon Highlands for five years.

My hole-in-one happened on Saturday July 30, 2022.

The third hole at Duntroon Highlands is a 105-yard par 3 over the corner of a pond. I used a nine iron and shot a TaylorMade RBZ soft ball.

It was my first hole-in-one at any golf course. My wife and I were very excited.

Cheers,

Ken Benoit 

Laiken Reid, Fort McMurray, Hole #4

I was playing with Jen Dupilka, Jill MacDougall and Cindy Ure. Was 166 yards and I used a 5 hybrid.

Larry Belcourt, Victoria Golf Course, Hole #12

Hole-in-one occurred on the 12^th hole at the Victoria golf course. I used a 56-degree Vokey wedge.

Len Vis, Mystic Golf Club, Hole #7

I woke up on Sunday August 6 at 7:00am and was having my coffee and I really felt like playing golf that morning, but I didn’t have a tee time. I checked the tee sheet at Mystic and it was full until 11:30am. I decided to drive to the club to see if I could get on. I arrived and a threesome just teed off so I ran to the Proshop and asked if I could join that group.  As this group was playing the silver tees, I decided to play silver as well.

I was 1 over as we made our way to the 7th hole. By now the group is getting to know each other and one gentleman asked if I ever had a hole-in-one. I said, “it’s been 35 years of waiting” and he said that “he has never witnessed one and he’s been playing for over 40 years”.

As I was stepping up to the tee one of the other gentlemen said, “just put it in the hole then”. I checked my yardage, and the pin was at 115 yards, so I lined up with my 52 degree Taylormade wedge and put a solid strike on the ball. It never left the flag and landed two yards in front of the pin and jumped forward and then spun back into the hole What a rush! I was so excited and was high fiving hoot and hollering and hugging my new friends that I just met one hour ago.

The saddest part is I didn’t even think about saving that ball. On the next hole, my approach shot into the 8th green hit the sprinkler head and bounced out of bounds. That’s golf!

Len Vis

Majid Kaddoura, Lakeside Greens, Hole #6

On July 24^th, I got a hole-in-one at Lakeside Greens. Hole #6, playing 144 yards. Used a pitching wedge.

Mary Murphy, Hirsch Creek, Hole #6

Hole-in-one happened at the Hirsch Creek Golf and Winter Club on hole # 6. Was playing with my husband, Harry, daughter, Alannah and her husband, Art Sivyer, and my great nephew, Calder.

Mike Dziadyk, Qualicum Beach Memorial, Hole #5

Thank you for the congratulatory email and graphic!

As far as further details, I used my 9 iron off the grass to a blue flag. The scorecard stated 118 yards from the white tees with a 111 slope. I was golfing with my beautiful wife, Regan Dziadyk, who is also a member at Memorial and of Golf Canada. Best BC Day I’ve ever had!

Thanks! 

Mike

Mike Morton, Olympic View Golf Club, Hole #16

Playing Olympic View Golf Club in Victoria, BC. The 16th hole was 121 yards, so I hit a pitching wedge. Ball was within 6 feet and rolled in. It was great. Playing with my wife and another couple, pretty exciting! ??

Paolo Peloso, The Country Club, Hole #6

Hello,

Thank you. I was playing with The Country Club members Anthony Arci, Marco Mannella and his 8-year-old son.

The hole was #6 on the West course. The yardage as per our Bushnell was 143 to the pin, a red flag that day. I played a 9 iron right at the flag and it landed three feet behind the pin and spun back into the hole.

Patrick Shay, Idylwylde, Hole #4

I was playing on Monday August 1st with my 6-year-old son. The yardage was 175 yards into the wind and I hit an 8 iron. The sky was grey with a strong headwind and so I saw the ball land short of the green and roll up towards the flag. It did cross my mind that maybe it went in the hole as I lost track of the ball from the tee, but I assumed it was behind the flagstick or just rolled off the back. As we walked to the green, I didn’t see the ball, so I asked my son to check the hole (the joke was completely lost on him) as I walked towards the back of the green. But then he yelled “Dad! I found it in the hole”, and proudly lifted it up and handed it to me. 

Patrick

Peter Loukopoulos, Pine Ridge Golf Club, Hole #16

Morning,

I was playing with a friend. I was playing from the blue tees which was 164 yards. Used a 6 iron. Hole #16 has a gully behind it so I though it just rolled behind the hole. It wasn’t until we walked up and could see my ball that my buddy looked in the hole.

Thanks,

Peter Loukopoulos

Phil Williams, Beaumaris Yacht Club, Hole #12

Thanks!

Playing with my best friend of 25 years, Pearce Jarvis. I hit a pitching wedge to a 150-yard downhill green.

Cheers!

Phil

Rob McFadyen, Nanton Golf Club, Hole #3

Thank you for the kind words. I had five people witness it as I was playing with another single and they were letting us play through on #3 where I got the ace. I had the member I was playing with sign my scorecard, but I don’t have his name. The yardage was 169 and I used a 7 iron. This is my first hole-in-one, and it was pretty cool to see as I’ve never seen one before.

Robert Brown, Inglewood, Hole #2

Hole #2, blue tees at Inglewood Golf Club. Used a pitching wedge from 147 yards. My first hole-in-one. Playing with wife and her mother. Neat side note, my wife had a hole-in-one the day before at D’Arcy Ranch, her second.

Robert Lynch, Thornhill Country Club, Hole #5

I am a member at The Thornhill Club, and I was playing with two other members, Joe Berberich and Bob Linghorne, when I got the hole-in-one on the 5th hole. It was playing at 157 yards into a front pin, and I used a 6 iron into the elevated green. The ball flight was directly at the pin but we did not see the ball go in since it is a plateau green, but Joe said that he saw the ball when it landed and he said “It disappeared”. That was our first inkling that it might have gone in but we didn’t give it much thought then. We climbed up the steep slope to the green and then saw that there was no ball on the green. Bob Linghorne was first to the hole and he confirmed that the ball was in the hole.

This was my third hole-in-one but my first at The Thornhill Club. 

Thank you for your interest. 

Bob Lynch

Roger Prudhomme, Roundel Glen Golf Club, Hole #1

I scored a hole-in-one on Monday, August 1st, at Roundel Glen Golf Club in Astra, Ontario, using a gap wedge on the first hole. The pin was cut on the front of the green, about 110 yards, one bounce with a short roll and it was in the cup. It was witnessed by Al McLellan and Ritson Linear.

Roger Prudhomme

Scott McCallum, Glencairn Golf Club, Hole #3

Hi,

I had two hole-in-ones within a month! Crazy! 50 years with one and then two within a month. The first was May 7th at Glencairn, hole #3 on the Leitchfield course. Blue pin. 185 yards. I hit a 4 iron.

Then, a month later, June 11th, again at Glencairn. #3 on the Scotch Block course! 171 yards. Blue pin. I hit a 7 iron.

I’m hoping it’s a month occurrence!

Thanks.

Thomson Doucet, Scarboro Golf and Country Club, Hole #2

Hey Golf Canada,

Thanks so much for reaching out about my hole-in-one. I’m an 11-year-old junior golfer at Scarboro. I absolutely love golf and was pretty excited to get a hole-in-one at my home course. My first! It happened July 31^st on the second hole. Red tees. 130 yards. I hit a 7iron. I was playing with my 8-year-old brother, Harrison, my dad, Steve, and his girlfriend, Kim.

By the way, my brother got his own hole-in-one back on January 19 in Florida at the Caloosa Golf & Country Club. 4^th hole. 126 yards. 7 iron!

Thanks again!

Thomson Doucet

William McKechney, Dalewood Golf Club, Hole #13

Thank you for the email. It was very exciting as I have never witnessed a hole-in-one or got one previously.

Here is the information of the hole-in-one:

– Sunday, July 31

– Dalewood GC

– Hole #13

– 143 yards

– 9 iron

• Group Members: Bryan Lemmon (Dalewood member), his wife and son.

I retired from teaching at the end of June and my wife had a retirement gathering for me at my house. She had each guest sign and write something on a golf ball. It was one of those golf balls that I used for the hole-in-one. It was signed by a teaching college of mine, Mariette Rozon. Since I retired, she wrote on the ball, “No one is the Boss of You!”, which is fitting I guess if you retire. This made the moment more meaningful to me as I really valued her as a college.

Yvon Legault, Loch March, Hole #16

The distance was 133 yards. I used my 6 iron from the white tee box. My shot looked short when I hit it, however it bounced just over the last bunker on the right and kicked forward toward the pin. It then grassed the pin and continued past the hole and up slope heading for the third tier. The ball stopped near the top of the slope and rolled back into the hole. It was a lucky shot and was witnessed by two golfers ahead of my threesome. I was paired with a couple I met at the course, Wendy and Bob.

I received a flag from the pro shop, and they took a photo. My first hole-in-one and I’ve been golfing for over 40 years Woohoo! ?

Cheers,

Yvon Legault

Prior to today, there were only seven players who could boast back-to-back Canadian Junior Boys Championship titles. Now, Jean-Philippe Parr from St-Célestin, Qué. adds his name to the list as the eighth.

During the week at Rivershore Estates and Golf Links, the weather reached upwards of 40 degrees. Hot, but not as hot as JP’s putter. The 18-year-old University of Tennessee commit fired a final round of 3-under-par 69 today to clinch his victory, finishing three shots ahead of the competition.

“It’s always been a tournament I’ve wanted to win so to go back-to-back is really cool,” said Parr of the consecutive titles. “It was a lot of fun to play with all of the Team Canada guys. It’s great to have fun too.”  

The back-to-back title and a spot on the Silver Cup with his name on it aren’t the only avenues in which Parr has etched his name into Canadian golf history this week. On Monday, JP shot a second round of 62 which tied the low Canadian Junior Boys Championship single-scoring record set by Calvin Ross in 2017 and matched by Christopher Vandette in 2019.

“Obviously my second round was really cool, but then today I hit a really good shot on eleven and it just really gave me a good confidence boost to finish the round,” the Team Canada National Junior Squad member noted of his memorable tournament moments.

Parr’s name is in good company on the Canadian Junior Boys trophy. He adds his handle to a list of notable previous champions including PGA TOUR player Nick Taylor (2006) and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member George Knudson (1955).

The victory adds yet another accolade to Parr’s resume including victories at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship in 2021, Quebec Junior and Juvenile Boys Championship in 2020 and both the AJGA Junior at Southpointe and the Future Links Fall Series East in 2019.

With the victory, Parr receives exemptions into both the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, S.C., as well as a spot in 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. The exemption awarded from his 2021 Canadian Junior Boys Championship win led to a fourth-place finish at the 2022 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship which was contested last week at Point Grey Golf and Country Club and Seymour Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, B.C.

The final pairing saw Parr chased by Andre Zhu (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Ethan Wilson (St. Albert, Alta.), and Gavyn Knight (Parksville, B.C) who tied for second at 16-under.

Andre Zhu also secured the title in the 16-and-under Juvenile Boys Division with a score of 272 for the tournament. Matthew Javier, who landed an impressive chip shot on 18 for eagle finished two strokes back of Zhu’s lead.

Click here for full results.

With the new Canadian golf campus announced for construction on the property of TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont., I know that buildings and structures will not advance our great sport. Collaboration will.

Embarking on this exciting multi-phase journey with partners to share facilities and ideas, drive programs, celebrate heritage and work collectively for the betterment of golf in this country. To collaborate in an environment that supports rules education, handicap and course rating, tournament administration, education, and so many other functions of Canadian golf.

Golf Canada’s vision to be a world leader in golf contemplates more than a physical building—culture, collaboration, and innovation are critical elements. 

Establishing a campus environment for the golf community to meet, work, play, train, plan, celebrate and collaborate will be a transformative moment for our sport.

The vision that the Humeniuk family and the leadership group at Osprey Valley have invited us to be a part of with this world-class property is progressive and incredibly exciting. Chris Humeniuk and his team have welcomed Golf Canada to align with their vision for this wonderful property—a facility and a family that wants to give back to the game. 

Similar to the 54-holes of golf at TPC Toronto, every touchpoint on the new Canadian golf campus will be welcoming and publicly accessible. This aligns with our commitment as the National Sport Federation to create a safe, diverse, and welcoming environment within our organization and across our sport.

In addition to Golf Canada’s new base of operation, a reimagined Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum will celebrate the storied history of the game. With thoughtful consideration, we will highlight the rich history of the game represented through archives, artifact collections, and the country’s foremost golf library and research resource.

To the honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, the new home for Canadian golf will proudly celebrate your outstanding legacies and stories woven throughout the entire property, celebrating the artifacts and treasures for Canadian golf enthusiasts to engage with.

The vision for phase one of the Canadian golf campus will also include a 30,000 sq. foot community putting green that pays homage to the R&A’s Himalayas putting course at St Andrews in Scotland. A place for youth, families, new enthusiasts, and the community to come out and experience the game at no cost. 

Phase two will feature a new national headquarters for First Tee – Canada that will support coaching education and program development for First Tee chapters across Canada. First Tee fosters inclusivity with affordable access and curriculum that empowers young people to build character through the game of golf. First Tee uses golf as the amazing medium in teaching life skills and this national centre will be both a headquarters for the entire program but also a community hub for Caledon and Peel Region.

In 2021, the Humeniuk Family Foundation and TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley made a major chapter-founding gift to Golf Canada Foundation that aligns with the property serving as the national headquarters for First Tee – Canada.

First Tee – Canada headquarters will house an indoor short game complex that will double as a national talent identification centre for the next generation of Canadian players, bolstering Golf Canada’s goal to advance 30 Canadians to the LPGA and PGA Tours by 2032.

Phase two aligns with a multi-million-dollar Drive Campaign launched by the Golf Canada Foundation to fund the First Tee – Canada headquarters, chapters, and programming along with enhancements to Team Canada’s high-performance program. To date, $39.3M of the $70M fundraising goal has been secured through major gift donations. The Golf Canada Foundation, its Board, and their network of donors and trustees has become the most impactful fundraising body in Canadian golf. Visionaries and true champions for the sport.

Before breaking ground on a new home, it is important to recognize where we came from. Since 1976, Glen Abbey Golf Club, the town of Oakville, and Golf Canada have shared a special connection—nearly 50 years of partnership that contributed to the success of our respective operations. Glen Abbey and our friends at Clublink will always hold a special place in Golf Canada’s history. 

Now we begin a new chapter.

Caledon, Ont. will become a must-visit destination in Canadian golf. The town and the Region of Peel has welcomed this project with fervour, and we invite the community to be a part of our journey.

To Golf Ontario and the Club Management Association of Canada, thank you for joining us in this exciting project. As well, to the PGA of Canada and its members, your expertise will create an environment to learn, develop programs and share ideas.

We will also invite our global friends and affiliates in the game—the R&A, PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, and others – to feel welcomed on campus with their deep-rooted Canadian interests.

I am encouraged by the success experienced by Golf Australia, the USGA, the PGA TOUR, PGA of America and other organizations that have taken similar progressive paths to create collaborative home bases.

While a project of this significance requires adjustment, it will not change Golf Canada’s commitment to support the needs of more than 305,000 members at 1444 member clubs nationwide.

The home for Canadian golf is an enterprise we share with our talented staff and committed volunteers who embrace Golf Canada’s mission to increase participation and excellence in the sport.

This is an exciting time for golf.

Participation, investment, and levels of play have been bolstered by a global pandemic that brought golfers together. Working through the pandemic has challenged every business to be innovative and be open to charting new operational paths.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the power of collaboration—something we can all look forward to with the new home for Canadian golf.

The rising temperatures today at Rivershore Estates and Golf Links were no problem for Jean-Philippe Parr. During the third round of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, the 18-year-old shot a 4-under-par 68 to extend his stay at the top of the leaderboard. 

Parr, who calls St-Célestin Que. home, carded six birdies today, playing in a group with fellow Team Canada National Junior Squad members Cooper Humphreys and James Newton. To spectators observing the round, the group, familiar with playing together, clearly enjoyed the competition this afternoon.

Parr’s bogey on 13 today snapped a streak of 34 holes of bogey-free golf. Yesterday, Parr fired a round of 62 which tied the low Canadian Junior Boys Championship single-scoring record set by Calvin Ross in 2017 and matched by Christopher Vandette in 2019.

“My wedge game and putting has been really solid recently which fits this course perfectly as there are many wedges and a lot of good birdie opportunities,” said Parr

The University of Tennessee commit will look to defend his 2021 title tomorrow with a two-stroke cushion heading into Thursday’s final round. Vandette was the last to do so, going back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.

Sliding into second was Matthew Javier from Toronto, Ont. The 15-year-old recorded his third eagle of the tournament, and second in as many days on the par-5 4^th, to better his position on the scoreboard by one from yesterday’s round where he sat T3.

Andre Zhu (Richmond Hill, Ont.) and Ethan Wilson (St. Albert, Alta.) tied for third and look to close the three-stroke gap in tomorrow’s final round.

In the Juvenile Boys Division, Matthew Javier holds the lead at 14 under for the tournament, with Andre Zhu closely trailing by one stroke. In third place is Vancouver, B.C. native Ryan Liang who came in at 9 under.

Tomorrow promises to be an exciting battle of top junior talent with an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, S.C., as well as a spot in 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, on the line.

The final round is set to commence tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. PT, with the awards ceremony following play at approximately 3:00 p.m.

Quick Links:

Leaderboard

Course details

Championship history

For more information about the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship click here.

It was another scorching day in Kamloops as the Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO brought the heat to Rivershore Estates and Golf Links while wrapping up the second day of play.  

The 36-hole inter-provincial competition came to a close as Team Québec, consisting of Jean-Philippe Parr, Felix Bouchard, and James Newton, extended their day one lead to capture the title by six strokes. Hot on their heels was Team Ontario who challenged throughout the afternoon but fell short of closing the gap that Team Québec laid out yesterday.

Team Québec was boosted by an impressive showing from Team Canada National Squad member Jean-Philippe Parr. In the individual competition, the 18-year-old battled lofty temperatures and recorded eight birdies and an eagle to edge a one-stroke lead over teammate James Newton at 12-under after 36 holes. The round also ties the low Canadian Junior Boys Championship single-round scoring record set by Calvin Ross in 2017 and matched by Chris Vandette in 2019.

“I just did everything really solid today,” said JP. “Got off to a hot start and then just kept it in the fairway which gave me good chances to attack the pins, and then just putted really nicely and made some really good birdie putts. Overall just really solid golf overall!”

Heading into round three, Parr looks to stay consistent.

“Heading into tomorrow, just trying to keep the same gameplan and keep making birdies since there are so many birdies out there,” he added. “Also just going to try to be patient and most importantly have some fun.”

James Newton, 11-under for the tournament, is also a member of Team Canada National Junior Squad. The 18-year-old fired a 2-under-par 70 during today’s round and plays out of Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Qué.

Closely following and tying for the third spot on the leaderboard were Cooper Humphreys (Vernon, B.C.) and Matthew Javier (North York, Ont.). Fifteen-year-old Javier also occupies the lead in the 16-and-under Juvenile Division. Andre Zhu sits second and one stroke off the lead.

The winner will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, S.C., as well as a spot in 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Round three is set to commence tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. PT

Quick Links:

Leaderboard

Course details

Championship history

For more information about the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship click here.

The Canadian Junior Boys Championship teed off today as 156 competitors headed to the mountain-side course, Rivershore Estates & Golf Links.

During the opening round, James Newton’s clubs were hotter than the weather in Kamloops. The Team Canada National Junior Squad Member – who plays out of Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Qué. – carded an opening round of 63 to tie the course record and lead the 83^rd Canadian Junior Boys Championship by three strokes.

“I was hitting it well from tee to green today,” said Newton of the opening round. “I gave myself many birdie opportunities with my wedges, but my putter was on fire. Not only was I making birdie putts but also par saves.” 

Newton’s 9-under-par 63 included an impressive seven birdies and an eagle on the 18^th that marked the highlight of the 18-year-old’s day. He finished the round without a single blemish on this scorecard.

“My thought process tomorrow is going to be the same as it was today,” he added. “Stay patient and stay positive.” 

A four-way tie for second chased Newton throughout the day, each finishing at six-under.

Vernon, B.C. native and Team Canada National Junior Squad member Cooper Humphreys saw a solid, bogey-free round with an eagle on his 13^th hole. Humphreys won the Juvenile Boys Division last year during the 2021 Canadian Junior Boys Championship and has recently committed to Oregon State University.

“Today I hit the ball well and did a good job of minimizing my mistakes,” shared Humphreys. “I worked on my putting after and I think I found something that should help in the next few days!”

Antoine Jasmin from Blainville, Qué. found his groove on the last four holes leading to four consecutive birdies out of his total of eight. The 16-year-old plays out of Club de golf le Blainvillier.

Eighteen-year-old Denby Carswell carded seven birdies and one bogey. The Burnaby, B.C. resident graduated from high school in May 2022.

Matthew Javier also made eagle on 18. The 15-year-old hails from North York, Ont. and plays out of Scarboro Golf & Country Club.

In addition to tying for second in the individual competition today, Antoine Jasmin and Matthew Javier also share a piece of the lead in the 16-and-under Juvenile division. Each fired a round of 66 today.

Defending champions Team Québec consisting of Jean-Philippe Parr, Felix Bouchard, and James Newton, jumped out to an early lead in the 36-hole inter-provincial team competition. The trio combined for a score of 11 under par and a five-stroke lead over Team Ontario.

The winner will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, S.C., as well as a spot in 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Round two is set to commence tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. PT

Quick Links:

Leaderboard

Course details

Championship history

For more information about the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship click here.

Golf Canada’s 2022 championship season continues at Rivershore Estate & Golf Links in Kamloops, B.C. for the 83^rd playing of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, from Aug. 7-10.

This national championship, which was first held in 1938 in London, Ont., offers an opportunity for the top junior male golfers from coast-to-coast to compete against the best in their class in a 72-hole stroke play competition. This year, 156 players will clash on the west coast of Canada aiming to add the Silver Cup to their trophy cases.

“Golf Canada is excited to return to British Columbia for the Canadian Junior Boys Championship,” said tournament director Daniel Suppa. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the juniors play at the highest level this week. The calibre of this year’s field is amongst the best we’ve seen in recent history, and I know I will be thoroughly impressed. We’re confident that Rivershore will prove as a testy challenge as these elite juniors look to showcase their talents.”

Designed by Robert Jones Sr., Rivershore Estate & Golf Links is setup uniquely as a links-styled course that is buried in a desert-like setting and protected by the sagebrush hills above. Nestled along the shores of the South Thompson River, this championship course features 95 bunkers that are moderately surrounded by water hazards and other areas that will cause havoc for players of all calibres. The par-72 will play at a maximum of 6,852 yards for the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

The championship has served as a significant milestone in several professional and amateur careers. Before playing on the PGA Tour, Abbotsford, B.C., native Nick Taylor captured the 2006 Canadian Junior Boys title. The championship counts Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowan and Doug Roxburgh among its winners.

Headlining this year’s pool of competitors is none other than the defending champion, Jean-Phillippe Parr. In 2021, the 18-year-old made pars on the final eight holes at Club de Golf Vallée du Richlieu in his home province of Québec, to claim the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. The St Célestin, Qué., native carded rounds of 65-73-66-74 for a total score of 10-under par en route to the one-stroke victory.

Parr, a member of Team Canada’s National Junior Squad, returns this year looking to become the ninth back-to-back winner in the tournament’s history, and first since fellow Quebec-native Christopher Vandette accomplished the feat in 2018 and 2019.

Looking to spoil Parr’s attempt at a title defence are 11 of the remaining 12 players on the National Junior Squad, including Cooper Humphreys (Vernon, B.C.), who finished as the runner-up to Parr in last year’s competition. Eric Zhao (North York, Ont.), Ethan Wilson (St Albert, Alta.) and Félix Bouchard (Otterburn Park, Qué.), who won gold for Team Canada alongside Humphreys at the 2022 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup, are also in the field.

Ben MacLean (Niagara Falls, Ont.), James Newton (Ottawa, Ont.) and Owen Kim (Oakville, Ont.), who each secured top-10 finishes in 2021, are also returning to bid for the national title. Gavyn Knight (Parksville, B.C.), Malik Dao (Notre-Dame-de-Île-Perrot, Que.) and Mathieu Lafontaine (Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que.) round out the Team Canada contingent.

Returning this year is the interprovincial team competition. The interprovincial championship, first held in 1959, will be played in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the competition, with three-player teams vying for the team title. In rounds one and two the best two scores of the three golfers from each provincial team count towards the team’s score. The lowest aggregate score over rounds one and two determines the champion.

Team Québec are the reigning champions. Christopher Vandette and Laurent Desmarchais – who are coming off an interprovincial championship win at the 2022 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship – accompanied Logan Boucher at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club in New Brunswick and bested the Albertans by eight strokes in 2019.

The Juvenile division – a subdivision for boys 16 and under – remains in place this year and will run concurrently with the Junior division through the 72-hole competition. Humphreys was awarded the Jack Bailey Trophy in 2021, winning by a commanding 13 strokes over runner-up Zhao. Since its inception in 1970, only ten players have won both the Junior and Juvenile division titles.

New to this year’s tournament is a purse payout. To align with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship will now compete for a purse of $8,000 CAD. Amateur golfers may accept prize money up to a maximum of $1,200 CAD, and payouts will be awarded to the top-10 finishers and ties.

Practice rounds are scheduled for August 6^th, followed by the official tee off to the championship on August 7^th. A champion will be crowned at the conclusion of the final round on August 10^th. The field will be reduced to the low 70 players (including ties) at the halfway point of the competition.  

The winner will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, S.C., as well as a spot in 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

For more information about the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship click here.

Pathways to success often depend on access to experiences and opportunities. Unfortunately, across Canada, many children all too often lack the resources or access to empowering extracurricular activities, such as sports or organized recreation.

Knowing the positive impact that sport can have on a child’s life, Golf Canada’s junior programming through First Tee strives to break down barriers to accessing the game of golf. First Tee – Canada provides inclusive youth development activities to participants as young as five years old, using golf as a vehicle to support the personal growth and confidence of children.  

First Tee – Canada programming is offered at golf courses, schools, and community centres in regions across the country with specifically designed curriculum and instructor training for each of these impactful learning environments.

On traditional Musqueam First Nation territory alongside the Fraser River lies The Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy. This tree-lined golf course and driving range [in/near Vancouver, B.C.] is home to First Tee – British Columbia.

The delivery of First Tee – BC programming at Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy began in the fall of 2021 and despite the program’s infancy, there has been an outpouring of positive feedback from the community.

“These kids have been using golf as an outlet, (and) feel a sense of inclusion and safety at the golf course,” says Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy General Manager Kumi Kimura. “They never knew how much fun golf was and that it [can] help as a healthy escape from [a sometimes] not so healthy world.”

Registration for 12 participant spots fills up quickly. The hour-long sessions are grouped by age, varying from seven to 12, and coached by PGA of Canada professional Kelvin Ko and First-Tee Certified Coach Jody Kinsman. Along with learning the fundamental skills of golf, children experience the opportunity to develop or further reinforce many of the life skills and values learned through sport.

Kimura shared a personal story of the opportunity First Tee – BC presented to siblings participating in the program—children who were dealing with familial troubles at home and seeking a positive outlet.

For some children, sport can the mean the world; a positive escape where individuals learn about themselves, build confidence, understand commitment, and develop healthy habits—all values worth carrying for life. Together with the support and generosity of donors, First Tee – BC and Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy have introduced the sport of golf to children who might not have otherwise experienced the game.

Golf has often battled a perception that the game is exclusive to the affluent. By creating “hubs” consisting of schools, community centres, and accessible golf courses within a small radius, First Tee – Canada is working to debunk that perception, one community at a time. And with a strong philanthropic community of donors supporting First Tee – Canada, many program locations provide equipment and offer registration at no cost.

In striving to be a world leader in the sport, Golf Canada is committed to changing the face of golf to better reflect the multicultural strength of the Canadian population. First Tee – Canada is providing opportunities, relationships, and experiences for children that are laying the foundation for a more diverse game.

“I believe these are stories that need to be told,” says Kimura. “Golf is no longer an elitist game, but a game for all people, in the good time and the bad.”

The relationship that First Tee – BC has created with the Musqueam community, and the positive impact on participants is a testament to the power of sport, and better yet, the future legacy of First Tee – Canada. 

The program’s impact on youth is reflective of the facility’s impact in its community. The name Musqueam relates back to the flowering plant, məθkʷəy̓, which grows in the Fraser River estuary. Like flowers, children grow and develop in different ways, in a healthy, safe, enriching environment.

By virtue of the land, the collaborative efforts of First Tee – BC, Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy and the game of golf, for every flower that blooms this summer, a child will too.