OTTAWA, Ont. – Hinged between two of the biggest tournaments in Canadian women’s amateur golf was one of the most monumental moments in Canadian golf history.

Last Friday, Monet Chun captured the 108^th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. This Friday, a champion will be named at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship; and in between, Brooke Henderson became the first-ever two-time major champion in Canadian golf history.

All that to say, timing is everything and for the junior girls teeing it up at The Marshes Golf Club this week, the timing couldn’t have been better. On the ten-year anniversary of Henderson’s win in 2012, 137 players will compete for the 67^th Canadian Junior Girls Championship beginning Tuesday, July 26 and wrapping up Friday, July 29.

For some, it will be a first chance to compete on the national stage. For others, it will be the last of their junior careers. But, for all, it will represent an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the winningest golfer in Canadian history.

“Moments like yesterday matter for these girls,” said Tournament Director Josée Matte. “We’re excited to host a strong field of competitors this week at The Marshes Golf Club and watch as the future of Canadian women’s golf chase a national championship in the nation’s capital.”

Five of Team Canada’s National Junior Squad members will be in the field this week in Ottawa, Ont.: Anne-Léa Lavoie (Québec, Qué.); Ella Weber (Burlington, Ont.); Luna Lu (Burnaby, B.C.); Martina Yu (Coquitlam, B.C.); and Yeji Kwon (Port Coquitlam, B.C.).

Also in the field are three top-10 finishers from last week’s Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship: Alissa Xu (Richmond Hill, Ont.), who finished in 2^nd place, as well as Kelly Zhao (Richmond Hill, Ont.) and Vanessa Borovilos (Etobicoke, Ont.) who recorded T5 finishes.

Peyton Costabile of Ayr, Ont., as well as U19 Alberta Junior Girls champion, Eileen Park, and Ontario Women’s Amateur champion, Carlee Meilleur are among the other notable names pencilled into the draw in the nation’s capital.

Returning this year is the inter-provincial team competition. The inter-provincial championship 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 British Columbia – composed of Angela Zhang, Cindy Koira and Erin Lee – are the reigning champions from 2019.

The Juvenile division remains in place this year and will run concurrently with the Junior division through the 72-hole competition. The Juvenile division is for girls 16 and under. Luna Lu, of Burnaby, B.C., was the runner-up in the Juvenile division last year and will be in the field this week.

New to this year’s tournament is a purse payout. To align with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Women’s Junior 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.

The winner also receives an exemption into the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Ashburn Golf Club in Halifax, N.S., as well as the 2023 U.S. Junior Girls Championship.

Previous winners of the Canadian Junior Girls Championship include Brooke Henderson (2012), Alena Sharp (1999), and Sandra Post (1964-66).

For more information on the 2022 Canadian Junior Girls Championship click here.

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France – Brooke Henderson’s six-year wait for a second major championship title is over.

The Canadian ended a wild final round at the Evian Championship by rolling in an 8-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to win by one stroke on Sunday.

Henderson, a native of Smiths Falls, Ont., was soaked in champagne by fellow players on the 18th green after an even-par round of 71 that saw her finish on 17-under 267 and ahead of Sophia Schubert, an LPGA rookie who was one of many to make a run at Henderson at Evian Resort Golf Club.

Five players were tied for third a further shot back: Mao Saigo (64), Lydia Ko (66), Charley Hull (67), Hyo Joo Kim (67) and Carlota Ciganda (68).

Henderson, who won the Women’s PGA Championship in 2016 at the age of 18, started the final round with a two-shot lead over So Yeon Ryu. It was wiped out after the first hole thanks to a birdie from Ryu and a bogey from Henderson.

“My coach, my dad, and my mom’s support, and of course Brit (Henderson, her sister and caddie) who’s out there all the time with me, it’s just amazing, and it’s going to be really cool whenwe can all celebrate together.

So began a crazy final round of the fourth major of year, featuring four-putts from Henderson and Ryu, a spectator picking up a ball that dribbled into the rough and landed by her feet and _ at one stage on the back nine _ a seven-way tie for the lead.

In total, there were 13 changes of leader, with Henderson only knocked out of it – briefly – when Schubert (68) made birdie at No. 12 to move onto 15 under.

Henderson held herself together and managed to keep pace with Schubert with birdies at Nos. 14 and 15. The pair were tied for the lead after reaching the 18th, with Schubert playing in the group ahead of Henderson.

Schubert’s birdie putt came to rest barely an inch from the cup just after Henderson had a wild hook off the tee, only for the ball to ricochet off the trees and back out to the rough.

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Henderson laid up and, from 107 yards, sent her third shot to 8 feet. The birdie putt never looked like missing and Henderson bent her knees as the ball fell into the cup.

She was a major winner again.

Henderson will headline the stellar field teeing it up at the CP Women’s Open in Ottawa at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club from Aug. 22-28. Click here to purchase tickets.
 

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) – Brooke Henderson stood over a birdie putt from three feet at the 18th green, a three-shot lead going into the final round of the Evian Championship seemingly at her mercy.

For the first time on Saturday – maybe all week, given her dominance of the fourth women’s major of the year – her putting stroke let her down.

Henderson missed it left, to gasps from spectators around the green at Evian Resort Golf Club. The Canadian couldn’t believe it. Probably those hoping to chase her down on Sunday, too.

Seeking her second major title after the Women’s PGA Championship in 2016, Henderson had to settle for a 3-under 68 in the third round and a two-shot lead on 17-under par – two off the 54-hole record for the tournament.

She is still in a position of strength after opening with two straight 64s, but that missed putt at No. 18 might prove costly.

The closest challengers to Henderson are a former No. 1 and a player breaking new personal ground at a major.

So Yeon Ryu, a two-time major winner from South Korea, shot 65 after three birdies on her last four holes and was alone in second place. The top-ranked player in 2017, when she won the ANA Inspiration for her second major, she hasn’t been in contention this deep into one of women’s golf’s biggest five tournaments for three years.

Two strokes further back on 13 under was Sophia Schubert, ranked No. 283 and without a top-50 finish in a major. The American birdied her last four holes for a 66 and was in new territory alone in third place in just her fifth appearance in a major.

Olympic champion Nelly Korda started the third round in second place, three strokes behind Henderson, but could shoot only even-par 71 _ the worst score of the current top 20 on a warm and still day when only a few tough pin placements kept very low scores off cards.

Korda was on 11 under overall, six shots off the lead and in a five-way tie for sixth with, among others, top-ranked Jin Young Ko (67).

Above them in a tie for fourth place, five behind Henderson, were Carlota Ciganda (67) and Sei Young Kim (68).

If the end to the 2021 tournament is anything to go by, there’s plenty to play for on Sunday.

Minjee Lee made up a seven-shot deficit to third-round leader Lee Jeong-eun in the final round last year and beat her in a playoff.

KITCHENER, Ont. – On a day where her idol, Brooke Henderson, made history overseas, Monet Chun added her own name to the record books by winning the 108^th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

Chun, 21, fired an even-par 73 to win the national championship by two shots over Alissa Xu. With the win comes an exemption into the CP Women’s Open at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, August 22-28, as well as a spot in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, August 8-14, at Chambers Bay.

“I was coming into this week just trying to put together a couple of good rounds, but I’m happy that it worked out,” said Chun. “Coming into the stretch was a little bit stressful just because it was getting pretty close there, but I didn’t really change too much in my game.”

With a six-stroke advantage entering the day, the stage was set for Monet Chun on Friday at Westmount Golf & Country Club, and she did not disappoint. All day, crowds followed the lead group through the fairways at Westmount Golf & Country Club and the support did not go unnoticed.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a crowd that big following me around. It’s pretty cool to get some local people just watching and, yeah, I had a lot of fun,” said the Michigan University product.  

Along with the Duchess of Connaught Gold Cup, Chun will take home a cheque of $1,200. To align with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, competed for a purse of $8,000 CAD. Along with Chun, top-10 finishers and ties earned a piece of the prize money.

With Lauren Zaretsky’s win in 2021, the pair become the first Canadian duo to win back-to-back since Henderson and Augusta James did it in 2013 and 2014.

“Following in their footsteps is a big thing, just as a Canadian… I don’t know, it’s nice and a lot of fun,” Chun said, at a loss for words.

Team Canada Stollery Family Women’s Head Coach, Salimah Mussani, followed the final pairing and couldn’t be happier for not only Chun, but women’s golf in Canada.

“This is best case scenario,” said Mussani. “It was definitely something that was important to us, some national pride to have a Canadian win this and for it to be a member of our team, it was definitely special,” said Mussani.

Although she made it look easy this week, that wasn’t always the case for Chun who admits she struggled with her game a short time ago. With hard work and patience came a national championship and memories that will last a lifetime.

“It’s been a huge couple of years just grinding it out,” said Chun. “Coming out here today and having this win is huge for me,” said Chun. “It seems like my game is coming towards where it should be or going in the right direction, so I’m happy.”

Chun’s range session following her second round 78 was a turning point in the week for the champion, and though Mussani was there for pointers, she directed all the credit to the player for putting in the work.

“She knows what she needs to take care of, she knows her putting needs to be key here, we did a lot of work on that. She focused on it, she spent the time in the mornings and after her rounds and she took care of business,” said Mussani. “She just gets things done.”

Xu gave Chun a run for her money, firing a found-under par 69 to finish as the runner-up. The 16-year-old rolled in six birdies to post her second round under par for the tournament. In third was the Newport Beach, Calif. native, Katherine Muzi, and Team Canada National Junior Squad member Lauren Kim with a score of even-par over the 72-hole championship.

Team British Columbia took home the Interprovincial Team Trophy with a five stroke victory over Team Quebec.

For the full leaderboard click here.

The 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship will be played at Ashburn Golf Club in Halifax, N.S. Dates are to be announced at a later time.

GLENEAGLES, Scotland (AP) – Chasing a maiden senior major title, Darren Clarke opened a two-shot lead at the Senior British Open after the second round at Gleneagles Friday.

Clarke, from Northern Ireland, shot a 3-under 67 that left him alone on top of the leaderboard, at 8 under. He had two bogeys and a birdie on the front nine but an excellent back nine punctuated by four birdies.

“Around the front nine today, I was so-so,” Clarke said. “My right foot slipped a couple of times but apart from that I played really nicely.”

Scott Parel of the United States was two back after an up and down 68.

A group of seven players with nine major championships between them was three strokes off the lead. It included four-time winner Bernhard Langer, Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els, David Frost, 2016 champion Paul Broadhurst, Stephen Ames and Jerry Kelly.

Colin Montgomerie, 2018 champion Miguel Angel Jimenez, Miguel Angel Martin, Steven Alker and Glen Day were four shots off the lead.

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) – Brooke Henderson is setting the pace in record-breaking style at the Evian Championship.

The Canadian shot a second straight 7-under 64 to take a three-stroke lead after the second round of the fourth major of the year on Friday.

She is the first player in the history of the U.S. LPGA to begin a major with two rounds of 64 or lower.

And Henderson, who is 14 under for the tournament, thinks there’s a reason for her fast start.

“I’ve been having a lot of crepes in France,” she said, smiling. “To keep the momentum going, I’d better have some more.”

Nelly Korda is the only player in the 132-woman field within four shots of Henderson.

The Olympic champion and former No. 1 was three back, having finished birdie-eagle at the picturesque Evian Resort Golf Club to shoot 67.

It is Korda’s fifth event since returning to competitive action after more than four months out because of surgery on a blood clot on her arm.

South Korean players Sei Young Kim (65) and So Yeon Ryu (66) were tied for third place on 9 under, five shots adrift of Henderson. Among the bunch of six players on 8-under par was a Frenchwoman, Perrine Delacour, after her round of 68.

Henderson, who won her only major title at the Women’s PGA Championship in 2016, started her afternoon round four shots behind Korda – who was part of the morning wave – and birdied her first two holes.

There was a bogey at No. 3 and a birdie at No. 9, before Henderson went on a roll over the back nine. She had back-to-back birdies from No. 11 and then made putts from 15 feet, 8 feet and 10 feet for birdies on the final three holes.

“It feels really nice to get off to a fast start in a major championship,” Henderson said.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been able to do that. To get it this far under par is really awesome and I feel like I’m hitting the ball really well, which is nice, and making some putts.”

The highlight of Korda’s round was her second shot at the par-5 18th, a high fade which landed in the middle of the green and rolled to inside 3 feet from the cup. She made no mistake with the putt for eagle.

Korda said she has been suffering from jet lag and barely slept ahead of the early start to her second round, which opened with what she described as 10 “stress-free” pars.

Like Henderson, Korda has won one major championship – last year’s PGA Championship – and was No. 1 in the world when she stopped playing in February.

Now she is No. 3 and is coming off three top-10 finishes in that little stretch since her return.

First-round leader Ayaka Furue shot 72, nine strokes worse than Thursday, and was in a five-strong group on 7 under.

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.

Al Whalen, Bel Acres, Hole #13

Thanks so much! It was super exciting.

Hole #13 at the Bel Acres Golf Course. 157 yards so I used my 8 iron. 2 hops then straight in the cup. I was playing with Scott Kuntz, Craig Sebastyanko, Bryce Sholdice and Ryan Sholdice.

Bob Wareham, Summerland, Hole #14

Yes, it was a great day of golf with my buddies. It was our Wednesday Men’s’ Night so lots of congratulations were received, along with a quantity of beverages from friends. We play fivesomes on Men’s Night so my partners were Andy Hamilton, John Hall, Ed Helgason and Wayne Stickelmier. It was on Hole #14 on the blue tees, which that day were at about 180 yards slightly uphill. Since there is a mound on the right side of #14, behind which the pin was located, we couldn’t actually see it go in but knew it was close. The players on the #15 tee box could see it and were yelling congratulations. I’m 75 now and don’t hit the ball as far as I used to so a driver was the club that did the deed.

Thank you for the graphic which I’ll share with friends.

Best wishes,

Bob Wareham

Brendon Walkom, St. Mary’s, Hole #18

So, the things started off by rushing to the course after work as we were burning daylight. Started on the back nine with my friend Jordan and I was feeling great and shooting pretty good. Hole 18 rolls around and it was my honor to tee off first. About 160 yards from the pin and contact felt great coming off my 8 iron! As I followed the ball, I was relieved to see I avoided the water and it landed on the green, close to the pin to top it off as it bounced, I stopped watching the outcome to bend down and grab my tee. Immediately, Jordan starts saying “hey dude I don’t see your ball”. I thought he was just messing with me, so I reply: “that’s okay I’ll just chip it back on and putt for par”. As we cross the bridge, I start thinking maybe it did drop and Jordan started filming as he was sure it did. As we approached the green, my mind tells me to check the bunker first, but my heart said it’s in the hole! Sure enough it was! A round and day I’ll never forget.

Sincerely,

BW

Bryan Mudryk, Bandon Dunes, Hole #7

Sheep Ranch. From the tips. 7th hole. 155 yards. 9 iron.

Chris Edey, Cambridge Golf Course, Hole #9

Definitely an awesome experience. It is my third hole in one in three years! First one was at the same course on Hole #13 and then my second was at Woodington Lakes Legacy Course Hole #12 and now this one! 

I was playing with a fellow member (Tom Allan) on my home course at Cambridge Golf Course this past Sunday morning and hit an 8 iron 155 yards (zapped to the flag with my handy Bushnell range finder). The ball that morning wasn’t flying as far and based off my Arccos golf GPS, I decided to club up to an 8 iron instead of a 9 iron. It was a slight cut into a front left pin location, landed about 2 feet left of the hill and spun right and into the hole! It was in front of the starting hut as well, so it was pretty funny actually realizing it went in!

Appreciate you reaching out and look forward to next hole-in-one!

Chris MacKinnon, Antigonish, Hole #2

Hole-in-one occurred while playing at the club’s men’s night. Playing partners were my brother, Scott MacKinnon, and Marty MacDonald and Kevin MacDonald. Shot was with a 7 iron from an elevated to the green 170 yards away.

Cheers,

Chris

Cindy Marshall, Copper Point Golf Club, Hole #5

Thank you very much for sending the hole-in-one graphic – it makes it seem all the more official. I have sent the graphic to a few friends and will print a copy to display alongside the official hole-in-one flag graciously provided by Copper Point Golf Course. It was my very first but hopefully not my last ace. I am a long way from my father’s 14 hole-in-ones but will endeavor to get there by the time I reach his 90 years of age.

I made the 108-yard shot, a bit into the wind, on a beautiful sunny and very hot day here in the Columbia Valley, using a nine iron. It landed just off the green and rolled about 35 feet with a slight curve to the right (toward the valley). We all saw it disappear into the hole! I do a little “dance” when I get a birdie; now I have a more exuberant “hole-in-one dance”.  Just as excited for me were my two playing partners, husband Dick Molyneaux and granddaughter Paige Taylor (12).

Along with the hole-in-one flag, a complimentary drink, and a free round of golf, a Copper Point staff member snaps your picture (which is attached) to commemorate the day.

I hope it will not be too long before I share another hole-in-one story with you!

Cindy

Corey McRae, Wolf Creek Golf Resort, Hole #7

It was quite a thrill. I was with Sean Neumeier and Tristan Cunningham. It was reading 131 yards and I used a Pitching Wedge.

Thanks,

Corey McRae

Dave Merritt, St. Catharines Golf and Country Club, Hole #4 and Greg Cook, St. Catharines Golf and Country Club, Hole #4

Back-to-back shots by two individuals in the same fourthsome resulted in two holes-in-one.

Thank you for reaching out. Yes, a very, very rare feat occurred the morning of Sunday, July 17.

We approached the fourth hole at STGCC which was playing 156 from the white tees. Dr. Greg Cook shot first using a 6 iron. It was a great shot that landed in the perfect spot and tracked right toward the pin and dropped. After an exciting minute, Dave Merritt hit next and with a 7-iron that took a very similar flight path to the previous shot, it landed in a similar spot and tracked toward the pin and dropped. With all of us experiencing a bit of shock and disbelief, we waited for the other two in our foursome to hit (Dr. Al Loon and Mr. Dave Brennan) to hit and then took a brisk walk to the hole to see the two balls in the cup. So, that is two holes-in-one on the same hole on back-to-back shots – 60 seconds apart. We have played together most every Sunday morning for the past three seasons which made this extra special, and something we can relive and try and replicate on future Sunday mornings.

This was Greg’s fourth ace and the first for Dave.

Thanks,

Dave Merritt and Greg Cook

David Hawkins, Wildwinds Golf Links, Hole #15

Thank you very much for recognizing my accomplishment. It was so exciting! This was my first hole-in-one.

My watch told me I was 127 yards away. Normally, I would use my pitching wedge for that distance, but because I’m inconsistent with my ball striking, I was trying to swing slower in hopes of gaining more control and used my 9 iron. From the tee, it looked as if the ball was heading right at the pin. The whole foursome commented that it was on target. It landed approximately a foot left, had a small bounce toward the pin, rolled and disappeared. We all cheered. The surrounding greens and tee blocks heard us celebrating. One guy asked if it was a hole-in-one. When we said yes, they all joined in cheering. It was unbelievable.

I was golfing with my best friend and golf partner, Kevin Rochette. We joined the other two on the tee. Their names were Miles and Sam. Coincidently, Kevin told me about the Canada Golf app just days before. He wasn’t having a good game that day but was still very supportive.

My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, introduced me to golf almost 20 years ago. Her father played and she worked at a course while in school. As an athlete, I thought I would be able to compete easily, but quickly learned how difficult the game can be.  

In the beginning, I didn’t really work that much at it and only played a handful of times a year. More recently, I’ve increased how much I play (to what I can afford) and have really come to love it. Since I can’t really afford lessons, I watch a lot of videos and work at what the professionals recommend in those videos.  

I’m currently 46 years old and hope to one day shoot consistent low 80’s, maybe even high 70’s. 

Thank you again,

David Hawkins

David Thompson, Brightwood, Hole #4

Thanks for this.  

I was playing with two other golfers and good friends, Geoff MacIntyre and Peter Driscoll. Geoff is a member at Brightwood, and Peter was visiting from Kelowna, believe he is a member of the Harvest Club. I am a member of Ashburn Golf club but was playing with friends at the course I grew up on, Brightwood.

Hole was 148 yards, used a 7 iron. That is my third hole-in-one, but first in Canada. The other two were both in Florida, on December 1, 2014, and December 1, 2015, exactly one year apart.

Elizabeth Swain, Shaganappi Point, Hole #12

I was golfing in my Business Ladies League at Shaganappi Point in Calgary on Thursday July 14. We were on the Par 3 #12, and I pulled out my Utility Wedge, as I had 85 yards to the hole. 

I took an easy swing that went dead straight, the ball took one bounce and rolled into the hole from about three feet away.

Since the green was in the shade and it was evening, we weren’t sure if it went in until we got up to the hole.

This is my second hole-in-one on the same hole, the last was on July 5, 2018. Super stoked since I never thought to get one let alone two, in my lifetime. 🙂

Elizabeth Swain

Gary Giroux, Langara Golf Club, Hole #8

Thank you for the recognition. I played in our Langara Men’s Club and used a 52-degree gap wedge to go about 124 yards. 

Thanks again,

Gary

Gavin Dyke, Glendenning Golf Course, Hole #6

Excited you heard about my hole-in-one! It was July 12^th at the 6th hole at Glendenning. The yardage was 171. The pin was behind a bunker so the club I used was a 9 iron. I landed the ball about 5 feet short before it rolled into the hole. I was playing with friend Jeremy Nixon and two other members Bob and Grant.

Gord Asmussen, Wakaw Lake Golf Club, Hole #14

Thanks for the information in your previous email. I got my third hole-in-one of my career on Sunday July 10/22 (same number of hole-in-one’s as my father)! I was playing with my youngest son, Jared Asmussen, and two friends who were at Wakaw Lake, that we winter with in Mazatlan Klaus Meyer and Warren Englot. #5 Wakaw Lake. 122yds.  9 iron.  

Gord Kehler, Steinback Fly-In Golf Club, Hole #5

I was playing with my buddies Menno, Keith and Vic like we do every Sunday morning. The yardage was 154 yards. I used an easy 6. What a sight to see.

Grant Wideman, Nanton Golf Club, Hole #17

Thank you. I was playing with a couple of good friends. The hole was playing 211 yards and I hit a 6 iron. I hit what I thought was a good shot and said I can’t hit it much better than that. Not knowing it went in the hole, one friend said jokingly that I could hit it in the hole. Needless to say, when we arrived at the green and realized we couldn’t see it that is when I walked to the hole and found my ball. What a great experience and to have good friend along for the ride was ever better.  

Thanks,

Grant

Jessica Chaplin, Smithers, Hole #11

It was very much a surprise for me! 

Tuesday, June 28, 2022, was a Ladies Club Night at the Smithers Golf Club, located in northwest British Columbia, Canada. I was playing with Janice Himech, Kate Daniels-Howard and Cyndy Hooper.  This week was a back nine start. We were playing off the forward tees (yellow), and the distance (off the scorecard) is 129 yards. The flag was blue, in the back, towards the left side of the green. From the forward tees on #11, players are lower than the green, you can see the flag, but not the surface of the green or the cup.

I teed off with my #7 Ping G400 iron. The ball flew straight and bounced near the top. When it bounced, the ball angle changed so that it was flying closer towards the pin. My team teed off as well.

When we arrived at the green, on top of the hill, I could not see my ball. One ball was on the green, Janice’s and Cyndy and Kate were chipping onto the green. I walked around to the far side of the green to search the rough, which is a familiar spot for my balls to land ?. My teammate Kate said, “I don’t think you went past the green, I think it headed towards the pin”.  I laughed and continued looking in the rough.  he said, “I think your ball went into the hole, I am going to look in the hole”. There it was. In the hole was my ball, a Titleist ProV1 (3).  

We got all excited! Kate asked if she could take a photo and post it on the Smithers Golf Club Facebook site and I said yes.  

The funniest thing is, there’s a weekly Ladies Night “Hole-in-One Pot”, where players contribute $1 to the pot. Quite honestly, it never occurred to me that I could score a hole-in-one, so I have not been entering the pot. I have learned my lesson! 

I’m in my 50’s and I have been golfing regularly for four seasons now. Prior to that, I golfed occasionally in fun, corporate events in Smithers. My Golf Canada handicap is currently 22. I look forward to golf, it is the only sport I’ve played where first, if you try too hard, you hit the ball poorly and second, when you hit the ball, you must concentrate, empty your mind, without thinking about what you are doing. Skills-wise, I’m working on slowing my game down. My Ladies team says about my game that I need to “slow down, take your time, don’t rush” – and I’m working on it.

Jessy Chaplin

Joe Mangialardi, National Pines Golf Club, Hole #7

Thanks for the note. The foursome was with Vince Fiore, Jim Gray and Lou Shefsky. In your face wind. 7th hole. 129 yards out. Used a 7 iron. 

Kathleen Patterson, Mylora Golf Course, Hole #2

Thank you for the congratulations! I was playing with Roseanne Pruden and Mary Kelly. It was hole #2, 117 yards and I used an 8 iron.

Leno Macri, Broadmoor Public, Hole #16

My golfing partners were Thomas Dunlop and Kevin Broderick. Yardage was 115 and I used the 7 iron. I’ve had two previous holes-in-one, one at Eagle Rock and one at Countryside over the years so I seem to be very lucky. 

Thank you for your interest.

Leno Macri

Les Jedlicska, River Spirit Golf Club, Hole #4

It was a late afternoon round and the weather was perfect. I was playing with two of my golf buddies. Hole was Sprit #4. Yardage was 187 that day and I hit a 5 iron straight at the hole. Couple of hops and it rolled in.

Thank you,

Les Jedlicska 

Lloyd Sonnenburg, Saugeen Golf Club, Hole #7

#7 Sunrise from the gold tees. Playing 188 yards so I used my 4 hybrid. It was my fifth hole-in-one (my wife tells me I golf too much). Was playing with Derek Alstein, Tyler Smith, Liam Reany. All Saugeen members.

Thanks,

Lloyd Sonnenburg 

Martin Byrne, Bally Haly Country Club, Hole #11

Hit a seven iron into about a 60 km wind. Nobody saw it go in because of the elevated height of the green. When we went up to the green, I didn’t see my ball. So, I thought I might have got caught up in the grass on the front of the green. I looked and it wasn’t there. My next thought was, could it be in the hole? Holding my breath, I walked up to the hole, I didn’t say anything to the other players, as they were busy going to their ball positions. When I got to the hole, I peeked oven the edge and there it was, in the hole. I let out a roar and raised my arms over my head. I told the guys it’s in the hole. A hole-in-one. I bent over and picked it out of the hole while they watched so there was no disputing it. They all congratulated me. That was my 6th hole-in-one and counting.

Matthew McReynolds, Cabot Cliffs, Hole #12

Thanks for reaching out, I appreciate the congratulations.  

After booking the trip to Cabot in 2020, we finally made it there this summer. I was playing with Graeme Cruickshanks, Wes Ladouceur and Dayne Holek. It was hole 12, 210 yards into the wind. Huge thanks to my caddie, Andrew, who said I should play it up the right side closer to 240. I hit a 3 hybrid down the right and we got to see it roll towards the hole before dropping. Cabot generously gave me a flag and hat to help remember the experience.  

It was a great trip to an unbelievable golf course with terrific company, hospitality, and plenty of memories.  

Thank you for the graphic.

Thanks, 

Matt McReynolds

Michael Yoon, Emerald Hills Golf and Country Club, Hole #7

I had my fourth hole-in-one on July 8th, 2022, at my club, Emerald Hills GC in Stouffville ON. I played with my friend, his wife and my wife. It happened at hole number 7 of the Forest course. Blue tee box, 140 yards. I used 9 iron. 

It was so amazing because I had my first ever double eagle (albatross) while I played a match play the previous week. One thing on my bucket list was accomplished. 

What an incredible season!

Many thanks for reading! Have a great day!

Mike Yoon

Mike Driscoll, Smuggler’s Glen, Hole #8

The hole was lasered at 128 yards. Pin was set on the left side of the green. There was some weather coming in and with the headwind, I picked a club that I told my playing partners that I was playing a 150 club as I had honours.

I tee’ed the ball and gave it what I felt was a solid swing with great contact. The flight was a high “baby” draw.

When it landed, I actually quit watching it as I thought the draw was going to make the ball release and go past the pin.

As I was picking up my tee, my playing partners Troy Killingbeck, Garry Hull and Lou Phillips, began cheering that the ball went in the hole. I looked up and couldn’t see my ball on the green and immediately threw my hat and began cheering with them.

They all hit their tee shots and we were talking about someone else jarring one.

As we drove up, Troy took pictures of where the ball landed and one with me. 

It was a great experience to share with some of my closest friends and a day we will never forget.

I used a Mizuno gap wedge for the shot.

Mike Graves, Maple Creek Golf Course, Hole #6

On July 14, 2022, at the Men’s Night at the Maple Creek Golf Course, I had the unbelievable luck to get my second hole-in-one (two weeks after getting my first). it happened on the same hole, number six, playing at 136 from the middle tees. I was playing with four people that witnessed the deed. I used my Ping G425 7 iron with a Titleist yellow AVT ball. The ball landed on the front of the green, did a little dance and rolled another 9 feet into the hole.

Thanks for your reply. On June 30 and July 14, 2022, I had the unbelievable luck to score two holes in one, something I’ve never done in my life. Both hole-in-ones were on the number #6 hole, a par 3 136 yards at the Maple Creek Golf Course in Saskatchewan. I’m 73 and was golfing in a Men’s night with four other people on the second hole-in-one. I used my Ping G425 seven iron for both hole-in-one shots. Unfortunately, I was golfing alone on June 30, 2022, but this allowed me to cross off my “bucket list” something that took 73 years to do. I’d like to thank my fellow golfer for their congratulations and well wishes.

Mike McReavy, Lionhead, Hole #3

Enjoying a round with work colleagues Andrew, Matt and Garo. Hole #3 at Lionhead Legends was playing 168 yards with a little helping breeze, and I used an 8-iron to record my ace. With the elevated green and pin location that day, we were unable to see the ball roll into the cup but realized that it was the only place it could be!

Paul Madgett, Nanton Golf Club, Hole #8

Thank you for the congratulations on my hole-in-one. I got it at Nanton Golf Course on hole number 8, playing from the blue tees. The hole was playing 155 yards and I used a 7 iron. My playing partners that day were Jay Eltom, Mark McNichol and Rod Nelson.

Regards,

Paul

Peggy Theriault, Osprey Ridge Golf Course, Hole #8

Thank you for the email. 

I haven’t played a lot of golf over the past few years so my game is rustier than I would like it to be but, to have gotten a hole-in-one made the bad round worth it! It was my first hole-in-one so very exciting! I was playing with my partner, Ken Forward and our friends, Wayne and Michele Nelson. I was on hole #8 at Osprey Ridge Golf Course and it is an uphill green so you could not see the hole, only the flag. I used a 7 iron, and it was about 112 yards to the pin. That was one of my best feeling swings so far that round and it paid off! It was unfortunate that we were unable to see it go in but was exciting to find the ball in the cup once we got to the green!

Thanks so much,

Peggy Theriault

Peter Voelk, Muirfield Lakes Golf Club, Hole #14

That made for an amazing afternoon alright. I was playing with my wife Cheryl Voelk and my two friends Dave and Kathy Zerr, our usual golfing friends. The hole was playing 146 yards with a bit of a breeze. I used a 6 iron and it worked perfectly. 

Thanks for the email.

Peter Voelk 

Rob Cowan, Royal Dornoch Golf Course, Hole #6

Round two of the Senior Amateur Championship. Paired first two days with a Scotsman, Robert Smith, and an Englishman, Andrew Atkinson. Both super guys.

Number 6 was playing 165 with a touch of a breeze down and to the right. The breeze changed to wind about 20 minutes later and then turned full blown as we turned into it at hole #9. We actually got pulled off the course on #15 that day for two hours because of the winds.

Andrew hit a nice shot that landed a third of the way on and rolled to about 9 feet to the right of the hole and stayed on. If you know anything about the 6^th, it falls off steeply to the right so you’re kind of done. Pot bunkers left and it’s pretty intimidating. I said to Dave Bunker in the PR “can you imagine playing this in a left to right wind? Impossible”!

So, I hit basically the same shot, little cut, landed a bit left of where Andrew did, and it went right in. 

The guys I played with were happy to tell everybody that I ran it along the ground, and it bounced everywhere before going in. But I’m sure they enjoyed the free drama that came with it. 

Seems that 165 is my range for not being able to see a ball on the green so it was the other two guys that confirmed it. I needed to go to my Bushnell to confirm! I had a one last year in a tournament, same shot, same yardage (168) and couldn’t see that one in either!

Thanks again,

Rob

Robert Sim, Windsor Park Golf Course, Hole #2

In response to your letter, I was playing with my wife, Catherine Lee, on Saturday, July 16th at Windsor Park Golf Course in Winnipeg. Windsor Park is a lovely, old public course, built in 1924. It’s used year-round for both golf and cross-country skiing. Cathie and I were playing the second hole, a 225-yard hole from the white tees. I hit a 3 wood, the ball was going directly to the hole, but we lost sight of it. After spending a good five minutes searching for the ball around the hole, we realized the one place that we hadn’t checked was the hole itself. Of course, there was the ball.    

We’re both hoping this will be just one in a string of holes-in-one. We need all the help we can get to keep our scores down.

Yours truly,

Robert Sim 

Ty Gilbertson, Bandon Dunes, Hole #3

My hole-in-one came on the 3rd hole at Sheep Ranch, the newest course at Bandon Dunes. It was playing at 115 yards with a front left pin, I hit my pitching wedge.  Honestly, the shot was a bit fat and pulled but it cleared the dune in front of the green and started rolling towards the hole. We all stood and watched it keep rolling then the ball disappeared. We weren’t sure how close it was due to the undulations of the green. Luckily, the other half of our group was on the tee ahead and turned around to see it drop. This was my first hole-in-one ever and it couldn’t have come at a better time or place.

Ty

Virginia Lam, Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, Hole #12

Hole #12 at the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club on June 28, 2022. Red tee, 144 yards with Titleist 23-degree hybrid.

Participated in the Victoria Golf Club vs. Shaughnessy 50^th Exchange event. This is an annual women’s exchange which Victoria and Shaughnessy clubs host alternate years.

Regards,

Virginia Lam

Wayne Izumi, Turtle Creek Golf Club, Hole #14

Thanks for the letter. The yardage was 130 with a Muira 9 iron. I was playing with Travis MacLachlan.

Wayne Izumi

Wayne Lauzon, Ambassador Golf Club, Hole #8

I was playing with Gerry Desjardins and Joe Craig. It was 134 yards against a one club wind. So, I hit a knockdown 8 iron. One bounce and in. 

Yuri Mykolyk, Islington Golf Club, Hole #10

It was just another beautiful day at the club. It was on the 10^th hole. 179 yards to the hole. Took my 5 iron out and took a nice easy swing, ball hitting the sweet spot on the iron. From there it was history. I believe Loris mentioned to the group to watch the ball, which rolled past the flag and started to roll back. 

Phil Kavanagh and the staff were wonderful and made me feel like a star!

Once again, thank you for reaching out. 

Yuri Mykolyk

KITCHENER, Ont. – Thursday was all about Monet Chun at Westmount Golf & Country Club.  

Chun charged into the lead with a bogey-free, seven-under par 66 on moving day at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, and holds a six-stroke lead ahead of Friday’s final round, with the Duchess of Connaughton Gold Cup and a spot in the CP Women’s Open at stake.

“I was just trying to make up strokes from yesterday, but I hit the ball well [and] putted well today so I was pretty happy overall,” said Chun. “I had a couple of tough chips out there, left a little bit of long putts like on 18 here, but I was just putting together a good round today so I’m pretty happy about that,” added a humble Chun.

Within minutes of finishing a disappointing round of three-over par 78 on Wednesday, Chun darted to the range to fine-tune some swing mechanics. Needless to say, the practice paid off on Thursday.

“I missed a couple left yesterday and I’ve been working on that for quite a long time now so it’s nothing new. I kind of worked on it a little bit yesterday and it obviously helped today,” said Chun

The best of the 21-year-old’s seven birdies on the day came at the par-4 15^th, where she chipped in from behind the green. With a downhill lie, the Team Canada member lofted a wedge onto the putting surface and watched as it broke toward the pin and drop into the hole.

Chun, who is as even keeled as they come, couldn’t help but crack a smile after that one.

The Richmond Hill, Ont. native, who sits at five-under on the tournament, was part of an all-Team Canada pairing today, playing alongside Céleste Dao and Yeji Kwon. Chun admitted that being grouped with familiar faces and having her coach follow along today allowed her to settle in more comfortably on yet another gusty day in Kitchener.

“For sure there’s a factor in that. I’ve played with Céleste for forever now, so being with her out there was very helpful.”

Earlier in the day, Vanessa Borovilos stormed up the leaderboard with a round of four-under par 69 that saw the 16-year-old record eight birdies. Borovilos sits T6 ahead of the final round, eight strokes back of the leader.

“Over the last few days, after the rounds, I worked on my putting because I was struggling with that,” said Borovilos. “Last night, I was able to get a good feel for my putts; I changed my setup a little bit, so today, I was able to go out there and I felt confident that I could get every putt to the hole and on line. Also, on the par 5s I was pretty aggressive with my second shots, so I gave myself good looks.”

Having not been among the leaders entering the round relieved the Etobicoke, Ont., native of any underlying pressure, but she says that didn’t change her mentality going into the day.

“Whether I’m close to the leaderboard or down at the bottom, I still want to play well; I’m still trying to do my best. Today, I just got everything to work so it was a good day,” said Borovilos.

Bentley Cotton, out of Austin, Tx., carded her best round of the week, a one-under par 71. After a blistering hot start, the University of Texas Longhorn cooled off, but still managed to put herself in a favourable position entering the final round.

The 21-year-old was five-under through a five-hole stretch, from holes No. 5-9, including an eagle on the par-4 8^th. Cotton bombed her drive, which settled just short of the green, before knocking in a lengthy putt to get into the red numbers.

“That’s a bonus, you know, you’re just trying to make birdie. [I] made bogey on three, no four; I kind of got a tough break in the rough, was in a divot and came away with bogey but then just got it going. [I] started rolling the putts and hitting it close,” said Cotton.

Cotton, who plays with Team Canada’s Brigitte Thibault at the University of Texas, says it’s her first time in Canada and it’s been, well, great.

“Canadian Am, great tradition […] Everything is run very well, great points for the WAGR (World Amateur Golf Rankings), great people and obviously a great course in great conditions. I’m excited to be here,” said the American. “I love it,” she said about Canada as a whole. “Everything is just unbelievable, overall just a great experience.”

Alissa Xu continues to hold onto second place after a three-over par 76. Katherine Muzi, Lion Higo and the aforementioned Cotton are T3 and sit at +2 for the tournament.  

The final round is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m., with the leaders teeing off at 9:30 a.m. An awards ceremony will follow the conclusion of play on Friday.

For the complete results click here.

Bill Hobbis, a member of the British Columbia Golf Hall of Fame, life member of Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, and former Golf Canada Governor, died July 15 after a lengthy illness. He was 80 years old.

Hobbis represented British Columbia on two Willingdon Cup teams and was part of B.C.’s national championship team in 1975. He also played one Willingdon Cup for Alberta in 1978 when he worked in that province. 

Hobbis won more than 60 invitational, open or amateur championships over his career. He won the Saskatchewan Amateur Championship in 1978 and the New Zealand Senior Championship in 1979. Hobbis collected many wins in northern B.C. while living in Prince George, including three Simon Fraser Opens.

Read the full article here.

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) – Nelly Korda is just trying to enjoy herself at the Evian Championship after a four-month injury layoff that has given her more perspective about her golf.

Not that she felt so great taking a shot while standing barefoot in a slimy lake.

“I’ve never done anything like that and I must say, it was really gross,” Korda said about her adventure at No. 18 midway through an 7-under 64 that left her a stroke behind first-round leader Ayaka Furue on Thursday in the fourth major of 2022.

Korda was tied for second place with No. 10-ranked Brooke Henderson of Canada, who posted 64 by holing a double-breaker for eagle at No. 9, also her last hole.

Korda’s approach shot at the par-5 18th hole – her ninth of the day after starting at No. 10 – ended up rolling down a bank on the front right of the green and into the water. Her caddie ran up to the green and saw it was possible to make contact with the ball, so Korda removed her golf shoes, waded into the lake, and splashed out to the edge of the green.

Korda went on to make par.

“It was really slimy,” Korda said, making a face before laughing.

The American missed a 12-foot birdie putt at her last hole but still shot her lowest round of the year, continuing her impressive comeback after time out following surgery on a blood clot in her arm.

This is her fifth event since returning to competitive action on June 16 and she has three top-10s in that time. She was No. 1 in the world when she stopped playing and now is No. 3.

“I think I’m a little more chill about it all,” she said. “I’m trying to enjoy myself as much as possible on the golf course.

“I don’t know if my caddie will agree because I do obviously get frustrated here and there but I am trying to remind myself that I’m lucky to be out there. Just enjoy every moment.”

That’s pretty much what Furue did.

A seven-time winner in her native Japan, the No. 31-ranked Furue is looking to back up a fourth-place finish at the major in France last year and rolled in nine birdies after her solitary bogey, at No. 13.

She responded by making birdie at six of her next eight holes and then three of her last four. The one at No. 9, her last hole, was from 8 feet and ensured she shot 63 for her lowest round at a major.

American golfer Cheyenne Knight was in the clubhouse in fourth place at 6 under, a stroke ahead of top-ranked Jin Young Ko and another two-time major champion, Lydia Ko.

In Gee Chun, who won the Women’s PGA Championship last month, was in a tie for 10th place at 4 under.