Belmont, MI. – The LPGA Tour returned to Blythefield Country Club this week for the eighth playing of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give.

Coming off her victory last week at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, Brooke Henderson fired a 72 to finish at 15-under.

In addition to her win in NJ, Henderson now has five additional top-10s this season, including a solo second at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and a tie for fourth at the Honda LPGA Thailand. Though she struggled with her game after the Asian swing, a change in her putting grip seems to have made a major difference, which will be critical as she looks to add a third Meijer LPGA Classic to her resume.

“I started off the year really hot and I had a lot of great finishes, and kind of cooled off and I wasn’t feeling so well and things kind of went a little bit cold there for a little while,” said Henderson. “Definitely having the putting back in my corner and feeling a little bit more comfortable all the time is really key. I feel like left-hand low has made a big difference and so I’m excited moving forward.”

Henderson is the only player to win the Meijer LPGA Classic multiple times; she was victorious in 2017 and 2019, on Father’s Day both years.

After missing a two-foot eagle putt on the first hole of a playoff, Jennifer Kupcho won the LPGA Meijer Classic when Leona Maguire’s three-foot birdie try lipped out on the second extra hole.

Fellow Canadian Maude-Aimee LeBlanc finished the weekend 8-under (T40), with Alena Sharp coming in at minus 6 (T56).

Full leaderboard here.

BROOKLINE, Mass. (AP) – Adam Hadwin wasn’t officially in the U.S. Open until eight days ago. He walked off The Country Club on Thursday with his best score ever in a major for a one-shot lead.

With the focus finally shifting away from Saudi-backed rival league, who’s going and who’s staying on the PGA Tour, the Canadian opened with a 4-under 66 on a breezy but not overly punishing day at Brookline.

The lingering thoughts of the rival league came from Rory McIlroy, not from anything he said but with the golf he played.

It was another bold statement as McIlroy didn’t make a bogey until his final hole – his brief fit of anger revealed as much desire as frustration – for a 67. That left him in the large chasing pack with four players who had to go through 36-hole qualifying.

Callum Tarren of England, David Lingmerth of Sweden, MJ Daffue of South Africa and Joel Dahmen also were at 67.

At the opposite end was Phil Mickelson, who celebrated his 52nd birthday – on the golf course, anyway – with a four-putt double bogey on his way to a 78.

Hadwin, from Abbotsford, B.C., ran off three straight birdies to finish the front nine in 31, and he only dropped one shot on the back nine for his 66. His previous low score in a major was 68 on three occasions, most recently the first round of the 2020 PGA Championship at Harding Park.

McIlroy has become a leading voice on the PGA Tour over the last few years, particularly with his rebuke of the Saudi-funded series that is disrupting golf. Thursday was a reminder he’s pretty good at his day job, too.

McIlroy made two straight birdies late in his round to become the first player to reach 4 under, only to miss the ninth green and make his only bogey.

At the moment, McIlroy isn’t concerned with his strong stance against LIV Golf.

Even with a good start, and coming off a victory last week in the Canadian Open, it doesn’t figure to be easy for McIlroy or anyone else. The Country Club might be as accommodating as it gets all week, with moderate wind and cloud cover keeping the sun from making greens crispy and firm.

And the best anyone could do was a 66.

The group at 68 included two-time major winner Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick, who won the U.S. Amateur at Brookline in 2013.

For McIlroy, it was his second straight major – and third time in his last four U.S. Opens – he opened with a score under par. There is confidence in his game for winning last week in Toronto, and there is passion rare for a Thursday unless the game is going badly.

He tried to drive the reachable par-4 fifth hole and caught an awkward lie in the thick collar above a bunker, forcing him to stand in the sand. He hit that into another bunker, and then twice slammed the club into the sand out of frustration. But he managed to save par.

You’re going to encounter things at a U.S. Open, whether they be lies or stuff like that, that you just don’t really encounter any other week,” he said.

It’s hard not to get frustrated because I’m walking up there going, `Just come back into the bunker.’ The thickest rough on the course is around the edges of the bunker. So I was sort of cursing the USGA whenever I was going up to the ball.”

And then from the ninth fairway, his approach sailed to the right and he flung his club. He couldn’t save par on that one and had to accept a 67 – not a bad start, and no apologies for his few outbursts of emotion.

“Almost to remind yourself sometimes how much it means to you,” he said.

There’s a lot on the table outside of golf, too, with 13 players at the U.S. Open who took part in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf last week, leading the PGA Tour to suspend those members.

McIlroy, the first to shut down talk of rival leagues in 2020, spoke passionately this week about building on the legacy handed down by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. For those taking the guaranteed money for 54-hole events, he said it felt like “the easy way out.”

But now it’s time for golf, and there a vibe of relief that focus could turn to a U.S. Open that first came to Brookline more than a century ago. Thursday was more about birdies and bogeys – mostly the latter in a U.S. Open – and a place in history.

No other major is more open – roughly half the 156-man field has to qualify – and it showed. Seven of the top 13 came through qualifiers, including Hadwin. He was first alternate out of the Dallas section and got in when Paul Casey withdrew because of an ailing back.

Dahmen debated whether to go a 36-hole qualifier 10 days ago in Ohio. The U.S. Open is hard and he had been beat up from travel and pedestrian results. Plus, it was supposed to rain. But he went anyway, and he qualified with one shot to spare.

Lingmerth was in the same qualifier and had to play 36 holes and then some because of a 5-for-1 playoff for the final spot. That went to Hayden Buckley – he was among those at 68 on Thursday – and Lingmerth was first alternate. He got in when Martin Kaymer withdrew.

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).

Adam Poapst, Cornwall, Hole #8

Thank you for the congratulations! It was a very exciting day on the course that I’ll never forget!

I hit the hole in one with an 8 iron with the hole playing approximately 160 yards and was playing with Logan Kennedy and Troy Brownell.

Thanks,

Adam

Bill Dickout, Edmonton Country Club, Hole #13

Many thanks for the recognition. The setting was Men’s Day at the ECC. A blustery day with the breeze into us. My foursome included Harold Schmaltz, Trevor Theman and Dave Reich. I was last to hit (says something about the game I was having) and noticed my partners had come up short on the 172-yard hole. I clubbed up to a 4 iron and hit a baby draw to the left front hole position. My mates could see the ball disappear, I thought it had slipped into the swale at the left side of the green. Harold was first to arrive at the green and when no ball was found on the green, he confirmed the surprise, “in the hole”. Unfortunately, as a bunch of old guys we never considered capturing the moment on camera. Club policy has free beverages for all and as it was Men’s Day there were many happy members to share the event!  

Once again thanks for the recognition.

Regards,

Bill

Bill Whiteford, Brockville Country Club, Hole #15

Thank you. Yardage was 170 I hit a 3 hybrid and was playing with Rick Moran and Gord Porter.

Chris Northfield, TPC Toronto, Hole #5

Thanks. The hole was playing about 155 yards uphill slightly into the wind. I used a 6 iron and hit a great shot just short and left of the pin. It rolled about 2 yards turned right then in. I was playing with my good friend Ralph Geronimo. This was my 3rd hole-in-one.

Chris Rooney, Bally Haly Country Club, Hole #13

Thank you for the lovely note.

It was a chilly and windy day. Hit a decent 5 iron shot into the wind, landed short of the hole then rolled in with some pace. Couldn’t quite tell if it dropped from the tee, but a passerby witnessed it and confirmed that it dropped as we approached the green. My playing partners were Andrew Marshall, Blair Evans and Mark Summers.

Warm regards,

Chris

Colin Varley, The Lakes Golf Club, Hole #17

Hey.

Thanks for your kind letter.

Playing partners that day, left to right – myself, Kevin Black in the back, Bernie Gouthro and Laurie Murchison far right. The hole can be windy and with that in mind, I punched a 6 iron to the hole – approximately 120 yards away. Someone told me afterwards ‘it doesn’t matter what the yardage is, say you hit a pitching wedge’. It was what it was. As you suggest, a special moment shared with special friends. Thanks again for your letter. 

Colin Varley

Dale Preston, Storey Creek Golf Club, Hole #5

Thanks for the congrats on my hoke in one.

I was playing with Dan Betinson, Grant Desmet, and Nick Boyd.  Wednesday is men’s night at storey creek. The 4 of us play together pretty much every Wednesday.  That night the yardage was 180 yards. I used a hybrid 4 iron. No of us were sure the ball went in just because of where the pin was. Couple of the guys thought it was in but weren’t sure. I had to go look in the hole to be sure. It was my second hole-in-one on hole 5 at storey creek and third overall. All three happened on men’s night. It was a pretty special moment last week for sure.  

Thanks,

Dale Preston 

Darcy Walushka, The Rise Golf Course, Hole #18

Appreciate the congratulations on my first ever hole-in-one! Was quite a rush for sure.

Date: Wednesday June 8, 2022

Hole: #18 at The Rise, in Vernon, BC

Yardage: 198

Club: 7 Iron

Playing Partners: Jeremy Yarwood, Tony Walsh, and Kyle Greening. 

Thanks again for the congratulations! Look forward to seeing what you guys do with the rest of my information.

Dave Hathway, Acton Golf Club, Hole #16

Thanks for taking an interest in my hole-in-one!

It’s only the 3rd time my wife (Kathye) and I have played the course starting last year. As mentioned, I played with my wife and we were paired with a father and son, John and Jeff (we have no details about them) and Jeff graciously acted as a witness when I reported to the clubhouse (and he signed the card). The hole normally plays 160 yards from the Whites, as per the scorecard but the tee box was under repair and as per GPS, it showed as 122 yds to the middle. We were hitting from the fairway and the hole is slightly uphill so we could not see the cup. I used a 9 iron and saw it was right at the pin but as the greens weren’t holding that day, I fully expected the ball to bounce off the back of the green into the rough. Jokingly, before going to look in the rough, I said I’d just take a quick look in the cup and there it was! I was so shocked it was in.

This is my 2nd hole-in-one in my life. My first was last year, June 19 at Nottawasaga Hill course, hole #9. I waited 56 years for my first one and less than a year for the 2nd. Can’t wait for June 2023!

Thanks again for your interest.

Dave Hathway

Diane Paterson, Kelowna, Hole #13

Hi, 

Thank you so much! It was so fun.

I was golfing with Colleen Simpson, Sherry Bradley and Valerie Bitner. Val saw it hit the pin, but I walked fine with my 9 iron and putter thinking it rolled off the green. 

I used a Callaway 7 wood, and it was a front pin. I believe the front was 128 on my Garmin but it was over water.

I actually had another one almost 6 years ago on hole #7 at Black Mountain. Needless to say, my husband who has never had one is less than impressed. Ha ha!

Regards,

Diane 

Dylan Kearley, Raven Crest Golf & Country Club, Hole #3

On 06/10/2022, I was golfing with my dad and another partner who we had just met that day. It was early in our round, 3rd hole to be exact, when we approached a Par 3 from about 135 yards out. I used my 8 iron and hit a clean shot but just to the right of the green. There was a mound over there, and having previously played there, was hoping for a kick left. Sure enough, it catches the mound, kicks left and rolls towards the hole. It disappears as it got close to the hole and I was pretty sure it was one, along with one of my partners. They let me approach the green and sure enough, the ball was in. The whole day was a blur after!  

Thanks! 

Dylan Kearley

Irene Clarkson, Carnoustie Golf Club, Hole #14

What a pleasant surprise.

Indeed, I got a hole-in-one on the #14 par 3 at the Carnoustie Golf Course on Monday June 6, 2022. I used my Taylormade M4, 6 hybrid to hit 131 yards. I landed the green and watched the ball roll to the pin. I wasn’t certain of it falling in the hole, as that is beyond belief. I actually thought it rimmed the hole and rolled behind the pin. As I approached the green, I finally suspected that I had actually achieved a hole-in-one since the ball did not have enough momentum to roll to the back of the green. It’s an exciting moment of golf!

I played my round with Annie Lucas and Gail Limmert who are both members of the Carnoustie Ladies Club.

Unfortunately, we did not take a picture of me on the green as this is my second hole-in-one on the #14 par 3. The first occurred October 4, 2015, when I was playing with Jan Hull, Trena Cole and Vivian Dawson from our Carnoustie Ladies Club. 

My second hole-in-one July 30, 2019, on the #8 par 3 at Carnoustie while playing with Barb Boivin and Denise Pineau who are members of the Carnoustie Ladies Club.

I have golfed all over Canada and I think it is amazing to get a hole-in-one, however I can’t believe that I have had three of them and all on the same course with ladies from my club.

I can share a picture of the ball. When getting a hole-in-one, I immediately pull out my Sharpie and write the date, hole number, and have the ladies I am golfing with sign my ball.

Thank you so much for the wonderful graphic.  What a surprising acknowledgement!

Kindest regards,

Irene Clarkson

Jeff Pearce, Collicutt Siding, Hole #14

Thank you very much. The distance was 165 yards. Used a 8 iron and was playing with fellow members Ken Sharrun, Brad Kaminski and Masayaki Tsuzuki. Once again thank you for the email!

John Gustavson, Capilano, Hole #4

Thank you for the email and the certificate for my hole-in-one. Further to your email, I would like to share the details of my experience.

The day started off with my wife Monica, son Hans and his girlfriend Sarah teeing off in the rain at Capilano. After three holes of rain, the rain stopped, and we all teed off #4 the par 3 at Capilano Golf and Country Club. My son teed of first, then I hit my tee shot… Hans watched the shot and said “I think that went in ?” … Monica and Sarah then hit their tee shots. We all walked up to the green, there were 3 balls on the green … as I walked by the hole I saw my ball in the hole! What a great feeling!

The distance was 148 yards and the club I used was a 6 iron … (I don’t hit my irons as far anymore, but I guess far enough!)

I have played golf for a long time and always wanted to get a hole-in-one. To be able to achieve this with your wife and son was very memorable and special experience for my first hole-in-one! As well, Sarah the fourth in our group has had 2 hole-in-one’s! So there more work to be done to catch her!

Thanks again for your email.

Regards,

John Gustavson

Jonathan Griffith, Marine Drive Golf Club, Hole #14

Thank you, it definitely is pretty exciting! The people I played with are Nailin Esmail and Khairun Vellani. I didn’t previously know them and joined up on their tee time. The yardage was 138 yards and I use my Taylor made p7mc 9 iron.

Thanks,

Jonathan Griffith

Josh Sone, King’s Riding Golf Club, Hole #2

Thank you so much! It was a very exciting feeling!

I was playing with my dad, Evan, and one of his friends, Mark. 

The yardage was 131 Yards to the blue flag placement, and I hit a pitching wedge. 

Thanks,

Josh

Luka Brtan, Carlisle, Hole #16

Thank you for reaching out and your kinds words in regards to my hole-in-one! It’s definitely a moment I will never forget!

I was playing with my two friends, Robby Randhawa and Brent Teunissen, who are both Golf Canada members as well. We were about 125 yards out and I used my Pitching Wedge to hit the shot!

Thanks again for reaching out! Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Luka Brtan

Mark Caplan, Point Grey, Hole #13

Thank you. 13^th hole, 160 yards into the wind. 6 iron.

Mark Taciuk, Century Pines Golf Club, Hole #13

Thanks for the note.

It was my second round of the day, so I was playing with a single and a mom and son twosome. The two men signed the card

It was hole #13 and I was playing the white tees, it was 148 to the pin and I hit a 7 iron. The ball was a ChromeSoft Canada ball. 

Thanks again for the note.

Neil Ringwood, Royal Ontario Golf Club, Hole #8

Wow…my legend precedes me. Big thanks for the high five and you’re right: I’ll be talking about that one for a while. 

Probably like most distinctly average golfers, I spent too much time looking for my ball over the back of the green. 

Neil

Oliver McEvoy, Shannon Lake Golf Club, Hole #16

Thanks for the kudos.

It was on hole 16 which 147 yards with a 9 iron.

Witnessed by Dana Bennett and Sean Wall.

Cheers,

Ollie McEvoy

Patricia Allyne Hayes, Cedar Green Golf Course, Hole #16

Thank you for the recognition. Happy to share.

• Cobra F7 Driver
• Callaway ECO ball
• Yardage 131
• Playing with Ken Ellis of Garson 

Patricia Hayes

Peter Theocharis, Stratford Country Club, Hole #10

Hello!

I had to rush to the course to make my 4:28pm tee time because of a busy day at work. Once I got there, I felt flustered because I wasn’t able to warm up on the range or putting green. I didn’t end up shooting very well on the front 9 so I had to grab myself a beer at the halfway house to reset for the back 9.

Hole 10 was playing 168 yards that day with the front pin. My friend Andrew Barton stuck his shot 8 feet near the pin, and my other friend Brad McClure stuck his shot 10 feet near the pin. When it was my turn to hit, I took out my 8 iron and made a subtle comment “want to see a third?” When I hit my shot, it felt so pure as it headed directly for the hole. The ball landed 5 feet short, and we were all watching to see if it would roll in, and once it did the group erupted. Our 4th group member Reilly McCann grabbed me to start celebrating and I felt like I blacked out because I couldn’t believe what happened. I’m sure the whole course heard us celebrating!

Thank you!

Peter Theocharis

Peter Lavergne, Maple Ridge Golf Club, Hole #6

Thank you for the recognition.

I was playing with some of my regular Tuesday night guys; Greg Nanton, Tim Clark and Geoff Wheaton. 

It was 130 yards to the pin. I hit my 8 iron left of the pin by about 30 feet but it came down off the side hill and across the green and into the cup. 

Ironically, none of us saw it go in from the tee box as the pin was behind a sand trap. When we got to the green, we could not find my ball until I looked in the cup and there it was!

P.S. This was my first ever HIO! I am 67 and I have been playing golf for about 45 years. 

Sam Forgione, The Pulpit Club, Hole #7

Thank you for reaching out.

Friday was a perfect day at The Pulpit, one of the most beautiful courses in Canada.  

I was playing with two other Members that day, Greg Blackstock and Buddy Pitt as well as our new Director of Golf – Donovan Fraser.

The hole-in-one happened on hole #7, blue tees, the pin placement was back center, wind right to left and the distance was 134 yards. I hit an 8 iron and it one hopped into the hole. A very exciting moment.

This was my second hole in one.  The other one was also on hole #7 at the Paintbrush.

It was a fun moment to share with our foursome and the other groups that we were with that day.

Thank you,

Sam

Scott Cherrey, Whistle Bear Golf Club, Hole #8

It certainly was an exciting evening on June 10 for my first hole-in-one!

We were sitting eating dinner and thought…let’s go get 9 holes in at the Bear, so we quickly finished up and got ready for golf. It was my wife Christa, daughter Katelynne and youngest son Kaese (our oldest son Tyson was at work).

It was a beautiful sunny evening for golf. Once we got around to the par 3 #8 hole, I pulled my 8 iron for the 155 yd shot. When I hit the ball, I knew it was tracking towards the hole, but there was a ridge just over the bunker, so I didn’t know the ball went in the hole (I knew it had to be close to the hole). My family proceeded to hit from the red tees. When we got up to the green, we couldn’t see the ball, Kaese was the first to the hole…and confirmed the ball was in! There was obviously a big celebration (shock)…and hugs all around! It was a fantastic moment shared with the family.

Scott Cherrey

Sebastian Gonzalez, Deerfield Golf Club, Hole #9

Thank you so much for this note!

Details are:
Hole 9
138 yards
9 iron
SWISH! Not even a roll and dunks right in the cup. Perfect shot!

Best part is it was on my last day in my 30’s! Turned 40 the next day.

Spencer Noakes, TPC Toronto, Hole #7

Thank you! First one ever. It was on hole #7 north course at Osprey valley golf tees yardage was 201 yards.

Susan Holm, Canmore Golf Club, Hole #8

Thank you for this nice congratulations note from Golf Canada.  

I was golfing my second round of the day (after a morning women’s open tournament at our club) with my husband David Holm on his  65th birthday, our son Marcus Holm age 24 and who was playing golf as if he’s played all his life (he hasn’t – he’s a skier and a climber) and our best man and friend Allan Zivot who has taught me a lot about golf over 30 years especially when we were members at the Hamptons Golf course when it initially opened. I used to play 36 holes there, as I’m a school teacher with summers off, and was very close to a hole-in-one. I remember that one because I was playing alone and was thankful it didn’t go in as I didn’t have any witnesses.  Well, I sure had the best witnesses today. 

Right after the three men had tee’d off from the blue tee box my husband said matter of factly as they unnecessarily do, “hurry up Susan, the group is right behind us”. So, I grabbed my 9 iron after reading 130 yards on my Garmin. I hit it high and it dropped in front of the pin on the green and rolled right in!  

Sincerely,

Susan Holm

Thomas White, Riverside Country Club, Hole #8

Wow, thank you. My playing partners were Bob Haines, Mike Tilley, and Chris Gulliver. I used a pitching wedge and the yardage that day was 132 yards. This was my first hole-in-one, so we are pretty pumped.

Thank you again, 

Tom White

Tom White, Cordova Bay Golf Course, Hole #17

Playing with Rob Russell and Robert Reese. 150 yards. 4 hybrid.

Mike Vercillo, Paradise Canyon, Hole #17

Thank you for your email. It’s as a pleasant surprise as the actual hole-in-one.

The details are:

• I was playing with Brian Thiessen and Mike Tkachuk who are also members at Paradise Canyon.
• I was using the championship (blue) tees so approximate yardage was 190 yards and I used a 5 iron.
• I saw the ball land just before the green, bounce and then roll on the green. It was deep middle (white) flag positioned on the right side of the green. Because of our vantage point we could see most of the pin (flag) but could not see the cup. Therefore, we did not see it roll in. When we got there, we did not see my ball anywhere on the green, so Mike Tkachuk was the first to assume it went in and sure enough found my ball in the cup.
• Strangely, although I was happy as it was my very first hole-in-one, I took it all in stride and did not get overly excited. I probably would have gotten more excited if I could have watched it roll in.

Thank you for your congratulations. I use the Golf Canada app every time I golf and keep my score and a few statistics on a hole-by-hole basis. It’s an awesome app. Keep the good work.

Regards,

Mike Vercillo

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.

Challenging rough, large crowds, and constant media attention made the RBC Canadian Open a perfect test run for this week’s U.S. Open. Especially for Canadian golfers playing in their national championship who had extra responsibilities like more interviews, pro-am events, and sponsor appearances.

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., won the Rivermead Cup on Sunday as the lowest Canadian at the Canadian Open. He fired an 8-under 62 in the PGA Tour event’s fourth round to place sixth and earn the honour. He’s the top-ranked Canadian heading into the U.S. Open, the third major of the men’s golf season.

This year’s U.S. Open will be held at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., a historic course outside of Boston. The USGA, which organizes the event, likes having deep rough, undulating greens, and pinched fairways at the major.

“I feel like a lot of the things that I did here will serve me well next week at The Country Club,” said Conners on Sunday after finishing his final round at St. George’s Golf and Country Club. “The course was set up great this week and sort of major championship rough and needed to hit different types of shots to make sure you kept the ball in the short stuff.

“It was a great week this week and try and have some more fun next week.”

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His result at the RBC Canadian Open moved Conners up to 30th in the world golf rankings, a career high for the 30-year-old. It was his fourth top-10 finish this season, following a tie for fifth at the QBE Shootout (Dec. 12), third at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play (March 27), and a tie for sixth at the Masters (April 10).

Conners said he feels like he can carry his momentum from the Canadian Open into the major and get another positive result.

“I’ve learned over the last few years how to manage the energy, how to be ready to play and how to prepare for big championships,” said Conners, who has missed the cut in three other U.S. Open appearances.

Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., as well as Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin, both from Abbotsford, B.C., also played in the Canadian Open and will tee off at the major on Thursday.

Hadwin drew into the field last Wednesday as he was preparing to play in the Canadian Open.

“I’ve been playing some good golf, so I just have to keep doing the things that I’m doing and stay positive and just keep working hard,” said Hadwin, who finished at St. George’s with a 1-under 69 to tie for 35th.

Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., is also playing in the U.S. Open after competing in the Korn Ferry Tour’s BMW Charity Pro-Am last week. The 34-year-old Silverman will be making his major debut on Thursday.

“I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket for one tournament,” said Silverman. “But this is my first major championship. It’s an opportunity to play in a tournament I haven’t played before. All the top players in the world are going to be there, and I’m super excited for it.”

Golf facilities across Canada play an essential role in creating opportunities for junior golfers to develop and succeed. Especially for juniors who have competitive aspirations, the opportunity to play and practice at an accessible facility is a critical ingredient in their journeys.

Time spent at the golf course during childhood builds the skills required to succeed in competitive golf. And the work ethic cultivated by effortful practice develops a strength of character in a young person that is transferrable to whatever future endeavors they may pursue – whether related to golf or not.

Accordingly, providing a determined young person with the access to play, practice, and pursue their golfing dreams at a welcoming golf course can change the trajectory of their life. My own path was dramatically changed by the opportunities afforded to me as an employee with course access at Donalda Club and a sponsored junior member at Bayview Country Club in Toronto. The chance to play and practice at these facilities was the foundation that ultimately led to a golf scholarship at Stanford University. Many golf facilities across the country recognize the impact they can have on young people and have made it a priority to provide juniors with affordable course privileges. Thank you!

However, there are still barriers for some competitive juniors to gain access to adequate golf facilities. The increased popularity of golf has made courses very busy, and in some cases, facilities have managed this heightened demand by limiting junior memberships or scaling back course access. In some major metropolitan areas, the only way for competitive juniors to gain regular course and practice facility access is through family club memberships that require a significant investment.

Increased demand for golf in Canada has created prosperity for our industry and positively impacted the overall health of our sport. But it has also introduced a new set of choices about how junior golf will be prioritized by facilities. Will public courses continue to sell junior golf memberships when the opportunity cost is significant? Can members-only clubs admit even just a handful of non-family “sponsored” juniors for practice and playing privileges when tee times are already in extremely high demand? Can a facility provide its course to host a junior championship?

In one sense, these are challenging decisions to make in today’s extraordinary environment. However, when viewed through a long-term lens, the future health of golf participation in Canada – and also the future opportunity for Canadians to emerge as touring professionals – is dependent on courses across our country choosing to prioritize access for junior golfers. This is why Golf Canada is urgent about expanding First Tee across Canada and is grateful for the philanthropic support enabling this growth. If junior golf access is limited now, we will see problematic impacts on participation in the future.

Accordingly, Golf Canada wishes to more prominently thank the golf facilities and programs that are stepping up and already making a significant positive contribution to junior golf in Canada. To publicly and formally recognize their impact, beginning in 2022 a new series of awards called the Golf Canada National Awards for Junior Golf will be presented to celebrate facility achievements and create a heightened national awareness for how golf facilities can effectively support junior golf in their respective communities.

Awards will be presented to facilities and programs who are setting a national example by creating affordable and accessible junior membership opportunities, serving as a host location for tournaments, introducing new golfers to the sport, and developing nationally successful competitive players. Award winners for the 2022 season will be announced at the Golf Canada’s 2023 Annual General Meeting. Please see the detailed summary below for more information about the Golf Canada National Facility Awards for Junior Golf, including award categories, nomination process, and timelines.

Along with most golfers across Canada, we believe that all juniors who are passionate about golf and serious about their competitive development should have affordable access to a facility where they can pursue their dreams. We are grateful for the facilities who share this vision and already support junior golf in a significant way. Thank you! We look forward to recognizing you publicly and celebrating your leadership so it can be followed across Canada.

Go Canada Go!
Kevin

The Golf Canada National Facility Awards for Junior Golf

The following awards will be presented:

Junior Golf Opportunity Award
Awarded to a facility that provides exceptional access and membership opportunities for junior golfers. Special consideration is given to facilities with strong non-family sponsored junior programs and facilities with fundraising programs to help athletes compete at provincial, national, and international competitions.

First Tee Program Location of the Year
Awarded to a First Tee Program Location that demonstrates excellent enrollment in First Tee programming and makes a significant impact on growing participation among new juniors within its community.

Youth on Course Program Location of the Year
Awarded to the facility that provides the largest number of Youth on Course green fee subsidies to junior golfers in the calendar year.

Competitive Junior Program of the Year
Awarded to a facility or academy program with many junior athletes competing in provincial and national championships and earning strong results in those championships.

Grassroots Junior Program of the Year
Awarded to a facility or academy program that is excelling at creating new junior golfers through local programming.

Tournament Host of the Year
Awarded to a facility that gives back to junior golf by embracing the opportunity to host junior competitions. The facility creates an excellent tournament experience for players and involves the local community through volunteers and fundraising support.

NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Week of May 30 – Individual Golf Canada Members and Golf Canada Member Facilities are notified of the National Facility Awards for Junior Golf program in 2022.

September 6 – Applications are opened to all individual Golf Canada members and member facilities to nominate facilities for each award category. Facilities are encouraged to apply themselves.

October 31 – Deadline for Golf Canada to receive all nominations using the online nomination portal.

November 2022 – Nominations are reviewed by the Golf Industry Advisory Council, Sport Committee, and Amateur Championships Committee. Members from these groups will be asked to rank nominees using a matrix provided by the Golf Services department. Volunteers with an affiliation to a nominated facility will be recused from discussions relating to that facility.

December 2022 – Staff from Golf Services, Amateur Championships, and High Performance departments will work together to review all feedback and determine a final ranking of nominees within each category. Staff with an affiliation to a nominated facility will be recused from discussions relating to that facility. A short list of finalists will be published in each category.

February 2023 – Award winners will be announced and recognized at Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting.

March 2023 – Awards will be shipped to each recipient and a press release will be created for all award winners.

NOMINATE A FACILITY

AWARDS

A plaque will be provided to each award-winning facility on behalf of Golf Canada to recognize the award and celebrate its contributions to junior golf in Canada.

Facilities will not be eligible to win in the same award category in consecutive years.

A panel of judges examined close to 120 stories, photos, videos and podcasts to identify the finest content created by members of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) in 2021.

There was an astonishing variety of content produced across many platforms in 2021 in the world of Canadian golf journalism. The judges faced a difficult task but managed to identify the cream of the crop in seven categories: Column, Profile, Feature, Travel, Photography (Action), Photography (Landscape) and Multimedia.

There were some notable highlights from this year’s award, including multiple stories focussing on the ways in which golf is growing and impacting a wide variety of communities (and vice versa), stories such as Adam Stanley’s first place column on the growing influence of women in the game, Curtis Gillespie’s story on golf and First Nations communities and Rick Drennan’s story on all-abilities golfer Kevin Pritchard. Other highlights included Bernard Brault’s sweep of the Photo Action category. Adam Stanley and Lorne Rubenstein were the biggest winners in the writing categories, winning three awards each.

The full list of 2021 GJAC Award winners is below:

Column

• First Place: Adam Stanley – “Power Drive: How Women are Growing golf,” Toronto Star
• Second Place: Lorne Rubenstein – “My Home of Golf,” Score Golf
• Third Place: Lorne Rubenstein – “Are We Defining Sporting Success Correctly?” Score Golf

Travel

• First Place: Cabot Cliffs and Links – Anita Draycott                                                       
• Second Place: Algonquin Diary Pt 1- Lorne Rubenstein                                                     
• Third Place: Hitting the High Life – Anita Draycott                                                           

Photo – Action

• First Place: Bernard Brault – “Players Practicing at Elm Ridge”                
• Second Place: Bernard Brault – “Hitting out of the bunker at the Island Course.”
• Third Place: Bernard Brault – “Canadian Juniors Final Round”

(All three photos were published by Golf Canada)

Photo – Landscape

• First Place: Alex Forbes – “Morning Light” The Preferred Lie      
• Second Place: Brendan Stasiewich – “Oh What a Feeling,” PGA of Canada
• Third Place: Bernard Brault – “Autumn golf at the Chateau Bromont Club,” Golf Canada

Profile

• First Place: Rick Drennan – “My Most Memorable 9,” Pro Shop Magazine
• Second Place: Adam Stanley – “Corey Conners,” Toronto Star
• Third Place: Adam Stanley – “Albin Choi,” Toronto Star

Multimedia

• First Place: The Preferred Lie – “The Comeback”
• Second Place: Explore Canada – “Charting the Course: Niagara”
• Third Place: Explore Canada – “Charting the Course: Saskatoon”

Features

• First Place: Curtis Gillespie – “A Nation of Golfers,” Score Golf
• Second Place: Jason Logan – “All in the Family,” Score Golf
• Third Place: David McPherson – “Turf Management at Altitude,” Golf Course Management

GJAC wishes to offer its thanks to the judges for their effort and insight.

This year’s judges were Jeff Brooke, Harvey Freedenberg, Craig Gardner, Tim O’Connor, Terry Lenyk, Robert Thompson, Scott MacLeod, Mike Johnny, Norm MacDonald, Pierre Michaud, Scot Morison and Sandra Thompson.

GJAC’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee introduces new Media category for 2022 Awards

As the association continues to look at new ways to become more inclusive in all areas of operations, GJAC announced the introduction of a new category in the Media awards for 2022. This new award will recognize and honor work from 2022 that features and focuses on any aspect of equity, diversity and/or inclusion. Eligibility for this new award is for any work (writing or multi-media) that raises awareness about the challenges and opportunities related to DEI with a focus on women, people of colour, the Indigenous Community, LGBTQ+ community, and/or individuals with disabilities.

Steinbach, Man. – Amy Seung Hyun Lee and Alex Swinnerton were crowned champions of their respective divisions at the shortened NextGen Prairie Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards.

The final round of the junior event at Quarry Oaks Golf Course in Steinbach, Manitoba was cancelled on Sunday due to inclement weather.

Hyun Lee’s second round bogey-free, three-under par 69 leapfrogged her into first place and, eventually, the winner’s circle. The Langley B.C. native’s round of 69 ties her with Lucy Lin for the lowest round by a Junior Girl at a NextGen Championship this year.

Aastha Savadatti of Calgary, Alta. finished in sole possession of second place at +6 on the tournament, while Ha Young Chang of Surrey, B.C. rounded out the top-three at +8.

Swinnerton carded rounds of one-under par 71 and two-under par 70, respectively, to earn the Junior Boys title with a four-stroke victory over Matthew Javier. The Saskatoon, Sask. native made four birdies on each of the two days for a total of eight en route to the NextGen Prairie Championship.

Click here for full results of the 2022 NextGen Prairie Championship.

Including Hyun Lee, the top six players in the Junior Girls division have earned exemptions into the 2022 Canadian Junior Girls Championship taking place July 25-29 at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont.

From the Junior Boys division, the top six players have earned exemptions into the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, August 6-10, at Rivershore Estates & Golf Links in Kamloops, British Columbia.

About the NextGen Championships series, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards

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

TORONTO, Ont. – Rory McIlroy’s bid to defend his RBC Canadian Open title is complete.

McIlroy fired an eight-under par 62 in the final round of Sunday’s National Open at St. George’s Golf & Country Club to win his second consecutive RBC Canadian Open, three years and four days after he hoisted the trophy in 2019 at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.

“It means an awful lot. I feel like it’s getting tougher and tougher to win on the PGA TOUR,” said McIlroy. “I went out with a lead and had to shoot 8-under par to get the job done. So, the depth of talent on this TOUR is really, really impressive.”

The Northern Irishman’s win in Canada marks his first-ever successful title defence on the PGA TOUR and his 21^st tournament victory, putting him in a tie for 31^st on the all-time wins list.

“Super happy to get that 21st win [and] to defend,” said McIlroy. “To play in a final group like that with that atmosphere all day. I mean the fans here this week have just been absolutely unbelievable – like so good and so cool to play in an atmosphere like that. Boisterous, loud, but respectful.”

The 33-year-old joins J. Douglas Edger, Leo Diegel, Sam Snead, Jim Ferrier, Jim Furyk and Jhonattan Vegas as players to win back-to-back at the RBC Canadian Open. McIlroy is also the first champion since Jim Furyk in 2006-07 to win back-to-back titles at two different venues—Furyk accomplishing the feat at Hamilton Golf & Country Club (2006) and Angus Glen Golf Club (2007) while McIlroy followed up his 2019 victory at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.

McIlroy is now two-for-two north of the border and his return for 2023 at Oakdale Golf & Country Club is all but confirmed.

Justin Rose’s final round 10-under par 60 is the lowest final round score in the history of the tournament, one upping McIlroy’s 61 in the final round of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open.

Corey Conners went out with a bang, matching McIlroy’s round of eight-under par 62 and catapulting up the leaderboard for a sixth-place finish. The Listowel, Ont. native earned the Rivermead Challenge Cup as the low-Canadian professional at the RBC Canadian Open for the first time.

“There’s a great list of Canadians who have their names on that trophy, so definitely an honor to have my name added,” said Conners. “It was a great week and hopefully start there and can challenge for the title in the next few years.”

Tony Finau entered Sunday’s final round with a share of the lead, and albeit a respectable six-under 64, he could not keep pace with the eventual winner. Justin Thomas also carded a final round 64 to finish in sole position of third place.

Keith Mitchell and Wyndham Clark have qualified for the 150^th playing of The Open Championship as the leading two finishers within the top-eight who weren’t otherwise already exempt into the tournament. The Open will be played at St. Andrews, July 14-17.

View the full leaderboard here. 

Brooke Henderson returned to the winning circle with a comeback victory at the 2022 ShopRite LPGA Classic.

The 24-year-old trailed by four strokes entering the final round, but rallied on Sunday, firing a bogey-free, seven-under par 64 on the Bay Course at Seaview Golf Club en route to her 11^th LPGA Tour title.

“Coming into today I just was trying to go low and see what happens. I didn’t think — I mean, I thought the victory was a possibility, but there are a lot of really talented players ahead of me and I think I was four shots back starting the day,” said Henderson. “I knew it was going to take a little bit of magic, and I’m just really happy that I’m sitting here next to the trophy.”

Henderson tapped in for birdie on no. 18 to secure the clubhouse lead at 12-under, but Lindsey Weaver-Wright matched the Canadian’s effort to force a playoff. In extra holes, Henderson prevailed, making an eagle to claim the trophy.  

“I had 193 to the pin. It was a little into the wind and I hit knock-down 7-wood. It’s the same club I hit on 9 that I made eagle there, too, so that was — that club was definitely working for me today. I’ll have to give it a pat on the head later,” said Henderson.

Henderson’s final round score of 64 is the Smith Falls, Ont. native’s lowest score of the 2022 season, and lowest score on the LPGA Tour since the final round of last year’s LPGA Classic where she finished T2. 

The winningest Canadian in golf history inched closer and closer to the top in Galloway, before finally getting her hands on the trophy this week. 

In 2019, Henderson notched a T11 finish, followed by a T6 result in 2020. One year later, in 2021, she returned to Seaview Golf Club and secured a T2 finish, before competing her run to glory on Sunday for her first LPGA win since the 2021 DIO Implant LA Open. 

With her win, Henderson is projected to climb ten spots, from 12^th to second, on the CME Globe points list.  

Next up for the Canadian is the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, an event Henderson has won twice before, in 2017 and 2019.

St George’s Golf & Country Club hosted the 2022 RBC Canadian Open for the sixth time in its 111 year history (1933, 1949, 1960, 1968 and 2010).

After 1093 days and two years of cancellations due to the global pandemic, the world’s best golfers returned to Canada for our National Open.

The anticipation leading up to the this year’s tournament has been second to none and the turnout speaks for itself.

“It’s unbelievable, the atmosphere out there today was, I mean I can’t remember the last time I played in an atmosphere like that. It was really special,” said Rory McIlroy following his third round performance.

With the use of drone technology, Golf Canada captured dynamic and innovative views inside the clubhouse and on the grounds overlooking the 18th hole at St. George’s.