PORT SEVERN, Ont. – The 2022 NextGen Ontario Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards, is set to take place at Oak Bay Golf Club in Port Severn, Ont. from May 26 – 28. 

Practice rounds are scheduled for May 25, before the official tournament gets underway on May 26. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 48 Junior Boys and the top 24 Junior Girls (both including ties) in their respective divisions, for the final round of the 54-hole stroke play competition that will wrap up on May 28.

The top eight male competitors will earn a spot in the upcoming Canadian Junior Boys Championship – presented by BDO, August 7-10 at Rivershore Estates & Golf Links in Kamloops, B.C. The top eight female golfers (including ties) will also earn exemptions into this year’s Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 25-29, at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa, Ontario.

The starting field will feature 144 players – 96 Junior Boys and 48 Junior Girls – vying for a spot in their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer.

The NextGen Ontario Championship is the second of six regional junior championships presented in partnership with JOURNIE Rewards. Angela Arora and Eric Zhao took home the honours in the NextGen Pacific Championship earlier this month at Nanaimo Golf Club in B.C. For the full schedule of 2022 NextGen Championships click here.

Oak Bay Golf Club is nestled along the shoreline of the Georgian Bay and is a personification of nature at its finest. Its picturesque views and charming scenery are sights to see, but a full focus is required to score well at the challenging course located in the Muskoka region. While the yardage book may seem forgiving, Oak Bay is no walk in the park – even for the longest of hitters. Dense forests and rocky terrain, accompanied by the wetlands that surround, will leave little room for error at the NextGen Ontario Championship.

For past results of the 2022 NextGen Championships – fueled by JOURNIE Rewards: Pacific

Additional information about the 2022 NextGen Ontario Championship can be found here.

NOTABLES

Ben MacLean (Niagara Falls, Ont.)

Ben MacLean is fresh off a win at the 2022 Ontario Junior Spring Classic (U19) Boys Championship. Prior to that, the Team Canada national junior squad member recorded T2 and T4 finishes at the NextGen Pacific Championship and RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier (Ontario), respectively. The 17-year-old will be looking to add to his already impressive 2022 resume at Oak Bay.

Ryan Sommerville (Aurora, Ont.)

Ryan Sommerville is a name to look out for in Port Severn this week. The Team Ontario member ended his 2021 season with a strong showing at the NextGen Fall Series East Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards, finishing T3, and is looking to ride the wave into this year’s championship season.

Lindsay McGrath (Oakville, Ont.)

Lindsay McGrath celebrated the Victoria Day weekend on top at the 2022 Ontario Junior Spring Classic (U19) Girls Championship, claiming a one-shot victory with a final round 68. The youngest member of Team Ontario will look to go back-to-back at Oak Bay.

Nyah Kelly (Lindsay, Ont.)

Nyah Kelly was a top-10 machine in 2021, finishing amongst the leaders in each of the provincial and national tournaments she played in. To cap off a stellar season, Kelly notched a T2 finish at the NextGen Fall Series East Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards. With the 2022 season underway, Kelly is poised to take her game to the next level and land a first-place finish at the NextGen Ontario Championship.

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. 

“It weighs 35 pounds, except when you’re lifting it,” is an ode to the hoisting of the Stanley Cup but is also speaks to the difficulty of winning any championship and the ease of hoisting the hardware thereafter.

Trophies are a longstanding symbolic representation of achievement and the history that lives within them is no less. What makes them special are their unique characteristics and designs that represent the championship they stand for, and the RBC Canadian Open Trophy is no exception – every part of Canada is represented on the silverware symbolizing the National Open.

The RBC Canadian Open is the third oldest continuously running tournament on the PGA TOUR and, accordingly, has a rich history of hardware to show for. From the inaugural winner in 1904 to the latest champion in 2019, golf’s legacy is imprinted all over the Canadian Open trophies shelved in the archives of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame at Glen Abbey Golf Course in Oakville, Ont.

Here are 11 facts about the RBC Canadian Open Trophy for your next trivia night:

1. The first time a trophy was awarded to the winner of the Canadian Open was in 1920. In the years prior and starting with the first tournament in 1904, the RCGA (commonly known as Golf Canada) awarded the winner with a gold medal.

2. At one point, the trophy came in the form of a one-of-a-kind soapstone carving.

3. U.K. native James Douglas Edgar would be the first recipient of the trophy (what was then called The Rivermead Challenge Cup) in 1920. He received $300 in prize money for the first-place finish. In comparison, the winner’s share for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open is $1.57 million.

4. The current trophy in use was made in 1994 in Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia by a silversmith. The trophy consists of three parts: the lid, the bowl, and the base.

5. If you look closely, a map of Canada is engraved on the lid of the trophy. The flags from the provinces and territories are also represented along the lip of the bowl.

6. The base of the trophy is made of Canadian maple with silver bands to accommodate the engraved names. In 2015, an additional tier was added to accommodate the newest generation of champions. There are 86 different names (110 total) engraved into the current trophy.

7. The name that appears the most on the trophy is Leo Diegel who won the championship a record four times. Tommy Armour, Sam Snead and Lee Travino are each represented three times.

8. The Canadian Open was cancelled from 1915-1918 because of World War I, 1943-1944 for World War II, and 2020-2021 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. For these eight occasions the trophy reads “No Championship”.  

9. The tournament winner receives a miniature version of the trophy to take home and keep.

10. The trophy is the only silverware to be presented in Canada at a PGA TOUR event this year with the RBC Canadian Open being the sole PGA TOUR stop north of the border.  

11. Though it may feel as light as feathers after a 72-hole victory on the PGA TOUR, the RBC Canadian Open Trophy weighs in at 22 pounds (10 kilograms).

To buy your tickets to the final round and see the RBC Canadian Open Trophy presentation live from St George’s Golf and Country Club on June 12, click here.

THE CANADIAN OPEN GOLD MEDAL (1904 – 1919)

THE SEAGRAM GOLD CUP (1936 – 1970)

THE DU MAURIER TROPHY (1971 – 1993)

RBC CANADIAN OPEN TROPHY (1994 – current)

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).

Doug Hoppe, Essex Golf & Country Club, Hole #7

Appreciate the congratulatory email – what a nice touch by Golf Canada! I’d be happy to provide the details of my hole-in-one and a photo as well, see below. Feel free to share on the Golf Canada website and social channels as you see fit.

Yardage: 147 yards
Club: Pitching Wedge
Playing Partner: Mike D.

Regards,
Doug Hoppe

Tony Maher, The Pulpit Club, Hole #13

Having just hit my tee ball OB on 12 at the Paintbrush, I was last to tee off on the par-3 13th. The 13th was playing 212 yards to a back pin. Jeremy N. led off with a well struck 5 or 6 iron that took a soft bounce and just failed to crest the ridge in the middle of the green. Michael O., a new member at The Pulpit Club followed and hit a great hybrid on the same line as Jeremy, but with a lower ball flight he appeared to crest the ridge. Since I lost my ball on the previous hole, I reached in to my pocket and pulled out a mint Callaway Chrome Soft that I found during my recent search. I teed that ball up, looked at the Maple Leafs, and made a decent pass with my 3 wood.

When we got to the green, we saw 2 balls on the green, with Michael’s being less than 10ft away. After looking for a minute or two, we were thinking my ball was lost, until Michael looked in the hole.

It was a long winter, but it is so good being back out on the course….what a game!

Lise Proulx, Hylands Golf Club, Hole #3

How nice is it of you to write to congratulate me on my hole in one. The pro at my course didn’t think much of it, he simply said, “Easy game.” So thank you for taking the time to write.

The people who played with me were: Cathy B., Brenda W. and Chantale B. The distance was 108 yards and I used my 8 iron. I have attached pictures of that moment and give you permission to feature my story on GolfCanada.ca.

Thank you again,

Lise

Elène McDougall, Loch March Golf & Country Club, Hole #13

Imagine my surprise receiving this congratulatory acknowledgment from Golf Canada !!

WOOHOO !!

On Saturday May 14, 2022, I scored (my second) HOLE-IN-ONE on #13 at Loch March !!

Loch March GCC: Hole # 13 ~95 yards – 9 iron.
Playing partners: Glen C., Mike W. and Lu J.

Celebrated with pops on LM patio :)))

Elène McDougall

Peter Dykstra, Summit Golf & Country Club, Hole #10

Thanks for the note!

Was playing with a few good friends and fellow Summit members Chris S., Sean R. and Brent H.

Was a beautiful but windy day. 10th hole, we lasered it at 173, but felt it was playing 195 or so with the wind and elevation. I took out my 5 iron, had a nice smooth swing, the ball bounced once before the green one more on the fringe, rolled about 6 feet and it dropped. To be honest, I didn’t really believe it until we got up to the green.

Here are a couple pictures by all means share if you want. Thanks again and have a wonderful weekend!

Reid Woodman, Edmonton Country Club, Hole #18

Thank you very much, and yes you have my permission to share if you’d like!

For details, I was playing with Mark M. and Ethan O. The yardage was about 185 and I used a 7 iron. This is my second hole-in-one in ten months, and third in my lifetime, with the last one being on number 13 at the Edmonton Country Club in July 2021. Feeling very lucky to say the least!

Thank you for the email and the graphic.

Bryan Ho, Hollinger Golf Club, Hole #13

I was on hole 13 at Hollinger par 3; playing from the whites. It was 103.4 yards to the pin, as indicated by my rangefinder. Thats right in the range of my approach wedge (50 degrees).

The ball I struck, had the best feeling swing I had all day. Great high ball flight that landed right in front of the flag and it slowly crept down to the hole. Once it fell, I couldn’t believe it and in that moment the realization came at a burst and I screamed at the top of my lungs. It alerted the group ahead of me that was teeing off haha. They thought I had a heart attack. After I told them that I just hit a hole-in-one, they came to the flag to check and sure enough there it was: My TaylorMade RBZ ball that I found in the woods that day.

Thank you for contacting me, I was able to relive it again by describing what happened!

Gisele Watson, Maple City Country Club, Hole #12

Hello Lawrence!

Yes, it was the moment of my golf life! It was on hole number 12 at Maple City Country Club, and I believe the yardage was 105 yards. I used a 6 hybrid for that shot. I played with Judy P., Judy W. and Claudette R.

Cheers!

Gisele Watson

Frank Diamanti, BraeBen Golf Course, Hole #4

Thank you so much for acknowledging the feat.

I was playing with my cousin Marco C., my usual playing partner, it was the 4th hole par 3. We were playing from the black tees; my watch indicated it was 152 yards to the middle, so I used my 7-iron and the ball was moving left to right, playing the wind accordingly. I saw it bounce on the green, but because of the time of day (5’ish) and glare from the sun off the green, I couldn’t see where it landed.

We drove up to the hole, and I didn’t see my ball on the green, I was looking for it, right of the flagstick, and in the greenside bunker, but didn’t see it. Marco checked the pin and it was in the hole.

I don’t have a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account (old and wise for that kind of stuff), so taking a picture didn’t cross my mind. We just carried on with the round. The funny thing we didn’t know how to mark it on the score card… is it just a 1 and a rectangle or …. we didn’t know it was two circles…. we know how to mark birdies and bogies and what not …..but for a hole in 1, we had no clue.

Thank you for very much, really do appreciate Golf Canada reaching out.

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.

TORONTO — RBC today announced its new sponsorship as a Global Partner of Women’s Golf Day (WGD) and lead sponsor of the inaugural WGD RBC Toronto event, taking place June 7 at the historic Scarboro Golf and Country Club. The Women’s Golf Day movement, recognized each year in June, includes more than 1,000 events in over 80 countries, and celebrates women and girls learning valuable skills that will empower them on and off the golf course.

With a shared vision of advancing the game of golf for women, RBC is proud to partner with WGD, a global network of women dedicated to supporting golf and one another in the pursuit of excellence in the game. As lead sponsor of the WGD Toronto event, RBC will help provide new and experienced golfers across the greater Toronto area with resources, networking opportunities and access to the game.

“We are thrilled to partner with Women’s Golf Day for the launch of the inaugural WGD RBC Toronto event and to further our commitment to supporting women in sport,” said Shannon Cole, Vice-President, Brand Marketing, RBC. “WGD’s passion for championing the advancement of women in golf is inspiring, and we are excited to be joining their incredible global network.”

“As Women’s Golf Day continues to evolve and expand globally, we are excited to welcome RBC, an organization that shares our passion for advancing women through the sport of golf,” said Elisa Gaudet, Founder of Women’s Golf Day. “We look forward to launching this initiative in Toronto and continuing to empower Canadian women to get involved in golf no matter what their level and explore the benefits for themselves, family and friends.”

Golfers can participate in the WGD global initiative by registering for the Toronto event, taking place on Tuesday, June 7 at Scarboro Golf and Country Club from 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST. The event will include a panel discussion featuring prominent women in the sport including Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Member Lorie Kane, a choice of participation in either a 9-hole shotgun game or golf clinic, as well as networking opportunities with leading golf industry professionals.

Additionally, event participants will receive complimentary tickets courtesy of Golf Canada, to the RBC Canadian Open taking place from June 6-12 at the iconic St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Etobicoke. Tickets to the WGD event are limited and registration will close once all spots have been filled.

“Scarboro Golf and Country Club is thrilled to host the Toronto event for Women’s Golf Day and to partner with RBC and WGD on this amazing initiative,” said Carol-Ann Goering, Chief Operating Officer, Scarboro Golf and Country Club. “Our Club aims to engage a diverse community of golfers and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the WGD network this June.”

RBC is a proud supporter of women’s golf on both the professional and grassroots level, demonstrated through longstanding sponsorships including: Team Canada; CP Women’s Open; RBC PGA Scramble; and RBC Community Junior Golf. RBC is also the official financial services partner of golfers on the LPGA TOUR including world no. 9 Brooke Henderson, Alena Sharp and Morgan Pressel.

Key Facts:

What: Women’s Golf Day in partnership with RBC

When: Tuesday, June 7 from 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST

Where: Scarboro Golf and Country Club, Toronto, ON

How: Register for the inaugural Toronto event here. Registration includes complimentary tickets to the RBC Canadian Open, courtesy of RBC and Golf Canada. Spots are limited and registration will close once all spots have been filled.

Women’s Golf Day (WGD) is a global movement that Engages, Empowers, and Supports women and girls through golf and facilitates them learning the skills that last a lifetime. The one-day, four-hour event, has now taken place at more than 1000 locations in nearly 80 countries since its inception in 2016, and has introduced thousands of new golfers to the sport. WGD is the fastest-growing female golf development initiative. Learn more at womensgolfday.com.

CALEDON, Ont. – Before the pandemic started, Brendan Leonard was ready to call it quits on golf. Missed cuts and failed attempts at Q-school and the Mackenzie Tour lead the 30-year-old to lean towards pursuing a career in teaching. Now, some two and a half years later, he finds himself preparing to play in the 2022 RBC Canadian Open.

A two-foot putt for par on the fourth playoff hole booked the Cambridge, Ont. native’s ticket to the RBC Canadian Open at St George’s Golf & Country Club on June 6-12, after a marathon-like battle with David Li Sheman.

Twenty others, excluding Li Sheman, also earned spots at the Final Qualifier on June 6 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club. Among the group are Michael Gonko, who finished at 5 under, and Ben MacLean, Chris Wilson, Phil Arci and Victor Ciesielski, who each carded rounds of 4-under-par 68.

A frost delay pushed back tee times on Wednesday morning and darkness suspended play in the evening, but 25 hours, 1 minute and 24 seconds after the originally planned start time, a champion was crowned at the RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier (Ontario) at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont.

Leonard and Sheman, both owners of rounds of 6-under-par 66 on Wednesday, teed off on the first playoff hole with little daylight to spare, but neither were willing to give in. A pair of birdies on the first playoff hole, coupled with two pars on the second was all the shine the setting sun had to offer.

A look back into the sunset, a nod and a handshake wrapped up play on Wednesday as the player’s agreed it was too dark to continue.

“It was nerve wracking waiting around, that’s probably the worst part,” said Leonard, whose alarm clock was set for 4 a.m. Thursday morning. “Going into today, I told myself, ‘You’re the best player in the field, let’s just try and get it done.”

Get it done, he did.

On Wednesday morning, the players returned to the tee on No. 18 and went toe-to-toe.

On the first playoff hole of the day – and third of the tournament – Li Sheman’s approach shot found the water, forcing the Aurora, Ont., native to drop. The penalty stroke did not seem to faze him, however, as he was able to regather himself and get up-and-down to save par.

On the ensuing playoff hole, it was Leonard’s composure that sealed the deal for him. A perfectly executed tee shot and layup left him with a short chip and a nervy two-foot putt for par to win, and he made no mistake. At first, a subtle fist pump and a sigh of relief was all the reaction to show for it, but there was no holding back the smile that lit up Leonard’s face moments later.

“I’ve been dreaming of this since I picked up a club at age 14,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to play in the [RBC] Canadian Open, so I’m happy to now have the chance to do it.”

Leonard’s patience has been tested, not only on Wednesday and Thursday this week, but everyday since the 30-year-old dedicated his life to golf. Safe to say now, the patience has paid off.

“I was kind of struggling [before the pandemic] but a few people told me to just keep going and I’ve played really well the past two years, so now I’m feeling pretty good about my game,” said Leonard.

“I get up, practice, play and go back and do the same thing seven days a week,” added Leonard, who is a PGA of Canada professional at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ont.

It was all or nothing for the former University of Detroit Mercy Titan coming into Wednesday’s round. Earning a spot in the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier on June 6 meant little to nothing for Leonard, who will be competing in the U.S. Open Final Qualifier that same day, so he knew he had to win to get in.

Despite making consecutive birdies on hole Nos. 8, 9, 10 and 11, it wasn’t until a 45-foot putt for birdie on No. 16 that Leonard – who admittedly looked at the leaderboard prior to his round – thought he had a legitimate chance at winning the qualifier.

“I wanted to get to 7 under. Obviously, that didn’t happen, but I still got the job done,” he said. “I’ve had a few good years lately, but I think this one takes the cake,” added Leonard, alluding to Thursday’s win being the best moment in his golf career.

Leonard says he’s never played at St George’s Golf and Country Club before but plans on visiting before teeing it up the week of June 6-12. As for his goal for that week, it’s simple:

“Every tournament I play, I try to win, so I am going to take it hole-by-hole and try to birdie as many as I can.”

Leonard says he’s got many phone calls to make, but the first went out to his parents.

“They’re my biggest supporters; they’ve done a lot for me [and] helped me out a lot so they’re going to be pretty happy,” he laughed.

Despite being six days shy of his 31^st birthday, Leonard plans on celebrating early.

“We’re going to have fun tonight,” he joked, with a wry smile.

The 18-hole qualifier at TPC Toronto was the third of four regional qualifiers taking place across the country. The fourth, and final, regional qualifier is scheduled for Monday, May 30at Mickelson National Golf Club in Calgary, Alta, rounding up the field for the Final Qualifier.

For the full leaderboard click here.

For past results of the 2022 regional qualifiers: Quebec and British Columbia

PITT MEADOWS, B.C. – It took six holes for Bryce Barker to get settled in at Meadow Gardens Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C., but once he found his groove, there was no looking back.

After making a bogey on hole 6, the Vernon, B.C. native shifted gears into the fast lane as he recorded three birdies in his final 12 holes to finish at 2-under par on Tuesday at the RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier in British Columbia.

As there were less than 100 competitors at the Regional Qualifier, Barker did not gain a direct exemption into the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, but will be vying for a spot in the tournament at the Final Qualifier.

Joining Barker at Oakdale Golf & Country Club on June 6 are Tanvir Kahlon (Langley, B.C.); Owen Kim (Oakville, Ont.); Sang Lee (Calgary, Alta); Nigel Sinnott (Abbotsford, B.C); Gunner Wiebe (Phoenix, Az); Brendan Dillon (Port Moody, B.C.); Scott Kerr (Vancouver, B.C.); and Tony Gil (Delta, B.C.).

Kahlon and Kim tackled the 7,041-yard layout with a pair of 1-under par rounds of 71, while Lee came in alone in fourth with a respectable round of even par.

Sinnott and Wiebe carded scores of 1-over 71, good enough for a T5 finish; and Dillon, Gil and Kerr – who birdied hole 18 – made it on the number at 2-over par.

The 18-hole qualifier at Meadow Gardens was the second of four regional qualifiers taking place across the country. The next qualifier goes tomorrow (Wednesday, May 18) at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont., where one of 144 players will be granted direct entry into the 2022 RBC Canadian Open at St. George’s Golf & Country Club. The final regional qualifier is scheduled for May 30at Mickelson National Golf Club in Calgary, Alta.

For the full leaderboard click here.

For the Quebec regional qualifier results click here.

CALEDON, Ont. – If you think you’ve heard the name Michael Blair before, it’s because you have. The Ancaster, Ont., native, who competed in the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, is now vying for a spot at this year’s U.S. Open and his odds just got a whole lot better.

The 30-year-old withstood inclement weather conditions in what seemingly was just another day at the office for Blair, who fired a cool 2-under par 69 at The Pulpit Club (Paintbrush course) on Monday to earn medallist honours in the local qualifying round.

Blair wasted no time getting to work on Monday morning as part of the first pairing to tee off in Caledon, Ont., and set the tone early for the remaining 75 players in the starting field.

After an even par showing on the front nine, he knocked down three birdies coming in, to claim the early clubhouse lead – one that was ultimately never surrendered.  

Riley Goss of Toronto, Ont. solidified his spot in the Final Qualifier with a 1-under 70, as a result of two birdies on his final five holes of the day. Goss also eagled the par-5 No. 8 earlier in the round.

Then, things got interesting:

• Five: the number of players tied at even par
• Three: the number of spots remaining for a berth in the Final Qualifier
• One: the number of ways to settle the tie.

What does that equal? A playoff.

Jeff Fang, Steve Gonko, Chris Crisologo, David Li Sheman and Branson Ferrier entered the pot in hopes of pencilling their names into the next stage and with the stakes high, it was the latter trio of names who prevailed.

Cosologo, Sheman and Ferrier’s pars on the first playoff hole proved good enough to see them through to the final stage of qualifying for the 122^nd U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Fang and Gonko will serve as alternates in the event that one of the qualifiers opts out of the final stage.

Players will be designated to the course of their choice for the Final Qualifier. To see the list of Final Qualifying sites click here.

For the full leaderboard click here.

Golf Canada is adding new financial benefits available to competitors at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, Canadian Junior Boys Championship, Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, and Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, each presented by BDO.

To help defray the cost of participation, a limited number of needs-based financial assistance grants will be available for competitors who must travel to play in the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and Canadian Junior Boys Championship. A total of 26 grants of $500 each will be provided to eligible participants based on family financial need using an application process that is similar to how universities allocate financial aid.

“Golf Canada recognizes the financial demands associated with attending national championships and sees this as a modest way to help junior players and their families,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director of Amateur Championships and Rules. “We will evaluate the impact of this pilot initiative as we plan for future years.”

In addition, in accordance with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, Canadian Junior Boys Championship, Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, and Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, will now compete for a purse of $8,000 CAD at each event. 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.

McKenna says these new financial initiatives are part of Golf Canada’s commitment to operating globally prominent amateur championships and its increased efforts to grow the number of Canadians competing on the LPGA Tour and PGA TOUR.

Applications for financial assistance grants for the national junior championships will open on May 16, 2022 and may be submitted by any junior golfer who qualifies for the Canadian Junior Girls Championship or Canadian Junior Boys Championship, both presented by BDO. For the financial assistance grant application form click here.

For more details about the financial assistance grants click here. For more information on the purse payout plan click here.

Nanaimo, B.C. — After battling rainy conditions in Nanaimo this week, the final round of the NextGen Pacific Championship – fueled by JOURNIE Rewards wrapped up on Sunday at Nanaimo Golf Club with Angela Arora and Eric Zhao each securing a one-stroke victory to win their respective divisions.  

The 54-hole stroke play competition marked the first of eight NextGen Championships and featured a starting field of 119 male and female golfers.

For Angela Arora, who hails from Surrey, B.C., the win marks the second championship title of the calendar year following her victory at the CJGA Western Canadian Championship in March. Arora, a member of Team Canada’s National Junior Squad, fired rounds of 70, 74, and 76 to earn the top spot on the leaderboard.

“This week was great, my putting was really good the first day and that got me off to a good start,” said the 17-year-old. It built some momentum into the week and overall, my game was in great shape. I had a couple holes today where I didn’t play as good but I figured it out and I finished strong which I’m really happy about.”

Eric Zhao, who finished second at the Golf Canada Junior Squad Selection Camp in 2021 recorded rounds of 73, 71, and 73. The 14-year-old Zhao is also a member of Golf Canada’s National Junior Squad.

“This week I tried to change my mentality a little bit,” said the North York, Ont. native. I tried to have fun throughout the whole week and honestly, if you have fun you’re probably going to play good so that’s a big takeaway from this week. It was definitely successful because I was way more confident over my shots.”

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

For the full results, click here.

About the NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards

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

This article covers:

• The making of Rules of Amateur Status
• Get to know golf’s Rules of Amateur Status
• The 4 ways to lose your Rules of Amateur Status
• What happens if you lose Amateur Status in golf?

You may think of the Rules of Amateur Status as the proverbial “antidote for insomnia.” But you are guaranteed some sleepless nights if you choose to ignore them.

You may be thinking, “I’m not a high-roller who plays for tons of cash so those regulations don’t apply to me.”

You would be wrong.

As in most things legal, ignorance of the law is no defence. And breaking the Amateur Status rules, even unknowingly, can mean you won’t be allowed to participate in any amateur competitions for a significant period.

These Rules were revised and updated effective Jan. 1, 2022. According to Susan White, Golf Canada’s Chair of Amateur Status, they “exist to maintain the distinction between amateur and professional golfers and to protect the integrity of the game by minimizing pressure on the Rules of Golf and Handicapping. They give golfers the opportunity to level the playing field and to compete against each other using their handicaps.”

Golf Canada realizes not all amateur golfers are created equal so there are several guidelines that apply only to those players who have low handicaps and/or compete in high-level competitions. They are referred to as golfers of “skill or reputation” and have been successful at the provincial level or compete at the national level. In a related development, the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the U.S. ruled last year that college athletes, i.e., amateurs, can profit off their name, image and likeness.

But for the majority of us, the Amateur Status rules come into play only when we are tempted to participate in a calcutta (an auction-style betting format often found at pro-ams, member-guests and other events), gambling on the course, playing in tournaments with high-value prizes, hole-in-one competitions, etc.

How can you lose your amateur status?

1. Accepting a prize with a value exceeding $1,200 Cdn or accepting prize money in a handicap (not scratch) competition. However, this prize rule applies only to tee-to-hole competitions played on a golf course or simulator but does not apply to long-drive, putting or other skills competitions that are not played as part of a tee-to-hole competition.
2. Playing as a professional.
3. Accepting payment for giving instruction with the exception of coaching at educational institutions and assisting with approved programs.
4. Accepting employment as a golf clubs professional or membership in an association of professional golfers.

If you violate these rules, you will be subject to losing your amateur status, and your Golf Canada official handicap, for a length of time determined by Golf Canada. During that period, you cannot compete in any amateur competitions at any level. You must apply to Golf Canada to be reinstated.

For a complete explanation of the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, visit https://www.golfcanada.ca/amateur-status/.

FAQs

Can I play in a calcutta?

Yes, as long as the money is from the players who are betting on their own group and others. It cannot be compulsory to participate and cannot be supported by sponsors.

Can I gamble with others?

Yes. Within reason. There is no set amount because what is reasonable for one person may be different for another person.  The guidance is that it is a reasonable amount among the players involved.

What if I get a hole-in-one?

Congratulations! The prize limit does not apply to a hole-in-one made outside a tee-to-hole competition or during a tee-to-hole competition provided the length of the shot is at least 50 yards.