Golf Canada and Ace Beverage Group announced today a multi-year integrated partnership that will see Ace Beverage Group become the official ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage partner for the RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open.

Through the partnership, Ace Beverage Group will offer a selection of their RTD beverages, including the highly popular Cottage Springs brand, at Golf Canada’s two National Open Golf Championships beginning in 2022. The Canadian-based Cottage Springs brand will become the new sponsor of the spectator grandstand at the RBC Canadian Open’s famous “Rink Hole”. Spectators at the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open will also enjoy a range of Ace Beverage Group products at the Fare Way food and beverage experience as well as sampling within the fan village.

“We are very proud to partner with Ace Beverage Group to deliver their premium portfolio of ready-to-drink beverages to the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open” said John Sibley, chief commercial officer of Golf Canada. “This partnership across our two flagship properties provides a tremendous opportunity for Golf Canada to align with a leading brand in the RTD category and deliver a premium spectator and hospitality experience.”

Ace Beverage Group is a fast-growing and innovative beverage alcohol company based in Toronto. Ace Beverage Group holds market leadership positions across hard seltzer, craft beer and cider, and has a highly engaged consumer following around its brands. The company’s unique, premium portfolio features numerous popular brands, including Cottage Springs (the #2 hard seltzer brand in Canada), Ace Hill, Liberty Village and Cabana Coast. 

“The RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open are among the most exciting events in all of Canadian sports and we are extremely proud that event fans will have the opportunity to experience and enjoy our products,” said Mike Wagman, CEO of Ace Beverage Group. “We are thrilled to partner with Golf Canada to share our unique portfolio of beverages with spectators, and to continue to grow our brands among golf enthusiasts across the country.”

The 2022 RBC Canadian Open will be held June 6-12 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ont., with the CP Women’s Open being contested August 22-28 at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont.  

Fonthill, Ont. – When Nick Kenney’s second shot on the par-5 12^th hole at Lookout Point Country Club hit the cart path and sailed 50 yards over the green, just minutes after Dean North hit it to tap-in length on the hole prior to get within two, it looked like the momentum may have been shifting at the PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada.

Momentum shifted alright – fully in Kenney’s favour. 

From behind the green, he blindly hit his next shot, with the green running away from him, to five feet – where he would make his birdie putt and take a four-stroke lead of the championship. 

The National Golf Club of Canada Head Teaching Professional never looked back, making three more birdies on his way into the clubhouse to win by four strokes over Danny King and defending champion Gord Burns. 

“I don’t think it’s settled in yet,” said Kenney with the trophy in hand. “I think by far this is the biggest win of my career so far. This is the first time I’ve played the Head Pro Championship, so to be the champion with some of the others on that trophy, it hasn’t settled in yet, but it’s quite an honour and I feel so lucky to have won.”

Kenney noted that this was the first time he has been in a situation with a chance to win since the 2019 PGA of Ontario Zone Championship, which he thought back to and had a similar mindset, trying to get as low as possible.  

“I figured I had to keep going under par,” said Kenney, who takes home $9,000 with the victory. “I had a great feeling this week and my putter felt good in my hands. You have to think about every shot at this golf course, which really kept me in the moment, and I was able to execute.”

Kenney also noted that he received lots of support between the first and final round – which continued into the post-round celebration. 

“Every pro I’ve worked with and all my friends and family, I’ve heard from all of them, and with social media these days, it has really brought my friends and family into the mix a little bit,” said Kenney. “I briefly looked at my phone, I have lots of messages to get back to, and it’s amazing they get to see what is going on.” 

Moreover, a relatively recent father, Kenney notes how their support and having them in his life has changed his mindset playing tournament golf.  

“Being a parent puts everything in perspective. Having kids now, you appreciate everything, and it calms you down on the golf course,” said Kenney. “The pressure isn’t quite there. if I don’t perform, I’m not too upset and I’m a role model for them as well.”  

Lookout Point Country Club, which is set to celebrate its centennial season in 2022, was a true test of golf this week, with only four players finishing the week under par. In addition, 30 volunteers, most of whom are members at the club, stepped up to help put on the terrific event which was hosted for the first time in Canada since 2003. 

“The golf course, volunteers and sponsors stepped up big time,” noted Kenney. “For the volunteers to come and sit out for hours and show us where our golf balls are and give up their golf course for four days, it was incredible. I had heard nothing but good things about Lookout Point and now it holds a very special place in my heart. I can’t wait to come back here.” 

See the full leaderboard here.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – For the first time at the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament’s Final Stage, the Korn Ferry Tour will provide live streaming coverage of the final round from The Landings Club in Savannah, Georgia. Live streaming will be available Sunday, November 7 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET on the NBC Sports App and GolfChannel.com, with coverage highlighting a bubble group seeking guaranteed Korn Ferry Tour starts for 2022.

The Final Stage of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament, commonly known as Q-School, is the last phase of the competitive process for obtaining status on the Korn Ferry Tour for the following season. The medalist(s) at the Final Stage of Q-School receives fully exempt status for the upcoming season, while finishers 2-10 (and ties) receive guaranteed starts through the first 12 events of the season, and finishers 11-40 (and ties) earn guaranteed starts through the first eight events of the season.

“As we continue exploring innovative ways to connect with our fans, we’re excited to provide live tournament coverage of the final round of Q-School Final Stage for the first time,” said Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin. “The livestream broadcast will provide another valuable opportunity to showcase some of the incredible stories of our players, as well as highlight the grueling, yet rewarding, journey our players face as they compete and work their way to the Korn Ferry Tour.”

After being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Q-School has returned in 2021, with pre-qualifying, First and Second Stages contested in recent months at various sites across the United States. Final Stage of Q-School is set for November 4-7 at The Landings Club’s Marshwood and Magnolia courses in Savannah, Georgia. This marks the first year The Landings Club will host Final Stage of Q-School.

The livestream will seek to tell the unique stories of Q-School as players bid for a top-40 finish. Play-by-play host Brian Katrek will be joined in the booth by analysts Andres Gonzales, a former Korn Ferry Tour player, and APGA golfer Doug Smith. They’ll be joined by on-course reporters Gary Christian and James Nitties, as well as Teryn Gregson, who will handle the post-round interviews.

In addition to the livestream’s availability on the NBC Sports App and GolfChannel.com, the first 30 minutes of the broadcast will also be live on the Korn Ferry Tour’s social media channels, including Twitter and Facebook, from 10 – 10:30 a.m. ET on November 7.

For more information about the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament, please visit PGATOUR.com.

Brittany Marchand announced today that she will be stepping away from professional golf. The 29 year-old announced the decision to retire following the conclusion of the 2021 Symetra Tour season which wrapped up on Oct. 10.

In 2021, Marchand competed in 18 Symetra Tour events with a season-best finish of T3 at the Carolina Golf Classic in Greensboro, N.C. During her career on the Symetra Tour, the Orangeville, Ont. native would earn nine top 10 finishes including a victory at the 2017 PHC Classic.

In 2017 she finished T32 at the 2017 LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn Priority List Category 17 status for the 2018 season. She spent two years on the LPGA Tour where she competed at the CP Women’s Open three times (2017, 2018, 2019) with her best finish being T30 in 2017.

As a member of Team Canada for eight years total, Marchand joined the Development Squad in 2011, competed as a member of the Amateur Squad from 2015 – 2017, and joined the Young Pro Squad from 2018 – 2021.

She’s amassed more than $148K in career earnings since 2016 and currently ranks No. 772 on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

Marchand played collegiate golf at North Carolina State University where she was a three-time All-ACC selection, WGCA All-American in 2014, and continues to own the school record for most career wins with three. While competing in NCAA golf, she also completed a degree in chemical engineering to continue pursuing her passions for both golf and science.  

Marchand credits her grandfather in sparking her interest in the game when he joined her to Brampton Golf and Country Club at age seven and taught her how to play. During her career she’s been able to pay it forward by acting as an ambassador for multiple youth-in-sport programs, including Golf Canada’s Golf in Schools program.

Golf Canada wishes Brittany all the best in her future endeavors.

Click here for more information on Brittany Marchand’s career highlights.

Golf’s new Rules of Amateur Status have been published by The R&A and the USGA ahead of coming into effect on January 1, 2022.

The work was the latest step by the governing bodies to make the Rules easier to understand and apply, and follows the modernization process of the Rules of Golf in 2019. The new Rules were informed by golfer and golf industry feedback as a part of a comprehensive review, to ensure they continue to reflect how the modern game is played by millions of golfers around the world. 

This review, along with the global feedback received when the proposals were publicly shared earlier this year, reaffirmed amateur golf’s important position in the game and the value in maintaining amateur status Rules. 

The result is a set of Rules that removes many of the restrictions that previously applied to amateur golfers, while ensuring that the integrity of the game is protected by limiting the form and value of the prizes an amateur golfer can accept. 

As part of the modernisation effort, the new Rules identify only the following acts that will result in a golfer losing their amateur status:

• Accepting a prize in excess of the prize limit ($1200 CAD) or accepting prize money in a handicap competition.

• Playing as a professional.
• Accepting payment for giving instruction (although all current exceptions still apply, such as coaching at educational institutions and assisting with approved programs).
• Accepting employment as a golf club professional or membership of an association of professional golfers. 

To achieve this simplified approach, the following key changes have been introduced:

• Distinguishing between scratch and handicap competitions in terms of the prizes that may be accepted.

• The prize rule applies only to tee-to-hole competitions played on a golf course or a simulator, but no longer apply to long-drive, putting and skills competitions that are not played as part of a tee-to-hole competition.

• Eliminating all advertising, expense-related and sponsorship restrictions.

The new opportunities provided by lifting sponsorship restrictions and the ability to accept prize money up to the increased limit of $1200 CAD in scratch only competitions will be of significant benefit to elite amateur golfers looking for ways to fund golf-related expenses.

Grant Moir, Director of Rules at The R&A, said, “We are delighted to be rolling out the modernised Rules of Amateur Status today. These Rules play an important role in protecting the integrity of our self-regulating sport but the code must evolve to meet the needs of the modern game. This is particularly important for modern elite amateur golf, where many of the players need financial support to compete and develop to their full potential. The new Rules give them this opportunity and will help to make the game even more inclusive.” 

“Golf is unique in its broad appeal to both recreational and competitive golfers,” said Craig Winter, USGA Senior Director, Rules of Golf and Amateur Status. “This was emphasized in the feedback we received earlier this year and we believe these updates will help simplify these Rules and ensure the long-term health of the amateur game, not only to those who compete at the highest level of amateur golf, but for the millions of golfers at every age and skill level who enjoy competitive events at their home courses.”

“A great amount of work has gone into making the Rules easier to understand and apply for both the recreational and competitive golfer,” said Kevin Blue, Chief Sport Officer of Golf Canada.  

The new Rules are accompanied by guidance notes, an overview document and explanations that detail the rationale for why changes have been made and, in some instances, why they have stayed the same. These materials can be found here.

The 2021 season of the Korn Ferry Qualifying Tournament season saw several worthy players take their shot at advancing through pre-qualifying, First and Second Stage and Final Stage at various sites across the country. The final stage of Q-School was contested at The Landings Club in Savannah, Ga from Nov. 4-8.

American Zack Fischer became the first two-time medalist in the modern era (since 2013) of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament’s Final Stage, breaking a four-way tie for medalist honors with a 12-footer for birdie on the 72nd hole. Fischer watched as final-group playing partner Andrew Kozan’s 8-foot birdie putt slid past the cup, thus securing his second Final Stage win. The 32-year-old Texan carded a 2-under 69 Monday on The Landings Club’s Marshwood Course and finished at 14-under par.

With the victory, Fischer, who topped a field loaded with future PGA TOUR winners at the 2013 Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament’s Final Stage, secured fully exempt status for the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour season

Canadians Albin Choi and Drew Nesbit advanced to the final stage with Choi finishing 5-over, and Nesbit recording a score of plus-8.

Canadian results are as follows:

Final Stage

Stage Two

Stage One

For more information on the Korn Ferry Qualifying Tournament click here.

Chiba, Japan – Mackenzie Hughes finished strong at the ZOZO Championship with a T4 finish at 3-under 67.

The 30 year old birdied five holes in round 4, finishing each round at six under.

This marked Hughes’ best result in three starts in the 2021-22 Season after finishing T25 at the CJ Cup @ Summit, and T35 at the Sanderson Farms Championship. It was also his first top-10 finish since placing T6 in the 2021 The Open Championship in July.

Fellow Canadian Roger Sloan finished tied for 71st.

Hideki Matsuyama, the reigning Masters champion, won the tournament by five strokes. With the victory, Japan-native Matsuyama becomes the fourth Masters champion since 2011 to win in his home country in the same year.

Click here for the full results.

Chiba Prefecture, Japan – Hamilton, Ont. native Mackenzie Hughes shot one under 69 on Saturday while competing in round 3 of the ZOZO Championship.

Hughes would birdie five shots including the 18th hole to move him five spots up the leaderboard to finish the round T9.

When round 4 kicks off on Sunday at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, Hughes will be chasing Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama of Japan who holds a one-stroke lead over American Cameron Tringale at minus 10.

Fellow Canadian Roger Sloan moved up 11 spots to finish the round T56.

Click here for the full leaderboard.

TORONTO – The Humeniuk family and TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley are proof that the impact of golf’s champions is measured by more than just trophies.

Inspired to support the life skills and youth development values ingrained in golf, the Humeniuk Foundation and TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley have announced a major $1M USD donation to the Golf Canada Foundation to power the advancement of First Tee – Canada. 

The generosity of the Humeniuk family will be a catalyst for Golf Canada to expand the national rollout of First Tee – Canada program development and delivery with multi-faceted activities designed for schools, community centres, and golf facilities. With the gift, the Humeniuk Foundation will become a First Tee International Trustee. 

“We are extremely grateful to the Humeniuk family and TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley for this meaningful gift that will enable First Tee – Canada to make an impact on youth development in communities across the country” said Kevin Blue, Chief Sport Officer for Golf Canada. “It is because of these generous donations that First Tee will help to provide transformational life skills and experiences to youth through the game of golf.” 

The Humeniuk Foundation gift to First Tee – Canada coincides with an exciting new era for TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley as the 54-hole facility is set to break ground on construction of two new clubhouses along with on-site accommodations that will transform the property into one of Canada’s premier golf destinations.   

The Humeniuk Foundation and TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley have a history of giving back to the game of golf and their community with significant charitable commitments in recent years, from more than $350,000 in 2020 to organizations providing Covid-19 relief efforts to events like The Face-off, an annual charity match that features celebrities and media personalities including TSN’s James Duthie, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas and NHL stars Mark Scheifele and Brandon Tanev and has donated $110,000 to charitable causes.

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley has also supported numerous local causes including the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation, Caledon Community Services, Bethell Hospice Foundation and others, while acting as a leading partner in Golf’s Canada’s Covid-19 Golf Relief Fund which supported golf facilities in 2020 through reimbursement for PPE as well as rounds played subsidies for front-line workers and juniors. 

“We have been incredibly fortunate over the past few years to be in a position to give back to some wonderful organizations throughout our community. On behalf of the Humeniuk family and our entire team at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, we are very proud to play a part in the advancement of First Tee – Canada and look forward to a bright future ahead for youth experiences in the game of golf,” said Chris Humeniuk, President, TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

Located in Caledon, Ont., TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley features three of Canada’s Top 100 Courses and is the only Canadian facility to join the PGA TOUR’s Tournament Players Club (TPC) Network. The facility has hosted a number of premier championships including qualifiers for both the RBC Canadian Open and US Open as well as the Osprey Valley Open on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada. Earlier this year, the facility launched The Road to TPC presented COBRA PUMA GOLF, a new six-event (36-hole) qualifying series for junior golfers to experience competition across Ontario and culminating with the series finale at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. 

An accomplished executive and philanthropist that has supported his community through countless charitable endeavors, Chris Humeniuk is also the President of Pro-M Capital Partners Inc., providing strategic leadership and oversight of private equity real estate developments and mortgage lending. 

First Tee – Canada will provide Canadian youth and especially those in underrepresented groups access to affordable and meaningful character education programs through golf. Golf Canada is striving to launch chapters in every province in Canada by 2022, with the goal of 100,000 annual participants. 

Through its deep network of donors and trustees, Golf Canada Foundation is a critical partner in supporting the launch and advancement of First Tee – Canada through its fundraising and philanthropic efforts. Canada’s Provincial Golf Associations will also play a role in the advancement of First Tee – Canada as chapters begin to form in markets across Canada. 

“This is an exciting time for youth golf in Canada and thanks to the Humeniuk Foundation and TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, we are advancing the national roll-out of First Tee – Canada programing with pace nationwide,” said Golf Canada Foundation CEO Martin Barnard. “The Humeniuk family and TPC Toronto have become exceptional supporters of the game and their community, and we are extremely appreciative of their continued generosity and shared vision to invest in the growth of the game.”

Since its inception in 1997, First Tee has impacted more than 15 million young people through its character-building programs on golf courses, in schools and at youth-serving locations. 

The First Tee network has grown to over 150 chapters and more than 1,200 program locations across the United States as well as six international chapters—Australia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, and Canada—delivering programs that help young people build character and develop life skills through the game of golf. 

Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are continuously pursuing more gifts, which will allow more chapters to launch in Canada. For more information on First Tee – Canada, to get involved, or to donate, visit www.firstteecanada.ca

Toronto, Ont. – Last month, participants of the Audi Night Golf Experience descended upon Lambton Golf and Country Club for a chance to test their golf skills under the lights. The event also featured food, music, special guest appearances, and premium prizing from Golf Canada partners Titleist and Audi Canada.

The competition featured four distinct challenges involving a longest drive challenge, chipping and putting challenges, and a closest-to-the-hole challenge. Attendees were also presented with an opportunity to meet PGA Tour star Corey Conners who was on hand to greet guests, take photos, and give a demonstration.

Audi has been successfully involved with golf on a global scale for over two decades in its hosting of the Audi quattro Cup. In 2019, Golf Canada and Audi Canada announced a multi-year integrated partnership with a collective focus to drive excellence in the Canadian golf landscape. The luxury automotive brand also serves as the exclusive Premier Automotive Partner for Canada’s National Open Championships—the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open—as well as the Official Automotive Partner of Golf Canada’s National Team Program.

An additional two Canadian stops were held earlier in the month at Point Grey Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, B.C, and Club de Golf le Mirage in Montreal, Que. Over the course of the three events, 100 contest winners were treated to the Audi Night Golf Experience along with their guests.