MONTREAL – International Team Captain Mike Weir announced Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas as captain’s assistants for the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will be played at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Sept. 24-29.
“I am excited to announce Ernie, Trevor, Geoff and Camilo as my captain’s assistants for the 2024 Presidents Cup,” said Weir. “The four of them each have their own special history with this event and today’s announcement is a mere formality, as we have been working closely together through the years to ensure the International Team continues its momentum from 2019 and 2022. The culture and close-knit nature tied to this team is foundational to everything we will do heading into Montreal, and I can’t wait work alongside them to deliver a great week of golf for our players.”
Els, a 19-time PGA TOUR winner, has appeared in eight Presidents Cups (1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013) and holds the record for most matches won by an International Team player (20). The South African amassed an all-time 20-18-2 record and is third overall in matches won, trailing Tiger Woods (27) and Phil Mickelson (26) and tied with Jim Furyk (20). Els served as a captain’s assistant to Nick Price in 2017 before being named International Team Captain in 2019. That year, he unified the team with the creation of the shield and led the team to its biggest lead in Presidents Cup history before falling to a Tiger Woods-led U.S. Team, 16-14, at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, in Melbourne, Australia.
“Mike has been a longtime friend, is a true icon of sport in his home country, and it’s an honor to participate captain’s assistant as his captain’s assistant as he leads the International Team into Montreal in 2024,” said Els. “This team has built a lot of momentum over the past five years, and I am eager to get to work and ensure our players are prepared to compete in Canada.”
Immelman, the 2022 Presidents Cup International Team Captain, has been added to Weir’s roster of leadership. The 2008 Masters champion played a pivotal role in the continued development of the International Team following Els’ creation of the shield. With a combination of strategy, authenticity and planning by Immelman, the team was able create an extremely close-knit group of players at Quail Hollow Club and lay the groundwork for Captain Weir to continue building the team’s momentum. The 44-year-old returns to the team for his second stint as a captain’s assistant after first serving under fellow countryman Els in 2019. Immelman competed for the International Team in 2005 and 2007.
“Being a part of this team means a great deal to me and is something I have put my heart and soul into over the years,” said Immelman. “This team has been resilient through adversity and is building a foundation for the future that we have taken immense pride in. I could not be more excited to support Mike as he leads a team of guys into Montreal that are fully committed to playing for our shield and representing the International Team.”
Ogilvy returns to the Presidents Cup for a fourth time in the role of a captain’s assistant (2017, 2019, 2022). The 46-year-old Australian played on three consecutive International Teams (2007, 2009, 2011), where he amassed 7-6-1 record. Ogilvy owns eight career PGA TOUR victories, including the 2006 U.S. Open and three World Golf Championships, in addition to winning two of Australia’s biggest titles – the 2008 Australian PGA and 2010 Australian Open.
“Mike is the ideal leader for the International Team heading into Canada and I am very much looking forward to working alongside him,” said Ogilvy. “His passion for this event, this sport and the enthusiastic Canadian sports fans is second to none and will make for an incredible week for our players in Montreal. It’s an honor to return as captain’s assistant once again and I can’t wait to assist in delivering a successful week for the International Team.”
Villegas, 42, will return in 2024 after making his debut as a captain’s assistant in 2022 at Quail Hollow Club. The Colombian represented the International Team at the 2009 Presidents Cup at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. In addition to being a five-time PGA TOUR winner, Villegas reached a career-best No. 7 in the Official World Golf Ranking and represented Colombia in the World Cup of Golf in 2006 and 2011.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be named as captain’s assistant and I look forward to working alongside Mike and preparing our guys for a great week at Royal Montreal,” said Villegas. “I served in this same capacity in 2022 in Charlotte, and the camaraderie and competitive fire from that team is something I know will carry over this fall as we continue to build a road to success for the International Team.”
For more information about the Presidents Cup, or to purchase tickets, please visit PresidentsCup.com.
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PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
Stephen Ames celebrated his 60th birthday by successfully defending his title at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic. It’s his eighth career win on the Champions Tour and second this season, making him the first multiple-winner this year. He also becomes the first three-time winner of this particular event. After winning just twice in his first 175 starts on the senior circuit, Ames has six victories in his last 29 starts. Ames started the final round one shot behind last week’s winner Paul Broadhurst and trailed by three before his first eagle of the day on No. 6 vaulted him into a tie for the lead after Broadhurst bogeyed the hole. After Broadhurst double bogeyed No. 12, Ames picked up his second eagle of the round on the next hole and despite a pair of bogeys down the stretch, finished with a four-stroke win which equalled the largest margin of victory on tour this season. Broadhurst finished tied for second with Doug Barron.
POS
SCORES
TOTAL
1
Stephen Ames
71-64-67
-14
NEXT EVENT: Insperity Invitational (May 3)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Stephen Ames, Mike Weir
PGA TOUR AMERICAS
Stuart Macdonald carded a final round 71 for a two-shot victory over Samuel Anderson in the Diners Club Peru Open. It’s his first career win on the new PGA Tour Americas and his second title as a pro after winning the Commissionaires Ottawa Open on PGA Tour Canada, which was folded in with the Latinoamerica Tour to form the Americas tour. It’s also his second win in Peru having won the 29th Lima Golf Club International Amateur Championship in 2017. Macdonald is the second Canadian in as many weeks to win on the new tour, joining Matthew Anderson who won last week in Brazil. The victory vaults him up to No. 3 in the season-long Fortinet Cup standings. …Anderson’s third straight top-20 finish keeps him atop the Fortinet Cup standings through four of six Latin American events. He will earn conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour next year if he remains in the top two.
POS
SCORES
TOTAL
1
Stuart Macdonald
69-66-65-71
-17
T18
Matthew Anderson
69-70-70-71
-8
T34
Noah Steele
74-65-71-75
-3
T44
Lawren Rowe
71-71-73-72
-1
T44
Jeevan Sihota
69-68-74-76
-1
T51
Max Sekulic
67-74-76-70
E
64
Brendan MacDougall
74-68-81-73
+8
MC
Jimmy Jones
74-69
MC
Johnny Travale
73-70
MC
Thomas Giroux
73-71
MC
Joey Savoie
73-72
MC
Chris Crisologo
70-81
MC
Chris Wilson
76-77
NEXT EVENT: KIA Open (May 2)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Matthew Anderson, Chris Crisologo, Thomas Giroux, Jimmy Jones, Stuart Macdonald, Brendan MacDougall, Lawren Rowe, Joey Savoie, Max Sekulic, Jeevan Sihota, Noah Steele, Johnny Travale, Chris Wilson
KORN FERRY TOUR
Tim Widing outlasted a five-hour weather delay and birdied three of his last four holes for a four-shot victory over Myles Creighton at the Veritex Bank Championship. It’s the second straight win for the Swede on the Korn Ferry Tour and he’s the 13th player in tour history to win back-to-back events. Widing needs just one more victory to earn automatic promotion to the PGA Tour. Creighton, who shot a bogey-free final round 62, picked up his best result of the year and his third top-10 finish of the year. His 32 birdies over the course of four days are the second most in tour history, behind only Widing’s 33. His 27-under 257 total is a new 72-hole record score relative to par by a runner-up. Trent Phillips finished alone in third with Frankie Capan III in fourth. Capan kicked off a week of low scores by shooting an opening round 58 which tied the second-lowest 18-hole score in Korn Ferry Tour history. It was also the third sub-60 round on tour this year. Ironically, none of the players who broke 60 this year have gone on to win.
POS
SCORES
TOTAL
2
Myles Creighton
65-65-65-62
-27
T36
Wil Bateman
67-65-68-68
-16
T55
Étienne Papineau
64-68-71-68
-13
MC
Jared du Toit
66-71
MC
Sudarshan Yellamaraju
73-69
NEXT EVENT: AdventHealth Championship (May 16)
PGA TOUR
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry made par on the first playoff hole to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event over Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer. McIlroy, who was playing in the event for the first time, picked up his first win of the season and 25th career title. Lowry, who had three top-10 finishes in 10 starts so far this year, also won for the first time this season. It’s the fifth time a playoff was needed to decide a winner this year on tour. Trainer, who missed a six-foot par putt to the right which would have extended the playoff, and Ramey started the day tied for 27th but nine birdies over a 12-hole stretch left them with a final round 63 which equalled the alternate-shot tournament scoring record. Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard had a chance to make it a three-team playoff but missed a birdie putt from the fringe on the final hole. …Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin finished as the runner-up at this event last year.
POS
SCORES
TOTAL
10
N. Taylor / A. Hadwin
63-69-64-71
-21
T11
C. Conners / T. Pendrith
63-69-66-70
-20
MC
B. Silverman / K. Dougherty
64-74
MC
R. Sloan / J. Teater
70-73
NEXT EVENT: The CJ CUP Byron Nelson (May 2)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Corey Conners, Adam Hadwin, Taylor Pendrith, Ben Silverman, Roger Sloan, Nick Taylor
LPGA TOUR
Hannah Green holed out twice from off the greens on the back-nine to successfully defend her title at the JM Eagle LA Championship by three strokes. It’s her fifth career LPGA Tour title and second this season, joining Nelly Korda as the only players with multiple wins this season. It’s also the first time the margin of victory has been more than one stroke for Green. Maja Stark birdied four of her final six holes to finish runner-up for the second straight week – her third top-three finish in four starts. Grace Kim, who led by four strokes entering the weekend, finished 76-77 without making a birdie over the final two rounds to finish tied for 25th.
Yuto Katsuragawa erased a three-shot deficit with five birdies over a seven-hole stretch on the back nine on his way to a three-shot victory in the ISPS Handa Championship. He becomes the third Japanese player this year to win on the European tour, joining Rikuya Hoshino and Keita Nakajima. Sebastian Soderberg finished runner-up. There were no Canadians entered in the event.
NEXT EVENT: Volvo China Open (May 2)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Aaron Cockerill
EPSON TOUR
Juliana Hung of Taiwan carded a final round 67 for a record-setting nine-shot victory in the IOA Championship. The 22-year-old, playing in just her sixth Epson Tour event, broke the 54-hole scoring record with her 21-under total. She also eclipsed the tournament scoring record by seven strokes. Hung finished the weekend playing the final three holes in 10-under par.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Matthew Anderson carded his third consecutive sub-70 round to win the 69th ECP Brazil Open at the Rio Olympic Golf Course. Anderson was one shot off the lead after 16 holes but rallied to make back-to-back birdies on Nos. 17 and 18 to secure his first victory as a professional.
Anderson’s breakthrough win comes after T21 and T3 finishes at the season-opening Bupa Championship at Tulum and the Totalplay Championship at Atlas Country Club. Anderson’s maiden victory vaults him into the No. 1 spot in the Fortinet Cup season-long ranking through three tournaments.
The Mississauga, Ont., native is the first Canadian to win on PGA TOUR Americas and has registered six top-25’s since he turned pro last summer. Anderson found success early in his career by winning the 2019 Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship. He was selected for Golf Canada’s Team Canada program in 2021-22 and has been part of the team since.
Prior to turning pro, Anderson came off an impressive finish in his graduate season at the University of San Francisco, earning All-American honors after notching a top-15 finish at the 2023 NCAA Championships. From there, Anderson gained status on PGA TOUR Canada via a fourth-place finish at the PGA TOUR Canada Qualifying Tournament. He finished 50th in the 2023 Fortinet Cup standings to gain membership into the inaugural PGA TOUR Americas season.
Anderson is expected to be in the field at the Diners Club Peru Open, the fourth event of the Latin America Swing, which will be hosted at Los Inkas Golf Club from April 25-28 in Lima, Peru.
Magic becomes official Window and Doors partner of Golf Canada
Golf Canada
Golf Canada and Magic Window (Magic) announced a multi-year partnership that will see Magic become the official Window and Doors partner of Golf Canada and the RBC Canadian Open.
“Golf Canada is proud to welcome Magic as the official Window and Doors partner of Golf Canada and the RBC Canadian Open,” said Craig Sharp, senior director, partnerships, Golf Canada. “Magic is well recognized for their innovative and award-winning products, which are designed and manufactured right here in Canada. We are pleased to have them join Golf Canada as a partner with Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.”
Magic is an Ontario-based designer and manufacturer of revolutionary windows, sliding patio doors, and folding glass wall systems. From its inception in 1979, Magic’s sole focus has been to develop innovative window and door technology that solves issues associated with traditional window and door design. Magic’s portfolio has grown to include crank-less casement window hardware, retractable bug screens, retractable solar shades / thermal blinds, and bi-folding door systems. Magic aims to perfect the customer journey by managing every aspect of the sales process; including sales, installation, and after-market service.
“We’re proud to become the official Window & Door Partner of Golf Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship through 2026. This groundbreaking partnership marks the first time a Canadian home improvement brand has partnered with Golf Canada and the PGA TOUR’s RBC Canadian Open. We’re excited to introduce Canadian homeowners to our innovative products at the PGA TOUR’s premiere Canadian event while helping to grow the great game of golf in Ontario and across Canada,” said Lior Goldenberg, managing director, Magic.
Magic will have a unique on-course activation at the RBC Canadian Open on the 17th tee of Hamilton Golf and Country Club that will provide a spectacular view overlooking the property with great views of the hole. In addition, Magic will have an activation located in The Fare Way featuring The Keg adjacent to the 18th green where their leading-edge window technology will be on display along with brand ambassadors that will educate spectators on the product itself.
Canada’s Brooke Henderson tees it up at first major of women’s golf season
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS - APRIL 17: Brooke Henderson of Canada shares a laugh with her sister and caddie Brittany Henderson on the driving range prior to the The Chevron Championship at The Club at Carlton Woods on April 17, 2024 in The Woodlands, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
John Chidley-Hill/ Canadian Press
Brooke Henderson has started the LPGA Tour season on a wave, one she hopes to ride into the first major of the season.
The 26-year-old golfer from Smiths Falls, Ont., has four top 10 finishes in the first seven tournaments of the year, finishing no worse than a tie for 27th. That’s the kind of momentum she needs heading into this week’s Chevron Championship.
“I’m always trying to get those top 10s and be in contention on the weekend,” said Henderson on Wednesday. “So it’s been fun to be in that position a couple of times already this year.”
The Chevron Championship moved to The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, for the first time last year and Henderson found the course challenging, tying for 23rd after shooting an even-par overall. Lilia Vu won it in a playoff against fellow American Angel Yin after both shot 10 under.
Henderson said that she and her sister Brittany Sepanik, who is also her caddy, made a point of getting to The Club at Carlton Woods earlier this year to better prepare for the first of five women’s golf majors.
“Just getting a little better feel for it, knowing where to miss and where the good spots are to try to make birdie,” said Henderson, who noted that the greens are firmer this year. “I think that’s really key and just understanding the course a little bit better. I think that’ll be helpful on the weekend.”
Although Henderson finished 2023 in 15th in the LPGA Tour’s Race to CME Globe standings, she said she wasn’t happy with the year overall. But a tie for sixth at the Maybank Championship on Oct. 26, and taking second with partner Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., at the Grant Thornton Invitational on Dec. 8, helped her shake off that slow start.
She opened the 2024 season with a third-place finish at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions on Jan. 18, tied for ninth at the Honda LPGA Thailand on Feb. 22, and tied for third at the HSBC Women’s World Championship.
Most recently, Henderson tied for ninth at the T-Mobile Match Play on April 3 for her fourth top 10 of the year, one more than she had in all of 2023.
“I think the game has been trending in the right direction for a few months now and it’s right there,” she said. “I just need a few things to go the right way and then I think hopefully, I’ll be back in the winner’s circle sometime soon.”
Henderson has won two other majors before: the Women’s PGA Championship in 2016 and the Evian Championship in 2022. Her best finish at the Chevron was a tie for second in 2020, when it was called the ANA Inspiration and played at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Rookie Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., is also in the field, making her first appearance at a major. The 22-year-old said she’s excited for the chance to play against the best-of-the-best.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Grewal. “I feel like one of my bucket list goals has always been playing a major and now to start that path off is really exciting.
An Active Season is the period of time when acceptable scores from a specified area should be submitted for handicap purposes. The Rules of Handicapping stipulates that every player is responsible for submitting all acceptable scores into one’s scoring record for rounds played on courses during the active season.
It is the responsibility of authorized provincial golf association to declare active and inactive seasons, with area clubs and players required to observe these dates for score posting purposes. To make this process easier, the Golf Canada Score Centre automatically considers the active season of the course being played when a score is posted and whether it should be included in calculating a player’s Handicap Index.
In Canada, the active season in each province is as follows:
BC = Mar.1 – Nov.15
AB = Mar.1 – Oct.31
SK = Apr.15 – Oct.31
MB = Apr.15 – Oct.31
ON = Apr.15 – Oct.31
QC = Apr.15 – Oct.31
NS = Apr.15 – Oct.31
NB = May.1 – Oct.31
PE = Apr.16 – Nov.14
NL = Apr.1 – Nov. 30
(NOTE: Some Lower mainland and Vancouver Island courses may observe a year-round active season). For a list of clubs observing a year-round active season, please contact BC Golf
Scores made at any golf course observing an inactive season are not acceptable for handicap calculation purposes. This is because course conditions during inactive seasons are not consistent with the way that the Course & Slope Ratings were determined, which can impact the accuracy of a player’s Handicap Index.
Scores made at a golf course in an area observing an active season must be posted for handicap purposes, even if the golf club where the player is a member is observing an inactive season. The club’s Handicap Committee must make it possible for a player to post these away scores at the beginning of the active season.
It’s important to note that if you are travelling to other countries or regions, you should confirm their active seasons to ensure all acceptable scores are posted. Your home club needs all acceptable scores (even if played during a Canadian “off-season”) to ensure that your Handicap Index is accurate and reflects your demonstrated ability.
For example, if a player belonging to a golf club in Ontario plays golf in Florida (which observes a year-round active season) during January, any score(s) made in Florida are acceptable and must be submitted to the player’s scoring record. If the player is also a member of a golf club in Florida and Ontario, it is important to remember that all acceptable scores must be posted to each scoring record. The Golf Canada Score Centre has tools available to link Canadian and USGA accounts, so that a score posted to one account is automatically transferred to the other. For more information, or to set up this link, please contact members@golfcanada.ca or phone 1-800-263-0009 X399.
For a detailed list of active and inactive schedule in the United States, click here.
Golf Canada Hole-In-One Report – Week of April 8, 2024
Matei Barbarasa
Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).
Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.
Angus Black, Marina Mazatlan, Hole #2
I was playing with a group that here in Mazatlan we call ourselves the PGA (Paraiso Golf Association). The par 3, hole #2 is 146 yards long (from the white tblocks). I used my 7 wood with a ProV1 golf ball.
Kendra Stoner, Gorge Vale Golf Club, Hole #10
After starting golfing only three years ago, I’m gained a huge respect and love for the sport. In my first year of playing I was able to eagle a par 4 at my local course in Tofino, B.C. I’ve been hooked to the game ever since. So obtaining this hole-in-one was so incredibly special.
I was golfing with my friend Alex Cartwright who went to University for golf as is now a member at Gorge Vale. Playing with golfers at a higher level than me has always pushed me to be a better golfer.
We played 36 holes that day. My hole-in-one was the 10th hole in my back 18 round. After our front 9 of our second round, both fatigued we almost decided to not continue our second round – thank goodness we kept playing as I got my hole-in-one the next hole!
Alex teed off first landing around two feet from the hole, we were both very excited about his shot. Next was me, teeing off from the white/greens, around 115 yards out, I was in between clubs but decided to use my 8 iron. After a swing that felt good, we watched the ball land about two feet in front of the hole and what felt like slo-motion watched the ball roll into the cup.
Being the bubbly, energetic person I am, I started running around the tee box throwing my arms around in excitement. The way this hole is designed is it runs across from the driving range, and those on the range shared this excitement with us. The foursome in front of us also shared the exciting occurrence by jumping up and down and cheering!
I quickly jumped in the cart with my friend and raced to the green where I could perform my most favourite journey on a golf green of my life.
Picking that ball out of the cup, not even thinking about grabbing my putter is indescribable.
Honestly, I was ready to call it a day, but continued on the round and finished the last eight holes in exciting anticipation to get to the clubhouse for a much deserved pint.
Once entering the clubhouse, and being one of the only woman on the course that day, everyone knew what had happened before I even arrived. I walked in to a crowd of people clapping, in Kendra fashion, I did a little curtesy and sat at a table with some friends. One who was a member and also got a hole-in-one that day on hole #16, what a special day!
My friend is a member of the course and therefore gets a round of beer for everyone with his membership hole-in-one insurance so he rang the bell and everyone cheered in excitement (for the hole-in-one and free beer of course). The clubhouse was packed and I knew my tab would be outrageous so I didn’t ring the bell right away, instead I waiting a while for the crowd to die down a little before having my moment of bell ringing glory.
With a less dented wallet, I rang the bell, bought a round for the clubhouse and obtained my bag tag/flag of achievement.
That evening, FaceTiming my dad and sharing the story I could tell brought great pride and joy. He was able to share his stories of his three hole-in-ones and reminded me that this occurrence may be a once in a lifetime achievement in which I am grateful.
It was a special day that I will never forget.
Craig Kotyk, Venetian Bay Golf Club, Hole #16
It was hole #16, a par 3 , 149 yards from the white tees into the wind. I used a five wood because of the strong wind and it hit the front of the green and rolled up into the hole. This was over the water and when I went to look for my ball I thought it had rolled off the back although I felt I had taken a great shot , it was then that I looked into the hole and saw my ball. I could not believe it and what an incredible feeling! I was playing with my wife Nancy and two Venetian bay residents whom we were paired with, Rick and John. I am in awe and so honoured to join the hole-in-one club!
Douglas Moore, Knollwood Golf Club, Hole #9
I was playing with three friends Alex, Neal and George. It was around 120 yards and I used 4 hybrid. It was quite cold and windy, but I don’t hit a very long ball anyway. This is my second hole-in-one, I had another July 27, 2001, hole #9 also at Knollwood Golf Club, The New Course.
Greg Leis, River Greens Golf Course, Hole #3
I was golfing with Troy Zuorro, Dave Sharp and Dan Place as part of our Tuesday morning golf league. We play a Stableford game and have a prize for closest to the hole on all four of the par 3’s. I was the third to tee off and both Troy and Dan had already landed on the green ahead of me, so the pressure was on. It was 126 yards with the wind at our backs so I chose my 9 iron. I hit it a bit lower than planned and the ball was running across the ground by the time it hit the green and looked like it was going to roll right off the back. The pin was at the back of the green so I had a fair bit of time to watch it roll across the green. After turning right, then left, it hit the pin, bounced up about 10 cm and then dropped in the cup. It was very exciting to watch. Apparently the whole course heard us cheer. Fortunately Troy was clear headed enough to make me pose for these photos that he took. It was my first, and hopefully not last, hole-in-one.
Tiger Yuanjun Liu, Morgan Creek Golf Course, Hole #3
I made a hole-in-one on April 6 in the MJT Junior Tournament at Morgan Creek Golf Course, Surrey, B.C.! It happened in the first round. There are so many good players in my age group.
On hole #3, it is 147 yards. I stroke with my 9 iron. And it was so amazing that the ball went into the hole straight! This is my first hole-in-one. I can’t believe that it happened in a tournament.
David Pratt, Royal St. Augustine Golf & Country Club, Hole #14
I was a member of a group of seven of us who went on the afternoon of February 5th to play 18 holes of golf at the Royal St. Augustine Golf Club in St. Augustine Florida. I was paired with Mr. Pierre Groulx and his wife Monique Groulx. It was a cool, cloudy afternoon and by the time we arrive at the hole #14 tee the wind was getting stronger as there was some rain moving into the area. The par three hole #14 is a fairly tight but approachable hole. The pin was placed on the right middle of the green. My shot was a high draw that navigated close to the tree line, and I saw it bounce and I thought it would have been on the green or possibly have gone in the right-side bunker or alternatively rolled of the back of the green. Pierre and Monique took their shots and as we approached the green, I could not see my ball. I searched the bunker first, then took a glance at the fringe area beyond the hole and then said to myself well perhaps it’s in the hole. I took a look and too my surprise and delight my ball was in the hole.
We were all so excited after Monique and Pierre putted out, we got in our carts to go and tell our friends in the foursome behind us the news of my hole-in-one. We arrived in the clubhouse to have a celebratory beverage and one of my friends asked myself, Pierre, and Monique if there was a picture taken and we realized no picture was taken. My friends drove with me to hole #14 and took a picture. I am so blessed to have such good friends who reminded by to get a photo of me so I can savour the memory of my first hole-in-one. Thanks Barb and Bob Stewart for reminding me, taking me back to the hole and taking my picture.
Finally, a most interesting part to this story is we are a group of about sixteen to twenty people who winter in the St. Augustine area. On this afternoon, on February 5th, another group of our gang was playing a round down in Palm Coast area at the Palm Harbour Golf Club. When I was preparing to write a note to our gang about my hole-in-one, I saw in my inbox a note from one of our friends that a member of our group, Cynthia Baumgarten, scored a hole-in-one that same afternoon. Now what are the odds of that?
It was an exciting day that I will always remember.
Lesa Bowen, Bonita National Golf and Country Club, Hole #6
First one ever and man did it feel amazing! I was playing with three special ladies from our golf community, husbands were in a foursome behind us. I stepped up to the tee and felt wind in my face so I contemplated clubbing up. So glad I didn’t as my 8 iron hit crisp, my ball hit the green, rolled and at the last moment turned right and into the hole it went!
The sweetest part of my first hole-in-one? We live on this green and I view it daily from our lanai. I’m certain our screams were almost heard back home in Canada!
Golf Canada Hole-In-One Report – Week of April 1, 2024
Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).
Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.
Cynthia Watada, Burlington Springs, Hole #12
– Burlington Springs Golf Club
– Hole #12, par 3, 129 yards, 6 hybrid
– Happened on Sunday March 31, 2024
Foursome of my friends Brian, Zak and Marie and I
Marcello Pavan, Fraserview Public, Hole #7
I am a member of the Men’s Club at the Vancouver’s Fraserview municipal golf course. We were playing the opening day of the 2024 season on Saturday, March 30, a best three out of four, four man team game. My partners were fellow Men’s Club members Tony Aquino, Don Neville and Darren Trach.
We teed off at 9:10, with me arriving at the course just five minutes before that! I ran to the first tee and teed off straight away. After a disastrous opening snowman (no kidding), I settled down. Hole #7 is usually a long par 3, with huge bunkers shielding the left front half of the green. On that day the tees were up, to about 165 yards from the hole, which was cut well over to the centre-right. I took aim to more-or-less the middle of the green, to the right of the front bunker, about 5-10 yards left of the hole, with my 4 hybrid to hopefully ensure I cleared it even with a miss hit. Well, I did miss hit it a little to the right, directly at the flag. It landed about 10 or so yards short and rolled directly to the hole. I was thinking, “hHey, this could be a KP for me” when it suddenly disappeared. My distance vision isn’t the best with those glasses, so my first thought was, “It didn’t go over the back did it?” Then I heard my group screaming, I looked back incredulously, then again at the hole, and then the adrenaline hit.
What a feeling. Surreal, out of body. Not at all what I dreamed it would be like. I tried to keep it together to not gloat in front of my mates, but they were more excited that I was!
The best part? Yes, there is a best part after that – I kept it going, draining three birdies on the day (happened maybe once before in my life) including two on the harder back nine, to shoot a career round for an eight under net. I was buzzing after the ace and really really didn’t want to mess up the rest of the round to ruin it, and it is supremely gratifying to have kept it together.
Ellen Wallace, Big Horn Golf Club, Hole #8
Ellen Wallace had a hole-in-one on March 18 at Big Horn Golf Club in Palm Desert on the Mountains Course hole #8 using a 8 iron. Ellen made this during The Big Deal Golf tournament at her home course. I was excited to watch it go in and this was her second hole-in-one! We were playing nine hole matches, happy to say we won that hole! Way to go Ellen.
Allan Coldwells, Fort Langley Golf Course, Hole #17
I had made this shot hundreds of times before in the past 17 years but have never landed closer. It is hole #17 at the Fort Langley Golf Course and the hole has an elevated tee to a relatively round green surrounded by deciduous trees. In this case the distance was 93 yards so I took out the pitching wedge and made the shot of my life. It was a slight right to left draw shot that landed 15 inches below the hole and rolled up the slope and to my amazement into the hole. It was witnessed by my playing partners that Saturday afternoon which were Les Calder, Darryl Rankin and Calvin Enders.
Lynne Yule, Nanaimo Golf Club, Hole #8
Yes, March 26 was an exciting day! We were playing in our 18 hole Tuesday ladies league, with my playing partners – Wanda Cullen, Wanda Cox and Catherine Deutscher. Hole #8 was 112 yards uphill, and I used my 5 iron. We knew two of us landed on the green but when we walked up to the green, only one ball was there. We looked around the edges of the green, then is was suggested to look into the hole and there was my ball.
Liam Bracken, Copetown Woods, Hole #11
Carded my first ever hole-in-one yesterday at Copetown Woods on hole #11. I am a Golf Canada member and always record my score on my app while playing. Playing 174 yards, I hit my 7 iron and two hopped the ball into the hole. Just a couple hours before the eclipse.
Brenda Lemky, Indian Canyons Golf Resort, Hole #4
On January 15, 2024 while golfing at Indian Canyons Golf Resort, where I am a member during the winter months. I was able to score two hole-in-ones in the same day, same round. The staff at the golf course contacted local news paper and a lovely lady, Kendall Balchan, from the Palm Springs Post contacted me and we had an interview. During the summer months I’m a member at Rivers Edge Golf Club in Okotoks, Alberta. As an avid golfer, I hope to inspire all levels of golfers to never think that getting your first hole-in-one isn’t going to happen to them as I did. Out of the blue it happened to me and the second was overwhelming and exhilarating. Never give up and first and foremost enjoy every moment of participating in an activity you love.
Winners of the National Facility Awards for Junior Golf announced
Golf Canada
Golf Canada is honoured to recognize the winners of its National Facility Awards for Junior Golf presented by Humi from the 2023 season.
The National Facility Awards for Junior Golf is a program designed to acknowledge the crucial contribution of golf facilities and academies to the growth of young golfers throughout Canada. These awards celebrate the facilities that have notably influenced the progression of junior golf within their local communities throughout the 2023 season.
“The 2023 season produced another outstanding number of facilities that are offering exceptional support of junior golf in Canada,” said Laurence Applebaum, Golf Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. “The National Facility Awards for Junior Golf is a program that sets out to recognize the role that facilities and academies play in growing and developing junior golf athletes. Promoting golf engagement while cultivating Canada’s future generation of elite athletes are integral aspects of Golf Canada’s mission. We extend our sincere gratitude to all facilities across Canada that champion and prioritize junior golf in their communities, and we eagerly anticipate the honour of recognizing our 2023 award winners.”
The winners and finalists of the National Facility Awards for Junior Golf will be officially recognized at the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony on Tuesday, May 28 during the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.
The 2023 winners and finalists of the National Facility Awards for Junior Golf are:
Junior Golf Opportunity Award
Awarded to the 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 that help athletes compete at provincial, national, and international competitions.
Winner: Sawmill Golf Club (Fenwick, Ontario)
Finalist: Revelstoke Golf Club (Revelstoke, British Columbia)
Finalist: Tangle Creek Golf Club (Thornton, Ontario)
Finalist: River Hills Golf & Country Club (Clyde River, Nova Scotia)
Grassroots Junior Program of the Year
Awarded to a facility or academy program that is excelling at creating new junior golfers through local programming.
Winner: Deep River Golf Club (Deep River, Ontario)
Finalist: Lakewood Golf Resort (Sylvan Lake, Alberta)
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.
Winner: Royal Ottawa Golf Club (Gatineau, Quebec)
Tournament Host of the Year
Awarded to a facility that gives back to youth 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.
Winner: South Muskoka Curling & Golf Club (Bracebridge, Ontario)
Youth on Course Program Location of the Year
Awarded to the facility that hosted the largest number of Youth on Course rounds in the calendar year.
Winner: Shaganappi Point Golf Course (Calgary, Alberta)
First Tee – Canada Program Location of the Year
Awarded to a First Tee – Canada program location that demonstrates excellent enrollment in First Tee programming and makes a significant impact on growing participation among youth within its community.
Winner: Fraserview Golf Course (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Nomination and Selection process
From September 1 to October 31, 2023, all individual members and facility members of Golf Canada were able to nominate facilities for each award category.
All nominations were reviewed and feedback about nominees was provided by members of the Golf Industry Advisory Council, Sport Committee, and Amateur Championships Committee. Final award selections were made by Golf Canada staff.
Nominations for the 2024 National Facility Awards for Junior Golf are expected to open in September 2024.
Canada’s Nick Taylor gets a Masters Mulligan after COVID-19 tainted first experience
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 09: Nick Taylor of Canada plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during a practice round prior to the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
John Chidley-Hill/ Canadian Press
Nick Taylor is happy to be getting a Mulligan on his first Masters appearance.
The Abbotsford, B.C., native made his one and only appearance at Augusta National Golf Club in 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Masters was held in November that year, there were no fans and players could only have one person in the bubble with them at the course.
Taylor will tee it up at the first major of the men’s golf season on Thursday but, this time, his whole family will be there and he’ll be able to soak in the “true” Augusta experience.
“A lot of my early experiences of watching golf, like Mike Weir winning the Masters in 2003, I watched that with my dad and my brother in the basement,” said Taylor from his home in Arizona. “The Masters always felt like the start of the golf year back home in Canada.
“So for everyone to be at the Masters will be very, very, very special.”
Taylor was particularly excited to have his children participate in the Par 3 contest, a Masters tradition where the golfers play the short course with their families and their get kids decked out in Augusta’s distinctive all-white caddie coveralls. His four-year-old son Charlie and 11-month-old daughter Harper had already been fitted for theirs.
“I think just the whole experience of the week, to be there and have it be a quote-unquote normal Masters will be something I’ve obviously looked forward to ever since I began playing golf,” said Taylor. “After 2020 was one of those where I hoped it wasn’t my only experience but, obviously, you never know, so being able to say that I’ve had two very distinctly different Masters experiences will be pretty cool.”
Another highlight of the Masters experience is getting to play alongside Weir, from Brights Grove, Ont., the only Canadian to win the Masters or any men’s major.
They were grouped together in 2020 and played a practice round together with Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., and Adam Hadwin, also from Abbotsford. Canada’s PGA Tour players often practice together before events and, as usual, it became an East vs. West event on Tuesday.
Weir reported that the Ontarian pairing of he and Conners beat out the Abbotsford boys.
“We had a great time. Always fun for me to catch up with the guys. I only get to see them a couple times a year,” said Weir, who is the International Team’s captain for this year’s Presidents Cup. “I’ll see them a little bit more now because I’m travelling out to a few more events, but yeah, always fun.”
Another thing that has changed since Taylor’s last Masters appearance is Taylor’s FedEx Cup ranking. He qualified in 2020 after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February of that year, but has moved way up the standings thanks to winning the RBC Canadian Open in June and the WM Phoenix Open in February.
He’s now the top-ranked Canadian on the PGA Tour, sitting 13th in the FedEx Cup standings.
“I would say early in 2020, my game was rounding into really nice form, after winning Pebble and getting some confidence going,” said Taylor. “It’s easy to see years later, but you know, the COVID stretch where I was quarantined a bit back in Canada, bouncing back and forth, my game kind of deteriorated over that time and took some time to claw my way back.
“I do feel like now I’m better than ever. I feel like I’m a different player than I was three and a half years ago when I was there.”
