Team British Columbia leads Inter-Provincial Team Championship
by two over defending champions, Team Ontario

ROTHESAY, N.B. – Macy Pate fired a 4-under 68 to take a one-shot lead over Clara Ding following the opening round of the 111th playing of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO at The Riverside Country Club in Rothesay, N.B.

Cooler temperatures and strong winds made scoring more challenging early on Tuesday before warmer conditions settled in for the afternoon in Rothesay. Pate of Winston-Salem, N.C. was one of only four players to get into red figures, carding four birdies in a bogey free round. She opened and closed her front nine with three consecutive pars, grabbing birdies on hole Nos. 4 and 6. Making the turn, she continued her run of pars through 13 before recording back-to-back birdies on Nos. 14 and 15.

Pate credited her iron play and short game for putting her name atop the leaderboard following round one.

“It feels good to shoot a bogey free round. I played really solid and missed a few greens in the wind but I got up and down nicely and made some solid putts,” said Pate.

She added that patience will be key for her game heading into Wednesday, “the golf course is definitely challenging, so just trying to give yourself opportunities and not let the course get in your head or let anything get away from you.”

Pate recently completed her sophomore season at Wake Forest University, where she earned six top 25 finishes and also competed in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) for the first time this past April.

Ding of White Rock, B.C. also carded four birdies in her round to finish one back of Pate with a 3-under 69 to sit alone in second. The 14-year-old member of Team Canada NextGen was happy with her opening round but knows there is a long way to go this week. Ding and many others were complimentary of the course but found the greens to be a challenge on Tuesday.

“The greens are really tough on this course and putting was really difficult,” said Ding. “There are a lot of big breakers and slope.”

Ding has enjoyed a successful season thus far recording a pair of wins at the Women’s Orlando International Amateur Championship and most recently at the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open where she earned an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open through the She Plays Golf Championship Series.

Kaitlyn Schroeder of Jacksonville, Fla. sits in third following a 2-under 70, while Eunseo Choi of New Zealand is fourth after a 1-under 71. Five players are currently T5 at even par (72) including Team Canada members, Nicole Gal of Oakville, Ont., Tillie Claggett of Calgary, Alta. and Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C.

Team British Columbia (B.C.) leads the Inter-Provincial Team Championship by two shots over the two-time defending champions, Team Ontario. Team B.C. shot a collective 3-over in Tuesday’s round led by Yeeun (Jenny) Kwon of Vancouver who shot a 1-over 73 and Angela Arora of Surrey who finished at 2-over 74, B.C. is also represented by Amy Seung Hyun Lee of Langley. Team Ontario sits at 5-over with Oakville duo, Lindsay McGrath’s 2-over 74 and Nobelle Park’s 3-over 75 counting on day one. Ontario is also represented by Julia Alexander-Carew, also of Oakville. Park and Alexander-Carew are returning members from last year’s winning team. Team Manitoba sits third at 13-over and Team Alberta is fourth at 14-over. The two lowest scores from the three-person team count towards the combined team total. The Inter-Provincial Team Championship will be awarded tomorrow, following the opening 36-holes of the championship.

Following Wednesday’s second round, the field will be reduced to the top 70 players plus ties.

In addition to winning the Duchess of Connaught Trophy, the Canadian Women’s Amateur champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open taking place at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from August 20 – 24. The winner will also earn an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, taking place August 4 – 10 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore and an exemption into the 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur, taking place at The Toronto Golf Club, July 20 – 24, 2026.

For the individual and inter-provincial team leaderboards following the opening round of the 111th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

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.

Nick Simard, Upper Unionville Golf Club, Hole #9

What a day that was, not only for the ace but for the personal best at what I consider my home golf club.

Playing 134 yards into a head wind. Hit a 9 iron (Taylormade P7CB) and just about the most obnoxious looking TP5 ball Taylormade has ever made.

Just a clean baby draw right at it, landed close and disappeared. We weren’t sure though one playing partner was really excited.  Low and behold, it was in the cup when we got to the green.

Was playing with my regular weekend group, long time golf friends, Jimmy Zabarelos, Jon Stathopulos and James Keddie.

Andre Brisson, McCall Lake Golf House, Hole #17

Conditions were benign with little wind and bright sun. The nominal distance on the card from the white tees is 160 yards. I was given a 153-yard distance by one of my playing partners. Using my trusty 7 iron, the strike was pure, the ball flight was superb landing 10-20 feet from the hole. The roll-out was straight and into the hole. I could actually hear the clank of the ball on the flag pole, though I expected that the ball likely hit the flag and rolled out beyond the hole. There were three witnesses but the only full name I have is my golf buddy Bruce McAdoo. Of the other two players in our group, one was a part-time Marshal at McCall Lake Golf Club.

Mary Louise Andrea, Seaview Golf and Country Club, Hole #9

Hole #9 at Seaview Golf and Country Club in North Sydney, Nova Scotia is a beautiful yet demanding 144 yard par 3, framed by woods and guarded by bunkers to the right and back left of the green. With my good friend Johanne Currie and fellow player Sandy MacInnis looking on, I watched in amazement as my 5 hybrid tee shot flew straight and true, landing softly before rolling into the hole for an unforgettable ace! A moment I’ll never forget.

Adam Fredericks, The Links of Brunello Golf Course, Hole #10

I made a hole-in-one at The Links of Brunello Golf Course in Halifax on July 2nd, 2025. I used a pitching wedge from 135 yards playing from the white tee’s. It was on the par 3, hole #10 during men’s night and it was a back nine start, so it was my first swing of the day! First and last time in my life I’ll ever be two under during a round of golf. Playing partners were David Woodbury, Michel Woodbury and Curtis MacIsaac.

Ben McCutchen, Cedar Hill Golf Course, Hole #10

My wife and I were enjoying a quiet dinner on a patio in downtown Victoria, making the most of a long summer evening. As the sun dipped lower, we decided to cap off the day with a spontaneous 9-hole round at Cedar Hill Golf Course — the same spot where we’d played the front nine earlier in the week.

We hustled back to the course and reached the tenth tee just in time. I stepped up and did something truly rare for me — I hit a straight drive. But when we walked up, the ball was nowhere to be found — not in the fairway, not on the green.

Puzzled, I asked my wife to check the hole.

And there it was — sitting quietly at the bottom of the cup. A hole-in-one, on a par 4 no less.

Neither of us could believe it. What started as a casual evening round turned into a once-in-a-lifetime moment — one I’ll never forget.

Credit to my wife, a true planner, for saying yes to post-dinner golf with no tee time — and unknowingly scheduling a hole-in-one.

Jayant Kembhavi, Cordova Bay Golf Club, Hole #6

On June 25th, I got another hole-in-one. Hole #17 at Cordova Bay Golf Club, 150 yards over water. Hit a good shot and saw it bounce. Was so relieved it didn’t go in the lake so I started walking away. My mates thought it was a good shot but didn’t see the ball because the view was obstructed by reeds along the water. Then as we started walking to the green, and still couldn’t see the ball, we started speculating, maybe it rolled off the back. Maybe it rolled into the sand trap. Wait, maybe it’s in the hole! Excitement started building and I walked to the hole, and there it was! My second hole-in-one!

Sally Lazaruk, Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club, Hole #17

Hole #17 tee box is elevated and we hit across a valley onto an elevated green that is slanted towards the ocean and mountains in the background.

I was playing in our Saturday Business Women’s Golf League with Nancy Campbell, Suzanne Anton and Rosalie McRae.

I felt good when I hit the ball and saw it land near the left edge of the green and go right, then I lost sight of it and viewed only half of the yellow flag stick. Rosalie said she thought it probably went over the green.

Susanne, who chipped over the green could not see another ball there. I usually hit mid green with that club so as I walked across the green I got a feeling to check the hole, and there it was! I was shocked and Suzanne and Nancy hollered and cheered as Rosalie ran to get her camera.

I made the hole-in-one on our ladies’ 127 yard, hole #17 with my Callaway 7 wood and Callaway ball. Lucky number seven!

My brother Bill Lazaruk, said I must be playing well, but I said I may have hit the ball but a golf angel guided it across the valley onto the green and god put it in the hole for me! It certainly took the three of us to do it.

When I informed the pro shop, Kevin Leslie, an Assistant Golf Professional, said he was not surprised as about a month ago he saw my ball hit the pin and roll six inches away.

Often when I play this hole, I think of my cousin Dennis Ewasiuk who made a hole-in-one on hole #17 on men’s opening day and won $25,000.

I won $175 and our Shaughnessy Women’s Golf Captain, Kathy Forrest, said she thinks this is the first hole-in-one for our Saturday Business Women’s League, so I’m buying drinks for the wind-up.

This was my second hole-in-one as my first was 21 years ago at Blackhawk Golf Club in Edmonton, Alberta, on hole #8 with my 8 iron and Nike ball. Lucky number eight! Since then, my nephew Shawn Lazaruk became a member of Blackhawk Golf Club and made a hole-in-one on the same hole #8.

Kendal Stacesmith, Prince Rupert Golf Course, Hole #4 (Twice)

Within three weeks apart, on the same hole #4 and used the same club, 7 iron. Pin placement on both was roughly the same as well. Couldn’t see it go in from tee box, just a matter of walking up to the pin and wondering where your ball is.

Pam Yakabuskie, Deep River Golf Club, Hole #16

I was playing with three of my friends at Deep River Golf Club, the yardage was 115 and I hit a 9 iron. Once it left my club face, flew through the air, landed on the green and started rolling towards the pin, I was satisfied I would have a birdie putt and turned to start putting my club away, and then my friend excitedly said, “you just made a hole in one!” I hadn’t even watched it going the hole. Consider it a lesson learned for next time.

Golf thrives on fairness, integrity, and inclusivity—values that are upheld by the Rules of Handicapping, a key component of the World Handicap System (WHS). These rules ensure handicaps are calculated and maintained accurately, allowing players of all skill levels to compete equitably and enjoy the game.  They rely on everyone (Handicap Committees, golfers, club staff and event organizers) to play their role and ensure the integrity of the World Handicap System.

To ensure proper understanding & knowledge, the certification program is designed to educate individuals on how handicaps work and the role everyone plays in maintaining them. This includes topics such as:

• What a Handicap Index is and how it ensures equitable play
• The role of the Handicap Committee, golf club staff and golfers in upholding the Rules of Handicapping
• Acceptability of scores for handicap purposes
• Properly adjusting hole scores (when needed)
• What to do if you have a question or concern about your Handicap Index or a fellow golfers’

Completing the Rules of Handicapping certification is critical for Handicap Committee members, players and club officials who want to ensure the game remains fair and transparent.  Certified individuals are better equipped to manage their own handicaps and support best practices at their clubs.

Moreover, the certification strengthens the governance and integrity of the game. Handicap Committees rely on certified individuals to enforce correct procedures, review anomalies, and maintain the integrity of handicap records. Without proper understanding of the rules, inconsistencies and misunderstandings can undermine confidence in the system.

Benefits for Club Officials (Handicap Committee, Club Staff, Event/League organizers)

• Accurate Handicap Oversight through properly trained Handicap Committee members.
• Equitable Competition across all club events with accurate and validated Handicap Indexes.
• Greater Credibility and Trust among members through transparent score management.
• Improved Customer Service with informed staff and volunteers ready to support players and resolve issues.
• Support for Inclusive Play by promoting a system that adjusts for skill level, gender, age, and ability.
• Enhanced Club Reputation for upholding the values of the game.
• Compliance with Golf Canada’s handicap system policies and governance requirements.

Benefits for Golfers

• Understanding How Your Handicap Works—know exactly how your Index is calculated and updated.
• Confidence in Competition with assurance that everyone is playing by the same standards.
• Equitable Play regardless of skill level, thanks to adjustments made through the system.
• Improved Score Management through accurate and timely posting of rounds.
• Contribution to a Fair Golfing Community by being informed, responsible, and participating in Peer Review.

To complete the Rules of Handicapping certification, please watch the online seminar and complete the certification quiz –free and available at your convenience!  For more information about the Rules of Handicapping, please visit our website at www.golfcanada.ca/handicapping.

Field of 156 will compete in the prestigious tournament; nine provinces represented; Inter-Provincial Team Championship to be contested over first 36 holes

ROTHESAY, N.B. – The 111th playing of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO is set to be contested July 22 – 25 with a field of 156 amateur golfers competing over four rounds at The Riverside Country Club in Rothesay, N.B.

This year’s field features a number of top amateur golfers from around the world including ten of the current top 100 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), 25 of the top 250 and 41 players within the top 500 on WAGR. Golfers from nine provinces are represented in the field along with eight additional countries: Australia, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and the United States.

The field is led by two Team Canada members in the WAGR top 100 including, 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion, Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. (no. 18 WAGR) and Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. (no. 49 WAGR).

Fellow Team Canada members that recently earned exemptions into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open through the She Plays Golf Championship Series will also be in Rothesay including, the reigning Canadian Junior Girls champion, Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. (no. 109 WAGR), Katie Cranston of Oakville, Ont. (no. 132 WAGR), Tillie Claggett of Calgary, Alta. (no. 174 WAGR) and Clara Ding of White Rock, B.C. (no. 197 WAGR).

Nine additional members of the Team Canada program are also in the field including, Nicole Gal (Oakville, Ont.), Clairey Lin (Langley, B.C.), Eileen Park (Red Deer, Alta.), Nobelle Park (Oakville, Ont.), Swetha Sathish (Oakville, Ont.), Ruihan Kendria Wang (Vancouver, B.C.), Michelle Xing (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Vanessa Zhang (Vancouver, B.C.) and 2021 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion, Lauren Zaretsky (Thornhill, Ont.).

Anna Iwanaga of Hyogo, Japan (no. 33 WAGR) tops the list of eight international players in the top 100 on WAGR that will compete. Joining Iwanaga are fellow Japanese amateurs, Mamika Shinchi of Kanagawa (no. 48 WAGR), Yurina Hiroyoshi of Fukuoka (no. 61 WAGR) and Aira Nagasawa of Yamanashi (no. 63 WAGR). Australians Jazy Roberts of West Bendigo (no. 85 WAGR) and Raegan Denton of Fulham Gardens (no. 93 WAGR) are joined by Macy Pate of Winston Salem, N.C. (no. 55 WAGR) and Eunseo Choi of Auckland, New Zealand (no. 82 WAGR) to headline a strong field.

The following 2025 Provincial Women’s Amateur champions will also be competing in the field: Abbey Baker (Nova Scotia), Taylor Cormier (Newfoundland and Labrador), Addison Kartusch (Manitoba), Anne-Léa Lavoie (Quebec), Amy Lee (British Columbia), Lindsay McGrath (Ontario), Callie Taylor (New Brunswick) and Jacquelyn Taylor (Prince Edward Island).

“We are excited to get the 111th playing of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship underway at the beautiful Riverside Country Club,” said Golf Canada Tournament Director Madeline MacMillan. “We have a very strong field set to compete and the players are in for a great experience and test at Riverside. We’d like to thank the staff and volunteers for being welcoming and for their continued efforts in delivering an exceptional experience for our prestigious national championship.”

Established in 1897, The Riverside Country Club is a private championship golf course designed by the legendary Donald Ross. Nestled on the picturesque banks of the Kennebecasis River in Rothesay, New Brunswick, the 18-hole course offers a challenging and memorable golfing experience for players of all skill levels. At The Riverside Country Club, tradition meets modernity, offering a sanctuary for golf enthusiasts and a vibrant community for its members.

“Since being announced as the host club for the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, we have been incredibly excited and proud to welcome an elite field of female amateur golfers from around the world to Riverside,” said Jason Porter, General Manager, The Riverside Country Club. “Our membership and our team have been working tirelessly, and we are committed to providing an exceptional experience for all participants at our beautiful course and facilities. We remain steadfast in our belief that this championship will inspire the next generation of golfers and further promote the growth of women’s golf in our community.”

The championship, which was first contested in 1901, is one of the longest standing amateur golf events in the world. The inaugural tournament at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Que., featured only three players and over a century later, 156 players compete for the honour of etching their name onto the Duchess of Connaught Gold Cup.

Along with the championship’s storied history comes a coveted roster of competitors including Marlene Stewart Streit, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, who sits atop the class with 11 victories, and five runner-up finishes at the national event. The tournament has proven to be a launch pad for some of golf’s brightest young stars including Ariya Jutanugarn (2012), Brooke Henderson (2013), Hye-Jin Choi (2016), Jennifer Kupcho (2017) and Yealimi Noh (2018) are previous winners who now compete on the LPGA Tour.

The national championship will also feature an Inter-Provincial Team Championship that will run concurrently over the first 36-holes of the tournament. Team Ontario will be looking to win their third consecutive team title. Last year, Shauna Liu (Maple, Ont.), Nobelle Park (Oakville, Ont.) and Julia Alexander-Carew (Oakville, Ont.) successfully defended the team title for their province beating Team Alberta and Team British Columbia by three shots. Championship week begins with practice rounds on Monday, July 21 with tournament play beginning on Tuesday, July 22. Following the opening 36-holes of the championship, the field will be reduced to the top 70 players plus ties.

The 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open taking place at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from August 20 – 24. The winner will also earn an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, taking place August 4 – 10 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore. In addition, the champion will earn an exemption into the 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur, taking place at The Toronto Golf Club, July 20 – 24, 2026.

For the full player field competing in the 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Corey Conners delivered a composed, confident performance at the 153rd Open Championship, finishing tied for 10th at Royal Portrush and once again asserting himself as Canada’s most reliable presence in major championship golf.

The 32-year-old from Listowel, Ontario, closed with back-to-back rounds of 66, finishing at 9-under-par (275) — just seven shots off the winning mark set by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

A Weekend Surge at Royal Portrush

After a steady start with rounds of 71 and 72, Conners vaulted up the leaderboard with a clinical 66 on Saturday — then matched it Sunday with another six-birdie performance, capped by a confident up-and-down on the final hole.

“It feels great to play well on this stage,” said Conners after his round. “Portrush is a tough test. I stuck to my game plan, stayed patient, and made the most of my chances over the weekend.”

Conners’ score tied for the lowest combined weekend total among the top 15 finishers.

Lone Canadian to Make the Cut

Conners was the only Canadian to reach the weekend, as Mackenzie Hughes, Nick Taylor, and Taylor Pendrith missed the cut.

This marks Conners’ third top-10 at a major and his best finish at The Open. Known for his steady ball-striking and calm under pressure, he continues to lead the charge for Canada in golf’s biggest events.

What’s Next for Conners?

With the FedEx Cup Playoffs fast approaching and an eye toward potential Presidents Cup selection, Conners’ showing at Portrush may prove to be a momentum builder. The performance will also provide a boost in the Official World Golf Ranking, where he remains the top-ranked Canadian on the men’s side.

His summer schedule will continue with PGA TOUR stops at the 3M Open and Wyndham Championship before heading into playoff season.

Canadian Golf on the Rise

While this year’s Open didn’t feature multiple Canadians in contention, Conners’ steady play reaffirmed his place as one of the most dependable performers in Canadian golf — a player whose best may still be ahead.

As the country celebrates recent successes across both the PGA and LPGA Tours, Conners’ latest showing reminds fans that Canada continues to earn its place among the world’s elite golf nations.

Deng earns her third win of the season in Georgia

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. defeated Xingtong Chen of Singapore, 2 and 1 after 35 holes in the final to win the 76th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship on Saturday at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Ga. Deng becomes the first Canadian to win the title in tournament history.

“It really means a lot. I just can’t believe that I won,” said Deng. “I didn’t really think about the end result because I knew there were a lot of good players here. I just tried to win each match.” 

The 15-year-old member of Team Canada NextGen led Chen 4 up following the opening 18-holes of the final. Deng and Chen traded the lead through the opening six holes before Deng won Nos. 7, 10, 12 and 13 to earn the advantage heading into the final 18-holes of the championship.

In the afternoon, Chen pulled to within two after winning Nos. 19 and 23 and the two battled back-and-forth before Deng retook her 4 up lead after winning Nos. 27 and 28. Chen again pulled to within two late taking Nos. 32 and 34; but both carded pars on the 35th hole giving Deng the win at 2 and 1.

Deng’s path to the final began after sitting at 2-over T32 following stroke play on Tuesday. In the Round of 64 on Wednesday, she defeated Sarah Hammett of Australia, 2 and 1 to advance. Thursday would mark two more victories, first in the Round of 32, following a 2 and 1 win over Mia Calles of Clinton, S.C. and later winning in 19 holes over Yujie Liu of China. The quarters and semifinals took place on Friday, where Deng began with a 2 up victory over Chloe Kovelesky of Boca Raton, Fla. followed by a 2 and 1 win over Rayee Feng of Short Hills, N.J. to secure her spot in the finals.

The win is the third for Deng, having previously won two junior titles earlier this season, including the 2025 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in April and the 2025 Mizuho Americas Open in May where she played alongside world no. 1, Nelly Korda.

Deng has also earned exemptions into all remaining U.S. Girls’ Junior Championships for which she is age eligible. In addition, an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open as well as exemptions into the 2025 and 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

“Aphrodite is a very talented player who came to the program with great family support and quite a few wins at a young age. She is incredibly hard working and disciplined. This is a huge win for her and the program. I am very happy for Aphrodite and her family,” said Jeff MacDonald, Head Coach, Team Canada NextGen Girls.

Team Canada NextGen members, Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C., Ruihan Kendria Wang of Vancouver, B.C., Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont., Clara Ding of White Rock, B.C., Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. and Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. also competed this week.

Lin advanced to the Round 16 where she fell to the top ranked player in the field, Grace Carter of Jupiter, Fla. 1 up on Thursday. Lin finished stroke play at 1-under T15 and won her Round of 64 match, 6 and 5 over Junxi Guo of Singapore and her Round of 32 match, 3 and 2 over Kacey Ly of Temple City, Calif. In addition, Xing and Wang both advanced to the Round of 64 of the tournament.

The 76th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship opened on Monday with 36-holes of stroke play over the first two days before moving into match play on Wednesday through to Saturday’s final.

For the final standings and match play results from the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, please click here.

GATINEAU – When some of the best male amateur golfers on the planet come to this country for the 120th edition of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, they’ll have the opportunity to tee it up at one of Canada’s most storied layouts. 

The Royal Ottawa Golf Club is set to host the Canadian Men’s Amateur for the record 10th time, and this year will do so alongside nearby Rivermead Golf Club as a partner club. The event will have a full field of 264 players, and the two courses are located just across the bridge from nearby downtown Ottawa.  

“From small greens with high green speeds and thick rough, coupled with the need to be accurate off the tee to score well—this top 100 rated course in Canada will provide a great challenge to even the highly-skilled players,” said Greg Richardson, general manager at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club. 

“Golfers from all around the world are set to make their experience memorable.”  

There will be more than a dozen countries with golfers teeing it up at Royal Ottawa including both the reigning Australian men’s amateur champion and the reigning Japanese men’s amateur champion, along with golfers from 10 provinces and one territory. The Canadian contingent is led by Justin Matthews, who is the second-highest Canadian in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). 

The last time Royal Ottawa hosted the men’s amateur, the winning score was 11 under, but since then, there have been plenty of changes to the course – especially over the first five holes. On the back nine golfers have a unique start with a short par-4 10th and then back-to-back par-3s on Nos. 11 (featuring a diabolical back-to-front sloped green) and No. 12.  

Five of the closing six holes are strong par-4s before golfers face a beefy par-5 closer. Small greens are featured throughout, and club-grabbing rough will also challenge players who are inaccurate off the tee or with their irons.  

This reporter had an opportunity to play 18 holes alongside Ottawa’s Michael Vivone, a 16-year-old who is in the field – and also a member of Royal Ottawa. Vivone, who grew up playing tennis, stands at least 6-foot-2 and regularly hits it further than 300 yards off the tee. He’s had a collection of solid results lately and attends the Matt DeJohn Golf Academy in Port St Lucie, Fla. as he aims to chase his pro golf dreams.  

He said, with his tennis background, he’s yet to have to “chase speed” like so many other players. Golf’s talent is just getting younger and younger, and he said he’s as committed as ever to finding a process that works for him – despite acknowledging the fact that other star juniors (like Charlie Woods, whose father you may have heard of) are on “another level.”  

That said, Vivone certainly has the game to compete – and maybe even contend – at Royal Ottawa, despite his age. On the front side he had a stretch of three birdies in five holes with tap-in pars the rest of the way around. An easy game.  

“Something the club supports throughout so well is amateur golf,” Richardson said. “We understand that not everyone will be competing at this course (after the cut) but we want them to walk away, whether they make the cut or not, with an experience they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.” 

Winners of the tournament in the past include both Nick Taylor and Mackenzie Hughes who have both, of course, gone on to win on the PGA Tour – with Taylor becoming just the first male golfer to win all of the Canadian Junior, Canadian Men’s Amateur, and Canadian Open (with Brooke Henderson doing the same on the women’s side). 

When the men’s amateur was hosted by Royal Ottawa in 1991 Mike Weir finished runner up. And, in the 2016, Sahith Theegala (one of the game’s more popular players due to his appearance on the Netflix docu-series ‘Full Swing’ and part of Team RBC) was in the field at the club.   

Established in 1895, the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is the third oldest amateur championship in the world. 

This year’s event goes from July 28-31. The winner receives an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship, the 2026 U.S. Open Final Qualifying, and the 2026 RBC Canadian Open.  

Royal Ottawa’s national championship hosting duties are also set to continue next year, as the backdrop for the 2026 World Junior Girls Golf Championship. 

ENFIELD, N.S. – Emma Zheng of Auckland, New Zealand and Cole Stewart of Fall River, N.S. both secured victories at the 2025 NextGen Atlantic Championship on Thursday to wrap up the 2025 NextGen season and lock up their places in next month’s national junior championships.  

Both Zheng and Stewart took the lead following Tuesday’s opening round and failed to give way to their closest chasers over the final 36 holes at Oakfield Golf & Country Club in Enfield, N.S. 

Zheng, the only international player to tee off in the NextGen Atlantic Championship this week, entered Thursday’s final round with a two-shot lead over Yeeun (Jenny) Kwon of Vancouver, B.C. With rounds of 70 and 74 behind her, the Kiwi found separation from Kwon in the early stages of her final round, stringing together birdies at the first, sixth and eighth holes to double her advantage to four strokes ahead of the more taxing back nine.  

Consecutive bogeys at Nos. nine and 10 sliced Zheng’s lead in half, though a timely string of par putts on holes 11, 12 and 13 helped to get back on track before a birdie at the par-4 14th got her back to two-under par. A final birdie at the 17th sealed the deal for Zheng while Kwon played her final four holes at three-over par to fall out of arms reach.  

The wire-to-wire victory marks Zheng’s fifth triumph of 2025, having claimed four other stroke-play events overseas to shoot up to 266th on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).  

As for Stewart, the win marks his first of 2025 and featured three-straight rounds of maturity and poise to help claim a three-stroke victory without ever trailing. Stewart opened the tournament with a five-under 67 to lead Ben Brown of Antigonish, N.S. by a single stroke heading into Wednesday. 

Soaring atop the leaderboard on the heels of a hot start became familiar territory for Stewart at the NextGen Ontario Championship that took place earlier this year at Black Bear Ridge Golf & Resort in Belleville, Ont. Then, Stewart bound a lonesome bogey in his opening round with five birdies to card a four-under 68, leading the tournament until a six-over 78 the next day dropped him out of contention.  

Two months later and in the final NextGen Championship of the 2025 season, Stewart built on opening rounds of 71 and 74 to ride his advantage into the final round. The Nova Scotian entered Thursday with a four-stroke lead and was able to navigate around a series of bogeys at Nos. eight, nine and 13 to claim his maiden title on the NextGen circuit by five strokes.  

“After NextGen Ontario I learned a lot,” said Stewart following his round Thursday. “I figured out that I needed a good-night sleep and not check the leaderboard every five minutes. It definitely helped a lot for this week. 

“My mindset was to not make any big numbers and play my game that I was playing the past two days,” he added. “I proved to myself that I can win big tournaments like this and have the game to pull off wins in these types of scenarios.”  

The victory for Stewart is layered by a different kind of excitement as well, having grown up playing in the Enfield community, specifically at Oakfield Golf & Country Club.  

Brett Shaw of Stratford, P.E.I. rallied from a three-over par start through his opening six holes on Thursday to climb within three shots of Stewart and claim his second runner-up finish in two tries at the NextGen Atlantic Championship.   

NextGen Atlantic Championship – Advancing to 2025 Canadian Junior Boys Championship 

*Top 6 qualify  

NextGen Atlantic Championship – Advancing to 2025 Canadian Junior Girls Championship 

*Top 6 plus ties qualify  

The conclusion of Thursday’s final round marks the end of the 2025 NextGen Championship season as the final participants in next month’s Canadian Junior Boys and Girls Championships round out. Twelve winners and many others that contended in this year’s NextGen Championship season will descend on Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, N.B. August 11-15 and Club de golf Sainte-Marie in Sainte Marie, Que. August 12 – 16 for the Canadian Junior Boys Championship and Canadian Junior Girls Championship respectively.   

To view the final leaderboards from the 2025 NextGen Atlantic Championship, please click here.   

About the NextGen Championships  

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six 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 2025 national junior championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.  

Canada’s National Women’s Open returns to the City of Champions for the first time since 2013

CPKC Has Heart to leave meaningful community legacy in support of pediatric heart health

EDMONTON, Alta. – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announced today that the historic Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, Alta. will host the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open.

The 2026 CPKC Women’s Open in Edmonton will be held on August 17-23, 2026, the 52^nd playing of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

The 2026 tournament marks the return of the National Women’s Open to Royal Mayfair for the third time and first since LPGA Tour star and three-time CPKC Women’s Open champion Lydia Ko won the 2013 event at Royal Mayfair as a 15-year-old amateur. Ko won back-to-back events as an amateur in 2012 and 2013 and would go on to win her third Canadian title in 2015. Royal Mayfair also hosted the championship in 2007, an event won by LPGA Tour legend Lorena Ochoa.

The 2026 CPKC Women’s Open will mark the eighth time that Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has been contested in the province of Alberta.

“In partnership with CPKC, we are very pleased to confirm that the CPKC Women’s Open will return to the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in 2026,” said Golf Canada Chief Operating Officer Garrett Ball. “Edmonton is a passionate golf community and Royal Mayfair is an outstanding venue to challenge the world’s best players. We extend our thanks to the membership and staff at Royal Mayfair as well as the City of Edmonton who will once again prove to be fabulous hosts for our National Women’s Open Championship.”

The CPKC Women’s Open through the CPKC Has Heart program will once again leave a meaningful legacy in the host community of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship. Since 2014, CPKC has raised more than C$23 million for pediatric heart health in the communities that have hosted the CPKC Women’s Open through the company’s tournament sponsorship and the CPKC Has Heart program. 

“We are very excited to bring the CPKC Women’s Open back to Edmonton and once again back to our home province of Alberta,” said CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel. “For more than a decade, this tournament, through our CPKC has Heart community investment program, has helped build stronger communities across Canada by investing in the heart health of our young people. We look forward to continuing that legacy next summer in Edmonton.”

The CPKC Has Heart community partner will be announced in early 2026.

For more than a century, Royal Mayfair has been recognized as one of Western Canada’s premier golf facilities. Shaped by legends such as Stanley Thompson and Les Furber as well as a Doug Carrick renovation in recent years, the club is consistently ranked within the ScoreGolf Top 100. The club celebrated its centennial in 2022 and is one of 17 clubs to have hosted both the Women’s and Men’s National Open Championship. In 2023, Royal Mayfair completed an extensive clubhouse renovation with modern amenities for a premier member and championship experience.

“On behalf of the Board of Governors along with our membership, management and staff, we are thrilled to be named host of the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open,” said Royal Mayfair Golf Club President Daniel Kickham. “We look forward to once again welcoming the many golf enthusiasts from within our city, surrounding communities and across the province to one of Canada’s premier sporting events. We are equally excited about partnering with CPKC and Golf Canada in raising critical funds for local children’s charities.”

The Board of Royal Mayfair has also appointed longtime Edmontonians and Royal Mayfair members, Marilyn Cox and Don McGarvey as Host Club Tournament Co-Chairs.

One of Canada’s premier annual sporting events and a signature stop on the LPGA Tour, the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open was named Sport Tourism Canada’s International Sport Event of the Year at the 2025 Sport Tourism Canada PRESTIGE Awards. The CPKC Women’s Open also earned the LPGA Tour’s Tournament of the Year award in back-to-back years in 2022 and 2023.

“Edmonton boasts a rich legacy of exceptional women’s sporting events, teams, and heroes across various sports, and we are thrilled to welcome the world’s finest women’s golfers back to Alberta’s capital city,” says Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “This event not only highlights our passion for sports but also inspires the next generation of athletes in our city while bringing our community together.”

“Explore Edmonton is thrilled to welcome the world’s top golfers to our city to compete in the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open,” said Traci Bednard, President and CEO of Explore Edmonton. “This event further showcases our commitment to supporting women’s sport in our city. We are excited to host thousands of visitors from around the globe to experience the best of Edmonton next August and work with our valued partners to help maximize the impact of this incredible event.”

The 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will take place August 20-24, 2025, at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. MacKids, the arm of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation dedicated to fundraising for MacMaster Children’s Hospital, has been selected as host charity for this year’s event with Trillium Health Partners serving as a community beneficiary.

For information about tickets, volunteer opportunities or corporate hospitality, please visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com.

As a long-time supporter of professional golf, RBC deepened its commitment to the sport in 2021 with the launch of RBC Community Junior Golf and continues to support this initiative, which provides affordable access to golf for youth across Canada.

In partnership with Golf Canada, RBC supports the national delivery of two junior golf programs, First Tee – Canada and Youth on Course.

First Tee – Canada, launched in 2021 by Golf Canada in partnership with First Tee, is a youth development program that offers life-enhancing experiences through accessible golf programming for young people from low socio-economic communities. Youth on Course is a complimentary program to First Tee – Canada that provides youth aged six to 18 with subsidized rounds of golf for five dollars or less.

Since 2022, RBC Community Junior Golf has engaged over 55,000 youth through providing First Tee – Canada programming at no cost and subsidizing green fees for junior golfers through Youth on Course.

“The growth of our programs and the ability to introduce thousands of young people to golf every year would not be possible without the steadfast support of RBC,” said Adam Hunter, Executive Director, First Tee – Canada. “RBC Community Junior Golf has expanded our reach and has played a pivotal role in providing communities across Canada with inclusive and affordable access to golf.”

All RBC Community Junior Golf sites across Canada, including municipal or publicly accessible golf courses, offer no-cost First Tee – Canada programming to participants with all necessary equipment, and provide participants with a complimentary Youth on Course membership to play affordable rounds of golf at participating golf courses.

At RBC Community Junior golf sites, youth in surrounding low socio-economic communities are prioritized access to the First Tee program.

Private, no cost registration links are shared with select schools and community groups, and RBC covers transportation costs to the golf course, to encourage participation from families who may not have considered golf as a sport for them.

RBC also covers the cost of First Tee coach certification, helping to onboard more dedicated coaches, increase program offerings, and ensure a safe and inclusive environment for participants.

Partnered schools and youth centres are also able to run First Tee programming in-house at no cost, with provided curriculum, training modules and equipment kits.

“We believe young people from all communities deserve the chance to play golf and reap the benefits the sport has to offer,” said RBC’s Chief Brand Officer, Shannon Cole. “Together with Golf Canada, we are breaking down barriers of entry to the game and bringing golf directly to communities in a meaningful and engaging way.”

Last year, in addition to the 36 established RBC Community Junior Golf sites, nearly 165 elementary schools, community centers, and youth organizations across the country partnered with RBC Community Junior Golf to further expand the benefits of First Tee programming. This expansion resulted in nearly 3,500 subsidized Youth on Course rounds being played at RBC Community Junior Golf sites alone.

Looking ahead, RBC Community Junior Golf will continue to grow the game, inspire the next generation of golfers and help make a positive impact in their lives, on and off the course.