Henderson sits T5 after opening-round of Buick LPGA Shanghai
SHANGHAI – Amy Yang and Nasa Hataoka shared the lead at 5-under 67 after the first round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai on Thursday.
Both players had six birdies and a bogey for a one-stroke lead.
“I’m happy how I played today,” Yang said. “My swing felt very stable … lot of solid shots out there and making some good putts, so it’s been a good round.”
Americans Jessica Korda and Angel Yin are tied for third, while Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and defending champion Danielle Kang are among seven players tied for fifth at 3-under 69.
Alena Sharp of Hamilton is T24th at even-par 72,
Anne Catherine Tanguay to take year off from LPGA Tour
QUÉBEC – Quebec golfer Anne-Catherine Tanguay has announced she will take a year off of golf to prioritize “personal projects”, according to a statement issued Thursday.
The 28-year-old Quebec City native will have to play on the Symetra Tour or go to the Qualifying Series to regain full LPGA status as she is 130th on the money list this year. Only the top 100 keep their cards for the following year.
Tanguay citied injuries (specifically a back injury) that have hindered her game and she’ll use the time to take rest in order to “recharge her batteries”.
“It’s clear that my body is sending me signals, and over the last few weeks I’ve been digging into my reserves to find the energy to continue training and competing at a high level,” said Tanguay. “I need a break. ”
Tanguay, who entered the LPGA Tour in 2016, had her best-ever LPGA Tour result in June at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, where she tied for 11th.
She stressed that she will “continue to be involved in some golf activities, give some conferences and invest in family businesses” during her time off.
“I’m going home, I need to get closer to my family and take some time to re-evaluate my priorities,” she said.
This news comes just days after another Quebecer, Maude-Aimée Leblanc of Sherbrooke, announced her retirement from professional golf.
Fall Golf: Canadian Fan Photos
Happy Thanksgiving Canadian golf fans!
This past week, through Golf Canada’s social accounts, we asked fans to submit fall golf images. They did not disappoint! We were absolutely overwhelmed with the response…
You can find some of our favourites below. Thanks again to everyone who shared their images/videos.
Highlands Links, Cape Breton. pic.twitter.com/21rjDWQQE7
— MCneil?? (@IanMcNeil) October 13, 2019
Grandview Golf Club @GVGolfClub Huntsville, ON #GolfCanada pic.twitter.com/60X4D9vzgI
— Deb M.??♀️⛳️ (@debs217) October 13, 2019
Grandview Golf Club @GVGolfClub Huntsville, ON #GolfCanada pic.twitter.com/60X4D9vzgI
— Deb M.??♀️⛳️ (@debs217) October 13, 2019
My favorite course, @CopperPointGolf in Invermere, BC pic.twitter.com/xRBsfySrzN
— Rob Thomas (@ctradingbureau) October 14, 2019
#7 @Meadowbrook_GCC pic.twitter.com/jlguqnrTrc
— John Gallinger (@John_Gallinger) October 14, 2019
Thanksgiving weekend @CamelotGolf #GolfCanada pic.twitter.com/tXy9V0INi0
— Radar Boomer (@RadarBoomer) October 13, 2019
#GolfCanada Pitt meadows Golf Club. A hidden gem in the lower Fraser Valley, BC pic.twitter.com/MfKf6EVhJZ
— Gary Kroeker (@GaryKroeker) October 14, 2019
Berthier Golf Club #GolfCanada pic.twitter.com/1QirZfT7pC
— Martin genest (@iborngenest) October 13, 2019
Beautiful fall colours at Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club today! #GolfCanada pic.twitter.com/CRqQodgUVk
— Ms Staples (@mstracystaples) October 14, 2019
Fall Golf is the best! #golfcanada pic.twitter.com/cYtYZQyHs9
— Owen Rigg (@OwenRigg) October 11, 2019
@CamelotGolf #2 #golfcanada thanksgiving pic.twitter.com/eBzwDowWBp
— Janelle Sadler (@janelle_sadler) October 14, 2019
Last year's fall photo at Pembroke Golf Club. Great corner of the course. Also happens to be hole I got my 1st and only Hole in 1 this summer :). Pin position was just a bit left right behind the bunker 🙂 pic.twitter.com/o6FZvL5JwR
— Kris B (@oiler3535) October 10, 2019
Beauty from the 13th @idygolf right along the shores of Nepahwin Lake in Sudbury, ON! #GolfCanada pic.twitter.com/r6e5XDQsYQ
— Chris Montgomery (@ChrisJamesMonty) October 11, 2019
CGSA names James Beebe 2019 CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year
MISSISSAUGA, ON – The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and Bayer Environmental Science (Bayer) have announced James Beebe from Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club in Priddis, Alta. as the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year for 2019.
The annual award recognizes a member of the CGSA who has held the position of golf course superintendent for a minimum of five years and who has distinguished her or himself through dedication to the profession, performance as a golf course superintendent and contributions to their profession and their community.
“The CGSA is incredibly proud to bestow this recognition to James; he epitomizes leadership and professionalism in his role as Golf Course Manager,” said Greg Austin, CGSA President. I’m one of dozens of golf industry people that have worked with James at Priddis Greens, and all will tell you of his great mentorship and humble leadership. I’m extremely lucky to call James not only a colleague but a friend. Congratulations on this well-deserved award, James.”
“It is truly a great honour to be recognized as the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the year,” said Beebe. I feel very thankful to have been surrounded by incredibly supportive people throughout my career without whom this award would not have been possible. Receiving this prestigious award from the CGSA & Bayer is made special because of my long standing relationship and friendships with the wonderful people in these two organizations.”
As the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year winner, James receives the following:
- Attendance at and participation in the 2019 Fall Field Day from October 9-11 including golfing both days at Cabot Resort. This includes registration fee, travel costs, car rental, if necessary, and hotel accommodation for up to three nights;
- James and his wife Janet will receive an “All-Access” registration to The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference, 4 nights’ accommodation at the Westin Ottawa Hotel and transportation to the conference from March 2-5, 2020;
- A site visit with a written agronomic report from a Bayer Green Solution Specialist;
- Including a $5,000 Bayer plant protection package for the golf course; and
- A trip for two to attend a Bayer educational opportunity that would include golf.
James has been a CGSA member since 1992. He served as the CGSA President in 2016 and was the Alberta Golf Superintendents Association (AGSA) President in 2004. James has received several awards and recognitions including the CGSA Environmental Achievement Award in 2005, the AGSA Walt Gooder Distinguished Award in 2017, GCSAA/Golf Industry Environmental Leader Award in 2006, as well as making Priddis Greens the first Alberta golf course to be a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 1998. He has sat on numerous committees for both the CGSA and the AGSA.
James graduated from Seneca College in 1989 with a diploma in Golf Course Technology. His early work experience took him from Riverside Golf Club in Saskatoon, to East Essex Golf Club in England from 1989-1991. In 1991 James moved to Alberta where he worked at Woodside Golf Course for two years. He then honed his skills in a role at D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club before moving to Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club. Still into his young career, James elected to return to school and attended Penn State University where in 1995 graduated as valedictorian with an Associates Degree in Golf Course Turfgrass Management. In 1996 James was promoted to Golf Course Superintendent at Priddis Greens.
Over the last 25 plus years James has been known for providing elite playing conditions for his membership and has hosted three LPGA Tour events, including the CP Women’s Open in 1999, 2009 and 2016.
Beebe will receive the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year award on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 during the Awards Lunch at the Westin Ottawa Hotel as part of The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference.
Shin cruises to victory to claim second PGA TOUR-China title
MACAU, China—Canada’s Justin Shin won his second career PGA TOUR Series-China title in wire-to-wire fashion and leaped 56 spots on the Order of Merit into 11th after banking the RMB 378,000 winner’s check at the season-ending Macau Championship. Shin is the 14th multiple-tournament winner in Series history. In 2015, the Seoul, South Korea, native via Maple Ridge, British Columbia, won the United Investments Real Estate Wuhan Open.
He is one of four Canadians to win on this Tour, joining Eugene Wong, Peter Campbell and Richard Jung, also a two-time winner.
Starting the day six strokes clear of China’s Zecheng Dou after opening rounds of 63-62-66, Shin continued his flawless play to card a 3-under 68 Sunday. He finished at 25-under, good for a five-stroke victory at Caesars Golf Macau. Dou, who won the 2016 Order of Merit and is a member of the Korn Ferry Tour, came to within three strokes of Shin after 12 holes but failed to close the large gap despite shooting a 65 to take solo second.
American Max McGreevy tied for 41st, which was still more than enough to secure Player of the Year Honors over compatriot Trevor Sluman, who missed the cut this week. McGreevy, who had nine top-10s and a victory this season, will have full playing rights for the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour season. American David Kocher finished third on the money list, while France’s Cyril Bouniol and South Korea’s Luke Kwon finished fourth and fifth to also secure Korn Ferry Tour membership.
Jung shot a 67 to secure third place, at 19-under, two shots ahead of Bouniol. Kwon tied for fifth, at 16-under, along with Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai, American Shotaro Ban and Australia’s Aaron Wilkin. Jung finished sixth on the Order of Merit, a performance that will allow him to skip the second stage of Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament and advance to the final stage, set for mid-December outside Orlando, Fla.
Meanwhile, Shin was flawless all week, carding 24 birdies and two eagles against only three bogeys. He improved to No. 11 on the Order of Merit, just missing the top 10. He will be fully exempt on the 2020 PGA TOUR Series-China
“I just really wanted to have a second win here in China. My last one was in 2015, and I wanted to win so badly right away but it didn’t happen until now,” said Shin. “So, I’m just really glad I did, and I hope to get more wins out there now.”
Shin, who played a full season on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2017, had been struggling with his game in China. He came into this week ranked 67th on the Order of Merit and in danger of losing his Tour card for next season. However, a putter change last month followed by two good results on the Korean Tour obviously helped Shin regain his confidence.
That showed all week and again Sunday as he stayed calm and recorded three birdies in a bogey-free round despite feeling pressure from playing partner Dou.
“I knew I needed to keep playing aggressive because I knew Dou could make a lot of birdies, and he did. On the first nine he was 3-under, and he was catching,” said Shin. “I was struggling to make birdies and felt a lot of pressure because I knew that Dou could do a lot of crazy things. Luckily, I made a nice long putt on 12, which helped me make it through.”
At the start of the round, Dou knew that he would need Shin to fall back if he wished to close the large gap. For the 2016 PGA TOUR Series-China Player of the Year, who is back in Asia to prepare for the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, that didn’t happen. However, Dou was more than happy with his second-place finish, which will give him plenty of confidence heading to Shanghai and Sheshan International for the first WGC tournament of the season.
“It was a really great week. I knew it was going to be really difficult to catch Shin, and he played really well again today,” said Dou. “I’m just really happy with how I played, and I love being back in China. It feels good to play at home, and now I’m just going to keep practicing to get ready for the WGC-HSBC Champions.”
It has been 4 years, 4 months, 22 days, or 1,605 days total, between Justin Shin’s first PGA TOUR Series-China win and his victory this week at the Macau Championship? It is the longest span between victories in Series history.
Canada’s Shin opens big lead in Macau
MACAU, China—After opening rounds of 63-62, Canada’s Justin Shin kept the momentum going as he carded a 5-under 66 at the Macau Championship. Heading into the final 18 holes of the PGA TOUR Series-China season, Shin lies at 22-under and will be looking to close out a six-stroke lead over a tough opponent.
China’s Zecheng “Marty” Dou is no stranger to winning and moved into solo second, at 16-under, after firing a 62 at Caesars Golf Macau. The 22-year-old won four-times on the Tour in 2016 en route to winning the Order of Merit and Player of the Year honors. Dou, who also has two victories on the Korn Ferry Tour, is in the field this week to get ready for the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai at the end of the month. He will return to the Korn Ferry Tour for the 2020 season.
Canada’s Richard Jung shot a 66 to move into solo third, one shot ahead of France’s Cyril Bouniol, who is currently fifth on the Order of Merit. Max McGreevy is still virtually assured to lock up Player of the Year honors despite dropping into a tie for 19th after carding a Saturday 70.
Shin, who was born in Seoul, is chasing his first victory on the Tour since his triumph at the United Investment Real Estate Open in 2015. That year, Shin finished sixth on the Order of Merit and missed earning his Korn Ferry Tour card but went on to play a full season on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2017 via Q-School.
On Saturday, Shin was 5-under through 13 holes before two late bogeys on holes 15 and 18 slowed him. However an eagle on 17 and five birdies for the day gave him lots of positives heading into Sunday.
“I missed a two-footer on the last hole, and on hole 14 I lost a bit of concentration,” said Shin of his bogeys. “The greens are sometimes tricky, but I managed to recover and I’m still pretty happy with the round. Hopefully if I can keep doing what I’m doing, we should be OK.”
Shin is a surprise leader this week after he came into the event ranked 67th on the Order of Merit and in jeopardy of losing his card for 2020. However, after a putter change last month and two good events on the Korean Tour, Shin is playing well and projected to jump to 11th on the Order of Merit if he can secure the win.
Shin is looking forward to playing with Dou in the final group Sunday, which is expected to produce a lot of birdies.
“The last time I played with Marty was in 2016, and he’s played on the PGA TOUR and is playing the Korn Ferry Tour now, so it’s going to be fun,” said Shin. “He’s a great player, and he can go low. He shot 62 today, which is pretty good. I think there will be a lot of birdies. I need to keep making birdies; can’t make pars.”
Dou, who played a full year on the PGA TOUR (2017-18 season), started the day off with six straight pars before lighting up the course with seven birdies and an eagle in his next 10 holes.
“Today, from the beginning I found that everything came into place. I missed a short putt on the first hole, but the way I was striking it, I could feel that a low score was coming,” said Dou. “Then I got to hole 6 and then shot 8-under through eight holes and got on that streak. I made a lot of 20-foot putts and hit mostly every fairway. I didn’t really have to save par the whole day, which made things easier for me.”
Speaking on Shin, Dou was also full of praise.
“Justin is playing really solid. Even if he was playing on the PGA TOUR, he would be at the top [of the leaderboard] right now,” said Dou. “So, I won’t think about trying to catch him too much, I’ll just try to play like I did today and if I get a chance to get him, that’s good.”
Golf Management Institute of Canada Celebrates 20th anniversary
(Oakville, Ontario) – October 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of the Golf Management Institute of Canada (GMIC).
It was in October, 1999 when the GMIC launched its first online course in HR Management for 13 students from across Canada. Since then the GMIC has delivered more than 200 online courses to hundreds of students from 20 countries around the world and has been recognized for its online training excellence by the Canadian Society for Training and Development.
“It’s hard to believe the GMIC is 20 years old,” says founder and president Grant Fraser. “From day one, the GMIC’s objective was to deliver excellence in online golf management education. I am proud of the work the GMIC has done in training the next generation of golf managers and leaders.”
Warren Crosbie, Chair of the GMIC board of directors, is one of many leaders in Canadian golf who helped shape the direction of the GMIC and its programs.
“On behalf of all GMIC board members, past and present, I would like to acknowledge the contributions the GMIC has made in education and professional development to the Canadian golf industry,” added Crosbie. I believe the GMIC has made a difference and improved the educational and professional development opportunities that now exist for anyone looking to pursue a career in the golf industry.”
In addition to Warren Crosbie, other golf and business leaders who have served as a GMIC board member include Dean Baker, Ian Chan, Vito Cirone, Ken Cousineau, Anne Edgar, Chuck Fitzpatrick, Mac Frost, Dick Grimm, Susan Hodkinson, Steve Johnson, David Kaufman, Keith Keindel, Bob Lees, Keith McIntyre, Joe Murphy, Ian Scott, and Kevin Thistle.
In addition to offering its own online proprietary program in golf operations management, the GMIC established a variety of unique academic partnerships with Georgian College, Niagara College, the University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University and, most recently, McMaster University. In all cases, GMIC curriculum and faculty were used as part of golf management programs offered at the post- secondary level.
Over the years, the GMIC also established corporate and golf industry partnerships with Burnside & Associates, the Canadian Junior Golf Association, ClubLink Corporation, Global Golf Advisors, Golf Ontario, Golf Town, the John Dobson Foundation, Ontrak, PGA of Canada, PING, Rainbird, The Rock Golf Club and RBC Financial, all of whom generously provided their support to the GMIC for online course development and the GMIC’s Student Excellence Student Scholarship Program, an annual award presented to a Niagara College professional golf management (PGM) student who excelled academically and best personified the merits of the game.
One of the GMIC’s most significant partnerships was with the PGA of Canada. In 2010, the GMIC was retained by the PGA of Canada to design and develop five modules as part of their new Candidate Training Program with a specific mandate to provide independent learning opportunities for aspiring golf professionals.
Today, there are numerous successful GMIC students working in various management positions across Canada and around the world. One such example is Scott MacLeod from Kingston, Ontario, a distinguished GMIC graduate, who works as the managing editor for Flagstick Magazine and Ontario Golf News.
“The GMIC program has been invaluable in my career. Not only in becoming a PGA of Canada Class A Professional, but in the growth through connections within the faculty and fellow students. I grew my knowledge on different subjects, found ways to make areas of my career better, and developed skills that I use within and outside of work,” says MacLeod.
In April 2017, the GMIC entered its most recent phase in online golf management education. After a long and successful partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University, the GMIC’s 10-course online program was acquired by McMaster University’s Centre for Continuing Education.
“I am delighted that we are now able to offer this program,” says Lorraine Carter, Director of McMaster University’s Centre for Continuing Education (CCE). “It is an important complement to our existing business programs and a commitment by McMaster’s Centre for Continuing Education to offer new and diverse programs. Congratulations to the GMIC on its 20-year milestone. We are thrilled to continue working with Grant and the GMIC’s team of industry professionals.”
“What was always an excellent program is now even better given the resources McMaster has dedicated to it. I am pleased that all of the work that was started 20 years ago by the GMIC’s board members, industry partners and outstanding faculty will continue under McMaster University’s direction,” says Fraser.
Students who complete the new online program at McMaster CCE will receive a diploma in Golf & Resort Management from McMaster University and an industry certification from the GMIC.
For more information about the program, visit www.McMasterCCE.ca/golf-management
Canada’s Shin leads Macau Championship after 36-holes
MACAU, China—Canada’s Justin Shin fired a 9-under 62 to move to 17-under and open up a five-stroke lead at the Macau Championship, the final event of the PGA TOUR Series-China season.
Shin managed to improve on an opening-round 63 by carding eight birdies, one eagle and a bogey on Friday at Caesars Golf Macau as he looks to win his first Tour title since winning the United Investment Real Estate Wuhan Open in 2015.
American Charlie Netzel carded a 63 to lie in second, at 12-under, two strokes ahead of Canadian Richard Jung (67) and France’s Cyril Bouniol (66), who is hoping to retain his fifth spot on the Order of Merit.
See how it stands heading into the final weekend of the 2019 season. ?
1) Justin Shin -17
2) Charlie Netzel -12
T3) Cyril Bouniol -10
T3) Richard Jung -10 pic.twitter.com/cbz6r1UE2R— PGA TOUR Series-China (@PGATOURChina) October 11, 2019
Order of Merit leader Max McGreevy fired his second consecutive 67 to lie in a tie for eighth and is on the verge of locking up full Korn Ferry Tour status for 2020 after No. 2 on the Order of Merit Trevor Sluman missed the cut. McGreevy is virtually assured to earn Player of the Year honours as it would take a variety of unlikely scenarios over the weekend for either Luke Kwon or David Kocher to overtake McGreevy.
Shin, who was born in South Korea, has struggled with his game all season and is 67th on the Order of Merit after playing in eight events. However, a recent putter change last month followed by a pair of strong finishes on the Korean Tour has apparently given Shin back his confidence.
The naturalized Canadian, who teed off on hole 10, made a lot of birdies Friday including six on his back nine (Caesars Golf Macau’s front nine) but admits the highlight of the day was his hole-out for eagle on the par-4 11th, which put him at 3-under after his opening two holes.
“It was a little down-breeze, and I was 134 yards out so I hit a little 52 (-degree wedge), and it was actually going pretty far, and I was worried it might go over the green,” said Shin. “But it two-hop rolled in, and I got the yardage just right. That was probably the best part of the day.”
Then after four straight pars, Shin bounced back from a what he called a silly bogey on 16 with a birdie on 17 before turning up the heat on the final nine to card six birdies including closing with three in a row.
“That par-3 where I made bogey, I was a little off because I three-putted a one-and-a-half footer,” said Shin. “Luckily I got back right away and made birdie on 17, and that helped me keep it going and have a great finish.”
Despite holding a large advantage, Shin is determined to keep going for more birdies as he knows how quickly a lead can evaporate. At the Tour’s Cadillac Championship in 2016, Shin was in a similar position before two-year Korn Ferry Tour player Alex Kang came from behind to steal the win.
“I’ve been in this position before. Two years ago, when Alex Kang won, I was 18-under after the second round, and he shot a 10-under then a 5-under on the weekend to finish at 29-under to beat me,” said Shin. “So, I just want to be like that and try to finish 26- or 27-under. That’s my goal for this weekend.”
Netzel, who is 23rd on the Order of Merit, is projected to jump into 10th if the same scenario holds until Sunday. However, the tall lefty isn’t getting ahead of himself and is playing with a care-free mentality this week.
“I’m already into second stage (of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament), so I’m just playing free this week and whatever happens happens. You play every event trying to win so that’s still the plan,” said Netzel. “If somehow I could win or finish strong and sneak into the top 10, that would be a huge bonus.”
Hadwin eyes Presidents Cup return after strong start to 2020 season
Any time Adam Hadwin is asked about his professional goals, he mentions playing in the Presidents Cup.
The product of Abbotsford, B.C., debuted in the international team event two years ago and it was a seminal moment in his career. After two top-five finishes to start the 2020 PGA Tour season, Hadwin is in good position to make it back to the Dec. 9-15 Presidents Cup and the 31-year-old golfer relishes the opportunity to re-immerse himself in the prestigious tournament’s atmosphere.
“It’s been on my mind since the last one ended,” said Hadwin. “It was such an incredible experience. Being a part of a team is something you rarely get in golf. So being part of such a great group of individuals that are all trying to come together for the same goal is special.”
Although Hadwin’s international team lost 19-11 to the United States at Liberty National Golf Club in 2017, he was bitten by the bug.
“I know we got waxed by the Americans but it was still such an incredible experience being around the top guys in the world,” said Hadwin. “Once you’re a part of it once you never want to be left off of it again.
“I didn’t play well enough in the past year to get into that top eight and really felt like I needed to do some good work in these fall events before (Els) would pick his team.”
Els is expected to make four selections as captain’s picks the week of Nov. 4.
Hadwin has posted some strong results early in the 2020 season. He shot a 16-under overall to finish second at the Safeway Open and then fired a 20-under overall to tie for fourth at the Shriners Hospital for Children Open.
Those back-to-back top-five finishes have Hadwin ranked fifth in the FedExCup standings with 415 points headed into this week’s Houston Open.
Hadwin’s strong play has caught the eye of at least one other person: fellow Canadian Graham DeLaet, who played in the 2013 Presidents Cup.
“I would be surprised if Ernie (Els) didn’t give him a shot to play down there in Melbourne. I think he deserves it,” DeLaet told Golf Canada earlier this week. “He’s got some experience underneath him. There are some new faces on that team so I think some of that experience is going to be helpful. He’s playing great, which has been good to see.”
Hadwin’s fast start hasn’t just made a return to the Presidents Cup possible, it’s made the rest of the PGA Tour season significantly easier.
“It definitely helps. It takes a lot of pressure off the rest of the season,” said Hadwin. “Not that I’m going to relax and rest on some good early play but being in a nice position, earning a bunch of FedEx points early, it sets up a whole season.
“I know that I’m not going to be stressing at the end of the year about keeping a job. More than anything it validates all the work we’ve been putting in.”
Hadwin is spending a couple of weeks at his home in Phoenix before heading to Asia for the ZOZO Championship in Chiba, Japan and then the HSBC Champions, a World Golf Championship event, in Shanghai.
PGA TOUR:
Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., will be in the first group teeing off at No. 1 at the Houston Open on Thursday. DeLaet, from Weyburn, Sask., Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont., David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., will also be in the field at the Golf Club of Houston.
The Carman wins RBC PGA Scramble at Cabot Links
Inverness, N.S. – A year removed from finishing dead last in a local qualifying event in Manitoba, the team from The Carman Golf and Curling Club is now tops in the country, winning the 2019 RBC PGA Scramble National Final at Cabot Links.
“Honestly, we’re probably about as surprised as anyone,” said the team from Carman about the win Tuesday at Cabot Links. “We came here this week with literally zero expectations. Our goal was to embrace the Cabot Links experience and we just happened to play really well, too.
At 59.4-under-par through three rounds (two at Cabot Links and one at Cabot Cliffs), they certainly played well. The four amateurs—Jared Aubin, Josh McCharles, Brett Maloney and Bobby McNair—and PGA of Canada professional Dean North dominated the championship from start to finish, winning by an astounding 6.9 shots over the second place team from The Landings of Kingston, Ont.
Ottawa’s Rideau View Golf and Country Club rounded out the top three with a cumulative net-score of -51.4.
Taking place Oct 6-8 at the world-renowned Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs, the RBC PGA Scramble National Final sees 21 teams—comprised of four amateur golfers and one PGA of Canada professional—playing in a 54-hole national championship.
“Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs are without a doubt the most amazing two-golf course experience in Canada, if not the entire world,” Carman said about the week’s host venues. “And it’s not just the golf courses that are amazing this week, either,” they admitted, adding, “we’ve been treated like tour players from the second we got here.”
Cabot Cliffs ranked No. 1, while Cabot Links ranked No. 4 on SCOREGolf’s 2018 Best Golf Courses in Canada list. Cabot Cliffs also debuted 19th on the World’s Top 100 Courses list by Golf Digest.
“We here at Cabot were thrilled to host the RBC PGA Scramble,” said Cabot Links’ General Manager Andrew Alkenbrack. “I feel our team put on a fantastic show over the past number of days for all of the amateurs and PGA of Canada professionals from around the country. I know our team will have incredible memories of this experience and I do hope that our guests for this very special event will feel the same.”
Located in Inverness, N.S., Cabot Links is Canada’s first and only authentic links golf resort. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the picturesque town of Inverness, the Cabot Links course represents a dramatic departure from the typical golf excursion. With six holes playing directly alongside the water and every hole offers an ocean view, Cabot Links is where traditional links-land golf comes to life against the spectacular Nova Scotia landscape.
The Cabot Cliffs course, designed by the decorated team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is the newest addition to Cabot. Exquisitely carved out of the breathtaking Cape Breton landscape, with postcard-worthy panoramas vying for your attention and every hole calling out to the sea, it is links-land golf at its best.
The RBC PGA Scramble National Final promises to be a golf trip of a lifetime and includes numerous receptions, an authentic east coast kitchen party, hole-in-one shootout, glow-in-dark golf, unique scotch tastings, prizing, meals, activations and much more.
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member and golf media personality Bob Weeks will be on-site during championship week as an honorary starter for the final round at Cabot Links, as well as host emcee for the championship’s closing ceremonies. PGA TOUR player Ben Silverman will also be on hand at Cabot, adding to the overall atmosphere and experience of the event.