On the final day of competition at the 2018 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Golf National Championships, hosted by Medicine Hat College (MHC), four national champions were crowned.

The Red Deer College (RDC) Queens were the first Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) school to win a golf national championship.

“To take home gold at a national championship is incredible, not only for RDC but for Alberta golf,” says Scott Bergdahl, head coach for RDC Queens. “We have put a lot of resources into developing both the men and ladies teams in the last few years. So to be rewarded like this, in such a short period of time, is really outstanding. I think it’s really going to benefit the team and the program moving forward.”

On the men’s side the 2019 CCAA Golf National Championship Hosts, Cégep André-Laurendeau, secured a nine-stroke victory to raise a championship banner.

Individually, Emily Romancew from the John Abbott Islanders and Laurent Desmarchais from André-Laurendeau won their respective individual titles.

“Winning a national award and being able to say we have a national title for John Abbott is amazing. I think I played really well and I’m really satisfied with my overall week,” says Romancew.

The women’s team event was dominated by the ACAC.

RDC pulled away from the field with a four-day total of 625 to claim a gold medal. The MHC Rattlers fired a four-day total of 641 to earn the silver medal and the bronze medal went to the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan Heat who had a four-day score of 666.

On the men’s side, the Boomerang d’André-Laurendeau had a dominating performance on their way to a national title. Their four-day total of 1138 was 14 under par and placed them nine strokes ahead of silver medalists Humber College who had a four-day total of 1147. The bronze medal went to the University of Fraser Valley (UFV) Cascades who tied with Champlain St. Lawrence but won the bronze on a count back. Both teams closed with four-day scores of 1171.

Thank you to @MHC_Rattlers @MHCollege @hpdesertblume and @TheGolfCanada for an incredible 2018 CCAA Golf National Championship Presented by @PingTour.

Final Round Recap available here: https://t.co/pMoj7IXS3a pic.twitter.com/W0XWwBUURr

— CCAA ?? ACSC (@CCAAsportsACSC) October 20, 2018

Romancew, led the women’s individual race from wire to wire. Her final total of 298 left her six strokes ahead of runner-up Shaye Leidenius from RDC. Alyssa Stoddart from the Fanshawe Falcons shot a four-day total of 305 to claim the bronze medal.

In men’s individual action, Laurent Desmarchais from André-Laurendeau shot an amazing 13 under par over four days to win gold. Cobber Watt had a solid week and earned the silver medal with a total eight under par 280. Desmarchais’ teammate Olivier Ménard took home the bronze with a four-day score of seven under par 281.

Tournament all-stars were also awarded. Winners for the women included Romancew, Leidenius and Stoddart. The men were represented by: Desmarchais, Menard and Philip Isabelle from Cégep André-Laurendeau, along with Watt from Humber College and Daniel Campbell from UFV.

Exemplary leadership awards, given out to the athletes who uphold the highest integrity of the game, and who show leadership and fair play both on and off the course, were given to Nicole Schultz of the Rattlers and Brad Byers from the Fanshawe Falcons.

On the last day of competition, the male athlete of the day was Kyle Claggett from the Cascades. Clagget was personable and polite throughout the week and always had a smile on his face.

The female athlete of the day was Stoddart. She was a strong competitor all week and her third round 69 was the tournament low on the ladies side. She was always friendly and supported her teammates and the other golfers throughout the week.

Our final team of the day was awarded to the UBC Okanagan Heat for their friendly and positive attitude. They battled hard each day and were rewarded with a bronze medal.

Men’s Team Results
Women’s Team Results
Men’s Individuals Results
Women’s Individuals Results

JEJU ISLAND, Korea, Republic Of – Chez Reavie overcame cool, windy conditions for a 4-under 68 and a one-stroke lead after the first round of the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges on Thursday.

In the breezy conditions, the back nine of the course posed the most difficulty, but the 36-year-old American made two birdies and negotiated it in 35 after starting on the 10th tee, and then picked up three shots on his final nine.

Danny Willett and Si Woo Kim shot 69 while the large group at 70 and tied for fourth included Ian Poulter, Nick Watney and Michael Kim.

Brooks Koepka, playing in his first tournament since being voted PGA TOUR player of the year, shot 71 and was in a group three strokes behind and tied for 11th which included Paul Casey and Hideki Matsuyama.

Canadian Adam Hadwin o]was also in the mix at 1 under par. The Abbotsford, B.C., native struggled early with three bogeys on the front but clawed back with four birdies after the turn to sit three back of the lead. He’ll tee it up in Friday’s second round at 8:05 a.m. local time.

Jason Dufner and Brandt Snedeker shot 72. Defending champion Justin Thomas had a 73, as did Jason Day, Ernie Els and J.B. Holmes.

Marc Leishman, who won last week’s CIMB Classic in Malaysia, and Adam Scott had 75s.

Reavie’s only PGA Tour win came at the 2008 RBC Canadian Open, and he finished second in back-to-back starts last year in Phoenix and Pebble Beach, losing at Phoenix in a playoff.

“It was a great day, I hit the ball really well,” Reavie said of Thursday’s round. “The wind was blowing really hard all day long so you had to really start the ball well and keep it out of the wind. Luckily, I was able to do that.”

Despite the windy conditions, Reavie found all 14 fairways off the tee and hit 15 out of 18 greens in regulation, which he felt was the key to a good score.

“It’s tough because once you get above the hole with this wind, it’s really hard to chip it close,” he said. “The more greens you can hit, the better and that was key to my game.”

Willett, who has struggled with injuries and form since winning the 2016 Masters and has dropped to No. 342 in the world, made five birdies and two bogeys in his 69. Willett has just one top-five finish since finishing second in the Italian Open in September 2016.

Having committed to play on the PGA TOUR by taking up membership this season, Willet said it was important to make a quick start to the season.

“I’ve done two tours for a couple of years, and it’s very difficult,” Willett said. “We committed to play on the PGA TOUR, to play predominantly over here this year and next. It’s nice to kind of get in and get some points early if you can.”

The second of three PGA TOUR events in three weeks in Asia has a 78-player field and no cut. Only 19 players broke par on Thursday.

SHANGHAI – Ariya Jutanugarn shot a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai tournament on Thursday.

The Thai player had six birdies in a bogey-free round, including three straight on Nos. 4, 5, and 6.

“I always have so much fun when I play in Asia,” said Jutanugarm, who added her key was “just not to expect anything. Just go out have fun and enjoy everything.”

Sei Young Kim and Danielle Kang (both 67) were one shot back, with six other players only two shots off the lead.

The tournament is the second of five being played in South Korea, Japan, China and Taiwan in the LPGA’s annual Asian swing.

Kang credited her improved play to new coach Butch Harmon.

“We just kind of simplify the game a lot,” the American said. “Just trying to calm it down and get back to how I used to play. Just more feel golf. Thinking less mechanics and going with the flow.”

Kang tied for third last week at the KEB Hana Bank championship in Incheon, South Korea.

“Today’s round went very smooth,” Kang said. “Coming off very good momentum after last week, and I’ve been hitting the ball really well, playing great. I’ve just been trusting my game and just keep giving myself birdie chances. They kept rolling in.”

Canada’s Brooke Henderson struggled out of the gate with a 3-over-par 75 to sit in a tie for 60th.

LONDON, England – A global consensus amongst leaders in public health, public policy and sport backs golf in the race to tackle physical inactivity and the prevention of a range of non-communicable disease (NCD) including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer of the breast and colon.

Evidence linking golf and health, commissioned by the World Golf Foundation and supported by The R&A, was presented this week in London at the 7th Congress of the International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH). The biennial scientific meeting is widely regarded as the world’s flagship physical activity and public health event attended by more than 1,000 delegates from 60 countries.

Recognition that playing golf has significant physical health and wellness benefits and can provide moderate intensity physical activity to persons of all ages, comes just months after the World Health Organization (WHO) published its Global Action Plan for Physical Activity. The Global Action Plan targets one in four adults, and four out of five adolescents (11-17 years) who are insufficiently active, and charts how countries can reduce physical inactivity in adults and adolescents by 15% by 2030.

The scientific consensus for golf is evidenced in research led by the University of Edinburgh and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Findings reveal that playing golf is associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits, and further collaborative efforts to improve access for the sport are needed.

New studies are underway to discover if playing golf improves strength and balance, contributing to a key public health goal of fall prevention in healthy aging and into conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

Marking the close of the ISPAH Congress, public health practitioners, policymakers and golf industry leaders were hosted at a satellite event in the Palace of Westminster by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf.

The @GolfAndHealth Project will study the varied health and well-being benefits of #golf, considering any risks, with results to be published in international peer-reviewed journals.

Details ➡️ https://t.co/rX01kcrNGL pic.twitter.com/JzCvyNVQju

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) October 18, 2018

Steve Brine, Minister for Public Health and Primary Care, said, “Physical activity of any type comes with a range of physical, social and mental benefits. For some, golf can be a great way to stay active and there’s growing evidence about ways the sport can help those living with long term conditions such as Parkinson’s and dementia. And for those who haven’t discovered their favourite sport yet it’s never too late to get inspired, connect with people and improve your wellbeing.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “Golf is working hard to encourage more people into the sport, who will realize its many health benefits. With 60 million golfers spanning six continents, golf has found common purpose in working with public health practitioners and policymakers to optimise the health benefits of playing the sport.

“We recognize the importance of the World Health Organization Global Action Plan for Physical Activity and we will work with our affiliates and partners around the world to help improve health and well-being through golf”.

Professor Fiona Bull, WHO Programme Manager, Non-Communicable Disease Prevention, said, “Non-communicable disease is responsible for nearly three quarters of all premature deaths globally, including 15 million deaths per year in people aged 30 to 70 years.

“The new World Health Organization global action plan and the implementation toolkit ‘ACTIVE’ aims to help all countries improve the environments and the opportunities for all people to be more active. Golf is a popular sport for men and women and it is great to see golf’s global leadership recognizing health priorities and identifying ways golf can be more accessible to more people.

“I took up golf in my 30s but thought it was a very technical, expensive and elitist sport. Thankfully a 6 week ‘come and try course’ showed me how easy it was to enjoy golf as a beginner and how active playing 9 holes can be. I am looking forward to seeing how golf can attract many more girls and women to enjoy the sport and be more active and healthy”.

Annika Sorenstam, Major Champion and a global ambassador for golf and health, said, “As the recent international consensus statement highlighted, golf is great for the health of people of all ages – it benefits those playing the sport and even tournament spectators.

“Given the health benefits, we must work together to make golf more accessible if we are to achieve our sport’s full potential.”

The 2018 International Consensus Statement on Golf and Health to guide action by people, policymakers and the golf industry was published last month in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

A further Golf and Health Scientific Meeting will be held on Thursday 18 October 2018 at Mytime Active, High Elms Golf Course, Bromley, UK – a club promoting healthy lifestyles. Researchers from Asia, Australia, Europe and the USA will discuss their respective projects and the future direction of research on golf and health.

VENICE, Fla. — With the Symetra Tour season in the books and the LPGA Tour on its Asian swing, the remainder of eyes in the women’s golf world shift to the Sunshine State for Stage II of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament from Oct. 15-18.

A field of 193 players is set to compete in southwest Florida on the Panther Course and Bobcat Course at Plantation Golf & Country Club.

“The journey continues for those hoping to secure a LPGA card through Q-School,” said Mike Nichols, the Chief Business Officer of the Symetra Tour. “After graduating the top-10 players in the Volvik Race for the Card, it is an exciting time to not only usher the next wave to the big stage, but see who will join them in the relentless pursuit of their dreams.”

Individuals will battle in a 72-hole stroke play format featuring no cut.

Furthermore, a minimum of the top-25 players and ties will advance to Q-Series, contested from Oct. 22 through Nov. 3 in Pinehurst, N.C. at Pinehurst Resort. Those at the next score, or scores, will also advance provided that the total number of players in Q-Series does not exceed 108, which currently has 62 exempt and entered competitors.

Action begins at 8 a.m. ET all four days with the rotation of Bobcat Course-Panther Course to be used for the first two rounds. Meanwhile, the entire field will be re-paired by score and divided in half for round three, with lower scores playing the Panther Course and higher scores playing the Bobcat Course. Ties will be broken by the lowest, most recent round to determine which course an individual will play for the third round.

In the fourth round, players will alternate the course played in round three and be re-paired by score. For example, if a player starts the third round on the Bobcat Course, she will be re-paired by score and play the Panther Course for the fourth round.

Eight Canadians are in the field, including Aram Choi of Surrey, B.C., Krista Fenniak of For McMurray, Alta., Hannah Hellyer of Stirling, Ont., Jaclyn Lee of Team Canada who hails from Calgary, Megan Osland and Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., Team Canada Maddie Szyeryk of London, Ont., as well as Elizabeth Tong of Thornhill, Ont.

Click here for scoring.

Une autre preuve que les golfeurs professionnels du Québec poursuivent la relance de leur association après avoir été mis en tutelle par la PGA du Canada est le retour de la remise des Méritas de concert avec le groupe Pro Golf.

« En plus d’honorer l’excellence, voilà une autre chance de continuer à connecter avec   nos membres afin de poursuivre à bâtir ensemble, » déclare Dominic Racine en poste dans le rôle de directeur général depuis juillet.

L’hommage principal était la présentation du titre de Pro de l’année, lequel est allé à Debbie Savoy-Morel pour son impact à la barre du Mirage et son sport. Cette reconnaissance survient à un moment de transition majeure.

Debbie a été chaudement applaudie par ses collègues qui l’ont élue par une très forte majorité dans les votes. En prenant la parole, Debbie a remercié son équipe.

« Ce genre de prix ne se gagne jamais seule, » a-t-elle mentionné. Debbie a également profité de sa tribune pour transmettre un message à ses pairs.

« Afin de poursuivre la relance, il est important d’apporter notre appui et notre collaboration au président Steven Brosseau et son comité qui donnent leur temps bénévolement, » a-t-elle ajouté.

Jean-Philippe Moffet, du Manoir Richelieu a obtenu le prix de pro-gestionnaire et celui de la classe A a été décerné à Steve Deschênes, de Pinegrove.

Plus que mérité, un prix devient une célébration de carrière pour Debbie

Même un scénariste professionnel n’aurait pas fait mieux et je parle ici de Debbie Savoy-Morel, la première femme nommée professionnelle par excellence au golf québécois en attendant les annonces canadiennes, où elle se situe favorite en raison de son rayonnement ici et ailleurs.

Entre vous et moi, Debbie aurait pu et dû recevoir cet ultime hommage voilà cinq ans, dix et même bien avant.

Son travail depuis deux décennies et plus au club Le Mirage toujours en très étroite collaboration avec son directeur général René Noël constitue un modèle d’efficacité   dans la façon de faire.

La grande décision est prise

Cela dit, le moment pour les grands honneurs ne peut être mieux choisi lorsqu’on connaît toute l’histoire de Debbie auparavant nommée enseignante et « gentilhomme ».

Membre du Panthéon de Golf Québec depuis l’an dernier et avec un tournoi provincial portant son nom depuis quelques années, Debbie a l’habitude des prix sauf que celui-ci revêt un caractère particulier.

Une mention nécessaire et essentielle à faire est que Debbie se retrouve à un point de transition majeure dans sa vie professionnelle. Les membres du Mirage ont été avisés. Elle a pris la grande décision. Le temps est venu de profiter un peu plus du bon temps avec son mari Denis (Morel).

Là pour rester

De fait, l’annonce d’un nouveau pro pour joindre l’équipe en place surviendra aussitôt que ces jours-ci.

Qu’on lise bien ici : Debbie quitte ses fonctions administratives, mais pas le Mirage. Elle y sera présente la saison prochaine et plusieurs autres à venir.

Dans une décision populaire, René Noël nomme son amie Debbie professionnelle émérite du Mirage et proche conseillère.

Tel que mentionné au début, même un scénariste professionnel n’aurait pas pu faire mieux avec cette reconnaissance de ses pairs comme pro de l’année pour applaudir l’excellence de Debbie Savoy-Morel en même temps que célébrer une très belle carrière qui n’est pas terminée.

PS : au sujet des prix nationaux, les gagnants seront connus plus tard, mais avis aux dirigeants à Toronto – Debbie a déjà mon vote et celui de l’ensemble du golf au Québec.

Marc-Étienne Bussières honoré pour son jeu

Bien que la «nouvelle» PGA du Québec ne soit plus en large partie une organisation de tournois avec la nouvelle philosophie en place, la reconnaissance aux performances compétitives existe toutefois toujours.

Sans surprise, la distinction du meilleur golfeur est allée à Marc-Étienne Bussières, du club LongChamp.

Parmi ses principaux succès cette année, il y a les victoires aux championnats du Québec des pros et du Canada chez les adjoints cela une deuxième année de suite dans ce dernier cas. Bussières est aussi premier au classement des points de la PGA du Canada.

La relève en évidence 

De nouveaux noms ressortent cette année ce qui est bien pour assurer le renouvellement dans la profession et Benoît Lemieux est du nombre en ravissant la récompense d’entraîneur de l’année. Benoît est du groupe Golf Performance, qui appartient à Daniel Langevin.

Il dirige plusieurs talents de la relève, dont le champion junior canadien Christopher Vandette. Il dirige l’équipe du Cégep André-Laurendeau, championne provinciale, et celle du Collège de Montréal.

Kevin Bilodeau-Tremblay, de la Tempête, a mérité la distinction du meilleur enseignant.

Toujours dans la catégorie gala, mentionnons que Marc Foucault, du Lac Sainte-Marie, dans l’Outaouais, reçoit le prix de professionnel de l’année de la région d’Ottawa à laquelle il appartient pour des motifs de proximité.

On assure que les trophées, qui portent les noms de Jules Huot, Damien Gauthier, Jean-Paul Alary, Jean-Guy Regnaud et Richard Labonté à titre posthume, continueront d’être remis après leur restauration en cours. Un autre retour qui survient cette semaine sera le championnat des adjoints pour le trophée Ernie Findlay. Ce sera mardi, au club Beaconsfield.

TABLEAU DES LAURÉATS

Professionnel(le) par excellence: Debbie Savoy-Morel, Le Mirage

Compétiteur: Marc-Étienne Bussières, LongChamp

Pro-administrateur: Louis-Philippe Moffet, Manoir Richelieu

Pro classe A: Steve Deschênes, Pinegrove 

Entraîneur: Benoit Lemieux, Académie Golf Performance

Enseignant: Kevin Bilodeau-Tremblay, La Tempête

Candidat au titre national: Marc-Étienne Bussières, LongChamp

 Meilleure boutique: Pierre-Luc Bergeron et Maxime Beaulieu, B2Golf

Chef de file junior: Nicolas Quirion, Laval-sur-le-Lac   

Le 19^e trou
Le club Le Victorien, à Mirabel, a été vendu. À moins d’un changement, l’endroit changera de vocation… À surveiller cette semaine, il y a le championnat collégial canadien. André-Laurendeau et Champlain/St.Lawrence sont les représentants du Québec… Le temps risque de ne pas être très chaud avec la présentation à Medicine Hat, en Alberta…. Il a commencé à neiger en Abitibi.

Ten Canadians will move on to the second stage of 2018 Web.com Tour qualifying school as play concluded Friday (Oct. 12.) at events taking place across the United States.

Kaleb Gorbahn of Smithers, B.C., finished runner up at 8-under, while Hugo Bernard of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., tied for 17th after finishing 2-under at the Dayton Valley, Nev., qualifying event, where the top 22 positions and tied advanced.

Click here for the leaderboard.

In Pine Mountain, Ga., Joey Savoie of La Prairie, Que., advanced after tying for 14th at 10-under. The top 21 and ties qualified to move on to the next stage.

Click here to view the leaderboard.

Toronto’s Richard Lee finished ninth at 7-under and Robbie Greenwell of Georgetown, Ont., tied for 13th at 3-under at the San Diego qualifier, where the top 22 and ties moved on.

Click here for the leaderboard.

Jared du Toit of Kimberley, B.C., Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Andrew Funk of Sidney, B.C., all finished in the top 21 and ties at the SunRiver Golf Club in St. George, Utah to advance.

du Toit finished 9th at 16-under. Another shot back was Pendrith, who tied for 10th. Funk tied for 20th at 9-under.

Click here to view the leaderboard.

Jamie Sadlowski of St. Paul, Alta., previously earned top spot at a qualifier in Maricopa, Ariz., with a score of 16-under. Vancouver’s Sean Harlingten finished 4th, one-shot back of top spot at -15. Ryan Williams, also of Vancouver, tied for 13th at -10. The top 21 and ties moved on.

Click here for the leaderboard.

Second stage of 2018 Web.com Tour qualifying gets underway Oct. 30. Click here for the full schedule.

The world’s best junior golfers faced off this week at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games contested at Buenos Aires’ Hurlingham Golf Club.

In the women’s individual competition, Grace Kim of Australia won the gold medal, topping the 32-player field at 1 over par (211). Italy’s Alessia Nobilio, who was part of the gold medal winning team at the 2018 World Junior Girls Championship this past September in Ottawa, took home silver with a total score of 214 (+4). Nobilio, Emma Spitz of Austria and Yuka Saso of the Philippines squared off in an extra hole playoff with Nobilio making birdie and Spitz getting par to claim the bronze medal.

Canada’s Céleste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Qué. — who entered the final round with share of 7^th position — finished the tournament in a tie for 13^th with rounds of 75-72-76 (223).

On the men’s side, Australia’s Karl Vilips topped the field of 32 to win the gold medal with a total score of 4 under 206 (69-68-69), besting American Akshay Bhatia by two strokes. Bhatia was awarded the silver medal with a total score of 208 (69-69-70) while the bronze medal was won by the Netherlands’ Jerry Ji who scored 211 (+1) for the tourney.

William Duquette of Laval, Qué., finished the competition in 28^th spot with rounds of 80-79-82 for a total score of 241 (+31).

The Youth Olympic Games golf competition resumes Oct. 14-15 with the mixed team tournament, which will see the Québec duo of Dao and Duquette team up to represent the maple leaf.

Golf Canada’s Director of Next Generation and Women’s Junior Squad coach Matt Wilson is accompanying Team Canada in Buenos Aires.

As well, Golf Canada’s Mary-Beth McKenna, who is assistant tournament director for the RBC Canadian Open, is working as a rules official for the Youth Olympic Games golf competition.

Click here for the full results.

Lara Tennant of Portland, Ore., won 1-up against Samuel to move on to Thursday’s final round against Sue Wooster of Australia.

Tennant defeated a Senior Women’s Amateur runner-up in the semifinals, edging Terrill Samuel, 57, of Canada, 1 up. The match went to the 18th hole all square after Samuel, who lost in the championship match in 2017, birdied No. 17 with a 7-foot putt. Both players had birdie putts on No. 18, with Samuel hitting her 50-footer 6 feet past the hole. Tennant, who was co-medalist in last year’s championship before bowing out in the Round of 64, rolled in her birdie try from 25 feet to seal victory and earn a spot in Thursday’s final.

The match had its share of dramatic moments. All square on No. 11, it looked like Tennant would regain the lead after hitting her approach shot on the par 4 to less than a foot from the hole, but Samuel chipped in from just off the green to halve the hole with birdies. Tennant would then trail for the only time in the match after hitting her tee shot on the par-3 12th in the water, but she squared the match again with a birdie on the par-5 13th.

While she fell short in her bid to get to a second straight final, Samuel did gain a bit of redemption on Wednesday morning, defeating countrywoman Judith Kyrinis, 54, in the quarterfinals, 1 up. Kyrinis, the reigning champion, had defeated Samuel in the championship match a year ago.

MISSISSAUGUA, Ont. – Higher Ground Sports Management Inc. announced today the signing of former No.1-ranked Canadian amateur golfer Hugo Bernard of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, who has turned professional.

Bernard is making his professional debut this week at the First Stage of Web.com Tour Q-School in Dayton, Nevada.

The 23-year-old has also signed an endorsement deal with Titleist.

“With my professional career getting started this week, I was thrilled to sign with an experienced management team,” said Bernard, the former Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion, who has been a member of Golf Canada’s National Team since 2016. Bernard was also a member of Canada’s National Development Squad in 2013.

“I’ve had a lot of great opportunities as an amateur and collegiate golfer and I’m very proud of my career so far. I can’t wait to get started on the next phase of my golf career and join the professional ranks.”

Higher Ground, led by President George Sourlis, manages the business affairs of PGA Tour winner Adam Hadwin, LPGA Tour player and Canadian Olympian Alena Sharp, and fellow Golf Canada National team alums Jared du Toit and Blair Hamilton. Higher Ground will assist Bernard in sourcing and securing endorsement arrangements, developing and marketing his professional brand, and day-to-day management of his career.

“Hugo has it all,” said Sourlis. “He is extremely talented on the golf course, and that talent has shone through for years throughout his amateur and collegiate career. But away from the golf course he’s also an exemplarily young man. I’m excited to be part of what should be a long and successful career.”

Bernard was a star freshman at Saint Leo University in Florida. He led the team to a NCAA Division II national team championship and secured one individual title, at the NCAA Argonaut Invitational. He was also the individual medalist at the 2016 NCAA Division II Championship.

Bernard has had a long list of accomplishment in Canada, the U.S., and his native Quebec.

Bernard’s immediate goal will be to secure Web.com Tour status for 2019, otherwise he will play on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada next year.